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This summer, UTampa welcomed 43 executive Master of Business Administration students from Brazil’s Fundação Getulio Vargas for a week of immersive learning with exclusive exposure to the Tampa Bay business community. 

The students, all professionals from various business sectors, participated in a packed lineup of classroom instruction and company visits curated by Hemant Rustogi, recently retired Dana Professor of Marketing in the Sykes College of Business. The program, in its 15th year, has attracted more than 500 Brazilian students since it started.

Over the week, students heard from more than a dozen UTampa professors on topics that define today’s business environment. That included Christopher Crawford, associate professor of management and entrepreneurship, on using artificial intelligence for a business advantage; Speros Margetis, professor of finance, on the entrepreneurial ecosystem; and Rustogi on doing business in Tampa Bay. 

“We give them a world-class experience,” Rustogi said. “One of the things we offer at UTampa is professors with a practitioner orientation and incredible professional experience. We bring a pragmatic approach that really resonates with participants.”

For student Juliana Coelho Canetti, who is the logistics leader at Novelis, a leading producer of flat-rolled aluminum products, the program was a dream come true. “It provides a unique opportunity to experience American culture within a university environment and to learn from distinguished professors whose knowledge and professional experiences are exceptionally valuable,” she said.

She found particular value in a session on entrepreneurial mindset. “It was an opportunity to develop a new way of thinking, one that encourages us to recognize possibilities, overcome barriers and believe in our ability to turn ideas into meaningful achievements,” she said.

Outside the classroom, participants connected with local organizations. 

On a day focused on the local economy, they toured Port Tampa Bay by water taxi and attended a presentation. Brazil is a top destination for exports from Port Tampa Bay. 

When the focus shifted to trends in finance, students visited the headquarters of Raymond James Financial, an international firm with approximately $1.92 trillion in client assets. Their tour and an economic forecast was organized by Ronice Barlow MBA ’17, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Raymond James’ independent contractor division. Barlow is a former member of the University’s Board of Trustees. 

The week concluded with a banquet and certificate ceremony. “There was a lot of laughter, love and tears in the room,” Rustogi said. 

Canetti summed up the week this way: “It was a journey of personal and professional growth that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on our lives.”