William Hardin, Dean, Florida International University College of Business

William Hardin, the dean of Florida International University’s College of Business, talked with Invest: about how FIU’s location fosters an ecosystem of mutual growth between the university and the city of Miami, particularly in regard to inclusivity, economic prosperity, and global connections.

What makes Miami unique in terms of networking relationships?

Miami has a strong foundational network where connecting with leaders often requires just one phone call or email. Contacts in the city are highly accessible, and this accessibility distinguishes Miami-Dade from many other regions and fosters collaboration and engagement.

Miami also serves as a central meeting point for Latin American entrepreneurs. It is often easier to connect with business leaders from Argentina or Brazil in Miami than in their home countries. The city’s infrastructure and accessibility make it a preferred location for meetings.

What were the key milestones marked by FIU over the last 12 to 18 months?

FIU is a major public research institution, and we intentionally emphasize student success at all levels, especially for undergraduates. Our 76% FTIC four-year graduation rate is remarkable, particularly given the demographics – many of these students are Pell Grant recipients and are first-generation students. The success of these students benefits their families and communities as well as strengthening the talent pipeline. 

FIU’s international business programs rank among the top five undergraduate and MBA programs, and innovative degrees in data analytics and cybersecurity prepare our students for the corporate world. While the scale of our college’s talent pipeline and impact on South Florida can be often underappreciated, between 3,800-4,000 students graduate from FIU Business yearly, with nearly 2,500 of these earning undergraduate degrees. Many of these graduates remain in South Florida, becoming entrepreneurs or corporate professionals. 

What role does the College of Business play in supporting Miami’s local economy?

The college is deeply embedded in the local economy. Alumni and partnerships, like those with an international banking group called FIBA, strengthen the university’s integral role in the region’s economic fabric. Given the essential relationships we foster, I would say that if it weren’t for FIU Business, there would be no, or a lot less, business in Miami. Much of the business leadership in this community has a tie to FIU and FIU Business.

How does FIU facilitate engagement in the local community while also positioning itself as an international institution?

FIU’s core student base is Miami-driven, though many students come from other states. Miami’s wealth is tied to its people rather than a fixed location, making the city dynamic and resilient. 

FIU’s undergraduate international business program is ranked second nationally, and this success is due to the diversity of our student population, and our international MBA also ranks highly. Our students’ multicultural, multilingual backgrounds help them navigate global business contexts. With over 10,000 logistics-related firms, Miami serves as the gateway to Latin America, connecting supply chains across Asia and Latin America. Our positioning is not simply a promotional hype, but a fundamental facet of Miami’s economy.

How does Miami’s cultural inclusivity shape FIU’s approach to business education and community engagement?

Miami’s multiculturalism is organic, and the city naturally integrates diverse backgrounds. To succeed in Miami, individuals must embrace inclusivity. This inclusiveness attracts students to our university from across the globe, who find a sense of belonging while experiencing new cultural opportunities. We are seeing increased interest specifically from African international students because of our community’s dedication to inclusivity.

What events or partnerships does FIU host to encourage the university’s spirit of global connection?

FIU hosts daily events featuring prominent figures from around the world, including sports coaches and entrepreneurs, and these events enrich our students’ exposure to diverse perspectives.

We also partner with Real Madrid for an MBA in sports management. This dual-degree program combines business education with insight into Real Madrid’s global marketing and management operations.

What are the challenges facing higher education within the context of the economic landscape?

As a state-supported institution, we are able to maintain a low tuition, and our tuition rate has remained unchanged for a decade. FIU has expanded on-campus housing to accommodate growing demand, offering affordable housing and reducing students’ reliance on cars. Unfortunately, Miami’s broader affordable housing issues, including regulatory challenges for condo associations, do impact the overall quality of life. Addressing these issues at the city-level is crucial for the entire community’s well-being.

Obtaining housing is particularly challenging for international students, who often lack local knowledge and are working on limited timeframes. FIU is acting to ease this transition, but housing affordability remains a critical concern.

What trends are you observing related to online and executive education, and how do these fit into the College of Business’ vision?

FIU has pioneered online education for over 25 years and offers hybrid, flexible programs. Most graduate programs are now online, including an intensive 15-16 month MBA. The university emphasizes high-quality education across various modalities, and the rapid growth of online learning, while accelerated by COVID, highlights FIU’s leadership in this field. Emerging technologies like AI are expected to further transform education through providing immediate feedback and data-driven insights.

What are your top priorities and goals for the College of Business for the next two to three years?

We are focused on integrating AI and business technology to solve real-world problems, specifically to utilize readily available tools to facilitate teaching and learning. In order to be effective, business technology needs to be able to bridge the gap between problems and solutions. For example, we intend to integrate fintech for payment systems and tools for policy resilience and climate impact analysis. Miami’s historical lack of legacy systems fosters innovation and attracts individuals driven to create and solve problems.

Consumer behavior will also continue to influence our approach to informing students about newly-evolving technologies. The evolution of data use, including technologies like 5G, and eventually 6G, enables precise insights into consumer behavior. Retailers leverage large datasets to optimize customer interactions and demonstrate how data drives business decisions.

How has Miami’s growth as an international city positively influenced the continued success of FIU?

Over the past decade Miami has transformed, adding new restaurants, cultural events and world-class venues. These developments attract affluent, diverse populations who participate in South Florida’s vibrant lifestyle. Events like eMerge and Art Basel enhance Miami’s global appeal and reinforce its status as a desirable place to live and do business, which in turn attracts more diverse, international students to our school.