2024 IMPACT REPORT
December 2024
Letterfromthe ExecutiveDirector
As we close another remarkable year, I am proud to present the 2024 Impact Report for the Georgia FinTech Academy. This report reflects the incredible growth, accomplishments, and milestones we’ve achieved together in advancing fintech education, innovation, and industry connections.
In 2024, we engaged over 1,800 students across semesters with an expanded curriculum tailored to meet the evolving demands of the financial technology sector Beyond the classroom, our events and career fairs reached an additional 1,300 students, offering unprecedented access to industry leaders, real-world career opportunities, and hands-on experiences that bridge the gap between education and the workplace
Our mission has never been more vital: cultivating a pipeline of future fintech leaders. Through our partnerships within the University System of Georgia, innovative companies, and industry pioneers, we are equipping students with the skills and experiences necessary to transform the future of financial technology.
This report celebrates the collective impact of our work and the students, faculty, partners, and supporters who make it possible Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to advancing this shared vision. Together, we are shaping the future of fintech.
Best regards,
LauraGibson-Lamothe Executive Director
Georgia FinTech Academy
KennyKim
Dr. Laveda Pullens Letia Wyatt Student Engagement Program Director
History
The Georgia Fintech Academy was established in 2019 by the University System of Georgia (USG) to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing fintech industry. Co-founded and housed at Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business in Atlanta, the academy launched its core curriculum online, ensuring accessibility to students across all 26 public institutions within the USG system.
Vision
To be the leading platform for fintech education and source for talent, empowering students with the knowledge and expertise to shape the future of finance and technology
Mission
To prepare the next generation of fintech professionals by delivering innovative education, fostering industry partnerships, and equipping students with the skills to excel in the dynamic financial technology ecosystem.
ProgramPillars
Curriculum Events
We offer a comprehensive fintech curriculum across partner universities covering blockchain, payments technology, AI in finance, and regulatory compliance.
Our Speaker Series brings industry leaders to students, fostering dialogue on trends, innovation, and career paths. These sessions feature FIS, Visa, U.S. Bank, Truist, and more.
Career Fairs
Podcasts
Virtual career fairs connect students with top fintech and payments companies, facilitating internships and full-time opportunities.
A dynamic platform where students collaborate with fintech professionals to explore industry trends, share insights, and amplify their voices in the fintech ecosystem.
We’reexcitedtosharetheimpactoftheGeorgiaFintech Academy’skeyinitiatives!Thisyear,we’veachievedtremendous success.Ineveryfocusarea—whetherthroughourSpeaker Series,curriculumofferings,podcasts,orcareerfairs—our engagementnumbershavegrownbyatleast13%comparedto prioryears.
Students Enrolledin Fintech Courses
Students Attended Speaker Series Events
InclusiveFocus
Our diverse student population reflects our dedication to cultivating a robust and inclusive talent pipeline for the fintech industry.
3outofevery10students isafirst-generation enrollee
3.5%of participants areveteransor activemilitary.
Ourstudent populationreflectsa strongmixof representation
PellGrantEligibility: 30.8%ofstudents
STUDENTS BY LEVEL
Immersive Experiences
In the Spring, we visited FIS headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida, with 5 of our partnering institutions;
- Georgia Southern University
- Albany State University
- Valdosta State University
- Savannah State University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
Out of the 40 students who were in attendance; 17 students were hired for full-time or internship positions.
During our third year of cohosting, we collaborated with Georgia State UniversityRobinson College of Business to organize an immersive student trip to Charlotte, NC. We visited five companies, including Truist, Ally Bank, Sia Partners and RevTech Labs.
Connectivity
PlantingtheSeedfor Entrepreneurship
Partnered with Fintech Atlanta to host the first annual “Run it by the buyers, Juniors,” where students pitched their fintech innovative solutions competing for up to $6,000 in scholarship funds.
“It is always wonderful to support the Georgia Fintech Academy The project showcased an impressive array of startup ideas, and I was proud to be part of the evaluation and mentor team ”
MitchRuthridge,CEO&Cofounder,VerticeAI
SteveNigri, Co-founder, Nxt-Moves
“It was an honor and a pleasure to mentor and support this great program. Great pitches from all the teams and participants.”
Global Partnerships
The Opportunity
A highlight of the event was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with The Fintech Corridor, aimed at strengthening education and workforce development across the U.S., Ireland, and the U.K. TFE brought together leaders from these regions to share ideas, foster connections, and explore opportunities for collaboration in fintech workforce development, policy, and innovation.
Next Steps
The collaboration has sparked exciting initiatives, including potential student exchanges, joint courses, hackathons, and case competitions with Ulster University. There’s also work underway to develop fintech apprenticeship programs, inspired by Ulster’s successful model, and create microcredential courses to give students and professionals global exposure.
InnovationSpotlight
Empowering Future FinTech Leaders
In collaboration with Go Studio, the innovation hub of InComm Payments, the Georgia FinTech Academy has launched an eight-week innovation training program to equip local college students with essential skills for the FinTech industry.
Program Highlights:
Hands-On Training: Students engage in practical exercises at Go Studio's Atlanta headquarters, learning methodologies such as problem framing and design thinking.
Skill Development: The program emphasizes curiosity, research abilities, and consumer empathy qualities highly valued by FinTech employers.
Industry Collaboration: This initiative reflects a strong partnership between academia and industry, preparing students for real-world challenges in financial technology.
FallGraduation Spotlight
Looking Ahead
FuturePlans
As we look ahead to 2025, the Georgia FinTech Academy is poised to build on the successes of this past year with a sharpened focus on growth, accessibility, and student success. Insights gained from our recent Fintech Education Summit have helped refine our direction, guiding us to expand our capacity and impact to meet the evolving needs of our curriculum and programs
Key Priorities for 2025:
Expand Resources: To sustain excellence, we will grow our team to support our expanding curriculum and program offerings This includes recruiting additional expertise to enhance curriculum and industry engagement.
Increase Student Engagement: We are committed to fostering a vibrant fintech ecosystem by strengthening support for student organizations and leveraging our alumni network as ambassadors to inspire and guide the next generation of fintech leaders.
Enhance Accessibility: Addressing barriers to participation remains a priority. We will identify and tackle challenges to ensure equitable access for all students through targeted surveys and on-campus events. In addition, we will expand scholarship opportunities to support students, removing financial barriers to education and career growth.
Georgia FinTech Academy will continue its mission to empower students, foster innovation, and shape a fintech workforce that is diverse, skilled, and future-ready. Your continued support and engagement fuel our efforts as we work to transform the future of financial technology
Thankyoutoour Sponsors
Are you eager to shape the future of fintech? Join the Georgia Fintech Academy and make a real difference by sharing your knowledge and passion with aspiring leaders
Here’s how you can help:
Be a Guest Speaker: Share your experiences and wisdom at our Speaker Series.
Host a Workshop: Teach valuable skills through interactive training.
Join Career Fairs: Meet students and showcase career opportunities at your company.
Be a Mentor: Support students in their academic and career journeys.
Interested in Sponsorship or Scholarship opportunities? Please reach out to Laura Gibson-Lamothe at laura.gibsonlamothe@usg.edu.
Your involvement nurtures emerging talent and builds a brighter fintech future for Georgia and beyond!
