By Sarah Sell, University Communications and Marketing
A group of prospective students from Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) in South Korea
spent a week exploring the Tampa Bay area and getting an inside look at USF’s Fintech Center at the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance.
The international visit was part of a strategic new partnership between USF’s Muma
College of Business and SKKU, aimed at expanding USF’s global presence and enriching
the educational experience for students pursuing a degree in finance and fintech.
Fintech refers to the integration of technology into financial services and has rapidly
emerged as one of the most dynamic and vital aspects of business today.
During their time at USF, the students from SKKU met with fintech faculty, learned
about academic programs and joined panel discussions with leaders in the fintech industry.
“By welcoming global perspectives, we are not only enriching our academic community
but also preparing our students to lead in the dynamic, interconnected world of business
and finance,” said Gary Patterson, dean of the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and
Finance and campus dean of the Muma College of Business at USF St. Petersburg.
The Fintech Center at USF St. Petersburg is an entrepreneurial ecosystem dedicated
to helping students, faculty, the business community and entrepreneurs succeed and
make a positive impact in the fast-growing fintech sector.
Industry growth in fintech is spurring new academic programs at the university. USF
currently offers an undergraduate degree in finance with a concentration in fintech.
Starting in fall 2025, USF will offer a master’s degree in fintech, with a bachelor’s
degree in fintech available in fall 2026.
“This is a win-win for our universities,” said Jung Chul Park, associate director
of the Kate Tiedemann School of Business at USF St. Petersburg. “We can offer students
a curriculum with more technical content that will meet the demands of the industry.”
As part of the partnership, students from SKKU will have the opportunity to start
their graduate studies at SKKU and complete their graduate degree at USF.
The STEM-designated fintech program also provides students with three years of Optional
Practical Training (OPT), a temporary employment authorization that improves chances
of securing an internship or job in their field of study. The OPT is typically one
year, which can make it difficult for companies to hire international students.
“From their perspective, this could be a great platform for students to learn advanced,
cutting-edge skills through an education at USF and work for a company in the Tampa
Bay area,” Park said.
Fintech education and programming is growing at USF as rapidly as the field is evolving.
This growth was spurred by a transformational $14 million gift from Kate Tiedemann
and Ellen Cotton back in 2022, which has supported the university’s vision in becoming
a “hub of excellence” in fintech.
In 2024, the Fintech Center launched an online certificate program that teaches about the dynamic world of fintech. The eight-week program provides a
non-technical, foundational understanding of fintech and its impact on the future
of business for students, entrepreneurs and working professionals.
In addition, a multiyear partnership between the Muma College of Business and Tampa
Bay Wave is assisting high-potential, high-growth startups in the industry through
mentoring, pitch coaching and investment training. The Fintech|X Accelerator has worked
with more than 50 startups to transition them into sustainable, scalable and profitable
businesses.
Amanda Reineke, CEO and co-founder at Notice Ninja, a tax notice compliance solutions
company, was part of the accelerator program. During a panel discussion with SKKU
students, Reineke, Michael Wiemer, director of the USF Fintech Center, and Sam Tuffaha,
consulting partner at VIVAT, a global software solutions company, shared valuable
advice for those pursuing degrees and future careers in finance.
“Whatever industry space you’re in, you want to enjoy it. It will give you more curiosity
to expand, learn, create and bring more to your company,” Reineke said. “I think if
you have a passion, a product and an idea, run with it. There’s so much opportunity
here.”
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