Michael Weber, Dean, School of Business and Free Enterprise, Florida Southern College
Dean of the Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise at Florida Southern College, Michael Weber, spoke to Invest: about the ways in which the school continues to transform its programs to ensure they are routinely tailored to both student and industry needs, namely in terms of technological advancements and shifting market expectations.
How would you describe the state of business education in Tampa Bay?
In general, collegiate education in the state of Florida continues to grow. We are one of nine states that are seeing enrollment increases because of migration patterns. Polk County is the second-fastest growing county in the country, and that growth comes from incoming businesses, particularly in the tech industry.
The Barnett School plays a key role in workforce development, supplying skilled professionals. Florida’s West Coast in general is a strong job market for our graduates. All students are required to complete internships, with most undergoing two to three before graduation, and our school’s post-graduation job placement rate is 98.6%.
Could you describe a few of the most significant highlights for the school over the past year?
Our school has earned high national rankings for its size, outperforming many state competitors. U.S. News & World Report has ranked us No. 50-70 on the national level. CEO Magazine and Princeton Review have listed us within their Top 30 Business Schools. We deliver on what we promise and we place a strong emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning.
How are you aligning your programs to continue meeting the evolving landscapes of both student and workforce needs?
It all starts with continuous engagement with industry leaders and partners to understand workforce demands. We see significant new demand in finance, so we have expanded our finance program to offer new courses and skill-based training. We have also seen increased industry demand in real estate and, in response, now offer a minor in real estate. There has also been increased interest in analytics, so we now offer a new Master of Science in Analytics degree program.
We are running toward AI implementation and are focused on using the technology to solve routine problems, so that students can work on complex, human-driven decision-making.
How are you collaborating with industry partners to enhance the hands-on experience for your students?
It’s important for our school to understand what problems the organizations are trying to solve, and how each company is going to utilize interns. For example, we know exactly what type of work our interns will be performing within accounting firms. The goal is to pinpoint the elements of need that the organizations are trying to fit in order to place interns strategically. Close employer relationships create a cycle of demand and success, with businesses returning for more interns and graduates. Hands-on experiences allow students to develop practical skills before entering the workforce.
How are you leveraging technological innovation to continue enhancing the school’s operations?
We have a new course on the business applications of artificial intelligence, which features multi-faculty instruction across various disciplines. We try to keep our finger on the pulse of the market, so in terms of data analytics, this is expressed through keeping up with emerging programming languages, such as R and Python, in order to pivot toward industry shifts. The school provides hands-on access to cutting-edge software at academic pricing for student training. With these technological advancements, we are attempting to ensure that AI enhances learning rather than replaces essential critical thinking.
How are you fostering a culture of entrepreneurship among both your students and faculty?
We have a Center for Free Enterprise & Entrepreneurship that provides a structured “seed-to-scale” platform for students. More students participate in our entrepreneurship programs than at any other school in Florida, including the University of Miami. We also won the statewide REEF entrepreneurship competition, outperforming larger institutions. A key focus is on problem-solving, innovation and implementing solutions that are applicable to both startups and corporate roles.
How is Barnett addressing concerns surrounding the affordability of higher education?
This is accomplished through our partnerships with the community. Every student that comes to Florida Southern receives some form of financial aid, including both merit-based and need-based scholarships. Additional post-admission scholarships are also available for business students. Entrepreneurial competitions can also provide financial support for student ventures. Our college manages tuition growth responsibly, with inflation primarily affecting room and board costs. We encourage our students to seek external grants from local organizations to reduce costs.
What is your outlook for the next two to three years, and what will the school’s priorities look like during that time frame?
Our main priorities will center around technology and further integrating AI into our curriculum. This will require a variety of modifications. We will continue to grow our graduate programs, including the MBA, Master of Accountancy and Master of Science in Analytics. The entrepreneurship and innovation degrees will also be further built out due to rising demand. We will continue deepening industry partnerships, particularly in finance. The outlook is confident despite national concerns about declining college enrollment, as Florida’s business-friendly climate attracts both students and industries.
