The Muma College of Business newsletter brings you news and information from the consolidated USF business colleges (and its six schools) in Sarasota-Manatee, St. Petersburg and Tampa.

Jean Kabongo, the newly named Muma College of Business campus dean at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, is busier than ever, but he still makes time for a program close to his heart, the entrepreneurship course at the Hardee Correctional Institution. Hundreds of inmates at the facility an hour east of the campus have benefitted from the weekly program since Kabongo and criminologist Jessica Grosholz, a fellow professor at the Sarasota-Manatee campus, introduced it in 2016. To read more, click here.

Muma College of Business finance faculty as well as supporters in the real estate business say the real estate market is holding up well, thanks to small inventories of homes, low interest rates and virtual tours. The trend, for the most part is likely to continue on after the pandemic subsides, they say.

“Times have been quite interesting for the real estate market,” said Nina Schmidt, a management instructor with the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance. “This indicates that the real estate market has been quite strong overall so far, despite COVID-19.”

Though the excitement of a packed Yuengling Center and roaring parents, friends and family were lacking, the accomplishment of finishing college came through this month as USF hosted its second virtual commencement ceremony. Still, the occasion served as a moment to reflect on time spent here, the education and everything else that comes in a university culture. And now, it's time to look to the future, with a new class of leaders ready to emark on new paths in their lives. To view the commencement speeches and roll of business grads, click here.

Sharon Segrest, with the School of Information Systems and Management, is on the board of directors for ReBootKamp, a nonprofit that gives refugees the tools needed to enter the technical field. The students are from the war-torn areas of the Middle East and Africa and in addition to the education they receive in engineering and computer sciences, they also are taught the soft skills that help them assimilate more easily into the culture of any host country. Learn more.

Donna Davis, professor in the School of Marketing and Innovation and academic director of the Monica Wooden Center for Supply Chain Management and Sustainability, was featured in a Tampa Bay Times column explaining why some products make it to the grocery store shelves and others don’t.   

Moez Limayem, dean of the Muma College of Business, was named a community hero by EDGE business magazine in its July online publication. The dean’s work in creating the “Post-Crisis Leadership” certificate program was instrumental in his nomination. “The information you provided (in the program) was invaluable and is extremely beneficial as our small businesses rebound," the magazine said.

Matt Mullarkey, director of the DBA program and principal investigator of a study that utilizes cell phone data to track the spread of COVID-19, was featured in a number of news publications last month, including Catalist, Business Observer, WTSP.com and the Tampa Bay Times.

Doreen MacAulay, instructor with the School of information Systems and Management, penned an informative and relevant essay on navigating the constantly changing work environment. To read the blog, click here.

Russell Clayton, instructor with the School of Marketing and Innovation, was recently awarded the Mid-Career Distinguished Educator Award by the Management & Organizational Behavioral Society.

Evelyne Viens (’19, Accounting) was chosen as USF’s nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Viens, who broke several school records while playing soccer for USF, now plays professionally for Sky Blue FC in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Brian Lamb (‘98, Accounting; '17, MBA) received the Person of Vision Award from Preserve Vision Florida. Lamb is the global head of diversity and inclusion for JPMorgan Chase, a member of the Florida Board of Governors and former chair of the USF Board of Trustees.

Kelsey (Volwiler) Degaeta, ('14, Marketing) now leads the U.S. expansion of Offspring, an Australian-based company that produces all natural diapers, baby wipes and cleaning spray. She also co-owns Pure Family Products of Punta Gorda.

Jennifer Morgan ('16, Marketing) is the new assistant director of development for the USF College of Arts and Sciences. She previously worked at the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College and before that was a development specialist at the Muma College of Business.

Nancy Morero ('17, Business Administration) was named Manatee County Tax Collector’s Employee of the Quarter. She joined the agency in 2017. She is an assistant manager in training.

David Lackore (‘00, Management) is now director of operations for Cyndeo Wealth Partners. He oversees business operations and client-based services including delivery of the client review program, calendar coordination and proposal generation.

Sandy Denslow, with undergraduate advising in Tampa, is deeply committed to each student and provides a level of satisfaction lauded by faculty and staff alike. Her efforts came to the forefront this year when USF and the Muma College of Business placed first in the state in a series of student success-based metrics.

Lisa Yacso Vanover serves as academic services administrator for the Online MBA and MAcc students on the St. Petersburg campus. A master of "wearing many hats," Lisa is committed to student success. Recently, she developed a creative strategy to promote, organize and manage the college's AY 2021 scholarship selection process which amounts to over $150,000 in student support.

Haleigh Prosia led the transition of the Corporate Mentor Program from face-to-face to remote by quickly moving student events and programs to the Microsoft Teams platform. Her efforts proved critical for the Corporate Mentor Program students and staff to continue to communicate important program information and participant events remotely on-line.

The Outstanding Young Alumni Award was established in 2004 to recognize alumni 35 and younger for their professional accomplishments and engagement to the university. Selections are based on success in chosen careers; but, a commitment to USF may also be considered. Nominations are open until Oct. 5. To nominate someone, click here.