Dean Johanna Kalb, Professor Michele Benedetto Neitz, and Associate Professor Alexandria Serra earned the distinction for their proactive efforts to modernize legal instruction. USF Law gained national attention in 2025 as the first institution in the country to embed GenAI learning outcomes directly into its required core curriculum. This strategic shift aims to ensure that students develop both the technical proficiency and the ethical judgment necessary for modern practice.

Provost Eileen Chia-Ching Fung noted that the recognition underscores the university's commitment to reimagining legal education. The individual contributions of the faculty members are diverse: Neitz leads the Center for Law, Tech, and Social Good, which offers a specialized AI and Emerging Technology Law Certificate, while Serra has implemented 15 AI-powered advocacy tools to enhance experiential learning. These efforts, according to the selection committee, represent a fundamental change in how law schools prepare graduates for a rapidly evolving professional landscape.