麻豆精品 S淭he Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation unites creativity, technology and the practical application of business, marketing, and guest service to develop tomorrow 麻豆精品 S檚 leaders in themed entertainment and immersive experiences. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences

The first-of-its-kind Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation is housed within the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, ranked No. 1 nationally. With the addition of Universal 麻豆精品 S檚 new school and the college 麻豆精品 S檚 School of Hospitality Leadership, students now have access to a dual-school model that brings together experience-focused education with business strategy, operations, and service leadership.

麻豆精品 S淭he Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation unites creativity, technology and the practical application of business, marketing, and guest service to develop tomorrow 麻豆精品 S檚 leaders in themed entertainment and immersive experiences, 麻豆精品 S� says Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences Mark Woodbury.

麻豆精品 S淯CF was built to power what 麻豆精品 S檚 next for our students, for industry, and for the State of Florida, 麻豆精品 S� UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright says. 麻豆精品 S淭his collaboration with Universal Destinations & Experiences represents our mission at its best, creating an environment where students are learning in direct connection with the people and ideas shaping the future of immersive experiences. 麻豆精品 S�

A First-of-its-Kind Model for Experience Education

The Universal and UCF partnership will also support research through a new Hospitality Technology Lab, designed to be a creative sandbox for students to collaborate, test ideas, and gain practical hands-on experience working alongside UCF faculty, Universal professionals, and industry stakeholders. Students will gain timely insight that reflects industry needs as part of their education. Built around innovation and interdisciplinary teaming, the lab embeds coursework, student projects, and faculty research in a shared space, equipping graduates with both current skills and the adaptability to lead in a constantly evolving technology ecosystem.

The new school 麻豆精品 S檚 research will build on UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 existing strengths, applying university expertise to one of the world 麻豆精品 S檚 most dynamic industries. Focus areas for teaching, learning, and research will include:

• Service robotics and human-centered approaches to shape guest and employee interactions
• AR and VR simulation technologies for training, operations, and immersive environments
• AI and digital twins for optimizing and personalizing the guest experience

This work extends a decades-long partnership between UCF and Universal rooted in collaboration and shared success. For more than 20 years, Rosen College has served as a key talent pipeline for Universal, with thousands of graduates contributing across its parks, experiences, and operations, alongside hands-on learning opportunities like the UCF/Universal Creative Lab.

麻豆精品 S淭ogether with UCF we have opened doors for students and helped strengthen our industry with valued talent 麻豆精品 S� and the next chapter will be even better, 麻豆精品 S� Chief Administrative Officer of Universal Destinations & Experiences John Sprouls says. 麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e creating a distinctive academic home that will expand pathways into fulfilling and dynamic careers. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淩osen College has long been a global leader in hospitality education, and this next step reflects how our industry is evolving, 麻豆精品 S� says UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management Dean Cynthia Mejia. 麻豆精品 S淏y strengthening our relationship with our longtime partners at Universal Destinations & Experiences, we are creating a first-of-its-kind two-school model that blends creativity, technology and leadership, preparing students to lead the future of guest experiences. 麻豆精品 S�

Pegasus Partners: Scaling Impact Through Collaboration

As UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 first entertainment-sector Pegasus Partner, Universal Destinations & Experiences joins a group of industry leaders working with the university to solve real-world challenges, accelerate discovery, and strengthen the workforce talent pipeline. Universal is also the first Pegasus Partner to enter into a master research agreement with UCF, enabling collaboration at scale and unlocking new opportunities for applied research.

The Pegasus Partners program offers opportunities for select partners to engage across the university in ways that create meaningful value for both organizations. That engagement includes talent development and recruitment, shared research projects, joint ventures and collaborations, strategic philanthropy, and co-location at UCF.

As the first Pegasus Partner since the start of , UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 $3.5 billion campaign to accelerate its next era of impact, Universal 麻豆精品 S檚 commitment is a powerful model that combines philanthropy and strategic industry investment to drive innovation, expand opportunity, and fuel shared success.

As Preston Strenth prepares to cross the stage at commencement, he finds himself flashing back to the moment his journey to this milestone started in 2023 with the South Carolina National Guard.

Strenth was on deployment in Kuwait with his unit. Among his fellow infantrymen was 20-year-old Jayson Haven. Haven had been accepted to his dream school, the University of Michigan, and was fulfilling the final two months of his year-long assignment before shipping off to college. He was tragically killed in a non-combat vehicle rollover accident.

麻豆精品 S淚 think all of us who were on that deployment understood you 麻豆精品 S檙e here and somebody else isn 麻豆精品 S檛. What are you going to do with your life? 麻豆精品 S� Strenth says.

麻豆精品 S淚 think all of us who were on that deployment understood you 麻豆精品 S檙e here and somebody else isn 麻豆精品 S檛. What are you going to do with your life? 麻豆精品 S�

Seven months later, Strenth envisioned that life and voiced his goals to his wife, Kriselle. He proposed a two-year timeline to earn a college degree in computer science and start a new career path.

麻豆精品 S淚 feel like everything in my life now is all clicking together, 麻豆精品 S� says Strenth, who landed three job offers before graduating and is in the process of purchasing his first home. 麻豆精品 S淚 have achieved the American dream in a sense. 麻豆精品 S�

The Right Place

A Central Florida native, Strenth moved to South Carolina at 17 and joined the National Guard two years later. He extended his contract twice 麻豆精品 S� his current contract ends in 2027 麻豆精品 S� as he pursued a degree in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina.

He took advantage of the educational benefits the U.S. Army offers and obtained a certification in computer programming, which introduced him to coding software.

After that fateful deployment in Kuwait, he and his wife set their sights on Orlando and UCF, where Strenth knew of the university 麻豆精品 S檚 reputation as one of the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 top military friendly schools, its strength in computer science and our many industry partnerships.

麻豆精品 S淲ithout a doubt, coming to UCF is the best thing I ever did, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

His credits from the University of South Carolina transferred over to help keep him on track for his two-year timeline. He thrived, in part, because of his willingness to take advantage of the many resources offered through the .

His experience here also tested him in ways that led to great growth and confidence.

In his second semester, while taking Computer Science I, he was stuck on his first programming assignment. Every time he willed the coding to work, he was met with the same result: fail.

His frustration turned to tears as he voiced his doubts to his wife. What if he just screwed up his life? What if he couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 do this?

She encouraged him while leveling with him at the same time 麻豆精品 S� he wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 the first to attempt this class or this degree. If he wanted to be here, he was going to figure it out.

She was right.

麻豆精品 S淚 think that is kind of the point 麻豆精品 S� they will make you go to that line and ask yourself, 麻豆精品 S楧o you want to be here? 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Strenth says. 麻豆精品 S淏ecause it 麻豆精品 S檚 a program that can lead you to a financially stable future. I have offers that no one in my family has ever had in front of them before. But you 麻豆精品 S檝e got to work for them. 麻豆精品 S�

Opportunity Calls with BNY

He applied that same grindstone mentality to maximizing opportunities outside of the classroom 麻豆精品 S� all the while driving to South Carolina once a month to fulfill his National Guard duties.

麻豆精品 S淚 have offers that no one in my family has ever had in front of them before. 麻豆精品 S�

In Spring 2024, he attended a lunch and learn with BNY, which was organized by the Office of Military and Veteran Student Success. The leading global financial services company announced a formal partnership with UCF that establishes a co-located educational innovation hub on UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 main campus 麻豆精品 S� the first-of-its-kind in Florida.

Strenth turned the connection he made with the BNY recruiter into a summer internship as a software engineer and vowed to himself to secure a job offer.

He wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 deterred by the fact that many of his fellow interns had started programming as middle-schoolers while he, at 24, had just learned the basics a year prior.

He committed to being the first one in the door and one of the last to leave. He reached out to fellow veterans he found in an interdepartmental staff directory to seek advice about integrating into the company. He emailed a weekly recap to his supervisor that listed how his accomplishments that week aligned with BNY 麻豆精品 S檚 core values.

麻豆精品 S淚 was trying to showcase that I wanted to be here, and I wanted this job offer more than anything, 麻豆精品 S� Strenth says.

When the internship ended, he stayed connected, even as he lined up another software engineering internship with Hatalom Corporation, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business.

Strenth had three job offers lined up before graduation day with BNY, Hatalom and Northrop Grumman. BNY 麻豆精品 S檚 career growth potential, military leave policy and proximity to his home were too good to pass up.

麻豆精品 S淏NY has a future leaders program that I 麻豆精品 S檝e already expressed interest in even though I 麻豆精品 S檓 not eligible for another two years. But I 麻豆精品 S檓 already telling them, 麻豆精品 S楾his is something I want to do. How can I? 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� he says.

He draws upon that memory of his conversation with his wife from years ago 麻豆精品 S� in his story, he refers to it as 麻豆精品 S渢he gamble 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� as he sits here today, once again, betting on himself.

麻豆精品 S淣ow two years later, I 麻豆精品 S檓 like, 麻豆精品 S榃e won. We did it, 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淐elebrating this moment at graduation is a testament to the sacrifices that my wife has made, my family has made, and the countless other people who have supported me to get to this point. 麻豆精品 S�

Designed to accelerate innovation, the Orlando Health Strategic Innovations group connects real clinical and operational challenges with student and academic talent, creating a healthcare environment where ideas are tested, informed by feedback, and continually improved. The space serves as an extension of the system 麻豆精品 S檚 downtown headquarters and is jointly funded by Orlando Health Ventures and the Orlando Health Innovation teams.

Orlando Health 麻豆精品 S檚 presence within SPRK aligns with UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 broader co-location strategy, which brings industry partners onto campus to catalyze innovation through proximity. The approach emphasizes shared space, shared聽challenges聽and shared outcomes to accelerate problem-solving, support experiential聽learning聽and speed the translation of ideas into practice.

The co-location marks the latest milestone in聽Orlando Health 麻豆精品 S檚聽long-standing partnership with UCF.

麻豆精品 S淏y working side by side at SPRK, we are accelerating innovation and moving real-world healthcare solutions more quickly into the communities we serve. 麻豆精品 S� 聽 麻豆精品 S� Alexander N. Cartwright, UCF president

The 麻豆精品 S疧rlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute 麻豆精品 S痯rovides comprehensive, year-round care for UCF student-athletes, including on-field coverage, primary care sports medicine, and specialized imaging. As a聽Pegasus Partner,聽Orlando Health pledged $5 million toward the聽, which supports nursing internships, scholarships, and hiring, helping to address the state’s nursing shortage. In addition, Orlando Health and UCF collaborate on advanced technology projects聽 麻豆精品 S斅爏uch as the 麻豆精品 S�AI for Medical Surgery system聽 麻豆精品 S斅爅ointly offer specialized residency programs and聽collaborate in聽many聽additional聽ways.

麻豆精品 S淥rlando Health has been an exceptional partner,聽demonstrating聽what is possible when industry and academia come together with shared聽purpose. This next phase of co-location builds on that foundation, 麻豆精品 S� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 麻豆精品 S淏y working side by side at SPRK, we are accelerating innovation and moving real-world healthcare solutions more quickly into the communities we serve. 麻豆精品 S�

Healthcare Innovation at the Center of Campus

Located in聽approximately聽2,649聽square feet聽within SPRK, the聽Strategic Innovations group聽was intentionally placed, here,聽to foster continuous collaboration with faculty and students across disciplines.

This co-location enables a new operating model. Orlando Health brings real health system聽challenges聽directly into the academic environment, and interdisciplinary teams of students, faculty,聽and Orlando Health innovators rapidly design, test,聽and refine solutions.

Early collaboration has already begun to generate impact in areas such as cancer research, digital health, creation of AI聽models聽and various orthopedic innovations.

麻豆精品 S淭he opening of an Orlando Health Strategic Innovations space at UCF represents our shared commitment to advancing healthcare delivery through bold new ideas, 麻豆精品 S� says Jamal Hakim, M.D., chief physician officer, Orlando Health. 麻豆精品 S淭hrough this partnership, we are creating a collaborative environment where clinicians, researchers, students and industry leaders can generate real-world solutions and drive innovations that will shape the future of how we care for patients. 麻豆精品 S�

Built to Go For Launch

The latest milestone in , this co-location represents UCF’s deep commitment to the ecosystem of support powering our vision for the future.

Through聽a collective effort聽 麻豆精品 S斅燾ombining philanthropy and transformational giving with corporate聽partnerships, research聽commercialization聽and other revenue-generating endeavors聽 麻豆精品 S斅燯CF聽is charting聽a聽bold聽new path forward and building a future the world has only begun to imagine.

麻豆精品 S淭his co-location with Orlando Health exemplifies the kind of partnership that powers Go for Launch, bringing industry and academia together to create real-world impact, 麻豆精品 S� says Rod Grabowski, UCF vice president for Advancement and Partnership, and CEO of the UCF Foundation. 麻豆精品 S淏y aligning visionary partners with UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 innovation ecosystem, we are accelerating discovery, expanding opportunity and advancing solutions that improve lives. 麻豆精品 S�

UCF Pegasus Partner Orlando Health has named , dean of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Nursing, the Orlando Health Endowed Chair in Nursing.

The prestigious endowed faculty position, which will support Tucker 麻豆精品 S檚 nursing research, teaching and scholarly activities, is just the latest example of how UCF is leveraging industry partnerships to drive real-world impact.

Tucker is a distinguished scholar in both psychiatric mental health nursing and evidence-based practice who has made sustained impacts on the field, for nurses and patients alike. She is nationally board certified as an adult psychiatric-mental health clinical nurse specialist and integrative nurse coach.

Her research, which has been published in more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and presented around the world, focuses on behavior change through mental health and wellness interventions and organizational change through evidence-based practice.

麻豆精品 S淲ith its partnership, Orlando Health is elevating excellence in education and research to support future Knight nurses and improve the health of our communities. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Sharon Tucker

麻豆精品 S淚 am incredibly honored to be named to this esteemed endowed position, and grateful for Orlando Health 麻豆精品 S檚 support of the college, 麻豆精品 S� says Tucker. 麻豆精品 S淧artnerships are powerful and with its partnership, Orlando Health is elevating excellence in education and research to support future Knight nurses and improve the health of our communities. 麻豆精品 S�

In addition to the new endowed chair appointment, Tucker holds the prestigious distinctions of fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and fellow of the National Academies of Practice in Nursing.

Orlando Health has been a long-standing partner of UCF and the College of Nursing. The Orlando Health Endowed Chair in Nursing was established in 2009, and Tucker is the second faculty member to be named to the appointment. It was formerly held by Professor Emerita Mary Lou Sole, the previous dean and a renowned critical care researcher.

Kelly Edmondson, Orlando Health 麻豆精品 S檚 senior vice president of nursing and patient care services, says the partnership speaks to the organization 麻豆精品 S檚 mission to improve the health and quality of life of the individuals and communities they serve.

麻豆精品 S淒r. Tucker 麻豆精品 S檚 research supports our efforts to empower nurses and elevate clinical excellence to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care, 麻豆精品 S� Edmondson says. 麻豆精品 S淚t is an honor to continue to partner with UCF to strengthen the nursing workforce and create a healthier future for all. 麻豆精品 S�

In 2023, Orlando Health became one of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 inaugural Pegasus Partners with a $5 million commitment to support the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion as well as provide tuition assistance and additional paid internships for UCF nursing students.

to support the College of Nursing

Philanthropic support is critical to the creation of endowed faculty positions, helping UCF attract and retain nursing experts, and support groundbreaking research that impacts the profession and the health of communities. Help launch more faculty experts to lead nursing into the future by joining UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Go for Launch campaign.

Here are the highlights that shaped an unforgettable year.

Daring to Boldly Invent the Future: Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Next-Generation Preeminent University

UCF met the 12 metrics required to earn the Preeminent State Research University designation from the Florida Board of Governors, the highest designation for state research universities. This landmark achievement highlights sustained progress in student success, research and more 麻豆精品 S� affirming UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 leadership in advancing opportunity and impact in Florida and beyond.

UCF Opens Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion in Lake Nona, Fueling a Talent Pipeline and Healthcare Innovation

UCF opened the 麻豆精品 S疍r. 麻豆精品 S疨hillips Nursing Pavilion 麻豆精品 S痮n the Academic Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona 麻豆精品 S� a 90,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility dedicated to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. The pavilion expands immersive simulation technology and interdisciplinary learning spaces, enabling UCF to graduate more nurses ready to serve communities across the region.

Pegasus Partners Expand with BNY and Lockheed Martin

This year saw strategic growth of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 麻豆精品 S疨egasus Partners 麻豆精品 S痯rogram, with major collaborations forged with global financial services company BNY and aerospace and defense leader Lockheed Martin. The BNY co-located educational innovation hub on UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 main campus 麻豆精品 S� the first of its kind in Florida 麻豆精品 S� brings experiential learning and cybersecurity education directly to students. Additionally, the expanded Lockheed Martin partnership will grow the highly successful College Work Experience Program and expand research in vital areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics and hypersonic technologies.

Elevating Impact Across Space

As America 麻豆精品 S檚 Space University, UCF deepened its influence across the space sector this year, highlighted by the inaugural UCF Space Week that took place Nov. 3-7. The university-wide celebration showcased all the ways Knight Nation is advancing space research, supporting Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 fast-growing space economy, and preparing the next generation of explorers, engineers, and entrepreneurs. The observance also marked the debut of the SpaceU Awards, which celebrated eight honorees 麻豆精品 S� two students, three faculty, two organizations and a record-setting astronaut 麻豆精品 S� for pushing the boundaries of what 麻豆精品 S檚 possible in space development, discovery and exploration.

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 impact also extended into human health in space. Two internationally known 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S痚xperts 麻豆精品 S� William Powers and Jennifer Fogarty 麻豆精品 S� joined the College of Medicine 麻豆精品 S檚 faculty as part of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 new Center for Aerospace and Extreme Environments Medicine that will lead 麻豆精品 S痳esearch and technology development for improving health in extreme environments such as space.

As the top talent provider to the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 aerospace and defense industries, UCF also launched a new online space MBA program to meet the expanding needs of the booming space industry on Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Space Coast and around the world. The 24-month part-time graduate business program focuses on space commercialization, business strategy and innovation, preparing graduates to lead in high-impact roles across the commercial space, aerospace, government, startups and emerging tech industries.

UCF Launches Institute of Artificial Intelligence to Advance Research, Talent Development Across Disciplines

UCF launched the Institute of Artificial Intelligence, a new university-wide initiative bringing together top faculty, industry partnerships and cross-campus collaboration to position the university as a national leader in AI. The institute will also support UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 AI for All Initiative, which integrates AI into teaching and learning across disciplines, ensuring students graduate with the ability to use AI effectively in their careers.

Honoring Excellence on Founders 麻豆精品 S� Day

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 annual Founders 麻豆精品 S� Day honored the outstanding achievements of the university 麻豆精品 S檚 employees, faculty and students. Hundreds of Knights were recognized for their 麻豆精品 S痚xcellence and impact 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� among them 麻豆精品 S�Pegasus Professors 麻豆精品 S疪oger Azevedo, Fevzi Okumus and Yan Solihin; Medal of Societal Impact honoree Mohamed Abdel-Aty; Reach for the Stars honorees 麻豆精品 S疉mrita Ghosh, Leland Nordin, Yogesh Rawat and Kelly Stevens; and 37 Order of Pegasus inductees 麻豆精品 S� the university 麻豆精品 S檚 highest student honor.

Epic Universe Launch Provides Immersive Learning Opportunities at UCF

Universal Orlando Resort 麻豆精品 S檚 highly anticipated new theme park, Epic Universe, opened its gates this spring, and Knights played a role in bringing it to life. Located less than a mile away, UCF’s 麻豆精品 S� ranked No. 1 in the world for hospitality education (CEOWORLD magazine) 麻豆精品 S� turned Epic Universe into a living case study for hands-on learning in hospitality, themed experience, engineering and beyond. While the park attracts millions of guests with its immersive worlds and attractions, it 麻豆精品 S檚 also transforming hospitality education for Rosen College students, building a direct talent pipeline into the park and developing a workforce ready to lead the industry.

Introducing John Buckwalter, UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Next Provost 麻豆精品 S�

Following a competitive national search, John Buckwalter was appointed UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 next provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. He and his wife, Amalia, officially joined Knight Nation on Aug. 1. Buckwalter brings more than 20 years of experience in academia to UCF. He most recently served as provost at Boise State University, where he led transformative interdisciplinary initiatives and championed student achievement. He succeeds Provost Michael D. Johnson, who retired this summer following 35 years of service to UCF.

Knights Shine in Athletics

UCF Athletics delivered unforgettable moments this year 麻豆精品 S� from the rowing team claiming its first Big 12 Championship in program history, to men’s soccer’s conference title, to men 麻豆精品 S檚 tennis clinching its , to 82-78 victory over Hofstra at Additional Financial Arena that sparked the best start (8-1) in head coach Johnny Dawkins’ tenure.

Together, We Unleashed Impact: Thank You, Knight Nation, for a Transformational Day of Giving 2025

Knights made a collective impact for another record-breaking celebration of all things Black & Gold. raised more than 麻豆精品 S�$14.8 麻豆精品 S�million 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� a 63% increase from last year and the most in university history. 麻豆精品 S疻ith 麻豆精品 S�10,472 麻豆精品 S�gifts, inspired donors across the globe rallied together for the community-driven effort 麻豆精品 S� fueling UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 academic programs, life-changing scholarships, groundbreaking research and more. These contributions were made across all 50 U.S. states, as well as globally, including Australia, France, Panama and the United Kingdom.

麻豆精品 S淐entral Florida is my home, and I 麻豆精品 S檇 like to be part of this community for as long as I 麻豆精品 S痗an, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

That plan fell into place when he landed 麻豆精品 S痑 job at Lockheed Martin, a UCF Pegasus Partner, just weeks after graduating with his bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree in May. 麻豆精品 S疕is 麻豆精品 S痭ew role 麻豆精品 S痑s an electro-optical engineer associate in Lockheed Martin 麻豆精品 S檚 Orlando Missiles and Fire Control division involves developing new imaging systems 麻豆精品 S� a project that comes with its own challenges.

麻豆精品 S淭hese systems make use of sensors specific to the mission, 麻豆精品 S� says Lopez-Zelaya, who is part of the 83% of career-ready UCF alumni who help fuel Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 workforce. 麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e concerned with how these sensors generate images, so we take the optics and other sources of noise into consideration. 麻豆精品 S�

That 麻豆精品 S檚聽exactly the skillset he honed during his time at聽the聽UCF College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL). In addition to engineering and physics concepts, CREOL students learn the hands-on methods necessary to build optical and electro-optical systems 麻豆精品 S� allowing them to contribute to technological developments that benefit humanity. Lopez Zelaya says he now puts that training to use every day.

麻豆精品 S淪omebody who doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 have an optics and photonics background can 麻豆精品 S檛 truly engage in these discussions, 麻豆精品 S� he says, 麻豆精品 S淏ecause they don 麻豆精品 S檛 understand the basics of what is actually happening in these systems. 麻豆精品 S�

Lopez Zelaya 麻豆精品 S檚 early career success is a continuation of the legacy he built during his聽undergrad聽years. Between classes that taught him MATLAB, display technology, image聽processing聽and semiconductor devices, he got involved as an undergraduate student research assistant. He also volunteered at Grace Medical Home, served as president of the IEEE Photonics Society student聽chapter聽and served on UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 President 麻豆精品 S檚 Leadership Council. His dedication to both professional development and his fellow students led to his induction into Order of Pegasus, the most prestigious award UCF bestows upon students.

Lopez Zelaya says聽UCF 麻豆精品 S檚聽culture of creating lifelong learners prepared him well for his next steps at Lockheed Martin.

麻豆精品 S淓verybody is willing to learn something new about optics, 麻豆精品 S� he says, adding that聽he 麻豆精品 S檚聽often a source of聽expertise聽for questions that arise in the field.

Lopez Zelaya 麻豆精品 S檚 quick transition illustrates the value of the talent pipeline聽CREOL supplies to the Central Florida photonics industry.聽As a valued, longtime member of CREOL 麻豆精品 S檚 Industrial Affiliates Program, Lockheed Martin 麻豆精品 S檚 partnership has strengthened both the available opportunities for students and collaborative research efforts that aim to聽benefit聽the industry at large. And as a new聽Pegasus Partner聽with UCF, Lockheed Martin 麻豆精品 S檚 investment in the future will make impacts far beyond CREOL 麻豆精品 S檚 walls,聽building on聽a longstanding and pragmatic focus on talent pipeline.

With a 7-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, CREOL 麻豆精品 S檚 students are in a unique position to have a small-college experience at a big university. Lopez Zelaya says聽he 麻豆精品 S檚聽glad to have found a similar sense of community at 麻豆精品 S疞ockheed Martin.

麻豆精品 S淭here 麻豆精品 S檚 a misconception that new technologies mostly emerge from startups, but a lot of them are being developed here, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淒evelopment is fun 麻豆精品 S� taking 麻豆精品 S痑 concept and making it into a working product. 麻豆精品 S�

Lopez Zelaya says he 麻豆精品 S檚 proud to put those skills to use in his hometown, and for a company that 麻豆精品 S檚 leading the way in emerging optical technology 麻豆精品 S� positively contributing to Central Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 economy along the way.

麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 one of the best ways to make an impact here, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

The $5 million, five-year commitment reimagines how universities and global enterprises can work together to prepare the workforce of the future, leveraging collaborations to enhance career readiness for UCF students, as well as talent development and acquisition for BNY.

At the heart of this collaboration is the 8,400 square-foot Next-Gen Cybersecurity Technology and Operations Center Lab (CTOC Lab). This dedicated space on UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 campus will host an experiential learning course, Introduction to Applied Technology in Banking.

This hands-on course, led by BNY executives, teaches students how to translate their technical skills learned from coursework to industry applications. It also includes a special topics seminar course, guest lectures, adjunct instruction and more.

麻豆精品 S淢y favorite part has been the people, 麻豆精品 S� says Katrina Gumerov, a computer science major at UCF, who is participating in the course this semester. 麻豆精品 S淭here are so many BNY leaders who fly in from all different kinds of industries within the company. And we also have great leaders who are here every week. It’s a very mentorship-style environment where I’m never afraid to ask questions. Having that support behind me has been incredible. 麻豆精品 S�

This marks a milestone in realizing UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright 麻豆精品 S檚 vision of co-located industry and academia collaboration. It will give UCF students real-world experience with one of the world 麻豆精品 S檚 most respected financial institutions, while leveraging the university 麻豆精品 S檚 faculty excellence, research power, and startup-like agility to anticipate market and technology disruptions in fintech and wealth management.

麻豆精品 S淯CF is built to work at the intersection of opportunity and innovation, 麻豆精品 S� 聽Cartwright says. 麻豆精品 S淥ur Pegasus Partnership with BNY brings that to life, creating a dynamic environment where talent, ideas and industry converge together, as we accelerate the future of finance and technology. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淏y working with UCF, we 麻豆精品 S檙e deepening and broadening our connection to Central Florida, home to our Lake Mary office, 麻豆精品 S� Chief Executive Officer of BNY Robin Vince, says.

麻豆精品 S淭his collaboration is an opportunity to help build a workforce ready to succeed in the rapidly changing technology landscape 麻豆精品 S� which in turn helps our local community grow and thrive. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Robin Vince, BNY CEO

Upon completing the initial course, students will progress through a semester of advanced coursework in application development and infrastructure engineering using real-world examples. High performers will聽be invited to apply for summer internships during their senior year with the goal of being hired as full-time analysts at BNY after graduation.

The inaugural CTOC Lab class launched in the fall with 27 students, and BNY expects to continue enrolling an additional 25-30 new students into the program each semester.

麻豆精品 S淭his is such an exciting evolution of our work with UCF, 麻豆精品 S� says Chief Technology Officer at BNY Sabet Elias. 麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e bridging the gap between the classroom and the workforce and getting in front of the bright talent cultivated at UCF. Together, we 麻豆精品 S檙e committed to giving back to our community, nurturing these innovative minds, identifying curricular gaps and equipping students with the skills to drive the industry forward. 麻豆精品 S�

Investing in Students and the Future

BNY 麻豆精品 S檚 investment extends beyond the classroom. BNY has committed to be platinum partners for the College of Business for the duration of this agreement, including support for case competitions, student activities and enhanced recruiting opportunities.聽Through the BNY Scholars program, UCF Burnett Honors College students will be selected to receive scholarships to support their academic journey. Additional investment is also being made in student cybersecurity initiatives, including Hack@UCF and the internationally acclaimed Collegiate Cybersecurity Competition (CP3) Team.

Additional initiatives include unique Meet the Firm on-campus events designed to elevate BNY 麻豆精品 S檚 profile and strengthen talent recruitment across all disciplines; lifelong learning and training for BNY employees through facilitated executive education; and professional development to complement the聽company 麻豆精品 S檚 internal resources.