The College of Business marks 30 years of the UCF Executive MBA with a special celebration at UCF Downtown and honors Professor Richard Hofler for his three decades of teaching in the program.
The University of Central Florida’s Executive MBA (EMBA) program celebrated its 30th anniversary with a special event at the UCF Downtown campus Thursday, Sept. 5, honoring the program’s rich history and the alumni who have shaped its success. More than 100 alumni, faculty, current students and special guests gathered to commemorate the milestone and reflect on the program’s journey to its current status as a leading executive education program. The celebration was also a chance to reflect on their UCF EMBA experience and the lasting impact the relationships they built.
The inaugural UCF EMBA cohort, which was held on main campus, graduated in 1994. Today the program has 580 alumni and two active cohorts with 50 students on the Downtown UCF campus. Milestones in the program include the introduction of an international residency in 2004, the move to UCF’s 36 W. Pine St. building in downtown Orlando in 2007 and subsequent relocation to UCF Downtown in 2020.
“Our EMBA program began 30 years ago with a clear mission: to equip executives and aspiring leaders with the knowledge, skills and networks they need to excel at the highest levels,” UCF College of Business Dean Paul Jarley said. “Over the decades, we’ve adapted to the rapid changes in the business world, from the rise of the internet and globalization to the challenges posed by the financial crisis, the COVID pandemic, and the advent of AI and automation technologies.”
Dr. Hofler Recognized for 30 Years of Teaching in the EMBA
A highlight of the EMBA 30th Anniversary celebration was the presentation of the Faculty Recognition Award to Economics Professor Richard Hofler, a cornerstone of the UCF EMBA program since its inception where he has taught foundational statistics and applied business research tools. Hofler has spent his career equipping more than 2,600 UCF MBA students with the critical data-driven, decision-making skills leaders need to succeed.
“Professor Hofler’s impact on our students and alumni is profound,” Jarley said. “His dedication to academic excellence and extraordinary commitment to our students and the program has been pivotal in developing the EMBA program into what it is today. Richard’s passion for learning and teaching remains as vibrant as ever, and his influence extends far beyond the classroom. From his leadership as Chair of the Economics Department to his recent work on the college’s Artificial Intelligence committee, Richard has been an integral part of our success.”
The event also included a learning segment that highlighted the EMBA community’s commitment to continuous growth. Paul Gregg ’74 & ’76, Executive-in-Residence with the College’s Department of Finance and a former faculty member in the EMBA program, led an engaging, Ted-Talk-style presentation focused on wealth management for executives, emphasizing strategies for planning and timing retirement effectively.
Upcoming EMBA 30th Anniversary Activities
The College of Business will continue celebrating the EMBA 30th Anniversary at the college’s annual tailgate Saturday, Sept. 28, before the Knights host Colorado and Coach Prime. EMBA alumni and students are invited to enjoy food, networking, and festivities.
Throughout the fall, the college will also feature EMBA alumni and faculty on social media.
About the UCF Executive MBA
The UCF Executive MBA is a premier graduate program designed for experienced professionals seeking to advance their leadership skills and business acumen. With a rigorous curriculum focused on strategic decision-making, global business perspectives, and executive leadership, the EMBA prepares executives to lead with confidence and innovation in today’s dynamic business landscape. Offered each fall term at UCF Downtown, the EMBA is a 19-month, weekend program with a limited class size and cohort format.