Some of the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 most promising scientists can be found in Will Furiosi 麻豆精品 S�13 麻豆精品 S�14MAT 麻豆精品 S檚 Oviedo High School classroom.

Spend five minutes talking to Ankan Das, Angela Calvo-Chumbimuni and Moitri Santra about their research innovations in robotics, mental health and agriculture, and one truth becomes quite clear: These teens are the real deal.

Backed by UCF associate professors Ellen Kang (physics and NanoScience Technology Center) and Candice Bridge 麻豆精品 S�07笔丑顿聽(chemistry) and researcher Max Kuehn 麻豆精品 S�22 (Exolith Lab), the Oviedo High trio recently earned recognition as the top three projects at Seminole County 麻豆精品 S檚 regional science fair.

With Oviedo 麻豆精品 S檚 proximity to main campus, the collaboration highlights UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 steadfast commitment to supporting STEM education across Central Florida.

They will now represent the county May 9-15 at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix, where they will compete against more than 1,700 high schoolers for a share of nearly $7 million in awards, prizes and scholarships.

麻豆精品 S淲orking in Dr. Kang 麻豆精品 S檚 lab played pretty big role in choosing materials science and engineering as my major for college because I was exposed to just how many different things someone can do in the area I work with, nanotechnology, 麻豆精品 S� says Santra, a senior bound for Stanford who has worked with Kang since she was a freshman. 麻豆精品 S淭he lab provided a lot of resources 麻豆精品 S� not just the instruments, but also mentorship, advice and support. 麻豆精品 S�

A Will to Succeed

The hallway leading to Furiosi 麻豆精品 S檚 classroom is decorated with rows of blue, red, white, green, yellow and pink paper accomplishment ribbons. More ribbons, pennants and certificates adorn his walls, along with eight Science and Engineering Fair of Florida best-in-fair grand award senior division trophies 麻豆精品 S� more than any other high school in the state.

During his own primary education, Furiosi attended eight schools over 12 years. As a seventh-grader at Stone Magnet Middle School in Brevard County, he was initially prohibited from participating in science fair because officials couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 verify Furiosi was capable of the coursework from his transfer transcripts. He would later go on to earn Order of Pegasus as a Burnett Honors Scholar majoring in biomedical sciences before earning his master 麻豆精品 S檚 degree in teacher education.

Every day, he saw a wall of ribbons, much like the ones in his classroom now. And every day he would tell himself, 麻豆精品 S淚 want to be one of those kids. 麻豆精品 S�

That experience fundamentally shaped how the UCF grad runs his program today.

麻豆精品 S淲hat keeps me motivated is knowing that I have the opportunity to get people to be really prepared, informed citizens who are good thinkers, and who, when faced with a problem, smile and tackle it instead of running away, 麻豆精品 S� Furosi says.

Infusing Life into Science

Furiosi began teaching at Oviedo High School in 2013 as he pursued his accelerated master 麻豆精品 S檚 degree, made possible by the College of Community Innovation and Education 麻豆精品 S檚 Resident Teacher Professional Preparation Program. The program, funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant, was created in response to the growing need for skilled workers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Four years later, he took over the school 麻豆精品 S檚 science fair program and was determined to breathe new life into it, which at the time involved just four kids.

He cold called students in his AP Biology and Honors Chemistry聽courses, begging anyone who had shown a glimmer of interest during class to sign up so they wouldn 麻豆精品 S檛 have to fold the program.

Today, he 麻豆精品 S檚 at 46 students, with some, like Calvo-Chumbimuni, interested in joining the program as soon as they arrive at Oviedo High.

麻豆精品 S淢y seventh grade science fair teacher knew Mr. Furiosi and spoke highly of him, 麻豆精品 S� Calvo-Chumbimuni says. 麻豆精品 S淲hen I came to Oviedo High and met him, I immediately understood why. The research program stood out to me as a valuable opportunity. 麻豆精品 S�

Furiosi fosters a safe space to fail, learn and grow from the research. There are no barriers to entry; no project deemed too insignificant. And he stresses the merits of high-quality mentorship, like the ones Das, Santra, and Calvo-Chumbimuni formed with UCF faculty and STEM labs.

Some of his students have earned thousands of dollars in prizes 麻豆精品 S� one alone pulled in $70,000 and is now studying at the University of Glasgow 麻豆精品 S� at prestigious competitions sponsored by some of the tech industry 麻豆精品 S檚 biggest names, including Regeneron and Lockheed Martin, a UCF Pegasus Partner.

His alums have gone on to top research institutions including Harvard, MIT, Columbia, Stanford, and of course, UCF. One of those Knights is aerospace engineering grad Daniel Dyson 麻豆精品 S�21 麻豆精品 S�22MS 麻豆精品 S�25PhD, who studied in Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Subith Vasu 麻豆精品 S檚 lab and now works for Relativity Space at NASA 麻豆精品 S檚 Stennis Space Center, America 麻豆精品 S檚 largest rocket propulsion test site.

麻豆精品 S淢r. Furiosi really pushes you toward excellence, 麻豆精品 S� says Das, a sophomore building a tensegrity robot with shape memory alloys that he tested at UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Exolith Lab.

Supporting Excellence

An award-winning researcher who has been supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, Kang is not easily impressed. Still, Santra made an immediate impression as an eighth grader when she first popped up Kang 麻豆精品 S檚 inbox, asking if she could present her idea on a nanoparticle treatment for citrus greening disease in Florida.

麻豆精品 S淚 could clearly see that she had a firm understanding of the material and just thought, 麻豆精品 S榃ow, she is really a force. 麻豆精品 S� I actually wanted to have my undergrad students see her presentation because of how professional she was, even at that young age, 麻豆精品 S� Kang says. 麻豆精品 S淪he has this creativity, passion, persistence and resilience 麻豆精品 S� all the key elements that you need as a successful STEM field researcher. 麻豆精品 S�

Similarly, Bridge immediately noticed Calvo-Chumbimuni 麻豆精品 S檚 persistence and go-getter attitude when she initially connected with her two years ago. Driven by her interest in the intersection of neuroscience, psychology and analytical chemistry, Calvo-Chumbimuni pitched her idea to develop an electrochemical sensor and biosensor to improve diagnostic methods for mental health disorders.

麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檝e always appreciated her sense of humanity, 麻豆精品 S� Bridge says. 麻豆精品 S淚 thought, 麻豆精品 S業f you can foster someone who has this sort of compassion already, there are infinite possibilities for what they can do to benefit the community. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S�

The two have been dedicated, active participants in their labs, regularly conducting research multiple days per week during the school year and, at times, daily over the summer. The faculty and their doctoral students have mentored the high schoolers through instrumentation methods, analyzing data, the literature review process and their presentations.

While both are presenting continuations of their projects at ISEF 麻豆精品 S� Calvo-Chumbimuni for her second-straight year, Santra for her third 麻豆精品 S擠as will be joining them for the first time at the major competition.

Kuehn, who is an engineer at , is accustomed to working with a variety of researchers and scientists who test their experiments and equipment at the Highland Regolith Test Bin. He says he was quickly intrigued by Das 麻豆精品 S� project, a lightweight and nimble robot that can expand, contract and move through electric current.

Das wanted to test the robot in lunar regolith 麻豆精品 S� simulated moon dirt 麻豆精品 S� because he envisions the tech behind his robot one day being utilized in lunar missions or search and rescue efforts in unstable environments.

麻豆精品 S淢ax noticed that sometimes the motion was a little slow, so he gave some suggestions, 麻豆精品 S� Das says. 麻豆精品 S淲orking in the lunar regolith chamber was a very insightful and eye-opening experience. I know I 麻豆精品 S檓 still in high school, but I 麻豆精品 S檝e learned I want to do research for as long as I can because I really find this interesting. 麻豆精品 S�

Which, at the end of the day, has been Furiosi 麻豆精品 S檚 mission all along.

麻豆精品 S淩esearch is not just in science. It is in all disciplines. There 麻豆精品 S檚 a lot of cool things that need to be discovered in all fields, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淯CF 麻豆精品 S檚 expertise has been so invaluable in preparing my students for the future. A lot of these kids have wonderful ideas, and I really hope we can continue growing more professional support for them in any capacity. 麻豆精品 S�

Behind every badge is a commitment to serve 麻豆精品 S� a commitment two new officers now carry forward at UCF.

Surrounded by family, friends, colleagues and university leaders, the officers were sworn in during a ceremony that marked not just a personal milestone, but the (UCFPD)’s continued growth and commitment to service.

麻豆精品 S淯CF is a special place and working in public safety here takes a special kind of person, 麻豆精品 S� says UCF Police Chief Robbin Griffin-Kitzerow. 麻豆精品 S淚t takes someone who genuinely cares, who shows up every day with a heart for service, and who is committed to the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. 麻豆精品 S�

Ross Wolf, interim dean of the College of Community Innovation and Education and associate provost of UCF Downtown, reflected on the ceremony 麻豆精品 S檚 significance, drawing on his recent retirement from policing after 34 years of service in both full-time and reserve roles.

“My law enforcement career instilled in me a deep respect for this profession and for the camaraderie, commitment and sense of purpose that define it, 麻豆精品 S� Wolf says.

UCFPD 麻豆精品 S檚 two newest officers will join the patrol division after completing a field-training program, where they 麻豆精品 S檒l work alongside senior officers and gain hands-on experience out in the field before graduating to solo patrol.

Get to Know the New Officers

Brittany Lopez

Having previously served with the Clermont Police Department as both a patrol officer and a detective, Brittany Lopez brings a strong foundation in law enforcement to UCF. She was drawn to UCFPD for its culture and the unique community it serves. With a master’s degree in cybercrime from the University of South Florida, Lopez is driven by a desire to help students make informed choices that support their future success.

Daira Yulfo-Vargas 麻豆精品 S�25

Joining UCFPD is a full-circle moment for Daira Yulfo-Vargas 麻豆精品 S�25. After moving to Orlando to attend UCF, she began as a police explorer while earning her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She later served as a UCFPD cadet and, through departmental sponsorship, completed the police academy, graduating among the top academic performers in her class. Now she returns to serve her alma mater as a UCF police officer, committed to supporting students and advancing the department 麻豆精品 S檚 safety mission.

Celebrating Promotions

The ceremony also recognized four individuals taking on new roles within UCF Public Safety.

Corporal Melissa Guadagnino

Community Outreach and Crime Prevention Unit

Corporal Melissa Guadagnino has been a vital part of UCFPD for more than 12 years, including nine years as a detective. In that role, she worked alongside her therapy dog, Chipper, providing investigative support and comfort to victims during difficult moments. She 麻豆精品 S檚 also served on the Emergency Response Team through dozens of deployments and instructed crisis intervention and patrol investigator programs. Now part of the Community Outreach and Crime Prevention Unit, Guadagnino continues to lead with dedication and heart, making an impact.

Jennifer Floyd

University Physical Security Manager

During a time of significant staffing transitions, Jennifer Floyd played a critical role in maintaining operations while supporting major security initiatives. She coordinated hundreds of maintenance requests and led a campuswide security camera upgrade, overseeing the replacement of more than 500 cameras to strengthen UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 safety infrastructure. Floyd also led nearly 50 training sessions, helping ensure teams have the knowledge and confidence to effectively manage and maintain essential systems.

Benita Harrison

Administrative Operations Manager

Benita Harrison supports departmental leadership with professionalism and exceptional integrity. She manages daily operations, chairs multiple committees and oversees all department-led events, playing a key role in ensuring smooth transitions. Her attention to detail and ability to create meaningful experiences are felt at every level across the organization.

Tiffany Ortiz

Dispatch Supervisor

Tiffany Ortiz brings a deep understanding of communication operations. Known for delivering organized, accurate and dependable work, she 麻豆精品 S檚 respected by both her peers and patrol officers for her collaborative, supportive approach. In her new role, she led a full revamp of the dispatch training program, updating the manual, strengthening the curriculum and enhancing skill development to better prepare team members for long-term success.

Together, these new officers and newly promoted leaders represent UCF Public Safety 麻豆精品 S� united by a shared commitment to serve, support and safeguard the campus community.

The Power of a 24-Hour Mission

In a single day, 5,187 donors from across the country and around the globe gifted more than $14.9 million in support of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 bold vision for the future, setting a new record in dollars raised during . With contributions spanning across all 12 colleges and 200 programs and initiatives, participants included both longtime supporters and first-time donors, reflecting a growing community united by a shared belief in the power of education, discovery and opportunity.

From the moment the campaign launched at midnight, momentum built quickly 麻豆精品 S� across campuses, communities and time zones. Hour by hour, participation grew as alumni, students, faculty, staff, partners and friends added their support, each gift contributing to something larger than any single moment.

Momentum Across Knight Nation

By mid 麻豆精品 S憁orning, the energy of UCF Day of Giving was unmistakable. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Student Union buzzed with celebration as everyone gathered for photobooths, coffee and conversations that turned into meaningful contributions.

The celebration extended beyond main campus, with similar moments unfolding at UCF Downtown and the Health Sciences Campus, reinforcing UCF Day of Giving as a university 麻豆精品 S憌ide movement.

麻豆精品 S淓very gift helps expand opportunity for our students, fuels discovery and sparks innovations that move our communities forward. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� President Alexander N. Cartwright

麻豆精品 S淯CF Day of Giving is a powerful reminder of what Knight Nation can accomplish together, 麻豆精品 S� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 麻豆精品 S淓very gift helps expand opportunity for our students, fuels discovery and sparks innovations that move our communities forward. 麻豆精品 S�

UCF Day of Giving is a key moment within Go for Launch: The Campaign for UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Next Mission and the university 麻豆精品 S檚 most ambitious revenue-generating effort to date.

Powered by Knight Nation

Through the Go For Launch campaign, UCF builds upon four priorities that will amplify our impact and create our future. They represent the pioneering spirit of UCF and speak to the unique needs of our dynamic community: , , and. Together, these priorities accelerate UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 continued rise as Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Technological University and create opportunities that extend far beyond campus.

This campaign shares the same collaborative spirit that 麻豆精品 S檚 fueled record-breaking results for UCF Day of Giving year after year.

麻豆精品 S淲e recognize the unique combination of philanthropy, partnership and collective drive needed to bring bold visions to life, and we 麻豆精品 S檙e proud to lean into that, 麻豆精品 S� says Rod Grabowski, senior vice president for advancement and partnerships at UCF and CEO of the UCF Foundation, Inc. 麻豆精品 S淎t UCF, we 麻豆精品 S檙e building a future that others have only begun to imagine, and that pursuit is sustained not by any one individual or group, but by the power of many. 麻豆精品 S�

For students like Ervin Xhemali the impact of these efforts is both immediate and life 麻豆精品 S慶hanging. A first 麻豆精品 S慻eneration student funding his education independently, Xhemali initially thought the scholarship credit in his account was a mistake, until he realized it came from the Katherine Crock Memorial Fund, established by Raymond Smithberger 麻豆精品 S�02MBA in honor of his mother.

The scholarship helps remove financial barriers so students can focus on learning and future goals. For Xhemali, an economics major balancing coursework with multiple jobs, the support was more than financial, it was a catalyst for what would come next.

Across campus and online, UCF Day of Giving spotlighted stories of impact 麻豆精品 S� students discovering new opportunities, faculty advancing breakthroughs and alumni carrying the Knight spirit into industries and communities worldwide.

Transformational investments fueled that momentum, including a $500,000 grant from Bank of America to support the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion on UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Academic Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona. The gift closed a more than $30 million private fundraising effort for the facility, bringing UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 vision for its College of Nursing to life alongside $43 million in state support.

Fuel for the Mission

Over the past four years, 24,411 individuals have invested more than $49.5 million through UCF Day of Giving, strengthening the foundation for continued impact and growth.

Together, these moments reflect what has always defined UCF: a belief that bold ideas, supported by a committed community, create lasting change. In just 24 hours, Knights demonstrated how collective generosity can expand opportunity, accelerate innovation and move ideas forward.

Together, Knight Nation isn 麻豆精品 S檛 just imagining the future; through moments like UCF Day of Giving, we 麻豆精品 S檙e creating it.

With more than 200 participating funds and so many opportunities for inspiration, activation and growth 麻豆精品 S� we 麻豆精品 S檙e counting down to liftoff by highlighting unique areas to consider supporting with your gift this UCF Day of Giving.

As Knights, we challenge status quo. We charge boldly ahead toward industry evolutions and technological advancements. We dare to build a future the world has only begun to imagine. And it 麻豆精品 S檚 all driven through moments like this and individuals like you.

Together,聽we 麻豆精品 S檙e聽launching Knights to new heights.

When the unexpected arises,聽help聽sometimes聽comes in the form of .聽Created to support聽Knights聽facing聽hardship that may聽hinder聽their education,聽this fund聽provides聽financial support聽for textbooks,聽fees听补苍诲 other education-related聽expenses聽for qualifying students.

Your gift ensures that聽when聽life 麻豆精品 S檚聽trials聽test our聽Knights,聽they聽pass聽with flying colors,聽securing聽the education听补苍诲 future聽they聽deserve.

The 麻豆精品 S痯rovides services, programming and resources for thousands of military-connected students currently enrolled at UCF.

helps ensure聽that聽those who have served and their connected students are fully supported as they pursue their educational and career goals.

UCF has been recognized聽with a聽Gold Award聽on the聽Military Friendly聽Schools list, as a Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus, a Best Military-Friendly Online College and on the Military Times 麻豆精品 S� 聽2025聽Best for Vets Colleges List.聽Help us聽continue that legacy聽of聽serving those聽who 麻豆精品 S檝e聽served.

offers an intensive, comprehensive therapy program聽to those聽navigating Aphasia, a聽language聽disorder that can arise from聽health challenges such as聽stroke,聽brain聽cancer听补苍诲 brain injury,听补苍诲听affects聽an individual 麻豆精品 S檚 ability to聽read, write,聽speak听补苍诲听comprehend聽language.

Through the program,聽individuals are聽empowered to聽make progress on their long-held goals, like talking with their grandchildren or ordering their favorite restaurant meal.

聽on UCF Day of Giving聽supports the continuation of this聽important聽service for our community, as well as the hands-on experience UCF student clinicians聽receive.

Support UCF College of Medicine researchers as they聽break聽into new realms of聽understanding聽around聽the聽country 麻豆精品 S檚聽second leading cause of death聽 麻豆精品 S� cancer.聽Through聽innovative science,聽they 麻豆精品 S檙e聽exploring key聽avenues of discovery聽including聽the role that聽genes play聽in聽determining聽a person 麻豆精品 S檚 cancer risk, what causes cancer to spread听补苍诲 how to harness the body 麻豆精品 S檚 immune system to kill cancer cells.

The goal: to prevent cancer and find new therapies that improve quality of life聽for patients.聽 brings聽us one聽step closer聽to聽lives saved,聽families unburdened听补苍诲 a cure聽realized.

Did you know聽that UCF has one of the top Moot Court聽teams in the nation, ranking聽among the top 15聽overall聽by the American Moot Court Association?聽Supervised by the , these student advocates聽are challenged聽with arguing聽mock supreme court cases聽on constitutional amendments.

and聽national聽leadership聽by聽making a gift on UCF Day of Giving.聽Help聽cover聽competition travel expenses, as well as聽the聽cost of聽the聽annual tournament聽hosted聽at UCF Downtown聽each fall.

It 麻豆精品 S檚聽time for launch, Knight Nation! Join us聽as聽we rally around聽our favorite causes, and聽maybe even聽uncover some聽new聽ones, during UCF Day of Giving.聽Find聽more areas of support聽by聽别虫辫濒辞谤颈苍驳听迟丑别听, 麻豆精品 S痑nd聽save the date to聽聽on Thursday, April 9.聽聽

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.

UCF has earned a 聽signaling the university 麻豆精品 S檚 growing support for military and veteran students. This is the first year UCF has earned the聽Gold聽designation, following聽many聽years聽as a聽Silver聽awardee.

麻豆精品 S淭his recognition reflects years of intentional work across the university to better support military-connected students, 麻豆精品 S� says Andrea Guzm谩n, UCF vice president for access and community engagement. 麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檝e focused on building stronger support systems, removing barriers, and ensuring students have clear pathways from enrollment through career. 麻豆精品 S�

In addition to our Gold Award and recognition as a Military Friendly Spouse School, UCF has been previously designated as a Purple Heart Institution, Florida Purple Star Campus, Best Military-Friendly Online College and聽Military Times 麻豆精品 S櫬� 2025 Best for Vets Colleges List.

Today about聽4,000聽military-connected聽students聽are enrolled聽at UCF, and there are a聽range of services coordinated through the Office of Military and Veteran Student Success (MVSS) to support them:

Holistic Programming

• An orientation dedicated聽for聽military-connected students and their families

• Expanded student engagement and social activities, which include families and military veterans within our community

• Collaboration with 聽affiliates, most notably Valencia College, to streamline transition for transfer students

Academic Resources

• Peer-to-peer tutoring in courses with high drop or fail rates

• VA Work Study and university academic coaching programs prepare and train military-connected students to provide academic coaching to their peers

Career Readiness

• Industry partnerships聽 麻豆精品 S� including聽Amazon, JE Technology and Disney 麻豆精品 S斅爐hat provide opportunity and engagement through mentorships,聽internships听补苍诲 career fairs

• Range of workshops, lunch and learns and professional development opportunities

Access to Financial Support聽

• Established an endowed scholarship to provide assistance to military-connected students

• Potential for 麻豆精品 S渕eal plan 麻豆精品 S� grants, emergency relief funds, tuition and fee waivers, and housing subsidies as part of co-curricular and academic support programs

• Participates in the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs 麻豆精品 S� Yellow Ribbon Program, a tuition assistance initiative for veterans and eligible dependents

Additionally, MVSS聽empowers UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 faculty and staff through professional development opportunities with strategies and tips on how to best serve and engage with聽military-connected聽students.

A new liaison program has been piloted in the last year, placing an MVSS staff member with VA work study students at the聽Rosen College of Hospitality Management听补苍诲听UCF Downtown聽to increase support services for military-connected students at those campus locations.聽In聽Fall聽2026, the program is expected to expand to聽the College of Business, College of聽Sciences听补苍诲 College of Arts and Humanities.

麻豆精品 S淭he support the office provides is some of the most efficient and effective support I have encountered at UCF, 麻豆精品 S� says聽蹿颈苍补苍肠别听尘补箩辞谤聽Abigail Kost. 麻豆精品 S淚 have scored interviews from career fairs and connections from lunch and聽learns. The office is also a pillar of emotional wellbeing and has helped me navigate VA benefits and scholarship opportunities. I would not have come as far as I have without the office 麻豆精品 S檚 resources. 麻豆精品 S�

UCF: Committed to Serving Veterans

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 commitment to serving veterans is not singularly confined to聽our聽Office of Military and Veteran Student Success.

In January, 麻豆精品 S�U.S. News & World Report 麻豆精品 S痳补苍办别诲听UCF No. 6 for online bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 programs for veterans.

UCF is home to 麻豆精品 S�, a nonprofit clinical research center and treatment clinic聽established聽to 麻豆精品 S�change the way post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related concerns are understood, diagnosed, and treated.

Led by UCF Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor Deborah Beidel, who is currently聽, the organization employs a unique and effective approach to treatment. A combination of exposure therapy, emerging technology and individual and group therapy sessions resulted in 66% of participants with combat-related trauma and 76% of first responders no longer meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD following three weeks of intensive treatment.

Last year,聽UCF became one of 12 universities nationwide聽 麻豆精品 S� and the only school in Florida and the southeast 麻豆精品 S斅爐o participate聽in a new Service to Service initiative. The national pilot program is dedicated to connecting veterans and their families with graduate educational pathways in public service and helping them find impactful long-term careers in public leadership.

A partnership between UCF College of Medicine and Orlando VA Medical Center聽聽 麻豆精品 S斅爈ocated聽next door to each other in Lake Nona 麻豆精品 S檚 Medical City 麻豆精品 S斅爀nsures every medical student聽receives training in specialties including surgery, internal medicine,聽neurology听补苍诲 psychiatry at the Orlando VA Medical Center.

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 history department has been documenting veterans 麻豆精品 S� stories聽as part of the Library of Congress 麻豆精品 S櫬燰eterans History Project聽since聽2010.聽UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Veterans Legacy Program, which was founded in 2017 as a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration, focuses on documenting the lives of those buried in Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 nine national cemeteries.

About Military Friendly

Founded in 2003, Military Friendly is an organization that measures organizations 麻豆精品 S� commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.

Military Friendly Schools strive toward and succeed in the areas that matter most in helping veterans make the transition from the military to school and, ultimately, satisfying careers in the civilian world. Earning the designation shows a school meets the minimum criteria.

Military Friendly 麻豆精品 S檚 final ratings for its Schools list were determined by combining each institution 麻豆精品 S檚 survey responses, government/agency public data sources, and measurements across retention, graduation, job placement, repayment, persistence, and loan default rates for all students and specifically, for student-veterans.

UCF is the first medical school in Florida offering Spanish language certification through the national Physician Oral Language Observation 麻豆精品 S疢atrix exam.

The exam establishes the physician has demonstrated comprehension, vocabulary and pronunciation skills in Spanish to provide care to patients without an interpreter.

Three students have passed the exam already, four are awaiting results and 11 more are on the path to complete it. Two of the certified students recently found out on Match Day they are staying in Florida for their medical residency programs.

麻豆精品 S淭he exam represents a meaningful milestone because it validates that a student can provide safe, language-concordant care in clinical settings, 麻豆精品 S� says Analia Castiglioni, assistant dean and director of the Spanish language program.

Elevated Care for Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Patients

Data shows that communications problems are the most frequent root cause of serious patient safety events such as mismanagement of medications. Patients with limited English language proficiency face higher levels of such risk.

The College of Medicine offers Spanish as its language focus to meet the state 麻豆精品 S檚 healthcare needs. Florida ranks as one of the top four states in the country for in Spanish speakers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 22% of Floridians report speaking Spanish at home.

麻豆精品 S淲hen the care team and the patient share a common language, something important happens, 麻豆精品 S� Castiglioni says. 麻豆精品 S淭rust develops more quickly, patients share more complete information, and care becomes safer and more compassionate. 麻豆精品 S�

Not Your Average Spanish

Fourth-year medical student Rodolfo Rodriguez came to Florida from South America when he was young and spoke Spanish and English at home.聽While he is bilingual, he needed to learn medical Spanish to be a more effective physician.

麻豆精品 S淗ousehold Spanish is much more casual and you 麻豆精品 S檙e not using terms that are prevalent in the medical field, 麻豆精品 S� Rodriguez says. 麻豆精品 S淭here are also words that don 麻豆精品 S檛 directly translate the same, like 麻豆精品 S榮troke. 麻豆精品 S� In Spanish, you wouldn 麻豆精品 S檛 say 麻豆精品 S榮troke 麻豆精品 S� you 麻豆精品 S檇 say 麻豆精品 S榓ccidente cerebrovascular 麻豆精品 S� which literally means 麻豆精品 S榗erebrovascular accident. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S�

He wanted to specialize in rehabilitative medicine after聽witnessing聽his father recover from a motorcycle accident. Last week, he聽matched into聽the University of Miami 麻豆精品 S檚 physical medicine and rehabilitation program.

麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 overjoyed, and I know my dad is too, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淢any people here in Florida don’t speak English as a first language, so being able to use my medical Spanish to help these patients feel comfortable through the rehab process is something I know will make a difference. 麻豆精品 S�

The training is equally as valuable to non-native speakers like fourth-year M.D. candidate 麻豆精品 S疎lizabeth 麻豆精品 S疍urkin. She 麻豆精品 S痵ays 麻豆精品 S疷CF 麻豆精品 S檚 structured program helped strengthen the Spanish 麻豆精品 S痵kills she studied throughout her education, 麻豆精品 S痑nd she wants to continue 麻豆精品 S痓uilding her proficiency. She passed the national 麻豆精品 S痗ertification, 麻豆精品 S痑nd this summer will begin her 麻豆精品 S痭eurology 麻豆精品 S痳esidency in neurology at 麻豆精品 S疕ealthONE 麻豆精品 S痠n 麻豆精品 S疎nglewood, 麻豆精品 S疌O.

麻豆精品 S淏eing able to speak directly with 麻豆精品 S痭on-English speaking patients has 麻豆精品 S痓een a goal of mine for a long time, 麻豆精品 S� says Durkin, who used to translate doctor 麻豆精品 S檚 visits for her Russian-speaking grandparents. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檇 like to say I did this to honor my family and my grandparents. 麻豆精品 S�

Certification聽Program Details

Students聽are eligible to聽take the Medical Spanish electives in the summer before their second year of medical school, before they go into clerkships at hospitals and clinics, and/or in their fourth year.

In addition to formal Spanish language education, they practice obtaining patient histories and provide treatment plans in Spanish with standardized patients in the College of Medicine 麻豆精品 S檚 Clinical Skills and Simulation Center. Every patient encounter is taped and evaluated by Brenda Perez, who is a Certified Healthcare Interpreter in Spanish, the medical curriculum program manager at the College of Medicine and a casual Spanish interpreter at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Lake Nona.

The college hopes to expand the program to continue meeting the community 麻豆精品 S檚 needs.

麻豆精品 S淢y vision is for the program to continue growing, 麻豆精品 S� Castiglioni says. 麻豆精品 S淭hat means building strong partnerships with clinical sites that serve Spanish-speaking communities and creating opportunities for our students to rotate in those settings, where their language skills can directly enhance patient care. 麻豆精品 S�

College of Medicine students interested in learning more about the medical Spanish program may email commedspanish@ucf.edu.

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.

The realization hit him one day on the job. This project 麻豆精品 S檚 legacy and impact were going to outlive him.

麻豆精品 S淲hen I think back on every cool thing I 麻豆精品 S檝e gotten to do so far in my career, it does all kind of lead back to Orlando Family Stage, 麻豆精品 S� Lowe says.

Lowe was 6 years old when his cub scout troop attended a show at the stage, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary 麻豆精品 S� the last 25 of those years in partnership with UCF.

He eventually went through its Youth Academy, interned as a UCF theatre student on site, made industry connections and now regularly contracts work at the stage as a full-time lighting designer for Clair Global, a tech company that specializes in live production services.

Lowe 麻豆精品 S檚 story is just one example of the countless ripple effects that have materialized from UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 longstanding, collaborative partnership with a nationally recognized leader in the theater industry.

麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檝e watched kids come in and they 麻豆精品 S檙e so shy and they can 麻豆精品 S檛 do anything. But by the time they leave, they 麻豆精品 S檙e not only signing up for the next show, they 麻豆精品 S檙e leading the next show, 麻豆精品 S� says Paul Lartonoix, assistant dean for the College of Arts and Humanities and longtime Orlando Family Stage board member. 麻豆精品 S淪ometimes it 麻豆精品 S檚 amazing at what it does. There 麻豆精品 S檚 no reason to not be proud of it. It 麻豆精品 S檚 doing great things for families. It 麻豆精品 S檚 doing great things for kids. It 麻豆精品 S檚 doing great things for our students, and it 麻豆精品 S檚 awesome that it 麻豆精品 S檚 being run by Knights. 麻豆精品 S�

A Partnership That Builds Community

Orlando Family Stage, founded in 1926 as part of the City of Orlando 麻豆精品 S檚 Recreation Department, has evolved over the past 100 years while persevering through historic challenges including the Great Depression, World War II, the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.

UCF entered the picture in 2000 when former Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood and UCF President John C. Hitt formed a community coalition to bring the stage under UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 oversight. At the time, the theater needed a major overhaul 麻豆精品 S� both to its physical home at Loch Haven Park and in programming 麻豆精品 S� to ensure it could thrive in the new millennium.

麻豆精品 S淚 know with great confidence we would not be sitting here today without UCF on board. We wouldn 麻豆精品 S檛 have survived. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Chris Brown 麻豆精品 S�05, Orlando Family Stage executive director and UCF theatre alum

麻豆精品 S淲e wanted it because we thought that space was an exceptional,聽it had tremendous potential, and UCF should be a part of it.聽That聽really was the driving force, 麻豆精品 S� says Lartonoix, who served as executive director on-loan and was instrumental in leading the early years of the partnership. 麻豆精品 S淎nd when things worked, it was fantastic. 麻豆精品 S�

The intervention proved to be a major catalyst for its impact in the community today, and for the world at large through the countless children and UCF graduates who have been affiliated with its programming and education.

麻豆精品 S淚 know with great confidence we would not be sitting here today without UCF on board. We wouldn 麻豆精品 S檛 have survived, 麻豆精品 S� says Chris Brown 麻豆精品 S�05, Orlando Family Stage executive director and UCF theatre alum. 麻豆精品 S淭o think that leaders came together and said, 麻豆精品 S榃e don 麻豆精品 S檛 want to lose a vital theater organization in our town, and we want to create an active and engaged partnership with the university where we can collectively do good things to serve young people in the world. 麻豆精品 S� It 麻豆精品 S檚 very special. 麻豆精品 S�

Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Only Professional Theatre for Young Audiences

A major part of that partnership is UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 MFA in theatre for young audiences program, which launched in 2004. The program has operated for the past two decades as Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 only professional theatre for young audiences and is one of the most distinctive programs in the country with its unique graduate-training residency.

In addition to learning from the university 麻豆精品 S檚 esteemed faculty, students gain practical experience with opportunities to work with professional artists and teach in Orlando Family Stage 麻豆精品 S檚 award-winning Youth Academy, which offers camps, classes and experiences for every age level from infancy through teens.

The MFA program has seen graduates go on to work at some of the most prestigious theaters in the country, become educators at universities as far as Dublin and help run community theaters across the United States.

In addition to his leadership role, Brown teaches theatre management courses on UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 campus. He says he believes an important part of his responsibility as an educator is to expand his students 麻豆精品 S� idea of where a career in the arts can take them.

麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e helping them recognize that arts administration is creative work, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淲riting a grant narrative, crafting a brand voice, planning a touring route or stewarding a donor relationship all require the same storytelling skills they bring to performance and production roles. 麻豆精品 S�

Instilling Bravery in Children

The stage 麻豆精品 S檚 mission is to empower young people to be brave and empathetic.

Sure it sounds good, but more importantly, there 麻豆精品 S檚 truth to the claim. Recent research by the UCF Department of Psychology provides evidence to support it.

The Orlando Family Stage 麻豆精品 S檚 education team collaborated with associate professor Valerie Sims and senior lecturer Matthew Chin and more than a dozen undergraduate students from the Applied Cognition and Technology Lab along with associate professor of musical theatre Tara Deady 麻豆精品 S�07MFA on a study, which they are currently working on publishing. The study aimed to determine if the stage 麻豆精品 S檚 programming delivers on its promise to promote creative engagement and bravery in children ages 1-5.

Because of the young age of the participants, traditional survey tools and written questionnaires wouldn 麻豆精品 S檛 work. The team needed to get creative in a research approach that matched how children experience theatre.

The research team meticulously observed second by second footage of children and parent engagement during performances of Yo, Ho, Ho! Let 麻豆精品 S檚 Go! 麻豆精品 S� an interactive, multi-sensory original production created by the stage 麻豆精品 S檚 senior director of education Jennifer Adams-Carrasquillo 麻豆精品 S�11MFA.

麻豆精品 S淲e have evidence that theater participation really is beneficial to these very young kids. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Matthew Chin, UCF psychology senior lecturer

They logged and quantified data through body language and audience responses. Early on, Sims and Chin say, children needed to be prompted by their parents to participate. However, as the show progressed, you can clearly see children initiating the participation on their own and parental involvement decreasing.

麻豆精品 S淲ith this study we are able to say that it isn 麻豆精品 S檛 just this thing that we think is true 麻豆精品 S� we have evidence that theater participation really is beneficial to these very young kids, 麻豆精品 S� Chin says.

In 2024-25 alone, more than 4,770 audience members attended Theatre for the Very Young productions like Yo, Ho, Ho! Let 麻豆精品 S檚 Go!. Multiply those numbers year after year and the impact to the youth in our community is monumental.

The Next 100 Years

As the stage commemorates this special milestone in its history, it also acknowledges the scope of possibilities and impact ahead.

This year, when Gershwin Entertainment Group, who owns the theatrical rights for A Charlie Brown Christmas, needed a national touring partner to bring the show to life on stage around the country, they turned to the Orlando Family Stage to deliver. It became the highest revenue-generating show in the history of the organizatoin 麻豆精品 S檚 performances in Orlando 麻豆精品 S攚ithout counting the 32 cities it visited from New York City to Vancouver, Canada.

A partnership with the UCF Department of History is enabling the stage to create an archive of its materials from the last century as part of the RICHES Mosaic Interface, an online resource dedicated to collecting and sharing the stories of Central Florida.

Another is the inaugural Florida Children 麻豆精品 S檚 Book Festival in partnership with Writer 麻豆精品 S檚 Block Book Store and WUCF, which they hosted in February and plan to host annually to celebrate literature and the link between books, storytelling and live theater.

麻豆精品 S淲e all need to be aware of how special this place is. And we need to be so proud that our community has something like this. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Chris Brown 麻豆精品 S�05, Orlando Family Stage executive director and UCF theatre alum

They look to expand the reach of Mind Matters, a program the stage initiated with UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 psychology department and national playwrights to produce 10 original short plays about geared for teens about depression, anxiety, loneliness, isolation and other mental health challenges they face today. The plays serve as an educational resource for teachers to spark honest conversations on these topics with their students.

Brown envisions one day expanding the footprint of the building with more theater space, new classrooms and offices to help alleviate their bursting-at-the-seems infrastructure, so they can keep delivering on all the dreams they want to turn into reality and continue creating meaningful experiences for children and the audiences of tomorrow.

麻豆精品 S淚 can 麻豆精品 S檛 get past the energy and the faces of busloads of kids coming in here every day, 麻豆精品 S� Brown says. 麻豆精品 S淲e all need to be aware of how special this place is. And we need to be so proud that our community has something like this. 麻豆精品 S�

Celebrates the Arts Programming

You can catch live performances from the Theatre for Young Audiences program during April 麻豆精品 S檚 UCF Celebrates the Arts festival at the Dr. Phillips Center in downtown Orlando.

Thursday, April 2 麻豆精品 S� 7:30 p.m.
Hosted by Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Her Universe, HypeFriend!), this concert features performances that span musical styles and theatrical traditions, reflecting the many creative paths that begin at Orlando Family Stage.

*Featuring Micheal James Scott (Disney 麻豆精品 S檚 Aladdin on Broadway), Leslie Carrera-Rudolph (Emmy Award-winning performer for Abby Cadabby, Sesame Street), Jack Griffo (Nickelodeon 麻豆精品 S檚 The Thundermans), Davis Gaines (Broadway 麻豆精品 S檚 longest running Phantom of the Opera), Michael Andrew (Composer and one of America 麻豆精品 S檚 greatest interpreters of the American Songbook), Paul Vogt (Broadway 麻豆精品 S檚 Hairspray and Chicago). Video appearances by Mandy Moore (This Is Us), Jasmine Forsberg (Broadway 麻豆精品 S檚 Six and Here Lies Love), Clayton and Bella Grimm (Blippi), Broadway legend Norm Lewis and more.

*Artist lineup is updating and is subject to change.

Tuesday, April 7 麻豆精品 S� 10 a.m.
When best friends Squiggle and Square move away from each other, they must find creative ways to keep communicating! Told through clowning, puppetry and music, Pen Pals is a 30-minute interactive play designed for 5 to 10-year-olds.

Saturday, April 11 麻豆精品 S� 10 a.m.
Yo, Ho, Ho! Let 麻豆精品 S檚 Go! is a 30-minute adventure designed especially for children ages 1 to 5 as a multi-sensory experience that invites them to help a pirate navigate the high seas. Together, they follow a treasure map, solve clues and chart the course forward.

Brian Creel, associate director for career planning at UCF Career Services, leads the career planning team in providing career counseling and assessment, career education and employment readiness skills.

麻豆精品 S淏e ready to talk about your professional self through storytelling, and overprepare through deep research on the employer. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Brian Creel, Associate Director at UCF Career Services

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Creel shares his advice on every stage of the job interview process as the UCF community prepares for its spring semester Internship and Career Expo. The event, which will be held on March 10 at Addition Financial Arena, features more than 250 companies across a variety of industries from diverse fields including technology, finance, healthcare, engineering and more.

How can you make a strong impression on your job interview?

• Know your professional story/prepare your elevator pitch
• Offer a confident greeting, handshake and smile
• Think about two to three key selling points about your professional self. For UCF students, start with your major/expected graduation and talk about related skills/experience including student clubs and class projects
• Research employers and showcase your knowledge in conversation
• Give examples to back up your answers. Storytelling is a big part of the interview experience.

You mentioned an elevator pitch. What is your method for crafting one?

Your elevator pitch introduces you to recruiters in 30-60 seconds. Follow the present-past-future format:

• Present: What are you currently studying? What 麻豆精品 S檚 your major or program?
• Past: Highlight a recent relevant experience (e.g., internship, research project, volunteer work).
• Future: State your career goals and explain why you 麻豆精品 S檙e excited to connect with this employer.

What are some ways you can make your resume stand out in a pile?

• A resume should be concise, organized marketing document highlighting your education, experiences and achievements; its purpose is to secure an interview and evolve with your professional growth.
• Keep formatting clean and consistent: 1-inch margins, 1 page (up to 2 max), standard 10- to 12-point fonts, professional appearance and easy-to-scan layout.
• Focus content on relevance: tailor to the position, connect transferable skills, emphasize contributions and quantify results whenever possible.
• Use strong writing mechanics: start bullets with action verbs, maintain consistent verb tense (present for current roles, past for previous) and keep statements concise.
• Include core sections as appropriate: Heading, objective (optional but tailored), education (reverse chronological order), summary of qualifications (skills-focused) and experience (employment, internships, research, projects).
• Add optional sections when relevant: Activities, leadership, honors/awards, publications or research.

What software or AI tools do you recommend in helping build your resume?

• is a fantastic tool available to all students by logging in with their NID credentials
• VMock is a 24/7 virtual career assistant that utilizes technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning and sophisticated analytics engine to deliver instant, personalized, and smart career guidance to students and professionals.
• Do not rely only on AI to write content for your resume. Double check wonky spelling/grammar and word choices to make sure it is your voice.
• Be aware that employers are now reviewing resumes and running them through plagiarism detection software to check for AI.
• Utilize AI (VMock can do this) to make sure your resume matches the language in the job description closely enough so that it will pass through applicant tracking systems successfully.

What are questions you recommend job candidates ask the interviewer?

Typically, it 麻豆精品 S檚 best to focus on two to three questions to have prepared to ask at the end of the interview.

• Ask about the company culture. What is it like to work there?
• Ask about the position or opportunity in a way that helps you learn more than what you have already learned on your own research. In your opinion, what qualities/traits do you look for in an ideal candidate to be successful in the role?
• Ask about what to expect in the interview process. What are next steps?

Are there any best practices you recommend for following up after an interview?

Within 24 hours, send personalized thank-you emails to the recruiters you spoke with that include:

• A brief recap of your conversation
• An expression of gratitude
• A question or statement to keep the dialogue going