August 2023 Newsletter from the USF Muma College of Business

Twenty-two USF faculty members were named Outstanding Research Achievement Award winners. The list includes two USF Muma College of Business faculty: Faizan Ali and Sunil Mithas.

The Nault Center for Entrepreneurship has a new name, but its mission remains the same. The center is training future entrepreneurs, investing in startups, mentoring leaders, and holding competitions.

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The Muma College of Business will host two Week of Welcome events to kick off the Fall 2023 semester. The Tampa campus event will be noon-4 p.m. Aug. 30 and the St. Pete event will be noon-2 p.m. Aug. 31.

Joni L. Jones, the Muma College of Business campus dean at USF's Sarasota-Manatee campus, is among the campus deans named in Sarasota Magazine's Women of Influence 2023.

While striving for his bachelor's degree, war broke out in Andrii Kostyrko's home country of Ukraine. For nearly 18 months, he lived with the uncertainty and fear created by the war.

Cihan Cobanoglu, dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, received the 2023 McCool Breakthrough Award for innovations in the hospitality industry.

Randy Dumm took the helm at USF's expanding Baldwin Risk Partners School of Risk Management and Insurance. He says the school is well-positioned to become the next powerhouse RMI program in the country.

The USF Alumni Association has announced the 2023 fastest growing Bull-led businesses. The winners of the USF Fast 56 Awards will be recognized at a Sept. 8 awards ceremony at the USF Marshall Student Center.

Fabrizio Petrozzi Yanez was among the 2,400 students graduating at USF's summer commencement ceremonies. Yanez was named a Muma College of Business 25 Under 25 Award honoree.

Student spotlight: Crystal Vazquez

Crystal Vazquez, a senior marketing major in the School of Marketing and Innovation, talks about the impact of receiving $10,000 from the Leung Family Scholarship that benefits migrant students who live in the Wimauma and Ruskin areas. Read more→

Applications for HUSTLE competition open Sept. 1

Enterprising students interested in learning how to run a real-world start-up venture can apply for the HUSTLE competition. The application period is from Sept. 1 to Oct. 15. Last year's contest had student teams going head-to-head running a hot food kiosk vending business. Learn more about HUSTLE here. Watch video→

Alumni spotlight: Aysegul Timur

Aysegul Timur became the fifth president of Florida Gulf Coast University in July, making her both the first woman and immigrant to lead the university. Timur earned her PhD from the USF Muma College of Business. She is in her 24th year in higher education and has been at FGCU since 2019. Watch video→

Online certificate teaches resilient leadership skills

The M3 Center at the USF Muma College of Business is offering three new online certificate courses for free. Digital learners can register for Resilient Leadership in an Anxious World, Customer Centricity Foundations Certificate, and Cross-Cultural Leadership Certificate. Read more→

Faculty spotlights

Robert Tiller, an assistant professor of instruction in the Muma College of Business, was featured in a “Expert Tips on Life Insurance” column in moneygeek.com and in a “Credit Scores – for Dinners and More” column in wallethub.com.

Brooke Hansen, an associate professor of instruction in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, was featured in the news story “How climate change is impacting where and when tourists want to travel” in Marketplace.

Carol Osborne, a senior instructor in the School of Marketing and Innovation and the director of the Zimmerman Advertising Program, was quoted in a Reuters news story about the Barbie buzz for toymaker Mattel.

Janelle Wells, an associate professor in the USF Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management program, was named an associate member of the College Athletic Business Management Association.

Seckin Ozkul, an assistant professor of instruction and the director of the USF Supply Chain Innovation Lab, was reappointed to serve on the Florida Freight Advisory Committee led by the Florida Department of Transportation.

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Alumni updates

Lauren Henry (‘16, BS, Marketing and Management) recently published a book titled Words & Wit.

Derrick V. Warren (‘96, MBA) was named dean at the Grambling State University College of Business.

Kelly Rice (‘89, BS, Marketing) was reappointed to the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Joy Taylor (‘94, MBA) was appointed to the Wistar Institute’s Board of Trustees. Taylor is CEO of EastEdge Consulting Services and will serve on the board’s communications and marketing committee.

Orzumand Khodiev (‘18, BS, Marketing) accepted a new position as a product owner at American Airlines. He is a former USF Muma College of Business 25 Under 25 Award honoree.

Brian R. Rogers (‘09, BS, Accounting) joined the New York office of Bracewell LLP as a partner in the law and government relations firm.

Bob Champagne (‘20, MBA) was named among the Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of Tampa Bay for 2023.

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In other news

The Student Innovation Incubator offers no-cost business development training, certification, and resources to our innovative USF students who want to transform their business ideas into competitive business realities.

Get business development coaching, an exclusive mentorship network, funding network opportunities, a private workspace, and more!

The program is open to all levels, and majors, and all are encouraged to apply. With a hybrid model, students can participate in the cohort in person or virtually.

Applications close Sept. 10, 2023.

Apply here