Miller was impressed by our reputation as an early leader in technology and STEM fields, our connection to the space program and our success expanding into other areas. In fact, �鶹ӳ����ý boasted one of the highest certified public accountant (CPA) pass rates of any public university — impressive to an aspiring accountant.

So Miller applied, was accepted and committed to �鶹ӳ����ý sight unseen. It was the beginning of a journey that would change his family’s trajectory, along with the university’s.

Today, he committed a transformational $50 million gift — the largest single philanthropic investment in the university’s history — to position �鶹ӳ����ý as a global leader in fintech, artificial intelligence (AI) and business innovation by establishing the Barry S. Miller College of Business.

First-Generation Student

Miller is president and co-founder of both Voloridge Investment Management and Voloridge Health. He also founded and sold another successful business in his entrepreneurial career.

But back when Miller was attending �鶹ӳ����ý, he was paving the way as the first in his family to go to college. His dad, a self-taught contractor and developer and a single father, saw the value of higher education for his son.

“My father had a deeply ingrained work ethic that he passed on to me,” Miller says. “In the summer, he would get me out of bed early and have me carrying lumber and working on roofs. I learned to work hard, but I also learned that [it] was a tough job to do for 50 years. I wanted to try a different path.”

Once he started on that path, there was no stopping him.

Building Foundations

At �鶹ӳ����ý, Miller became a star student. He excelled in accounting, learned numerical analysis and had a knack for understanding financial markets. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in finance.

“I learned how to really study and apply myself academically at �鶹ӳ����ý. Essentially, I was learning strategy and project management as I made my way through school,” Miller says. “I didn’t know how impactful those habits would be until later in life. I realize now that everything I learned at �鶹ӳ����ý has been foundational to my success.”

“I realize now that everything I learned at �鶹ӳ����ý has been foundational to my success.”

Outside of class, Miller became a student-athlete, playing football when he initially came to �鶹ӳ����ý. That’s where he met then-quarterback Darin Hinshaw ’90 ’94MBA, who encouraged him to join his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE), and became his big brother.

“Initially, I wasn’t interested in joining a fraternity. I had this idea that fraternities weren’t serious about school or life, and I was,” Miller says. “But my experience in PIKE ended up being formative. It’s where I learned about being a gentleman, dressing for success, networking and more.”

“To this day, so many of my friends are former fraternity brothers, including one of my best friends, Sean Hayes ’95, who has also been my business partner for nearly 30 years,” Miller continues. “As I look back, everything in my life has a connection to �鶹ӳ����ý — my friends, my business partners, my career and even my wife Rosie ’95, since we met in college.”

Leaving a Legacy

As he built his career and found success in the business and financial world, Miller wanted to give back to �鶹ӳ����ý. Over time, he has invested in first-generation and STEM student scholarships, �鶹ӳ����ý Athletics’ Knights Leadership Academy, the John T. Washington Center mural and more.

Each gift has been based on a personal connection or conviction.

“Being a first-generation student myself, having that opportunity to support students who are the first in their families to go to college is personal to me,” Miller says.

As his capacity to give grew, Miller wanted to make a transformative gift that would have an impact today and for generations to come. That led to conversations with university leaders about the opportunity to establish as a global leader in fintech, AI and business innovation.

To help bring that vision to life — and to build early momentum for , �鶹ӳ����ý’s comprehensive campaign to fuel bold ideas and build its future — Miller has committed to a $50 million gift, establishing the Barry S. Miller College of Business.

The investment will accelerate an innovative new model of business education designed for a world where technology, data and decision-making are inseparable, and it will prepare students with the skills the marketplace demands.

“We are at a seminal moment in business, and AI and new technologies are creating fundamental shifts at a dramatically faster speed than ever before,” says Miller, who was inducted into the �鶹ӳ����ý College of Business Hall of Fame in 2022. “I want �鶹ӳ����ý to become the leader in business education, paving the way for everyone else.”

Inspiring Others

“Finding a way to have an impact is one of the most gratifying things you can do with your time and money.”

Until recently, Miller has made most of his gifts to �鶹ӳ����ý anonymously. But as �鶹ӳ����ý unveiled Go For Launch, he saw a powerful opportunity to step forward and encourage others to do the same. By sharing his commitment more openly, Miller hopes to help build momentum and invite broader participation in �鶹ӳ����ý’s vision.

“I hope this gift inspires people to be part of �鶹ӳ����ý’s mission to create a bold new future and give at whatever level they can. Maybe it’s $10, $100 or $1,000 — it all makes a difference,” Miller says.

“I want to tell people this: If it’s not your time to make a gift today, maybe it will be a year from now, or five years from now,” he continues. “Finding a way to have an impact is one of the most gratifying things you can do with your time and money.”

The traditional financial system is evolving from the days of simple paper notes and metal coins backed by gold. Fintech, or financial technology, refers to computer programs and other technologies used to support or enable banking and financial services. Advancements in technology have led to cost-effective and streamlined financial programs, such as cryptocurrency on blockchains, which are shared digital ledgers.

In 2019, �鶹ӳ����ý launched the fintech program which now features undergraduate certificates and a minor in fintech, a master of science in financial technology, bachelor’s in finance, and online programs in fintech and data analytics. The university also offers the first master’s degree in fintech in Florida. The need for this education and talent development for fintech roles is paramount. In addition to Orlando’s overall projected tech industry job growth in 2030, financial analysts job growth is expected to grow 12.2%, blockchain developers will rise 32% and cyber defense analysts will increase 33% by the same year.

The master’s program graduates 60 to 70 highly qualified students each year. Most of them are currently working for major financial institutions, corporations and consulting companies in Central Florida and beyond. The work done by �鶹ӳ����ý will have a lasting impact on the financial sector for decades to come, and the university is well-positioned to navigate the shifting trends of an ever-evolving field.

Fintech Studies in a Changing Landscape

�鶹ӳ����ý’s future fintech involvement in this area includes developing an artificial intelligence (AI) lab within the finance department. Researchers participating in the program are looking at having blockchain nodes within the department, allowing them to download and access blockchain data, such as Bitcoin prices and activity on the transaction network. It would enable students to more easily learn about fintech and access up-to-date cryptocurrency information as they conduct research.

Associate Professor of Finance Cuneyt Akcora says at the beginning of Bitcoin — the first established cryptocurrency — in 2009, the transaction network data was unstable, which caused researchers to examine Bitcoin and its underlying engine, the blockchain. As interest in blockchain technology grew in 2015, it evolved, leading to the development of stablecoins and online exchanges. Cross-chain lending provided a way to obtain money from blockchains with less interest than typical banks. He says that as technology continues to evolve, banks will continue to adopt cryptocurrency, thus the importance of preparing students for future careers.

“If I’m right, in a few years we will see all major banks and financial institutions have blockchain offices,” Akcora says. “If we can teach our students how to analyze this data, how to be good analysts, for example, scientists that can run code to identify a few things, I think students will find very good jobs.”

Led by finance professor and fintech program director Christo Pirinsky, the program will conduct research on credit analysis projects that predict personal defaults or characteristics.

Pirinsky says the program is already conducting AI-related research on financial intuitions and credit bureaus such as Experian. Faculty and students are examining the access that AI and open-source technology have to personal data, as well as the potential problems that may arise when AI has access to this data.

“How do you draw the line?” he says. “How far do you go [with] data privacy? How far should [companies be allowed to] go in using personal data that you generate?”

The Experts and Expertise Behind the Program

Before coming to �鶹ӳ����ý, Pirinsky worked with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C., to examine the interplay between technology, IT-related work and finance.

Pirinsky has published research and conducted extensive data-related studies in finance, utilizing data analytics to gain insights into various subjects including behavioral economics, corporate finance and investments.The exploration of new technologies like AI and production processes by firms is recognized as a key factor shaping the accumulation of knowledge, early-stage innovation and economic development. However, Pirinsky says exploration has been an elusive concept because it is difficult to measure.

In his recent study, A Language-Based Approach to Measuring Creative Exploration, co-authored with �鶹ӳ����ý associate professors of finance Vladimir Gatchev and Buvaneshwaran Venugopal, Pirinsky proposed a new method to measure financial firms’ exploratory activities based on textual analysis of their annual reports. The approach is based on the idea that as firms experiment with new courses of action, they need to use new vocabulary to describe their activities.

For example, Pirinsky says that 15-20 years ago the word “cloud” had a different meaning. Firms discussing clouds were primarily in the agricultural sector until innovative software was developed, leading to cloud computing. By simply observing which firms were the first to use the word “cloud” in a new context, one could identify who was behind this major innovation.

Understanding the Blockchain

Before joining �鶹ӳ����ý in 2023, Akcora began researching fintech in 2017 as he examined Bitcoin price prediction. He shifted to studying blockchains, such as Ripple and Iota, and investigated network anomalies that could be identified as hacking attempts. Through the research, he identified undisclosed ransomware payments on the Bitcoin blockchain.

This multi-year research has now led to Akcora developing a framework that embeds all blockchain addresses, enabling people to search, query and analyze them. Akcora says he hopes to develop a website where a person can view their address and see what has happened on the market regarding cryptocurrency price changes and their implications.

Other studies Akcora has worked on, such as his research paper Bitcoin Risk Modeling with Blockchain Graphs, examined how certain sub-graphs called chainlets showed predictive influence on Bitcoin prices and volatility. The research findings showed there would be activity in the blockchain transaction network that would affect the price days later. Specific transaction activity indicates that people are investing in or selling Bitcoins.

As the fintech field continues to evolve, Pirinsky and Akcora aim to advance research and talent development for the industry, which Akcora notes is an essential effort since �鶹ӳ����ý is one of few universities that offers degrees in the area.

“This role provides an excellent chance to continue working on cutting-edge projects, contribute to advancements in the tech industry, … and develop innovative solutions that can benefit people,” Wilk says.

The experiences that have helped him secure a job after graduation include:

• Co-founding a fintech business, Expand Financial LLC, to provide financial literacy support and integration of AI
• A fellowship with Meta
• Speaking at a Board of Governors meeting on behalf of �鶹ӳ����ý students about the opportunities available at the university and the economic benefit �鶹ӳ����ý’s talent pipeline provides to the state
• Traveling to New York with College of Business Dean Paul Jarley and business students meeting with the college’s corporate partners

During high school, the native of Brazil moved to the U.S. in 2017 — a decision that he found both challenging and exciting.

“I had to dedicate extra time to catch up on standardized exams, classes and the language, all while getting involved with new extracurricular activities and planning for college applications,” Wilk says. “When I started my bachelor’s in computer science at �鶹ӳ����ý in the fall of 2019, the transition felt much smoother. I knew that success depended on my engagement and making the most of the opportunities that came my way.”

“One of the standout aspects of �鶹ӳ����ý is how accessible the faculty are when it comes to exploring opportunities beyond the classroom.”

Wilk continued to take advantage of as many opportunities as he could when he began his master’s studies in fintech at �鶹ӳ����ý, which is offered through the colleges of Business, and Engineering and Computer Science. Launched in Fall 2022, the program is the first of its kind in Florida and teaches students how to harness the power of data, technology solutions, and financial services to reduce costs, improve customer experience, and create economies of scale.

“�鶹ӳ����ý has been incredibly supportive throughout my journey. The variety of resources available in entrepreneurship, professional development and networking helped me grow,” Wilk says. “One of the standout aspects of �鶹ӳ����ý is how accessible the faculty are when it comes to exploring opportunities beyond the classroom.”

At the start of his master’s studies, he completed a fellowship with Meta, where he collaborated with engineers and learned how major companies are driving innovation in fields like generative AI. In the semester following the experience, Wilks says he felt more prepared for his studies.

“Thanks to my experience at Meta, I was already familiar with these concepts, having built and understood similar models during the fellowship,” he says. “This background not only gave me a head start in the course but also inspired new ideas for innovative projects that went beyond the trend of chatbots.”

He also participated in meetings with employers like Google and Microsoft, helping him prepare for internships.

“I became an official junior varsity competitor for the prestigious �鶹ӳ����ý Programming Team, a tech lead for the Google Developer Student Club and a competitor and mentor of KnightHacks,” Wilk says.

Wilk has participated in dozens of hackathons — social coding events that bring computer programmers together to improve or build new software programs — often taking 24 hours to 36 hours.

“Hackathons have not only expanded my tech knowledge but also helped me connect with potential employers, leading to job offers, awards and grants,” Wilk says. “They’ve been a highlight of my education.”