About the College
Leadership Team
David Blackwell
David W. Blackwell is the Lynn Pippenger Dean for the Muma College of Business and a professor of finance. Dean Blackwell joined USF in 2024 from the University of Kentucky, where he previously served as the university’s provost and chief academic officer, dean of the Gatton College of Business, and most recently associate dean for professional graduate business programs. As provost, Blackwell led the university through record enrollment growth while maintaining academic preparation and increasing diversity, as well as record retention and graduation rates.
Gary Patterson
Gary Patterson serves as the St. Petersburg campus dean and director of the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance. Patterson began work at USF in 2000 as an assistant professor on the St. Petersburg campus.
Joni Jones
Joni Jones serves as the campus dean for the Muma College of Business in Sarasota-Manatee. Jones is an associate professor in the School of Information Systems and Management who teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in systems analysis and design, business honors professional development, and research methods.
Timothy B. Heath
Timothy B. Heath is interim dean for research and graduate studies in the Muma College of Business, while serving as professor and Muma Fellow in the School of Marketing and Innovation. His research investigates issues in branding, persuasion, and innovation.
Jennifer Cainas
Jennifer Cainas serves as associate dean for business operations, organizational development and wellbeing. Cainas is the Lynn Pippenger Teaching Fellow in the Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy. She has received numerous teaching awards, including the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award at USF.
Jean D. Kabongo
Jean D. Kabongo serves as associate dean for academic affairs, accreditation and compliance. Kabongo previously served as campus dean for the Muma College of Business in Sarasota-Manatee. He is a professor of strategic management and entrepreneurship in the School of Marketing and Innovation, and students have chosen Kabongo to receive the campus Outstanding Professor Award four times.
Cihan Cobanoglu
Cihan Cobanoglu is the dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. The school became part of the Muma College of Business in 2020. Cobanoglu is responsible for providing leadership to the faculty, students and industry constituents. He is also serving as the Director of International Programs for the Muma College of Business.
Randy Dumm
Randy Dumm is director of The Baldwin Group School of Risk Management and Insurance. A Fulbright Scholar in Austria in 2004, Dumm has served as a visiting professor at universities in Austria and Germany. His research interests include catastrophic risk, insurer capital structure, insurer distribution channels, demand for insurance and insurance product performance.
Kaushik Dutta
Kaushik Dutta has nearly 20 years of professional and research experience in the field of enterprise information technology infrastructure, data analytics and big data systems. He is the associate dean of undergraduate studies and international partnerships and interim director of the School of Information Systems and Management.
Doug Hughes
Doug Hughes is a professor of marketing and director of the School of Marketing & Innovation. He began his full-time duties in 2019, coming from the Michigan State University's Broad College of Business. He leads a school that includes programs in marketing, supply chain management, sport and entertainment management, sales, entrepreneurship, and global business.
Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor is the director in the Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy and he is also the Dan and Tina Johnson Distinguished Professor of Accountancy. He joined USF in 2019.
Kemel Thompson
Kemel Thompson is the senior director of development for the USF Muma College of Business and oversees the development team. A former Olympic athlete, Thompson previously served in USF Athletics and the USF Alumni Association, raising major gifts in support of the university.
Davina Gould
Davina Gould is the director of communications and marketing at the USF Muma College of Business. An accredited public relations professional, Gould leads the team responsible for marketing, special events, digital outreach, and other communications activities to support the college's strategic objectives.