Dr. John Cicala Named Director of MBA Programs

November 1, 2023

Dr. John Cicala, assistant professor of teaching in the Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management, was named Fogelman College of Business & Economics’ new MBA Director on November 1. John is a three-time graduate from the University of Memphis and earned his BA in Communications in 1986, MBA in 2001 and PhD in Business Administration/Marketing in 2011.

In this new role, John will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and overseeing program marketing, recruitment and outreach. Additionally, he will be involved with securing competitive internships and job placements for our MBA students and alumni.

Previously, John was a tenured professor of Marketing at the University of North Alabama from 2019 to 2023. From 2011 to 2019, he served as a tenured associate professor of Marketing at Texas A&M University | Kingsville. While there, he served as chair of the University Curriculum Committee, was on the initial AACSB accreditation task force, conducted workshops for the City of Corpus Christi’s Learning Institute, and was the founder/director of the Center for Negotiation. He also served as the university’s delegate to the Principles of Responsible Management Education initiative of the United Nations’ Global Compact charter. John has earned certifications in Negotiation from the Program on Negotiation through Harvard Law School.

Before academia, he worked as sales director for several casinos in Tunica, MS., where he was the Charter President of Rotary International’s Chapter in Robinsonville. While growing up in Memphis, John worked for several local retailers and organizations. He oversaw the sound and music at football and basketball games for the University of Memphis, Memphis Showboats, Rockers and RiverKings from 1984 – 1997 and enjoyed a brief stint as the weekend emcee at B.B. King’s Blues Club from 1991-1992.

"As a life-long Tiger, I am extremely grateful for the rare opportunity to return home and to teach where I was taught," said Cicala. "In my new role as MBA Director, I am excited to help cultivate the next generation of business graduates."

John also is the creator and host of the podcast "Always With, Never Against: A Podcast of Negotiation" which is available through Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon and iHeart Music.

To learn more about our MBA Programs, contact Dr. Cicala at j.cicala@memphis.edu.