Sharon Hess Herrick

UWF degree and year of graduation:
MBA, 1988

Why did you choose to attend UWF?
After graduating from Tulane University and returning to Pensacola to pursue a banking career, I wanted to complete a Master’s Degree and UWF was a great choice.

What were your goals as a student?
Completing an advanced degree was a longtime personal goal, and the MBA enabled me to enhance my skills in business and meet my career goals.

What is your best memory from your days at UWF?
I enjoyed the group work in my classes, especially the case studies focused on regional and national corporations.

Who was your favorite professor and why?
Dr. Tom Committe. His class was challenging but he made it interesting and was very inspiring.

What do you do now and how did UWF help you progress to this point?
As Owner and President of Hess Financial and Realty Services, my company specializes in residential and commercial real estate sales, commercial loan consulting and land development. My UWF degree provided a good foundation for my work today.

Please describe any other areas that you are involved in, such as volunteer work, mentoring, serving on various boards, etc.
In addition to serving on the UWF Board of Trustees, I serve on the United Way of Escambia County Board, the Baptist Health Care Foundation Board, the PJC Foundation Board and I volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Foundation, Child Guardians, and Fiesta of Five Flags.

How do you stay connected to UWF?
Serving on the UWF Board of Trustees.

What advice do you have to current and future UWF students?
Stay true to your dreams and never, never give up. Commit to a strong work ethic and never deviate. Don’t take the path of least resistance. Balance work and play!

What quality makes UWF special or unique?
UWF is friendly and supportive, and there is good communication between faculty and students.

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