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

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

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

Opportunity, Provided at Scale

At UCF, scale has always meant more than size.

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

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

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

This is scale with purpose.

Where Talent Meets Demand

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

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

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

Turning Studies Into Real Skills

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

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

Career Prep From the Start

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

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

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

Retaining Talent Across Florida

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

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

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

More Than a Milestone

Commencement is what everyone sees.

The walk. The tassel. The celebration.

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

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

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

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

Thanks to 麻豆精品 S檚 dedicated support for STEM students, he had access to resources so he would not have to navigate that journey alone.

麻豆精品 S淓ngineering is hands-down our most active liaison area, 麻豆精品 S� says Taylor Sandifer 麻豆精品 S�23MA, assistant director of employer relations in Career Services who supports all STEM majors, including the College of Engineering and Computer Science. 麻豆精品 S淐ECS students show up to everything. They 麻豆精品 S檙e really engaged, and they take advantage of every opportunity. 麻豆精品 S�

For Knights like Nguyen, that means access to employers through engineering-focused employer-led workshops, resume reviews, mock interviews, and the highly attended , which occurs annually in the fall at the Addition Financial Arena, where as many as 300 employers fill the venue.

Big Companies Recruit Knights

Before Expo, students can听participate听in the Career Readiness Program, a two-week series including industry-specific, employer-led sessions where recruiters host one-on-one resume reviews and mock interviews to help students prepare.

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 employer-relations model attracts major companies such as Google, Meta, Amazon, Siemens Energy, Lockheed Martin, L3Harris and Walmart directly to campus for tabling, information sessions,听and networking events.

麻豆精品 S淓mployers coming in to recruit STEM talent will work with us to get connected, 麻豆精品 S� Sandifer says. 麻豆精品 S淲e help them get into the engineering atrium, set up information sessions, reach students through Handshake, and collaborate with CECS to spread the word.

麻豆精品 S淲e want students to see a clear path from UCF to a career. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Taylor Sandifer 麻豆精品 S�23MA, assistant director of employer relations in Career Services

麻豆精品 S淲e want students to see a clear path from UCF to a career. When they put in the effort, and we can help make those connections, it all comes together. 麻豆精品 S�

Sandifer has seen firsthand how transformative this can be.

麻豆精品 S淥ne computer science student (Nguyen) showed up on the wrong day 麻豆精品 S� in a suit 麻豆精品 S斕齜ut stayed anyway, 麻豆精品 S澨齭he recalls. 麻豆精品 S淗e came back the next day, met with recruiters, and we听connected him with Deloitte & Touche. He ended up getting the job. His hard work and willingness to show up made the difference. 麻豆精品 S�

Real World Ready

Nguyen credits the Dixon Career Development Center in helping him shape his career path.

麻豆精品 S淚听wasn 麻豆精品 S檛听very prepared initially and had no idea where听to even听start. It was overwhelming just thinking about it, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淚 attended an event I found off Handshake and it turned into me getting resume reviews, mock interviews, and attending events that got me to meet employers I was passionate about joining. 麻豆精品 S�

He took advantage of summer appointments, interview strategies,听and also听printed business cards to hand out to the company representatives at the听Internship and听Career Expo. Those efforts paid off with an opportunity at Deloitte 麻豆精品 S� a place he was drawn to for its culture and its constant flow of new challenges.

His biggest takeaway from his experience with the Career Center is to be persistent and open to every opportunity.

麻豆精品 S淵ou never know what conversation you have with someone that could turn into a huge career opportunity, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

罢丑别听 will take place on Tuesday, March 10.

Although Royal knew since high school that he wanted to be an engineer, he didn 麻豆精品 S檛 know these courses were essential to succeeding in his studies. He enjoyed working with his hands, solving practical problems, and was interested in science, math, and technology. Mechanical engineering felt like the perfect intersection of all his interests.

What he didn 麻豆精品 S檛 have was guidance.

Starting Behind 麻豆精品 S� and Pushing Forward

Royal didn 麻豆精品 S檛 know anyone in engineering or have access to mentors who could advise him on the classes a university engineering program required. When he later reconnected with two friends from high school 麻豆精品 S� Kent Huerta and Isaac Washington, both civil engineering majors at the University of South Florida 麻豆精品 S� he quickly discovered they faced many of the same challenges navigating STEM pathways without early guidance.

麻豆精品 S淚 would’ve still been a year behind graduating if I [hadn 麻豆精品 S檛 taken] an accelerated courseload, 麻豆精品 S� says Royal, who 麻豆精品 S檚 now a mechanical engineering graduate student on track to become a double Knight. 麻豆精品 S淲e realized that 麻豆精品 S� if we had some prior knowledge or someone to talk to us about STEM before we got to this level, or before we tried to enter STEM, we could have avoided those pitfalls. 麻豆精品 S�

That realization helped turn his personal ambitions into action that benefits others.

In 2024, Royal, Huerta and Washington co-founded STEM Mentorship Matters, an outreach program that connects students at their high school, Q. I. Roberts Junior-Senior High School, with professionals in STEM fields and equips them with the knowledge to successfully pursue their careers.

麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S� didn’t have that many opportunities or much education related to STEM when we were in high school, 麻豆精品 S� Royal says. 麻豆精品 S淭hat made it a lot more difficult compared to our peers who did. So we thought, 麻豆精品 S業s there any way to give something to students who were like us, who could use opportunities in STEM? 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S�

Giving Students a Head Start

What began as a grassroots effort serving just 30 students at Q. I. Roberts has since grown into a network of 10 high schools across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, reaching hundreds of junior and senior high school students. The organization now includes 30 volunteer mentors who lead monthly workshops that connect professionals with students.

STEM Mentorship Matters also offers a range of resources, including guidance on applying to universities through the Common App, explanations of different engineering disciplines and advice on getting involved on campus. Monthly discussions focus on preparing for careers in STEM, with topics shaped by student interest and shared through the organization 麻豆精品 S檚 Discord server.

From navigating the college application process and building strong resumes to learning how to network and apply for internships, volunteer mentors guide students to success in the classroom and beyond graduation.

麻豆精品 S淚t helps students think, 麻豆精品 S榃hat would I want to do beyond middle and high school? Am I even interested in STEM? 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Royal says. 麻豆精品 S淸And] it’s OK if they’re not. We’re just trying to provide them with some insight. It also provides some insight into what they may want to do in STEM if they are interested. 麻豆精品 S�

Royal adds that these interactions help students narrow their interests, explore future career possibilities and feel more confident entering their chosen field. Just as important, it gives them something Royal says he and his co-founders lacked early on: encouragement.

麻豆精品 S淛ust someone saying, 麻豆精品 S榊ou can do this if you set your mind to it, 麻豆精品 S� is very important because we didn’t have a lot of that pursuing STEM, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淎nd I feel it’s important to have because it makes it easier to accomplish whatever you set out to do. 麻豆精品 S�

Founded to reach the moon, we 麻豆精品 S檙e already on our way to the next frontier. Built for liftoff, America 麻豆精品 S檚 Space University celebrates UCF Space Week Nov. 3-7.

Where Global Leaders Unite to Boldly Forge the Future of Space

As SpaceU, UCF is pushing the boundaries of exploration once again by launching a groundbreaking new doctoral program in the planetary and space sciences. Now, aspiring researchers can apply to the inaugural cohort of the program, which launches Fall 2026 and is offered through the College of Sciences 麻豆精品 S� Department of Physics.

Apply to the planetary and space sciences doctoral program by the Dec. 1, 2025, priority deadline.

麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 relatively unusual to have a separate Ph.D. program in planetary and space sciences like this, 麻豆精品 S� says Yan Fernandez, professor of physics and director of the new doctoral program. 麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 an exciting step forward. We have a large number of faculty working on planetary science and there are very few universities with that kind of knowledge in one place. 麻豆精品 S�

The new doctoral program is interdisciplinary in its approach, bringing in elements from astrobiology, astronomy, data analysis, geology, physics and more. The program originated as a planetary sciences track as part of a doctoral degree in physics and was approved by the Board of Governors in Florida as the first and only planetary and space sciences doctoral program in the state.

麻豆精品 S淎s SpaceU, we are aiming to be the premier engineering and technology university in the state and a destination for space-focused learning in the world, 麻豆精品 S� says Addie Dove, professor and chair of the Department of Physics. 麻豆精品 S淲e want to ensure the programs we offer reflect the university 麻豆精品 S檚 strategic approach as well as what 麻豆精品 S檚 necessary to succeed in today 麻豆精品 S檚 workforce. 麻豆精品 S�

What Students Can Expect from the Program

The new degree will position graduates for employment opportunities that are projected to grow in Florida and nationwide. Program graduates will have the knowledge and skills necessary for roles in governmental agencies such as NASA, the private space industry, academia and research institutions. Graduates will be prepared to work as scientists within fields that include astronomy, atmospheric physics, space science and geoscience.

麻豆精品 S淭his program is not just for physics students, but also for students who have studied geology, engineering, data science or听 many other STEM fields, 麻豆精品 S� Dove says. 麻豆精品 S淲e have a number of faculty who built hardware that has gone or will travel into space and there 麻豆精品 S檚 an opportunity for students with more of an engineering background to pursue this doctorate. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淗aving a strong foundation in scientific thinking is important, whether individuals are building hardware going to other planetary surfaces, working on next generation telescopes, or considering problems that have not even been imagined yet, 麻豆精品 S� she continues.

The program broadens the areas of study to include not only physics but also astrochemistry, astrogeology, astrobiology, and scientific instrument development. Fernandez also emphasizes the importance of big data and machine learning in planetary science.

麻豆精品 S淭here 麻豆精品 S檚 a need for a program like this because we are awash in data, 麻豆精品 S� Fernandez says. 麻豆精品 S淪tudents who understand these aspects of big data, efficient programming and working in problems in planetary science can contribute in many ways to innovative research and to cutting-edge science. 麻豆精品 S�

Fueling the Future of Space

Dove notes that the students who have pursued the initial planetary sciences track in the physics doctorate program have successfully worked on space-related research.

麻豆精品 S淭here are many possibilities available through the program 麻豆精品 S檚 large network, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淢any of our students obtain internships or fellowships over the course of their studies, and we create high impact experiences within our classes. Our graduates have become postdocs and have worked on spacecraft missions. Some have continued into academia, some have worked for NASA and we have also seen students go on to work for companies that develop hardware and technology to send to space. 麻豆精品 S�

Dove shares that it is important to be responsive to the changing needs of industry, while providing opportunities for students to work in the collaborative ways that researchers often work in planetary science and all of STEM.

麻豆精品 S淲e wanted to ensure that the program reflected the values of our department, college and university and embraced our shared passion to boldly push the frontiers of knowledge, 麻豆精品 S� Dove says.

Note to Prospective Students: Enrollment is currently open for admission in the Fall 2026, with a priority deadline of Dec. 1, 2025. You may apply after the early deadline, and can reach out to faculty with research areas of interest. Be sure to apply to the 麻豆精品 S�planetary and space sciences doctoral program 麻豆精品 S痑nd not the track. Contact planets@ucf.edu for more information.

Students who enroll in UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 new graduate certificate in digital twins can explore the answers to these questions and a whole lot more. The 12-credit-hour program, launching this fall in the School of Modeling, Simulation and Training (SMST), will teach students to design, implement and analyze advanced digital twin systems that can mimic the behavior and performance of their physical counterparts.

麻豆精品 S淭he program emphasizes innovation and hands-on learning, preparing students to apply cutting-edge digital twin technologies to real-world challenges across sectors such as smart cities, healthcare, aerospace, manufacturing and defense, 麻豆精品 S� SMST Interim Director and Program Coordinator Ghaith Rabadi says. 麻豆精品 S淭he program is strategically designed to strengthen Central Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 digital twin talent pipeline and offers students access to industry-aligned training and career-ready skills. Graduates will emerge equipped to drive transformative digital solutions in high-demand fields. 麻豆精品 S�

Various industries already utilize digital twins to test and analyze products or environments before they are created. For example, NASA uses digital twins to predict the behavior of spacecraft and increase the success of future missions. Siemens Healthcare employs digital twins of organs to help doctors better understand their physiology and to develop more targeted treatments.

Industry professionals who want to develop skills in this type of digital modeling are welcome to apply to the program. A background in engineering or computer science is not required, although an undergraduate degree from a STEM-related discipline and some experience with programming are preferred.

Assistant Professor Soheil Sabri says that graduates of the program may be better positioned to pursue job titles such as digital twin engineer, simulation analyst, systems integration specialist, smart infrastructure developer or digital transformation consultant across a wide range of industries.

麻豆精品 S淲ith the growing adoption of digital twin technologies in industries such as aerospace, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, transportation and national defense, graduates will be equipped to lead efforts in optimizing operations, enhancing predictive maintenance and driving innovation in complex systems, 麻豆精品 S� Sabri says. 麻豆精品 S淭he program’s strong emphasis on real-world applications and industry collaboration further enhances graduates 麻豆精品 S� readiness for impactful, future-forward careers. 麻豆精品 S�

The SMST faculty aims to enroll 10 to 15 students in the first year of the program and already have strong interest from students enrolled in the school 麻豆精品 S檚 graduate degrees. The program can be completed online, offering convenience to students who need to balance coursework with a full-time job.

麻豆精品 S淭he program is designed to be accessible to working professionals and students from diverse STEM backgrounds, providing flexible pathways to deepen understanding into emerging fields such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, 麻豆精品 S� Assistant Professor Sean Modesire says. 麻豆精品 S淎s digital twins continue to revolutionize sectors from healthcare to aerospace, this program positions UCF at the forefront of preparing the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. 麻豆精品 S�

Other collaborators on the project include Roger Azevedo, Vishnu Prabhu and Bulent Soykan.

Over its 40-year history, the ASF has awarded scholarships totaling over $9 million to more than 850 students. This year, 71 undergraduate students from 48 U.S. colleges and universities were named Astronaut Scholars, including three exceptional leaders from UCF.

Abigail Glover

To Abigail Glover, a Burnett Honors Scholar and mechanical engineering student at UCF, earning a prestigious award like the Astronaut Scholarship represents far more than just financial support. For her, it 麻豆精品 S檚 entry into a network of ambitious individuals sharing her passion for space, engineering and scientific discovery. Glover describes the Astronaut community as 麻豆精品 S渁 family of like-minded individuals who will always support you. 麻豆精品 S�

Much of Glover 麻豆精品 S檚 research has focused on planetary science. Some of her undergraduate research initiatives include studying the influence of humidity on simulated lunar highlands regolith properties and terra mechanics. Currently, her Honors Undergraduate Thesis is on 麻豆精品 S淨uantifying the Performance of the SPARTA Toolkit for use in Planetary Regolith Characterization Missions. 麻豆精品 S�

Glover is a project manager with the Regolith Interactions for the Development of Extraterrestrial Rovers (RIDER) program at UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 , where she coordinates with industry experts and leads a team focused on enhancing technologies for lunar regolith and rover wheel interaction. She has also worked with NASA 麻豆精品 S檚 Exploration Ground Systems 麻豆精品 S� assisting the Human Systems Integration team in preparing for Artemis II. Beyond her professional experiences, she founded the Lake-Sumter State College Astronomical Society in 2016. She also served as the social media and marketing chair for the UCF chapter of the American Society for Mechanical Engineers and is the creative chair for Students for the Exploration and Development of Space at UCF.

Glover came to STEM from a background in art and theater, which initially left her feeling like an outsider in the world of engineering and research. In her first semester, she had difficulty adjusting to the demanding load of her STEM classes. With some encouragement from her mother, she returned to UCF for her second semester with renewed determination.

麻豆精品 S淚t has been a long journey of discovering my capabilities and limits, but I wouldn 麻豆精品 S檛 trade it for anything, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

Glover 麻豆精品 S檚 courage in asking questions and seeking new opportunities has been a powerful force in her development. A conversation with a professor led her to UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Exolith Lab, and a class interview connected her to the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars program, which set off a chain of experiences she says 麻豆精品 S渙pened doors to opportunities I would never have thought possible. 麻豆精品 S� Glover has received multiple scholarships and awards throughout her academic career such as the Office of Undergraduate Research Grant, the Pell Grant, and the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

Looking ahead, Glover hopes to contribute to long-term lunar habitation. She envisions herself continuing with lunar regolith research and building systems for sustainable human presence beyond Earth 麻豆精品 S檚 atmosphere. However, Glover 麻豆精品 S檚 past experiences have inspired her to remain adaptable, confident that 麻豆精品 S渓ife has a funny way of working out. 麻豆精品 S�

Charlotte Moore

With a passion for astronomy and a double major in and physics, Burnett Honors Scholar Charlotte Moore sees research as a way to learn more about the universe. Her research journey began in her first year and has transformed her academic experience, allowing her to build meaningful relationships and discover the collaborative spirit of the STEM community.

With her sights set on a doctoral degree in astronomy, Moore plans to focus on galaxy mergers, especially in tidal features at higher redshifts. 麻豆精品 S淥nce I finish my Ph.D., I hope to work at a university or other research institution to continue my research, 麻豆精品 S� she says. Currently, Moore is an undergraduate student researcher with Eric Bell from the University of Michigan working on the time constraints of the merger of Centaurus A from the Stellar Halo. She is also an undergraduate researcher with Theodora Karalidi, associate professor of physics at UCF, working on the impact of optical thickness on the polarization of the light of Jupiter.

Despite her accomplishments, Moore candidly acknowledges the challenge of imposter syndrome.

麻豆精品 S淭here are very few moments where I haven 麻豆精品 S檛 had doubts about what I 麻豆精品 S檓 doing, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

However, by immersing herself in new topics and projects, she has cultivated a sense of belonging in astronomy. Her hard work was marked by her first official publication, a moment that reinforced that she could make waves in the field of astronomy.

Moore credits her success to the incredible mentors she has encountered along her journey.

麻豆精品 S淒r. Karalidi has always pushed me to pursue outside opportunities that will help me towards my goal of graduate school, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

Additionally, she has benefited from the experiences of peers who have previously received the Astronaut Scholarship, utilizing their insights as she navigated her application process.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Moore is committed to helping others find their footing in research. As the secretary of the Society of Physics Students, she mentors fellow students, sharing her knowledge and experiences to guide them. Additionally, Moore has received multiple honors and awards, such as the Order of Pegasus in 2024, the Knights Achievement Scholarship, and the Allyn M. Stearman Scholarship. Moore embodies the academic excellence, commitment to community, and passion for discovery that the Astronaut Scholarship seeks to promote.

Luis Santori

As a second-time recipient of the Astronaut Scholarship Luis Santori, a Burnett Honors Scholar and mathematics major, also appreciates the opportunities the ASF community will offer for his growth as a researcher.

麻豆精品 S淭he doors that the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation opens will be crucial to my career, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

For Santori, the ASF community provides opportunities to collaborate, learn and grow as a researcher.

Santori is an undergraduate research assistant involved in multiple projects, including two with Kerri Donaldson Hanna and Adrienne Dove, associate professors in UCF’s Department of Physics, focusing on lunar craters and lunar regolith. He describes his mentors 麻豆精品 S� Hanna, Dove, and Professor Eduardo Teixeira from the UCF Department of Mathematics 麻豆精品 S� as instrumental in his growth and development as a researcher.

Santori 麻豆精品 S檚 research journey has been transformative for both his academic and personal development.

麻豆精品 S淩esearch has fostered personal growth by keeping me curious and introducing me to subjects beyond my curriculum, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

His research experiences have improved his communication skills, something that will be a necessity for him as he continues to promote his work.

Santori has also had to deal with the challenges that come with imposter syndrome, common in research where the uncertainty of discovery can lead to self-doubt. However, he reflects that by recognizing that it 麻豆精品 S檚 not productive to compare his path to the path of others, he has moved beyond this challenge. He also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a good work-life balance in sustaining a research career. His ability to work through these challenges and his dedication to his academic career have earned him the Allyn M. Stearman Research Fellowship, the Summer@ICERM 2023 Fellowship, and the 2024 NASA Exploration Science Forum Student Travel Grant.

Looking ahead, Santori plans to apply to doctoral programs in applied mathematics and planetary science, aiming to contribute to advancements in these fields. He is considering a career in academia, national labs or industry. With his passion and resilience, Santori is ready to make meaningful contributions to planetary science and mathematics as he continues on his academic journey as an Astronaut Scholar.

Those interested in the Astronaut Scholarship and other opportunities should reach out to the Office of Prestigious Awards at听OPA@ucf.edu.

麻豆精品 S淭here was a lot of uncertainty, 麻豆精品 S� says the Argentinian immigrant, 麻豆精品 S淸which made it] kind of hard to focus on school. 麻豆精品 S�

But Lobos was determined to change his path.

He became the first male in his family to graduate from high school 麻豆精品 S� and the first ever to attend college 麻豆精品 S� earning a full-ride scholarship to UCF in 2015.

麻豆精品 S淚 had just got into UCF [and] had no idea what to do, 麻豆精品 S� Lobos says. 麻豆精品 S淚 met with one of the [admissions] counselors … [and] she led me to [PRIME STEM]. 麻豆精品 S�

First-Generation Student Awareness Week听is Nov. 4-8, celebrating the success and achievements of first-generation college students.

Housed on UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 main campus, stands for Purpose + Reach = Individuals Measured for Excellence (PRIME). It supports first-generation in college students who demonstrate financial need and/or have a documented disability while pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degrees. Program participants benefit from resources such as priority registration, one-on-one tutoring, peer mentoring, help with financial aid and scholarship applications, research opportunities and more.

麻豆精品 S淲hen I didn’t know who to ask for a recommendation letter, I [turned] to PRIME STEM, 麻豆精品 S� Lobos says. 麻豆精品 S淚t felt like home. It was somewhere I [could] go when I wanted to chat with my friends or needed some mentoring or tutoring. It was really a beautiful place to be. 麻豆精品 S�

PRIME STEM is one of five federally funded at UCF, each dedicated to educational opportunity and support. Its mission is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants/scholars by helping them transition from one level of higher education to the next.

PRIME STEM, 听and the 麻豆精品 S� housed under UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Academic Achievement Programs 麻豆精品 S� are听collegiate Student 麻豆精品 S疭upport听Services听programs. (through Project ACE and听Project EDGE)听are pre-collegiate programs that prepare听small cohorts of students from Apopka and Edgewater high schools for college success.

麻豆精品 S淏eing able to provide students with resources and connections they otherwise would not have access to is perhaps the single greatest benefit to working on the TRiO team, 麻豆精品 S� says Deborah Bowie, director of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 TRiO Programs. 麻豆精品 S淭hese students are not only changing their own lives but, through their commitment to higher education and their future careers, they are also changing the trajectory for their families. 麻豆精品 S�

The term 麻豆精品 S淭RIO 麻豆精品 S� was coined in the late 1960s to describe three federal education opportunity outreach programs launched as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson 麻豆精品 S檚 麻豆精品 S淲ar on Poverty. 麻豆精品 S� Established in 1964, Upward Bound was the first TRiO program 麻豆精品 S� and this year marks its 60th anniversary. UCF launched its first TRiO program in 2010.

PRIME STEM paved the way for many firsts for Lobos. With the program 麻豆精品 S檚 support, the first-generation biomedical sciences major secured his first internship in cancer research at Boston University as a sophomore. He credits this transformative experience with early exposure to advanced technology and complex science, shaping the course of his college journey.

麻豆精品 S淸It] was the first time I ever left Florida, 麻豆精品 S� Lobos says. 麻豆精品 S淸This internship] was something I never really imagined I could do, but it turned out to be one of the most beautiful experiences of college. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淢e and my folks came here with just suitcases. Now I’m going to be the first doctor in my family.” 麻豆精品 S� Giuliano Lobos 麻豆精品 S�19, biomedical sciences and PRIME STEM alum

Since earning his bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree from UCF in 2019, Lobos has set his sights on providing compassionate care to people in need. Now in his fourth year at Howard University 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Medicine, Lobos says he is grateful for the connections he made through PRIME STEM, which have helped him advance his education. His PRIME STEM tutor played a pivotal role in guiding him toward his purpose in psychiatry. After completing his clinical rotations, he says he realized that every doctor engages with psychiatry in some capacity, which inspired him to specialize in the field.

麻豆精品 S淚 love the science and 麻豆精品 S� how psychiatrists are able to care for 麻豆精品 S� patients in a more holistic way. [ I find] a lot of joy in getting to know [my] patients [and] their stories, 麻豆精品 S� Lobos says.

Graduating med school is just the tip of the iceberg for this budding physician. Next up: positively changing lives and owning psychiatric clinics.

麻豆精品 S淢e and my folks came here with just suitcases, heavy with dreams. I never thought I was going to graduate high school. Now I’m going to be the first doctor in my family, 麻豆精品 S� Lobos says. 麻豆精品 S淚 hope that my journey shows that no matter how tough things are, 麻豆精品 S� persistence always pays off. 麻豆精品 S�

These K-8 STEM educators, who comprise the Robert Noyce Master Teaching Fellowship program cohort, are each graduating with a doctorate in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in K-8 mathematics education. However, their program doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 just end here. They are also serving as teacher leaders advocating for evidence-based instructional practices and transforming the ways in which mathematics education is approached.

The state of Florida has not only faced challenges posed by a shortage of teachers, but also by struggles in retaining highly qualified educators. These needs are often exacerbated in Title I schools, in which many of the Noyce program fellows work. Housed in the College of Community Innovation and Education 麻豆精品 S檚 and funded by a U.S. National Science Foundation grant, the five-year program directly addresses the issue of teacher retention through investing in quality educators by increasing their leadership capacity and mathematics expertise. It is led by Sarah Bush, principal investigator, as well as co-principal investigators Lisa Brooks 麻豆精品 S�92 麻豆精品 S�06MEd 麻豆精品 S�14EdD, Juli Dixon and Brian Moore.

麻豆精品 S淟eadership capacity entails a combination of knowledge, experience, confidence, passion and opportunity, 麻豆精品 S� Brooks says. 麻豆精品 S淥ur fellows are all natural leaders, and they are thriving because they harness the tools given to them and capitalize on every opportunity to follow their passion for ensuring that all students are provided with positive mathematics learning experiences. 麻豆精品 S�

For Shane Wiggan, a Noyce fellow and eighth-grade teacher at Liberty Middle School, being prepared with the knowledge and strategies for effective mathematics instruction has not only helped him support his students 麻豆精品 S� learning gains but also in encouraging a love of learning.

麻豆精品 S淭his program has equipped me with the tools to encourage students to harness their innate curiosity to solve math problems, 麻豆精品 S� Wiggan says. 麻豆精品 S淚nstead of solely aiming to 麻豆精品 S榞et the correct answer, 麻豆精品 S� we now approach math tasks by thoroughly comprehending the problem and utilizing our existing knowledge. As a result of this change,听I have noticed my students become more confident and enthusiastic. 麻豆精品 S�

Although summer commencement marks the end of the Noyce Fellows 麻豆精品 S� academic journey, they 麻豆精品 S檒l continue honing their leadership skills through the UCF-Orange County Public Schools Noyce Teacher Leader Academy over the next two years. The academy provides mentorship opportunities 麻豆精品 S� including supervising UCF teacher education interns 麻豆精品 S� that allow the fellows to share their expertise and positively impact both current and future teachers while continuing to teach in their own classrooms.

They 麻豆精品 S檒l also continue an ongoing partnership with nonprofit City Year Orlando, an organization that provides support and resources for high-needs schools through their members taking on roles as volunteer student success coaches. Fellows serve as mentors to these volunteers, some of whom are interested in becoming teachers themselves.

麻豆精品 S淎s I grow in my leadership capacity through the Teacher Leader Academy, I am looking forward to mentoring and supporting … STEM education professionals, 麻豆精品 S� says Nisha Phillip-Malahoo 麻豆精品 S�21MEd, a Noyce Fellow and third-grade teacher at Pinewood Elementary. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 excited to work with these individuals to create opportunities for our students to explore STEM learning by utilizing听this professional network to share and gain valuable insights, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within our schools. 麻豆精品 S�

However, their leadership capacity transcends the classroom. Many of the fellows serve on boards and standing committees for national professional organizations, lead districtwide initiatives, present at mathematics education conferences and are publishing their research.

麻豆精品 S淥ur work through the Teacher Leader Academy has always been centered on being responsive to the needs of the fellows and positioning them as leaders, 麻豆精品 S� Brooks says. 麻豆精品 S淲e also focus on meeting the needs of Orange County Public Schools and City Year Orlando. Our project has regular online and in-person meetings where we provide ongoing professional learning, mentoring and support to fellows as they continue to serve as leaders, mentors, teachers and advocates. 麻豆精品 S�

For Abigail Ruiz 麻豆精品 S�16 麻豆精品 S�21MEd, another Noyce Fellow and fourth-grade teacher at Hidden Oaks Elementary School, her passion for sparking joy in mathematics with her students is rooted in her own academic journey. Growing up, she had a teacher who inspired her to not only persevere despite finding math difficult, but also to study education at UCF. It was while working toward her master 麻豆精品 S檚 degree that Ruiz learned to love math and science education.

麻豆精品 S淚 never experienced the joy in a classroom until then, 麻豆精品 S� Ruiz told a group of fellow teachers at a recent conference for NCSM, a mathematics education leadership organization for which she also sits on the board. 麻豆精品 S淢y mission is to help students experience this type of joy much sooner than I did because this type of revelation should not be confined to post-graduate education. Every learner deserves access to the wonder, joy and beauty of mathematics. 麻豆精品 S�

Wiggan adds that teachers can sometimes become accustomed to affecting a finite space, such as a classroom or campus, in which they feel they can make a difference. However, he 麻豆精品 S檚 since learned his impact can extend far beyond.

麻豆精品 S淥verall, the Teacher Leader Academy has helped me realize that the only thing stopping me from making a more significant impact has been myself, 麻豆精品 S� Wiggan says.

麻豆精品 S淧apayas grow without much effort, 麻豆精品 S� Loftin says, sounding more like a wonder-struck gardener than the center chief technologist at Kennedy Space Center. Actually, she 麻豆精品 S檚 both. Loftin spends Monday through Friday leading a team of researchers who are figuring out how to sustain healthy human life from the moon to Mars, and yet here she is, mesmerized with papayas.

麻豆精品 S淭hey could be the answer to world hunger, 麻豆精品 S� says Loftin, who studied chemistry at UCF.

She 麻豆精品 S檚 joking. Or is she? You 麻豆精品 S檇 be wise to never doubt Loftin and her easy-going nature. Others have made that mistake, which she uses as fuel in her personal mission to take us to unimaginable places.

Here she shares her inspirations for pursuing a career in STEM and her contributions to field of space exploration.

On being a modern scientist:
People are always surprised to hear what I do. The women in my book club and in our bunco group will hear me talk about NASA and say, 麻豆精品 S淩eally? You 麻豆精品 S檙e a researcher in space exploration? You? 麻豆精品 S� I guess they 麻豆精品 S檙e used to a stereotype of a scientist 麻豆精品 S� it isn 麻豆精品 S檛 someone who kayaks and works the garden on weekends.

On what keeps her inspired:
A UCF professor said something I think about daily. The late Chris Clausen, my chemistry professor, would say, 麻豆精品 S淲hat did you do to push the boundaries of science today? 麻豆精品 S� That question still inspires me. It brings me out of the weeds to realize the magnitude of what we 麻豆精品 S檙e doing at Kennedy Space Center. Our work is much, much bigger than myself.

On supporting life on Mars:
Did you see The Martian? It 麻豆精品 S檚 based on the novel by Andy Weir, but the idea comes from NASA 麻豆精品 S檚 research on In-Situ Resource Utilization [ISRU]. Do you know the part in the movie where Matt Damon grows potatoes on Mars? We 麻豆精品 S檝e been working on something like that for years as a way to sustain human space explorers on long duration missions. And now with the upcoming Artemis I flight we 麻豆精品 S檙e bringing it a step closer to reality. It 麻豆精品 S檚 the first in a series of launches that will take us closer to our goal: to allow humans to live on the moon and prepare for sending astronauts to Mars 麻豆精品 S� and to bring them back safely.

On her role with NASA:
My role is very technical. I oversee the research and technological efforts of the mission. It 麻豆精品 S檚 why I love gardening 麻豆精品 S� to keep my brain in balance. Both of my passions are helpful in my work with Artemis. Think about it. When Lewis and Clark trekked across America, they had to figure out ways to use the land. They couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 carry everything necessary for survival. It 麻豆精品 S檚 a similar concept with ISRU. When we go to the moon or Mars, there is a limit on what we can take. So we 麻豆精品 S檙e learning how to break down the moon 麻豆精品 S檚 soil into breathable oxygen and how to use the metals there to build launch pads, parts, and infrastructure. From there we can learn how to sustain life on Mars in the future for months or years. How exciting is that?

On finding her passion for science:
This all started with rocks. They fascinated me as a young girl when our family would camp in north Georgia. I 麻豆精品 S檇 find quartz and amethyst, or jade when we traveled out west. In 8^th grade I brought the rock collection to my science teacher, and she showed a genuine interest. Her encouragement helped me create an identity for myself in science.

On rising to the challenge:
Teachers sometimes underestimated me. My chemistry teacher in 10^th grade said, 麻豆精品 S淏oys are better in science, so I don 麻豆精品 S檛 expect girls to do as well. 麻豆精品 S� I can 麻豆精品 S檛 imagine a teacher saying that today. Back then, I took it as a challenge. I thought, 麻豆精品 S淕ame on! Let 麻豆精品 S檚 go! 麻豆精品 S� I still feel that way.

On her time at UCF:
I 麻豆精品 S檝e always felt that I got a lot of bang for my buck at UCF. As an undergraduate in chemistry, I could get my hands into meaningful research. It didn 麻豆精品 S檛 matter that I was a girl or that I didn 麻豆精品 S檛 have a bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree yet. There were no limitations.

And then there were the shuttle launches. We 麻豆精品 S檇 stand on a roof at UCF to watch them, and the entire building would shake under our feet. I loved that so much. I still love every launch. It 麻豆精品 S檚 hard to explain what it does to my soul whenever a rocket goes up.

On pivoting her career:
I didn 麻豆精品 S檛 plan this career. I 麻豆精品 S檓 an inventor. In the early 2000s I was part of a team that developed a product [zero-valent iron, or EZVI] to clean chlorinated chemicals out of the environment. We happened to bring our work over to NASA, and the place amazed me. The scientists and their work 麻豆精品 S� I wanted to be around it.

On another great woman in STEM:
The woman who changed my life is still at UCF. Cherie Yestrebsky 麻豆精品 S�90. We were undergraduates together. We both took breaks from our career pursuits to raise our families. We worked on the EZVI product together and she 麻豆精品 S檚 now the chair of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 chemistry department. We 麻豆精品 S檙e both in the Space Technology Hall of Fame. It means a lot to have another woman, who 麻豆精品 S檚 also a mother, motivating you to push further and further.

On the magic of science:
Science can be so cool. When my kids were little, I 麻豆精品 S檇 go to their classes with a full-on lab coat and do chemical 麻豆精品 S渕agic shows. 麻豆精品 S� We 麻豆精品 S檇 make shuttles out of hot dogs, cheese sticks, ketchup, and mustard. After 30 minutes, all these first graders felt like scientists. They could identify all parts of a shuttle 麻豆精品 S� and then eat it.

On being limitless:
My message for girls and women: Never doubt yourself. If anyone doubts you, use it as motivation. I still do that. We 麻豆精品 S檙e all capable of anything. There is no glass ceiling. Just look how far we 麻豆精品 S檝e come and look what we 麻豆精品 S檙e about to do next.

麻豆精品 S淭he evolving relationship between business and innovation is driving the need for highly trained professionals with both advanced financial skills and technological know-how, 麻豆精品 S� says Christo Pirinsky, program co-director and an associate professor of finance. 麻豆精品 S淯CF is uniquely positioned to offer a graduate degree program designed to promote entrepreneurial thinking, innovation and the fostering of relationships within the Central Florida business community and beyond. 麻豆精品 S�

“The evolving relationship between business and innovation is driving the need for highly trained professionals with both advanced financial skills and technological know-how,” says Christo Pirinsky, program co-director and an associate professor of finance in the College of Business.

The master 麻豆精品 S檚 in fintech is a full-time, three semester program consisting of 10 courses 麻豆精品 S� five finance and five computer science 麻豆精品 S� with internship opportunities and a final capstone project. Students will have two program options: in-person evening classes on UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 main campus or fully online.

Jointly offered by the College of Business and the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the program admits applicants with an undergraduate degree in computer science, finance, business studies, mathematics, natural sciences, or the engineering disciplines.

The program blends finance and computer science courses to teach students how to harness the power of data, technology solutions, and financial services to reduce costs, improve customer experience, and create economies of scale. Its interdisciplinary curriculum will provide students with employable technical skills and the ability to think and function in cross-disciplinary teams.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be well positioned for a wide range of jobs, including apps developer, blockchain developer, cybersecurity analyst, compliance expert, data specialist, financial analyst, investment manager and more.

Financial technology is widely regarded as one of the world 麻豆精品 S檚 fastest growing business areas. More than 95% of global consumers are aware of at least one fintech service and more than three quarters of the world 麻豆精品 S檚 population have used a FinTech service. Currently, there are more than 8,700 fintech startups in the Americas.

Central Florida is a prime region for a degree program in FinTech. Earlier this year, WalletHub ranked the City of Orlando first in Florida and No. 19 nationally among the best areas for STEM professionals. Global Finance magazine named Florida the new home for FinTech in 2019. In 2018, Forbes Magazine proclaimed Orlando as a FinTech hub. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks UCF as one of the most innovative universities in the nation.