2023 Winter Newsletter

UNF Coggin Updates - November 2023

• Major Coggin College building projects underway
• Coggin College establishes Blackstone LaunchPad
• Jaeger named Associate Dean of Graduate and Exec Programs
• UNF hosts top local business leaders at Employer Summit
• UNF welcomes Debbie Magyar as Florida Small Business Development Center director
• UNF FinTech Symposium draws industry leaders

Faulty Spotlight

• Gallo honored as top First Coast Voice
• Marketers name award after Coggin College faculty member

Alumni Spotlight

• Inaugural Alumni Profile focuses on Anna Brosche

Student Spotlight

• First Time In College events prove successful
• Study shows why Coggin College students stay at UNF
• UNF student Financial Planners snag national recognition
• Innovation Challenge gets spirited

Major Coggin College building projects underway

The renovation to the building housing some elements of the Coggin College of Business has plowed on throughout the summer and fall as work progressed on the project on the UNF campus while more work is on the way.   

The upgrades began in June and continued through the fall. Also on the way will be a major merger between the main building which is home to the Coggin College and the adjacent building. The Florida Legislature signed off on the funding for the projects this year. The formal work on the merger between the two buildings is also underway.   

“The work to the physical buildings including the renovations and mergers will be a major development for the Coggin College of Business,” said Dr. Richard Buttimer, dean of the college. “It’s amazing to see the projects unfold day by day knowing this will end with one of the most consequential developments for our institution in its entire history.“ 

Coggin College establishes Blackstone LaunchPad

The University of North Florida Coggin College of Business will administer a grant this year from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation to provide entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial skill-building programs to help all UNF students prepare for successful careers.   

The $500,000 gift established a new physical space for Blackstone LaunchPad within the building housing Coggin College, with programming and events that offer innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities for students across the UNF campus. Faculty, established entrepreneurs, and business leaders are available to students for insight and advice.  

Students also have access to national programming to help them build their peer and professional network, access paid internships and other career exposure opportunities, and strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset.   

“The entrepreneurial ecosystem is more sophisticated than ever, and we are grateful to Blackstone for supporting and helping inspire students to become future innovators and business leaders,” said UNF President Moez Limayem.  

“The Coggin College of Business is the most influential business institution in Northeast Florida,” said Dr. Richard Buttimer, UNF Coggin College of Business dean. “Blackstone’s commitment will provide a far-reaching entrepreneurial impact in this region and give our students a career advantage few institutions can offer.”     

Meanwhile, Diane Denslow, co-director of the LaunchPad, is conducting a survey of our alumni to see what plays into Ospreys starting their own businesses. Please click on the button to take part in this current survey that will not only help the Blackstone LaunchPad, but many students who use the resource.

LaunchPad Survey

Jaeger named Associate Dean of Graduate and Exec Programs

Dr. David Jaeger has been named Associate Dean for Graduate and Executive Programs in the UNF Coggin College of Business.

Dr. Richard Buttimer, dean of Coggin College, announced Jaeger’s appointment in November.  Dr. Buttimer noted Dr. Jaeger’s extensive work as an administrator in the Coggin College of Business and added that Jaeger had been the Director of the Master of Accountancy Program for more than a decade. Dr. Jaeger was also the Chair of the Department of Accounting and Finance for 12 years. Most recently, Dr. Jaeger served as Interim Associate Dean for Graduate and Executive Programs.

“Please join me in congratulating David. He is taking on an important role at a time when we are rapidly expanding the scope of our graduate programs,” Dr. Buttimer said. “I am sure he will do a great job, and I am sure you will be pleased with the work he will do.” 

UNF hosts top local business leaders at Employer Summit

The University of North Florida hosted more than 60 of its top employer partners in the greater Jacksonville area for the second annual UNF Employer Summit on Aug. 2. The event brought together the most influential local companies, nonprofits, organizations and agencies to shape and strengthen opportunities for UNF students and collaborate on meeting the talent needs in the region. 

UNF President Moez Limayem delivered a welcoming keynote address expressing gratitude to UNF’s local business partners, sharing his vision for the University’s future, the new strategic plan and enrollment growth goals. He confirmed UNF’s commitment to be the leading talent developer producing the best future leaders who will fuel Florida’s economic growth.  

Local industry leaders from Haskell, The Energy Authority, Dun & Bradstreet, SMT (SportsMEDIA Technology) Jacksonville, Fidelity and Crowley hosted panel discussions about creating successful internship programs and strategic recruitment plans. JAXUSA and Coggin Graduate & Executive Programs presented workshops focused on the regional economy. UNF Career Services organized the event and presented the employer impact award to SMT Jacksonville, the Excellence in Internships Award to Haskell and the Emerging Employer Star award to Dun & Bradstreet.

UNF welcomes Debbie Magyar as Florida Small Business Development Center director

The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of North Florida has named Debbie Magyar as the new director of the organization.  

In this position, Magyar will oversee entrepreneurial and small business programs designed to enhance, grow and elevate small companies and professions in 18 surrounding Florida counties. The SBDC has more than 2,000 clients in the region. 

“Debbie is a proven leader in small business advocacy and development,” said Dr. Richard J. Buttimer, UNF Coggin College of Business dean. “She is poised to take the Florida SBDC at UNF to new levels and success in the development of a sector that accounts for a majority of jobs in the North Florida region.” 

Magyar previously served as a business advisor and course instructor at the Chatham University- Pittsburgh Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship. She was also the chief executive officer and consultant for Launch and Balance Consulting firm in Pittsburgh. No stranger to the Small Business Development Center culture, Magyar also served as the innovation-technology program director for the West Virginia SBDC. 

“Debbie has extensive experience and understands SBDC objectives while she successfully operated her own small business consulting agency,” Buttimer said. “I have every confidence that Debbie will excel as the director of the SBDC at UNF, and I look forward to her contributions to the Coggin College executive committee.” 

UNF FinTech Symposium draws industry leaders

More than 100 people, bolstered by Jacksonville’s growing reputation as a financial technology hub, attended the FinTech Symposium at UNF Oct. 12 featuring some of the top leaders in the industry who participated in panel discussions and audience participation. 

The UNF Coggin College of Business and College of Computing, Engineering and Construction jointly hosted the event at the Adam W. Herbert University Center. The FinTech Symposium sponsored by Dun & Bradstreet and Mendix presented an exceptional opportunity for the local business community to share insights into the potential of FinTech and its growth and innovation in Jacksonville and beyond. 

The event drew FinTech industry professionals and companies along with several students who took part in the symposium that lasted most of the day. There was a diverse list of panelists from a wide-range of companies including: Google, Dun & Bradstreet, Bank of Montreal, ICE, Community First Credit Union, VyStar Credit Union, Mendix, Akkodis Group, Itasca Labs, Paysafe, Ministry Brands, The Instant Group, William Mills Agency and FIS. 

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, fresh off her trip to the United Kingdom and lobbying FinTech businesses there to consider Jacksonville for future industry development, was a keynote speaker at the Symposium. UNF President Moez Limayem also provided encouraging words for attendees as he noted Jacksonville is poised to be a FinTech industry leader on a global scale. 

“Clearly, UNF and our partners and associates are leading an industry that only promises unlimited expansion and evolution,” said Dr. Richard Buttimer, dean of Coggin College. 

Dr. Buttimer also spoke at the event and moderated one of the many panel discussions featuring FinTech experts and visionaries in the Jacksonville area.  

“It’s an exciting time in the FinTech industry,” Dr. Buttimer said. “It’s evident that events such as the symposium and our growing features in the Coggin College curriculum are harnessing the potential of the exciting FinTech world and meeting it with focus and leading energy.” 

Gallo honored as top First Coast Voice

Dr. Andres Gallo, director of the International Business Program, was honored by the First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at Jacksonville City Hall for his work and contribution to the Hispanic community in the First Coast region. 

Dr. Gallo was acknowledged as being one of the most influential and talented Hispanic voices in the Jacksonville area. The honor was bestowed on Dr. Gallo from the Voces de Hispanos project in the city in September. The project was launched by the Chamber in 2021 with the objective of honoring members of the community who contribute to increasing awareness and assistance in the Hispanic culture on the First Coast. 

  Dr. Gallo is a native of Argentina and his academic focus is on Latin America and property

Marketers name award after Coggin College faculty member

The American Marketing Association’s Retail & Pricing Special Interest Group announced they have named a mentoring award in honor of Dr. Greg Gundlach, distinguished professor of Marketing, Management & Logistics at the Coggin College. 

Not only has the award been named after him, but the award has been endowed by a donor so it will be a permanent award. There were also awards named after two other faculty at other institutions. 

“This is a huge honor for Greg, and recognizes the tremendous efforts he has made with respect to mentoring in the profession,” said Dr. Richard Buttimer, dean of the Coggin College of Business. “His work in this area reflects well not just on him, but also on UNF and the Coggin College, and I am delighted that his peers have seen fit to honor him in this extraordinary way.”

Inaugural Alumni Profile focuses on Anna Brosche

The Coggin College Alumni Profile features an outstanding alum who graduated from the U

NF business college. We ask one of our great alums to answer a few questions about their career and give us some insight into themselves as people.

The inaugural Alumni Profile focuses on Anna Brosche. The Osprey alum is theChief Financial Officer in the new administration of Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. 

Brosche is no stranger to politics. The former Jacksonville City Council member also ran for mayor previously. Shortly after the final election in May, Deegan tapped Brosche to join the incoming administrative staff.

Here’s the UNF Coggin College of Business Alumni Questionnaire for our first profile centering on Brosche.

What’s your best memory about the Coggin College of Business?  Serving as the President of Alpha Sigma Pi, the accounting club. This was such a formative time and the beginning of my serious efforts to break out of my off-the-charts introversion comfort and where I learned the joy of service. For the first time, I led others, delivered my first public speech, and raised sufficient funds to allow the organization to meaningfully contribute to the Coggin College of Business capital campaign. Professor Hubert Gill was the faculty advisor and instrumental in shaping my leadership skills.

Did you have a favorite professor and, if so, who were they and why? Dr. Jeff Michelman is my favorite professor as he was the most difficult professor I had. I often found myself frustrated by the apparent lack of direction and clarity in his instruction and vividly recall hearing fellow classmates expressing the same. In retrospect, I realize it was by design. His accounting information systems classes pushed me to build critical thinking skills and to learn to make decisions and develop plans of action while not having all the facts. Essentially, learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable as well as listening to and trusting your gut.

What was the hardest thing or challenge during your time at the Coggin College of Business? As a military brat who moved every three years to new places in the middle of school years and having to insert myself into new classes who had already established cliques and friend groups, I was so accustomed to retreating and keeping to myself. I could have done the same in college. The Coggin College of Business provided many opportunities for me to move beyond my comfort zone and learn to be visible. From small class sizes to group projects to easy access to professors and guidance counselors to participating in clubs and networking activities with prospective employers, I was able to practice being seen and being heard.

What was your favorite thing about the Coggin College of Business? Everyone was (and is) so accessible. The Coggin College of Business meets you where you are and offers a variety of experiences that build confidence, skills, and knowledge that serve you for the rest of your life. It was such an intimate experience and not difficult to know all the professors and administrators, as well as fellow students in the program.

What piece of advice would you give to a freshman entering the Coggin College of Business? Learn to build relationships as soon as possible. Life is about relationships and the people you meet will help you go places, meet other people, identify career opportunities. In addition, you are likely taking classes with people who will be fellow leaders in high places who will be of assistance beyond your time in college.

Describe how your time at the Coggin College of Business still impacts your life and career today? The Coggin College of Business had such a tremendous impact on building the person I am today. My academic knowledge, servant leadership, critical thinking skills, and business acumen trace back to the rich and fruitful experience of my days on campus.

Tell us about you as a person:

What is your favorite hobby and why? I love reading, both for personal and professional growth and for pleasure. I am a lifelong learner and a thinker, and I appreciate reading as a tool to challenge my thinking or to escape into a great story.

What was the last film you saw in a movie theater? Top Gun: Maverick, which brought back fond memories of my late father serving in the U.S. Navy and serving on the U.S.S. Forrestal, an aircraft carrier.  

Who is your favorite band or musical artist and why? My favorite musical artist is John Mayer. I appreciate the bluesy nature of his music and watching him perform his music is a great example of someone doing what they were meant to do. I’ll be attending my sixth John Mayer concert in 2023.

What is your favorite color? Green.

How do you relax? I either go to the beach and look for sharks’ teeth or paint by number, both of which are very meditative. I started collecting sharks’ teeth in 2014 and now have a collection exceeding 6,000. The most I’ve found in a single day was 257.  For Christmas 2022, I requested a paint-by-number based on memories of enjoying them when I was a kid. Back then, they came on hard boards. They now come on 16’ x 20’ canvas and I am now painting my seventh picture.

First Time In College events prove successful

Hurricane can't stop success of Foundations of Business event for Coggin College

Despite hunkering down just a day before as Hurricane Idalia roared through Florida, more than 200 Coggin College of Business freshman students turned out for the Foundations of Business event at the University Center on the UNF campus. 

The event held on the evening of Aug. 31 even featured a visit from UNF President Moez Limayem who kicked off the special night. President Limayem used his usual avuncular style to welcome the new business students to campus and thanked them for their tenacity to remain on campus, even though the outer bands of the hurricane skirted the First Coast and UNF only a day before. 

Meanwhile, Coggin College Dean Richard Buttimer hosted a discussion on “Networking with Business Leaders” that featured five key business leaders in the Jacksonville area. The panel fielded questions from enthusiastic students who just joined UNF for their initial semester on campus while entering the Coggin College of Business. The students sought advice on how to network in professional settings. 

The panel included: David Emanuel, Chief Human Resources Officer of JEA; Don Hune, President of Lift Power Inc.; Steve Moore, President of The Vestcor Companies; Swarup Patra, Treasurer of TIAA Bank; and Jessica Salazar, Managing Partner of Northwestern Mutual. 

“The students loved it, and the speakers absolutely loved it,” Dr. Buttimer said. 

Coggin College networking event a hit

Nearly 300 students attended the Fall Semester Coggin College Networking Night October 18th, shattering previous attendance records for similar events.

There were 34 local industry employer partners from various industries in attendance who met with Ospreys seeking internships and job opportunities at the Adam W. Herbert University Center on UNF’s campus. The business students in attendance represented the Finance, Accounting, Logistics, Transportation, International Business, Marketing and Business Intelligence areas of focus.

Emily Roth, Associate Director of UNF Career Services and the organizer of the networking night event, said, “It was one of our most successful events in the Fall Semester. Coggin College students proved they are among the most connected students on UNF’s campus and are keenly aware of relationship-building and how it impacts their future careers."

Study shows why Coggin College students stay at UNF

A study questionnaire on Coggin College of Business sophomores completed recently shows some of the major contributing factors why business majors return to UNF to complete their college degrees.  

The survey of Coggin College sophomores was conducted and designed by Dr. Leslie Gordon to tap feedback on student retention for the business school. Factors included affordability, the study abroad program and students had a goal to graduate from UNF as a first-generation college student.  

When asked what influenced their decision to return to UNF’s Coggin College, there were several factors ranked. The top factors and influences included: 

• Human Support: Support from family (55%). 
• Facilities: Personal living space (44%). 
• Prepare-For-Future: Better prepared to make positive impact on the world (37%). 
• University: Location of campus (37%). 
• Goal Achievement: Commitment to achieving career goals (37%). 
• Financial: Financial stability (35%). 
• Classroom: Professors/Instructors (27%). 

The survey began in September and was completed with results in October, said Gordon, who currently teaches Social Media Management, Consumer Behavior, Sales Management and Advertising Management at UNF.

UNF student Financial Planners snag national recognition

 UNF Financial Planning Association Competitive Team Shines Nationally, Secures 6th Place.

The University of North Florida's student Financial Planning competitive team scored a sixth-place finish in the fiercely competitive arena of financial planning.

The honor comes among more than 250 registered financial planning programs recognized by the CFP Board and 50-plus plans submitted during the competition.  The UNF team was presented with hypothetical client data, for which they created a written plan.

Their effort gained them an invitation to compete at the 2023 FPA National Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.  The competition involved a live thesis defense of their plan in front of a panel of judges and a comprehensive live exam against teams from around the nation, all held before a "live studio audience" of financial advisors attending the conference.  Team members Matthew Dougherty, Ansley Nicolaus, and Sydney Bridges exhibited dedication, knowledge, and skills throughout the competition. Their performance further cements UNF's reputation as a leading institution for financial education. 

“I’m so grateful for the WLA funding. It’s so important to have support such as the WLA that helps young business women such as myself. This kind of support not only provided a leg up at the event, but it will help my future career,” Bridges said.

The top three teams were: 

• Texas Tech University
• University of Akron
• University of Arizona

Innovation Challenge gets spirited

The second annual Crowley Innovation Challenge sparked intense competition among UNF students who joined teams and prepared pitches for their proposals that largely focused on the entrepreneurial elements of business.    

The week got underway at the UNF Student Union with a kickoff on Nov. 6 and ended with the challenge on Nov.17. Dr. Martin Luytjes was the emcee opening the event on the first day and was noted for being the co-director of the Blackstone LaunchPad which officially opened at UNF in the fall semester following a contribution from Blackstone to promote development of entrepreneurship and small business growth for all students. Dr. Leslie Gordon provided emcee duties on the closing day of the event.  

The Innovation Challenge not only prompted competition among student teams, but those students were advised by coaches with entrepreneurial expertise and experience. The event also was supported by the UNF Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Crowley Center for Transportation & Logistics at Coggin College along with Blackstone LaunchPad.

Sean Fortener, Leader of Innovation & Change at Crowley, said the event was a reminder of Crowley principles.

“Through the recent Innovation Challenge, we have unlocked a new horizon of creativity and problem-solving. This challenge not only showcased the incredible talents of the students but also reinforced our commitment to fostering an environment where innovative ideas can thrive. It's a testament to how academic collaboration and a spirit of inquiry can lead to groundbreaking solutions, shaping a brighter future for our community and beyond.”

Dr. Richard Buttimer, dean of Coggin College was a Keynote speaker at the opening ceremonies and said the Crowley Innovation Challenge has become an essential event.

“We have invested in these resources for you, the UNF students, because we believe in advancing innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit. Those are the core facets driving all business. We hope you take advantage of these opportunities not only for this event, but during your time here at UNF,” Dr. Buttimer said.   

The team proposal of SARR Tech was the winner of the competition. Students who were part of the winning team included:  

• Ruhan Gagnani   
• Renzo Mendoza  
• Angel Pastor  
• Sandy Williams  

The SARR Tech proposal is a specialized software for the current manual LTL consolidation process (combining smaller shipments from multiple shippers that are headed to the same destination) that will reduce costs, carbon footprint, and maximize profits.