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A Message from Interim Dean, Dr. Albert Loh
Dear friends,
Welcome to the Fall 2024 semester at the Coggin College of Business!
We are thrilled to begin this academic year with a strong enrollment, welcoming 2,642 undergraduate students and 549 graduate students – a significant increase from last year’s figures. This growth is a testament to the continued excellence of our programs and the dedication of Coggin faculty and staff.
I am also excited to introduce several new faculty members joining our college this semester:
- Dr. Sebastian Fourne joins us as an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship with tenure. His expertise will be invaluable in enriching our entrepreneurship program.
- Dr. Alona Bilokha, Assistant Professor of Finance, and Dr. Blake Rayfield, Assistant Professor of Finance, both bring critical expertise to support our new Fintech program. They will play significant roles as we continue to innovate in this rapidly evolving field.
- Dr. Vicky Ma, Assistant Professor of Accounting, will contribute to our nationally accredited accounting program.
- Dr. Jimmy Lockwood joins us as a Visiting Instructor of Finance, and Dr. Maryam Afshar as a Visiting Instructor of Marketing. Their teaching and industry experience will greatly benefit our students and support the growth of the college.
This year also marks an important milestone for our college as we launch the MS FinTech program. With 13 students enrolled in its inaugural semester, this program will produce the next generation of FinTech leaders by blending the knowledge of finance with cutting-edge technological skills. We are confident that this program will set a new standard for FinTech education in the region.
We are also proud to announce that The Princeton Review has recognized the Coggin College of Business as one of the ‘Best Business Schools’ in the U.S. for the 17th consecutive year. Our inclusion in the prestigious on-campus MBA list reaffirms our commitment to providing a top-tier education that prepares our students to excel in today’s dynamic business environment. It also acknowledges our other strong programs, including the nationally recognized transportation and logistics program, the unique GlobalMBA, and the new FinTech and Business Analytics offerings.
Looking ahead, we are excited to break ground on the expansion of our college building this fall. The new space will include a state-of-the-art trading lab – the Energy Authority Portfolio Management Lab, a Behavioral Research Lab, the Steller Student Lounge, new classrooms like the Regency Center Classroom, a grand conference room, a new suite for Graduate and Executive Programs, additional faculty offices, and more. The expansion will significantly enhance resources for our student learning and faculty research.
I look forward to our continued success and growth. Thank you for being part of the Coggin College of Business.
Sincerely,
Albert Loh
Interim Dean
Coggin College of Business
