Hillsborough Community College (HCC) is pleased to launch its Institute of Financial Technology, which will offer an
Associate in Science degree and college credit certificate on its Brandon Campus starting in January 2025.
With nearly 30 years of experience in the financial technology (FinTech) industry, Mohamed “Mo” Kotaiche joined the College in August 2024 to spearhead the new program as faculty. He brings more than 10 years of experience teaching as an adjunct professor and has practical experience after working for organizations including JPMorgan Chase, FIS, Bank of America and Wells Fargo.
Kotaiche sees teaching as his way to help actively support and cultivate the development of young individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the rapidly evolving field.
What is FinTech and how does it impact Hillsborough County/our local community?
FinTech, short for financial technology, refers to the information systems, platforms, data and service providers that act as intermediaries in the chain of transactions between the customers, merchants and banks. Hillsborough County is home to several of the nation’s largest intermediaries, including JPMorgan Chase, a payment facilitator and FIS, a payment authenticator that also owns and operates Equifax, a credit and debit card payment processor. Tampa Bay is also home to 34 national companies that include Raymond James, JPMorgan Chase, the United Services Automobile Association (USAA), MetLife, Wise, Verifone and Ceridian HCM—with a total annual impact of nearly $18 billion dollars, our region is quickly becoming known as a FinTech hub.
Can you please provide a short description of how the FinTech program came into fruition at HCC?
In 2021, HCC Brandon Campus President, Dr. Deborah Stephan, and Dr. Ginger Clark, former Ybor City Campus president, sought a grant to start a FinTech program after being approached by the City of Tampa’s Workforce Council.
The College’s Division of Strategic Planning & Analysis worked with faculty to review the curriculum framework and conduct both a labor market analysis and a competitive analysis. The team organized additional research that included program costs and helped to identify local employers in the FinTech industry.
In early 2023, meetings with local businesses, industry experts, university representatives and subject matter experts began. Additionally, an advisory board for the FinTech program was established, which assisted with the development of the curriculum, program and design of the learning space.
The College received $500,000 in state appropriations to launch the program, thanks to sponsors Rep. Traci Koster and Senator Danny Burgess, and $350,000 in community support to the development of the program. Student scholarships have been allocated $30,000. The first course begins in spring 2025.
Please describe the program and what students can expect to learn.
This program offers a series of courses focused on the cutting-edge world of financial technology, equipping students with the skills to harness innovation and reshape traditional finance. Students will explore the practical applications of FinTech, including blockchain, digital payments, artificial intelligence (AI) in financial services and crowdfunding.
Backed by real-world case studies and data-driven insights, they will uncover how FinTech is driving efficiency, reducing costs and enhancing customer experiences in industries from banking and investment to insurance and government. These courses are ideal to both technologists as well as finance professionals and entrepreneurs. In these courses, we bridge theory and practice to empower students with tools to thrive in the rapidly evolving and highly rewarding financial field.
How will students’ inclusion in this academic program benefit them?
Students will experience hands-on learning with data analytics tools and gain enhanced problem-solving skills through case studies and AI-based simulations. They will understand FinTech’s role in transforming global markets across geographies, opening the door for networking opportunities with industry leaders, entrepreneurs and like-minded peers.
The FinTech program will offer students access to diverse career paths, exposing them to various roles within financial innovation space, including product development, compliance, investment and entrepreneurship being reshaped by FinTech.
Graduates will have a high potential for increased earnings with starting salaries estimated at $60,000 within the Tampa Bay area. Professionals with five years of experience have the potential to make more than $100,000 annually.
Anyone from HCC you’d like to thank for their help or contribution in bringing FinTech to the College?
Dr. Stephan and Interim Dean of Associate in Science and Workforce Degree Programs, Kristin Heathcock, for their vision, foresight and tireless efforts in ensuring we have modern, learning-focused labs, facilities and equipment.
The HCC Foundation and our local community partners for their generous donations, support and for continually championing innovation.
My colleagues and other departments, librarians, course creators, support staff and so many others that are assisting in establishing the foundation for the FinTech program.
Do you believe this program has/will shape future experiences for students and faculty? If so, what do you think it will be?
The establishment of a FinTech educational program at HCC will shape future experiences for students and faculty in transformative ways.
Students will gain access to advanced financial technologies and practices, preparing them for the evolving demands of the industry. They will combine finance, technology and entrepreneurship to foster an interdisciplinary learning experience while receiving hands-on experience through internships and case studies that will expose them to the FinTech industry and prepare them to take on practical challenges. Finally, the program will provide pathways to high-demand roles in FinTech, making students competitive in global job markets.
HCC’s faculty will redefine traditional education approaches by proactively incorporating emerging tools and trends. The program offers opportunities for groundbreaking research in FinTech, fostering academic contributions to an evolving field. The program opens the door for faculty to pursue additional partnerships with Tampa Bay-based FinTech companies, creating opportunities to engage with industry developments and stay current. Finally, HCC’s FinTech program is future-focused. By teaching in a future-focused discipline, faculty members position themselves as leaders in financial innovation education.
What type of positions can graduates of this program obtain?
• Compliance Officers (after two or more years of on-the-job training)
• Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Fraud Analysts
• FinTech Product Sales
• FinTech Product Management
• Financial Analyst
• FinTech Business Analyst
• Automation Specialist (after three or more years)
• Data Science/Data Analyst (after two or more years)
• FinTech Insurance Analyst
• Payment Technologist/Analyst (Banking, Healthcare, Insurance and Investments)
How do you see yourself applying your own experiences to inspire others in this program?
Share my real-life stories while offering support, guidance and mentorship. Be approachable and encourage students to feed their curiosity.
The FinTech field is exploding with growth. What is the future of the industry, and how do you see that growth impacting future career opportunities for students?
There is no stopping the self-service model. It’s empowering, democratic and liberating. We will see steady evolution and even a revolution in certain industry traditions with AI, the internet of things, autonomous computing and other disruptive technologies. Web 3.0 is here, and it’s making a big splash.
HCC is the first institution to launch an Associate in Science degree program in FinTech in the state of Florida. For more information on HCC’s FinTech program offerings, visit hccfl.edu/fintech-as or hccfl.edu/fintech-ccc. Questions? Contact “Mo” Kotaiche via email, mkotaiche@hccfl.edu.