Fogelman Features - May 2026
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Nap Overton celebrates 10 years with the TVA Investment Challenge Program
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HRH Jiljuana J. Coleman of Ghana spoke at the MILE graduation ceremony
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Tauhidul Tanin celebrated the birth of his fourth daughter, Aatika
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Olivia Raine participated in the 2026 Taste of Mississippi event
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Rajat Sharma, MKTG PhD student, presented at two academic conferences
Yajiong (Lucky) Xue featured in CACM
Dr. Yajiong (Lucky) Xue, professor in the Department of Management Information Systems, was recently featured in Communications of the ACM (CACM) for her expert insights into the rapid evolution of the international robotics industry. The article titled, "Amid Hype, Humanoids Aim for Balance in China," highlights Lucky’s timely research on the technological ambitions, market dynamics and strategic balancing acts driving China's humanoid robot development. This recognition underscores the global relevance of her work and reflects the forward-thinking, high-impact research emerging from the University of Memphis. To read the article in its entirety, click here.
Nap Overton celebrates 10 years with the TVA Investment Challenge Program
Dr. Napoleon (Nap) Overton, associate professor of Teaching in the Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate, was honored for his 10 years of impactful participation in the TVA Investment Challenge Program.
Over the past decade, Nap has mentored dozens of FCBE students through this prestigious, hands-on experience—guiding them as they manage real-money investment portfolios and develop critical financial decision-making skills.
The program, operated in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, is a premier workforce development initiative that allows university students to actively manage stock portfolios on behalf of the organization. Since its founding in 1998, it has become one of the nation’s largest student-managed investment programs, preparing more than 10,000 future business leaders.
Nap’s long-standing commitment highlights both his dedication to student success and the real-world, career-ready experiences that define FCBE’s business education.
Prof. Napoleon Overton with FCBE students Samuel McDowell, Ximena Olguin, Thelonious
Hassinger, Samaya Owsley, Antonio Jackson and Jade Davis
Frances Fabian published in CMR
Dr. Frances Fabian, associate professor in the Department of Management and director of MBA programs, was recently published in California Management Review (CMR) for her article, “Diversity Matters: Overcoming the Friction of Different Functional Backgrounds.” She coauthored this piece with Drs. James Plečnik and Shan Wang, associate professors from Loyola Marymount University. To read the complete piece, click here.
Dr. Frances FabianHRH Jiljuana J. Coleman of Ghana spoke at the MILE graduation ceremony
The FCBE MILE Program celebrated the close of its 2025–2026 year with a graduation dinner and recognition ceremony held on April 11 in the UC River Room. The event brought together protégés, mentors and faculty to reflect on a year of growth, leadership development and meaningful connection.
A special tribute was paid to MILE co-founder and former department chair Dr. Bob Taylor, honoring his lasting contributions and vision in shaping the program’s impact on student success.
The highlight of the evening was a powerful presentation by Her Royal Highness Jiljuana J. Coleman of Ghana. Addressing attendees, she emphasized that the capacity to lead exists within everyone and encouraged FCBE protégés to actively seek opportunities to make a difference in their communities and beyond.
Dr. Kurt Kraiger, chair of the Department of Management, also serves as the director of MILE.
HRH Jiljuana J. Coleman of Ghana at MILE Graduation Dinner
CSOA professors and doctoral student published in JIS
Drs. Joanna Golden and Zabihollah (Zabi) Rezaee, faculty members in the Crews School of Accountancy, recently had a paper accepted for publication in the Journal of Information Systems. They coauthored this piece with PhD student, Carrie Gui. Their paper, “The Implications of IT Investment for Audit Effectiveness,” explores how accounting firms’ investments in IT personnel enhance audit quality—offering timely insights at the intersection of technology and assurance. This achievement reflects the strength of faculty mentorship within the Crews School of Accountancy and underscores the collaborative research environment that empowers PhD students to produce rigorous, high-impact scholarship. Further, this research project supports the University of Memphis initiatives on “the development of a Mid-South AI Research Consortium.” To read the complete article, click here.
Tauhidul Tanin celebrated the birth of his fourth daughter, Aatika
Dr. Tauhidul Tanin, assistant professor of Teaching in the Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate, recently welcomed his fourth daughter into the world. The newest addition, Aatika Tahira—whose name means “Generous and Spiritual Purity”—is doing well, along with her mother. Congratulations, Tanin, on this wonderful news!
Larry Moore was featured in the American Thinker
Dr. Larry Moore, professor in the Crews School of Accountancy, recently had a piece titled, “What ‘subject to the jurisdiction thereof’ really meant,” published in the American Thinker. The article argues that the key phrase in the 14th Amendment, “and subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” is often misunderstood and must be interpreted through its historical context rather than modern assumptions. To read the entire article, click here.
Olivia Raine participated in the 2026 Taste of Mississippi event
Dr. Olivia Raine, assistant professor of Teaching in the Department of Management, recently competed in the 2026 Taste of Mississippi event, joining several chefs and restaurants from across the state of Mississippi. She served more than 1,300 attendees, contributing to the lively culinary showcase and competing for Best Appetizer and Entree. Although she didn’t win, Olivia enjoyed the experience and valued the opportunity to share her cooking and be part of such a large charity event. Cooking is Olivia's favorite hobby outside of the classroom.
Rajat Sharma, MKTG PhD student, presented at two academic conferences
Marketing PhD student Rajat Sharma recently showcased his research at two major academic conferences, reinforcing the strong research culture and professional development opportunities within the program.
At the Southeast Marketing Symposium (SMS), he presented “The Generous Customer: Reward Gifting and Brand Outcomes,” exploring how gifting behaviors influence brand perception and customer relationships. He also presented at the National Conference in Sales Management (NCSM), where his work, “Too Close for Comfort? Camera Distance, Psychological Reactance, and Trust in Virtual B2B Sales Meetings,” examined how virtual interaction dynamics impact trust and buyer responses in digital sales environments.
“Presenting at academic conferences is a vital component of doctoral training,” said Dr. Susy Jaramillo, assistant professor in the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management and PhD co-coordinator. “These experiences provide opportunities to receive constructive feedback that strengthens research, while also enabling students to engage with the broader scholarly community—building connections with peers, mentors and potential research collaborators.”
John Cicala’s proposed student project about “How to tell America’s story at the United Nations” was accepted by the U.S. State Department
Dr. John Cicala, assistant professor of Teaching in the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, recently received acceptance from the U.S. State Department for a new student project this fall.
The project titled, “Telling America’s Story at the United Nations: Audience Strategy and Media Reach,” will be offered through the University’s Diplomacy Lab. Its intent is to engage students in developing strategic communication approaches on behalf of the State Department.
The first phase of the project tasks students with identifying more effective ways to reach U.S. audiences, articulate the value of diplomatic efforts to taxpayers and translate complex policy outcomes into accessible, meaningful messaging. The second phase focuses on media analysis—examining who is covering key diplomatic portfolios, where those journalists and outlets are based and how their audiences can be more strategically engaged. Students will ultimately help build targeted media mapping, outreach strategies and relationship-building efforts to strengthen how U.S. messages are delivered and received.
As part of the experience, State Department points of contact will meet directly with the student team at the start of the semester, providing context, guidance and an opportunity for meaningful engagement. The project will culminate in a final presentation to Department stakeholders, giving students a unique platform to contribute to real-world diplomacy and communications strategy at a national level.
Dr. John CicalaApplied AI courses enrolling for Fall ‘26
Dr. Tom Stafford, chair of the Department of Management Information Systems (MIS), is excited to announce the creation of two Applied AI programs, a Graduate Certificate and Concentration which will be offered in conjunction with a MSIS degree. To learn more about these programs, please visit AppliedAI.memphis.edu.
