What Does International Student Enrollment Look Like at Florida Universities?

WUSF
Nancy Guan
Dec. 22, 2025

A report from Open Doors shows that the number of new international students coming to study in the U.S. dropped by 17% this fall. Meanwhile, the University of Central Florida and the University of Tampa saw their international student numbers increase, though UTampa reported a decrease in the number of students at the graduate level. UTampa recorded 499 international undergraduate students in Fall 2024 and 517 in Fall 2025.

‘Super Saturday’/’Panic Saturday’ for Shoppers

WFLA TV
Dec. 19, 2025

Abby Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, projects that the weekend after Christmas will be important for retail stores, which is an indicator of a weakening economy. Consumers are generally limiting their spending and are waiting for major sales

New Loan Limits Tied to ‘Professional’ Degrees Will Impact Florida Students

WUSF
Gabriella Paul
Dec. 11, 2025

The new federal student loan limits passed by Congress will place borrowing caps on certain programs not classified as “professional,” such as nursing, therapy and social work. Charrita Ernewein, nurse practitioner and assistant professor of nursing, said the new caps could make it harder for students to pursue nursing as a career and could make the nursing shortage worse. Although the reclassification only impacts borrowing caps and does not impact nurses’ accreditation or licensing, Ernewein said being perceived as a “professional” also matters at a time when her field is fighting for more practice privileges and better wages.

Soon-to-be-grads in Bay Area Compete with AI for Entry-level Jobs

Spectrum Bay News 9
Tyler O’Neill
Dec. 10, 2025

John Dorrell, associate professor of economics, said that college graduates are competing with AI for entry level positions. “You have to research your field to determine the risk level associated with AI, or automation, and the demand in your field going forward five, 10, 20 years," Dorrell said. Karli Ramey, a finance major who graduated from UTampa in December, has applied for nearly 200 jobs with no success. “You go to school, you do the extracurriculars, you get good grades. I've been the president of a club here pretty much my whole time here, and while that used to matter, it doesn't seem to matter at this point,” she said. However, she plans to use her time pursuing passion projects that she was too busy for in school. 

Fed Cuts Interest Rate for Third Time This Year, Signals Only One Cut in 2026

Scripps News
Simon Kaufman
Dec. 10, 2025

The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate Wednesday for the third time this year, lowering it by a quarter point and signaling it expects just one reduction in 2026 and likely another in 2027. “This was a very difficult meeting for the Federal Reserve,” said Thomas Stockwell, assistant professor of economics. “There was a lot of evidence that suggested that a rate cut was needed, but there is also a lot of evidence that suggested a rate cut wasn't needed. ” Stockwell said the decision was part of a balancing act to carry out the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate to keep prices steady and support a strong job market.

Deporting Democracy, Importing Authoritarian Logic

Daily Bulletin
Patrik Ward and Abby Hall Blanco
Dec. 6, 2025

As tensions between Washington and Caracas intensify, over 250,000 Venezuelans living legally in the United States are set to lose their Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a temporary immigration status that allows individuals from certain countries to live and work in the United States if their home country is considered unsafe. Economics student Patrik Ward and associate professor Abby Hall Blanco argue that revoking TPS is bad economics aligned with worse ethics. “The core issue is clear: Venezuelan TPS holders followed the rules, paid taxes, and built lives here. Their sudden vulnerability is not natural or inevitable — it’s government-manufactured insecurity for people who did everything right. Turning law-abiding families into targets of coercive, anti-democratic policy is not enforcement or in the ‘national interest.’ … Time and again research finds that immigrants are less likely to engage in criminal behavior than native-born citizens.”

Trump Promised Relief, Americans Got Higher Bills

RealClear Markets
Aaron Wood and Abby Hall Blanco
Dec. 3, 2025

Towards the end of the first full year of President Trump’s second term, Aaron Wood and Abby Hall Blanco, both associate professors of economics, compares his campaign promises to the policies that have since been enacted.

Florida Weighs Property Tax Overhaul as Lawmakers Debate Major Changes

Spectrum Bay News 9
Jeff Van Sant
Dec. 3, 2025

Florida lawmakers are preparing to take up a sweeping proposal to reform the state’s property tax system, which includes reducing or eliminating property taxes for homeowners. “There are potential benefits to this policy, but also very real potential cost,” said Abby Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics. Hall noted that under some of the proposals being discussed, rental properties and vacation homes would not be exempt from taxes. She said that could prompt owners to sell if the economy weakens, potentially leading to an oversupply of homes on the market. Hall also acknowledged potential advantages, including making homeownership more affordable and encouraging homeowners to make improvements or upgrades. Eliminating property taxes could be particularly beneficial for residents living on fixed incomes, she said.

Everyone Is Talking About Venezuela; No One Listens to Venezuelans

DC Journal
Abby Hall Blanco
Dec. 2, 2025

Abby Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, recaps the 60 Minutes segment featuring interviews with Venezuelans about potential U.S. intervention in their regime. “Many were afraid to speak publicly, worried someone might overhear — a reflection of the broader fear and repression long reported by journalists and human rights observers. Among those who did speak, reactions were mixed. Some expressed fear of an invasion, worried for their lives and loved ones should armed conflict erupt. Others articulated a more favorable impression — suggesting that U.S. intervention may be the only way to end the current regime. For many, however, the response was a sad and unsettling indifference. Disillusioned by years of political paralysis, a crumbling economy and hunger, they doubted any real change was possible — through internal or external means. For these Venezuelans, politics has become a distant concern. Their priority is survival as they struggle to afford food, transportation and medicines.”

Commentary: Block the Governor’s Plan To Dumb Down Florida Universities

Orlando Sentinel
Michael Coon and Abby Hall Blanco
Dec. 1, 2025

Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced he’ll direct the Florida Board of Governors to “pull the plug” on H1-B visas in the state’s university system, bemoaning Florida universities’ reliance on “cheap labor” and bringing in professors from countries around the globe to research and teach. H1-B visas are issued for foreign-born individuals with “highly specialized knowledge” and Michael Coon and Abby Hall Blanco, both associate professors of economics, argue that they are essential for driving research and bringing the best of the best to U.S. universities. They presume that the governor thinks restricting H1-Bs will help build Florida universities. This idea misunderstands two key things, they explain. First is the idea that every foreign worker “replaces” a domestic worker, an assumption that relies on the thoroughly debunked idea that the number of jobs in the economy is fixed. Second, the governor is assuming that there is no meaningful difference between a worker from the U.S. and a worker from Estonia.

Florida’s License Plate Law Is a Trojan Horse of State Overreach

Florida Politics
Patrik Ward and Abby Hall Blanco
Nov. 28, 2025

Economics student Patrik Ward and associate professor Abby Hall Blanco shared their thoughts on Florida’s new law banning license plate covers or accessories that obscure parts of the plate. “In practice, this small tweak gives police yet another reason to pull drivers over… This may not seem like an issue if everyone is equally likely to be pulled over — but they’re not. Data across the country suggests that Black drivers are pulled over and searched at higher rates than white drivers, even after accounting for factors like location and time of day. Hispanic drivers face similar disparities, as police tend to require less suspicion to justify a search and yet recover contraband at lower rates than from white drivers — clear signs of a double standard in enforcement.”

AI Could Be a Game Changer for Your Black Friday Shopping

Tampa Bay 28
Susan El Khoury
Nov. 27, 2025

Jennifer Burton, associate professor of marketing, attests that families can save money over the holidays by using AI as a shopping tool. "You can set up your AI with a wish list of things you want to buy and it will track who has that for the lowest price and even tell you the right day to buy it because as you know retailers are changing the price of products over the next month," Burton explained.

Be Thankful for the Invisible Hands

DC Journal
Chrysanthi Skaliotis and Abby Hall Blanco
Nov. 27, 2025

Economics student Chrysanthi Skaliotis and associate professor Abby Hall Blanco wrote this piece as a reminder to celebrate gratitude, even “Amid economic uncertainties such as rising unemployment, stubborn inflation, record low levels of consumer sentiment, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, deep political division, and an overall sense of instability.” For perspective, they share statistics on global access to clean water, electricity, and education. “It is worth remembering that our baseline standard of living — even for the poorest among us — includes comforts that billions of people will never experience.”

UTampa Moves Ahead with New Riverfront Science Building

Tampa Bay Business & Wealth
Chuck Merlis
Nov. 26, 2025

TBBW Magazine reports on UTampa’s progress with Project Beta, a six-story science building that will sit along the Hillsborough River. Once work begins on the 200,000-square-foot development, it is predicted to take about 18 months to complete. It will include research labs, teaching spaces, and areas where students and faculty can work together.

The Difference Between a College and a University

U.S. News & World Report
Anayat Durrani
Nov. 25, 2025

The difference between a college and a university in the U.S. may not always be apparent, especially to students who grew up in other parts of the world. “Back in the 1990s, I attended St. Mary's Canossian College in Hong Kong, a high school with college in its name,” says Candice Chan, assistant vice president for enrollment management. “I was initially confused about the difference between college and university during my search as an international student for higher education in the U.S.”

Trump’s Venezuela Fixation Baffles as Nation is ‘Not the Biggest Drug Exporter’

The Mirror US
Maria Vallarroel
Nov. 22, 2025

The U.S. has a history of intervening in countries to promote democracy and peace, but the success rate is low. “In terms of constructing some kind of new economic and political regime in Venezuela that’s going to suddenly turn Venezuela into this beacon of democracy, I would have no confidence in that whatsoever,” said Abby Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics.

Without Competition, Expect TECO’s Rates To Go Up

Tampa Bay Times
Maxime Holletscheck and Abby Hall Blanco
Nov. 20, 2025

After TECO’s fourth rate hike within a year, economics student Maxime Holletscheck and associate professor Abby Hall Blanco dissect the company’s monopoly in West Central Florida. “On paper, granting a monopoly for utility companies — like TECO — makes sense. Building a power grid for a city requires massive infrastructure investment. ... Having multiple electric companies may be inefficient (and messy — think of all the powerlines!) But this monopoly privilege has consequences. With no alternatives, customers are stuck paying higher prices when TECO raises rates.”

Electric Bills Got Your Wired? Plus, Tax Talk, SNAP Decisions, and Only in Florida… Man!

WUSF
Matthew Peddie, Gracyn Doctor, Amelie Horace, Lily Belcher
Nov. 19, 2025

Abby Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, joins the podcast Florida Matters to discuss rising electricity costs in Tampa.

Most Sinful Cities in America

WalletHub
Adam McCann
Nov. 17, 2025

Ryan Cragun, professor of sociology who researches religion, was invited to give his expert opinion on the most “sinful” areas in the U.S. Before answering the questions, Cragun prefaced that sin is a social construct that varies across religions, rather than a real, tangible thing. Cragun also went over societal acceptance of extra-marital relationships, the government’s responsibility in reducing greed and consumerism, and strategies to avoid temptation and maintain health.

Digital Afterlife Industry Expected To Expand

WFLA TV
Nov. 17, 2025

Ryan Cragun, professor of sociology, speaks on the phenomenon of “deadbots,” or AI-generated avatars of lost loved ones. With new technology, people are able to electronically revive family members and friends who have passed to ask for advice or have conversations with, raising concerns about ethics and mental health in the grieving process.

Empire State of Delusion — Rent Controls and the Illusion of Affordability

The Hill
Chrysanthi Skaliotis and Abby Hall Blanco
Nov. 15, 2025

Newly-elected New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani proposed a four-year rent freeze to make housing more affordable, which experts are calling an economic nightmare that will do more harm than good. Chrysanthi Skaliotis and Abby Hall Blanco lay out the consequences of price capping: an even worse shortage of housing due to more renters entering the market, declining quality of the housing that is available, and a decrease in banks willing to fund new developments.

UTampa’s New Athletics Director Aims To Boost Attendance and Game Day Experience

Tampa Bay Business Journal
Breanne Williams
Nov. 15, 2025

E.J. Brophy, UTampa’s new athletics director, has already begun cultivating a new fan club for the Spartans. He has nearly 30 years of experience in collegiate athletics, and whether he’s in line at the dry cleaners or meeting with alumni, he said he’s “letting the light of UTampa’s Athletics shine” and inviting people to games. “You’ve got to reach out all the time and find a way to get the next Tampa fan and the next Tampa fan and the next Tampa fan,” Brophy said. “That’s part of my job and I’m dang sure going to do it.”

Best Sports Cities

WalletHub
Adam McCann
Nov. 12, 2025

Coral Bender, assistant professor of sport management, shared her expertise in the best cities for sports fans in the U.S. Bender said that culture is more important than number of teams when it comes to defining a good sports city; that professional leagues are working to make sports more accessible; and that fans on a budget can enjoy games by watching them at restaurants or buying standing room only tickets.

The War on Drugs Floats Because We Keep Trying To Sink It

Tampa Bay Times
Patrik Ward and Abby Hall Blanco
Nov. 10, 2025

Economics student Patrik Ward and associate professor Abby Hall Blanco theorize that the U.S. strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug-traffickers in the Caribbean “may have buoyed the economics of the drug trade.” They explain: “On a baseline level, a tougher stance on trafficking sounds like a beneficial policy. If the United States government raises the “punishment” for trafficking (i.e., killing traffickers on the open sea), smugglers may reconsider their choice. However, illicit markets don’t mirror textbook logic. They adapt. By raising the risks, these strikes may have also raised the rewards, inflating prices, shifting routes and enriching the most dangerous agents.”

Taxpayer Costs Rise as U.S. Mounts Pressure Campaign Against Venezuela

The Center Square
Brett Rowland
Nov. 8, 2025

Experts have suggested that Trump's plans for Venezuela could be more about a leadership change than drug smuggling. Abby Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, said the whole thing amounts to political theater. “What the ultimate goal is – whether it is to show muscle with respect to drugs and terrorism, or if the goal is something broader, like regime change in Venezuela, that we just frankly don't know,” she said. “Venezuela poses no credible threat to the United States.”

Tampa Bay’s Bitcoin Community Builds Circular Economy Momentum After 1 BTC Windfall

Bitcoin Magazine
Juan Galt
Nov. 6, 2025

The Bitcoin Bay Foundation, based in Tampa, has been partnering with UTampa, which now hosts an economics course on Bitcoin, and their Bitcoin Club. “The Bitcoin club there is the second largest non-Greek club on campus,” according to Thomas Schlemmer, BBF’s president. “We’ve been very close with them over the years, providing internships, getting kids placed in jobs, guest lectures, getting them educational materials,” he added.

This Festival Will Take an Animated Look at the Tampa Area’s Film Talent

WUSF
Sky Lebron
Nov. 5, 2025

Santiago Echeverry, professor of film, animation and new media, was one of the organizers of the Tampa Animation Festival hosted at UTampa. The festival featured more than 140 films from 38 countries in a variety of formats. Echeverry said the region's talent level in film production makes the Tampa area a perfect location to host the festival. “We know that there's a need to see worldwide animation, so that's why it's important to bring those animations, to bring the world to Tampa."

Molly Demarzo Reflects on a Challenging Yet Rewarding Running Journey

WNEP (Moosic, PA)
Eve Hernandez
Nov. 3, 2025

Senior Molly Demarzo’s hometown news station recapped her collegiate running career towards the end of the cross country season. Demarzo’s cross country season ended in the Sunshine State Championships, where she finished 26th overall. UTampa finished in first place, winning the conference for the sixth straight year. “We ended up winning, so that was really, really good. Kind of a good way to end my last meet in the season and like competing wise, I mean, I still have track, so I think the feelings haven’t really kind of set in yet that I'm done,” said Demarzo. She has over a year of eligibility left due to previous medical issues, but now she’s focused on the route that leads her to becoming an OBGYN. “My journey was definitely not all highs, it's definitely like all over the place, but I think that's what makes it so special,” said Demarzo.

US Cuts Tariffs on China Following Trump-Xi Meeting

Tampa Bay 28
Haley Bull, Miguel Pineda, Simon Kaufman
Oct. 30, 2025

President Trump announced new trade measures with China, including scaled-back tariffs, following a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reduced tariffs could bring the prices down on some goods imported from China, but Associate Professor of Economics Abby Hall Blanco says consumers will still feel the effect of previous tariffs. “While this is a reduction in the tariff rate that's being imposed on China, it's certainly by no means an elimination,” Hall Blanco said. “So will consumers ultimately notice a big difference at the end of the day? Maybe on some goods, but this is certainly not going to eliminate the economic pain that consumers will feel as a result of the tariffs,” she added.

Trump’s Conflict with ‘Narco-Terrorists’ Could Be a Prelude to War with Venezuela

Muvi TV News
Oct. 29, 2025

President Trump has initiated covert CIA operations in the Caribbean, intensifying tensions with Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, who accuses Washington of plotting a regime change. “The Venezuelan government is not a legitimate military threat to the United States,” said Abby Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics who studies U.S. military interventions in Latin America. Hall Blanco believes domestic politics play a large role in the campaign. “It’s a way for the administration to appear tough on drugs and illegal immigration without burning additional political capital,” she said. She added that the deeper issue may be geopolitical: “The Venezuelan regime allows China and Russia to drill in the Orinoco River, providing crude oil for both countries. From the U.S. perspective, replacing the regime with one friendlier to Washington could shift the regional balance of power.”

Cheapest Car Insurance in Florida

WalletHub
Candace Baker
Oct. 23, 2025

James Welch, instructor of management, was tapped by WalletHub to give an expert opinion on cheap car insurance. Welch goes over advice for Florida residence seeking cheap options, what Florida newcomers should know about car insurance policies unique to the state, and what people can expect from the cheapest companies in Florida.

Best Baseball Cities

WalletHub
Adam McCann
Oct. 22, 2025

Coral Bender, assistant professor of sport management, lent her insight to WalletHub on the biggest issues facing MLB, her pick to win the World Series (LA Dodgers), and the best way to enjoy a baseball game on a budget.

Dunedin Coin Dealer Nearly Out of Gold Amid Record Demand

Spectrum Bay News 9
Tyler O’Neill
Oct. 16, 2025

Since the beginning of the year, gold futures have gone up by about 50%, and it’s now valued at more than $4,000 per ounce. John Dorrell, associate professor of economics, said that it’s not that gold is getting more expensive, but the U.S. dollar is getting weaker. “As they print more and more dollars, the value of the dollar decreases, the assets around it are valued in dollars. Gold is increasing in price because the dollar is decreasing in value,” he said. Dorrell said that as the dollar loses value and economic uncertainty increases, people are looking for alternative assets that will hold long-term value. “Nothing goes up or down in a straight line, but gold in the long term has an excellent track record of preserving economic value. That's why gold is the ultimate store of value asset," Dorrell said.

6 a.m. News

WFLA-TV
Oct. 14, 2025

Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, commented on the trend of more young adults living with a parent compared to a decade ago. Hall Blanco said that for middle to upper class families, the arrangement is usually temporary, whereas with lower-income households, it’s often more long term or permanent.

Florida’s Homelessness Ban is a Taxpayer Shell Game

Sun Sentinel
Patrik Ward and Abigail Hall Blanco
Oct. 7, 2025

Economics student Patrik Ward and Associate Professor Abigail Hall Blanco co-wrote this piece to discuss the overall issue of homelessness in Florida one year after HB 1365, which prohibits “public sleeping” in Florida, took effect.

Grocery Prices Increase, Canadian Snowbirds Decrease, and Community Bands Play On

WUSF
Matthew Peddie, Gracyn Doctor, Amelie Horace, Lily Belcher
Oct. 7, 2025

Michael Coon, associate professor of economics, joined Florida Matters: Live and Local to explain the effects of inflation, tariffs and supply chains, including which items are most likely to make shoppers adjust their grocery lists.

Delay of Federal Economic Data, Thanks to Shutdown, Could Impact Business Strategy

CFO Brew
Alex Zank
Oct. 2, 2025

The federal shutdown is interrupting the usually steady flow of government economic data, which could consequently make it harder for policymakers and organizations to make informed decisions. “The implications of this are potentially quite large,” said Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is slated to release inflation data later this month, which the Federal Reserve relies on to make interest rate decisions. Economic data that is missing or less accurate due to the shutdown can “have remarkably impactful implications” on its decision-making, Hall Blanco said.

Lithia Resident To Play Iconic Role Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Newest Ship

Osprey Observer
Lily Belcher
Oct. 1, 2025

Senior musical theater major Ben Sutherland’s hometown newspaper wrote about the student landing his “dream role” as George McFly on the Royal Caribbean cruise production of Back to the Future. Sutherland said Back to the Future is his favorite movie, and that he was confident about securing the role before his audition, his first “big New York audition.”

Waiting on the Rays Sale, Wrestling’s Tampa Roots and the End of Remote Work

WUSF
Matthew Peddle, Gracyn Doctor, Amelie Horace and Lily Belcher
Sept. 29, 2025

Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, joined WUSF’s new daily talk show, Florida Matters: Live & Local, to discuss the recent trend of many companies’ return-to-office mandates. Around the 40-minute mark of the episode, Hall Blanco explains some different arguments that businesses are making for in-office working, such as company culture and cohesion.

University of Tampa Appoints New Marketing Chief To Boost National Profile

Tampa Bay Business & Wealth
Chuck Merlis
Sept. 29, 2025

The University of Tampa has announced the appointment of Lorraine Daignault as vice president of marketing and communications, underscoring the school’s push to raise its national profile. Daignault, a veteran higher education marketer with a record of rebrands that delivered measurable growth, will begin Oct. 20.

This Rising Star of the Tampa Bay theater Scene Isn’t Even out of College Yet

Creative Loafing
David Warner
Sept. 24, 2025

Senior musical theater major Ben Sutherland has already booked multiple shows at professional theater companies in the area as a student. Creative Loafing wrote that he gave a searing performance as the imaginary son who invades his mother’s consciousness in Tampa Rep’s Next to Normal, and has shown in other productions that “he is that rare creature, a ridiculously handsome man who isn’t afraid of looking ridiculous.” After graduating next spring, Sutherland hopes to move to New York City.

Pantry Staples and Easy Meals Are Gaining Popularity Amid Inflation and Trade Woes, Grocery Data Shows

Scripps News
Maritsa Georgiou and Jennifer Glenfield
Sept. 23, 2025

Demand for cheap staples and shelf stable foods like Hamburger Helper, boxed macaroni and cheese, beans and pasta is on the rise. “When we look at the data for hamburger helpers specifically, we see that from June to August of this year, sales have increased about 14.5%, which is a big jump in a relatively short period of time,” said Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics. “We're kind of seeing all of these different, again, national level policies coming together and manifesting in people's grocery carts,” Hall said.

Florida Universities Climb in National Rankings as Competition for Students Intensifies

Tampa Bay Business Journal
Breanne Williams
Sept. 23, 2025

U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking of the top universities in the nation reveals that Florida schools are becoming increasingly competitive. The annual report evaluates nearly 1,500 colleges and universities across the U.S. using 17 factors, including graduation rates, faculty salaries, first-year retention rates and financial resources per student. UTampa was ranked No.13 in Regional Universities South and No. 9 in Most Innovative Schools. The Sykes College of Business and UTampa's nursing program,  computer science program and psychology program were also named as top undergraduate programs. UTampa was also ranked as a top performer for social mobility and among the top colleges for veterans.

What Can Buyers and Sellers Expect

Tampa Bay 28-TV
Sept. 22, 2025

The Federal Reserve announced that it was going to lower interest rates by a quarter percentage, the first rate cut of the year. Thomas Stockwell, assistant professor of economics, said the move is partially due to signs of a weakening labor market. “I think they’re starting to see that there’s more of a risk on the unemployment side of things,” said Stockwell.

Fed Cuts Interest Rates: What It Means for Your Wallet, Credit Cards & Mortgage

WFLA-TV
Sept. 18, 2025

Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, breaks down how average consumers will be affected by the interest rate cut. She said it’s most common for people to see the change reflected in their  credit card statements, and that it likely won’t have a noticeable impact on mortgage rates.

Hyundai Raid Sparks Fears of Foreign Retreat from U.S. Factory Boom

Bisnow
Jarred Schenke
Sept. 17, 2025

The federal immigration raid of Hyundai’s under-construction battery plant outside of Savannah, GA — which led to the arrest of hundreds of skilled South Korean workers and shut down work at the site — could jeopardize billions of dollars in promised foreign investments. President Trump's shifting tariff policies have already created uncertainty for international companies, said Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics. The Hyundai immigration raid only makes it more likely that foreign firms reconsider U.S. investments, she said.

Tampa Universities Name Sports Leaders Amid National Disruption

Business Observer
Mark Gordon
Sept. 17, 2025

Both of Tampa’s biggest universities, USF and UTampa, named new heads of their respective athletics departments recently. E.J. Brophy is the new director and VP of athletics after serving as associate athletic director for development at Samford University (AL). Brophy said the UTampa role, running a department with 20 varsity teams and nearly $18 million in annual revenue, is a “real dream come true. I feel like a rookie again.” He adds that he plans to spend his early months at the “elite program with elite student-athletes” in a listening tour, talking to coaches, athletes and staffers.

A Potentially K-shaped Economy Creates Dilemmas for the Fed

The Hill
Vivekanand Jayakumar
Sept. 12, 2025

In this opinion article, Associate Professor of Economics Vivekanand Jayakumar writes: “A K-shaped economy — one branch of which goes up, the other down — appears to best epitomize the economic reality faced by many Americans this year. … Even as some segments of the population are holding up well, others are facing a recession-type environment.”

University of Tampa Names New Athletic Director

Tampa Bay Business Journal
Breanne Williams
Sept. 11, 2025

Following a national search, E.J. Brophy, who currently serves as associate athletics director for development at Samford University, will officially join UTampa on Oct. 1. Brophy has nearly 30 years of experience in collegiate athletics. President Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg said she was impressed by Brophy’s “depth of experience” and commitment to “developing student athletes.”

UTampa ROTC 9/11 Memorial Workout

WLFA-TV
Sept. 11, 2025

UTampa’s Army ROTC customized their morning workout to honor those who died on Sept. 11, 2001, which included 72-second planks for the 72 law enforcement officers who were killed.

Pints of Science Offers Entertaining Lecture Series in Tampa

Patch
Tiffany Razzano
Sept. 10, 2025

New World Brewery in Tampa hosts a monthly lecture series called Pints of Science, where they invite three local scientists to speak about their current projects and passions. At the most recent event, Scott Husband, associate professor of psychology, gave a presentation titled “Sex, Drugs and Dopamine: The Molecule of More.”

Best 0% APR Credit Cards

WalletHub
John Kiernan
Sept. 5, 2025

Frank Ghannadian, dean of the Sykes College of Business, was asked for an expert opinion on the best 0% APR credit cards. Ghannadian went over why banks offer 0% credit cards, if they are a trap for users prone to debt and what they should be used for.

Best Labor Day Holiday Sales Deals

Tampa Bay 28-TV (formerly ABC Action News)
Sept. 1, 2025

Thomas Stockwell, assistant professor of economics, recommends shopping early for holiday gifts in case of price increases in later months due to tariffs and inflation.

US Appeals Court Rules Most Trump Tariffs Illegal, but Keeps Them in Place

DW News
Aug. 29, 2025

Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, breaks down the federal appeals court ruling that President Trump does not have the authority to impose tariffs. The case may move on to the Supreme Court for further consideration, but if not, Trump’s tariff policies will be reversed.

UTampa Posts Largest Enrollment

WFLA-TV
Aug. 29, 2025

UTampa is celebrating its largest enrollment ever with the incoming freshman class. The total enrollment is now 11,500, and the University received 43,000 undergraduate applications for 3,300 spots.

5 Salmon Myths Seafood Experts Wish Everyone Would Stop Believing

HuffPost
Emily Laurence
Aug. 27, 2025

When it comes to choosing fresh salmon versus frozen salmon, Mark Lang, associate professor of marketing, recommends buying frozen. “Salmon is frozen so quickly (after being caught) that it may be the freshest option to eat,” he said. Lang also debunks the myth that farm-raised salmon isn’t as good as wild caught, explaining that the stigma around farmed seafood stems from the ’70s when regulations weren’t as tight as they are now. Lastly, if salmon is being sold with the head still on, Lang suggests looking at the eyes: “They should be clear. That means it hasn’t been out of the water for very long. If the eyes are cloudy, it’s been in the food supply chain for a while.”

Thousands of Students Descend on the University of Tampa as Move-in Week Begins

FOX 13
Jenna Delgado
Aug. 20, 2025

UTampa residence halls are officially open for move in; more than 5,000 students will be living on campus for the semester.

A similar story appeared on WFLA, Tampa Bay 28 and Bay News 9.

Underwear and Uncertainty: What Wardrobe Purchases Could Tell Us About Economic Health, UTampa Professor Says

FOX 13
Ariel Plasencia
Aug. 19, 2025

Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, said unique metrics, like men's underwear sales, can provide insight into the health of the economy. “The students absolutely love real-world examples, and they like seeing how economics translates off of the things that we typically put on the blackboard,” she said. “And so, when we're talking about things like GDP declines, that probably doesn't resonate with — not just students — but most people. But if you start talking about things like, well, what kinds of goods are you going to cut back on if your budget is tight?”

University of Tampa Business Dean To Step Down After 18 Years

Tampa Bay Business & Wealth
Jo-Lynn Brown
Aug. 19, 2025

Frank Ghannadian, dean of the University of Tampa’s Sykes College of Business, will step down after nearly two decades of leadership at the end of the 2025-26 academic year. During his tenure, student enrollment tripled from 1,700 to more than 5,000, and full-time faculty expanded from 57 to 150.

A similar story appeared in Tampa Bay Business Journal.

Tracking Inflation Impacts in Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay 28-TV (formerly ABC Action News)
Aug. 18, 2025

Thomas Stockwell, assistant professor of economics, tells consumers that the Producer Price Index Report, which measures wholesale prices and shows what business are facing. Stockwell explains that rising wholesale prices will eventually be passed to consumers as tariffs go into effect.

Can the Jobs Numbers Be Trusted?

CFO Brew
Alex Zank
Aug. 14, 2025

President Trump’s recent firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer had economists wondering whether future jobs data would still be objective and accurate. Trump’s nomination of EJ Antoni, chief economist of the conservative Heritage Foundation, as his next BLS chief caused further concerns concerns. With Antoni potentially leading the bureau, “I think things have the potential to get even hairier,” said Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics. Antoni’s criticisms of the BLS “ring some alarm bells with economists who work with this data,” she said. Economists may start to question the accuracy of future jobs reports and worry what changes the bureau will make to its research methods, Hall Blanco added.

Might Trump’s Tariffs Backfire, Pushing India Closer to the Kremlin?

DW News
Aug. 6, 2025

Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, comments on the relationship between India and the U.S. after President Trump increased tariffs on Indian products from 25% to 50%. Hall Blanco said that historically, the U.S. and India have maintained a good relationship, but the tariffs put India in a difficult position, as they have been working to balance ties with the U.S., Russia and China.

Silent Keaton Classic To Be Screened at Imagine Museum

St. Pete Catalyst
Bill DeYoung
Aug. 3, 2025

Christopher Ward, part-time film faculty, was asked to introduce the 1924 Buster Keaton film Sherlock Jr. for its special screening at the Imagine Museum. Ward is an Emmy-winning entertainment business veteran who has written and produced for film and television for many years before coming to UTampa to teach film producing, animation, writing, directing and other production courses, as well as film and TV history. Ward described the film as “absolutely mind-blowing, phenomenal,” and was thrilled to present it to the public.

Here’s What Countries Will Pay Under Trump’s Latest Tariff Plan

Scripps News
Haley Bull
Aug. 1, 2025

President Trump unveiled new tariff rates for dozens of countries after negotiations ahead of the self-imposed Aug. 1 deadline. “Something that is critically important about what's going on with these tariffs and Canada and Mexico is that everything that is currently protected under the North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA is exempted from the tariffs, which represents about 85% of all imports coming from Canada and Mexico,” said Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics. “And so this is important when we want to start talking about things like impacts and what consumers are likely to feel versus what they might not feel.”

70 Years Later, an Alarm Against Nuclear Proliferation Rings Louder Than Ever

The Hill
Abigail Hall Blanco and Christopher Coyne
July 30, 2025

Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, theorizes that “it feels like we’re living in unprecedented times,” among the current political divisions. However, she argues, “though it may feel like new territory, we may look to the past to help us navigate these turbulent times,” referring to the 70th anniversary of the Russell-Einstein Manifesto, written after the atomic bombings of 1945.

What is the Federal Reserve’s Role in Shaping US Monetary Policy?

Scripps News
Holly Firfer
July 29, 2025

Ahead of the Federal Reserve’s announcement of their interest rate decision, Thomas Stockwell, assistant professor of economics, explains what exactly the Federal Reserve does. “Being a central bank means that it has a few functions, the main one being that it's in charge of what we in economics say is the monetary and credit systems here in the United States,” said Stockwell.

New Charitable Giving Tax Rules

Scripps News TV
July 28, 2025

Recent reports show that inflation has risen slightly despite being on a downward trend over the last year. Thomas Stockwell, assistant professor of economics, said that most economists thinks that the new numbers “take rate cuts off the table,” for the next time the Federal Reserve meets.

Expert Thoughts on Citi Simplicity Card

WalletHub
July 25, 2025

Sridhar Gogineni, chair and associate professor of finance, weighed in on WalletHubs discussion of the Citi Simplicity credit card. Gogineni explained why the company offers a long 0% intro APR for balance transfers but only short ones for new purchases, and what advice he would give to someone shopping for a 0% APR card.

New Inflation Numbers May Impact U.S. Trade

Scripps News TV
July 15, 2025

Abigail Hall Blanco spoke to Scripps News Network about tariffs: “The tariff policy has really been all over the place. It’s like a bad boyfriend, you know, on again, off again, on again, off again, and we don't know what, exactly, is coming next,” she told the outlet.

Two Former UTampa Baseball Players Recruited for Banana Ball

Tampa Bay 28 (formerly ABC Action News)
Kyle Burger
July 14, 2025

Recent grads JD Urso ’23, M.A. ’25 and CJ Williams M.A. ’25 just finished their final season of Spartans baseball with a national championship win and have now joined the Savannah Bananas system for a six-week tryout. The Savannah Bananas have been touring the country and selling out stadiums with games packed with dancing, tricks, lip syncing and fan interaction. “Everything the coaches told us not to do growing up, the Bananas want us to do. They want us to be entertaining. If you can make a play more funny or spectacular, by all means, put the exclamation mark on it.” Urso said. “You get out here and you can represent yourself in any way you want. When I’m out there, I turn my hat backwards, I smear my eye black, some of them have the awesome pink sunglasses. You’re truly able to be whatever person you want to be.” The duo will be part of the Banana Ball draft in October. That’s when they’ll find out if they make the Bananas roster or one of the other five teams under the Banana Ball umbrella.

Marines Team Up with ICE in Bold Move To Boost ‘Threat Awareness’ at Critical Military Bases

Fox News
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten
July 7, 2025

The U.S. Marine Corps, in cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has quietly launched a pilot program to station ICE agents at three major military installations. Abby Hall Blanco, a University of Tampa economics and defense professor, weighed in on the lack of transparency surrounding the program’s inception. “We don’t really have a whole lot of information at precisely what led up to this specific program,” she said. “The program is intended to augment security, particularly around the perimeter of these Marine Corps bases.”

The Sound of Music

Eugene Weekly (OR)
William Kennedy
July 3, 2025

Zerrin Agabigum Martin, visiting assistant professor and director of choral studies, opens up to her hometown newspaper about what it is like living with hearing loss as a professional musician. “I was very invested in my musical studies,” she said. “I cared very deeply about it. I did my best to adjust and move forward, continuing to pursue my passion.” Martin sustained damage in her left inner ear at 11 years old but recently received a Cochlear implant to partially restored her ability to hear in both ears.

Jobs, Inflation and the Fed: How They’re All Related

Yahoo! Finance
Robin Hartill
July 3, 2025

High inflation influences the job market, often drawing more people into the workforce in the short run. “High inflation will usually lead to an increase in the number of workers to take advantage of the higher wages being paid,” said Thomas Stockwell, assistant professor of economics. “However, as workers realize their purchasing power has been eroded by inflation, they will be less willing to work.”

Have We All Gone Mad? What We Get Wrong About Nuclear Weapons

Tampa Bay Times
Abigail Hall Blanco
July 3, 2025

In this Op-Ed, Associate Professor of Economics Abigail Hall Blanco opened up a broader discussion about nuclear policy. “Over the last few weeks, Iran’s nuclear program has been at the top of foreign policy discussions among policymakers, analysts, and the public. Though tensions have cooled with the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, questions remain about whether U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian have significantly diminished the country’s nuclear capabilities,” she wrote.

Fed Chair Says Bank Would Have Cut Rates This Year If Not for Tariffs

Scripps News
Simon Kaufman, Maya Rodriguez
July 1, 2025

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell defended the central bank's decision to not cut interest rates so far this year and said it would have already cut rates if not for tariffs. Thomas Stockwell, assistant professor of economics, said Powell has to consider the “trade-offs.” “If you lower interest rates, that's going to increase economic growth, but it will also put upward pressure on prices,” Stockwell said. “If you raise interest rates or keep them level, that's going to either keep growth the same or maybe lower growth, but it will keep inflation under control. So, we're in kind of a pick-your-poison mode here.”

From IBM to ‘Hidden Gem’: UTampa President Discusses Her Journey to Higher Education

Tampa Bay Business Journal
Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
June 27, 2025

Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg spoke with Real Estate Editor Ashley Gurbal Kritzer at the most recent Tampa Bay Business Journal Power Breakfast. Dahlberg discussed her transition from IBM to higher education, emphasizing her focus on student success, including initiatives like internships for all students and artificial intelligence literacy across the curriculum.

From Underwear to First Dates: How a UTampa Professor Gauges Economic Health

Tampa Bay Business Journal
Breanne Williams
June 25, 2025

Traditionally, to gauge the state of the economy, professionals look at the unemployment rate, the GDP and the inflation rate. However, Abigail Hall Blanco said there are also atypical indicators that might shift during an economic decline, such as the “men’s underwear index” and “lipstick index,” which shows that sales on these items tend to fall during economic declines.

Tampa Claims No. 1 Spot on Best Cities for Foreign Businesses List

Business Observer
Mark Gordon
June 23, 2025

The city of Tampa moved up 26 spots in the Financial Times-Nikkei's third annual Investing in America rankings, going all the way to No. 1. Michael Coon, associate professor of economics, reasons it may be because the city’s biggest imports are commodities such as petroleum products, limestone, coal, cement, and not necessarily manufactured goods. “The demand for these is more inelastic . . . compared to tchotchkes at gift shops.”

Oil Prices Plunge Following Iran’s Retaliatory Attach on US Military Bases

Scripps News
Simon Kaufman, Ava-joye Burnett
June 23, 2025

The U.S. does not get oil from Iran, but shutting down the Strait of Hormuz could still impact what the U.S. pays for oil and what Americans pay for gas. “Because our markets are so interconnected and because you have OPEC ... what happens in the Middle East and what happens to oil prices, generally also reflects back within the United States,” said Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics.

American Ninja Warrior

NBC
June 23, 2025

Jess Wombles, a current sophomore, returned to the TV fitness competition show for the third time. Wombles made it past the balance obstacle, which is where she was eliminated the past two times, but then crashed later on. “That was so fun. I am just so happy that I got past that third obstacle,” said Wombles.

Quick Study: A Cliff Notes guide to Florida’s other new presidential leaders

Florida Trend
Amy Keller
June 22, 2025

President Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg was included in this roundup of six leaders in Florida’s higher education landscape.

With All These Tariff Flip-Flops, Are Our Groceries Ever Going To Get Cheaper?

HuffPost
Emily Bond
June 18, 2025

Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, pointed out it’s “difficult to determine” the cost increases from the tariffs “in real time” — fluctuations in price could be attributed to Trump, inflation or additional factors like the H5 bird flu. But Blanco added that even if it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a single price change, we know “from economics and historical data that tariffs harm U.S. consumers.”

What Men’s Underwear Sales Can Tell You About the Economy

Scripps News
Simon Kaufman, Holly Firfer
June 10, 2025

While typical indicators like the unemployment rate, inflation rate, and GDP are important, there are some unusual metrics that may provide insight into the economy. One intriguing indicator? Men's underwear sales. “Your boyfriend or your husband may not just be wearing holes in his boxers for fun,” Hall explained. “It might actually be an indicator of overall economic health.”

As Marines Arrive in L.A., Military Experts Raise Concerns: ‘This Could Spiral Out of Control’

Los Angeles Times
Jenny Jarvie, Grace Toohey
June 10, 2025

Deploying Marines to Los Angeles is not only a dramatic escalation of events, but also potentially illegal, according to Abigail Hall Blanco, a defense scholar and associate professor of economics. “I don't see any way that this is not a direct violation of the Posse Comitatus Act,” Hall said. “We're not at war, we've not invoked the Insurrection Act of 1807 — and even if we did, that's what the National Guard is for. It's not what the Marines are for.”

UT Baseball Team Wins Record 10th NCAA Division II Championship

Tampa Bay Times
Brett Friedlander
June 8, 2025

Spartans baseball’s most recent national championship was head Coach Joe Urso’s eighth title as part of the UTampa baseball program; one as a player, seven as a coach. This marks the first championship win with his son, third baseman JD Urso ’23, M.A. ’26, on the team. With this latest win, UTampa broke the tie with Florida Southern University for the most national championship titles in Division II.

Similar stories appeared on ABC Action News, WFLA, FOX 13.

A Bond Market Meltdown Might Be Inevitable

The Hill
Vivekanand Jayakumar
June 7, 2025

In this op-ed, Vivekanand Jayakumar, associate professor of economics, writes “The recent surge in yields on long-dated U.S. Treasurys has generated concern in some circles. Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, recently warned that the bond market is likely to crack as a result of spiraling government debt levels … Others remain more sanguine and observe that interest rates have in fact normalized close to their pre-2008 global financial crisis levels.”

What the Latest Employment Report Means for Jobs and Prices

Scripps News
Simon Kaufman, Lori Jane Gliha
June 6, 2025

According to the report, employers added 139,000 jobs in May, and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2 percent. “I think that we could describe this month’s jobs report as being not bad but certainly not great,” said Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics. Hall said the job numbers may be an indication of a reaction to policy. “The gains that we saw were primarily in health as well as travel and retail. But a lot of other sectors were fundamentally stagnant,” she said. “Manufacturing, which has been a big emphasis on the part of this administration, actually saw cuts last month of about 8,000 jobs.”

Police Use of Military Tools Presents a Growing Danger

Los Angeles Times
Abigail Hall Blanco
June 4, 2025

Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics who studies war, wrote this opinion article after the immigration protests in Los Angeles. Blanco argues that extending military equipment and tactics to civilian policing may do more harm than good.

Consumer Confidence Partially Rebounds Despite Tariff Threats

Scripps News
Simon Kaufman
May 27, 2025

Consumer confidence partially rebounded in May after five straight months of decline, according to a new survey from The Conference Board. However, Associate Professor of Economics Abigail Hall Blanco cautioned against reading too much into a single month's improvement. “A single data point doesn't necessarily tell us much,” Hall said. “What we're really looking at is, well, what's the trend? And so, the trend that we have seen is a marked decline in consumer confidence over the last several months, and while this is a recovery, it is not by any means a full recovery."

This article also appeared on KTNV (Las Vegas), KATC 3 (Lafayette, LA), 10News (San Diego, CA), WTVR (Richmond, VA), NewsChannel 5 (Nashville), KXXV (Waco, TX), KBZK (Bozeman, MT), KIVI (Nampa, ID), WRTV (Indianapolis), FOX17 (Grand Rapids, MI), ABC2 News (Baltimore), ABC15 (Phoenix), KMTV (Omaha, NE), LEX 18 (Lexington, KY), KOAA (Pueblo, CO) and dozens more TV stations nationwide.

In Tampa, Florida Democrats Talk Candidly About Their Problems and Hopes for Future Success

Florida Phoenix
Mitch Perry
May 27, 2025

Logan Mueller, president of the University of Tampa Democrats student organization, attended a community discussion hosted by the Hillsborough County Democratic LGBTQ+ Caucus. Mueller said a major problem in his opinion is that the Democrats were still campaigning “like it’s 1996.” “All the largest podcasts and these things that people are connected to are all very conservative … On top of that, (Democrats) don’t have a unified message that we can share with everybody. We don’t have a positive economic message that everybody wants. The reason Trump was also partially successful was that he sold optimism. He sold making America great again.”

Here’s How Florida Is Already Feeling the Effect of Trump’s Tariffs

Tampa Bay Times
Teghan Simonton
May 24, 2025

Local small businesses in Tampa are having trouble justifying importing items from countries with high tariffs, such as Tebella, which buys a large amount of tea from China. “This is impacting local businesses,” said Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics. “This is impacting local consumers in a way that people are going to feel.”

Immigration Policies Could Lead to Racial Profiling, Panelists Say

WUSF
Nancy Guan
May 23, 2025

The Manatee Tiger Bay Club hosted a panel discussion on immigration issues in Bradenton. Liv Coleman, professor of political science and international studies, asked panelists what they thought about the impacts of immigration policies on higher education. Coleman pointed out that international students who come to the U.S. on visas contribute about $40 billion to the economy. “I worry about this on a number of levels, and whether they be DACA or ‘Dreamers,’ or whether they're coming over on visas," said Coleman, "What are you seeing in your communities?”

Consumers Weighing Economic Uncertainty

ABC Action News
May 23, 2025

Thomas Stockwell, assistant professor of economics, has been monitoring inflation numbers closely. He predicts that economic performance may increase before tariffs take effect as consumers will try to make purchases before prices increase.

University of Tampa Economics Professors Explain How Tariffs Could Impact the Economy

WUSF
Lily Belcher
May 22, 2025

Abigail Hall Blanco and Michael Coon, both associate professors of economics, gave insight into how the tariffs will affect regular consumers. Blanco said that some prices may increase faster than others, depending on the product; Coon explained why small businesses may be more impacted than large corporations.

Pasco Wants Eighth Graders Ready for Algebra, Seniors Set for Calculus

Tampa Bay Times
Jeff Solochek
May 21, 2025

Colleen Beaudoin, senior lecturer of math and vice chairperson of the Pasco County School Board, supports the school district’s decision to make Algebra I a standard of the eighth grade curriculum. She said holding off on acceleration until middle school is developmentally appropriate, adding that the result should be more children ready for the higher level coursework. “They deserve a chance. No harm can come from giving the opportunity to try that,” Beaudoin said.

Boeing's $3.9 Billion Mistake Paved the Way for That Qatari Jet: Report

The Western Journal
V. Saxena
May 19, 2025

After Boeing missed their deadline to deliver two new 747 Air Force jets for the White House, President Donald Trump started to consider accepting a jet from Qatar. However, accepting a new Air Force One jet from Qatar meanwhile would not be as simple as affixing a new name and logo to it. “You would need to essentially disassemble it and reassemble it with all the necessary modifications,” Abigail Hall Blanco, a defense expert and associate professor of economics, explained.

Terrifying Data Reveals Exact Date When US’ Natural-born Population Will ‘Go Extinct’

Daily Mail
Emily Joshu Sterne
May 17, 2025

New data suggests America's natural-born population could edge toward extinction in 500 years. Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, highlights America's decreasing fertility rate, which was shown in a report last month by the CDC. However, Hall Blanco cautioned it may still be several decades before the US fertility crisis reaches the level of countries like South Korea. She said, “We've still had a growing population because of immigration, so we have not seen a shift or a downward trend economically in the way that, say, Korea, Japan or Germany has, because we've supplanted our population through immigration.”

Boeing Bungled $3.9B Air Force One Project, Blew Past Deadline and Opened Door for Qatari Jet Offer

Fox Business
Morgan Phillips
May 16, 2025

Boeing has already reported more than $2.5 billion in losses from their deal with the White House to construct two Air Force jets. “Cost overruns or delays in delivery are certainly not a novel phenomenon,” said Abigail Hall Blanco, defense expert and associate professor of economics. If the government were to cancel the contract, it is unclear how much of that money Boeing could recover. “Typically, the government has wide latitude to cancel defense contracts,” Blanco said. “Now, that doesn't mean that companies can’t seek compensation for work already done. But given the particulars of the fixed-cost contract with Boeing, it’s unclear what cancellation would actually entail.”

How Should Florida Prep for Storms? These Top 2025 Grads Have Ideas

Tampa Bay Times
Divya Kumar
May 16, 2025

Yuly Restrepo, assistant professor of English, served as a judge for an essay contest that asked local high school seniors how they were affected by last year’s hurricanes and what the community could do differently ahead of this year’s hurricane season.

UT’s Jordan Williams Has Perfected the Art of the Steal

Tampa Bay Times
Shane Petagna
May 15, 2025

In April, Master’s student and outfielder Jordan Williams broke UTampa’s record for the most bases stolen in a single season with 53 bases. Since then, he has stolen 15 more, bringing him to a total of 69 steals, more than any other player at all three divisions of the NCAA. “Great base stealers, they lack fear, they’re aggressive, they’re not worried about getting thrown out,” said Spartans head coach Joe Urso. “And (Jordan) lacks fear.”

University of Tampa President Outlines Goals After First Year at UTampa

Spectrum Bay News 9
Dalia Dangerfield
May 12, 2025

After one year as UTampa’s 11th president, Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg summarized her experience so far and laid out what is yet to come for the University. Dahlberg touched on rebranding from UT to UTampa, student housing, keeping up with federal and state laws regarding DEI programs, increasing the graduation rate and how to implement AI on campus.

UTampa To Offer Dual Degree Program

10 Tampa Bay
May 12, 2025

University of Tampa will offer a dual degree program in partnership with a university in France. Graduate students from the Sykes College of Business will be able to earn two master’s of science degrees simultaneously. The first-of-its-kind program will only take six students every year, who will attend classes on both campuses.

2 Longtime Area Coaches Retired. So Who Now Owns the Longest Tenures?

Tampa Bay Times
Joey Knight
May 12, 2025

Both of the Tampa Bay area’s longest-tenured coaches — Chris Catanach, UTampa’s head volleyball coach for 41 years, and Jim Macaluso, King High baseball coach for 50 years — retired after this school year’s seasons. In a roundup of the area’s other longtime coaches, head softball coach Leslie Kanter (31 seasons), head coach of women’s basketball Tom Jessee (23 seasons), and head baseball coach Joe Urso (25 seasons) were all included with the top seven longest-tenured college coaches.

Urso Duo Seeking Program’s 10th Title

Spectrum Bay News 9
May 11, 2025

Father and son duo Joe and JD Urso, head coach of Spartans baseball and starting shortstop, respectively, are hoping to win their first national championship title together. When the Spartans won last year, JD was playing for University of Miami before he transferred to UTampa for a master’s degree. “If it happens,” said Joe Urso, “there’s going to be a lot of tears in my eyes because it will be a very proud moment.”

Why the Federal Reserve Risks Falling Behind the Curve as Recession Fears Rise

The Hill
Vivekanand Jayakumar
May 10, 2025

While public sentiment indicates fear of a recession, the numerical data does not yet show an economic downturn. However, Vivekanand Jayakumar, associate professor of economics, argues that “pronouncements of recession start dates can occur well after the downturn is underway — the determination that the Great Recession actually began in December 2007 was made in December 2008,” so there may be a delay in announcing an official recession.

Experts Reveal Exactly How Trump’s Tariffs Will Affect Food Prices — Particularly on Coffee

HuffPost
Garin Pirnia
May 7, 2025

For the first time in U.S. history, the government has placed a blanket 10% tariff on every single country, which Michael Coon, associate professor of economics, calls “unusual.” “The only place you really see something like that is in lower-income countries that don’t have the infrastructure to collect income taxes,” Coon told HuffPost. “It’s easier for them to collect tariffs at the port because you have to set up a customs office on the dock.”

Billions Spent, Warfighters Wait: Inside the Pentagon’s Broken Buying System and the Plan To Fix It

Fox News
Morgan Phillips
May 2, 2024

According to the Army's top technology officer, the Pentagon is trapped in a cycle of outdated thinking and paperwork that could hinder the U.S. in the next great-power conflict. Abigail Blanco, defense expert and associate professor of economics, says one of the issues is that defense contractors face "small penalties" for going over-budget and lawmakers are reticent to cut old weapons systems, leading to waste at DOD.

University of Tampa Names Chief Human Resources Officer

Tampa Bay Business & Wealth
Jo-Lynn Brown
May 1, 2025

The University of Tampa has appointed Michael “Mike” Hill as its new vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer, effective June 1. Hill currently serves as chief human resources officer at North Carolina Central University, where he led initiatives to modernize HR operations and improve employee engagement. At UT, he will oversee talent acquisition, employee relations, training and development, compensation, benefits, Title IX compliance and more.

US Economy Shrinks for First Time in Three Years

DW News
April 30, 2025

Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, says that even though tariffs are causing an economic downturn, markets respond well when the policies are paused or relaxed, which suggests that there is still room to turn things around.

5 Ways Trump has Changed the Economy in His First 100 Days

The Hill
Vivekanand Jayakumar
April 30, 2025

Vivekanand Jayakumar, associate professor of economics, lists the effects that President Trump’s policies have had on the economy within his first 100 days in office: Century-high tariff rates, resetting trade and shaking up international relations, a flight from U.S. financial assets, migration patterns and the labor market, and gutting the IRS ahead of tax cuts.

Stock Market Retreat in Trump’s First 100 Days Is Among the Worst Starts for a President in Almost a Century

Fortune
Ben Weiss and Irina Ivanova
April 29, 2025

From January 20 to late April, the S&P 500 has dropped almost 8%. The President and his new Department of Government Efficiency also eliminated a large part of the federal government, which has analysts worried about how cuts in federal spending may affect private contractors. “It’s a massive source of revenue for many different types of firms, not just government firms, but also private firms,” said Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics.

Opinion: Tariffs Are an Economic Hurricane for Florida Businesses

Florida Business Observer
Abigail Hall Blanco and Michael Coon
April 29, 2025

Associate Professors of Economics Abigail Hall Blanco and Michael Coon prepare business owners for what to expect when tariffs hit. Florida is the eighth largest destination for imports in the United States, so businesses will be paying more for the same items, which include vehicles, cell phones, furniture, clothing, alcohol, produce, coffee and more.

Dollar Collapse: The Crisis Is No Longer Just Theoretical

The Hill
Vivekanand Jayakumar
April 28, 2025

Vivekanand Jayakumar, associate professor of economics, explains how tariffs are not as helpful as they seem: “The standard textbook viewpoint implied that the imposition of tariffs by the U.S. would lead to a strengthening of the American dollar against the currencies of its major trading partners…. Furthermore, given the U.S. dollar’s status as a safe-haven currency, one would have expected that periods of heightened global uncertainty would generate a ‘flight-to-safety’ investment flow into Treasury securities and caused a strengthening of the world’s pre-eminent reserve currency. Yet reality has turned out to be quite different. Even as President Trump’s chaotic tariff policy has raised the risk of a global trade war and generated a dramatic surge in global policy uncertainty and market volatility, the U.S. dollar has weakened.”

Volunteering Is a Lifestyle for University of Tampa Senior Who Is Vital Part of Museum’s Team

FOX 13
Mark Wilson
April 23, 2025

Senior psychology major Sean Machado Guzman has volunteered at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in Ybor City for the last four years. “We often expect a reward or something in return for volunteering but that's never been the case for me,” Guzman shared. “I just like seeing things flow and like my actions helping other people and then inspiring those to do the same as well.”

AI as an Educational Ally: Innovative Strategies for Classroom Integration

Faculty Focus
Lisa Delgado Brown
April 23, 2025

Lisa Delgado Brown, assistant professor of education, wrote this op-ed to share her experience with integrating generative AI tools into her class curriculums. As her students are studying to become teachers themselves, she emphasizes the importance of finding a way to use the tools as a strength for both students and educators.

Spring Grove’s Wolfe Twins Lead Tampa Beach Volleyball to 3rd Straight National Title

York Dispatch
April 22, 2025

Hailey and Nevaeh Wolfe’s hometown newspaper covered the twins’ national championship win in beach volleyball. The Wolfes were named the AVCA Collegiate Beach Pair of the Week and finished the season with a record of 25-4 as a duo.

Tampa Spartans Volleyball Coach Chris Catanach Retires After 41 Years

Tampa Bay Times
Joey Knight
April 22, 2025

Named the Spartans’ fourth coach in ’84, Catanach amassed a 1,227-223 record. He retires as the second-winningest active NCAA volleyball coach (Divisions I, II and III) and his .846 career win percentage ranks seventh all-time among active NCAA volleyball coaches at any level. “He is the best coach I’ve ever been around, hands down, and is the most well-rounded,” UTampa athletic director Larry Marfise said.

The Gig Economy and Uber’s Impact on Tampa Bay

WUSF
Matthew Peddie, Gracyn Doctor
April 15, 2025

Dragana Mrvos, assistant professor of political science and international studies, joins the Florida Matters podcast for a conversation about how Uber driving fits into the wider gig economy in Tampa Bay.

Taking Action

ABC Action News
April 14, 2025

Thomas Stockwell, assistant professor of economics, was asked to give insight on the latest inflation report. Stockwell said that experts were forecasting inflation to be higher than it was, and the decrease was largely fueled by lower energy prices.

UTampa Students Raise $200K To Help Grant Riverview Teen’s Wish for Hawaii Trip

WFLA
Brody Wooddell
April 10, 2025

In February, UTampa students in fraternities and sororities raised more than $200,000 for Make-a-Wish Southern Florida. Their donation funded a Hawaii trip for a teenager in Riverview with a long history of hospitalization, so the students threw her and her family a sendoff party on campus before she left for vacation.

Trade Myths (and Facts) with Prof. Michael Coon

Free the Economy Podcast
April 10, 2025

Michael Coon, associate professor of economics, joined the Free the Economy podcast to talk about “everything tariff-related,” including comparative advantage, global supply chains, exemptions and subsidies, and steel versus plastic.

Which Demographics Are the Most Affected by Trump’s Tariffs and Market Turmoil?

Deutsche Welle
April 7, 2025

While it’s obvious that the plummeting stock market affects high-level investors, Abigail Hall Blanco explains how ordinary people can be impacted. For example, retirees living off of pensions may be experiencing losses.

Elon Musk Says That He Wishes for ‘Zero Tariffs’ Between US and Europe in the Long Run

Deutsche Welle
April 5, 2025

Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, theorizes why Musk is opposed to the tariffs set by close associate President Trump. Some reasons could be the impact on his company Tesla, or an attempt at correction by the Trump administration.

Stock Market Plummets Amid Tariff Uncertainty — Here’s What Experts Say To Do Next

FOX 13
Evyn Moon
April 4, 2025

The Dow has experienced its biggest decline since the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020. Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, described the situation as “absolute carnage in the markets right now…. This is not necessarily a brand-new phenomenon,” said Hall. “This is not the first time that markets have seriously taken a downturn like this. However, this is very clearly tied to the recent policies of the current administration and then also in response to the news from China that they're going to be levying retaliatory tariffs against the United States.”

How Donald Trump’s Tariffs Will Impact Florida: ‘Economic Hurricane’

Newsweek
Ewan Palmer
April 4, 2025

President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs will negatively affect his adopted home state of Florida, experts have warned. Abigail Hall Blanco, assistant professor of economics at the University of Tampa, told Newsweek that Trump's tariff plans are like a "Category 5 economic hurricane created by policy" that will damage businesses in the Sunshine State.

Stock Market Tumble Impacts Retirement Savings; Florida Economists Explain

WFLA
April 3, 2025

Michael Coon, associate professor of economics, noted that the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down from its peak in December. However, it is still slightly higher now than it was a year ago. He said those who aren’t planning on retiring still have time to recover your losses.

Why a Stock Market Selloff May Trigger a US Recession

The Hill
Vivekanand Jayakumar
April 3, 2025

Vivekanand Jayakumar, associate professor of economics, acknowledges that economists’ predictions of a recession in recent years did not come true, but several new developments in the economy now make it seem inevitable.

Tariff Pain ‘Will Be Felt For Years,’ Says Economist as Trump’s ‘Nasty Times’ Warning Resurfaces

The Mirror
Debadrita Sur
April 3, 2025

While President Trump is hailing tariffs as saving American industry, economists are struggling to see the upside. “Anything that we import is going to be expensive,” said Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics. “American consumers are going to hurt as a result of these policies. Tariffs are economically detrimental, no matter how you try to spin them.”

DOGE’s Private Contract Crackdown Has Eliminated More Than 120 Deloitte Contracts — More Than Twice the Amount of Any Other Consultancy

Fortune
Sasha Rogelberg
April 3, 2025

Major consulting firm Deloitte has been hit hard by contract terminations carried out by the Department of Government Efficiency. “There are lots of entities, private entities, who rely on — in whole or in part — various government contracts or government funding to fulfill their primary objectives,” said Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics.

Tariffs Impacts: Tampa Businesses See Quick Price Hikes on Foreign Goods

FOX 13
Evyn Moon
April 2, 2025

President Donald Trump hopes new tariffs imposed on all foreign goods will make people buy more items that are American-made, but there are concerns about just how much prices will rise for everyday things like food, clothing, toys and appliances. "I think that for consumers, they can expect to see these tariff effects, frankly, everywhere. We buy a lot of goods and services from abroad," said Abigail Hall Blanco, an associate professor of economics. 

Trump Tariffs Will Be ‘Economically Detrimental’ to US Despite Him ‘Window Dressing’ Them To Aid the Country’s Deficit

The Mirror
Debadrita Sur
April 2, 2025

President Trump’s reasoning that tariffs are a revenue-generating mechanism was true at one point in U.S. history. However, Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, said that the economic, social and political landscapes have shifted, which no longer makes it a “viable option” to the national debt problem. She added that the problem lies in government spending, and tariffs will not help cover the deficit.

Tax Experts Share Tips, Important Information Ahead of Tax Filing Deadline

ABC Action News
Larissa Scott
April 2, 2025

During this year’s tax season, Associate Professor of Accounting Christian Plesner Rossing advises people to consider filing electrionally instead of on paper because of potential government changes: “If you’re a paper filer, you don’t want to have your tax return getting stuck somewhere because the person that usually picks it up is not there anymore.

Donald Trump Warned Americans May ‘Absolutely Abandon’ His Liberation Day ‘Hand Grenade’

The Mirror
Debadrita Sur
April 2, 2025

Ahead of President Trump’s announcements of international tariffs, financial experts are sharing their insight on the topic, one of them being Associate Professor of Economics Abigail Hall Blanco. Blanco told Mirror US, “Economically speaking, the only silver lining that I could possibly think of for all of the tariff policy that has been implemented in the last two months is that maybe people will realize how absolutely terrible tariffs are, and then really press their elected officials to just absolutely abandon this economic hand grenade that we seem to be trying really, really hard to be holding in our hands when it explodes.”

UTampa President Outlines Goals To Boost Impact, Reputation and Endowment

Tampa Bay Business Journal
Breanne Williams
April 1, 2025

During her inauguration ceremony on March 31, President Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg outlined three goals she intends to prioritize for the University. She stated she intends to focus on increasing UTampa’s impact on students and the community, elevating its reputation throughout the country and growing the university’s endowment.

UTampa Students Play Wheelchair Basketball To Learn About Importance of Adaptive Sports

FOX 13
Jordan Bowen
March 31, 2025

University of Tampa physical education students got to see the Hillsborough County's wheelchair basketball team in action as part of their class. “The class is part of health science, human performance. You have a lot of undergraduate students in this course that are studying physical therapy, occupational therapy, allied health and exercise science,” said Jason Rabe, visiting assistant professor of health sciences and human performance. “This course is teaching them how to create activities to work with people that have unique needs.” Samantha DiMiceli, the president of the Unified Special Olympics at UTampa, hopes Monday's lesson is just the beginning of seeing more adaptive sports on campus: “Our main mission is inclusion for all, and all includes any disability, any ability. Anyone can play and do whatever they want.”

University of Tampa Welcomes in New President

10 Tampa Bay
March 31, 2025

University of Tampa has officially sworn in its 11th president, Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg, in an inauguration ceremony followed by a day of celebratory events.

A similar story appeared on FOX 13, WFLA and ABC Action News.

The Wake Up Call

WRHU (Long Island, NY)
March 31, 2025

Abby Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, joins Hoestra University’s morning radio show to discuss her book The Economics of War and weighs in on modern U.S. defense policy.

A Resurgence of Faith Among Men Is Changing the Religious Gender Gap

Deseret News (Salt Lake City)
Mariya Manzhos
March 29, 2025

Men have turned to traditional churches recently, in part because these institutions affirm more conventional roles and a traditional vision of masculinity. “A lot of men today feel marginalized, they feel emasculated, they feel like they have lost power,” said Ryan Cragun, professor of sociology.

The Great Awakening

Deseret News (Salt Lake City)
Mariya Manzhos
March 27, 2025

After years of statistics showing a decline in organized religion in the U.S., some studies show that younger generations are becoming more open to faith, although they are finding nuanced ways to talk about it. People are “toying with new ways of wrestling with the language surrounding these spiritual beliefs,” said Ryan Cragun, professor of sociology.

University of Tampa’s Bell Tower Featured in Documentary at Gasparilla Film Fest

ABC Action News
Erik Waxler
March 25, 2025

The documentary about the Ars Sonora, titled The Art of Sound, was showcased at Tampa’s Gasparilla International Film Festival. The documentary also includes Joshua Cessna, Ars Sonora curator and staff accompanist, composing music for the one-of-a-kind instrument. “It’s so special, I think, to have an instrument like this in the center of our campus to bring everybody together and to have that one thing in common,” Cessna said in the film.

University of Tampa Buys Prime Site Near Oxford Exchange

Tampa Bay Business Journal
Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
March 24, 2025

University of Tampa has purchased land near Oxford Exchange, but has not yet disclosed what they plan to build there. “We have not finalized or announced plans for the property,” Eric Cárdenas, assistant vice president for marketing and communications, told the Business Journal.

The U.S. Has a Long, Ugly History of Alcohol-Related Tariff Fights. They Don’t End Well.

Wine Enthusiast
Kate Dingwall
March 21, 2025

When President Trump announced a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum products, E.U. officials fought back, declaring a 50% excise on American whiskey and other products. Reacting to the reaction, Trump’s team proposed a 200% levy on European wine and other spirits. “There are lots of examples of alcohol tariffs in American history,” says Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics. “Even the U.S. Tariff Act of 1789 included a tax on imported alcohol, among other goods.”

Swapping Champions League Dreams for the American Dream

BBC
Alex Hoad
March 21, 2025

Senior soccer player Alex Hare played in a junior professional league in England as a teenager before opting to play for universities in the U.S. “The America route seemed great because I get a degree, and I can set my future up in a better way off the pitch. It's still full-time football for four years — a lot of lads who end up dropping into non-league don't get that — and I get the experience of living and going to university in America,” said Hare. “I felt it would be a better move for me and my life and it has been, I'm very glad I did it.”

Historians Examine JFK Files Rekindling Speculation of Tampa Connection

10 Tampa Bay
Eric Glasser
March 19, 2025

Journalists and historians are delving into thousands of newly declassified documents related to President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Among the revelations, some suggest there’s a chance of a possible connection to Tampa, where Kennedy visited just four days before his death in Dallas. While historians continue to analyze the files for new insights, it remains uncertain whether Tampa will feature prominently in the findings. For locals like Soultan El-Ajou, sophomore biochemistry major at UTampa, the revelations offer a chance to better understand history. Reflecting near the JFK memorial at the entrance to the UTampa campus, El-Ajou remarked, “You’ve got to learn what happened…our generation knows more about it than boomers do now.”

Regime Uncertainty: Another Substantial Cost of Tariffs

RealClear Markets
Abigail Hall Blanco
March 17, 2025

Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, uses her professional expertise to break down the many implications of the newly imposed tariffs and the uncertainty that comes with them.

Jacob Hamlin Obliterates Another Division II Record With 14:51.81 1650 Free in Indianapolis

SwimSwam
Sean Griffin
March 15, 2025

Sophomore swimmer Jacob Hamlin broke his third NCAA DII record in one week at the 2025 NCAA Championships. His winning performance also represents a sweep of his events at this competition, meaning he’s gone 4-for-4 over the weekend.

UTampa Club Hockey Team Wins First National Title

Yahoo! Sports
Sean Barie
March 14, 2025

For the first time in program history, the UTampa men's ice hockey team won the Amateur Athletic Union Div. I National Championship. The team went 5-0-0 at the tournament at Community First Igloo in Jacksonville, defeating Farmingdale State College 5-2 in the championship, and before that defeating Auburn University (AL), Fairfield University (CT), St. Bonaventure University (NY) and the University at Buffalo (NY).

Steak ’n Shake Was Struggling. It Turned To Beef Tallow — And MAGA.

The Washington Post
Daniel Wu
March 13, 2025

Amid struggling finances, Steak ’n Shake announced its plan to substitute usual cooking oils with beef tallow to improve food quality and align with health official Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s suggestions. Mark Lang, associate professor of marketing, believes positioning Steak ’n Shake so closely to Kennedy, who has courted some of the most controversy out of those in Trump’s administration, runs the risk of staking the brand too far on the fringe of political opinion. “I’m surprised that in order to gain some new customers and sales, you would alienate an equal number of customers on the other side,” he said.

New CPI Report Shows Inflation Cooled More Than Expected

ABC Action News
Larissa Scott
March 13, 2025

The Consumer Price Index, which measures price changes across commonly purchased goods and services, showed a cooling of inflation to 2.8% compared to 3% the month prior. “The inflation numbers actually came back pretty good this month… This probably means that the Federal Reserve is going to hold interest rates steady next month,” said Thomas Stockwell, assistant professor of economics. He and other experts said inflation eased a little more than they expected.

Over Half of Americans Who Don’t Own a Home Fear They Never Will—but They’re Wrong

Realtor.com
Julie Taylor
March 11, 2025

People across various generations share the same sense of pessimism about homeownership. “The cliche thing to say is that younger generations can't afford homes because we've spent too much of our income on avocado toast,” Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics.  “I do believe homeownership is feasible for younger generations — but it may look different than it did for our parents.”

Cracks Are Emerging in the Idea of America’s Economic Exceptionalism

The Hill
Vivekanand Jayakumar
March 11, 2025

Vivekanand Jayakumar, associate professor of economics, points out the flaws of the U.S. economy in its current state, despite earlier sentiments that the U.S. was outperforming countries of similar standing.

Free Art Shows in Largo Feature Dazzling Local Stars Sam Modder and Iboms

ABC Action News
Sean Daly
March 5, 2025

The Gallery at Creative Pinellas in Largo is running a large-scale show featuring artwork by Sam Modder, assistant professor of art and design. Her show, "Source of All Hair, Wearer of All Socks," is described as a fantastical storybook come to life’ a Black woman escaping to an “Other World” where anything and everything is possible.

Economists Warn Tampa Residents of Price Spikes From New Tariffs

FOX 13
Kylie Jones
March 4, 2025

Trump has stated that the tariffs he’s proposed are meant to punish Mexico, Canada and China for the flow of illegal drugs and migrants over U.S. borders. "There is this idea that it's going to harm the country that it's being imposed on without harming U.S. producers or U.S. consumers. And that's just simply not the case," said Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics. Blanco says Americans could be affected by not only the retaliatory tariffs but also the U.S.-imposed tariffs. 

Tampa Professors Break Down How Tariffs Will Impact Your Wallet

10 Tampa Bay
Anjelicia Bruton
March 4, 2025

Local economy experts project tariffs will impact multiple industries and consumers, but it could take six months or longer. “It makes foreign goods more expensive with the idea that people are going to substitute or switch to buying U.S.-produced products,” said Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics.

America’s Designs on Annexing Canada Have a Long History − and Record of Political Failures

The Conversation
Patrick O’Brien
March 3, 2025

Patrick O’Brien, assistant teaching professor of history, geography and legal studies and historian of early U.S.-Canadian relations, penned this piece to give context to President Trump’s desire to annex Canada. As Trump is not the first American leader to propose this plan, he notes that previous northern expansion efforts have indicated “weakness and simmering division inside the United States,” rather than power.

This story also appeared on Yahoo! News, Houston Chronicle, CT Insider, SF Gate, Big Rapids Pioneer (MI), Conroe Courier (TX), Manistee News Advocate (MI) and Shelton Herald (CT).

UTampa Launches Hybrid Master’s Program To Meet Growing Demand for Skilled HR Professionals

Tampa Bay Business Journal
Jim Molis
March 1, 2025

According to data compiled by UTampa, employment in human resources management is increasing by 7-10% annually, making it the right time to launch the University’s Master of Science in Human Resources Management program, which starts this fall. “HR management is a growing field at all levels, from entry positions to the managerial level. There’s great demand and it’s hard to fill the pipeline with the right combination of hard and soft skills,” said Susan Steiner, associate professor of management and entrepreneurship.

Will Florida’s DOGE Plans Lead To Savings? Economists Aren’t Sold

Newsweek
Ewan Palmer
Feb. 27, 2025

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' recently announced state-level Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) task force has been met with skepticism by economists. Abigail Hall Blanco, associate professor of economics, said there is a “certain irony” in DeSantis ordering the “creation of a government bureaucracy to try and cut government bureaucracy.” She added, “This order scores obvious political points, but the economic score will be determined later.”

This story also appeared on BellingHam Herald (WA), Miami Herald, Rock Hill Herald (SC), Wichita Eagle (KS), The Olympian (WA), Mahoning Matters (OH) and Myrtle Beach Sun News (SC).

Push To Allow Guns on College Campuses

WFLA
Feb. 20, 2025

Florida senators have filed a bill that would allow concealed weapons, including guns, on college campuses. Two UTampa students were asked for their opinions on the idea, with one student saying they “would definitely be scared, especially with all of the school shootings going on,” while another student said they “would feel okay with it if it was definitely an extensive process, and not just something you could go and grab in a day’s notice.”

Is the Trump Administration Fighting the Wrong Economic Battle?

The Hill
Vivekanand Jayakumar
Feb. 19, 2025

Vivekanand Jayakumar, associate professor of economics, breaks down the longtime debate of how rapid technological evolution has polarized the job market and displaced many middle class workers, and how new policies and advances could exacerbate the issue.

How Trump’s Mass Deportations Could Lower the Social Security Trust Funds

U.S. News & World Report
Maryalene LaPonsie
Feb. 18, 2025

President Trump’s executive order mandating the deportation of undocumented immigrants could lead to unintended financial consequences. Michael Coon, associate professor of economics, asserts that the immigration system needs to be fixed to make it easier on immigrants to become citizens. “There is no reason why these people should not be allowed to live and work here in the U.S. Most undocumented immigrants live and work in the U.S. and have normal lives like everyone else,” said Coon.

Area Coaches Say Women’s Hoops in ‘A Great Place’ as Final Four Looms

Tampa Bay Times
Joey Knight
Feb. 14, 2024

Women’s professional basketball is the most popular it’s been in 25 years. “Gosh, I think we couldn’t be in a better place right now,” longtime University of Tampa women’s head coach Tom Jessee said. “I think the game has really taken on a lot of eyes. It’s a great time to be in women’s basketball.”

Best Capital One Credit Cards

WalletHub
John Kiernan
Feb. 13, 2025

WalletHub asked Jennifer Burton, associate professor of marketing, for her expert opinion on Capital One. Burton spoke on Capital One’s marketing strategies, how they are able to offer cards to all credit levels, and which credit card benefits consumers prefer.

Changes in Inflation by City

WalletHub
Adam McCann
Feb. 12, 2025

Patrick Luce, part-time economics faculty, provided his expert insight on inflation to WalletHub. Luce was asked what the main factors driving inflation are, what can be done to slow it down, and how interest rates affect inflation.

What To Make of Donald Trump’s Tariffs on Steel, Aluminum

Deutsche Welle World (Germany)
Nik Martin
Feb. 11, 2025

Many economists, however, disagree that Trump's tariffs mark the beginning of a new “Golden Age” for the United States and reject his assertion, while signing the proclamations, that foreign exporters — not ordinary Americans — would bear the brunt of the tariffs. “The literature on this is abundantly clear,” Abigail Hall Blanco, an associate professor of economics at the University of Tampa in Florida, told DW. “Tariffs mean major losses, for all parties involved.”

Dean Looking To Finish Stellar Career With Second National Title

The Enquirer Journal (Monroe, NC)
Michael Wayne O’Neill
Feb. 10, 2025

Senior swimmer Kenan Dean’s hometown newspaper recaps his most recent season, in which he won a national title, ahead of his final season at UTampa.

What is a Budget?

WalletHub
Adam McCann
Feb. 5, 2024

Thomas Stockwell, assistant professor of economics, used his expertise to explain the benefits and downsides of personal budgeting, and shared some tips on creating and sticking to a plan.

University of Tampa Economist Shares How Trump’s Tariffs Could Impact Floridians

FOX 13
Jordan Bowen
Feb. 3, 2025

America's three biggest trading partners – Canada, Mexico and China – are now firing back after President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, and a 10% tariff on goods from China. Associate Professor of Economics Abby Hall Blanco says, “Economics teaches us that trade is remarkably beneficial and that things which limit our trading capacities make us worse off. They make us poorer.” Blanco explains it may take time before Americans feel the strain on their wallets. “So maybe when we're talking about going back to school in July or August and you're buying those school supplies for your kids or next year, when you are looking at buying toys for your kids for Christmas or Hanukkah, those things are going to be more expensive," Blanco said.

Local Reaction to Tariffs on Canada and Mexico

ABC Action News
JJ Burton
Feb. 1, 2025

Amidst the public’s reaction to the introduction of tariffs on consumer goods, Michael Coon, associate professor of economics, doesn’t “recommend that people panic.” He explains that price increases won’t be reflected for at least six months, so if the masses buy as much as they can now with the “lower prices,” it will increase prices even faster.

There’s Still a Real Threat That Inflation Makes a Comeback

The Hill
Vivekanand Jayakumar
Feb. 1, 2024

Vivekanand Jayakumar, associate professor of economics, reviews the trends of inflations over recent years and theorizes how President Trump’s policy agenda will affect it in the near future.

Zoe Piller’s Bay Area Birthright fulfilled at University of Tampa

Tampa Bay Times
Joey Knight
Jan. 31, 2024

Senior Zoe Piller felt destined for Tampa after being born during the 2003 Superbowl game when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scored their first Superbowl win. Now, she is the top scorer and rebounder on UTampa’s basketball team. “She’s the strongest kid. She could be an Olympic weightlifter maybe,” head coach Tom Jessee said. “I mean, when she posts up and seals you, you’re not moving her. And she’s very, very nimble for her size; she’s got good quickness. She can put the ball on the deck, go around you. She’s not just a power player, although that is her strength.”

UTampa Baseball Begins Title Defense with Retooled Line-up

ABC Action News
Kyle Burger
Jan. 29, 2024

UTampa’s baseball program is coming off a ninth Division-II National Championship season in 2024. “All year, it's championship or bust around here,” head coach Joe Urso said. “That’s what we signed up for and we are very happy with that.” “We’re here to win championships,” starting pitcher Skyler Gonzalez added. “This club has a lot of history. A lot of national titles, a great head coach.” Urso was busy this offseason assembling a squad to compete for a tenth title this season after many standout players graduated last year.

UTampa President Trains with ROTC

WFLA
Jan. 29, 2025

President Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg took part in ROTC personal training workouts. Dahlberg completed battalion runs and the “Spartan Circuit,” which includes deadlifts, kettle bell swings, push-ups and a buddy team sled drag.

Longtime University of Tampa Athletics Director To Retire

Tampa Bay Business Journal
Breanne Williams
Jan. 28, 2025

Larry Marfise, UTampa’s athletic director for the last 26 years, has announced his retirement, effective in November. “I cannot overstate the profound impact Larry has had on UTampa’s co-curricular experience and on the hundreds of student-athletes who have competed on our fields and courts,” said President Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg. His legacy at the University includes creating gender equity plans, increasing athletics fundraising, improving athletic facilities on campus, creating new teams for the university and leading the charge on ensuring Spartan athlete GPAs were at or above UTampa’s overall student GPAs.

Best Online Loans

WalletHub
John Kiernan
Jan. 28, 2025

Sridhar Gogineni, associate professor of finance, was tapped as an expert to give insight on the best online loans.

Power 100: Tampa Bay’s Most Influential Business Leaders of 2025 Named

Tampa Bay Business Journal
Pam Huff
Jan. 27, 2025

President Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg was named to Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Power 100, which celebrates Tampa’s most influential business leaders who significantly impact the community. Former president Ronald Vaughn was previously named to the list, and is now labeled as a “2024 Legend.”

Best & Worst States To Start a Business

WalletHub
Adam McCann
Jan. 20, 2025

Bert Seither, manager of operations for the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center, was tapped as an expert to give insight on the best and worst states to start a business.

The Strong Dollar Conundrum Facing the Trump Administration

The Hill
Vivekanand Jayakumar
Jan. 19, 2025

In this opinion piece, Associate Professor of Economics Vivekanand Jayakumar says that economists predicted the dollar to weaken in 2024, but that is rose sharply instead. Now, with President Trump sown in and planning to implement trade tariifs and restrictive immigration policies, both of which are likely to be inflationary, signal a further strengthening of the dollar.

Massive New Trump Tariffs Are Looming. Here’s How These Import ‘Taxes’ Work and Who Pays for Them

Bankrate
Sarah Foster
Jan. 16, 2025

One of President Trump’s main campaign promises was to create a “universal baseline tariff,” believing that it will bring jobs back to communities hurt by globalization and increase government revenue. But economists, including Associate Professor Michael Coon, say that tariffs aren’t a reliable tool for either of those objectives. “One of the few things that most economists unanimously agree on is trade is good,” said Coon. “If you implement a world that’s super protectionist by putting in a lot of tariffs, it’s going to raise prices on consumers and effectively make everybody poorer.”

UT Professor Reveals Worst Thing You Can Say to a Cancer Patient

Bay News 9
Jeff Butera
Jan. 5, 2025

Colter Ray, assistant professor of communication, has studied how people communicate with cancer patients for more than a decade. When talking to patients ages 18-39, two-thirds of the population had experienced a lack of support from a friend or loved one they expected to hear from. “The most common thing is, ‘I don’t think what to say’ or ‘I’m afraid I’m going to say the wrong thing.’” Ray said. While there are unhelpful things that people can say to a patient, the worst thing is nothing at all.

Does a Lack of Faith Lead To Suicide? One Study Says Yes. Scholars of Secularism Say No.

Religion News Service
Bob Smietana
Jan. 3, 2025

A recent academic paper drew on crime-tracking data on college campus and religious affiliation surveys to show that states with higher percentages of so-called “nones” — people who claim no religious affiliation in surveys — have higher rates of sexual assault on campus as well as higher suicide rates overall. Ryan Cragun, sociology professor at UTampa, reviewed the paper and said that while it does show a correlation, the paper’s author fails to prove that disbelief causes those higher rates. Cragun also said the paper ignores other data, such as that showing that states with higher murder rates are correlated to higher per-capita populations of evangelicals. “If I were to use his logic, then I should be able to argue that evangelicals are more likely to kill people,” said Cragun.