KENNESAW, Ga. | Sep 29, 2026

Building on Kennesaw State University’s distinction as the first institution in Georgia to offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees in financial technologies, students now have a dedicated space to apply classroom learning to real-world challenges through the newly opened Ingenico Fintech Hub.

The Ingenico Fintech Hub officially opened on Sept. 28 in the Michael J. Coles College of Business, representing the latest milestone in Kennesaw State’s efforts to expand financial technology education and industry collaboration. The state-of-the-art space builds on the University’s partnership with Ingenico and further strengthens KSU's role in Georgia's fintech ecosystem.

In the Ingenico Fintech Hub, students will apply concepts learned in the classroom, test technologies in real-world scenarios and collaborate with Ingenico professionals on the challenges shaping modern commerce. Students will work to develop solutions leveraging Ingenico’s industry-leading payments processing software and point-of-sale technologies.

“At Kennesaw State, we believe meaningful industry partnerships enrich the educational experience and help ensure our programs remain responsive to workforce needs,” KSU President Kathy S. Schwaig said. “We are proud to deepen our relationship with Ingenico through the creation of the Ingenico Fintech Hub, which will provide students with hands-on opportunities to engage with real-world fintech innovation while strengthening the workforce talent pipeline.”

The new Ingenico Hub further enhances opportunities for students pursuing careers in one of Georgia’s fastest-growing industries. KSU fintech graduates are likely to remain in metro Atlanta, which is also known as “Transaction Alley,” where firms process more than 70 percent of all U.S. credit and debit card transactions. The region’s concentration of fintech companies creates a unique environment for students to gain industry experience, build professional networks, and launch careers at the center of financial technology innovation.

Kennesaw State’s proximity to Atlanta inspired the Coles College to launch the state’s first master’s degree in financial technologies in 2022 and the first fintech bachelor’s degree in early 2026. The Ingenico Fintech Hub represents the next step in expanding experiential learning opportunities for students in financial technology.

“Atlanta has become one of the nation’s leading fintech centers, and partnerships like this are how the Coles College stays connected to that growth,” said Robin Cheramie, dean of the Coles College of Business. “The Ingenico Fintech Hub will give our students the kind of hands-on, industry-facing experience that turns classroom knowledge into career readiness. It solidifies our college’s role as a destination for fintech talent, and we’re grateful to Ingenico for helping us prepare our students to lead in a rapidly evolving digital economy.”

KSU students took an active role in shaping the Ingenico Fintech Hub. A student team, including several participants who have since joined Ingenico, presented concepts for the hub to company leaders during last year’s Digital Payments Seminar, and many of their recommendations were incorporated into the final design.

“We realized our students needed more than a classroom – they needed a place to build. I brought that vision to Ingenico, and it grew from there,” said Nick Suppiah, director of KSU’s Master of Science in Digital Financial Technologies. “We don’t know exactly what fintech innovations will spark from this lab setting, but that’s what makes it exciting. The sky is the limit, and I can’t wait to see what our students create.”

Jaime Hawkins, president of Ingenico’s North American region, said the company is excited about the impact the hub will have on both students and the broader fintech industry. Through internships and other collaborative initiatives, Hawkins has seen firsthand the talent and creativity Kennesaw State students bring to the field.

“Every interaction has reinforced that this is a place where people don't just learn about innovation, they actively pursue it,” Hawkins said. “What I love about KSU is that there is such a strong focus on connecting classroom learning to real-world experience. That's especially important in fintech, where the industry is evolving so fast.”

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.