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University of South Florida Muma College of Business   April 2017
HUNDREDS ATTEND INAUGURAL FLORIDA BIZ ANALYTICS FORUM 
Top data analysts and researches who have revolutionized companies such as Microsoft, Amazon and UBS, spoke at the Florida Business Analytics Forum held this month in the Muma College of Business atrium. Attendees heard the latest on data analytics and creativity. To get the gist of the talks and presentations,  just click here or view photo gallery
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: LINDA CIVITILLO HAS A MIND FOR BUSINESS
Business and marketing is and always has been in Linda Civitillo's blood, but after earning an Executive MBA from USF's Muma College of Business - at the ripe young age of 43 - she is focused and her career is soaring. Civitillo is vice president of sales and marketing for SVT, a growing technology solutions company. Learn More
SPORT & ENTERTAINMENT ANALYTICS CONFERENCE A BIG SUCCESS 
Kevin Kelley, the coach of a high school football team in Arkansas, knows how to get data and analyze it and how to apply it in creative ways. With a message that resonates in the world of business, Kelley was one of many speakers at the third annual USF Sport & Entertainment Analytics Conference, where, for two days, topics involving behind-the-scenes data analytics took center stage. Learn more
MUMA NOW OFFERING PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING DEGREE 
With the number of qualified financial advisors shrinking - and with the government poised to impose tight regulations on the profession - the Muma College of Business is offering a new major in personal financial planning. Beginning this fall, the new program, directed by Laura Mattia, will be available to students interested in filling the anticipated marketplace void caused by many of the current financial advisors marching themselves into retirement. Learn More or read this Tampa Bay Times article.
TROY TAYLOR FEATURED AT APRIL'S CONVERSATION WITH A CEO 
Coca-Cola bottler and distributor Troy Taylor kept a room full of business leaders, USF alumni and faculty fully engaged during an informal chat this month. He's the latest guest in the Conversation with a CEO series, hosted by the USF's Muma College of Business Dean Moez Limayem. Taylor talked about working hard to get ahead and finding the passion - and the drive  - to get you there.   Learn More
PART-TIME MBA PROGRAM AMONG THE TOP 100, SAYS U.S. NEWS 
The part-time MBA program at USF's Muma College of Business jumped 10 points in national rankings from a year ago, cracking the top 100 for the first time in history and placing the program in the top third of U.S. universities, according to the U.S. News and World Report, which released the rankings  late in March. Among the U.S. public colleges on the list, USF was No. 56.    Learn More
SBDC AT USF HAS ITS OWN DAY WITH MAYORAL PROCLAMATION  
Business has changed over the last 37 years and America's Small Business Development Center Network has been there every step of the way. Since 1980, the centers, which make up the nation's largest business assistance network, have helped emerging small business owners achieve the dream of entrepreneurship. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn signed a proclamation officially designating March 22, as Small Business Development Centers Day in Tampa, recognizing and thanking the SBDC at USF "for its impact on the economic success of our region."  Learn More
MBA NATIONAL RANKINGS PROMPT NEW GRADUATE PROGRAMS
As national recognition mounts for the Muma College of Business, plans are being made to offer new graduate programs with flexible schedules to entice working professionals back to the academic fold. A master's degree or an MBA can open new career doors or boost salaries for those who are precluded from post-graduate degrees because of conflicting work and class schedules.   Learn More
WEEKEND MS IN ANALYTICS AND INFO SYSTEMS READY TO ROLL 
Most working IT professionals would relish the chance to earn a post-graduate degree, but the problem with that is this: They are working professionals. So the Muma College of Business is offering a newly designed master of science degree in business analytics and info systems that alleviates most of the scheduling obstacles.  Learn More
DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES HOSTS ALUMNUS STEVE FREEDMAN
Steve Freedman, USF business school alumnus and office furniture magnate, says the secret to being successful is never taking no for an answer. He knows. He started his empire with a Sears' credit card and $200 in cash. He not only sold office furniture, but he also built by hand his first order. There's much more to his story, which began right here at USF. Learn more
25 UNDER 25 2017-18 ANNOUNCED, LAUDING THE BEST OF THE BEST
The panel of esteemed judges agreed that each year it gets more difficult picking the top 25 students from a field of such accomplished learners. This year was no different. These students represent not only academic excellence, but heart as well. You can even vote for the one you think is the most remarkable candidate. Want to know who these standouts are? Well, just  click here
BRAND NEW ONLINE MBA PROGRAM BEGINS IN THE FALL SEMESTER 
A new online MBA program that can enhance careers, boost salaries and make graduates the envy of their bachelor's degree-holding friends begins this fall at the Muma College of Business and features a choice of concentrations that appeal to specific career goals and aspirations.  Learn More
FACULTY/STAFF NOTES 
  • Melony Herron, Muma College of Business's office assistant, and work mom to everyone in the dean's suite, was named recipient of USF's Quiet Quality Award last month. She was given the award in the dean's board room by a throng of appreciative faculty, administrators and students.
  • Janelle Wells, visiting assistant professor with the Sport & Entertainment Management program, was named Volunteer of the Year at the New Tampa YMCA. Wells teaches global environment of sport, sport and social issues and social media in sport.
  • Jennifer Cainas, accounting instructor with the Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy, was awarded the USF Muma College of Business Outstanding Teaching Award. Cainas, who is the Warren Averett Faculty Teaching Fellow, received  the award at the teaching symposium last month.
  •  Stephanie Gray, the new enrollment management specialist, started March 13. Stephanie and her husband relocated here from Nashville, Tennessee.  She holds a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership from Fort Hays State University.  Stephanie also has several years of experience in various customer service positions. Her most recent position was with the Tennessee Bank & Trust where she was a customer liaison.
  • K. Doreen MacAulay, instructor in the Information Systems Decision Sciences Department, was the recipient of the Women in Leadership and Philanthropy's USF Instructor Faculty Research Award. MacAuley, who teaches management courses, impressed the awards committee with her work on women in STEM professions. 
 
ALUMNI NOTES
  • Molly O'Brien ('05, Marketing) has joined Michael Saunders & Co.'s commercial division based in Sarasota. Previously, O'Brien worked with Xceligent, a national provider of commercial real estate information from property listings to market analytics.
  • Shirley Whittle ('97, General Business Administration) of Whittle Law, has been invited to join the prestigious Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, the largest professional association in the insurance industry with a membership of more than 35,000 professionals.
  • Brent Backer ('01, Finance/'04 MBA International Business, Marketing Strategy and Management/'09, PhD Marketing) recently joined the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He was previously associate professor at the University of North Dakota and financial/accounting analyst for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
  • Vita Bobelis ('11, Finance) is now a coordinator for championship management at the PGA Tour. She previously was a coordinator for sales and marketing and tournament sales assistant for the PGA Tour. 
  • Johnny Burns ('12, Marketing) has started a new position as Xbox marketing program manager at Microsoft. Burns was previously a brand manager for video games and software at Amazon.
  • Erika Troconis ('16, MS Marketing) is now digital advertising account manager for Walmart Mexico at Triad Retail Media. She previously worked as marketing coordinator for eBay Advertising. 
 Read More Alumni Notes
 
* April 20, 4:30-7 p.m., Informational event to  kick off of the new personal financial planning program set to begin in the fall. It will take place in the Muma College of Business atrium. No RSVP is necessary. 
* April 25, 5-6 p.m.  Dedication of the Richard A. Corbett Digital Wall. The video wall and ticker in the atrium has been unveiled and used for about a month, but this event will recognize the donor who made the wall possible. The event takes place in the Muma College of Business atrium. To RSVP, click here.
* April 27, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., International Business Symposium: Charting a Winning Course in the Uncertain Waters of Global Commerce, hosted by and held in the Muma College of Business. For more information and a list of speakers, click here.
* May 5, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 30th Annual Government Small Business Conference: Game Plan for Federal Contracting. The one-day conference for small business owners aims to optimize business opportunities through workshops, panel discussions and an expo. The event takes place at the Holiday Inn Westshore in Tampa. For registration information, click here.
* May 18-19, USF Accounting Circle CPE Conference will take place in the Marshall Student Center. A wide variety of informative presentations will offer participants 16 CPE credits, of which 12 are accounting and auditing (subject to approval). To register, click here.