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

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

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

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

Building Industry Connections

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Arielle Patterson and Jemual Shaylor 麻豆精品 S�21, members of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 M.D. Class of 2026, matched at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Naval Medical Center San Diego, respectively.

Both are recipients of the military 麻豆精品 S檚 Health Professions Scholarship, which covers tuition and living expenses for medical students who agree to serve their country for one year for each year of scholarship.

Walter Reed-Bound

Patterson is focused on improving health through physical activity, specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

麻豆精品 S淎s a doctor who is really passionate about fitness and physical medicine and rehabilitation, I want to really inspire the next generation of younger people to live healthier lives, earlier, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

She also wants to expand access to healthcare and encourage more students from medically under resourced communities to enter the field of medicine. Research shows that patients have better outcomes when they feel they can connect to their physician’s personal background.

麻豆精品 S淭here 麻豆精品 S檚 a lot of times in medical school where we feel alone, or like the only ones who have gone through this, but so many people have done this before, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淗opefully I can help bring us a little bit more together. 麻豆精品 S�

Patterson has already begun working toward that goal, serving as director for Region IV of the Student National Medical Association, a student organization committed to improving access to the medical field and building culturally competent and clinically excellent physicians. She helped organize SNMA 麻豆精品 S檚 annual regional conference that will be in Orlando, February 20-22, bringing together physicians and medical students from across the southeast United States.

Patterson completed her bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree in cellular and molecular biology at Hampton University before joining UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 M.D. Class of 2026. She says she chose the UCF medical school for its youth and innovative, team-oriented culture.

Inspired to Serve

Shaylor was inspired to enter military service by former Assistant Professor Jose Borrero, who was a U.S. Air Force flight surgeon during Vietnam before becoming a founding faculty member at UCF. Now retired, Borrero continues to serve as a mentor to UCF medical students.

During medical school, military students have the opportunity to undergo active-duty and officer leadership training at military centers around the country. In April, Shaylor will follow in Borrero 麻豆精品 S檚 footsteps to attend flight surgeon training in Norfolk, Virginia.

Specializing in general surgery, Shaylor hopes to eventually become a hand surgeon.

麻豆精品 S淎 hand surgeon is almost a working man 麻豆精品 S檚 surgeon. You need your hands to do your job, or almost anything so when you 麻豆精品 S檙e able to restore function to any level, it has a major impact on a person 麻豆精品 S檚 life, 麻豆精品 S� Shaylor says. 麻豆精品 S淚f I can do that, especially in the military where hand injuries are quite common, that would be a calling I would love. 麻豆精品 S�

Shaylor earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in bioengineering from UCF.

The Match Process

Before practicing medicine on their own, M.D. graduates must undergo residency training in their chosen specialty. This graduate medical education training takes three to seven years, depending on the specialty.

During their fourth year, medical students interview with residency programs across the country before ranking their top choices. Residency programs do the same before the National Residency Matching Service analyzes the rankings and matches graduates to GME programs. Most results are revealed on National Match Day, which is March 20 this year. Military programs and some specialties match early.

The college 麻豆精品 S檚 new Primary Care Scholarship Program is providing about 100 medical students with financial aid and unique clinical experiences caring for a variety of patient groups 麻豆精品 S� from Special Olympians to seniors 麻豆精品 S� to expose them to the broad career opportunities in internal medicine, family medicine and pediatrics. The goal, say college leaders, is to encourage students to stay in state to become community physicians.

麻豆精品 S淏eing a primary care physician is about being a part of someone 麻豆精品 S檚 life, 麻豆精品 S� says Jeff LaRochelle, associate dean for academic affairs and an internal medicine specialist by training. 麻豆精品 S淲e have students at UCF who grew up in communities that need outstanding, engaged physicians; places like Ocala, Pensacola, Kissimmee, Tallahassee, Gainesville. We are hoping that we can encourage them to stay here and provide needed care to the communities that raised them. 麻豆精品 S�

The two-year grant was one of four given this year by the Health Resources and Services Administration to help address the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 primary care physician shortage. Medical school leaders hope UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 program can be used as a national model and be successful enough to become sustainable after the grant ends.

Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Need for Physicians Is Great

Only 73% of Florida residents report having a personal physician. And the nationwide physician shortage hits Florida harder for several reasons.

First is the state 麻豆精品 S檚 fast-growing population, which is projected to grow by 6 million people in just the next five years. The Florida Department of Health reports a current 12% gap between the supply and demand for physicians, which is expected to more than double to 28% by 2035.

Florida ranks 45^th nationally in health access and affordability. Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 high percentage of residents over age 65 麻豆精品 S� 22% and expected to reach 26% by 2035 麻豆精品 S� require more healthcare services, further exacerbating access to care.

Florida also has more uninsured residents (11.2%) than the national average (8%), according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The physician shortage is also more pronounced in rural, remote and under-resourced urban communities.

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Medicine has graduated more than 500 new physicians in the last five years and 36% of those new graduates went into primary care specialties. However, almost 70% of those new doctors left Florida for their residency training.

Through a partnership with HCA Healthcare, UCF has Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 fastest growing residency and fellowship programs.

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 new program is designed to inspire graduates to stay in-state while encouraging more students to become primary care physicians. Through a partnership with HCA Healthcare, UCF has Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 fastest growing residency and fellowship programs. LaRochelle hopes the new primary care program will better link UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 undergraduate and residency training.

麻豆精品 S淥ur hope is to reach out to medical students and offer them a path to do their residency in their hometown and provide needed care to their community, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

In addition, doctors who provide care for communities in need are also eligible for forgiveness for their medical school loans.

Students Say Program Opened Their Eyes, Hearts

First-year UCF medical student Sarah Khan 麻豆精品 S�24 was raised in Kissimmee. She participated in the College of Medicine 麻豆精品 S檚 summer Health Leaders Camp, which inspired her to pursue medicine as a career. She worked at a pharmacy before entering medical school and earned her bachelor’s degree from UCF in biomedical sciences. She is part of the Primary Care Scholarship Program.

麻豆精品 S淚n the pharmacy, I saw the challenges my neighbors are facing, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淭his is the community that helped raise me. Doctors in this community mentored me. I want to stay here and help improve the health of the people around me. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淒octors in this community mentored me. I want to stay here and help improve the health of the people around me. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S斅� Sarah Khan 麻豆精品 S�24, UCF College of Medicine student

In its first months, the program provided multiple extra-curricular experiences for students. They visited and went on rounds with physicians providing primary care to residents at the university-supported retirement community. They did healthcare screenings for Special Olympians participating in a golfing event and were so popular they were invited back to the Special Olympics Florida State Fall Classic.

They did simulated training with residents from the UCF-HCA Internal Medicine residency at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and learned how to react to multiple emergencies 麻豆精品 S� from asthma attacks in the wilderness to broken limbs.

Primary care scholarship M.D. student Christian Sachs is a self-described 麻豆精品 S渟ports guy 麻豆精品 S� who spent his youth playing soccer and later coached the sport. The Sarasota native said he came to med school thinking he might want a more 麻豆精品 S渉ands-on 麻豆精品 S� specialty than primary care. Then he spent time during the program working with internal medicine doctors who are sports medicine specialists at AdventHealth-affiliated Rothman Orthopaedics.

He worked on the sidelines of a high school football game where primary care doctors serve as team physicians.

麻豆精品 S淚 was able to see when medicine and sports come together, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淲hen I was playing and coaching, we never had that level of care. If someone twisted an ankle, we had to look for someone to help us know how serious it was. It was incredible to see physicians working with the trainers to provide such a strong level of care for our high school athletes. Standing on the sidelines with them was one of the best experiences I 麻豆精品 S檝e had in medical school. 麻豆精品 S�

Magda Pasarica, professor of medicine at the medical school, is program director and primary investigator for the primary care program. She is an M.D./Ph.D. whose specialty is family medicine. She hopes the program can expose UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 physicians-in-training to all the options for their future, whether they decide to go into primary care or not.

麻豆精品 S淭here are so many options in my specialty alone 麻豆精品 S� sports medicine, geriatrics, research. Family medicine allows you to take care of generations, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 where you can impact the health of an entire family. 麻豆精品 S�

For more than five decades, the has long championed the power of scholarships to transform lives. The club raises funds to support both undergraduate and graduate students, with undergraduate awards named in honor of the club 麻豆精品 S檚 first ladies and reserved for nontraditional, full-time students who demonstrate outstanding potential.

Graduate scholarships are presented in honor of Sheila B. Somerville, a beloved member of the Women 麻豆精品 S檚 Club whose legacy lives on through the Sheila B. Somerville Endowed Graduate Scholarship. After her passing, her husband, Paul Somerville, a professor emeritus of statistics and data research at UCF, established the scholarship with a generous $100,000 endowment. It remains one of the most significant gifts in the club 麻豆精品 S檚 history and continues to support promising graduate students in their academic journeys.

To date, the Women 麻豆精品 S檚 Club at UCF has awarded 527 scholarships and more than $250,000 to support full-time graduate students.

Since its founding in 1969, the Women 麻豆精品 S檚 Club at UCF has remained unwavering in its mission to support students. Today, its 194 members embody the motto moving forward by giving back. To date, they 麻豆精品 S檝e awarded 527 scholarships and more than $250,000 from their endowment fund to support full-time graduate students. Each Sheila B. Somerville Scholarship awards $1,500 over two academic terms, helping recipients further their education.

This year 麻豆精品 S檚 awardees, Anastasija Popkova, Catherine Johnson, and Saba Mohammad Hosseini, exemplify perseverance, academic excellence, and a commitment to giving back. Their achievements reflect the transformative power of education and the importance of supporting future leaders.

Anastasija Popkova

From a young age, Anastasija Popkova knew she wanted to be a mental health counselor. The support she received from her therapist in middle school inspired an early appreciation of self-awareness and emotional education.

麻豆精品 S淭he self-empowerment and self-awareness techniques I learned really empowered me and [helped] me 麻豆精品 S� understand myself, family systems and cross-cultural behaviors, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚t inspired me to want to teach others what I had learned in hopes that they would feel the same empowerment and have understanding for their society. 麻豆精品 S�

Now pursuing her master 麻豆精品 S檚 in counselor education on the clinical mental health counseling track, Popkova is passionate about sharing that same sense of empowerment with her clients. That passion also extends to her research, which focuses on childhood trauma, community training clinics and the effectiveness of clinical interventions. Ultimately, she aims to work with adolescents, supporting their self-esteem, emotional regulation, and healing from generational trauma, with long-term goals of earning a doctoral degree, leading research projects, and mentoring future mental health counselors.

麻豆精品 S淚n the future, I hope to be an inspiration for my clients to teach the techniques learned in therapy to their peers and family by leading as an example, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

The Sheila B. Somerville Scholarship has been both affirming and impactful for Popkova. Beyond alleviating some of her financial stress, she says it 麻豆精品 S檚 allowed her to focus her energy on what she 麻豆精品 S檚 most passionate about 麻豆精品 S� helping others.

麻豆精品 S淭his award [has] made me feel seen 麻豆精品 S� that my hard work is recognized and supported by a group of strong and amazing women who come together to empower students starting their careers, 麻豆精品 S� Popkova says.

Catherine Johnson

A yoga therapist and studio owner, Catherine Johnson brings a holistic approach to mental health counseling. Her work is driven by the belief that individuals with complex or childhood trauma benefit greatly from therapeutic methods that incorporate both the body and mind.

Now a graduate student in the clinical mental health counseling program at UCF, Johnson is completing an internship at the Aspire Women 麻豆精品 S檚 Residential Center for Human Trafficking Survivors, where she provides both counseling services and trauma-informed yoga classes designed to help survivors reconnect with their bodies.

麻豆精品 S淭his award enables me to focus on my studies and continue developing my unique services during the internship, 麻豆精品 S� Johnson says. 麻豆精品 S淚t is my belief that many mental health issues stem from early learnings and survival responses to ongoing relational trauma in a person 麻豆精品 S檚 life, and that counseling methods that offer a holistic, 麻豆精品 S榖ottom up 麻豆精品 S� approach can change lives. 麻豆精品 S�

Johnson is deeply committed to serving communities that may lack access to or awareness of holistic healing methods. Her program 麻豆精品 S檚 focus on serving resource-limited populations reflects her dedication to ensuring care is available to all.

麻豆精品 S淚 love what I am doing at my internship site and feel ready and excited to begin my licensure process and serve 麻豆精品 S� people who reach out for mental health services, 麻豆精品 S� Johnson says.

She hopes to one day mentor other counselors interested in integrating holistic practices into their work.

Saba Mohammad Hosseini

Doctoral student Saba Mohammad Hosseini is carving out her own path in electrical engineering 麻豆精品 S� a field she once found intimidating.

Although she 麻豆精品 S檚 always loved math, Hosseini initially hesitated to pursue electrical engineering because it seemed too difficult. At one point, she even considered studying architecture instead. But ultimately, she followed her passion and has never looked back.

麻豆精品 S淭hough it is challenging, doing well in a tough field is very rewarding, 麻豆精品 S� Hosseini says.

Now, she 麻豆精品 S檚 conducting innovative research that uses artificial intelligence to improve communication between vehicles and smart city infrastructure. Her work focuses on predicting the optimal positioning of data links between moving vehicles and nearby devices, such as traffic lights, to maintain continuous and reliable connections. The research supports safer, smarter driving experiences, including timely traffic alerts and accurate countdowns.

麻豆精品 S淚 aim to grow both my engineering skills and my soft skills so I am ready for the job market, with a path that may include academia. I hope to keep balance in life, help my community and make a positive difference, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

Hosseini 麻豆精品 S檚 time at UCF has been deeply enriching thanks to a supportive advisor and the opportunities she’s been given.

麻豆精品 S淢y Ph.D. has not been easy, but the support I [have] at UCF has been incredible, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

麻豆精品 S淭his award will ease my education and living costs. It has already made me more excited about my academic path and [has] made me feel seen. One day, I hope to support students and pass that encouragement on. 麻豆精品 S�

The Women 麻豆精品 S檚 Club at UCF remains committed to supporting exceptional students like Popkova, Johnson and Hosseini through scholarships and mentorship. Contributions to the Sheila B. Somerville Endowed Graduate Scholarship Fund help secure long-term support for graduate students, while gifts to current-use funds provide immediate assistance.

To learn more or to donate, visit the website.

Today, the 24-year-old is on the cusp of earning two graduate degrees simultaneously, having elevated UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 reputation as a community and society changemaker along the way with the AI for Nonprofits course she helped develop. These milestones aren 麻豆精品 S檛 just personal. They 麻豆精品 S檙e also serving her biggest passion: helping others.

That 麻豆精品 S檚 the thing about opportunity. Sometimes all you need is a chance, a dash of inspiration and someone who believes in you.

Charting Her Own Path

Dones, who was born in Cuba, was just 2 years old when her family immigrated to Miami. Growing up, she viewed attending college as a somewhat unattainable goal.

麻豆精品 S淚 remember discussions with my parents where they would say that college is for the wealthy, or that we’d cross that bridge when we get there, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚 didn’t have anyone to rely on for mentorship because my parents didn’t know anyone that had been to college before, and all of our family was in Cuba. 麻豆精品 S�

In high school, she joined the International Baccalaureate program and learned about financial aid opportunities such as Bright Futures scholarships. A teacher encouraged her to seek out more scholarship opportunities from Miami-based nonprofits and foundations. That 麻豆精品 S檚 when she realized college was within her reach.

麻豆精品 S淚 thought, 麻豆精品 S業f everyone around me is doing this, what’s stopping me? 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� she says.

Dones connected with the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps students achieve their educational goals like the ones of her own. With assistance from the foundation and other nonprofits, Dones ended up receiving $20,000 in scholarships to attend UCF.

The support not only sparked her academic career; it also inspired a calling to give back to others.

She pulled up others with her along the way as an undergrad, serving as a mentor for local high school students and impressed upon them the importance of internships. She realized how much she loved positively impacting them.

That 麻豆精品 S檚 when her own mentor, Josefina Rosario 麻豆精品 S� assistant director for access and student support at 麻豆精品 S� suggested enrolling in the public administration and nonprofit management dual-degree graduate program next. It was a decision that would further fuel her passion for helping others.

Through the program, housed in , Dones has engaged in real-world experiences that simulate what it 麻豆精品 S檚 like to work in the nonprofit and public sectors. Through service-learning, she evaluated and helped develop a strategic fundraising plan for a local nonprofit. She 麻豆精品 S檚 also created budgets for the City of Orlando and analyzed how both the city and Orange County Sheriff 麻豆精品 S檚 Office use social media. She attended her first professional conference.

Perhaps some of the most invaluable experience she has gained involves the industry 麻豆精品 S檚 intersection with artificial intelligence.

Leveraging AI for Community Impact

Through the UCF Applied AI Innovation Initiative, Dones has been working with associate lecturer and initiative lead 麻豆精品 S�11笔丑顿 in using generative AI tools to find innovative solutions for challenges in educational and behavioral interventions. During her time as a student fellow for the initiative, Dones has learned to harness the power of AI to create apps, websites, data dashboards, chat bots, online courses and even a board game that enhances financial management skills 麻豆精品 S� all without having a technical background.

麻豆精品 S淚 never thought I would be able to build an app, but now we can with the help of AI, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淲hen I saw that I can do something like that or create a website with the help of AI, I wanted to continue doing it. Nonprofit organizations tend to get left behind when there’s new technology out there. I imagined how AI can help a nonprofit with time or resource constraints, and that 麻豆精品 S檚 how my passion for learning about it started. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淚 imagined how AI can help a nonprofit with time or resource constraints, and that 麻豆精品 S檚 how my passion for learning about it started. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Ketty Dones 麻豆精品 S�23

Dones has played a significant role for the Applied AI Innovation Initiative in helping local nonprofits leverage AI to boost creativity and efficiency in advancing their missions. She contributed to creating an AI Impact Hub, an app that serves as a one-stop shop to connect nonprofits with resources and engage with other nonprofit leaders through a discussion forum. She 麻豆精品 S檚 also assisted in hosting workshops that explore how AI can be used as a tool to assist nonprofits with social media, fundraising, compliance and evaluation.

Most notably, Dones helped the team develop an in partnership with that covers topics ranging from grant writing, evaluation, storytelling and prompting with AI to ethical guardrails, accountability and security when using the technology, as well as best practices for integrating AI tools in day-to-day operations. The course is also used in the Innovation and Technical Assistance Program, which provides hands-on assistance to local nonprofits engaging with AI-powered tools to help strengthen their organizational capacity.

In fact, 26 Orange County nonprofits graduated from the program last month with an AI for Nonprofits certificate.

Full Circle and Ever Upward

If it helps bridge the gap between AI and nonprofit organizations, count Dones in.

麻豆精品 S淚 always like to think of AI as a thought partner and ask how it can help elevate ideas, not create them, 麻豆精品 S� Dones says. 麻豆精品 S淭hat 麻豆精品 S檚 why I think it’s so important for the public and nonprofit sectors to leverage this technology. Continuing education in the nonprofit and public administration sectors is always important, but especially now with learning how to integrate AI tools. 麻豆精品 S�

Although AI has served as her assistant in creating innovative solutions for others, it 麻豆精品 S檚 the combination of her grit and determination to succeed along with a passion for serving others that assists her in unlocking the potential not just within herself but also in the community.

“Ketty has impressed me since day one, 麻豆精品 S� Concha says. 麻豆精品 S淏etween her contributions to the AI for Nonprofits course and developing impactful resources using AI and advanced prompting techniques, she is a prime example of a student without a technical background using AI for social good.”

For now, Dones will continue working with Concha and the Applied AI Innovation Initiative to further develop AI tools and solutions, working toward certifications and mentoring nonprofit partners along the way. Although she is considering pursuing a career in AI product management or sales down the road, it 麻豆精品 S檚 using her knowledge to set up nonprofits for success that she finds most rewarding.

After all, her accomplishments thus far and her bright future wouldn 麻豆精品 S檛 have been possible without some help from nonprofit organizations along the way.

麻豆精品 S淚 always think about the Key Biscayne Community Foundation and other nonprofit organizations that helped me receive funding to go to school, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 kind of full circle for me now. I feel that I can give back to my local community in understanding not just the challenges nonprofits face but also how I can help them in the future. 麻豆精品 S�

Inspired by the Voyager Scholarship’s impact on young people, Gomez says she wanted to apply to make a more significant difference in the world, especially in healthcare for those who may not have access to it or the resources to do so.

“The Voyager scholarship supports and equips young leaders to view challenges on a global scale and get these experiences where you are able to further learn and explore the world,” says Gomez, who is double majoring in biochemistry and biomedical sciences.

Created in 2022 by the Obamas and Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, the Voyager Scholarship, is designed to inspire, empower, and connect the next generation of leaders and equip them with the tools and resources they need to launch their careers in public service.

Scholarship recipients are awarded up to $50,000 in financial aid, a $10,000 stipend, and free Airbnb housing for their Summer Voyage 麻豆精品 S� a self-designed international travel experience during the summer between junior and senior years. After graduation, the scholars receive $2,000 in Airbnb travel credit annually for 10 years to help them continue to broaden their horizons and forge new connections as they continue their work in public service.

That opportunity to give back over the long term is important to Gomez. Before she moved to the United States in 2017, she grew up in Venezuela and, through her own experiences, saw the need for more accessible healthcare, she says.

“I had a firsthand understanding of [issues] that other world populations encounter when trying to access healthcare,” Gomez says.

She says this sparked her passion for healthcare, and after moving to the U.S., her passion for the sciences grew through new opportunities and the people she met.

Along with seeing the crisis in her home country, Gomez shared that last year, she spent the summer in Puerto Rico helping the residents devastated by Hurricane Maria.

“We worked a lot with elderly populations … and the majority of them had chronic conditions,” Gomez says. “I heard from some individuals about their decision to move back from the States because they wanted culturally competent physicians who could understand and serve them better.”

Gomez has found inspiration to help others from unexpected people along her journey, she says. They are people she 麻豆精品 S檚 encountered on a daily basis and who have transformed her outlook on the world.

麻豆精品 S淛ust seeing how cheerful my bus drivers for UCF are makes a difference, 麻豆精品 S� Gomez says. 麻豆精品 S淚 have to wake up early to catch the bus, but I realized that my bus drivers must wake up even earlier to be there and still have the energy and cheerfulness to greet me daily with a 麻豆精品 S榞ood morning. 麻豆精品 S� Those small gifts to me have helped me to be empathetic toward others and opened up my perspective to see the contributions that other people make in various ways throughout your day and your life. 麻豆精品 S�

Gomez says she wants immigrants to have better access to healthcare and education because of their positive impact on the workforce, economy, and country.

“Access to healthcare can prevent treatable conditions that could then become a burden in the entire system,” Gomez says. 麻豆精品 S淭hese changes have the power to change many lives. 麻豆精品 S�

Gomez says being a Voyager has opened her life to a world of opportunities.

“[Being a Voyager,] means the opportunity to embrace change and explore perspectives and enrich understanding of global challenges and solutions,” Gomez says. “Being a Voyager is about using these experiences to foster innovation, to drive change, and advocate for what you really believe and the change you want to see.”

Gomez says she wants other students who are pursuing change through public service to know that there is always an opportunity for them.

“It often only just takes one yes from a mentor, from a scholarship committee or just a program coordinator to just open up doors and opportunities from there on that branch up into even greater opportunities,” she says.

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

Ten Knights were selected for the 2024 Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship, an educational and workforce opportunity available to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing STEM degrees. The program covers the cost of tuition and education related expenses, provides an annual stipend of at least $30,000 a year, provides a mentored internship experience during the summer and offers employment at a DoD facility upon degree completion. The goal of the program is to build a workforce of leaders in the STEM disciplines.

The recipients are:

• Brandon Allen
• Matthew Hadad
• Emily Kinkead
• Joseph Lee
• Thomas Nguyen
• Conner Parsay
• Jordyn Sitson
• Jeffery Smith
• Enilda Velazquez 麻豆精品 S�20
• Louis Vest

Brandon Allen

Master 麻豆精品 S檚 in electrical engineering student

As a gifted math and science student, Allen says he always wanted to be an engineer, something his mom encouraged during his childhood. He chose electrical engineering for its novelty compared to other more well-known disciplines.

麻豆精品 S淚 chose electrical engineering because it deals with concepts that are so unknown to most people, almost as if it were a form of magic, 麻豆精品 S� Allen says.

He was drawn to UCF for two reasons: his family in close proximity, and for its optics programs, which are ranked in the top 30 worldwide according to U.S. News & World Report.

麻豆精品 S淚 chose UCF because of its optics program. In my line of work, I deal with infrared cameras and other electro-optical devices, 麻豆精品 S� Allen says. 麻豆精品 S淎lso, I have family members in the area that will help make UCF feel like a home away from home. 麻豆精品 S�

Allen adds that he applied to the SMART scholarship program for the financial opportunity to attend school full time.

麻豆精品 S淚 plan on using my education to help foster innovation within the Air Force, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淎lso, I have hopes that an M.S. degree will help me obtain promotions and take on more of a leadership role. 麻豆精品 S�

Matthew Hadad

Bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 in electrical engineering student

Electrical engineering major Hadad knew he had a penchant for electrical engineering from his interest in circuit math from a high school course, AP Physics I. His pursuit of the field is also an homage to his mom, who had planned on studying electrical engineering herself.

麻豆精品 S淢y mother was going to be an electrical engineering major, but she could not finish because she had given birth to me, and I was a bigger priority for her than her major, 麻豆精品 S� Hadad says.

UCF wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 the school he dreamed of growing up, but a high school friend convinced him to become a Knight and he hasn 麻豆精品 S檛 looked back since. When he learned of the opportunity to pursue the SMART scholarship, its military ties were a natural fit for him. Hadad says he was always fascinated with naval history, particularly of navies during World War II.

麻豆精品 S淚 am very grateful for the SMART Scholar program. After I receive my M.S. degree, I plan to work for the U.S. Department of Defense for as long as possible, 麻豆精品 S� Hadad says. 麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 something I have wanted to do and could see myself doing in the future. 麻豆精品 S�

Emily Kinkead

Bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 in photonics science and engineering student

As a transfer student, Kinkead has yet to step foot on the UCF campus, but she 麻豆精品 S檚 already made quite the impact. The photonics science and engineering major spent the summer at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center at the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, where she 麻豆精品 S檚 already participated in several STEM outreach programs. She says she 麻豆精品 S檚 excited for the opportunity to intern there and looks forward to learning as much as she can from the experience.

麻豆精品 S淭here is so much to learn and experience, 麻豆精品 S� Kinkead says. 麻豆精品 S淗aving the ability to do so with the support of SMART means that I will be pushed and challenged as I pursue my degree, which I hope one day will make me an invaluable member of the DoD family. 麻豆精品 S�

Joseph Lee

Doctorate in chemistry student

After serving on the front line for the U.S. Army, Lee aims to make a difference in military labs to advance nuclear security research. As a chemist, his doctoral research, which is conducted under the guidance of Assistant Professor Vasileios Anagnostopoulos, focuses on understanding the interactions of radioactive elements, such as actinides, with molecules found in nature. Applications for this work can range from radioactive waste management 麻豆精品 S� including response to events such as Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011 麻豆精品 S� to efficient use of nuclear fuel and even recycling.

麻豆精品 S淚 aspire to join the Airforce Technical Application Center (AFTAC) located on Patrick Space Force Base upon my graduation, 麻豆精品 S� Lee says. 麻豆精品 S淭here I will have the opportunity to contribute to the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 mission related to nuclear security and global monitoring of nuclear activities under the DoD. 麻豆精品 S�

With the SMART Scholarship, Lee is on the right path to his dream career as he 麻豆精品 S檒l be interning at AFTAC each summer until he graduates.

麻豆精品 S淭he DoD is offering opportunities for the next generation of subject matter experts in the field of nuclear science and technology, 麻豆精品 S� Lee says. 麻豆精品 S淎long with this, UCF is providing me the fundamental academic resources and training as a graduate student. These opportunities will provide me with a unique skillset in the future of scientific progression. 麻豆精品 S�

Thomas Nguyen

Doctorate in biomedical engineering student

Nguyen is no stranger to prestigious internships. The biomedical engineering doctoral student previously completed the Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP), sponsored by the Office of Naval Research. Fittingly, Nguyen completed his DoD SMART internship with the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD). He says both his time at UCF and his experience with NREIP have prepared him for this opportunity.

麻豆精品 S淣otably, my involvement in projects like the T-45 Flight Simulator Development and the Dental Aerosol Reduction System (DARS) project during my NREIP internships has provided me with firsthand experience in applying engineering principles to defense-related simulations, 麻豆精品 S� Nguyen says. 麻豆精品 S淭hese experiences have prepared me to excel in a dynamic and challenging environment, where innovation and technical expertise are paramount. 麻豆精品 S�

Nguyen will work under the mentorship of senior research and development engineer Rocco Portoghese, assisting with projects that leverage simulation technologies to enhance the effectiveness of military training. Through his work, Nguyen hopes to enhance his knowledge of simulation technologies, develop technical skills in electrical circuitry and 3D design, and emerge from the internship as a leader ready for a career with a defense organization.

麻豆精品 S淭his opportunity represents a pivotal moment in my academic and professional journey, allowing me to contribute directly to defense technology while furthering my education, 麻豆精品 S� Nguyen says. 麻豆精品 S淚 am eager to immerse myself in challenging projects and collaborate with experts in the field, ultimately making meaningful contributions to the defense industry. 麻豆精品 S�

Jordyn Sitson

Bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 in information technology聽 student

After graduation, Jordyn Sitson plans to become a cyber analyst and researcher. Now in her senior year, she 麻豆精品 S檚 already lined up a job with the DoD.

麻豆精品 S淢y favorite part of the cybersecurity field has always been finding the clues that lead up to a cyber-attack, and by pursuing a career as an analyst and researcher I 麻豆精品 S檒l be able to search for these traces firsthand and stay up to date on any trends that may be related to the cause of potential cyberattacks, 麻豆精品 S� Sitson says.

The computer science major heard about the SMART Scholarship through a speaker at the Women in Cybersecurity Club at UCF. 麻豆精品 S淭he scholarship is still relatively unknown and easy to apply for, 麻豆精品 S� Sitson says. 麻豆精品 S淚 encourage anyone in STEM that is looking for a chance to get a head start working and gaining experience at a DoD facility to apply for this scholarship. 麻豆精品 S�

This summer, Sitson gained experience as a cybersecurity intern at NAVFAC, the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command in Jacksonville, Florida. There she worked with four cybersecurity teams, which helped her decide to work with the Operational Technology team for the following summers.

麻豆精品 S淟earning information and applying it are completely different so I hope that with this real-world experience I become a better cyber analyst that can help contribute to NAVFAC 麻豆精品 S檚 mission, 麻豆精品 S� Sitson says.

Jeffery Smith

Master 麻豆精品 S檚 in civil engineering student

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 reputation for engineering education, its proximity to prominent engineering organizations and its partnerships with industry giants like the DoD persuaded Smith to become a Knight. That decision paid off for Smith, who will conveniently complete his internship at his current workplace, the Jacksonville District Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Smith works under the mentorship of civil engineer Tony Ledford, learning how to apply the concepts he 麻豆精品 S檚 learned in the classroom to the real world.

麻豆精品 S淚 look forward to benefiting from Tony Ledford’s experience as a mentor and learning about creative engineering techniques, efficient project management techniques and problem-solving techniques, 麻豆精品 S� Smith says. 麻豆精品 S淚n addition, I’m excited to expand my professional networks and ties inside the DoD, which will be very helpful for my future job. 麻豆精品 S�

Smith says the opportunity to work for the DoD, and to receive financial support for his graduate students, were just a few benefits that drew him to the SMART Scholar program.

麻豆精品 S淕etting chosen as a SMART Scholar is a thrilling and incredibly fulfilling experience, 麻豆精品 S� Smith says. 麻豆精品 S淜nowing that my efforts and commitment have been acknowledged in a fiercely competitive sector is a great source of pride and achievement. 麻豆精品 S�

Enilda Velazquez 麻豆精品 S�20

Doctorate in human factors and cognitive psychology student, bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 in psychology alum with minors in cognitive sciences, and international and national security

Inspired by her parents 麻豆精品 S� work in civilian defense through the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, Velazquez aims to be a scientist contributing to U.S. national security. At UCF, Velazquez has engaged in several research experiences, including previous efforts with the Transportation Research Group Lab and current work with the Minds in Technology, Machines in Thought (MIT2) Lab.

麻豆精品 S淢y research is on visual performance, but specifically multi-target search, [which is] how we look at multiple things of interest in a scene that has other things that are not of interest, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淭he biggest impact of my work is safety. 麻豆精品 S�

While Velazquez says she 麻豆精品 S檚 had some valuable research experiences at UCF, she 麻豆精品 S檚 looking forward to taking her work to the next level with optics work at the C5ISR Center, which is one of eight science and technology domains within the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM. She also says she 麻豆精品 S檚 looking forward to serving as an apprentice to a mentor working in the field.

麻豆精品 S淚’m very excited just be on hands-on projects and kind of learn by doing. I love learning by doing. I feel like that’s most of my career has been learning by doing, 麻豆精品 S� Velazquez says. 麻豆精品 S淎nd so just to be on projects where I can see this kind of research be applied real time, I feel like that’s honestly the most invaluable part of this entire thing.”

Louis Vest

Doctorate in aerospace engineering student

Before Louis Vest decided a doctoral degree, he debated following in his father and grandfather 麻豆精品 S檚 steps to join the military. With the SMART Scholarship program, he 麻豆精品 S檚 able to serve his country in a different way.

麻豆精品 S淢y father instilled in me a very serious work ethic and a dedication to take advantage of opportunities that he did not have, in this case, being able to go to school, 麻豆精品 S� Vest says. 麻豆精品 S淚 think the biggest driving force for [why I applied to] SMART was 麻豆精品 S� 聽having the opportunity to serve my country as a civilian contractor with the DoD. 麻豆精品 S�

Vest always knew he wanted to be an engineer, but his journey at UCF solidified his career would be in the aerospace industry. The doctoral student 麻豆精品 S檚 research focuses on fundamental fuel chemistry, and he is mentored by Professor Subith Vasu, who studies clean energy and hypersonic travel advancement.

麻豆精品 S淯pon connecting with [Dr. Vasu], he was the reason that I came out to UCF, 麻豆精品 S� Vest says. 麻豆精品 S淚 had done a little bit of reading on research opportunities with Vasu that students were able to pave their way through, and it felt like a very natural fit. 麻豆精品 S� The environment, and by extension the community, that UCF fosters, particularly in the sciences, is unparalleled. 麻豆精品 S�

Next summer, he 麻豆精品 S檒l intern at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, Maryland, gaining hands-on experience and industry insights that would normally take years to achieve, he says.

麻豆精品 S淚 hope to be a part of the next generation of researchers who find the most efficient fuels to be used in the aerospace and astronomical industries, 麻豆精品 S� Vest says, 麻豆精品 S淎nd I’m hoping to gain the opportunity to work alongside other engineers and partners to effectively help pave the way for the next frontier, which I believe is a space. 麻豆精品 S�

The national program, led by Jonas Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, aims to improve healthcare by expanding the pool of doctoral-prepared nurses needed to educate the next generation of nurse leaders.

The Jonas Scholar program will aid Logvinov in her academic and research pursuits. In addition to financial support, Jonas Scholars receive mentorship and a curriculum tailored to providing students with the learning experiences they need to successfully transition into a faculty role.

麻豆精品 S淚 am thankful to be selected as a Jonas Scholar, which will support my academic and professional goals to improve nursing practice and patient care, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

Immigrating to the U.S. to Pursue Possibilities

Selection for this program is a testament to Logvinov 麻豆精品 S檚 grit, determination and hard work.

麻豆精品 S淔or me, becoming a nurse educator is not just a career to-do list, it is a relentless tug from within that I could not ignore due to my persistent academic determination, 麻豆精品 S� Logvinov says.

Logvinov is a first-generation college graduate. She earned her nursing degree and began her nursing career in the Ukraine before immigrating to the U.S. in 1997.

麻豆精品 S淟ike many other refugees, I sought opportunities in the land of opportunities, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淏ut let me tell you, those opportunities did not come knocking on my door; I had to chase them down myself. 麻豆精品 S�

In the U.S., she had to start over, learn a new language, and take classes to gain access to nursing school. Through her perseverance and a little help from people who supported her, she never stopped believing in herself and never stopped learning.

After earning her initial associate degree in nursing, she went on to earn a bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree, a master 麻豆精品 S檚 degree and most recently, her first doctoral degree in nursing (a Doctor of Nursing Practice, or DNP, degree) all while advancing in her nursing career in the U.S.

At the Mayo Clinic in Florida, where she has worked since 2003, she continued to pursue learning opportunities. She became a Silver certified Mayo Clinic Quality Fellow and a Certified Clinical Research Professional.

Currently, Logvinov is an assistant professor of anesthesiology and nursing at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and a research program manager for the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Florida. In addition, she is a visiting professor at Chamberlain University.

Inspiring Educational Excellence

麻豆精品 S淎s an educator, I want to make a difference in nursing education and cultivate a new era of excellence by providing the next generation of nurses with the knowledge, skills and compassion to excel, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

To do this, she incorporates technology, interdisciplinary collaboration and opportunities for professional development in her classes to prepare students for the complex and rapidly evolving field of healthcare.

Logvinov also fosters a culture of learning and is committed to student retention, especially among English as a second language students.

麻豆精品 S淚 value mentoring others in the same way I have been mentored because navigating academia can be challenging, especially for first-generation college students or immigrants to the United States, 麻豆精品 S� says Logvinov.

Improving Outcomes for Older Adults

After earning her nursing Ph.D. from UCF, Logvinov plans to become a full-time faculty member at a university to work as a nurse scientist while mentoring the next generation of nurses and researchers.

Inspired by her clinical career in the U.S., Logvinov 麻豆精品 S檚 primary research interests are in gerontology, examining the impact of surgical procedures and anesthesia on older adults.

麻豆精品 S淢y research has focused on the intersection of aging and perianesthesia nursing, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

At the Mayo Clinic, she earned the distinction of an associate in anesthesiology 麻豆精品 S� an honor given to allied health professionals for research contributions.

At UCF, she plans to continue to her research and expand nursing science and knowledge about the physiological, psychological, and social aspects of aging in surgical care.

麻豆精品 S淢y goal is to improve the well-being and quality of life for older adults, leaving a legacy in geriatric healthcare and research, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

麻豆精品 S淏ecause he saw my growing interest, I was later able to shadow the physician that did my surgery, 麻豆精品 S� Williamson says. 麻豆精品 S淎nd then in high school, another surgeon I was shadowing let me scrub in for surgery and that was an incredible experience. It was then I knew for certain I wanted to become a doctor. 麻豆精品 S�

She is now another step closer to that dream after matching into a general surgery residency at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Williamson, whose father was a sonar man in the Navy, is one of three final-year UCF medical students who matched into military residencies recently and will train at military hospitals across the country after they graduate in May.

All three students are recipients of the military 麻豆精品 S檚 Health Professions Scholarship, which covers tuition and living expenses for medical students who agree to serve their country for one year for each year of scholarship. Students match into residencies at military hospitals or do their military service after civilian residencies.

Medical school graduates must complete a residency program in their chosen specialty before they are able to practice. Students apply for and then interview with residency programs and rank their choices. Residency programs do the same. A computerized service then matches the top choices from both. Some specialties, including urology, ophthalmology and military-based residencies, announce matches early ahead of the National Match Day scheduled March 15. On that day, thousands of medical students across the country will learn where they will complete residency training.

Asanka Ekanayake will join Williamson at Walter Reed and will specialize in internal medicine, an area he became drawn to during his clinical rotations. Ekanayake, whose sister is a family medicine physician in the Navy, says training with the military offers a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.

麻豆精品 S淲hether I am serving on a relief mission or providing care in a hospital setting, I know that my work will have a direct, meaningful impact on the well-being of those who serve our country or need our assistance, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

The third student, Leeann Hu, will train in internal medicine at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The recent matches bring the total number of UCF students matched into military residencies to 40 since the medical school began in 2009.

Assistant Dean for Students Soraya Smith congratulated the students on their accomplishments and commended them for their hard work and dedication.

麻豆精品 S淚 am so excited to be able to witness such an exciting milestone in their journey to becoming physicians, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚 know they will accomplish great things and be a wonderful representation of the UCF College of Medicine. 麻豆精品 S�