麻豆精品 S淚 want students to come to UCF knowing they can participate in an industry that 麻豆精品 S檚 about to take off, no matter what field they 麻豆精品 S檙e interested in. This is the place to launch the next stage of your career. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Greg Autry, 听UCF’s associate provost for space commercialization

A national leader in online education, and the top supplier of talent to the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 aerospace and defense industries, UCF launched a in Spring 2026. It aims to meet the expanding needs of the booming industry on Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Space Coast and around the world. Graduates will emerge ready to shape a fast-growing, high-impact global industry, applying their skills across aerospace, commercial space, government, startups and emerging tech.

麻豆精品 S淲e have world-class researchers, direct connections to the space industry and the very best location, 麻豆精品 S� says Greg Autry, creator of the pioneering program and associate provost for space commercialization and strategy at UCF. 听 麻豆精品 S淚 want students to come to UCF knowing they can participate in an industry that 麻豆精品 S檚 about to take off, no matter what field they 麻豆精品 S檙e interested in. This is the place to launch the next stage of your career. 麻豆精品 S�

The space MBA merges the university 麻豆精品 S檚 excellence in both space and online education to develop forward-thinking leaders ready to shape the future of the space sector. This part-time, fully online graduate business program spans 24 months and blends core MBA courses with four specialized electives in space entrepreneurship, governmental and commercial space finance, space leadership and the global space domain. With its flexible, asynchronous format, students can learn from anywhere on Earth 麻豆精品 S� or even in orbit.

At the forefront of this future-ready pathway is Zaheer Ali, a new instructor in the College of Business, and program director of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 space commercialization and strategy initiative. He spent more than a decade at NASA and previously led space efforts across the defense and national security enterprise.

“The space industry isn 麻豆精品 S檛 the future. It 麻豆精品 S檚 happening now. Our new space MBA will put talent at the center of that movement. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Paul Jarley, UCF College of Business dean

Ali is ready to guide the next generation of space business leaders at SpaceU 麻豆精品 S� and he 麻豆精品 S檚 hoping to recruit students from every major to find their place in space. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 here helping build what I think is the greatest program in the world for space

business, 麻豆精品 S� Ali says. 麻豆精品 S淥ur students are 麻豆精品 S� given direct access to leaders in every aspect of space, creating a space network for them that will be unmatched by graduates of any other program. 麻豆精品 S�

Through more than 25 years of providing highly ranked online degrees, UCF is a trusted source for innovative academic programs and pathways, and is recognized among the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 leaders in online education. Courses across more than 130 fully online degree programs are led by world-class faculty with extensive industry and academic experience, equipped to prepare students to succeed in their

careers and advance their fields. 麻豆精品 S淭he space industry isn 麻豆精品 S檛 the future. It 麻豆精品 S檚 happening now. Our new space MBA will put talent at the center of that movement, 麻豆精品 S� says Paul Jarley, dean of the College of Business, which houses the program. As the business school at Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Technological University, our goal is not just to fuel the talent pipeline, but to help shape the market 麻豆精品 S� even if it 麻豆精品 S檚 in space.

Miller was impressed by our reputation as an early leader in technology and STEM fields, our connection to the space program and our success expanding into other areas. In fact, UCF boasted one of the highest certified public accountant (CPA) pass rates of any public university 麻豆精品 S� impressive to an aspiring accountant.

So Miller applied, was accepted and committed to UCF sight unseen. It was the beginning of a journey that would change his family 麻豆精品 S檚 trajectory, along with the university 麻豆精品 S檚.

Today, he committed a transformational $50 million gift 麻豆精品 S� the largest single philanthropic investment in the university 麻豆精品 S檚 history 麻豆精品 S� to position UCF as a global leader in fintech, artificial intelligence (AI) and business innovation by establishing the Barry S. Miller College of Business.

First-Generation Student

Miller is president and co-founder of both Voloridge Investment Management and Voloridge Health. He also founded and sold another successful business in his entrepreneurial career.

But back when Miller was attending UCF, he was paving the way as the first in his family to go to college. His dad, a self-taught contractor and developer and a single father, saw the value of higher education for his son.

麻豆精品 S淢y father had a deeply ingrained work ethic that he passed on to me, 麻豆精品 S� Miller says. 麻豆精品 S淚n the summer, he would get me out of bed early and have me carrying lumber and working on roofs. I learned to work hard, but I also learned that [it] was a tough job to do for 50 years. I wanted to try a different path. 麻豆精品 S�

Once he started on that path, there was no stopping him.

Building Foundations

At UCF, Miller became a star student. He excelled in accounting, learned numerical analysis and had a knack for understanding financial markets. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in finance.

麻豆精品 S淚 learned how to really study and apply myself academically at UCF. Essentially, I was learning strategy and project management as I made my way through school, 麻豆精品 S� Miller says. 麻豆精品 S淚 didn 麻豆精品 S檛 know how impactful those habits would be until later in life. I realize now that everything I learned at UCF has been foundational to my success. 麻豆精品 S�

“I realize now that everything I learned at UCF has been foundational to my success. 麻豆精品 S�

Outside of class, Miller became a student-athlete, playing football when he initially came to UCF. That 麻豆精品 S檚 where he met then-quarterback Darin Hinshaw 麻豆精品 S�90 麻豆精品 S�94MBA, who encouraged him to join his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE), and became his big brother.

麻豆精品 S淚nitially, I wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 interested in joining a fraternity. I had this idea that fraternities weren 麻豆精品 S檛 serious about school or life, and I was, 麻豆精品 S� Miller says. 麻豆精品 S淏ut my experience in PIKE ended up being formative. It 麻豆精品 S檚 where I learned about being a gentleman, dressing for success, networking and more. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淭o this day, so many of my friends are former fraternity brothers, including one of my best friends, Sean Hayes 麻豆精品 S�95, who has also been my business partner for nearly 30 years, 麻豆精品 S� Miller continues. 麻豆精品 S淎s I look back, everything in my life has a connection to UCF 麻豆精品 S� my friends, my business partners, my career and even my wife Rosie 麻豆精品 S�95, since we met in college. 麻豆精品 S�

Leaving a Legacy

As he built his career and found success in the business and financial world, Miller wanted to give back to UCF. Over time, he has invested in first-generation and STEM student scholarships, UCF Athletics 麻豆精品 S� Knights Leadership Academy, the John T. Washington Center mural and more.

Each gift has been based on a personal connection or conviction.

麻豆精品 S淏eing a first-generation student myself, having that opportunity to support students who are the first in their families to go to college is personal to me, 麻豆精品 S� Miller says.

As his capacity to give grew, Miller wanted to make a transformative gift that would have an impact today and for generations to come. That led to conversations with university leaders about the opportunity to establish as a global leader in fintech, AI and business innovation.

To help bring that vision to life 麻豆精品 S� and to build early momentum for , UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 comprehensive campaign to fuel bold ideas and build its future 麻豆精品 S� Miller has committed to a $50 million gift, establishing the Barry S. Miller College of Business.

The investment will accelerate an innovative new model of business education听designed for a world听where technology, data and decision-making are inseparable, and it will prepare听students with the skills the marketplace demands.

麻豆精品 S淲e are at a seminal moment in business, and AI and new technologies are creating fundamental shifts at a dramatically faster speed than ever before, 麻豆精品 S� says Miller, who was inducted into the UCF College of Business Hall of Fame in 2022. 麻豆精品 S淚 want UCF to become the leader in business education, paving the way for everyone else. 麻豆精品 S�

Inspiring Others

麻豆精品 S淔inding a way to have an impact is one of the most gratifying things you can do with your time and money. 麻豆精品 S�

Until recently, Miller has made most of his gifts to UCF anonymously. But as UCF unveiled Go For Launch, he saw a powerful opportunity to step forward and encourage others to do the same. By sharing his commitment more openly, Miller hopes to help build momentum and invite broader participation in UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 vision.

麻豆精品 S淚 hope this gift inspires people to be part of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 mission to create a bold new future and give at whatever level they can. Maybe it 麻豆精品 S檚 $10, $100 or $1,000 麻豆精品 S� it all makes a difference, 麻豆精品 S� Miller says.

麻豆精品 S淚 want to tell people this: If it 麻豆精品 S檚 not your time to make a gift today, maybe it will be a year from now, or five years from now, 麻豆精品 S� he continues. 麻豆精品 S淔inding a way to have an impact is one of the most gratifying things you can do with your time and money. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淯CF is being trusted to lead, and Barry 麻豆精品 S檚 investment reinforces that UCF is a place where talent is developed at scale, where opportunity is expanded, and where our graduates don 麻豆精品 S檛 just succeed in the world 麻豆精品 S� they come back to help build what 麻豆精品 S檚 next. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Alexander N. Cartwright, UCF President

The investment will accelerate a bold new model of business education designed for a world where technology, data and decision-making are inseparable, and it will position UCF as a national leader in emerging fields that prepare students to lead with the skills the marketplace demands.

麻豆精品 S淭his is a defining moment for UCF and for the College of Business, 麻豆精品 S� says Board of Trustees Chair Alex Martins 麻豆精品 S�01MBA. 麻豆精品 S淎s an alumnus, I have seen firsthand how UCF transforms lives by opening doors to opportunity, and this extraordinary gift takes that mission to an entirely new level, giving future generations of Knights access to a world-class business education and an opportunity to achieve their full potential. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淲e are deeply grateful to Barry for his extraordinary belief in this university and in the impact our students make. This is a defining moment for UCF and a powerful signal of who we are and where we are going, 麻豆精品 S� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 麻豆精品 S淯CF is being trusted to lead, and Barry 麻豆精品 S檚 investment reinforces that UCF is a place where talent is developed at scale, where opportunity is expanded, and where our graduates don 麻豆精品 S檛 just succeed in the world 麻豆精品 S� they come back to help build what 麻豆精品 S檚 next. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淯CF gave me the opportunity to build my future, 麻豆精品 S� Miller says. 麻豆精品 S淭his investment is about creating that same opportunity for others 麻豆精品 S� and ensuring students are prepared for a world where technology and business are constantly evolving. 麻豆精品 S�

A Defining Moment for UCF

Few universities of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚听young听age听have alumni giving back at this level.

At the center of this听milestone听is longtime听supporter and entrepreneur Barry S. Miller,听president of听the Florida-based听听and听Voloridge听Health.听Miller is听a first-generation听college听graduate whose early partnership and belief in 麻豆精品 S痶he university 麻豆精品 S痟elped accelerate 麻豆精品 S疷CF 麻豆精品 S檚 trajectory.

His leadership and commitment to widening听opportunity 麻豆精品 S痟elped lay 麻豆精品 S痶he groundwork for a future-focused strategy that will transform how students learn, 麻豆精品 S痠nnovate 麻豆精品 S痑nd launch their careers. 麻豆精品 S疢iller 麻豆精品 S檚听latest听investment reflects UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 ability to听produce听talent that succeeds at the highest levels and inspires听that talent to return听not just with pride, but with capacity and conviction to shape听what 麻豆精品 S檚听next.

Building the Future of Business Education

麻豆精品 S淯CF gave me the opportunity to build my future. This investment is about creating that same opportunity for others. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Barry Miller 麻豆精品 S�95, 听Voloridge Investment Management and Voloridge Health president

will听operate听as a hub for technology-driven business leadership where students, faculty and industry collaborate in real time to solve complex challenges听in emerging fields like artificial intelligence,听fintech听and digital risk.

The focus is not simply on technical skills, but on empowering graduates to take action to address organizational obstacles and lead in fields fueled by rapid technological change.

This vision is grounded in the region UCF calls home.

Orlando has rapidly听emerged听as one of the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 fastest-growing technology hubs,听with听demand for talent in fintech and听AI continuing听to听evolve.听Across Florida, one of the largest clusters of banking and insurance firms in the country is fueling new opportunities in financial technology,听risk听and data-driven decision-making.

UCF sits at the center of this momentum,听uniquely positioned to develop the talent and ideas that will power听the future.

The investment will support听a multi-phase strategy designed to position UCF as听the听destination for business and technology education, including:

• Five endowed faculty chairs in fintech, AI strategy, cyber risk,听trust听and disinformation
• A new听master 麻豆精品 S檚听in听technology听leadership and听innovation
• Expanded access to applied learning, including internships, simulations, Bloomberg听training听and industry-led projects
• Growth of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 corporate partnership ecosystem.

Together, these investments will create a learning environment that mirrors modern workplaces 麻豆精品 S� fast听moving, data听driven and deeply connected to industry.

麻豆精品 S淭echnology is advancing rapidly, and the real opportunity is in how organizations use it to perform, 麻豆精品 S� says听College of Business Dean听Paul听Jarley. 麻豆精品 S淭his investment allows us to build a business school focused on how the work actually gets done听 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S撎齱here students learn to apply judgment, navigate ambiguity, and lead in environments shaped by technology, data, and organizational complexity. 麻豆精品 S�

Accelerating Momentum

Miller 麻豆精品 S檚 leadership gift听marks a milestone in听听 麻豆精品 S� a听$3.5 billion听campaign to听expand听opportunity,听advance听discovery,听and drive impact across the university.

It sets the tone听for what comes next,听accelerating the pride and vision that will inspire others to invest in UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 future.

麻豆精品 S淭his is what momentum looks like, 麻豆精品 S� says听Rodney Grabowski, senior vice president for advancement and partnerships and CEO of the UCF Foundation. 麻豆精品 S淚t reflects confidence in UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 vision and signals to partners, alumni and investors that this university is building something meaningful and worth being part of. 麻豆精品 S�

Together, talent, opportunity and partnership are converging,听positioning听UCF听to听be a leading force in shaping听what 麻豆精品 S檚听next in business,听technology听and innovation.

麻豆精品 S淯CF is not waiting to be recognized. We are being chosen, invested in and trusted to lead, 麻豆精品 S� Cartwright says. 麻豆精品 S淭his milestone gift reflects a growing sense of pride across the university and signals the momentum others will want to help build 麻豆精品 S� and it is only the beginning. 麻豆精品 S�

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) selected the Florida Small Business Development Center at UCF (FSBDC at UCF) as the National Small Business Development Center of the Year 麻豆精品 S� recognizing its outstanding performance, innovative programming, and leadership in supporting Central Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 entrepreneurs and small businesses. The UCF center was selected from a pool of 1,000 applicants nationwide.

麻豆精品 S淭his award reflects our consistent ability to exceed SBA milestones and outperform our own high expectations within the Florida SBDC Network. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Eunice Choi, regional director of the FSBDC at UCF

麻豆精品 S淲e are humbled yet immensely gratified to be honored as the SBDC of the Year by the SBA, 麻豆精品 S� says Eunice Choi, regional director of the FSBDC at UCF. 麻豆精品 S淥ur team takes great pride in its unwavering commitment to serving the small business community and advancing SBA 麻豆精品 S檚 mission. This award reflects our consistent ability to exceed SBA milestones and outperform our own high expectations within the Florida SBDC Network. 麻豆精品 S�

The FSBDC at UCF is located in the National Entrepreneur Center inside the Orlando Fashion Square Mall near downtown. It serves serves eight counties including Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia. At the Orlando main office, as well as six service center offices, small business owners have access to seminars and no-cost one-on-one consulting with experts who can assist across the following areas:

• Accounting: asset management, record keeping systems and procedures
• Finance: ratio analysis, breakeven analysis, financial projections and business valuation
• Marketing: pricing, advertising and promotion, marketing planning, market research and exporting
• Operations: production and inventory control, project management, risk management and energy conservation
• New Venture Planning: start-up information, feasibility analysis, business planning and general business consulting
• Technical Assistance: preliminary patent searches, patent, copyright and trademark, and technology transfer and SBIR/STTR

Each year, the SBA celebrates National Small Business Week (May 3-9 this year) by recognizing exceptional small business owners, entrepreneurs and resource partners from across the country. This year 麻豆精品 S檚 winners have been invited to Washington, D.C., May 3 麻豆精品 S�4, where they will be honored during national ceremonies.

麻豆精品 S淭his year 麻豆精品 S檚 NSBW celebration is particularly historic as our nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, when our Founding Fathers laid the groundwork for the liberty that powers the engine of free enterprise. The result is our nation 麻豆精品 S檚 prosperity and entrepreneurial spirit 麻豆精品 S� the very spirit your leadership exemplifies, 麻豆精品 S� SBA Administrator Kelley Loeffler stated in a letter congratulating to the FSBDC at UCF.

With its numerous industries to sustain a career and vibrant culture to build a life, Orlando isn 麻豆精品 S檛 a hard sell. Still, when it comes to promoting all this city has to offer, you 麻豆精品 S檇 be hard pressed to find someone who loves it more than Andrea (Rodrigues) Sage 麻豆精品 S�12.

The advertising-public relations grad spent the last decade in various sales-related positions with the Tampa Bay Rays, Orlando Magic and insulated beverageware company Corkcicle (headquartered in Orlando).

That experience along with the leadership and life skills she developed at UCF and her beloved hobby as the mastermind behind 麻豆精品 S� an immensely popular social media account that explores new activities, restaurants and happenings in Central Florida 麻豆精品 S� gave her what she needed to land her dream gig as marketing manager for Visit Orlando.

麻豆精品 S淚 get to marry my love for this community and something I 麻豆精品 S檓 passionate about doing 麻豆精品 S� marketing this city. It 麻豆精品 S檚 perfect for me, 麻豆精品 S� Sage says. 麻豆精品 S淭o find this opportunity with Visit Orlando, it truly has been a dream come true. 麻豆精品 S�

Tourism Shapes Orlando

Sage 麻豆精品 S檚 mission in her role at Visit Orlando as a marketing manager, specializing in domestic tourism, is to bring visitation to the destination, period.

Orlando is the most visited destination in the U.S. bringing more than 75 million visitors. According to Visit Orlando, tourism supports 37% of all jobs in the region.

Central Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 tourism industry generated an economic impact of $94.5 billion in 2024, a 2.2% increase over the previous year, according to a study by Tourism Economics, a division of Oxford Economics and a leader in industry research.

As 2025 numbers work on being finalized, all signs point to the continued momentum of the region 麻豆精品 S檚 tourism.

It 麻豆精品 S檚 not hard to see why Orlando is in demand:

• Standard-setting theme parks
• Marquee sporting events 麻豆精品 S� earning Orlando the No. 1 spot for Sports Event Cities in the U.S., according to Sport Business Journal
• Vibrant arts scene
• Top-of-the-line hotels and resorts
• 58 Michelin-recognized restaurants
• Proximity to beautiful beaches and Port Canaveral 麻豆精品 S檚 cruise ships

Sage gives a glimpse into what goes into helping shape Orlando 麻豆精品 S檚 reputation as one of the world 麻豆精品 S檚 most desirable destinations.

Advertising All of Orlando

Sage 麻豆精品 S檚 role with Visit Orlando oversees many facets. She might be placing a billboard in Baltimore, a well-timed ad on a streaming platform, or organize a tropical oasis in the middle of New York City on a 30-degree Fahrenheit day, enticing winter-weary New Yorkers to plan their next vacation.

She recently spent a week overseeing the production of an eco-tourism campaign video shoot at several locations to highlight the area 麻豆精品 S檚 natural beauty, hiking and springs.

麻豆精品 S淐ulinary, arts, theme parks, nature, cultural experiences, whatever your travel bug is, this destination brings it all. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Andrea (Rodrigues) Sage 麻豆精品 S�12

麻豆精品 S淎dults with kids, adults without kids, this vacation has all your needs 麻豆精品 S� culinary, arts, theme parks, nature, cultural experiences, whatever your travel bug is, this destination brings it all, 麻豆精品 S� Sage says.

Competing on the Global Stage

Orlando 麻豆精品 S檚 prime competitors in the tourism market depends on who you 麻豆精品 S檙e talking to.

It could be California (theme parks), Las Vegas (conferences), or Spain and Italy (international visitation). As cruise lines have come roaring back after the pandemic, the Caribbean is now in the mix, too. Orlando doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 just compete with other cities for tourists, but entire states and countries.

麻豆精品 S淥ur destination is amazing, but every Jan. 1 the visitor tally resets, and there is a lot of work happening behind the scenes to make sure we remain top of mind, 麻豆精品 S� Sage says.

Success Fueled by UCF

A St. Petersburg, Florida, native, Rodrigues was recruited to UCF to play for the women 麻豆精品 S檚 soccer team. From 2008-12, she helped lead the Knights to five NCAA postseason appearances, including the 2011 Elite 8, three conference championships and one of the program 麻豆精品 S檚 highest national rankings (No. 6) in school history.

During her collegiate career, she also joined the Portuguese National Team, which exposed her to places and cultures that would ultimately spark her interests in travel and exploration today.

As an elite scholar-athlete, she points to the intangible soft skills she gained 麻豆精品 S� work ethic, goal-setting, communication, collaboration and time management all at an elevated standard of excellence 麻豆精品 S� as formative to her life as a working parent.

麻豆精品 S淏eing a UCF student-athlete has made who I am. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淏eing a UCF student-athlete has made who I am, 麻豆精品 S� Sage says. 麻豆精品 S淚 take interviews today as a 36-year-old and still talk about how it has positively shaped me. I would go from a 6 a.m. strength training to study hall to three classes to practice to a night class, still have homework and study and then travel to a road game the next day.

麻豆精品 S淭he controlled chaos I lived in then, it is innate in me and still my normal today. I have two little kids, I 麻豆精品 S檓 married, I have a full-time job, I work out every day, I have a hobby. It just feels right. It is a controlled chaotic environment that I love. 麻豆精品 S�

Living Where the World Vacations

Rodrigues says what she appreciates most about living in Orlando is getting to explore new places in her own backyard. She started @cheatdayorlando in 2021 after becoming a mother. Since then, she has grown the account to nearly 100,000 followers and landed a regular gig on the 106.7 FM morning show Johnny 麻豆精品 S檚 House spreading the word about new experiences in the area.

麻豆精品 S淚t doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 feel like you 麻豆精品 S檙e stagnant in Orlando 麻豆精品 S� you can have a different experience just 10 minutes away, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚 love that there 麻豆精品 S檚 something for everyone to feel like home because we have a melting pot of culture. 麻豆精品 S�

Spring Break Scene

Whether you 麻豆精品 S檙e a local enjoying a staycation or coming to Orlando for your Spring Break, Rodrigues shares her pro tips on some new experiences worth checking out:

• ICON Park will soon feature Ripley 麻豆精品 S檚 Crazy Golf, a glow-in-the-dark immersive indoor miniature golf course with many unconventional ways to putt.
• Harlow Grove Restaurant and Lounge, a new trendy restaurant in Winter Garden, opened this month and features a rooftop terrace and elevated menu.
• Maitland 麻豆精品 S檚 Enzian Theater is a single-screen independent cinema cafe that offers cozy, vintage decor and seating, with a full kitchen menu. For the parents out there with little Spring Breakers, consider the theater 麻豆精品 S檚 Peanut Butter Matinee Family Film Series, which offers free admission to kids 12 and under. Cars 2 will be featured at noon on March 22.

Laura Bollier 麻豆精品 S�99, former CEO of VENUS Fashion Inc.;听Taylor Gerring 麻豆精品 S�05, co-founder of Ethereum; and听Serguei Melnik 麻豆精品 S�98MS, president and chairman of the board of directors of Nutriband Inc., will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Longtime FAIRWINDS Credit Union CEO and 2016 Hall of Fame inductee Larry Tobin 麻豆精品 S�83听will receive the Legendary Knight Award, and听Sherwin-Williams听will be named Corporate Partner of the Year. The college will also celebrate a group of accomplished alumni, rising stars and entrepreneurs.

The UCF College of Business Hall of Fame recognizes alumni who have achieved exceptional success in their field and brought recognition to the university through their professional achievements. This is the highest honor awarded to College of Business graduates and is typically presented to alumni who have spent 15-20 years making a significant impact in their industries.

This year 麻豆精品 S檚 celebration will feature a Harry Potter-inspired theme, highlighting the college and university as magical places of transformation and discovery.

2026 UCF Business Hall of Fame Inductees

Laura Bollier ’99

Bollier served as the CEO of VENUS Fashion Inc., where she led a full-scale modernization and reimagination of the brand, culminating in its successful acquisition by American Exchange Group last summer. As CEO, she transformed the direct-to-consumer company into a multichannel enterprise that expanded into travel retail and online marketplaces including Amazon, Target and Walmart.

After supporting the company 麻豆精品 S檚 transition through September 2025, Bollier is now exploring new CEO opportunities while founding a venture where she can continue driving growth, transformation and value creation.

Earlier in her career, Bollier spent a decade as vice president of global merchandising at pioneering shapewear company SPANX, where she worked closely with founder Sara Blakely to help scale the business into a global category leader and contribute to its $1 billion valuation and majority investment by Blackstone. She also held leadership roles at VF Corporation (Nautica and Kipling), Coach, Lord & Taylor and Macy’s. after earning her finance degree at UCF.

A finance graduate of UCF, Bollier returned to campus last spring to share her career journey with more than 1,200 incoming business students during the college’s Welcome to the Majors event held each semester at Addition Financial Arena.

Taylor Gerring 麻豆精品 S�05

Gerring is a co-founder of Ethereum, one of the world 麻豆精品 S檚 largest cryptocurrency companies. A pioneering entrepreneur and blockchain innovator, Gerring played a key role in Ethereum 麻豆精品 S檚 evolution from a scrappy underdog to a cornerstone of the blockchain ecosystem with applications that power billions in value today.

Now Gerring spends time as a public speaker, appearing at speaking engagements around the country, including back on UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 campus at the Blackstone LaunchPad.

Before co-founding Ethereum, Gerring honed his technical expertise and spearheaded projects across a variety of disciplines and companies, strengthening security, scalability and innovation. As a co-founding member of the Ethereum Foundation, he helped develop the world 麻豆精品 S檚 leading smart contract platform, serving on its board and presenting around the world.

After earning his management information systems degree from UCF in 2005, Gerring has remained a strong supporter of the university. In 2024, he made the largest single cash pledge commitment to UCF Athletics.

Serguei Melnik 麻豆精品 S�98MS

Melnik is the president and chairman of the board of directors of Nutriband Inc., an innovative science company focused on providing safer products for patients.

A Moldovan native, Melnik led Nutriband to a successful initial public offering and a spot on the NASDAQ in 2021. He also provides legal and financial advice based on U.S. financial markets, drawing on his law degree from Moldova State University.

After practicing law in his home country, Melnik moved to Orlando through a foreign exchange program to earn a from UCF. He later worked with several Central Florida companies, including Market Management International Inc. and Asconi Corporation Inc., before serving as vice president and director of U.S. operations for UNR Holdings Inc.

In addition to his work with Nutriband UNR Holdings, Melnik is president of consulting company Wolf Blitz Corporation. As a proud UCF alum, he also frequently returns to campus to share his career story with Business Knights as a presenter at in the College of Business.

Alumni Awards

Along with the Hall of Fame inductees, the college will recognize several alumni for their professional achievements.

Legendary Knight Award recipient:

• Larry Tobin 麻豆精品 S�83, CEO of FAIRWINDS Credit Union

The Legendary Knight Award recognizes outstanding contributions that will transform teaching, research and learning through extraordinary philanthropy and commitment to the College of Business.

Notable Knight Awards recipients:

• Kala Bryant 麻豆精品 S�18 麻豆精品 S�19MS, vice president, data manager at Bank of America
• Ryan Williams 麻豆精品 S�19PMBA, contracts manager for Lockheed Martin 麻豆精品 S檚 Rotary and Mission Systems division

The Notable Knight Awards recognize alumni who have displayed promise and excellence early in their career paths and have less than 10 years of experience.

Entrepreneurial Alumni Awards recipients:

• Anthony 麻豆精品 S淏iggie 麻豆精品 S� Bencomo 麻豆精品 S�98, owner and chief sandwich officer of Deli Fresh Threads
• Alfredo Dooley 麻豆精品 S�23EMBA听and听Tom Hines 麻豆精品 S�23EMBA, co-founders of FDTH Imports
• Laine Powell 麻豆精品 S�07MSM, founder and CEO of Tech Sassy Girlz
• Natalie Rogers Soto 麻豆精品 S�16, co-founder of e-commerce fashion brand Klassy

The Entrepreneurial Alumni Awards honor UCF business alumni from any discipline who exemplify commitment, vision, calculated risk-taking and growth potential. These Knights demonstrate perseverance in the face of adversity and overcome obstacles in their professional careers.

Honorable Knight Awards recipients:

• Antonetta “Toni” Caracciolo 麻豆精品 S�90 麻豆精品 S�14MBA, executive vice president of marketing and branding at Falcon 麻豆精品 S檚 Beyond
• Elizabeth Ellis 麻豆精品 S�02, senior program manager at Blue Origin
• Thomas Hall 麻豆精品 S�25EMBA, president of Chuy 麻豆精品 S檚 Tex-Mex at Darden Restaurants
• Charles “Charlie” Ritter 麻豆精品 S�95 麻豆精品 S�98, partner in charge of Audit Southeast for KPMG LLP
• Michelle Katz Segal 麻豆精品 S�10 麻豆精品 S�12MBA, corporate director of strategy for AdventHealth 麻豆精品 S檚 Multi-State Division

The Honorable Knight Awards recognize alumni with more than 10 years of professional experience who have displayed excellence in their respective fields.

2026 Partnership Award Recipient

The Partnership Award recognizes organizations that have built successful partnerships with, or on behalf of, the College of Business, advancing the college 麻豆精品 S檚 academic offerings and public outreach. These organizations embody the spirit of collaboration and are recognized for their initiative, leadership and involvement in the betterment of business education.

This year 麻豆精品 S檚 recipient, Sherwin-Williams, has become an active corporate partner of the college through its engagement with students and recruiting efforts.

From speaking in The EXCHANGE and connecting with more than 1,200 incoming business majors at Welcome to the Majors to recruiting Business Knights at the college 麻豆精品 S檚 Invitational Career Fair, the听Sherwin-Williams听Orlando District team has embraced the college 麻豆精品 S檚 mission of engagement and invested in students throughout its two years as a corporate partner.

Sherwin-Williams is a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution and sale of paints, coatings and related products, operating more than 5,000 company-owned stores and branches worldwide.

麻豆精品 S�There 麻豆精品 S檚 a lot of places that say, 麻豆精品 S楬ey, look at all the things we 麻豆精品 S檝e done. 麻豆精品 S� And then there 麻豆精品 S檚 UCF that says, 麻豆精品 S楲ook at all the things we 麻豆精品 S檙e doing, 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Sleppy says. 麻豆精品 S淚 wanted to be part of building the future. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淚 wanted to be part of building the future. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Joe Sleppy

In his first year, he landed undergraduate research opportunities thanks to UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 , which offers students opportunities for career exploration and experiential learning in STEM the first two years of their college career.

In UCF Professor of Nanotechnology Jayan Thomas 麻豆精品 S� lab, the two partnered on the idea that would eventually become Capacitech Energy, where Sleppy has served as CEO since its inception in 2016 during his sophomore year.

Future-Proofing the Power Grid

Capacitech is a rapid response energy storage leader building high-power and space-conscious energy storage systems for an increasingly complex grid. Essentially, Sleppy and his team turn supercapacitor components into modular, plug-and-play systems that harden power infrastructure against power demand spikes, outages and equipment damage.

Sleppy explains traditional power infrastructure, such as generators and batteries, are like a marathon runner whereas supercapacitors are more like a sprinter. Modern facilities 麻豆精品 S� like data centers that power AI 麻豆精品 S� demand power 24/7 but also demand even more power than normal for just a few seconds. Ideally, both a sprinter and marathon runner are required. So, Capacitech 麻豆精品 S檚 products make it practical to form relay teams between the traditional infrastructure (marathon runners) and supercapacitors (sprinters).

麻豆精品 S淚f we can use supercapacitors to complement batteries, generators, fuel cells and the broader grid to serve this demand profile that 麻豆精品 S檚 coming from manufacturing facilities and data centers, then we 麻豆精品 S檙e making the world a better place 麻豆精品 S� economically, but also in terms of power sustainability and security. And I think that that 麻豆精品 S檚 very important, 麻豆精品 S� Sleppy says.

They made their first commercial sale in 2022 to Red Bull and have been running full force ever since.

Built by UCF

The company was bolstered by many resources at UCF on its way to raising the $2.5 million it has so far through investors and federal research and development programs. To this day, UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 continues to house Capacitech 麻豆精品 S檚 operations with adaptable leasing structures, physical space, mentoring programs and community that have adapted to their needs as they 麻豆精品 S檝e grown. This year, they 麻豆精品 S檒l expand into new warehouse in research park, adjacent to UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 campus.

麻豆精品 S淭he world is watching. Let 麻豆精品 S檚 use innovation and entrepreneurship to make it better. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Joe Sleppy

麻豆精品 S淯CF encouraged me to think outside of the box, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淯CF is an innovative university because they 麻豆精品 S檒l ask, 麻豆精品 S榃hy not? 麻豆精品 S� I think I share the same philosophy with running Capacitech. Let 麻豆精品 S檚 try it. The world is watching. Let 麻豆精品 S檚 use innovation and entrepreneurship to make it better. 麻豆精品 S�

In 2026 Sleppy expects Capacitech to announce new partnerships and pilot programs in industry. And they 麻豆精品 S檙e already engaged in mentoring the next generation of Knights with internship opportunities for students.

麻豆精品 S淓ntrepreneurship is how the world gets better 麻豆精品 S� whether it 麻豆精品 S檚 a nonprofit or a tech startup like ours, 麻豆精品 S� Sleppy says. 麻豆精品 S淏y reducing strain on the grid and extending the life of critical infrastructure like batteries and microgrids, we 麻豆精品 S檙e making energy systems more resilient and accessible. That means fewer vulnerable communities at risk and more room for innovation to grow. It 麻豆精品 S檚 hard not to get excited when your work genuinely makes the world better. 麻豆精品 S�

Joe Sleppy was recognized on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Energy & Green Tech list in 2026.

Emboldened by a campus culture of exploring 麻豆精品 S渨hat if? 麻豆精品 S� and the university 麻豆精品 S檚 support system of expertise and resources to back them, five Knights who started their companies while they were still students are making undeniable noise in their respective industries 麻豆精品 S� so much so that Forbes just honored them on its annual 30 Under 30 list.

The UCF engineering grads are recognized among peers from the likes of Stanford, UC Berkeley, MIT, Yale, Princeton and Columbia.

Joe Sleppy 麻豆精品 S�18 serves as CEO of Capacitech Energy, which is making supercapacitor technology practical by delivering plug-and-play, modular systems that eliminate power quality issues in data centers and microgrids responsible for downtime and equipment damage.

麻豆精品 S淯CF encouraged me to think outside of the box, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淯CF is an innovative university because they 麻豆精品 S檒l ask, 麻豆精品 S榃hy not? 麻豆精品 S� I think I share the same philosophy with running Capacitech. Let 麻豆精品 S檚 try it. The world is watching. Let 麻豆精品 S檚 use innovation and entrepreneurship to make it better. 麻豆精品 S�

Mason Mincey 麻豆精品 S�23, Derek Saltzman 麻豆精品 S�23, Matthew Jaeger 麻豆精品 S�22 and Patrick Michel are co-founders of Soarce, which takes underutilized plant resources like hemp, seaweed and grass and transforms them into nanomaterials eight times stronger than steel. 麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e on pace to build what we feel is going to be the largest global nanocellulose production facility in the world, 麻豆精品 S� Saltzman says. 麻豆精品 S淎nd we are not afraid to say that and stand behind it. That 麻豆精品 S檚 a big dream, but that 麻豆精品 S檚 kind of what we 麻豆精品 S檙e here to do 麻豆精品 S� make big changes. 麻豆精品 S�

These grads all credit their rise in large part to the immense support and knowledge they gained from UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 and . UCF invested $10-20,000 of alumni-funded awards from the annual competition and UpStarts program to support their venture development.

麻豆精品 S淐apacitech and Soarce illustrate how investments in technology development and entrepreneurship education can work together to increase innovation diffusion and societal impact, 麻豆精品 S� says Cameron Ford, William and Susan Crouse Endowed Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Blackstone LaunchPad at UCF. 麻豆精品 S淭hey also illustrate the arduous, fraught, years-long paths that entrepreneurs commonly travel when no one is watching to achieve 麻豆精品 S榦vernight 麻豆精品 S� success. We are immensely proud of the example they are setting for current and future Knights by combining their disciplinary expertise with entrepreneurial knowhow to positively impact others. 麻豆精品 S�

To learn more about how these Knights are putting in the work today that is shaping the future around us, check out their stories (with video) on UCF Today:

• Forbes 2026 30 Under 30 Winner: Capacitech
• Forbes 2026 30 Under 30 Winner: Soarce

They had been tasked in a semester-long class assignment to build a carbon fiber rocket that would successfully carry the professor 麻豆精品 S檚 payload. While their design may have failed epically 麻豆精品 S� while being broadcast live on the internet 麻豆精品 S� they noticed one very important element that turned out to be the spark for their future company.

麻豆精品 S淲hen we walked up to the rocket, we saw that the motor had gone through a 2-inch-thick steel plate, but the carbon fiber that we had made was intact and still super strong and actually protected the professor 麻豆精品 S檚 payload after exploding and crashing, 麻豆精品 S� Saltzman says. 麻豆精品 S淲e said, 麻豆精品 S楬ey, we 麻豆精品 S檙e pretty good at manufacturing this [carbon fiber] stuff. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S�

They took it as a sign to change their majors from aerospace engineering to materials science and engineering, and the earliest roots of Soarce were planted.

Sustainably Strengthening Industries

Soarce is at the forefront of bio-based nanomaterials and seeks to solve society 麻豆精品 S檚 greatest climate challenges by leveraging natural materials to create products that can outperform those made synthetically.

Drawn from seaweed, hemp and elephant grass, their nanocellulose coating can be applied to and fortify carbon fiber structures 麻豆精品 S� everything from hockey sticks to electric vehicles to rocket ships.

麻豆精品 S淭hat allows engineers to design parts that are lighter, stronger and more efficient, 麻豆精品 S� Saltzman says. 麻豆精品 S淔or electric vehicles, they can now go farther. In the world of aerospace, we 麻豆精品 S檙e making those materials stronger so now you have more payload mass that you can put into space. 麻豆精品 S�

Their innovation has so much promise it has already secured $3.2 million in funding.

麻豆精品 S淯CF is about dreaming big, going as big as you can. And that 麻豆精品 S檚 how we feel. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Derek Saltzman

麻豆精品 S淯CF is about dreaming big, going as big as you can. And that 麻豆精品 S檚 how we feel, 麻豆精品 S� Saltzman says. 麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e on pace to what we feel is going to be the largest global nanocellulose producer in the world. And we are not afraid to say that and stand behind it. That 麻豆精品 S檚 a big dream, but that 麻豆精品 S檚 kind of what we 麻豆精品 S檙e here to do 麻豆精品 S� make big changes. 麻豆精品 S�

UCF-Backed Entrepreneurship

Their entrepreneurial journey has gone through several iterations since Saltzman and Mincey were randomly assigned as roommates in during their freshman year. The pair dabbled in enterprises involved with agriculture and drone racing, cutting their teeth on the business side of running a company through resources UCF offers including the 麻豆精品 S檚 .

To this day, they 麻豆精品 S檙e still partnering with the UCF ecosystem, utilizing the UCF Business Incubation Program 麻豆精品 S檚 Life Sciences Incubator in Lake Nona, which gives Soarce access to a fully equipped, Biosafety Level II wet lab to foster their work in advanced materials.

麻豆精品 S淯CF has really strong partnerships and connections to industry that allow you to funnel your idea from a lab-benchtop scale all the way to integrating into a Fortune 500 company to get that product off the ground, 麻豆精品 S� Saltzman says.

Now, along with fellow UCF alums and Soarce co-founders Matthew Jaeger 麻豆精品 S�22, an actuarial science alum, and Patrick Michel, a former management student, they 麻豆精品 S檙e looking forward to expanding their operations into an 8,000-square-foot facility in partnership with Tavistock and heading into pilot trials with Fortune 500 companies.

麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 really cool to see how far we 麻豆精品 S檝e come, from an idea in a notebook that we started eight years ago to now within the next three to five years, we 麻豆精品 S檒l have that material not only created, but actually being flown into space and amongst the stars, 麻豆精品 S� Saltzman says.

The Soarce co-founders were recognized on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Manufacturing & Industry list in 2026.

UCF alum Kelly Shea ’23 understands first-hand the academic challenges some children struggle with in the classroom. After all, she was once one of them.

麻豆精品 S淪chool just didn 麻豆精品 S檛 make sense to me, 麻豆精品 S� says the elementary education grad, who couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 read until midway through elementary school.

Those early challenges have been integral to Shea 麻豆精品 S檚 career path as an educational entrepreneur. They also fuel the 麻豆精品 S渨hy 麻豆精品 S� behind her mission to empower young students through her start-up business that offers invention education kits for kids.

Making Sense of School

Growing up, Shea recalls struggling in every subject, especially reading, during her elementary school years.

麻豆精品 S淚 had trouble comprehending things, 麻豆精品 S� says the 23-year-old, who has since written and published four children 麻豆精品 S檚 books. 麻豆精品 S淢y first-grade teacher, Ms. Shepard, was the one who recognized I was having problems. I met with her almost weekly throughout second grade for extra support. Things finally started clicking for me in middle school, but I struggled a lot early on. 麻豆精品 S�

She got involved with a Tampa-area nonprofit called Girls With Confidence, which empowers young girls in developing positive self-esteem. As she got older, she began volunteering and taking on more leadership roles with the organization.

麻豆精品 S淚 would come up with activities and games for their programming and realized that I love teaching and creating impact, like how people did for me, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚 just loved working with kids. I wanted to help them find solutions to their struggles because I was there once, too. 麻豆精品 S�

Shea carried that determination and creative, problem-solving spirit throughout her time in and leveraged it to create two businesses before she graduated. She credits UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 and as crucial resources that complemented the knowledge she gained in her coursework, ultimately fueling her career path today with Innovation Station LLC.

Connecting Education and Entrepreneurship

While taking the Careers in K-12 Education course with Cristina S谩enz 麻豆精品 S�22PhD 麻豆精品 S� now an invention education manager for Massachusetts Institute of Technology 麻豆精品 S檚 Lemelson-MIT Program 麻豆精品 S� Shea had her light bulb moment: She could bridge her passion for education with her entrepreneurship endeavors.

Invention education is a learning approach that challenges students through hands-on problem-solving. Shea often saw this play out during her internship with , where young patients face educational challenges due to injuries and illnesses.

麻豆精品 S淎t Nemours, I saw how kids with cerebral palsy adapt things for their needs, and it inspired me because that 麻豆精品 S檚 what invention is about, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚 thought, 麻豆精品 S榃hy don 麻豆精品 S檛 I create a series of kits for K-5 students that teaches them to go back to the basics of hands-on learning? 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S�

With that, Innovation Station LLC was born during her last semester at UCF.

Empowering Tomorrow 麻豆精品 S檚 Innovators

Through Innovation Station, Shea offers a series of four invention education kits that teach children to identify and explore problems, brainstorm and develop innovative ideas, build and prototype concepts, and practice their presentational skills.

Each kit includes a relatable storybook 麻豆精品 S� written by Shea herself 麻豆精品 S� as well as guided activities, worksheets, crafting supplies, and lesson resources for teachers. Even the packaging is designed to be used as part of the inventive process. With the final kit in the series, students cut off the sides of the box to make into a poster board they 麻豆精品 S檒l use to pitch their product.

麻豆精品 S淭hey 麻豆精品 S檙e reminded that their product is a prototype; it’s not going to be perfect, and failure is OK because we can always fix things based on what we learn from it,” she says. 麻豆精品 S淭hey learn how to communicate their brand with problem and solution statements. The books also cover easing those presentation nerves and learning to support your friends even if you 麻豆精品 S檙e competing.”

Prior to launching Innovation Station kits in July 2025, she conducted a six-week focus group with the Girls Scouts of Citrus Council, where she was able to test the kits with girls ranging from 4 to 12 years old. One 4-year-old invented a soft pencil because she was just learning to write, and regular pencils hurt her hand.

“It’s meant to teach them to be problem-solvers,” she says.

Since then, Shea has been promoting Innovation Station kits while also working in manufacturing, helping others bring their own inventions to life. She is piloting the kits this semester in partnership with fellow teacher education alum Chuck Burgess 麻豆精品 S�92. The kits will debut in nine Tampa-area elementary schools through local nonprofit High 5, Inc., which offers a variety of after-school and recreational programs.

麻豆精品 S淚 took a chance on myself, and I decided that this is what I want to do. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Kelly Shea ’23

She aspires to collaborate with school districts to introduce them into today 麻豆精品 S檚 classrooms.

麻豆精品 S淚 took a chance on myself, and I decided that this is what I want to do, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚 want to inspire and have an impact on the next generation and help create core memories by facilitating those light-bulb moments of, 麻豆精品 S榃ow, I can be an entrepreneur. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S�