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�

For 25 years, members of have shared a powerful belief: investing in UCF is ultimately an investment in students and the lives they 麻豆精品 S檒l lead.

Through planned gifts such as bequests, estate plans and retirement assets, society members extend opportunity far beyond a single generation. Their support fuels scholarships, research and academic programs that prepare students to meet the evolving needs of industry and community.

In 2025 alone, planned gifts accounted for nearly one-third of all charitable support to UCF.

The society is named for UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 founding president, Charles Millican, a visionary who built the university with the future firmly in mind. During his tenure, Millican transformed 1,227 acres of Central Florida scrubland into an institution designed to support the space race and prepare students for careers in engineering and computer science. He championed what would become the Central Florida Research Park and helped shape UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 enduring ambition to reach for the stars.

Today, that vision lives on through more than 500 members of The Charles Millican Legacy Society 麻豆精品 S� and through the students whose futures are shaped by their generosity.

A World of Possibility

Thiago Maillo 麻豆精品 S檚 path to a bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 linear 麻豆精品 S� but it was driven by something unwavering: the pursuit of greater opportunity.

After his first year studying medicine at the Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Maillo realized he wanted a different future. He saw higher education in the United States as the place to build it. Just three months after applying to Valencia College, he moved to Florida and later .

“Scholarships have made all the difference. They 麻豆精品 S檝e made it possible for me to achieve my dreams.” 麻豆精品 S� Thiago Maillo, biomedical sciences major

Today, he 麻豆精品 S檚 a Burnett Honors Scholar and biomedical sciences major on the neuroscience track, with a minor in psychology. He 麻豆精品 S檚 conducted research at the Applied Cognition and Technology Lab, completed an internship with ThinkNeuro and serves as an undergraduate teaching assistant in Genetics and Embryology. He 麻豆精品 S檚 also found community as president of the Argentinian Student Association.

麻豆精品 S淏eing at UCF was my goal from the start, 麻豆精品 S� says Maillo, who plans to pursue a doctoral degree in cognitive neuroscience. 麻豆精品 S淚 love being a Knight. Scholarships have made all the difference. They 麻豆精品 S檝e made it possible for me to achieve my dreams 麻豆精品 S� and pave the way for my two siblings to follow in my footsteps. 麻豆精品 S�

Reimagining What 麻豆精品 S檚 Possible

Shannon Hankinson didn 麻豆精品 S檛 follow the traditional path to UCF 麻豆精品 S� she created her own.

A Tampa native and single mother of two, Hankinson spent years leading teams at Target before realizing that success and fulfillment aren 麻豆精品 S檛 always the same. Determined to change course, she saved money, left her job, earned an associate degree at Eastern Florida State College and transferred to UCF, becoming the first in her family to pursue a four-year degree.

“Donors made it possible for me to build a future that reflects my values and supports my family.” 麻豆精品 S� Shannon Hankinson, electrical engineering major

Now a senior electrical engineering major, she has seized several opportunities at UCF. She completed two semesters in the , joined the Society of Women Engineers and works as a research assistant in UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Radiation Effects Exploration Laboratory. There, she studies semiconductor reliability, hardware design and embedded systems under Assistant Professor Enxia Zhang. Through the Scalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement program, she also gained hands-on experience with the U.S. defense sector.

This spring, Hankinson will graduate debt-free 麻豆精品 S� supported by scholarships, research funding and a fellowship that 麻豆精品 S檒l carry her directly into a UCF master 麻豆精品 S檚 program. A doctorate is next.

麻豆精品 S淥ne of my goals was to show my children that it 麻豆精品 S檚 never too late to do what you want to do with your life, 麻豆精品 S� Hankinson says. 麻豆精品 S淒onors made it possible for me to build a future that reflects my values and supports my family. 麻豆精品 S�

A Lasting Legacy

On May 2, UCF celebrated the 25th anniversary of The Charles Millican Legacy Society. The milestone coincides with , which builds on the university 麻豆精品 S檚 commitment to accelerating student success, advancing research and driving societal impact.

“… support from … our Charles Millican Legacy Society members [continues] to power our innovators, educators and researchers …” 麻豆精品 S� Rod Grabowski, senior vice president of Advancement and Partnerships

麻豆精品 S淭his university was founded to serve the next great frontier 麻豆精品 S� America 麻豆精品 S檚 space race 麻豆精品 S� and it 麻豆精品 S檚 support from dedicated individuals like our Charles Millican Legacy Society members that continue to power our innovators, educators and researchers as they move that mission forward, 麻豆精品 S� says Rod Grabowski, senior vice president of Advancement and Partnerships and CEO of the UCF Foundation. 麻豆精品 S淔rom driving the latest advances in AI to creating next-level immersive experiences and sparking breakthrough medical research, UCF is building a future others have only imagined 麻豆精品 S� one that this society 麻豆精品 S檚 namesake would be proud to see. 麻豆精品 S�

Maillo is forging new frontiers for his family. Hankinson is showing her children what 麻豆精品 S檚 possible when you start again.

They aren 麻豆精品 S檛 outliers. They 麻豆精品 S檙e what happens when students with extraordinary drive meet extraordinary support.

This is the true legacy of UCF, of Millican and of the society members: students with the confidence to go further, supported by those who believe they can.

Four outstanding undergraduate students are redefining the boundaries of STEM through their high-impact research 麻豆精品 S� and in doing so, placing the university among the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 top producers of Goldwater Scholars.

The prestigious Goldwater Scholarship identifies and supports the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 best student researchers in the fields of engineering, mathematics and natural sciences.

This year 麻豆精品 S檚 honorees 麻豆精品 S� all expected to graduate next spring 麻豆精品 S� have propelled UCF into an elite tier of research institutions, surpassing several Ivy League institutions and tying for fourth in the nation in total Goldwater Scholars produced alongside Stanford University, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago. Their impactful work reflects UCF’s commitment to building a high-level research environment that empowers students to lead projects addressing significant global and scientific challenges.

Supporting Space Exploration

Goldwater Scholar: Keanu Brayman

Major: Mechanical engineering

Ultimate Goal: To develop robotic systems to support human exploration on Mars.

Keanu Brayman 麻豆精品 S檚 passion for space began early.

麻豆精品 S淥ne of my earliest memories is watching a Space Shuttle streak across the sky from a beach in South Florida, 麻豆精品 S� Brayman says. 麻豆精品 S淚 remember being amazed there were people on board and feeling drawn to one day help explore the stars and discover what lies beyond our planet. 麻豆精品 S�

At UCF, Brayman has refined that dream with the support of faculty and mentors 麻豆精品 S� including Department of Physics Chair and Professor Adrienne Dove, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Tarek Elgohary and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Engineer Christopher Proctor 麻豆精品 S� as well as through programs like the .

He plans to pursue a doctoral degree in aerospace engineering to support lunar exploration and NASA 麻豆精品 S檚 Artemis program, as well as develop robotic systems that can extract resources and build infrastructure to support human exploration on Mars.

Engineering the Brain

Goldwater Scholar: Kyle Coutray

Majors: Computer engineering and biomedical sciences

Ultimate Goal: To research ways to restore communication, movement and cognitive function to the brain through engineering methods.

Kyle Coutray is focused on the intersection of neuroscience and technology.

麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 interested in building systems that interact directly with the brain, 麻豆精品 S� Coutray says. 麻豆精品 S淚n the lab, 麻豆精品 S� [I 麻豆精品 S檓] blending [both majors] into one approach. 麻豆精品 S�

He aims to pursue a doctoral degree in neural engineering to further his research on brain-computer interfaces that translate complex brain activity into useful functions.

A 2026 Order of Pegasus inductee and a Burnett Honors Scholar, Coutray credits his success to disciplined focus and strong mentorship, particularly from Charles N. Millican Professor of Computer Science Joseph LaViola and Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Helen Huang.

Advancing Patient Care

Goldwater Scholar: Varun Nannuri

Major: Molecular and cellular biology

Ultimate Goal: To pursue a career as a physician-scientist.

Varun Nannuri is driven by a desire to understand why people experience different health outcomes and improve care.

“Through my clinical experiences, I have seen how much patients and families rely on physicians during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” Nannuri says. “My research experiences have shown me that better care depends on asking better questions.”

Nannuri plans to pursue a dual M.D./Ph.D. degree and become a physician-scientist. His ambition earned him recognition as a 2026 Order of Pegasus inductee while also completing his Honors Undergraduate Thesis. Nannuri is also a member of the Burnett Honors College as a Burnett Medical Scholar, a program that offers guaranteed admission to the UCF College of Medicine upon completion.

麻豆精品 S淯CF has given me opportunities to grow as a student, researcher, leader and future physician, 麻豆精品 S� Nannuri says.

Restoring Human Senses

Goldwater Scholar: Trevor Overton

Majors: Electrical engineering and biomedical sciences

Ultimate Goal: To improve the lives of people with disabilities through advanced robotic prostheses.

Burnett Honors Scholar Trevor Overton 麻豆精品 S檚 work centers on neuroengineering and next-generation prosthetics.

麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檝e always had a passion for building things, and I also love reading and watching sci-fi, 麻豆精品 S� Overton says. 麻豆精品 S淲hen UCF offered me the opportunity to join the MEDD [ 麻豆精品 S� I knew I had to take it. 麻豆精品 S�

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 MEDD program provides scientifically driven students like Overton with a unique opportunity to integrate engineering principles into medicine.

Much like the development of cochlear implants, Overton imagines similar breakthroughs with vision and touch.

麻豆精品 S淚 envision a future where robotic prostheses are so advanced that they could completely replace or enhance the abilities of humans, 麻豆精品 S� Overton says. 麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 not entirely impossible. 麻豆精品 S�

After earning a doctoral degree in electrical engineering with a focus on neuroengineering, he hopes to inspire the next generation 麻豆精品 S� just as his professors inspired him 麻豆精品 S� emphasizing that UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 strength lies in professors who actively invest in their students.

A Growing Research Powerhouse

With four 2026 Goldwater Scholarship recipients, UCF continues to strengthen its position as a leader in undergraduate research. The achievement reflects both students 麻豆精品 S� immense dedication and a university-wide commitment to driving innovation, mentorship and hands-on discovery. As these Knights prepare for the next steps in their academic journeys, they carry forward a shared mission: to turn research into real-world impact.

Students interested in applying for the Goldwater Scholarship or other major national awards should contact the Office of Prestigious Awards at聽opa@ucf.edu.

That 麻豆精品 S檚 because every dollar ripples far beyond a single day. Every gift opens doors: for students to chase a dream, create unforgettable memories, boldly invent the future and be recognized for their hard work. And every donor does more than give 麻豆精品 S� they ignite potential, spark inspiration and elevate Knights for generations.

With UCF Day of Giving 2026 right around the corner 麻豆精品 S� Thursday, April 9 麻豆精品 S� we 麻豆精品 S檙e reflecting on the transformational effects and personal stories of triumph that emerged from last year 麻豆精品 S檚 show of support, knowing that shortly, our collective contributions will set another wave of Black & Gold breakthroughs, successes and discoveries into motion.

Prioritizing Unique Opportunities

Area of Support: College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean 麻豆精品 S檚 Excellence Fund
Amount Raised: $67,421
Impact: Learning experiences

Growing up in rural Ohio, Jordan Hires, an aerospace engineering major and Burnett Honors College Scholar, often gazed at the boundless night sky, inspired by the astronauts from her home state of Ohio. Moving 1,000 miles away for college was daunting, but manageable. With her sights set on becoming a chief engineer for deep space flights, UCF offered two key benefits: a renowned aerospace engineering program and proximity to NASA.

麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 the best decision I 麻豆精品 S檝e made, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

Since becoming a Knight, she 麻豆精品 S檚 done backstage tours at NASA, met with industry leaders from Mitsubishi, Siemens Energy and Lockheed Martin, and even talked to a former astronaut at an awards ceremony. This past summer, she worked alongside Professor Kareem Ahmed in the Propulsion and Energy Research Lab as a U.S. National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) fellow, testing a solution to remove heat from engines 麻豆精品 S� research that could make hypersonic aircraft safer and cheaper. It was her second research experience as an undergrad.

麻豆精品 S淚 don 麻豆精品 S檛 know if it 麻豆精品 S檚 every little girl 麻豆精品 S檚 dream to work on classified projects with military and civilian applications, but it definitely was this little girl 麻豆精品 S檚 dream, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淭hanks to UCF, I 麻豆精品 S檝e had experiences that most students don 麻豆精品 S檛 get until graduate school. 麻豆精品 S�

Many of those opportunities are made possible by the College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean 麻豆精品 S檚 Excellence Fund, which supports hands-on learning, cutting-edge research equipment and innovative initiatives.

Supporting Lasting Memories

Area of Support: Marching Knights Scholarship Fund
Amount Raised: $14,067
Impact: Multiple scholarships for band members

For UCF Marching Knights President Zoie Taverna, two moments define her UCF experience: the rush of running onto the field for her first game and the bittersweet joy of singing the alma mater song alongside her best friend for their final game before graduation.

麻豆精品 S淔or three whole years, we stood next to each other in the stands, screaming, feeding off each other 麻豆精品 S檚 energy, 麻豆精品 S� Taverna says. 麻豆精品 S淔or her last game, we went all out. We couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 even talk by the end of it. We cried while singing the alma mater. 麻豆精品 S�

Taverna is among the Marching Knights whose experiences at UCF are bolstered by the Branen Band Endowed Scholarship, which helps cover essentials like textbooks, meals and rent that her Bright Futures scholarship does not. As a mechanical engineering major, band leader and corresponding secretary for the national chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, she packs her days with coursework, practice and student engagement.

During the summers, she works full-time at a summer camp for kids, and she spends her weekends and evenings at Panera Bread to save up enough to cover the expenses to allow her to stay focused while in school.

麻豆精品 S淲ithout scholarships, I wouldn 麻豆精品 S檛 have the time to do extracurriculars, such as Marching Knights, where I get to represent UCF in Central Florida and around the world, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淎nd I wouldn 麻豆精品 S檛 get to spend every Saturday in the Bounce House with all of my friends, immersed in the band life we love. 麻豆精品 S�

Illuminating Pathways

Area of Support: College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL)
Amount Raised: $54,880
Impact: $4,880 Went Toward Supporting 19 scholarships for attendees

This summer, high school student Chloe Phung left the bright lights of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to spend a week immersed in the study of light on UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 campus. As part of the third Laser and Photonics Summer Camp hosted by CREOL, she joined more than 50 high school students from across Central Florida 麻豆精品 S� and around the world.

麻豆精品 S淚 had the chance to learn many things, to learn more about optics, lenses and lasers, 麻豆精品 S� Phung says.

In addition to learning opportunities, the camp shines a light on the photonics industry, where more than 10,000 jobs open each year in the U.S., despite only 80 to 100 students in the nation graduating with bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degrees in photonics annually. A third of those graduates come from CREOL.

Paying it Forward

Area of Support: Dr. Michelle R. Dusseau Communication and Community Impact Endowed Scholarship Fund
Amount Raised: $1,780
Impact: $1,500 scholarship for one communication major, awarded annually

Beatrix Alerte transferred to UCF in Spring 2024 with a plan: build community on campus, explore a career in media, stay active in service and say yes to every opportunity.

The first three goals came naturally. She enrolled in classes, mentored two freshmen as part of the UCF chapter of Big Sister Little Sister mentoring program and served as a trip coordinator for the Alternative Spring Break Program. Alerte also gained work experience as a marketing ambassador for Project BEST, a Student Support Services project that supports first generation students, and as an intern with UCF Athletics.

Her final goal was made easier this summer when Alerte was named the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Michelle R. Dusseau Communication and Community Impact Endowed Scholarship, created this past year by longtime the College of Science‘s Nicholson School of Communication and Media faculty member Michelle Dusseau.

麻豆精品 S淭his scholarship has given me the freedom to say yes to career-building opportunities, many of which are unpaid, while worrying less about covering

personal living expenses, 麻豆精品 S� Alerte says. 麻豆精品 S淭hat support makes all the difference. 麻豆精品 S�

This UCF Day of Giving, we 麻豆精品 S檙e launching Knights to new heights! Save the date to on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Check out the to maximize your impact. And get ready to join your Knight Nation family as we Bounce, Stomp, Splash and Cheer our way to more impact than ever before.

The university recognized employees who reached milestone years of service, along with those recently retired or about to be. UCF also presented a Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award and excellence awards in recognition of employees who made exceptional contributions to benefit the campus community.

麻豆精品 S淲e celebrate your service, your dedication, and the impact you make across this university. But behind that recognition is something even more powerful: the daily commitment, the steady work, and the consistency that build momentum over time, 麻豆精品 S� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 麻豆精品 S淭he future we talk about at UCF is not something that begins someday. It is already taking shape in the work you do, in the systems you support, and in the experiences you create for our students.聽Thank you. 麻豆精品 S�

UCF this year brought a new category of Employee Leadership Excellence Awards, recognizing non-faculty administrative leadership at the director level and above. They joined the expanded Employee Excellence Awards, which highlighted the remarkable contributions of full-time employees up to an associate director level.

The employee event kicked off a Founders 麻豆精品 S� Day celebration that also included faculty and student celebrations. Combined, more than 900 honorees were recognized during the three ceremonies this year.

Here are the honorees from this year 麻豆精品 S檚 Employee Honors Celebration.

Excellence Awards

Employee Excellence Awards for Operational Excellence

Arijeta Kavaja, Public Safety

Cecily McCoy-Fisher, Office of Research

Anna Nye, Office of Risk and Safety

Cindy Prophitt, Facilities and Business Operations

Employee Excellence Awards for Student Success

Cynthia Almanzar, Student Success and Well-Being

Laura Czerkies, Burnett Honors College

Michael McKee, College of Optics and Photonics

Donna Mercado, College of Nursing

Employee Excellence Awards for Community Well-Being

Jodi Reinhart, College of Sciences

Lorna Rodriguez, College of Engineering and Computer Science

David Stoneburner, Office of Institutional Resources

Mykhael Walker, Analytics and Integrated Planning

Employee Excellence Awards for Service and Partnership

Drew Barnes, College of Graduate Studies

Faith DeLorenzo, Digital Learning

Lovelyn Findley, Advancement and Partnerships

Antoine Hart, University Strategic Communications

Employee Excellence Awards Nominees

Sadia Afrin

Cynthia Almanzar

Michelle Anchel

Otto Argibay

Anthony (Joey) Asti

Drew Barnes

Alexandra Barraza-Oliphant

Davalda 麻豆精品 S淒ee 麻豆精品 S� Bellot

Jim Bennett

Miryana Blesso

Monique Carter

Laura Czerkies

Faith DeLorenzo

Lovelyn Findley

Amanda Greaves

Antoine Hart

Christina Hussey

Alexis Hutchins

Erica Hutton

Kat Jones

Arijeta Kavaja

Marsha Kernica

Melina Kinsey

Keanna Machado

Jay Malcolm

Chuck Mannella

Samantha Mason

Cecily McCoy-Fisher

Michael McKee

Donna Mercado

Traci Mibuta

Anna Nye

Steven Pardo

Diana Perez

Anthony Piazza

Cindy Prophitt

Frances 麻豆精品 S淔ran 麻豆精品 S� Ragsdale

Matthew Rall

Jodi Reinhart

Lorna Rodriguez

Ashley Samson

William Self

Maricel Soto

Jennifer Stalzer

Emily Stettner

David Stoneburner

Jeremiah Taylor

Rebecca Underhill

Mykhael Walker

Denise Whiteside

Maria Williams

Employee Leadership Excellence Awards

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for Strategic Execution

Andre Watts, Analytics and Integrated Planning

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for People Leadership and Talent Stewardship

Andrea Withington, College of Community Innovation and Education

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for Advancing Collaboration and Partnership

Germayne Graham, Student Programs and Outreach

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for Innovation, Improvement, and Bold Action

Kim Smith, Office of Research

Employee Leadership Excellence Awards Nominees

Drew Andrews

Morgan Bauer

Austin Bott

Brian Boyd

David Canova

Megan Carrigan

Shafaq Chaudhry

Sherri Dixon

Madi Dogariu

Michael Duong

Amy Ellis

Gerard Flood

Steven Freund

Andrea Gandy

Delia Garcia

Germayne Graham

Stephanie Heron

Dana Juntunen

Kerlene King

Ashley Longoria

Ayanna Lopez

Carla McCabe

Rudy McDaniel

Amy Perry

Charlie Piper

Candida Richards

Elizabeth Richner

Cesar RiveraCruzado

Rex Roberts

Anastasia Salter

Wendy Sarubbi

Basma Selim

Kim Smith

Meghan Truhett

Suzzette Turner

Michael Wainstein

Tyler Walsh

Andre Watts

Danta White

Andrea Withington

Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award

Rosemarie Mendoza, Facilities and Business Operations

Emerita Status Awardee

Amy Giroux, College of Arts and Humanities

Employee Service Awards

45 Years of Service

Donna Hickson

35 Years of Service

Tina Maier

Michael Reed

Patricia Trovillion

30 Years of Service

Sharon Bady

Travis Cain

Adrianne Demetry

Francisco Dionisi

Joel Lavoie

Elizabeth Rivera

25 Years of Service

Herlinda Bedoya

Michael Bell

Abdulbaset Benwali

Terri Bigham

Bruce Boutwell

Olivia Bridges

Amy Buford

Cristina Caamano

Carlos Chardon

Keith Coelho

Janny Colon

Elizabeth Costello

Al Davis

Steven Dick

Rafael Durand

Sira Giron

Rebecca Hammond

Jonathan Hanie

Keith Honaker

Davina Hovanec

Latchmin Jaggernauth

Susan Jefferson

Georgia Kent

Michelle Matthews

Andrew O’Mara

Jennifer Opper

Naya Ramirez

Gail Raymond

Brenda Rodrigues

Timothy Ryan

Maria Santiago

Heather Simeon

Carl Truesdell

Meena Turner

Maria Williams

Dela Williams

Andrea Withington

20 Years of Service

Michael Aldarondo-Jeffries

Lindsay Archambault

Gloria Bastidas

Renee Bence

Eric Brewington

Daren Caine

Michael Callahan

Marc Cassidy

Robin Chan

Karen Cox

Kelley Dietrich

Matthew Dunn

Scott Eberle

Cecilia Elias

Samuel Ensenat

Marelis Figueredo Garcia

Matthew Fitzgerald

Scott Freeman

Glenn Gaborko

Tyniesia Gandy

Kelly Gill

Lindana Gomez

Brian Graham

Timothy Haduch

Jenny Hartman

Elizabeth Herrera

Sarah Hunt

Tamara Jomarron

Carreen Krapf

Ellaine Leodones

Marlene Lugo

Carlos Martinez

Deysi Mercedes

Heather Murphy

Uday Nair

Perla Ongy

Robert (Bob) Opdahl

Haresh Patel

Rachel Perry

Omesh Persaud

Sandy Pouliot

Christine Pugh

Luz Quintero

Maria Quintero

Christopher Rains

Tim Reid

Elizabeth Rodriguez

Terrance Rooth

Diana Santiago

Saul Santiago

Kathy Sapp

Basma Selim

Romeo Sibayan

Jeff Smith

George Taylor

Lynda Toussaint

Shreya Trivedi

Reina Vazquez

Tonya Walker

15 Years of Service

Marlene Agostini

Jose Arce

Lucy Bautista

Randy Beck

Aiza Beguez

Miryana Blesso

Carolyn Castro

Silvia Cerro

Lorinda Clark

Patricia Colyer

Theresa Davis

Dani Draper

Jennifer Elliott

Tamara Gabrus

Ernie Gemeinhart

Jessica Glaspie

James Grant

Lisa Haas

Allison Henderson

Maribel Herrera

Jason Kennedy

Ann Kershner

Usha Lal

Dora Laureano

Hank Lewis

Ujjwala Magdum

Jennifer Mark

Jessica Matos

Meghan McCollum

Amanda Miller

Tracey Morrison

Kimberly Nassoiy

Beth Nettles

Hoang Nguyen

Jorge Olmedo

Minh Phan

Rhett Proctor

Elida Prophete

Michael Pugh

Ligia Ramirez

Rebeca Richards

Maria Rodriguez

Daniel Sagendorf

Kimberly Sargent

Wendy Sarubbi

Nick Schenk

Dave Schreier

Lori Shuff

Jacob Skinner

Terri Smith

Suzanne Stalvey

Brian Strickland

Christy Tant

Freddie Tirado Jr.

Joanne Toole

Roger Tripp

Matthew Vaccaro

Tamara Vassallo Soto

Martha Wiggins

Wanda Wint

10 Years of Service

Danielle Adams

Terrell Alexander

Julissa Alicea

Lindsey Anderson

Nadine Arentz

Jose Ayala Torres

Morgan Bauer

Shaun Black

John Boehm

Kate Brinister

Danilo Canlas

Megan Carrigan

Melissa Choinski

Madhavi Chokshi

Lorine Cisch-Taylor

Lisa Clendenning

Shannon Colon

Robert Connors

John Cooke

Todd Coon

Richard Cortez-Satterlee

Joanna Couch

Brandon Couts

Meghan Crowther

Summer Davis

Katherine Del Cid

Vanessa Delgado

Gerald Dillon

Kerri Drylie

Mirvate El Jerdi

Shajira El Masri

Amy Ellis

Jerad Engel

Damian Fagan

Marites Falkenhausen

Sarah Farrell

Jessica Fasano

Ben Fauser

Melissa Fawcett

Janet Feliciano

Valentina Fernandez

Jason Francis

Neftali Garcia

Eileen Garner

Christopher Gase

Kristina Gomez

Agustin Gonzalez

Adriel Gonzalez Gutierrez

Ryan Goodwin

Liz Gordian Olmo

Walter Gordon

Rhonda Granger Gomez

Josh Haupt

George Hayner Jr.

Rita Higgins

Katherine Hoefer

Elizabeth Hughes

Erica Hutton

Renee Johnston

Nathanael Jones

Megan Kellogg

Brian Kelly

Mike Kilbride

Maureen Landgraf

Daniel Lee

Missy Lesnewski

Ian Levy

Sarojben Limbachia

George Lopez

Ricardo Lopez

Juan Lugo

Karemah Manselle

Kristy McAllister

Justin McGill

Pamela McGlinchey

Oliver McSurley

Rebecca Meadows

Nelson Mendez

Pamela Mills

Mike Minutelli

Eli Mizell

Angela Moreira

Rebecca Mowrer

Lauren Murray-Lemon

David Neese

Lucas Noboa

Loida Olivas

Jeffrey Panter

Steven Pardo

Juana Pasco

Laura Patterson

Deborah Pease

Miguel Pellot

Ryan Pendry

Karen Peterson

Wanda Pruett-Butler

Abner Ramos Pi帽ero

Erica Recktenwald

Samantha Redlund

Elizabeth Richner

Carlos Rivera

Victor Rivera

Lisa Roberts

Jacob Scholtz

Skender Shehu

Mari Sievinen

Kiela Sims

Aaron Smart

Liza Smith

Casey Smith

Esperanza Soto

Calvin Soto

Tenley Sterkel

Timothy Sullivan

Jackson Thevenin

Danielle Traylor

Wanda Tummons

Anna Velocci

Brian Villar

Stephen Villiotis

Paul Werden

Jonathan White

Barbara Wilson

Dylan Yonts

5 Years of Service

Lidya Abdelmalak

Elna Andreeva

Dana Archer

Linnette Aviles

Jessica Banos

Arismir Barreiras Peralta

Kristy Beitler

Summer Bernini

Abby Bertrand

Mayra Bonilla Torres

Melissa Braillard

Drew Bryant

Barbara Busch

Jess Camacho

Alexander N. Cartwright

Maria Ceku

Gianna Cifredo

Wilfredo Cornelio

Mario De Vera

Franco Del Pino

Mark Durbin

David Edgar

Lori Fiandra

Steven Fournier

Amoy Fraser

Raquela Garcia-Valenzuela

Melissa Gilliland

Luis Gonzalez

Marisela Guillen

Kathleen Hawkins

Robert Herr

Donna Jackson

Chase Jicha

Justin Kardach

Jamie Kaynan

Scott Langdon

Sarah Lardizabal

Kristeena LaRoue

Angela Lehman

Lucy Leon

Lawrence Lipe

Alex Lucchi

Marc Maheu

Alli Maiorano

Martha Martin

Reyner Martinez

Kate Mascheri

Angelica Mateo

Stephanie Mederos

Christopher Miller

Sarah Moore

Mindy Mozena

Lisa Myles

Iris Neil

Veronica Pak

Evgenia Pamer

Neelam Patel

Tran Pham

Cat Puckett

Monica Quimbayo

Michael Rivera

Marvecia Robinson

Leslie Rogers

Mary Rush

Luis Sanchez Artavia

Kyle Sindelar

Monica Smith

Yulisney Sotolongo

Garrett Spurlin

Jennifer Stalzer

Kimberly Stangle

Kenneth Steele

Lorenzo Stefko

Shari-Ann Stewart

Jane Stump

Elizabeth Tammaro

Jason Taningco

Raquel Toro-Espinal

Pia Valenciano

Thaina Velez

Danta White

Roksana Zak

Recognition of Retirees

Rafael Abreu

Yousef Ayoub

Pam Barkman

Suzette Batka

Emily Bennett

Richard Berwanger

Jeanne Blank

Patrick Blount

Parri Bolinger

Marcus Bowan

Deborah Bradford

Roanne Brice

Gary Burkhart

Rose Carpenter

Rick Catasus

Edgar Chavez

Willis Chico

Eunice Choi

Diane Claudio

Theresa Collins

Debra Copertino

Laura Crouch

Carol Davella

Karen Dlhosh

Debbie Doyle

Carol Ann Dykes Logue

Larry Eflin

Joseph Finnigan

Perry Fraser

Catherine Gholson

Amy Giroux

Robert Goater

Mariela Gonzalez

Tracy Griffith

Mark Gumble

Tania Gutierrez-Catasus

Martha Hamann

MJ Herbert Fuerst

Bethsy Hernandez

Ana Hernandez

Cherie Herrin

Michael Herring

Cathy Hill

Jane Ingalls

Wayne Jackson

Larry Jaffe

Daniel Kidder

Lee Kirkpatrick

Phyllis Kornegay

Melinda Kramer

Donna Leavitt

Ruben Lopez

Dennis Maddox

Kelli Marini

Janice Matley

Marcia Maukonen

Oscar Mauricio

James 麻豆精品 S淛im 麻豆精品 S� McCully

Carrie McDowell

Linda Milner

Bruce Mink

Michele Monteith

Abderrahim Mouhassin

Christine Mouton

Jesus Munoz

Chuck Nicholas

Stephen OConnell

Leonardo Pascua

Esther Pennepacker

Rosario Pizarro

Brenda Posey

Michele Pozdoll

Odus Radford

Frances Ragsdale

Cindy Rahrle

Robert Reed

Wayne Regilio

Stella Restrepo

Kayonne Riley

Iris Rios

Charles Roberts

Norma Robles

Aimara Rodriguez

James Roop

Rosalba Ruiz

Eileen Ryan

Judith Samuels

Nicolas Santos

James Schaus

Jeanette Schreiber

Susan Schroen

Alison Schultz

Elena Sequera

Kelly Shilton

Michael Shumack

Shela Siegrist

Liza Smith

Karen Smith

Kathleen Snoeblen

Terry Stein

Peter Stephens

Patty Stroupe

Timothy Sullivan

Randolph Sulter

Jeffrey Ulmer

Lisa Vaughn

Luis Velozo

Rebecca Vilsack

Vicki Vitale

Deborah Walker

Kerry Welch

Maria Jocelyn Wick

Scott Wiles

Elena Wilson

Robert Wong

Our students are groundbreaking national and global scholarship winners, researchers, athletes, teaching assistants, residence assistants and leaders in campus organizations, including Student Government, LEAD Scholars and the President 麻豆精品 S檚 Leadership Council. The honorees include transfer students, those from first-generation and international backgrounds and members of the Burnett Honors College.

Aside from focusing on academics and campus causes, many of the student honorees volunteered at hospitals, schools, parks, food banks, shelters, clinics, youth clubs and with many community service organizations 麻豆精品 S� at times as organizers and coordinators for support drives and campaigns.

麻豆精品 S淲hen you look at this group, you see trajectory. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� John Buckwalter, UCF’s provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs

麻豆精品 S淭he students we recognize at our Founders 麻豆精品 S� Day Student Honors Celebration are extraordinary not just for what they 麻豆精品 S檝e achieved, but for how they 麻豆精品 S檝e shaped their time at UCF. They 麻豆精品 S檝e pursued opportunities, challenged themselves and lifted others along the way, 麻豆精品 S� says John Buckwalter, UCF’s provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. 麻豆精品 S淲hen you look at this group, you see trajectory 麻豆精品 S� students whose experiences here are opening doors in meaningful ways and changing the direction of their futures, the trajectories of their families and the communities they inhabit. 麻豆精品 S�

Student award categories highlight new inductees of the Order of Pegasus, UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 highest student honor; graduate awards for outstanding master 麻豆精品 S檚 thesis and outstanding dissertation; undergraduate awards for honors thesis; and individual college awardees as chosen by the respective college deans. All honorees earned financial awards.

This year 麻豆精品 S檚 37 inductees into the Order of Pegasus mark the 25^th anniversary class of top-achieving Knights. The average GPA of the 2026 class is 3.912.

The campus community is invited to attend the Student Honors Celebration on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Student Union 麻豆精品 S檚 Pegasus Ballroom. A brief reception will follow.

Here are the students to be recognized.

Order of Pegasus Inductees

• Fatima Alziyad, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Andy Ayup, College of Sciences
• Megan Bailey, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
• Stacie Becker 麻豆精品 S�23, College of Arts and Humanities
• Akash Hari Bharath 麻豆精品 S�25MS, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Swati Bhargava 麻豆精品 S�25MS, College of Optics and Photonics
• Sanjana Bhatt, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Griffon Binkowski 麻豆精品 S�24, College of Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Ossyris Bury, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
• Nico Chen, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College
• Kyle Coutray, College of Medicine, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
• Allyson Crighton, College of Nursing and Burnett Honors College
• Nyauni Crowelle-Feggins, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Cameron Cummins, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College
• Andrew 麻豆精品 S淒rew 麻豆精品 S� Hansen 麻豆精品 S�25, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Andrea Hernandez Gomez, College of Sciences
• Lindsey Hildebrand, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Ariana Johnson, College of Medicine
• Sanjan Kumar 麻豆精品 S�23, College of Medicine
• Kworweinski Lafontant, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Meera Lakshmanan, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Abrianna Lalle, College of Nursing
• Ilana Logvinov, College of Nursing
• Hannah Lovejoy, College of Business
• Taiel Lucile, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Robin Marquez, College of Sciences
• Shanel Moya Aguero, College of Community Innovation and Education and Burnett Honors College
• Gabrielle 麻豆精品 S淕abby 麻豆精品 S� Murison, College of Sciences
• Varun Nannuri, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Natalie Otero, College of Business and Burnett Honors College
• Om Pathak, College of Medicine, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College
• Pritha Sarkar 麻豆精品 S�24, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Jacob Vierling, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Janapriya Vijayakumar, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Ornella Vintimilla, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Om Vishanagra, College of Medicine, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College

Undergraduate Student Awards

College Founders 麻豆精品 S� Award

• Liam Pivnichny, Burnett Honors College
• Antonella Bisbal Hernandez, College of Arts and Humanities
• Jordan Nell, College of Business
• Jude Hagan, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Ossyris Bury, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Timothy Horanic, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Sun Latt, College of Medicine
• Abrianna Lalle, College of Nursing
• Jacob Silver, College of Optics and Photonics
• Emily Willis, College of Sciences
• Fabian Rodriguez Gomez, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis

• Edwin Garcia 麻豆精品 S�25, College of Arts and Humanities, Outstanding Honors Thesis in Arts, Humanities and Creative Inquiry
• Eric Haseman 麻豆精品 S�25, College of Sciences, Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis in Social Sciences
• Shreya Pawar 麻豆精品 S�25, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis in Natural Sciences
• Andrea Molero Perez 麻豆精品 S�25, College of Medicine, Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis in Health Sciences
• Nicholas Rose 麻豆精品 S�25, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Outstanding Honors Thesis in Engineering and Technology

Graduate Student Awards

Outstanding Dissertation

• Jessica Moon 麻豆精品 S�25PhD, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Michael Pierro 麻豆精品 S�20 麻豆精品 S�23MS 麻豆精品 S�25PhD, College of Engineering and Computer Science

With its 12th class in 11 years, the 30 Under 30 program recognizes alumni under the age of 30 whose professional achievements, leadership and service reflect the bold spirit, values and impact of the University of Central Florida. The program also underscores UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 role in developing highly skilled graduates who fuel innovation, service and economic impact in Florida and beyond.

麻豆精品 S淭hese alumni embody the spirit of UCF in every sense, 麻豆精品 S� says聽Heather Junod 麻豆精品 S�98, associate vice president of alumni engagement and annual giving. 麻豆精品 S淓ach year, my pride grows as we recognize a new class of 30 Under 30 honorees who are leading with integrity,聽creativity聽and courage. Their achievements are extraordinary, but what inspires me most is their commitment to service 麻豆精品 S� to their communities, their聽professions聽and their alma mater. They remind聽us聽all of聽the power of a UCF education and the impact Knights can make when they dare to lead. 麻豆精品 S�

Hundreds of nominations were submitted online between Oct. 3 麻豆精品 S擭ov. 12, 2025. Applications were reviewed and scored by previous award recipients, UCF Young Alumni ambassadors and UCF staff. Finalists were then confirmed by the UCF Alumni Board of Directors based on the following criteria:

• Must be a graduate of UCF (undergraduate or graduate degree)

• Must be 29 or younger as of June 1, 2026

• Must聽demonstrate聽a commitment to聽maintaining聽a lifelong relationship with UCF and upholding UCF Young Alumni values

麻豆精品 S淥n behalf of the UCF Young Alumni Community, congratulations to the remarkable members of the 2026聽Class of 30 Under 30, 麻豆精品 S� says聽Austin Wilson聽 麻豆精品 S�22, chair of the UCF Alumni Community. 麻豆精品 S淭hese honorees聽represent聽the future of Knight Nation. Their ambition,聽leadership聽and dedication to making a difference reflect the values that connect us as alumni. We are proud to celebrate not only what they have already聽accomplished, but the incredible impact they will continue to make as leaders,聽mentors聽and advocates for UCF. 麻豆精品 S�

UCF Alumni will celebrate the 2026 award recipients at a special event on Saturday, May 16, at the Addition Financial Arena. A complete slate of the honorees, listed alphabetically by last name, appears below. Past recipients can be found on the .

Cassandra Allen ’18
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤 麻豆精品 S檚听颈苍听health sciences

Samantha Archer Stoltz ’24
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 biology
Burnett Honors College

Chloe Artrip ’19 ’23DPT
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 health sciences
Doctorate in physical therapy

Coral Barron Patraca ’19
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 aerospace engineering
Burnett Honors College

Ana Beltran ’19 ’24MFA
Bachelor’s in digital media-game design
Bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 in emerging media-animation
Master’s in emerging media-animation and visual effects聽

Mishka Brice ’19
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 political science
Burnett Honors College

Taya Britten ’20
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 interdisciplinary studies聽

Brenden Brown ’20 ’23MHA
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 health sciences
惭补蝉迟别谤’蝉听颈苍 health administration

Dominic Davis ’21
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 human communication

Jalynn Edmon ’25
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 nursing

Olivia聽Feild聽’20 ’22MS
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 forensic science
惭补蝉迟别谤’蝉听颈苍 forensic science
Burnett Honors College

Marshall Fornataro-Minnig ’22MS
惭补蝉迟别谤’蝉听颈苍 interactive entertainment聽

Katherine Grand ’23 ’25MHA
Bachelor’s in health services administration
惭补蝉迟别谤’蝉听颈苍 health administration

Michele Guillard ’20
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 health sciences
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 interdisciplinary studies
Burnett Honors College

Margaret Hall ’22
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 legal studies
Burnett Honors College

Neda Hamood ’22 ’24MS
Bachelor’s in biomedical sciences
Master’s in biomedical sciences
Burnett Honors College

Jaquesha Jefferson ’22
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 health sciences

Derreasha聽Jones ’21 ’24MA
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 psychology
惭补蝉迟别谤’蝉听颈苍 counselor education聽

Mailuce聽Louidor ’20
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 nursing

Faith McFarland ’19 ’22MA
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 psychology
惭补蝉迟别谤’蝉听颈苍 clinical psychology

Hannah Miner ’20
Bachelor’s in forensic science

Lawrence Oks ’21 ’22MS
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 computer science
惭补蝉迟别谤’蝉听颈苍 computer science
Burnett Honors College

Jillian Pirozzi ’22 ’25MHA
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 health sciences
惭补蝉迟别谤’蝉听颈苍 health administration

Emily Puia ’22
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 human communication

Matthew Rall ’19
Bachelor’s in emergency management

Michael Raymond ’19
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤 麻豆精品 S檚听颈苍 business economics

Shaina Ruth ’18
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 criminal justice聽

Maximillian Seidel ’18
Bachelor’s in management

Autumn Shackelford ’25PhD
Doctorate in physics

Nicholas Vaughn ’19
叠补肠丑别濒辞谤’蝉听颈苍 biology

Why this year is significant for UCF: From the 13,000 graduates who applied for the fellowship nationwide, the NSF awarded only 1,500 (about one in nine). Those honorees receive financial support for advanced education and a stipend for their research. Six of them are UCF alums who are now set up to advance research in the areas of interest they discovered as undergraduates.

If you only remember one item: The NSF considers these six graduates among our nation 麻豆精品 S檚 next high-achieving scientists and engineers.

Alejandro Aparcedo Gonzalez 麻豆精品 S�24

Computer science alum and computer vision graduate student

He 麻豆精品 S檚 working on his master 麻豆精品 S檚 in computer vision at UCF, with an eye on 麻豆精品 S渁dvancing video understanding with multimodal artificial intelligence (AI). 麻豆精品 S� In short, Gonzalez sees into the future.

Research Interest: In professional terms, I 麻豆精品 S檓 finding ways for computer vision to improve human understanding of the real world. In practical terms, the end goal is to give humans time for leisure activities. The way I see it, that 麻豆精品 S檚 essentially the goal of AI research.

Research Inspiration: My parents owned a computer shop when I was a kid, so I 麻豆精品 S檝e always been comfortable with technology. Turns out, my parents (like a lot of people) still had a lot to learn. Now they use AI in their own work, and I see how it leaves them more time to engage in other activities.

For Example: With the perfect video understanding model, we could make a device to help blind people to navigate the world by asking the device questions, like, 麻豆精品 S淚s it safe to cross the street? 麻豆精品 S� Using AI, the device would understand the visual context of traffic, obstacles, and pedestrian signals, and give reliable guidance.

How UCF Provided a Path: I was introduced to this field in the Center for Research in Computer Vision, the same place where I learned about the fellowship. I 麻豆精品 S檓 now the first person in my family to pursue a Ph.D.

Career Vision: I 麻豆精品 S檇 like to work in a top AI lab and then transition into academia 麻豆精品 S� or maybe the other way around.

Madisyn Brooks 麻豆精品 S�23

Physics alum

As Gonzales sees into the future, Brooks sees into the past, using the largest telescope in space 麻豆精品 S� the James Webb Space Telescope 麻豆精品 S� as a doctoral student at the University of Connecticut.

Research Interest: I study the earliest observable galaxies and black holes (BHs) to find out how they grow and evolve, and how they differ from those in closer galaxies like the Milky Way 麻豆精品 S� always asking why.

Research Inspiration: It 麻豆精品 S檚 simple 麻豆精品 S� I love observational astronomy. It 麻豆精品 S檚 amazing that we can use technology to observe objects that existed in the first 500 Mega years of the birth of the universe.

How UCF has Provided a Path: I studied Saturn 麻豆精品 S檚 rings in the Planetary Rings group under the direction of Dr. Joshua Colwell. That fun and welcoming environment allowed me to grow my skills and discover a new love: observational data analysis.

Career Vision: I came to UCF because of its connection to the Space Coast, and now I 麻豆精品 S檓 looking at the real possibility of working as a research scientist at a NASA institute, hopefully while also working at a planetarium.

Katia Destine 麻豆精品 S�25

Interdisciplinary studies alum, Burnett Honors Scholar and

She just began work on a doctoral degree in sociology at the University of Maryland where, thanks to financial support from the NSF Graduate Fellowship, she 麻豆精品 S檚 training to be a social scientist.

Research Interest: I look at working-class artists and the creator economy to find how power structures work in media, technology, community resources and public policy. My goal is a more equitable media landscape, better working conditions for artists and accessible resources for all.

Research Inspiration: My mother immigrated from Haiti and raised me on housekeeper wages. I realized higher education would be the best way to improve our social mobility and socioeconomic reality. Those experiences ignited my interest in researching social [dynamics] in media.

How UCF has Provided a Path: The clubs and organizations at UCF were my first steps. Then I did a study with Dr. Sharon Woodill on Hollywood 麻豆精品 S檚 socio-political and economic structures. I 麻豆精品 S檓 grateful for the McNair Scholarship, which helps low-income and first-gen students prepare for graduate school while mentoring undergraduate researchers.

Career Vision: I want to work as a social scientist and public scholar, and to make science more equitable and accessible to everyone.

Darrell Nieves Lugo 麻豆精品 S�24

Aerospace engineering alum and graduate student

The B.S.-to-M.S. aerospace program at UCF allowed him a seamless transition to begin focusing on his rotorcraft research, with plans to share his research with aerospace professionals through the NSF Fellowship.

Research Interest: Helicopter and tiltrotor blades can be unstable. So, I 麻豆精品 S檓 using computational fluid dynamics and machine learning to show that instability can be mitigated through a novel approach.

Research Inspiration: As kid from Puerto Rico, I visited KSC with my family in 2015. That experience filled me with awe and instilled a desire to be an aerospace engineer.

How UCF has Provided a Path: As a sophomore, I participated in a quadcopter design project through my engineering club (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) 麻豆精品 S� and got hooked. Making FPV (first-person view) drones became my hobby, which grew into a specific interest in computational methods.

Career Vision: I 麻豆精品 S檇 like to advance the technology of rotorcraft, planetary vehicles, and in the emerging field of air mobility. With God 麻豆精品 S檚 favor, perhaps I can inspire the next generation, especially those from Puerto Rico, to push the boundaries of what is possible.

Chris Sarkis 麻豆精品 S�22

Biology alum

She grew up in Orlando, enrolled at UCF to stay close to the ocean, and is staying in the place she loves so she can pursue a doctoral degree in integrative and conservation biology.

Research Interest: My interests center around the population genomics of fish and rays. By using DNA, we can better understand how populations are related, how they move and how they adapt to their environment. The end goal is to improve species management and conservation efforts.

Research Inspiration: I 麻豆精品 S檝e always been captivated by how much we don 麻豆精品 S檛 know about the ocean and the species living in it. This research feels like working on a giant puzzle with no edges.

How UCF has Provided a Path: I joined Dr. Anna Forsman and Dr. Erin Seney in the Marine Turtle Research Group to use genomic methods in a study of the sea turtle diet. That project inspired me to continue applying genomics to ecology and conservation.

Career Vision: I 麻豆精品 S檓 still exploring options, but my experiences at UCF have helped me uncover a passion for working with genomic data.

Connor Shrader 麻豆精品 S�23

Mathematics alum and Burnett Honors Scholar

Because the NSF Fellowship is portable, Shrader has landed at the University of Utah, which he calls an amazing place to be a mathematics doctoral student. 麻豆精品 S淎 mathematical biologist, to be exact, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

Research Interest: I use math tools, such as probability and calculus, to model and simulate biological processes. These models can then be used to test theories against data, or to predict what will happen if we alter a biological system.

For Example: These models can help us understand how aging affects male fertility. I 麻豆精品 S檓 currently doing that by using data from a biology lab that studies spermatogonia stem cells in zebrafish.

Research Inspiration: Math inspiration is all around us. I find it amazing how well math can represent the world in a way that meaningfully creates new understanding.

How UCF has Provided a Path: I always loved math but didn 麻豆精品 S檛 know about mathematical biology until I took a course with Dr. Andrew Nevai during my sophomore year. It became my field of interest.

Career Vision: I want to do interdisciplinary research that advances math and biology. The NSF honor doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 define my future goals, but it does give me autonomy to work my way closer to them.

Students interested in applying for the U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship program or other major national awards should contact the Office of Prestigious Awards at opa@ucf.edu.

Angelouise De La Cruz

Fulbright Location: Spain
Fulbright Role: English Teaching Assistant (ETA)
UCF Degree: Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
Future Goals: International University Educator

Angelouise De La Cruz 麻豆精品 S檚 love of Spanish traditions and language began with food and has led her to an incredible cascade of cultural opportunities. Growing up in a Filipino Spanish household, she watched her grandmother prepare escabeche and paella, recipes that were passed down from her great-grandfather who emigrated from Madrid. That family story became a powerful motivation for De La Cruz to explore the Spanish traditions that was part of her history more deeply.

麻豆精品 S淢y journey with the Spanish language and [traditions] is not only driven by 麻豆精品 S� curiosity but also feels deeply familial, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

In 2022, this reverence took her to Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona through UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Barcelona International Summer School program, where she took courses that explored the European Union 麻豆精品 S檚 social policy as well as Spanish history from the Moorish period to the modern era. Taking part in these critical discussions and in the traditions-based experiences she had outside the classroom broadened her sense of global citizenship. They also inspired her to act as a ambassador who could move between languages and communities with empathy and curiosity. She additionally took part in a clinical internship in Sydney, Australia, which also further deepened her global perspective. It also reminded her just how much she admired Spain 麻豆精品 S檚 language. Upon attending a Spanish festival in Australia, she found herself deeply missing the Spanish traditions and food she had already experienced in Spain.

At UCF, De La Cruz majored in health sciences with a focus on kinesiology, blending her scientific interests with a passion for education and international service. As a supplemental physics instructor during the pandemic, she honed her teaching skills by designing lessons that met students where they were academically and personally, a strategy she plans to take with her to her classroom in Spain. On her Fulbright mission, De La Cruz says that 麻豆精品 S渋t is now [her] turn to give back and aid students in Spain in developing a connection with the English language. 麻豆精品 S� She is most excited to deepen her relationship with Spanish traditions, empower students through language and grow as an educator through her experiences with the Fulbright Grant.

Advice to Future Applicants: 麻豆精品 S�Be honest and authentic. Make sure to highlight your unique personal experiences to let the writing flow naturally, 麻豆精品 S� De La Cruz says. 麻豆精品 S淭his may mean taking time to self-reflect and think about how all of your experiences shape you and your mission. Reflect on how you 麻豆精品 S檝e already impacted your communities and how you intend to do so in the future. 麻豆精品 S�

Francisco Del Prado

Fulbright Location: Poland
Fulbright Role: English Teaching Assistant
UCF Degree: Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Future Goals: Doctoral Candidate and University-Level Educator

Francisco Del Prado first heard about the Fulbright ETA grant while earning his certificate in teaching English as a foreign language when professors and guest speakers described their own experiences abroad. By the time he began his master 麻豆精品 S檚 in TESOL at UCF, he was set on a career in English language teaching and began to narrow his focus. He realized his strongest interest was in working with adults, students who bring their own professional and cultural perspectives into the classroom. That led him to Poland, where ETAs can teach at the university level and work closely with faculty and students in an academic setting.

His teaching experience covers a range of ages, settings and geographic contexts. At UCF, he taught undergraduate courses in applied linguistics and sociolinguistics, helping students explore the relationship between language theory and real-world teaching. In Dublin, he taught English to teenagers from across the globe, leading conversation clubs that encouraged students to share their own traditions while learning about Irish life. In Orlando, he worked with adult learners pursuing academic degrees or advancing their careers, designing lessons and workshops that reflected their specific goals. He approaches each classroom with an awareness of how a student 麻豆精品 S檚 first language shapes their learning, noting that even small differences, like the way Polish speakers hear certain English vowel sounds, can open opportunities for clearer communication.

In September, Del Prado will join the Faculty of Philology at the University of Bia艂ystok. He plans to incorporate interactive activities, such as American game shows adapted for language learning and traditional exchanges that invite students to explore both English and American life. He sees the Fulbright as an opportunity not only to deepen his teaching skills, but also to connect with a community that already feels familiar through past encounters with Polish friends and family connections. Del Prado says that the program is a way to continue the kind of cultural exchange that first inspired him to teach.

麻豆精品 S淧articipating in the Fulbright Program in Poland will give me invaluable experience on the path to achieving my academic career goals, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

After the grant, he plans to pursue a doctorate in applied linguistics and teach at the university level, sharing his Fulbright experiences with future educators.

Advice to Future Applicants: 麻豆精品 S淏uild genuine relationships with professors, mentors and supervisors who can speak to your work, 麻豆精品 S� Del Prado says. 麻豆精品 S淎nd expect the process to take time. There can be long stretches between application and results, so keep yourself busy with classes or work while you wait. 麻豆精品 S�

Julia Going

Fulbright Location: South Korea
Fulbright Role: U.S.-Korea Presidential STEM Initiative Award at Yonsei University
UCF Degree: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering,
Future Goals: Global Researcher and Collaborator

Julia Going 麻豆精品 S檚 path to Fulbright began in her hometown of Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Growing up there, she was exposed to the environmental consequences on waterways were impacted by industrial sources. As a teenager, she attended U.S. Environmental Protection Agency meetings and shadowed cleanup workers at one of the town 麻豆精品 S檚 Superfund sites. This experience reshaped how she saw her community and inspired her to pursue environmental engineering. She says that it 麻豆精品 S渇orever altered the way [she] saw [her] hometown and gave [her] the confidence to believe [she] could make an impact. 麻豆精品 S�

At UCF and as a Burnett Honors Scholar, she brings that passion into focus as a student researcher working on environmental sensing technologies. She 麻豆精品 S檚 also a Division I rowing coxswain. Both of these roles have taught her discipline, resilience and the value of collective purpose.

Going 麻豆精品 S檚 time in South Korea will not be her first time abroad. In Summer 2024, she traveled to Busan, South Korea, to conduct NSF-funded research at Dong-A University, where she worked on optimizing nanomaterials for energy applications. Alongside master 麻豆精品 S檚 and doctoral students in South Korea, she worked on optimizing nanowire fabrication for use in supercapacitors. She immersed herself in both lab practices and daily life. She spent her evenings exploring Busan, riding the subway and bonding with colleagues over street food. These experiences deepened her appreciation for the intersection of science and traditions. They sparked her Fulbright mission to return to South Korea and contribute to hydrogen energy innovation through advanced materials research.

The Fulbright Grant is more than just a research opportunity for Julia. She sees Fulbright as a bridge between the U.S. and South Korea, but also between lab work and practical experience.

麻豆精品 S淚 hope that my experience in South Korea will not only help me hone my research skills and make strides in materials for green energy but also provide a network of academic colleagues to collaborate with and a wider understanding of the global scientific community, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

After completing her grant, she plans to pursue a master 麻豆精品 S檚 in materials science and engineering at Stanford, with the goal of returning to South Korea for postdoctoral work and building long-term collaborations in green energy innovation.

Advice to Future Applicants: 麻豆精品 S�Start the application early, especially when it comes to securing a letter of affiliation, 麻豆精品 S� Going says. 麻豆精品 S淚dentify a potential university and professor in advance. Sometimes, it helps to reach out to professors at your home institution, as they may have international connections who can help facilitate this process. 麻豆精品 S�

Oscar Lopez

Fulbright Location: Spain
Fulbright Role: English teaching assistant
UCF Degree: Master of Arts in Spanish
Future Goals: Doctoral Candidate and Educator

Oscar Lopez 麻豆精品 S檚 path to Fulbright began with his graduate studies in Spanish at UCF, where his research and coursework centered on Peninsular literature from the Medieval period to the 18th century. As he reached the final stages of his program, Lopez says he saw living and teaching in Spain as 麻豆精品 S渁 unique culmination to [his] intense study of the literature coming out of Spain. 麻豆精品 S� For him, the experience will allow him to engage directly with the traditions and history that have shaped his field of study. Teaching English at the university level in Spain felt like a natural next step for both his professional growth and his own curiosity.

Lopez 麻豆精品 S檚 teaching experience spans a variety of roles, from tutoring undergraduate Spanish students at UCF to serving as instructor of record for multiple elementary-level Spanish courses. These roles strengthened his ability to connect with students through literature, history and cultural analysis. His academic background is paired with a strong commitment to communication, both as a discipline, through his undergraduate degree in communication studies and as a skill, cultivated through years of public-facing work. He also draws from his Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage, which deepens his interest in how language and identity intersect, especially in multicultural classrooms.

In September, Lopez will travel to Spain to join a university community where he plans to create opportunities for dialogue inside and outside the classroom. He says he hopes to design lessons that highlight 麻豆精品 S渢he different components of language and [traditions that] come from Spain, 麻豆精品 S� while also encouraging students to explore American literature, film and traditions. He sees the Fulbright year as a chance to reflect on his own path, gain new perspectives on life in Europe and consider the kind of educator and leader he wants to become. After the grant, he plans to pursue a doctorate in educational leadership and continue teaching at the high school or university level, with a focus on empowering students to embrace their heritage and step outside their comfort zones.

Advice to Future Applicants: 麻豆精品 S淕ather as much information as possible! Befriend people on social media, look at other Fulbright grantees 麻豆精品 S� LinkedIn accounts and reach out, 麻豆精品 S� Lopez says. 麻豆精品 S淵ou will be shocked by the warmth and willingness that people have to guide and support in whatever way they can. 麻豆精品 S�

Zaima Aline

Fulbright Location: Singapore
Fulbright Role: Open Study/Research Award
UCF Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, Burnett Honors Scholar
Future Goals: Global Physician-Scientist

Raised in Bangladesh, where access to advanced healthcare isn 麻豆精品 S檛 always accessible, Burnett Honors Scholar Zaima Aline experienced firsthand how geography and circumstance can shape the course of a medical crisis. In 2019, her cousin was diagnosed with a rare cancer. Her family turned to Singapore for his treatment because his condition was so uncommon and local options were limited. Aline says that the exposure this experience gave her to the complexities of cancer and the limitations of existing treatments 麻豆精品 S渟parked the path that would eventually lead [her] toward medicine and research. 麻豆精品 S� It also drew her to study in Singapore because of its cutting-edge biomedical research environment and strong government-university-industry collaboration, particularly in cancer research.

Her proposed Fulbright project focuses on developing a 3D in vitro model of glioblastoma integrated with a blood-brain barrier system using hydrogels, which will help study drug delivery and therapy resistance within the tumor microenvironment. Her research interest stems from her prior projects at the Mayo Clinic, where she worked on two major research projects focused on brain cancer. For Aline, these experiences built technical skills, developed a practical, working interest in therapy resistance and positioned her to take on more advanced 3D modeling work.

Aline hopes her Fulbright experience will allow her to learn more from international research systems like Singapore 麻豆精品 S檚, where she says 麻豆精品 S渁cademic institutions and biotech industries work together in ways that accelerate discovery and translation. 麻豆精品 S�

She says she sees this kind of global perspective as essential to the physician-scientist she aims to grow into. Her long-term goal is to contribute to medicine, specifically cancer treatment, on a global scale. She views her coming Fulbright experience as a critical cultural step on that path.

Advice to Future Applicants: 麻豆精品 S�Tell your story honestly and ensure your project clearly aligns with program requirements and the Fulbright mission, 麻豆精品 S� Aline says. 麻豆精品 S淢ake sure to show why you 麻豆精品 S檙e the right fit for both the research and ambassadorship. After you submit your application, let go of the outcome in your head and trust yourself through the waiting process. 麻豆精品 S�

Additional Selections

Astrid Faulkner was selected for a Fulbright ETA award in Germany.

Darya Sulkouskaya (Burnett Honors Scholar) was selected for a Fulbright ETA award in Spain.

If you have any questions about the Fulbright U.S. Student Program or other scholarships and awards, please reach out to the UCF Office of Prestigious Awards by emailing opa@ucf.edu

Their determined pursuit of excellence and transformation of knowledge into breakthroughs have catapulted UCF to become Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Next-Generation Preeminent University.

President Alexander N. Cartwright announced Monday that UCF has reached the 12 metrics required to earn the designation of Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors. Qualifying for the state 麻豆精品 S檚 highest designation highlights UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 achievements in student success, research and more 麻豆精品 S� and the talents and hard work of so many in the UCF community who made this happen.

麻豆精品 S淔rom the very beginning, UCF has been a university that defies expectations, turning scrubland into a next-generation university built for discovery, innovation and opportunity, 麻豆精品 S� President Cartwright says. 麻豆精品 S淩eaching the 12 metrics necessary for Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Preeminent State Research University designation reflects the grit and ambition of our students, faculty, and staff, and the power of this community to dream bigger and achieve more. Preeminence is not an arrival point but a launchpad for an even bolder future. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淭his is an extraordinary accomplishment, and one that reflects the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, students, and leadership team 麻豆精品 S� with this Board 麻豆精品 S檚 unwavering support, 麻豆精品 S� says Board of Trustees Chair Alex Martins ’01MBA. 麻豆精品 S淚t is a milestone that belongs to the entire UCF community, and I am proud we have reached this point together. 麻豆精品 S�

A Community Dedicated to Student Success

UCF adopted a new model of student success support in 2023 with academic success coaches. Each student is paired with a success coach who works one-on-one with them, helping them develop their academic and career goals, and guiding them on the path to success. Success coaches help remove barriers for students and empower them to thrive on campus and beyond.

When DirectConnect to UCF student Hayley Ellis transferred from Daytona State College, she had to adjust to a much larger school in a new city. Mostly homeschooled growing up, Ellis is an aspiring pathologist double majoring in health sciences, and molecular and cellular biology.

Just as she began feeling overwhelmed in Organic Chemistry, senior academic success coach Christian Viau reached out to champion her success.

麻豆精品 S淲hen I got [Christian 麻豆精品 S檚] email, I was like, 麻豆精品 S楽omeone here wants me to succeed and help me map out my classes, 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Ellis says. 麻豆精品 S淭hat was a huge relief. It felt good to have someone there for me. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淚 think providing [a] support system from inside the institution is vital. As a success coach, that 麻豆精品 S檚 a driving factor for me 麻豆精品 S� because in my undergrad, I would 麻豆精品 S檝e loved to have someone I could lean on. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Christian Viau, senior academic success coach

Since then, they 麻豆精品 S檝e met several times to build a manageable academic schedule and discuss how to get involved and connect with Knights across campus.

Every student Viau works with receives individualized support. That includes Ellis, whom he knew needed extra help due to the unique challenges double majors face. Now approaching graduation, she 麻豆精品 S檚 stayed on track to finish in four years.

Thanks to the efforts of Viau and dozens of other academic success coaches across campus, along with caring faculty members who mentor students, and many other people, UCF has increased our four-year graduation rate to 63.8%, which is up 14 percentage points in four years.

Another example of efforts that have greatly benefited students is in the College of Arts and Humanities, where faculty in writing and rhetoric are strengthening student success in first-year composition courses. Shane Wood, associate professor and director of first-year composition and Professor Sherry Rankins-Robertson facilitated a progress report initiative that identifies at-risk students early in Composition I and II courses. Students are then connected to support and resources to help them succeed in these subjects, which nearly every UCF student takes, and which directly affect key preeminence metrics like freshman retention and four-year graduation rates.

麻豆精品 S淪erving more than 6,500 students a year, success in these [composition] courses plays a pivotal role in helping students persevere at UCF and ultimately graduate. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Shane Wood, associate professor

What began as a small pilot program with about 10% faculty participation has grown to be embraced by nearly 90% of instructors today. That shift has contributed to a remarkable 96% persistence rate, which measures percentage of students who continue, in composition courses 麻豆精品 S� helping bolster student success across the university.

麻豆精品 S淪erving more than 6,500 students a year, success in these courses plays a pivotal role in helping students persevere at UCF and ultimately graduate, 麻豆精品 S� Wood says.

Rankins-Robertson says the initiative also reflects the dedication of faculty who support students from their very first semester.

麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e trying to make students feel like they belong here, and when they feel supported, they 麻豆精品 S檙e more likely to continue, 麻豆精品 S� Rankins-Robertson says. 麻豆精品 S淧reeminence, to me, highlights the dedication of our faculty and the intentional ways they approach the classroom in order to make a meaningful impact on students 麻豆精品 S� lives. 麻豆精品 S�

From Ingenuity to Impact: Boosting Research Funding and Technology Transfer

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 world-class faculty are bold innovators who drive over $285 million in annual research expenditures across fields like space exploration, engineering, optics and photonics, modeling and simulation, healthcare, cybersecurity and more. Their work has helped UCF become a National Academy of Inventors top 20 public university for patents in the U.S. 麻豆精品 S� and meet preeminence metrics.

麻豆精品 S淲hen the Office of Technology Transfer showcases UCF innovations, we not only generate interest in licensing intellectual property, but also create pathways for industry partnerships that extend far beyond licensing alone. 麻豆精品 S� 聽 麻豆精品 S� Svetlana Shtrom 麻豆精品 S�08MBA, director of Technology Transfer

The Office of Technology Transfer, which oversees the filing and issuance of patents, is part of the university 麻豆精品 S檚 Economic Development and Innovation division within the Office of Research. Technology Transfer plays an integral role in overseeing research commercialization, strengthening industry relationships and facilitating formation of new startup companies. Supporting the efforts of the Technology Transfer team are a host of 聽other Office of Research staff who submit proposals, process funding awards and much more.

麻豆精品 S淯CF 麻豆精品 S檚 Office of Technology Transfer is dedicated to serving the university research community by identifying innovative research that has commercial potential and attracts interest from industry partners, entrepreneurs, and investors with the goal of bringing promising research results to the market for the betterment of society, 麻豆精品 S� says Svetlana Shtrom 麻豆精品 S�08MBA, director of Technology Transfer.

Being a strong producer of patents enhances UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 national prominence, attracting more talented students and researchers who further fuel the cycle of innovation.

麻豆精品 S淲e are committed to supporting researchers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders in turning ideas into impact, 麻豆精品 S� says Raju Nagaiah, Technology Transfer 麻豆精品 S檚 assistant director of licensing. 麻豆精品 S淲e are passionateabout our work 麻豆精品 S� we love science and technology, and get very excited when we learn about new inventions and the opportunity to improve people’s lives through innovation. 麻豆精品 S�

Companies frequently approach the Technology Transfer to explore available technologies, and this often leads to deeper research collaborations and more funding opportunities for faculty, Shtrom says.

Driving Student Achievement and Innovation

Preeminence also acknowledges the many ways that students excel in the classroom and transform ideas into impact.

Zackary Zuniga, a dual major undergraduate student studying photonics science and engineering, and electrical engineering, founded ZuLeris Interactive in 2023 after taking UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Entrepreneurship for Defense course. The company, now part of the UCF Business Incubation Program, creates immersive simulations for electromagnetic defense training.

麻豆精品 S淎t UCF, I found a community that supported me every step of the way, 麻豆精品 S� Zuniga says. 麻豆精品 S淔rom mentors to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, I 麻豆精品 S檝e never experienced this level of encouragement anywhere else. 麻豆精品 S�

Set to graduate in December, Zuniga and his team spent the summer on a national fellowship sponsored by the Defense Innovation Unit, which focuses on helping startup companies. He credits UCF for connecting him with opportunities that have shaped his startup, allowing it to make training more accessible and scalable.

Leading Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Future

As UCF attracts top talent, strengthens industry partnerships and drives innovation that benefits the state and nation, the university 麻豆精品 S檚 impact is felt across key sectors 麻豆精品 S� from healthcare and nursing to space and defense 麻豆精品 S� positioning UCF as a vital contributor to Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 prosperity.

For the 2025-26 academic year, UCF boasts its strongest class in years. The university received a record 65,900 applicants from first-year students for 8,100 spots in the Summer and Fall 2025 semesters. The average high school GPA for fall freshmen was 4.24 and the class posted a 1347 average SAT score.

What Comes Next

When it comes to preeminence, the Board of Governors must first verify the results of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 12 metrics. Once verified, the 12 metrics will come before the UCF Board of Trustees for approval in April 2026, and would then move onto the Board of Governors for certification and official designation in June.

President Cartwright shared that his priority for any new dollars that come with the official preeminence designation is investment in the faculty and staff who propel the university 麻豆精品 S檚 excellence.

From there, the sky is the limit as UCF continues to build on our innovations in student success at scale, grow as Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Premier University for Engineering, Technology and Innovation, and become a top 25 public research university.