USF Bulls Business Scene Logo
University of South Florida Muma College of Business   July 2017
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: ISHRAIN HUSSAIN BREAKS THROUGH BARRIERS
The latest turn in Ishrain Hussain's life has put her in Malaysia. But that's only scratching the surface. From a conservative family in India, Hussain was the first woman to go to college and move to the United States where she earned a USF master's degree in information systems. Along the way, she's made lots of friends and landed a dream job at Jabil. Read more.
CHALLENGING STATS: DIFFICULT CLASS DOESN'T HAVE TO BE HARD 
Ron Satterfield hated math when he was a kid, but that was because of the way the subject was taught, he says. Now the instructor with ISDS teaches statistics to undergrads, graduate students and doctoral candidates. His folksy delivery of difficult material is getting some rave reviews by students.  Learn more.
DEAN DEALS SAGE ADVICE TO GRADS ON PROMOTION STRATEGY  
So, you've been hired right out of school and you're beginning to chart your career? Muma College of Business Dean Moez Limayem has offered some pointers on how to move up that corporate ladder by taking that important step: the first promotion. Doing your job to the best of your ability is only part of the career advancement strategy, the dean says. To get clued in to the rest of the tips, click here.
MATTIA PENS ARTICLE FOR JOURNAL OF FINANCIAL PLANNING  
Finance Instructor Laura Mattia wrote an article for the June issue of the Journal of Financial Planning, outlining  reasons why the USF Muma College of Business is implementing a personal financial planning major in the fall of 2017. Mattia, herself a certified financial planner, is the director of the new program, which will give students a chance at high-paying jobs upon graduation in an industry that is ripe for replenishing. Click  here.  
ISDS RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY FOR RESEARCH JOURNAL ARTICLES 
The Information Systems and Decision Sciences department at USF's Muma College of Business was ranked No. 30 in business school research ratings by the University of Texas at Dallas. The survey is based on scores of more than 300 business schools and colleges across North America and includes information collected from the three top research journals between Jan. 1, 2014 and Dec. 31, 2016. For more information, click here.
MUMA STUDENTS ANALYZE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SUPPLY CHAIN
Ten USF marketing students are working with Habitat for Humanity, researching ways to improve how the non-profit does business. Specifically, the students are studying supply-chain management practices and, by the end of the fall semester, they hope to have recommendations that could impact as many as 20 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Florida.  Learn more.
FACULTY/STAFF NOTES 
  • Yolanda Cowart, a business consultant with the Florida Small Business Development Center at USF in Pinellas County, received the Florida SBDC's 2017 State Star Award, the highest accolade achievable by SBDC employees. The award recognizes extraordinary achievements by workers who have made strong contributions to the statewide network.
  • Dipayan Biswas, professor of marketing,  recently was appointed area editor with the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, a Financial Times Top 50 journal.
  • Jennifer Cainas, an instructor in the Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy, successfully defended her DBA dissertation at the University of Florida.
  • Rosann Webb Collins, associate professor with the Information Systems and Decision Sciences department, recently retired after a 25-year career at USF. She was the faculty director of the MBA and Executive MBA programs during the 2013-14 academic year.
  • Reggie Shouse, student success advisor with the Muma College of Business, earlier this year successfully defended his higher-education dissertation at Bowling Green State University.
Read Faculty/Staff Notes
 
ALUMNI NOTES   
  • Janice Polo ('86, Accounting) was promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer for BayCare Health System. Polo previously served as president of finance at the not-for-profit system, which includes 15 West Central Florida hospitals. She has worked with BayCare for more than 28 years.
  • Sam Bridgman ('17, MBA and MS Sports and Entertainment Management) received the Sports Community Hero award from the Tampa Bay Sports Commission during its annual Sneaker Soiree gala. Bridgman is a business development coordinator for the Tampa Bay Lightning and an outspoken advocate for finding a cure for Friedreich's ataxia, a neuro-muscualr disorder that he has coped with since adolescence.
  • Bill Wiggins ('93, Finance) received the USF Fan of the Year award from the Tampa Bay Sports Commission . Wiggins is a longtime Bulls athletics fan and program supporter. 
  • Anthony Diaz ('13, Finance) is now an energy investment banking analyst at Raymond James  Financial. He previously was an equity research associate at the same firm. While at the Muma College of Business, Diaz was named to the 25 Under 25 list.
  • Erika M. Troconis ('16, MS Marketing) has begun working as marketing associate at Occam Technology Group. She previously was a digital advertising account manager, Wal-Mart Mexico, at Triad Retail Media.
  • Kris W. Behsman Jr. ('14, Accounting) is now a summer associate at Anthos Capital. Previously, Behsman was a private equity associate at Heritage Holding.
  • Tatiana Garcia ('15, Management and Marketing) is now product manager for Cisco Solutions Group at Tech Data. She previously was a project specialist with Tech Data.

Read About More Alumni Who Have Achieved Success
 
 
* Aug. 19, 2 p.m. the Greater Tampa Area Alumni Chapter Bulls Block Party, will take place in Ybor City. Billed as the largest block party in the state, the ticketed event includes deals on food and beverages and access to giveaways at participating locations. Early bird ticket prices are $10, until July 14. For more information, click here.
* Aug. 25, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Muma College of Business Scholarship Luncheon will take place in the ballroom of the Marshall Student Center. Hundreds of students are expected to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships. To register, click here.
* Aug. 29, 2:45-6:30 p.m. the Week of Welcome for new Muma College of Business students will take place in the atrium and breezeway. Free food will be served and T-shirts available for declared business majors, while supplies last.
* Sept. 7-13, the Executive Doctor of Business Administration Council will hold its annual conference at the University of South Florida's Marshall Student Center.
* Sept. 28, 4-6:30 p.m., Conversation with a CEO with ConnectWise founder and CEO Arnie Bellini will be held in USF Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS), 124 S. Franklin St., Tampa. 
* Oct. 9-14, USF Homecoming Week, includes comedy shows, concerts, luncheons, a homecoming ball and a parade, finishing up with a USF versus UMass football game at Raymond James Stadium. For more information, click here.
*  Nov. 8, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Conversation with a CEO featuring Shelley Broader, president and CEO of Chico's, in the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS), 124 S. Franklin St., Tampa.  To register, click here.