State of the Region 2026

Key economic findings reveal how Tampa Bay compares to its peer metropolitan areas at the 2026 State of the Region event. Read more→

conversational ai in hospitality

High-touch or high-tech? A USF study finds smart AI concierges are great for quick, 24/7 help, but hotel guests still crave a human connection. Read more→

Bleeding green, gold and bold: Three business students share how opportunities at USF have fueled their next chapters. Read more→

USF's online MBA program stepped into the nation's top 15 in the 2026 Best Online Graduate Programs list from U.S. News & World Report. Read more→

Building momentum. The USF Muma College of Business published its 2025 Impact Report, highlighting the year's accomplishments. Read more→

vinik nhl innovation challenge

A winning strategy: USF's Vinik team took first place in the 2026 NHL Hockey Innovation Competition with a plan to expand hockey's fan base. Read more→

A partnership with a local brewery has produced the first USF-branded beer. St. Pete Pilsner is sold at Mastry's Brewing and features a student-designed label. Read more→

rick cardenas convo with a ceo

Join us on March 3 for a Conversation with a CEO event featuring Rick Cardenas, president and CEO of Darden Restaurants. The event will be at The Tampa Club. RSVP→ 

handshake

What drives hiring strategy in today's competitive labor market? A new USF study examines a firm's decision on how best to develop talent internally or externally. Read more→

USF will launch three new interdisciplinary majors that integrate computer science and AI across business, criminology, and social sciences. Read more→

women in business

Celebrate, empower, and connect at the Women in Business Celebration. The event features a keynote speaker Q&A, followed by networking. RSVP→

David Norton, MBA '03, is investing in business education and cancer research at USF as a tribute to family, mentorship and discovery. Read more→

Faculty Spotlights

Richard Borghesi, professor in the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance, was featured in a Fox-13 story about the growth of sports betting. 


Rouzbeh Behnia and Reza Ebrahimi, assistant professors in the School of Information Systems, received the Prabuddha De Best Paper Award.


Luke Richardson, associate professor of instruction in the Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy, was quoted in the Independent and Spectrum News about the start of tax season.


Seckin Ozkul, director of the USF Supply Chain Innovation Lab, appeared on a Full Circle Florida new segment about oil supply chain demands and global tensions in Venezuela.


Paul Spector, professor in the School of Management, received the 2026 Distinguished Scientific Contributions Award from the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology.


Munir Mandviwalla, director of the School of Information Systems, was appointed founding academic fellow at the Aalto Center for Digital Business Growth.


Joe Askren, professor of instruction in the School of Hospitality and Sport Management, appeared on the Morning Blend show and in Patch discussing USF’s Brewing Arts program.

Alumni Updates

Felipe Ramirez (’06, BS, Finance) has recently completed the CEPA (Certified Exit Planning Advisor) designation while serving as a private client advisor with Bank of America Private Bank. 


Alivia Royster (’ 24, BS, Information Systems) has been accepted into New York Law School in Manhattan, New York.


Julia Krems (’17, BS, Accounting) is the new director of corporate accounting at the Golden State Warriors. She is a former USF Muma College of Business 25 Under 25 Award honoree. 


Ralph Herz (’16, BS, Finance) is the chief operating officer at Nosotros Life and Spirits. He is a former USF Muma College of Business 25 Under 25 Award honoree. 


Maria Costantino (’23, BS, Hospitality Management) is the new catering sales manager for Sodexo Live! at the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. 


Madison Suhr (’17, BS, Accounting and Finance) was promoted to equity research analyst for payments and financial technology at Raymond James. 


Shelley McDuff Bliven (’12, MBA) was promoted to senior clinical sales representative at Intuitive. 


Jack Lyons (’20, Management) joined the Office of State Attorney’s 14th Judicial Circuit as a prosecutor. 

 

In Other News

personal financial planning

Personal financial planning students from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business competed in the 2026 Financial Planning Challenge, placing second in the student case competition held in January at the Future Advisors Conference.


The team members included Kevalin Gupta, Anthony Auteri, Camilo Bravo, and Neil Foley, all students in the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance.


Aside from the student competition, the two-day conference hosted by the University of Florida offered a range of professional development opportunities, industry panel discussions, and networking with numerous Registered Investment Advisor professionals. Read more.

Upcoming Calendar

• March 3. 8:30-10 a.m. Conversation with a CEO featuring Rick Cardenas. The Tampa Club. RSVP.


• March 6. 9 a.m.-noon. Women in Business Celebration. BSN atrium. Tampa campus. RSVP.


• March 14. 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. DBA Showcase. BSN. Tampa campus. Register.


• March 25. 5-7 p.m. Inaugural Muma Digital Business Awards. Armature Works. Tickets.


• April 17. 5-8 p.m. Bulls & Brews by the Bay. USF St. Petersburg campus. Tickets.


• May 21. USF Accounting Circle CPE Conference. Marshall Student Center. Tampa campus. Register.

 
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Tampa, FL 33620

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