2025: A Year of Building Momentum
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David W. Blackwell, PhD
Lynn Pippenger Dean, University of South Florida Muma College of Business
This past year marked my first full year as dean of the Muma College of Business, a year defined by building momentum. From day one, our focus has been clear: to unite our strong internal team with rich relationships across the university and the business community toward a vision that will accelerate progress and expand impact.
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We kicked off 2025 by launching a new 10‑year strategic plan, the culmination of insights and collaboration from hundreds of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and business leaders. This plan is more than a document; it’s our guidepost for future growth and a shared commitment to action. Each of our seven schools has now built its own action plan aligned to this overarching strategy, ensuring that our priorities are activated with discipline, clarity, and accountability.
One of the year’s signature milestones was the launch of the School of Management, a strategic step to meet growing demand for the management major and to elevate our high‑performing faculty in the discipline. This new school strengthens our undergraduate and graduate pathways and positions our students—and our region—for what’s next.
We also brought two powerhouse programs together: hospitality and sport/entertainment management. The merger created the School for Hospitality and Sport Management, a faculty‑driven effort designed to strengthen world‑class educational programs and address industry needs across two interconnected disciplines. With experienced leadership and deep industry ties, the school is poised to continue the momentum it has built—expanding opportunities for students and advancing workforce innovation in one of Florida’s most dynamic sectors.
Our commitment to lifelong learning took another major leap forward with the opening of the Center for Executive and Leadership Education. The center connects organizations to research‑based insights and custom learning experiences, serving leaders at every career stage while strengthening the bridge between academic knowledge and business practice across Tampa Bay and beyond.
Along the way, several programs earned national honors and top rankings, reflecting the quality of our faculty and the momentum across our graduate and professional offerings. These recognitions reinforce what we see every day: teams who set ambitious goals, execute with focus, and deliver outcomes that matter for students, employers, and our community.
We are proud of all that has been accomplished over the past year. The groundwork we have laid—the strategic plan, our school innovations, and our investment in executive and leadership education—has set the stage for even greater achievements to come. Thank you to our faculty and staff, students, alumni, partners, and friends for your energy and engagement.
Together, we are building momentum—and we are just getting started.
Leaders at the USF Muma College of Business unveiled its new strategic plan in spring 2025, charting its vision and aspirations for the next decade. The plan highlights four strategic priorities focusing on student success, impactful research, community engagement, and expanded reach.
USF launches ‘bold vision’ for new Center for Executive and Leadership Education
The University of South Florida Muma College of Business launched its new Center for Executive and Leadership Education in fall 2025, offering national-caliber leadership training to corporate leaders and executives in the Tampa Bay region.
About 100 business and community leaders attended the launch celebration for the new center. Speakers shared how the center would fill a regional need for high-level leadership education and custom corporate training programs.
USF Muma College of Business creates a new School of Management
The Muma College of Business created a new school in fall 2025 specific to the management discipline.
The new school is fueled by its growing demand for the management major. Since 2020, the college saw management majors jump by 44%, climbing from 799 to 1,147, in just four years.
Tourism, sport and entertainment programs merge to form USF School of Hospitality and Sport Management
Two closely tied industries — tourism and sport management — joined forces at USF’s Muma College of Business.
Academic leaders announced the merger of the Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management program with the college’s school of hospitality to form the new School of Hospitality and Sport Management.
USF and Grow Financial partner to create new clinic to empower financial literacy
Future generations of Tampa Bay residents will have a brighter financial outlook, thanks to a new partnership between the University of South Florida Muma College of Business and Grow Financial Federal Credit Union.
The new Grow Financial Literacy and Planning Clinic at USF will provide financial education resources to students, high school teachers and the greater Tampa Bay community.
