University of South Florida Muma College of Business     December 2019
FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU: HAVE A SWEET HOLIDAY SEASON
Happy, Happy Holidays
This is how the gingerbread house in the atrium was built. All the efforts from faculty and staff are worth it just to wish all of you a happy and safe holiday season and winter break. Seriously, watch this video.

2019: A YEAR MARKED BY GREAT STRIDES, GOALS ACCOMPLISHED
As the year comes to a close, please take a moment to look back at some of our milestones in 2019. First off, in January, we ... 


BUON GIORNO: AGREEMENT SIGNED TO OFFER DEGREES IN ITALY
Bringing the world closer 
Beginning next fall, the Muma College of Business will offer graduate degrees in entrepreneurship at a college in Treviso, Italy. The program is open to ...



LOCAL RESTAURANT SCENE IS STUFFED WITH BUSINESS ALUMNI
Many of our graduates enter marketing and financial industries, but some venture into the restaurant business, where they master not only the culinary arts, but how to turn a profit as well. Try this sampling of alumni-owned and supported eateries ... 
 
SAVING FOOD FROM THE TRASH CAN GET SOME MONEY BACK
Cherripick
Cherripick is for all of you out there who check the expiration dates of perishable items in the grocery store. The start-up, sparked by a business alumnus, offers cash back for those who buy food just before the expiration date, saving it from being wasted. The idea also benefits ... 
 
ONE STUDENT'S TAKE ON PERSONAL CHANGES WHILE IN THE UK
Josh Vankooten in London
Josh Vankooten was part of the Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management Program's trip across the pond last month. The cohort did the usual tours, case studies and taking in the culture and the people. But something else happened ...



RELIAQUEST CYBERSECURITY LABS MAY BE YOUR CAREER CHOICE 
In search of a cybersecurity career?
Many USF who students enrolled in the inaugural ReliaQuest program earned job interviews immediately upon completion and several of those have gone on to begin rewarding and lucrative careers.


STUDENTS WIN PITCH CHALLENGE, HEAD TO HARVARD THIS SPRING
Caleb Krassner, Molly Jones, Anna Carter
Two Zimmerman Advertising Program students and a classmate majoring in biomedical science won the Judy Genshaft Honors College Grand Challenge with their idea to help sensory impaired people and now they are bound for Harvard Medical School to compete. As freshmen ... 


GABE RODRIGUEZ FEATURED AT USF DECEMBER COMMENCEMENT
Gabe Rodriguez
Walking across the stage of the Yuengling Center this weekend to receive his master's degree in finance, Gabe Rodriguez proved his commitment to excellence, hard work and a passion for education. He graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA and ...




FACULTY/STAFF NOTES
* Alan Hevner,  a Distinguished University Professor and Eminent Scholar in the Information Systems and Decision Sciences Department, has been selected as a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, a designation that less than .1 percent achieve each year.

James Stock, a marketing  professor and co-director of the Monica Wooden Center for Supply Chain Management & Sustainability, received the Outstanding Global Vision Award and Kaushik Dutta, chair of and professor in the Information Systems and Decision Sciences Department, received the Outstanding Student Success Award. The recognition of educators, staff and administrators who are instrumental in expanding USF's global footprint, came during an event last month hosted by USF World. Congratulations to both educators. For more information and a complete list of award recipients, click here.  To view photos of the event, click here.

Jennifer Cainas, an instructor in the Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy, earned the American Institute of CPAs 2019 Teaching Innovation Awards honorable mention, recognizing her efforts on a team of educators who taught students how to collect and interpret data and to make informed decisions for business management.

* Erwin Danneels, an associate professor of management, has written a paper that will be published in the Journal of Business Venturing in January. Titled "Learning from Failure and Firm Innovativeness," the paper debunks the common myth that tolerating failure is good for innovation. To read the article, click here.

*  Mike Mondello, a professor in the Marketing Department and associate program director of the Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management Program, co-authored a paper titled "Betting Market Outcomes and NBA Television Viewership," which will appear in an upcoming issue of the  Journal of Sport Management .

Three current and former marketing PhD students have landed teaching positions at PhD-granting universities.  Iana Shaheen, expected to graduate next year, was hired at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville;  Annika Abell is now an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and  Courtney Szocs is now an assistant professor at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.


ALUMNI NOTES

* Kimberly Gramm ('94, Marketing) has been appointed to the Product Development and Small Business Incubator Board for the state of Texas. She currently serves as the associate vice president of innovation and entrepreneurship at Texas Tech University.

* Sandra Williams ('80, Accounting) has been appointed to the senior leadership team of the Cape Fear Valley Health System in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She previously was executive vice president and chief financial officer for Christus Spohn Health System in Corpus Christi, Texas, and prior to that, she was the COO and CFO for University Community Hospital (now Advent Health) in Tampa.

* Kelly Hornick ('14, MBA) is now senior public relations manager at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, leading the public relations and social media teams. Previously, she served as the corporate manager of business development and strategic alliances with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.

* Shannon Herrera ('01, MBA) is now the vice president and executive director of the Find Feed & Restore organization in Lake County, which finds homes for the homeless. Her main responsibility is fundraising.

* Elliot Charles ('05, Management) is now the Chicago State University's director of intercollegiate athletics. He has more than 14 years of athletic leadership experience at Clemson University and Florida A&M University.

* Beatriz Viamontes ('03, MBA; '97, MAcc; '95, Accounting) is the new chief financial officer at Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research in Tampa.

* Dennis Murphy Jr., ('03, MBA) was named to the "Banker of the Year" list published by the Florida Bankers Association. He is president, CEO and cofounder of Gulfside Bank of Sarasota.


* Jan. 9, the State of the Region , hosted by the Muma College of Business along with the Tampa Bay Partnership, is scheduled to take place at the USF Marshall Student Center. The event is sold out, but those interested in attending may join a wait list. To add your name to the list, click here.

* Feb. 20, Conversation with a CEO featuring Pam Iorio,  former mayor of Tampa, current president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and a USF alumna.  The event takes place at the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation, 124 S. Franklin St., downtown Tampa. Watch for details .

* March 11, Conversation with a CEO featuring David Deno, CEO of Bloomin' Brands, the company that owns several popular eateries including Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill. The event takes place at the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation, 124 S. Franklin St., in downtown Tampa. Watch for details.
University of South Florida Muma College of Business
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