Saint Leo University Launches Tapia College of Business and Technology to Meet Today’s Workforce Needs

ST. LEO, Fla. – As employers increasingly seek professionals who can navigate both business strategy and emerging technologies, Saint Leo University is redefining how those disciplines are taught. The university announces the launch of the Donald R. Tapia College of Business and Technology, a new academic college created through the merger of the Tapia College of Business and the College of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Data Science (CARDS).

Beginning in fall 2026, the new college will offer a comprehensive and integrated portfolio of undergraduate and graduate programs spanning business administration, accounting, finance, marketing, computer science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, software engineering, and data analytics.

New programs also include a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics, combining AI applications with data visualization, economics, and marketing analytics to prepare graduates for careers that rely on data-driven decision making. A new drone initiative will provide hands-on experience in unmanned aerial systems across industries from public safety to logistics, addressing growing employer demand in those sectors.

"The challenges organizations face today do not fit neatly into traditional academic silos," said Dr. Derek Mohammed, dean of the Tapia College of Business and Technology. "Business leaders must understand cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, while technology professionals must understand finance, operations, risk management, and organizational strategy. The Tapia College of Business and Technology was created to develop graduates who can operate confidently at that intersection."

A September 2025 Pew Research Center survey found that 21 percent of U.S. workers use AI to complete at least some portion of their work, an increase of five percentage points from the previous year. Research also identifies AI literacy and applied technology skills as increasingly important indicators of workforce readiness and employability. These studies reinforce the need for universities to integrate AI across disciplines, and Saint Leo University is answering that call.

“The Tapia College of Business and Technology represents a bold step forward in higher education by integrating technology fluency, business leadership, and innovation across disciplines,” said Dr. Jim Burkee, president of Saint Leo University. “The future belongs to professionals who know how to work alongside AI in an ethical way, not compete against it. And that’s what we’re teaching our students.”

Finance and accounting students will expand their use of AI applications in fraud detection, financial forecasting, and risk assessment. Cybersecurity students will apply advanced AI technology to identify threats, detect anomalies in network traffic, automate incident response, and analyze malware behavior. Students studying investments will use AI to query company financial data, build projection models, and benchmark competitive organizations.

“The key is helping students understand the various roles in which AI can serve, as an information source, collaborator, critique partner, analytical assistant, or prediction tool,” said Dr. Michele Flint, senior associate dean of the Tapia College of Business and Technology. “While new AI tools will undoubtedly continue to emerge, the ability to apply them effectively will require agility and sound judgement. The new college will capture the synergy between the disciplines, creating learning experiences that align with the rapid evolution we’re seeing in the workplace.”

The Tapia College of Business and Technology also is expanding relationships with regional industries and community partners to align academic programs with workforce needs. Through embedded internships, co-designed curriculum, and capstone experiences, students will learn to translate theory into practice with ethics and integrity.

University officials believe this will help graduates succeed in today’s dynamic workplace. According to Mohammed, “Organizations are running integrated business and technology operations, and the points where those functions intersect are often where they face their greatest opportunities and risks. Our graduates will be prepared to lead in those environments.”

To learn more about the Tapia College of Business and Technology, visit saintleo.edu/academics/colleges/business.