By: Cassidy Delamarter, University Communications and Marketing
As artificial intelligence and cybersecurity reshape every facet of our lives, the 51Թ is rising to the moment. Launching this fall, the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing will serve as a launchpad for the next generation of interdisciplinary experts to meet growing demands.
Students and prestigious faculty members began laying the foundation for the new college decades ago with their passion for research. Across USF’s campuses, students are already immersed in using AI and cybersecurity to address real-world challenges.
These specialized areas of study are fueling a robust pipeline of highly skilled professionals – supporting Tampa Bay’s booming tech industry, fortifying the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure and advancing AI innovation – all while contributing to USF’s growing $6 billion economic impact.
Medical engineering students use AI and VR to study brain development and improve disease prevention and treatment.
In the , AI-powered drones are tracking mosquitoes carrying deadly diseases in real time.
USF’s CyberHerd team trains to counter cyberattacks, including regaining control of simulated hijacked airplanes.
“The Bellini College is going to be the baseline architecture of workforce development for the future of multiple sectors, including military, medical, technology and industrial. There is no sector that cybersecurity and AI do not touch — and USF plays a huge role in that.”
Brad Chedister
National Security Advisor
Collaborative Werx [Photo courtesy of Brad Chedister]
USF alum Brad Chedister, a national security adviser who’s one of the first leaders behind , a tech hub for U.S. Special Operations Command, sees the college as a catalyst for innovation. Chedister is a senior strategic adviser for , a new Ybor City facility specially built with secured technology to support the defense sector. By partnering with local military leaders and tapping into the emerging talent in Tampa, the space will help build a pipeline of next-generation innovators.
Darryl Shaw, the developer behind the 6-million-square-foot project to revitalize Ybor City, is focused on bringing more families and professionals to the area. That means building homes, restaurants and shops that he hopes will entice niche industries to make Tampa Bay their home.
Gasworx rendering [Photo courtesy of Darryl Shaw]
“It’s synergistic. We’re hoping to spark that creativity and innovation and the new Bellini College will be impactful and beneficial to that future.” – Darryl Shaw
Tampa Bay is being described as having transformed into a cohesive, collaborative innovation hub that’s attracting high-profile corporations and investors from across the nation. Tim Holcomb agrees – as CEO of , a startup hub that supports early-stage tech companies, he’s noticed a sharp rise in startups since launching in late 2019.
“When we opened Embarc’s doors, we saw the potential—but now we’re seeing the momentum. Tampa’s tech and innovation scene has grown dramatically,” Holcomb said. “But what’s most exciting is what’s ahead. We’re not just building companies—we’re building the next generation of industry leaders, right here in Florida.”
USF Associate Professor John Licato
Over the last five years, Embarc Collective has become Florida’s largest and fastest-growing startup hub, providing support to more than 250 early-stage startups, including Actualization.AI, a startup founded by USF Associate Professor John Licato who is developing tools to ensure AI systems align with human ethics and regulations.
“The pace of progress in Tampa right now is unlike anything we’ve seen before. The energy, the collaboration, the talent—it’s all here,” Holcomb said. “At the same time, with more data comes greater risk, so the need for cybersecurity experts is only growing. We see it firsthand with the companies in our network.”
In Tampa Bay, the information technology sector – which includes computing, cybersecurity and AI – has increased 28.5% over the last five years and is projected to grow another 12.5% by 2029, according to the . Over the last four years, Tampa has already welcomed 12 new or growing companies, including Rapid7, which expanded to Tampa for its diverse talent pool.
“Cybersecurity remains a game of cat and mouse between well-funded threat actors and security practitioners,” said Raj Samani, chief scientist at Rapid7. “The Bellini College is an important milestone for our industry in the development of better-equipped security practitioners and improved technology to mitigate against the threats we face today and likely tomorrow.”
According to , a national data project, there are only enough cybersecurity workers in the United States to fill 83% of current jobs. The college offers a unique opportunity for students traditionally getting their degree outside of AI and cyber, including those majoring in business, criminology, psychology and sociology, to pair their studies with computer science, creating tailored skill sets for niche, in-demand careers.
“Cybersecurity is multifaceted and involves many ambiguous challenges that aren’t always technical,” said Jacob Hammargren, co-captain of USF’s CyberHerd. “Having the opportunity to explore classes that contribute in unique ways to a cybersecurity-focused education is essential.”
“Every year, we proudly send off nearly 500 graduates from our innovative programs in AI, cybersecurity and computing, empowering them to shape the future of technology,” said. “With enrollment growing rapidly, we hope to celebrate 1,000 graduates annually — a bold step toward fueling tomorrow’s tech breakthroughs.”
Reliaquest CEO Brian Murphy and Embarc Collective CEO Tim Holcomb speak at [Photo courtesy of Embarc Collective]
Fifty USF students graduated from the Reliaquest Labs program this spring [Photo by Sadie Stetson, Muma College of Business]
USF alumni who studied cybersecurity are already filling roles at major employers,
including Citibank, Amazon, Raymond James and Publix. Cybersecurity firm ReliaQuest
has hired hundreds of USF graduates. The company launched the ReliaQuest Labs program
at USF in 2018, a cybersecurity boot camp that — roughly a quarter of whom have since joined the company. CEO Brian Murphy says
he is dedicated to bridging the gap between talent and opportunity.
“While we often hear about the shortage of trained and skilled cybersecurity professionals, there is no shortage of people who would like to join the cybersecurity industry if given the chance,” Murphy said. “Connecting the immense amount of talent with opportunities to build their knowledge and skills is the real issue, and it’s what programs like this are all about.”
USF undergraduate student Tim Kircher will be part of one of the first graduating classes from the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing. Kircher currently works as a security analyst for , thanks to hands-on experience gained through the ReliaQuest Labs program and simulation research with the Rapid7 Cyber Threat Intelligence Lab at USF.
Through his current roles, Kircher has the opportunity to triage security alerts, support local partners across the state and gain hands-on experience with tools like security information and event management software to carry out log analysis and threat hunting before he even graduates.
“From my perspective, what sets this college apart is its strong connections with many industry-leading partners,” Kircher said. “These partnerships give students the opportunity to gain real world, hands-on technical experience in the field, bridging that gap between the classroom and the cybersecurity industry.”
Kircher is excited for the college’s official launch and hopes to create a network for its alumni. “I want to do my part to reduce cyber risks and help to build a safer digital world for both organizations and individuals.”
“The Bellini College will one day serve as a national model – one that prepares students to lead in the constantly evolving fields of cybersecurity and AI.”
Prasant Mohapatra
USF Provost and Executive Vice President