BNY and the University of Central Florida (UCF) have announced a $5 million, five-year partnership to create an educational innovation hub on UCF’s main campus. The initiative, called the Pegasus Partnership, is described as the first of its kind in Florida and aims to reshape collaboration between universities and global companies.
Central to this partnership is the establishment of the 8,400 square-foot Next-Gen Cybersecurity Technology and Operations Center Lab (CTOC Lab). The lab will serve as a venue for hands-on learning, including a course titled Introduction to Applied Technology in Banking. This course is led by BNY executives and focuses on helping students apply technical skills from their studies to real-world industry scenarios. It also features guest lectures, adjunct instruction, and seminar courses.
Katrina Gumerov, a computer science major at UCF participating in the program, said: “My favorite part has been the people. There are so many BNY leaders who fly in from all different kinds of industries within the company. And we also have great leaders who are here every week. It’s a very mentorship-style environment where I’m never afraid to ask questions. Having that support behind me has been incredible.”
UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright commented on the significance of this collaboration: “UCF is built to work at the intersection of opportunity and innovation. Our Pegasus Partnership with BNY brings that to life, creating a dynamic environment where talent, ideas and industry converge together, as we accelerate the future of finance and technology.”
Robin Vince, Chief Executive Officer of BNY, highlighted how this effort strengthens ties with Central Florida: “By working with UCF, we’re deepening and broadening our connection to Central Florida, home to our Lake Mary office.” Vince added: “This collaboration is an opportunity to help build a workforce ready to succeed in the rapidly changing technology landscape — which in turn helps our local community grow and thrive.”
After completing the initial course at CTOC Lab, students will move on to advanced coursework focused on application development and infrastructure engineering using practical examples from industry. Top-performing students may be invited for summer internships during their senior year with opportunities for full-time employment at BNY after graduation.
The first cohort began in fall with 27 students enrolled; future semesters are expected to add 25-30 new participants each term.
Sabet Elias, Chief Technology Officer at BNY, said: “This is such an exciting evolution of our work with UCF. We’re bridging the gap between the classroom and the workforce and getting in front of the bright talent cultivated at UCF. Together, we’re committed to giving back to our community, nurturing these innovative minds, identifying curricular gaps and equipping students with the skills to drive the industry forward.”
In addition to academic programming, BNY will serve as platinum partners for UCF’s College of Business throughout this agreement period. Their involvement includes supporting case competitions, student activities, enhanced recruiting efforts across disciplines through events like Meet the Firm days on campus as well as professional development opportunities for both students and current employees.
The partnership also supports scholarships through programs such as BNY Scholars for Burnett Honors College students along with investments in cybersecurity initiatives like Hack@UCF and participation by UCF teams in national competitions.
