A year after launching as a living-learning community for first-year business students, BizLife Powered by S&P Global is growing into a two-year experience where returning participants can guide new students and build on the academic, professional and personal connections they began forming last fall. The 2026-27 cohort currently includes 25 first-year students living together in Lakeview Hall and 22 second-year students in Tamiami Hall. Ten students from BizLife’s inaugural class have returned for a second year.
Among them is Gerard Moss, a sophomore double majoring in business analytics and information systems. He said meeting FIU Business faculty, career staff and representatives from S&P Global made him want to continue in the program.
“I got to know people I don’t think I would have known if I wasn’t in the program,” Moss said. “It’s an advantage as a freshman, and now as a sophomore, to know people in school and for them to know who I am.”
Launched in fall 2025, BizLife places business students together in on-campus housing and connects them with academic advising, career development, faculty, employers and peer mentors.
During the program’s inaugural year, they hosted 13 meetings and workshops in the Lakeview Hall lounge, averaging a 70% attendance rate. Students engaged with FIU Business Dean William Hardin and 13 faculty members, connected with student leaders and mentors, and participated in career workshops with S&P Global representatives.
Two students from the first cohort have since become S&P Global Career Catalysts, serving as student representatives who help connect their peers with the company and its career resources.
The program’s growth is also creating a natural peer network between its two classes. Returning participants will help organizers shape future programming and share what they have learned with first-year students.
That opportunity attracted Alexander Barrera, a first-year international business major. He said living among students pursuing similar goals allows him to learn from peers who are already navigating FIU Business.
“You gain more knowledge, you get better at it, and you grow at a faster rate,” Barrera said. “That’s a big reason why I’m in BizLife.”
Returning students say the experience has delivered benefits beyond academics and career preparation.
“I met some of my favorite people in this program,” said Avelynne Cox, an international business major. “A lot of us have gotten really close. It gives you familiar faces around campus and in classes.”
Fall workshops will cover college success, time management, networking, career resources, résumé development, academic advising and scholarships. S&P Global is also scheduled to return for two career-focused sessions during the semester.
The program is organized by Angela Bullard and Melissa Silveira of the FIU Business Office of Academic Advising, with John Nykolaiszyn, director of Business Career Management, leading its career development experiences.
Nykolaiszyn encouraged students to begin using those resources well before they approach graduation.
“The sooner you start networking with employers, the better you will be as you get closer to graduation,” he said. “You have access to some great opportunities, and we want to help get you as prepared as possible.”
Students interested in joining BizLife must complete an FIU housing application and select the living-learning community as part of the process. Space is limited. Learn more and apply for FIU housing.