Spotlight On: Paul Pavlou, Dean, University of Miami Herbert Business School

Key points:

• Miami Herbert is embedding AI and emerging technologies across all programs to build durable, future-ready business skills.

• The school is accelerating entrepreneurship by pairing AI-powered execution with strong mentorship and startup support.

• Deep industry partnerships and experiential learning ensure graduates are job-ready in an AI-shaped workforce.

January 2026 — Invest: sat down with Paul Pavlou, dean of the University of Miami Herbert Business School, to discuss how the school is evolving its curriculum, research, and industry partnerships as technology reshapes the workforce. Pavlou emphasized that the goal is not to chase headlines, but to build durable skills and real-world readiness across every program. “AI should be your co-founder,” Pavlou said, underscoring how technology, when paired with mentorship, is changing how quickly students can turn ideas into execution.

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How does the Miami Herbert Business School integrate cutting-edge concepts into its curriculum to ensure students are prepared for the changing business landscape?

AI is obviously front and center for Miami Herbert Business School, and as perhaps the most powerful and transformative technology in the history of humanity, we are extensively and deliberatively integrating AI into our curriculum. Still, we realize that it’s not only about AI per se. It’s about any emerging technology that is reshaping business by pushing the boundaries of human intelligence. 

Because AI is moving so quickly in industry, our premise is to infuse it comprehensively across the curriculum, and we do that in four key ways.

First, at the individual course level, each course is reviewed to reflect how AI is changing core concepts, principles, and industry applications. That applies across the entire range of what we teach. Second, at the program level, whether it’s marketing, supply chain, accounting, wealth management, or real estate, we examine at how each industry is evolving and adapt the entire curriculum accordingly.

Digital marketing, analytics, and decision-making are fundamentally different in an AI-enabled environment, and our programs reflect that fast-changing reality. Third, we offer dedicated pathways for students who want deeper AI expertise. This past fall, we launched an AI minor, which has quickly become one of the most popular minors at the university. Starting this fall, we’re introducing an AI major, focused on the business applications of AI with a strong technical foundation. At the graduate level, our business technology master’s program includes expanded tracks in AI alongside cybersecurity and blockchain. Finally, 

we collaborate closely with computer science and engineering to deliver interdisciplinary offerings. Overall, our goal is not only to stay current but to anticipate what AI skills students will need three to five years from now by working closely with employers and industry partners.

What initiatives are fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students, and how does the school support new ventures and startups?

Entrepreneurship is close to my heart, and AI has become a major part of how we teach it. About a year ago, I gave a talk where I said, “AI should be your co-founder,” because it’s such a powerful ally for entrepreneurs. It can help start-up founders conduct market research, refine business models, develop products, design surveys, and even support their fundraising by improving how ideas are presented to VCs and angel investors.

One of the biggest shifts we’ve made is speed. In the past, a semester-long entrepreneurship course might end with merely a business plan. Today, because of AI, we expect students to have a working prototype by the end of their first semester. What used to take years can now happen in months and even weeks. Students can build faster, test ideas quickly, and iterate with real feedback from AI.

That said, technology does not replace people. While AI tools are helpful, human mentorship remains essential. Miami offers a unique advantage here. Many successful entrepreneurs are building companies locally, relocating to scale their businesses, or moving to South Florida later in their careers and looking to invest or mentor. We’ve been intentional about building structure around that energy that we are fortunate to have in Miami.

We have an entrepreneurship board, a formal mentor network, and a launchpad that supports both students and alumni as they develop their own ventures. We also run accelerator activity throughout the year, providing funding, mentorship, and access to legal, financial, and technical resources. For students working in areas like healthcare innovation, we can connect them with expertise across the University of Miami healthcare ecosystem.

Our overarching goal is to create an environment where founders can access the right support at the right moment. We’re proud to see students and recent alumni launching companies, raising capital, and bringing products to market.

How does the Miami Herbert Business School foster an environment of academic research, and how do students get involved in meaningful research projects?

Research is a core strength of Miami Herbert Business School, and our faculty are globally recognized for their productivity and impact. We engage students in research at multiple levels.

At the doctoral level, we have a vibrant Ph.D. program, and our Ph.D. students play a central role in faculty research. They’ve gone on to faculty positions at leading business schools around the world.

We also recently launched an Executive Doctorate in Business Administration program focused on applied research. The inaugural cohort includes senior executives with decades of experience who work with faculty on applied research that connects academic insight with real-world practice.

At the master’s level, we emphasize applied research projects across our programs. Many students complete research-driven projects or theses tied to real company challenges, ensuring they develop analytical rigor alongside practical insight.

We’re also expanding undergraduate research opportunities. While undergraduate research is less common in business education, we are creating a structured pathway for students interested in building a research portfolio. Under faculty supervision, these students can conduct research as part of their academic experience, particularly if they are considering doctoral or advanced graduate study.

Across all levels, our objective is to connect our students with meaningful research guided by our world-class faculty.

How do partnerships between the business school and industry leaders benefit students in terms of internships, mentorships, and job placements?

We place a strong emphasis on experiential learning and industry engagement. Recently, Forbes identified 15 business schools that excel in experiential learning and industry connections, and the University of Miami Herbert Business School was included in this coveted list. That recognition reflects how intentional we are about preparing students for the workforce.

I am a strong advocate for early internships, even at the freshman level. We encourage students to pursue summer opportunities early, and many are successful in doing so.

More broadly, we view industry not only as the customer of our talent, but as a co-developer of talent (our students). Instead of seeing employers only as end customers, we collaboratively work with them throughout the educational process. Through internships, real-world projects, and executive engagement, companies help define and help us develop the skills that matter to them.

Students graduate having completed multiple internships and applied projects, often evaluated by industry professionals. That benefits everyone. Students are job-ready, employers gain talent that can contribute quickly, and our business school stays aligned with market needs.

While we are deeply committed to serving the South Florida business community, our reach is broader. We maintain strong relationships in major markets across the United States and internationally, giving students the flexibility to pursue careers wherever they choose.

How is the business school preparing students to navigate the future of work amid automation and evolving corporate structures?

Automation and AI will significantly reshape the workforce, including roles that once required years of specialized training. One challenge this creates is fewer traditional entry-level roles, which makes preparation and upskilling even more important in today’s AI era. 

Our approach has three components. First, we intensify experiential learning so students graduate with substantial real-world experience. Through internships and long-term projects, students often enter the workforce with experience equivalent to several years on the job.

Second, we emphasize AI fluency. Employers increasingly expect candidates to be comfortable using AI responsibly and effectively. By integrating AI across courses and offering specialized programs, we ensure students are confident and capable of using AI across everything they do.

Third, we focus heavily on what we call “Human Intelligence at Miami Herbert”. As AI automates more tasks, inherently human skills like critical thinking, judgment, communication, teamwork, leadership, and empathy become even more valuable. While writing can be assisted by tools, live communication, public speaking, negotiation, and leadership cannot be easily automated.

We emphasize interpersonal skills, public speaking, and the ability to connect with others. We also draw on liberal arts principles to help students understand complex global problems and think holistically. Even as machines take on more background work and functional tasks, businesses will continue to rely on human leaders who can guide organizations through change.

Is there anything else you would like to highlight?

The past year has been one of strong momentum for us. We’ve seen improvements in rankings across multiple programs and growing recognition for our offerings. At the graduate level, we experienced significant enrollment growth, and at the undergraduate level, we reached record enrollment with the highest selectivity in our history.

Being located in Miami has been a tremendous advantage as the city continues to grow as a business and innovation hub. Our goal is to be a leading provider of talent for South Florida while also preparing students to succeed nationally and globally. We’ll continue to enhance our programs, stay focused on outcomes, and build a reputation grounded in impact and relevance.

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