Saint Leo University merges business and technology colleges as AI reshapes workforce

As artificial intelligence continues to transform workplaces across industries, Saint Leo University is restructuring one of its largest academic programs to prepare students for careers that blend business and technology.

The Pasco County university announced Wednesday that it is combining its Donald R. Tapia College of Business with its College of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Data Science (CARDS) to create the Donald R. Tapia College of Business and Technology.

The new college, which launches this fall, reflects a growing shift in higher education as universities rethink traditional academic programs in response to employer demand for workers with both technical expertise and business skills.

Students will be able to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in business administration, accounting, finance, marketing, computer science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, software engineering and data analytics under one college, the university says. 

Saint Leo is also introducing a bachelor's degree in business analytics, designed to combine artificial intelligence with data visualization, economics and marketing analytics. University officials say graduates will be prepared for jobs that rely on data-driven decision-making.

Another addition is a drone program that will provide hands-on training in unmanned aerial systems for industries including logistics and public safety.

"The challenges organizations face today do not fit neatly into traditional academic silos," says Dr. Derek Mohammed, dean of the Tapia College of Business and Technology, in the release. "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."

The reorganization comes as AI adoption continues to expand across the U.S. workforce. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey, 21% of American workers use artificial intelligence to complete at least some of their work, up from 16% a year earlier.

Saint Leo President Jim Burkee says the university wants students to learn how to use AI responsibly rather than view it as a replacement for human workers.

"The future belongs to professionals who know how to work alongside AI in an ethical way, not compete against it," Burkee says in the release. “That’s what we’re teaching our students.”

University officials say AI applications will be incorporated throughout the curriculum. Finance and accounting students will use AI tools for fraud detection, forecasting and risk assessment, the release says. Cybersecurity students will apply AI to identify network threats and automate incident response, while investment students will use AI to analyze financial data and build forecasting models.

The university also plans to expand partnerships with regional employers through internships, jointly developed coursework and capstone projects intended to align classroom instruction with workforce needs.

Founded in 1889, Saint Leo University serves students on its Pasco County campus located off County Road 52, online and through education centers across the country.