Your path to a successful career awaits you at the College of Business. Immerse yourself in high-impact, student-focused courses, relevant and innovative research and real-world education. Learn from distinguished faculty with professional expertise in accounting, finance, economics, marketing, supply train logistics, global hospitality and tourism. The College is invested in building an experienced and educated workforce ready to enter today’s dynamic business world. Be the next Business Argo who positively impacts society.
College of Business
Accredited by AACSB International
We are accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Fewer than 4.7% of business schools worldwide have earned this symbol of the highest standard in management education. AACSB-accredited schools are considered to be the best business schools in the world. Their programs have passed rigorous standards for quality. AACSB-accredited schools have better programs, better faculty, better students with higher overall GPAs, more international students, more employers that recruit from them and graduates that receive better salaries.
Prestigious Rankings
- No. 3 in Most Prestigious Online Colleges for Accounting in the U.S. by Knowinsiders (2023-24)
- No. 23 in Best Online in Master's in Business Programs for Veterans (Excluding MBA) by U.S. News & World Report (2023)
- No. 42 in Best Online in Master's in Business Programs (Excluding MBA) by U.S. News & World Report (2023)
- No. 93 in Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report (2023)
- No. 162 in Best Online MBA Programs by U.S. News & World Report (2023)
- No. 21 in Best Online in Master's in Business Programs for Veterans (Excluding MBA) by U.S. News & World Report (2022)
- No. 41 in Best Online in Master's in Business Programs (Excluding MBA) by U.S. News & World Report (2022)
- No. 80 in Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report (2022)
- No. 132 in Best Online MBA Programs by U.S. News & World Report (2022)
- No. 4 in the "Top 25 MBA Programs in Florida" by TopManagementDegrees.com (2021)
Centers
Serves as a source of support for the complete life cycle of the entrepreneur. The Center hosts weekly seminars with successful entrepreneurs. Several contests celebrating innovation are also held annually. Networking, job shadowing, and entrepreneurial resources are also available.
Connects students early to the industry with a powerful network of supply chain professionals and alumni. The Center creates unique learning opportunities and exclusive student internship and career opportunities.
Focuses on improving the financial health and well-being of all persons residing in the University of West Florida service area. Free financial coaching with certified financial counselors and weekly workshops are available.
Alumni Spotlights
Allison Hill, CEO, LifeView Group
Allison earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Accounting from UWF. She previously worked for the regional public accounting firm Saltmarsh, Cleveland and Gund before joining LifeView. She is responsible for the daily functions of a $217 million, 2,500-employee human services organization that impacts lives in multiple states and the District of Columbia. Hill serves in the UWF Executive Mentor Program and on the UWF College of Business Advisory Council. She is a College of Business Hall of Fame inductee. Hill is a member of the Rotary Club of Pensacola and serves on local and statewide boards, including the YMCA of Northwest Florida and the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services.
Collier Merrill, President/Owner, Merrill Land Company
Merrill earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from UWF and was inducted into the inaugural College of Business Hall of Fame class in 2021. He is president and CEO of a real estate development company that specializes in commercial real estate, residential and commercial construction as well as condominium and subdivision development along the Northwestern Gulf Coast. He is the president/owner of Great Southern Restaurants, Inc., which owns and operates The Fish House, Atlas Oyster House, Jackson’s Steakhouse, Five Sisters Blues Café, Angelena’s, The Palafox House, and Great Southern Weddings, Catering & Events. Additionally, Merrill serves as a stockholder and director of The Gulfarium: A Marine Adventure Park.
Stephanie Sandige, Accountant, PricewaterhouseCoopers
An assurance associate for one of the world's four largest professional networks, Stephanie Sandige earned her MBA from the University of West Florida, while pursuing her career abroad. She has spent the past seven years overseas in China, France, Japan, Italy and Spain. Before accepting her position at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Hong Kong, Sandige was an accounting assistant for Hugo Boss in Madrid. Her career includes stints as a performer at Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.
Tom Keiser, CEO of Hootsuite
After earning a bachelor’s degree in systems science from the University of West Florida, Tom Keiser worked his way up to executive roles at Ernst & Young, Gap Inc., L Brands, Zendesk and now Hootsuite. Keiser is the CEO of the social media management platform.
Mort O'Sullivan, Accountant, Warren Averett, LLC
O’Sullivan earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from UWF in 1973. He began his accounting career with the international accounting firm Deloitte Touche in Atlanta. In December 2017, O’Sullivan retired as the managing member of Warren Averett, LLC, where he focused on consulting and management advisory services to clients, while offering his expertise in litigation support, business valuations, mergers and acquisitions. He also is a registered investment advisor. O'Sullivan has served on the UWF Board of Trustees, Foundation Board of Directors, College of Business Advisory Council and presidential search committees. He is also a UWF Foundation Fellow and recipient of the University of West Florida Distinguished Alumnus Award and Presidential Medal of Honor.
Maj. Brian Allison
Maj. Allison earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance from the University of West Florida. In 2000, Maj. Allison enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served three tours in Iraq and later a tour in Afghanistan. Maj. Allison currently serves as the Technical Executive for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Cybersecurity Operations Cell. His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation and numerous campaign and service medals. He also has earned the Army Space Badge. We are proud to say he is a Business Argo!
JD Thomas, Regional VP, South-Central Crane Worldwide Logistics
JD Thomas earned a Bachelor of Arts in Finance with a Supply Chain Logistics Certificate from the University of West Florida in 2008. He is the Regional Vice President, South-Central Region in the Americas at Crane Worldwide Logistics. Thomas began his career with Crane as a Leadership Development Program trainee in 2009. After the year-long program, he settled in the Houston area to work as an Account Operations Supervisor. Thomas's work in Laredo, Texas, played a large role in the expansion of Crane’s U.S./Mexico border presence.
Cameron Davies, Chief Data Officer, Yum! Brands
Cameron Davies earned his MBA from the University of West Florida. Davies spent over 18 years at the Walt Disney Company developing and leading advanced analytical teams for a variety of business areas. Following that, Davies spent more than seven years with NBCUniversal as the SVP, Corporate Decisions Sciences. In 2020, Davies joined Yum! Brands, the world’s largest restaurant company, hosting such iconic brands as KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and The Habit Burger. At Yum! he is responsible for leading the Corporate Data and Analytics Strategy and championing the development and adoption of advanced data capabilities as Yum! transforms into a premier digital brand.
COB News
UWF College of Business and Combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola honor Ethics in Business Award recipients
The University of West Florida College of Business honored 2023 Ethics in Business award recipients at the 21st Combined Rotary Luncheon on April 27, 2023, at the Pensacola Yacht Club.
UWF’s student-managed Argo Bond Fund wins first place in the nation in global portfolio competition
The University of West Florida’s student-managed Argo Bond Fund won first place among the nation’s student-managed bond funds at the Quinnipiac University Global Asset Management Education’s (Q.G.A.M.E.) annual conference global portfolio competition in New York City last week.
University of West Florida College of Business maintains prestigious accreditation
The University of West Florida College of Business has earned re-accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, known as AACSB International.
Related Links
The COB Advising Center assists all COB students with course selection, registration and degree planning. The mission of the College of Business Student Engagement and Advising (SEA) Center is to employ a learning-centered, collaborative approach between the advisor and student. This environment of mutual trust and responsibility facilitates personal growth, development, and timely progression toward educational goals.
The College of Business offers a limited number of undergraduate scholarships, graduate scholarships, assistantships and graduate tuition waivers. To apply, candidates must submit an application via the UWF Scholarship Portal app in MyUWF no later than May 31, prior to any fall semester. Awards are made for fall and spring semesters only.
.jpg)
Gain "real world" experience in business fields while pursuing your studies. Apply concepts and theories learned in the classroom to practical situations and problems under the supervision and guidance of a practicing professional.
College of Business
Building 76A
11000 University Pkwy
Pensacola, FL 32514
850.474.3352
cob@uwf.edu