Mike Harding, the new Associate Vice President of Partnerships at UCF, made a bold career shift into academia, significantly influencing his path in higher education. Now, he aims to foster innovative industry engagement at UCF while encouraging others to embrace change and maintain a positive outlook.
A Journey of Passion, Purpose, and Partnership
In our ongoing series to introduce the incredible team at UCF, we sat down with Mike Harding, the new Associate Vice President of Partnerships. Mike's story is one of bold moves, lifelong learning, and a deep commitment to making meaningful connections. Join us as we dive into his career journey, his motivation for joining UCF, and his vision for the future.
Mike Harding's career journey has been anything but conventional. Starting in finance at BNY Mellon, Mike quickly established himself in Middle Office Trading, where he honed his skills in client service under the guidance of an incredible mentor. His path, however, took an unexpected turn when he transitioned to academia.
"I took on a role in Campus Relations, overseeing the internship program for all of BNY Mellon, which led me to academia for the first time," Mike recalls. His move to Carnegie Mellon University to build out the Center for Business Engagement was a pivotal moment that set the stage for his future in higher education.
"The common thread in my career has been ‘try it’—never shying away from learning something new, and always connecting the dots on behalf of something bigger than myself."
One of the most significant decisions in Mike's career was leaving a stable position at BNY Mellon to join a newly formed department at Carnegie Mellon University. "That decision baffled my parents, and as a first-generation college student, I was nervous to leave a bank that had been good to me," Mike admits. But the leap paid off in ways he couldn't have imagined, giving him experiences that would shape his career and open doors he never expected.
Why UCF? A New Chapter in a Growing Story
When Mike was approached with the opportunity at UCF, neither Orlando nor the university was on his radar. However, the more he learned about UCF’s upward trajectory and Orlando’s emergence as a vibrant hub beyond its reputation as a tourist destination, the more intrigued he became.
"Reading about UCF’s story, its upward trajectory, and Orlando’s rise as more than just a tourist destination made me want to lean in and help a place on the rise reach its full potential," Mike explains. His passion for higher education and the black and gold colors that reminded him of home sealed the deal.
Mike is the first to acknowledge the challenges he's faced, particularly in dealing with leadership. "Having a good boss can really make or break an individual’s long-term success," he says. Yet, these challenges have only fueled his commitment to being a leader who inspires and motivates others.
Some of his most rewarding achievements reflect his adventurous spirit and commitment to creating impactful experiences—whether it was getting CMU students on a private jet for a corporate capstone project or establishing new international relationships that drove investment in his previous roles.
Although Mike is new to Orlando, having arrived in March 2024, he has quickly fallen in love with the city. "Such a welcoming, diverse community that still has its brightest days ahead," he says, embracing the sunny climate and the energy that defines both Orlando and UCF. "The energy is infectious and helps push through some of the growing pains that we will confidently overcome."
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Professionals
Mike’s advice for those considering a career change or stepping into uncharted territory is simple: "Just do it! You miss all the shots you don’t take." He emphasizes the importance of personal accountability and stepping out of one’s comfort zone. He also draws inspiration from Randy Pausch’s ‘Last Lecture,’ encouraging others to choose a positive outlook every day.
As Mike looks ahead, he is focused on elevating UCF’s corporate partnership department to new heights. "My vision is to create a true world-class, R1 shop where a team of client-centric corporate partnership colleagues help companies navigate UCF along a myriad of channels," he explains. His goal is to drive innovative, applied industry engagement and investment that benefits both UCF and the broader community.
Mike's Role at UCF: Creating a Path for Corporate Partnerships
In his role as AVP of Partnerships, Mike is spearheading efforts to establish a ‘front door’ for corporate engagement across a wide spectrum of channels. This includes Sponsored Research, Corporate Capstones, Co-Location, Student Recruitment, supporting Philanthropy, and beyond. Mike envisions a truly holistic approach through a concierge model that helps companies seamlessly navigate UCF, fostering investments in areas where both the university and its partners can find mutual benefit.
In Mike Harding, UCF has gained a leader who is not only passionate about his work but also deeply committed to helping the university and its partners achieve great things. We’re excited to see where his journey takes us next.
