TAMPA - Dale Johnson, the dean of graduate studies at the University of South Florida for six years, is stepping down next week to return to teaching.
Johnson, 63, came to USF in 1997 from the University of Washington in Seattle. Under his leadership, the number of USF graduate students increased by almost 15 percent, to about 7,000.
He also is credited with raising the school's profile by bringing in more sought-after students.
USF expects to begin searching for a replacement in the fall.