Biography

A marketing professional with more than 25 years of experience, Michael Kaplan recently transitioned to academia. Since 2021, he has been an Adjunct Instructor in the Marketing Department at UCF College of Business. He brings a balance of theory and practice that engages students and challenges them to find actionable insights to make the most impactful decisions. He teaches various courses at UCF, including Marketing Research, Marketing Analytics, Marketing Strategy, and Product Management. He also serves as a mentor and coach in the Blackstone LaunchPad at UCF.

Michael earned his Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Florida where his dissertation research focused on meaningful customer experiences. He holds an MBA Marketing & Finance from New York University and a B.S. in Biology from Stony Brook University.

Prior to embarking on his teaching journey, Michael held progressive marketing roles within Fortune 500 and smaller entrepreneurial organizations on a domestic and global scale. His experience spans consumer and commercial products gained as an Advertising Specialist at Clairol, a Brand Manager at Revlon, a Global Director at Newell Brands, and Senior Vice President at EBP Supply Solutions. He has managed cross-functional and global teams, led brand development initiatives, and developed and commercialized products of varying complexity, all of which have driven consistent growth and sustainable results.

Michael is a native New Yorker who relocated to the greater Orlando area with his wife and two children. In addition to teaching, Michael actively consults with various organizations and invests in several ventures.