“BizLife” a new living-learning community for business majors

FIU launched its newest themed living-learning community this fall 2025, giving first-year business students a place to live, learn and connect as they begin their college journey.

The program, called BizLife, places business students together in on-campus housing while providing access to exclusive advising workshops, early access to events and more. The program grew out of a collaboration between FIU Business academic advising, faculty and Career Management Services. University housing staff also played a central role in designing the community experience.

It’s the second themed community on campus after the Honor’s College. Organizers say the goal is to give students an advantage in networking, leadership development and career readiness.

For the program’s first cohort of 33 BizLife participants, that advantage is what drew them in.

“I’m excited about doing more networking, meeting new people and getting to know the staff and faculty I’ll be with these next four years,” said Thomas Ibanez, majoring in international business. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Ibanez said FIU’s international reputation made the university his top choice. “It gives me an advantage compared to peers who aren’t in BizLife,” he said.

Finance major Isabel Gegunde said she she sees BizLife as a stepping stone to her professional ambitions. “I want to have a successful finance and business career,” she said. “I thought this might help me with that.”

Other students said the sense of community was equally important. Avelyn Cox, an international business major from Tennessee, said she wanted to surround herself with peers who share her goals. “I wanted to be more connected with people who are in the same area as me and doing the same things as me,” Cox said. “I think there’s going to be a lot of opportunity for us to grow together. I’m looking to build my network, my soft skills and just those connections.”

BizLife was created to help them make those exact connections. The program includes workshops every two weeks, mentoring from upperclassmen, exposure to College of Business events and corporate visits. “This is the very first BizLife cohort,” said Angela Bullard-Thomas, associate director of academic advising. “Our goal is to instill leadership and confidence so that when you graduate, you feel equipped to go out and be a successful business professional.”

Advisors stressed that the community also aims to make FIU’s large campus feel smaller. With more than 50,000 students enrolled, program leaders developed BizLife to provide a built-in support network to help participants avoid isolation.

Ibanez said that element resonated with him as well. “It’s about having that advantage, about not being alone in such a big university,” he said.

The students agreed that being part of the first BizLife cohort comes with responsibility but also excitement. “We’re the first class, so how this goes depends on how we connect and participate,” Cox said. “That makes me want to put even more into it.”

To participate in the BizLife themed community, students must complete the housing application and engage in an interactive online interview. Space is limited and a selection committee makes the final determination. To learn more about BizLife, visit this link.