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笔丑顿听(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听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�

UCF School of Visual Arts and Design students earned all four scholarships awarded at Creative South, a testament to the university 麻豆精品 S檚 growing reputation as a hub for emerging creative talent.

麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檝e built such a strong community that when one person succeeds, we all do, 麻豆精品 S� says Vanessa Mor谩n, a senior graphic design student and treasurer of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Graphic Design Student Association. 麻豆精品 S淭hat’s something Associate Professor Victor Davila 麻豆精品 S�97 麻豆精品 S�07MFA has always instilled in us. 麻豆精品 S�

For Brianna Rodriguez, a junior graphic design student who received a $1,000 grant, the scholarship is validation for where she 麻豆精品 S檚 heading.

麻豆精品 S淚t felt like a message that my work has potential, and that I need to start seeing it that way, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

Building Industry Connections

The students 麻豆精品 S� takeaways from Creative South went well beyond scholarship awards. Known for its welcoming environment, the conference gave students direct access to industry professionals, hands-on feedback, and real-world insight.

The access stood out to AJ Sibul, a senior graphic design student, who says Creative South made the industry feel more human.

麻豆精品 S淭here 麻豆精品 S檚 no separation between attendees and speakers, 麻豆精品 S� Sibul says. 麻豆精品 S淭hey emphasize people first, titles second. 麻豆精品 S�

From portfolio reviews to keynote presentations to late-night networking events, students built meaningful connections with working creatives, leading to mentorship, internships, and future job opportunities.

UCF emerging media alumnus Josh Alonso 麻豆精品 S�25 understands that firsthand. Alonso first attended Creative South as a student, where he earned a scholarship from Heyo, a design and development agency, which included a yearlong mentorship with a professional from the company.

That experience led to his current full-time role, demonstrating how connections made at Creative South can translate directly into opportunities.

麻豆精品 S淭hat mentorship really grew into a friendship, which led to a job offer later down the road, 麻豆精品 S� Alonso says. 麻豆精品 S淭hey helped me understand the importance of being someone people wanted to work with, rather than just having the best-looking portfolio. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淢y career essentially got its 麻豆精品 S榡umpstart 麻豆精品 S� from the people I met at Creative South. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Josh Alonso 麻豆精品 S�25

Alonso 麻豆精品 S檚 journey reflects what many UCF students are beginning to experience: real pathways into creative careers.

麻豆精品 S淢y career essentially got its 麻豆精品 S榡umpstart 麻豆精品 S� from the people I met at Creative South, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

As UCF continues to invest in the next generation of creatives, experiences like Creative South equip students with the connections and confidence needed to succeed in the industry after graduation.

A future nurse adjusts their cap, preparing to enter a hospital where the need for care continues to grow.

An engineer looks out into the crowd, knowing the next step leads into an industry building what 麻豆精品 S檚 next.

At UCF, these moments don 麻豆精品 S檛 happen one by one. They happen all at once 麻豆精品 S� thousands of stories, each with a different starting point, moving forward together.

Opportunity, Provided at Scale

At UCF, scale has always meant more than size.

It means access. It means opportunity. It means students who arrive with ambition and leave with proof.

More than 10,000 Knights make up the Spring Class of 2026.

Additionally, about 37% of bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree recipients are eligible for Pell Grants, and about 22% are the first in their families to earn a college degree 听 麻豆精品 S� reflecting a university built to open doors and help students move through them.

This is scale with purpose.

Where Talent Meets Demand

UCF graduates move directly into high-demand fields 麻豆精品 S� from hospitals and schools to tech firms, startups and public agencies.

This is a workforce built not just in classrooms, but for real-world impact.

Each year, the university awards nearly 19,000 degrees 麻豆精品 S� more than any other institution in Florida 麻豆精品 S� including leading the state in bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degrees in engineering and nursing. These two fields are essential to sustaining Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 economic growth and meeting the needs of an expanding population.

Turning Studies Into Real Skills

Before they graduate, Knights are already building career-ready experience.

That same hands-on approach extends into high-impact research across fields from computer vision to biotechnology to pediatric prosthetics.

Career Prep From the Start

Support starts early, and it 麻豆精品 S檚 designed to carry students all the way through.

From day one, students connect with career counselors who help them build resumes, practice interviewing, find internships and connect with employers.

And when it 麻豆精品 S檚 time to take the next step, campus-wide career fairs open the door. They 麻豆精品 S檙e a gateway for students to explore a wide range of career paths, get real insight from industry professionals and stay ahead in a fast-moving job market.

Retaining Talent Across Florida

The impact of a UCF education doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 leave with its graduates. In many cases, it stays 麻豆精品 S� and grows.

But where graduates go next tells an even bigger story.In and around听Orlando听 麻豆精品 S� the No. 2 Best City to Start a Career in America (WalletHub) and one of the fastest-growing hubs for innovation 麻豆精品 S� that talent doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 just fill jobs.

It builds industries. It strengthens economies. It accelerates growth.

More Than a Milestone

Commencement is what everyone sees.

The walk. The tassel. The celebration.

But at UCF, it 麻豆精品 S檚 also something more.

Before students cross the stage, they 麻豆精品 S檝e already built experience. By the time they graduate, they 麻豆精品 S檙e aligned with real-world demand. After they leave, they power the industries shaping Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 future and beyond.

Each commencement adds thousands more to that momentum. Each graduate strengthens the pipeline.

And across the state 麻豆精品 S� and far beyond it 麻豆精品 S� you can already see what they 麻豆精品 S檙e building.

UCF is the leading producer of talent among Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 universities, awarding nearly 19,000 degrees annually to Knights who go on to work in high-demand industries. About 85% of our alumni stay in Florida because of the ample opportunity to thrive as part of our state 麻豆精品 S檚 workforce.

Graduates will hear from six esteemed speakers whose leadership and impact span some of Central Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 most influential industries:

• Barry Miller 麻豆精品 S�95, president of Voloridge Investment Management
• Brian Adams 麻豆精品 S�04MBA, president and CEO of AdventHealth Central Florida Division
• Gloria Caulfield, vice president of strategic alliances, Tavistock Development Company
• Barbara Gellman-Danley, president of Higher Learning Commission
• Maj. Gen. James Smith, commander, space training and readiness command at Patrick Space Force Base
• Peter Lee, president of Microsoft Science

Commencement Festivities

Held in the Addition Financial Arena, spring commencement will take place over six ceremonies spanning Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9.

All guests, including children and infants, 麻豆精品 S痭eed a ticket for admission. All graduates who have filed an intent to graduate will receive five commencement ceremony tickets when they pick up their regalia packet.

Guests who do not have tickets may watch the 麻豆精品 S痩ive ceremony via a simulcast viewing 麻豆精品 S痠n the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be livestreamed .

Commencement Photo-ops Across UCF

Graduating Knights are unable to take photos at the Acrisure Bounce House Stadium this semester due to ongoing construction.

Grad Walk

On Thursday, May 7, 2:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.), spring graduates are invited to a photo-op 麻豆精品 S� Grad Walk 麻豆精品 S� within the Addition Financial Arena. This will be a first-come, first-served occasion for graduates and up to 10 of their well-wishers to take photos and videos on the ceremony stage. 麻豆精品 S疓raduates are required to .

Commencement Schedule

Graduates and guests can review the below commencement ceremony schedule, listing colleges, ceremony dates and streaming links:

Friday, May 8

9 a.m.

College of Business

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

2 p.m.

College of Health Professions and Sciences

College of Medicine

College of Nursing

7 p.m.

College of Arts and Humanities

Nicholson School of Communication and Media

Saturday, May 9

9 a.m.

College of Community Innovation and Education

2 p.m.

College of Sciences (excluding Nicholson School of Communication and Media)

7 p.m.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

College of Graduate Studies

College of Optics and Photonics

For more details and FAQs about Spring 2026 commencement celebrations, visit ucf.edu/graduation.

Commencement Speakers

Barry Miller 麻豆精品 S�95

President of Voloridge Investment Management

Barry Miller 麻豆精品 S�95 serves as president of Voloridge Investment Management, quantitative hedge fund manager, and Voloridge Health, a data science-based health tech company, both Florida based.

Miller, who graduated with honors from UCF with a bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree in finance, recently made a transformational $50 million gift this spring to establish the Barry S. Miller College of Business at UCF. The largest single philanthropic investment in UCF history, the gift will accelerate a bold new model of business education designed for a world where technology, data and decision-making are inseparable.

Miller, also a member of the UCF College of Business Hall of Fame, brings years of executive experience, having previously served as CEO of LASAS Technologies, a finance and insurance company that he co-founded in 1998. His career experience includes financial analysis, capital raising, financial markets, actuarial experience, software development and in-depth company infrastructure formation.

After gaining valuable experience as an entrepreneur and chief executive officer, Miller 麻豆精品 S檚 ambition led him to join and invest in Voloridge Investment Management and then Voloridge Health. For both companies, he is responsible for many facets of leadership, including trading, back-office operations, compliance, sales and marketing, vendor relationships and strategic planning.

Brian Adams 麻豆精品 S�04MBA

President and CEO of AdventHealth Central Florida Division

Brian Adams is president and CEO of AdventHealth 麻豆精品 S檚 Central Florida Division, one of the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 largest faith-based health systems, whose 37,000 dedicated team members provide care for more than 3 million patients.

Known for building high-performing teams and ensuring the organization grows to meet the care needs of the community, Adams has led efforts to expand access to care, elevate quality and bring innovative solutions to rapidly growing communities. His leadership has continued to position AdventHealth as a trusted and innovative partner in Central Florida.

As a part of AdventHealth for more than 24 years, Adams has held senior leadership roles across the organization, including CEO positions in Tampa and Polk County, where he oversaw major expansions, facility investments and quality improvements.

He earned his master 麻豆精品 S檚 of business administration from the University of Central Florida and a bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree from Union College in Nebraska. Originally from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, Adams and his wife have two teenage sons.

Gloria Caulfield

Vice president of strategic alliances, Tavistock Development Company

In her multifaceted role as vice president of strategic alliances at Tavistock, Gloria Caulfield manages business development and corporate partnerships, collaborates with national and global stakeholders to advance health innovation, and leads the development of cutting-edge strategies for the Lake Nona community.

She is the chief architect and creative force behind the Lake Nona Impact Forum. The revered global health innovation summit brings together many of the world 麻豆精品 S檚 most preeminent thought leaders and serves as a signature event of the Tavistock Group.

Caulfield serves on boards that reflect her passion for advancing the future of human health, including the StartUp Health Impact Board, which focuses on mobilizing entrepreneurs to solve the biggest health challenges of our time, and the LFE Capital Advisory Board, which supports female founders and impactful, wellness-oriented companies.

Prior to joining Tavistock, she had a distinguished career at AdventHealth. As senior executive director for community development, she provided strategic leadership for corporate partnerships and spearheaded critical community initiatives across Central Florida. Caulfield is an alumna of the University of Arizona and brings visionary leadership to every aspect of her work.

Barbara Gellman-Danley

President of Higher Learning Commission

Barbara Gellman-Danley is president of the Higher Learning Commission, which accredits colleges and universities to ensure they meet high-quality standards and continuously improve.

Prior to beginning this role in 2014, she was president of the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College in Ohio. She previously served as vice chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, president of Antioch University McGregor, vice president at Monroe Community College and vice chancellor at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Gellman-Danley sits on the boards of Credential Engine, which she chairs, and GlobalMindED. Her career includes previous board and commission memberships with the Association of Governing Boards Council of Presidents, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, the American Council on Education 麻豆精品 S檚 Education and Attainment group and the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning.

Gellman-Danley holds degrees from Syracuse University, Simmons University, Oklahoma City University and the University of Oklahoma. She did post-graduate work at New York University, Cornell, Harvard, the University of Chicago and MIT.

An honorary member of Phi Theta Kappa, she is a professional certified coach, certified executive coach and certified life coach. She holds certifications in change management, Agile and Lean Six Sigma, a professional credential validating expertise in data-driven process improvement aimed at reducing waste and defects.

Maj. Gen. James Smith

Commander, space training and readiness command at Patrick Space Force Base

As commander, Maj. Gen. James E. Smith is responsible for preparing the U.S. Space Force and more than 14,000 military and civilian guardians to prevail in competition and conflict through innovative education, training, doctrine and test activities.

Originally from Boise, Idaho, Maj. Gen. Smith commissioned in 1997 as the top graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. His career spans numerous space operations and acquisition positions, including command at the squadron, group, wing, garrison and Field Command levels.

Maj. Gen. Smith has deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and to the U.S. Embassy in Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Prior to his current position, Maj. Gen. Smith served as the vice director, Joint Force Development, J-7, the Joint Staff, Arlington, Virginia.

Peter Lee

President of Microsoft Science

Peter Lee is president of Microsoft Science, where his responsibility is to accelerate the pace of discovery in the physical, biological and medical sciences through the use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Previously, he led the world laboratories of Microsoft Research. Before joining Microsoft in 2010, he established a new technology office at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency within the U.S. Department of Defense, creating operational capabilities in machine learning, data science and computational social science.

From 1987 to 2010, Lee was a professor and the head of the computer science department at Carnegie Mellon University. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and serves on the boards of several institutions in AI and medicine, including the board of trustees of the Mayo Clinic and the board of directors of the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine. He served on President Obama 麻豆精品 S檚 Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity and has testified before both U.S. House and Senate committees.

He is the co-author of the book, The AI Revolution in Medicine: GPT-4 and Beyond. In 2024, Lee was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in health and life sciences.

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.

Parchment is one of just two nurse leaders in Florida 麻豆精品 S� and the only one from a Florida university 麻豆精品 S� inducted into the 2026 class of fellows. The distinction honors individuals who 麻豆精品 S檝e made sustained contributions to nursing leadership and are influencing the future of healthcare.

With more than two decades in the field, including her recent role as corporate director of nursing strategy implementation at Orlando Health, Parchment has guided two hospitals to Magnet Recognition, an honor for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovation in practice. She 麻豆精品 S檚 actively mentored nurses and built systems that help them progress. At one multi-hospital health system, her framework supported 62% of clinical nurse leaders in advancing professionally.

Turning Mentorship Into Momentum

Since 2022, Parchment has mentored graduate students at UCF as an assistant professor in the College of Nursing, helping prepare future nurse leaders.

麻豆精品 S淚n my career, I have learned that continual growth and lifelong learning are essential, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淎s our profession continues to evolve, it is crucial that experienced leaders help guide the path forward, navigate new norms and provide support during times of change. 麻豆精品 S�

Filling the Gaps in Leadership Training

Her research 麻豆精品 S� cited nearly 50 times in national and international journals and books 麻豆精品 S� examines professional nursing practice and leadership science, including defining role-specific factors behind workplace bullying among nurse managers and its effects on those in these leadership positions.

One of her most notable contributions is an evidence-based manual for interim nurse managers that addresses a critical gap in leadership training. It equips managers with the skills and resources to lead in complex, demanding environments and has been downloaded nearly 200 times to date. The manual was recognized by the Association for Leadership Science in Nursing as an innovative solution to the nurse manager workforce crisis and adopted by a 357-bed hospital to support its nurse manager transition-to-practice program.

Advancing Nursing at the National Level

Beyond the classroom and research lab, Parchment 麻豆精品 S檚 influence extends nationally. She serves as the academic commissioner for the American Nurses Credentialing Center Commission on Magnet Recognition and sits on The Nurses Legacy Institute board. She 麻豆精品 S檚 also an active member of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and the Association of Leadership Science in Nursing, where she co-led three funded national research studies on nursing leadership and system science priorities within healthcare leadership.

“I will continue to advocate for the profession, advance nursing leadership [and] nurture future leaders …”

麻豆精品 S淚t is an incredible honor to be recognized by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, an organization that has encouraged me to seize opportunities and use my voice to inspire transformation across levels of healthcare, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚 will continue to advocate for the profession, advance nursing leadership, nurture future leaders and empower them to excel in today 麻豆精品 S檚 challenging healthcare landscape. 麻豆精品 S�

In his role as the senior associate vice president for government and community relations, Kittinger has been a constant and trusted presence in UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 work across Central Florida.

He has faithfully represented the university with a spirit of collaboration, generosity, and care that has strengthened relationships and opened doors for years, leading to some of the university 麻豆精品 S檚 most impactful, long-lasting, and strategic partnerships.

On April 22, Kittinger will conclude his tenure at his beloved alma mater after nearly 23 years of service.

麻豆精品 S淔red Kittinger has approached his work with authenticity, optimism and a sincere joy that brings people together and builds the connections that propel our success, 麻豆精品 S� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 麻豆精品 S淗e has left a lasting impression with everyone he has worked with and leaves an enduring legacy at UCF. 麻豆精品 S�

Joining Knight Nation

An Orlando native, Kittinger remembers the main campus being built in the 1960s. He enrolled at UCF in 1977, known then as Florida Technological University.

He was intent on staying one year to save enough money to eventually transfer to another, more established university in northern Florida. He abandoned the plan in mere weeks, falling in love with the school that he would later spend so much of his career serving.

麻豆精品 S淲e always had that chip-on-our-shoulder attitude, even back then. I like that part of UCF, 麻豆精品 S� Kittinger says. 麻豆精品 S淲e were the little engine that could. We knew we were going someplace. We knew we were important. 麻豆精品 S�

He served on orientation team and President 麻豆精品 S檚 Leadership Council, joined Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, witnessed UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 first home football game in 1979 and stockpiled memories he now relays with a smile before graduating with his bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree in criminal justice.

After completing his master 麻豆精品 S檚 degree at Florida State, he went on to work as a legislative aide in the Florida Senate and as vice president with the then Orlando Chamber of Commerce. He later served as chief of staff for City of Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood.

In 2003, he was approached by the late Senior Vice President Emeritus Dan Holsenbeck and Board of Trustee charter member Patrick Christensen to gauge his interest in a position at UCF working with local governments.

Now nearly 23 years later, he 麻豆精品 S檚 ready for his next adventure.

Advocating for his Alma Mater

When you 麻豆精品 S檙e anywhere as long as Kittinger has been at UCF, you 麻豆精品 S檙e bound to pick up a few keepsakes. Precious items that once adorned his office walls and bookshelves will now have a new place in his home.

A metal pipe from the Reflecting Pond 麻豆精品 S檚 old plumbing before it was refurbished in 2018.

A Florida Tech Boulevard street sign, which may or may not have been procured in an unofficial capacity in 1978 under the guise of darkness by some of his fraternity brothers.

But his most treasured mementos are the relationships he carries with him 麻豆精品 S� from the university to the community to government offices across the state.

麻豆精品 S淢y greatest fortune is the number of folks I 麻豆精品 S檝e had a chance to work with and develop long-term friendships with. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Fred Kittinger

麻豆精品 S淚t takes that trio to make an impact 麻豆精品 S� you 麻豆精品 S檝e got to have private industry, you 麻豆精品 S檝e got to have government, and you have to have the non-profit independent sector all working together, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淢y greatest fortune is the number of folks I 麻豆精品 S檝e had a chance to work with and develop long-term friendships with. I 麻豆精品 S檝e been very blessed. 麻豆精品 S�

He says his proudest moments are wrapped up in some of the university 麻豆精品 S檚 biggest milestones, all made possible through partnerships: approval for the College of Medicine; the creation of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA); 听the UCF Downtown campus; the growth of the UCF Business Incubation Program that spans all Central Florida counties; and working on the team that secured $90 million in Tourist Development Tax revenues from the Orange County Board of Commissioners to invest in Acrisure Bounce House.

麻豆精品 S淗is ability to build trust and make people feel valued has left a lasting impression on colleagues, partners and communities across our region, 麻豆精品 S� says Janet Owen, UCF vice president for government and听community relations and associate general counsel.

More Than a Job

In addition to his role as an administrator, Kittinger played an active part in students 麻豆精品 S� lives for many years.

Alongside Holsenbeck and former government relations team member Alison Schultz, Kittinger helped form and guide the UCF Legislative Scholars Program, a premier, immersive, full-time experience during state legislative sessions. From the classroom to the Capitol, students gain firsthand exposure to the legislative process by working directly with legislative staff and professional lobbyists in Tallahassee, Florida. Since the program 麻豆精品 S檚 inception in 2005, more than 320 students have participated.

Kittinger served as a longtime adjunct instructor in the , which is part of the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE).

Alongside his wife of 43 years, they established the Fred and Sandra Kittinger Scholarship Fund in 2020. This scholarship supports graduate students in public administration, assisting with tuition, textbooks, fees and any other items included in the cost of education.

麻豆精品 S淲hat has always set Fred apart is not just what he has done, but how he has done it, 麻豆精品 S� Owen says. 麻豆精品 S淗e brings a genuine positivity and a welcoming presence to every interaction, approaching his work with kindness, thoughtfulness and a sincere interest in others. On a personal level, I am especially grateful for Fred 麻豆精品 S檚 friendship and counsel over the years. He will be deeply missed. 麻豆精品 S�

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�

麻豆精品 S淥nce I realized it wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 a mistake, I was thrilled, 麻豆精品 S� says Xhemali, one of the inaugural recipients of the Katherine Crock Memorial Scholarship. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 financing this entire experience on my own, so every bit helps. That 麻豆精品 S檚 money I can now put toward my future. 麻豆精品 S�

For Xhemali, an aspiring lawyer, college once felt like a distant world reserved for others. Between traveling back-and-forth across the Atlantic Ocean to live with his parents in Albania and relatives in Chicago and Jacksonville, Florida, he constantly balanced family expectations with his own ambitions. Ultimately, Xhemali faced a difficult choice: work to support his family or focus solely on his studies. He chose both, supplementing his scholarship by working as a produce clerk at Publix and a warehouse shipper.

College of Business alum Raymond Smithberger 麻豆精品 S�02MBA understands that drive. Growing up on a 100-acre farm in Southeast Ohio, Smithberger learned the value of hard work and family obligation early on. The oldest of five, with a father who worked in a factory and a mother who was a receptionist, Smithberger was aware of the financial hurdles facing a first-generation student when he left home to pursue his undergraduate degree and later an MBA at UCF.

Now the chief operating officer at Help at Home, a national home care provider, Smithberger credits his late mother, Katherine Crock, for pushing him to blaze his own trail.

麻豆精品 S淪he was the one who really encouraged me to do things differently, 麻豆精品 S� Smithberger says.

Following his mother 麻豆精品 S檚 passing, Smithberger honored her legacy by creating the Katherine Crock Memorial Fund. The endowment ensures students like himself, and Xhemali, have the support they need to define their own futures 麻豆精品 S� and pays tribute to someone who valued education more than anything else.

UCF Day of Giving is Thursday, April 9. Join us during Knight Nation’s single largest day of impact as we support our favorite colleges, programs, student services, research endeavors and more. .

麻豆精品 S淸My mother] wanted to pursue further education but never had the chance, 麻豆精品 S� Smithberger says. 麻豆精品 S淚 feel honored to support other first-generation students in her memory. 麻豆精品 S�

Strategically launched last year on to maximize impact, visibility, and matching opportunities, the Katherine Crock Memorial Fund helps to expand student access, reduce financial barriers,and accelerate academic success. By funding both established and new scholarship initiatives, donors directly enable UCF students to focus on their studies and career-shaping experiences, such as internships and campus involvement, rather than financial stressors.

While the finer points of UCF Day of Giving are still new to Xhemali, he understands the significance ofSmithberger 麻豆精品 S檚 generosity.

麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 still fresh, but I 麻豆精品 S檓 figuring out this stuff, 麻豆精品 S� Xhemali says. 麻豆精品 S淲hat I do know is that I want to use this scholarship to put me in a position where I can help someone like Mr. Smithberger has helped me. 麻豆精品 S�