UCO College of Business

🎉Business Broncho Student-Athletes Shoutout 🎉

Our Business Broncho Student-Athlete spring series heads to the tennis courts as we recognize Karyna Yurchenko and Dilay Ata of the UCO Women's Tennis team. 🎾

Karyna Yurchenko | Senior, Professional Selling and Marketing Double Major
Dilay Ata | Freshman, Marketing Major

🏆 This season, the Bronchos captured the MIAA Women's Tennis Championship with a 4-0 victory over Washburn in the tournament finals.

The championship capped another remarkable year for the program, as UCO claimed both the regular-season and postseason MIAA titles.

Whether competing on the court or pursuing their academic goals in the College of Business, Karyna and Dilay exemplify the dedication required of student-athletes. We are proud to recognize their contributions to a championship team and celebrate them as members of the Business Broncho community.

💛💙 Congratulations, Karyna and Dilay, on an outstanding season and an MIAA Championship!

🎉Business Broncho Student-Athletes Shoutout 🎉

Next up in our spring sports celebration, we're recognizing three outstanding Business Bronchos from the UCO Baseball team: Drake Lee, Colton Ayres and Elijah Alexander. ⚾

🌟 Their accomplishments this season include:

Drake Lee | Senior, Business Law Major
🔷 First Team All-Region (ABCA)
🔷 First Team All-MIAA
🔷 Second Team All-Region, Central Region (NCBWA)
🔷 Two-Time Hitter of the Week

Colton Ayres | Senior, General Business Major with a Minor in Accounting
🔷 All-MIAA Honorable Mention

Elijah Alexander | Senior, General Business Major
🔷 All-MIAA Honorable Mention

Competing at the collegiate level requires a tremendous commitment of time, effort and perseverance. We're proud to recognize Drake, Colton and Elijah for their contributions to the UCO Baseball team and for representing the College of Business.

💛💙 Big kudos to all Business Bronchos across the program who helped contribute to a successful season, which concluded with an appearance in the MIAA Quarterfinals.

🎉Business Broncho Student-Athlete Shoutout 🎉

Join us in recognizing Gabe Johnson, a 2025 marketing graduate and current MBA student in the UCO College of Business, who has made a lasting impact as a member of the UCO Wrestling team. 🤼‍♂️📈

🌟 Gabe's outstanding achievements include:

🔷 MIAA Male Student-Athlete of the Year
🔷 UCO Male Student-Athlete of the Year (UCO Stampede Awards)
🔷 MIAA Wrestler of the Year
🔷 NWCA Super Region IV Wrestler of the Year
🔷 NWCA Division II National Wrestler of the Year
🔷 NCAA Division II Men's Scholar All-American Team (NWCA)
🔷 Three-Time National Champion Wrestler 🥇🥇🥇

Gabe's success as both a student and an athlete reflects the dedication and hard work he has brought to his time at UCO. We are proud to recognize his achievements and the way he has represented the College of Business and the Broncho community.

Congratulations, Gabe, on an incredible wrestling career and these remarkable accomplishments! Your legacy will continue to inspire future Bronchos. 💛💙

“What makes this experience so valuable is not simply the landmarks themselves. It is the opportunity for students to connect ideas across disciplines and centuries.”

That perspective from Dr. David Chapman, captures the impact of the 2026 UCO London Study Tour.

Our College of Business students joined peers from the College of Fine Arts and Design and the College of Liberal Arts to explore London as a global classroom. From the Bank of England, Chelsea Football Stadium, The Tate Modern and Lloyd’s of London, students experienced how finance, culture and history intersect in real time. 🌍✈️

Thank you to Dr. Chapman, Dr. Eliot and Professor McGuigan for accompanying our students and creating an experience that brought learning to life far beyond the classroom.

The College of Business is proud to recognize our VITA students for an incredible tax season and one of the most successful years in the program’s history! 👏

This year, 19 students across our Saturday and Tuesday/Thursday Practicum in Tax Administration classes worked tirelessly to serve the community, overcome challenges, and support taxpayers throughout the season.

Together, they achieved:
✅ 811 taxpayers served
✅ 774 electronically filed returns
✅ $938,300 in total refunds returned to taxpayers
✅ $222,928 in Earned Income Tax Credits secured
✅ $111,256 in Child Tax Credits secured
✅ $89,576 in Additional Child Tax Credits secured

A little friendly competition between the classes kept everyone motivated each week, pushing students to continuously exceed expectations.

The societal impact of this work extends far beyond the numbers, helping strengthen and support families throughout the community.

Most importantly, these students gained valuable real-world experience while making a meaningful impact for individuals and families in our community.

We are incredibly proud of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to service!

Special thanks to Riley Shaull, CPA, CGFM, for his leadership and dedication in overseeing the program and guiding our students throughout the season.

The UCO College of Business was proud to be part of the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission’s Outlook 2026 Conference—bringing together 800+ real estate professionals from across the state to talk about what’s next for Oklahoma’s growth and development. 🏘️ 📈

Dean Russell Evans challenged attendees to “become the local economist,” reminding us that real estate professionals don’t just follow the market—they help interpret it every day.

Our own Dr. David Chapman moderated the closing panel, “Oklahoma 2036: The Next Decade Starts Now,” leading a forward-looking conversation on where Oklahoma City is headed and what it will take to get there.

Big thanks to the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission for hosting a powerful event focused on innovation, leadership and the future of our state.

Through the UCO Real Estate Program, we’re preparing the next generation of real estate professionals to lead in a changing market—with the economic insight, technical skills and perspective to help shape what comes next for Oklahoma. 🌟

UCO’s London Research Extension recently took 11 students abroad for an unforgettable, hands-on research experience in London. ✈️🇬🇧

Led by Dr. J. David Chapman and Becky McGuigan, students explored the city through both business and art history lenses.

Our seven College of Business students spent time in southeast London studying how one major transportation investment—the Elizabeth Line—is reshaping entire communities.

Their focus: two very different neighborhoods, Abbey Wood and Woolwich.

🚆 Same rail line. Very different outcomes.

Students explored how walkability, housing, public spaces and redevelopment shape whether a transit stop becomes just a stop—or the center of a thriving community.

From observational research to walking the neighborhoods themselves, students got a first-hand look at how transportation and urban design influence everyday life in real time. 🌍

A powerful reminder that cities are more than buildings—they’re living systems shaped by how people live, gather and stay.

Our UCO College of Business Master of Science in Finance (MSF) students recently attended the CFA Society of Oklahoma Annual Dinner at the Tulsa Club.

The evening featured a keynote by Ben Carlson, Director of Institutional Asset Management at Ritholtz Wealth Management, who shared insights on navigating market volatility and staying focused on long-term investing in an unpredictable market. 📈

Students also celebrated new CFA Charterholders and had the chance to network with finance professionals from across the region. 🤝

Thank you to Dr. Anisur Rahman for accompanying our students and supporting this great experience!

We loved celebrating our graduating spring and summer 2026 master’s students at our graduation reception! 🎓🎉

It was a wonderful evening recognizing their hard work, dedication and accomplishments alongside family, friends, faculty and classmates.

Congratulations, graduates — we are proud of all you have achieved and look forward to all that is ahead for you! 💛💙

📸 Julie Danielle Photography