Alumni Success Stories

Galyna Dyakiv '24

"UWF provided the individual approach I was seeking, and I began my studies while balancing a full-time job and being a mother of two young boys. With the support of UWF professors and administrative staff, I managed to obtain my CPA license and graduate with a master's degree in accounting, specializing in taxation."

Tyler Fezzey '22

"My journey to and through the MBA program at UWF has been foundational to the career path I’ve since pursued in academia and leadership development. I came to UWF after transferring from a Division I university in California, seeking a program that would allow me to both compete at a high level as a student-athlete and grow intellectually and professionally. UWF offered exactly that—a nationally accredited business program that provided academic rigor, paired with a competitive volleyball program where I had the privilege of serving as a team leader.

"Earning my MBA at UWF not only gave me a technical foundation in business analytics, management, and strategic decision making, but also exposed me to the kind of mentorship and applied learning that fundamentally shifted my career goals. Through the curriculum and faculty support, I began to see how data-driven thinking and leadership theory could be applied to real-world challenges—especially in the context of sports, teams, and organizations. I also saw how professors could positively influence the lives and educations of students, and how much I wanted to be a part of that influence. This realization inspired me to pursue a Ph.D. in Management at the University of Alabama, where I was awarded a five-year prestigious fellowship and fully immersed myself in research on leadership, interpersonal competition, and dark personality traits.

"Despite having opportunities to teach and conduct research at institutions across the country, I made the intentional decision to return to UWF as a visiting instructor following my third year of my doctoral program. UWF was a place where I felt genuinely seen—as a scholar, athlete, and potential future leader—and I wanted to contribute to that same empowering environment for the next generation of students. The Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business at UWF gave me not just an education but a platform to lead, grow, and imagine a broader future for myself. It’s an honor to be back now, helping students connect the dots between business theory, leadership, and their own lived experiences—just as my mentors did for me."

Haley Hutto, '22

“The University of West Florida's Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business transformed the trajectory of my life. Like many students, I arrived knowing my major but with little vision beyond that. That changed because of the professors at UWF—mentors (now friends) who invested their time and resources into my professional growth. They helped me see possibilities for my future that I had never imagined.

"Because of their guidance—and because of the University of West Florida—I decided to continue my education at Indiana University, where I am pursuing a Doctorate in Entrepreneurship. If I can guide students the way my undergraduate and graduate professors at UWF guided me, that, to me, is success.”

Adam Johnson '20

"I graduated from UWF with a Supply Chain Logistics Management B.S. in 2020 and was an active member of the Supply Chain Logistics Association during my time on campus. After settling at Crane Worldwide, I joined the Army National Guard. I have since completed Basic Training, and graduated Officer Candidate School as a 2nd Lieutenant. I am currently at the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leadership Course, and will return to my career at Crane upon graduation.

"Brooke Ciolino was my academic counselor on campus, and I vividly recall her professionalism and guidance in helping me craft an effective and engaging course load. Each professor I had was very knowledgeable, responsive, approachable, and driven to help each student grasp the concepts and succeed. I particularly recall the encounters I had with Dr. LeMay and Dr. Keller. Dr. Keller was an integral part of the Supply Chain Logistics Association. With his network and background, he afforded us ample opportunities to take part in off-campus networking and community service activities within Pensacola and out-of-town trips to tour facilities within the scope of the Supply Chain.

"The combination of the assets, which the University of West Florida's Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business provided, vastly contributed to my success in both the classroom and my post-graduate career. I often rave about the program's faculty and staff, and I am proud of my degree from UWF!"

Lucas Juery '21

"At UWF, I started as a business general student before narrowing my focus to finance. It was really the professors who sparked my passion for the subject—especially when it came to investments. Their classes were so thorough and practical that I found myself applying what I learned directly to real life.

"Outside the classroom, I got involved in several UWF organizations, including serving as a student fellow with the UWF Foundation and joining the business mentorship program. Those opportunities helped me connect with UWF alumni and professionals who ultimately inspired me to pursue a career as an investment manager. Things came full circle when I met my current employer, a firm founded by a UWF finance alum.

"Looking back, it was the combination of great classes, hands-on experiences, and meaningful connections through UWF that allowed me to develop both my passion for finance and the foundation for my future career."

Luke Selogy '21, '25

"I cannot begin to express how well UWF's accounting program prepared me for success in the workplace and gave me the tools I needed to pass the CPA exam. The courses provided real-world examples, built valuable disciplines and habits, and made difficult subjects easier to understand through excellent professors and guidance.

"The most valuable resource that UWF's accounting program offers is its professors. Several of the program's professors mentored me not only in the area of accounting but also in some of the most important aspects of life. They often encouraged me to persevere through hardship, pushed me to pursue excellence, and advised me to pursue my dream of teaching college students one day, which is something that I have been blessed with the opportunity to do now! Thanks to their guidance, I was able to achieve my dream job, and I hope to continue using what I have learned at UWF to teach a younger generation and pursue a Ph.D. in the future."

Yoshi Daniel Shinzato '22