Alyssa Hayman moved into Pinnacle Hall on Thursday, Aug. 20, joining 59 other freshmen in USF’s brand-new AI & Cyber Living Learning Community.

Hayman, a cybersecurity major from Lutz, is part of the first cohort to live in the tech-focused residential program at the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus, according to USF’s Bellini College. The LLC occupies the fifth and sixth floors of Pinnacle Hall and is open to incoming first-year students in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, computing or related majors. The Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing opened in 2025 as the first college of its kind in Florida.

Hayman said the residential setup gives her something most universities don’t offer.

“A lot of the universities don’t have a designated LLC catered to their specific major, like the cybersecurity, AI, information technology, where you’re grouped together perfectly,” she said on move-in day.

About 15 women are among the 60-student cohort, Hayman said. Her career goal is to work in national security intelligence. She began preparing more than a month before move-in, scheduling meetings with college staff, researching her dormmates and mapping out her academic path.

The LLC offers residents networking events, field trips to industry partners, shared meals with campus and community leaders, tutoring and a dedicated academic adviser.

USF President Moez Limayem visited the dorm, navigating crowds of students and parents who filled the hallways with mini fridges, flat-screen monitors, Squishmallows and laundry baskets. Bellini College Launch Dean Sudeep Sarkar also greeted the incoming class, saying the LLC is meant to help students build friendships, support one another academically and explore shared interests in technology.

Limayem joked with prospective high school students touring the building, telling them they could keep their free USF sunglasses only if they promised to attend USF after graduation.

“Otherwise, I will come to your house and take back the glasses,” he said.

The LLC will offer residents at least one industry-related excursion each semester, along with engagement with leaders, tutoring, mentoring, advising and career-development programming. Patch also reported on Hayman’s move-in.