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. 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 and Faculty Spotlights
Dr. K.C. Ma, Endowed Professor, Accounting and Finance
Dr. K.C. Ma is the Mary Ball Washington/Switzer Bros. Endowed Professor of Finance at the University of West Florida. He is a charted financial analyst, editor of International Journal of Business, president of KCM Asset Management, KCM Capital and KCM Analytics. Dr. Ma specializes in equity valuations, quantitative modeling and social value investing. He has published more than 80 refereed articles and was ranked the top 50 finance authors. Dr. Ma is also a money manager and has worked at Investment Research Company Chicago, Ned Davis Research and George Weiss Associates from 1990-2001. His investment company, KCM Asset Management, has been the manager for many top-ranked hedge funds.
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.
Dr. Scott Keller, Chair, Commerce
Dr. Keller has been instrumental in helping to design and launch UWF’s standalone BSBA in Supply Chain Logistics Management and the MBA Supply Chain Strategy emphasis. His student logistics teams consistently place among the top universities in national competitions. Dr. Keller’s research interests include managerial leadership, personnel performance and the development of a customer-oriented culture within logistics operations. Along with his brother, he co-authored the book, The Definitive Guide to Warehousing. He has been ranked among the top percentage of all-time published researchers in the leading logistics journals. He is Associate Editor for the Journal of Business Logistics and former Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Logistics Management. His managerial experience is in motor carrier operations, large-scale public and contract warehousing in Memphis and ocean freight marine terminal operations in Long Beach, California.
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!
Dr. Sherry Hartnett, Clinical Professor, Commerce
Dr. Sherry Hartnett develops and teaches Department of Commerce courses, serves as director of the Executive Mentor Program and is the founder and chair of the Women in Leadership Conference. Hartnett, a senior-level executive for more than 20 years, helped develop the Mentor Program for graduate and undergraduate College of Business students. Business executives serve as coaches and role models, sharing personal and professional experience, knowledge and skills to help students prepare for entry into the business world. The Women in Leadership Conference offers attendees the opportunity to hear from and connect with prominent women leaders who have achieved both personal and professional success.
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.
Kim Mustin, Managing Director, AllianceBernstein
Kim Mustin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in accounting and finance from the University of West Florida. Prior to joining AllianceBernstein in 2017, Mustin held progressively senior roles as the global head of distribution for BNY Mellon and global head of strategic accounts at OppenheimerFunds, providing bespoke investment solutions to large complex institutions globally. Before venturing into global roles, Mustin was the co-head of distribution for Legg Mason and the head of the Financial Institutions Group at Deutsche Bank working with large asset owners across endowments and foundations, pensions, private banks and wealth advisors. She began her career at the Treasury Department where she developed her passion for retirement planning and security.
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.
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 announces 2023 Women in Leadership conference date and keynote speakers
The University of West Florida College of Business Executive Mentor Program will host the ninth annual Women in Leadership Conference on March 30, 2023, at the UWF Conference Center on the University’s Pensacola campus. The conference will also be offered virtually.
UWF online programs rank among best in U.S. News and World Report
The University of West Florida ranked among the best in the nation in the 2023 U.S. News and World Report Best Online College rankings. UWF ranked 42nd among 359 institutions for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and 23rd for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans in the rankings released on Jan. 24.
UWF’s Tim Kinsella receives the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award
CAPT Tim Kinsella Jr., USN (Ret), director of the University of West Florida’s Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz Center for Leadership, was awarded the Christopher Wray FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022. A ceremony was held at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center in Pensacola.
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.
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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