UCF will award more than 4,900 degrees during this summer 麻豆精品 S檚 ceremonies, continuing its record-setting momentum in preparing highly skilled graduates for in-demand fields, including engineering, computer science, business, nursing, and digital and emerging media.
Worth noting among this graduating class:
- Roughly 30% of the undergraduate students receiving their degrees are the first in their families to earn their diploma.
- More than 25% of this term’s degrees are tied to STEM majors.
- About 30% of the undergraduate graduating class are Pell Grant recipients.
UCF is the leading producer of talent among Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 universities, awarding roughly 19,000 degrees annually to Knights who go on to work in high-demand industries. About 85% of our alumni stay in Florida because of the ample opportunity to thrive as part of our state 麻豆精品 S檚 workforce.
Graduates will hear from three esteemed speakers 麻豆精品 S� all UCF graduates 麻豆精品 S� whose leadership and impact have benefited our region:
- Psychology alum Allen Johnson 麻豆精品 S�81, chief venue officer for City for Orlando Venues
- Journalism alum Tanya (Easterling) Hill 麻豆精品 S�97, market president for Central Florida for Florida Blue
- Criminal justice alum Fred Kittinger 麻豆精品 S�80, UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 former senior associate vice president for government and community relations
Commencement Festivities
Held in the Addition Financial Arena, summer commencement will take place over three ceremonies spanning Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1.
All guests, including children and infants, 麻豆精品 S痭eed a ticket for admission. All graduates who have filed an intent to graduate will receive five commencement ceremony tickets when they pick up their regalia packet.
Guests who do not have tickets may watch the 麻豆精品 S痩ive ceremony via a simulcast viewing 麻豆精品 S痠n the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be .
Commencement Photo-ops Across UCF
Graduating Knights are unable to take photos at the Acrisure Bounce House football stadium this semester due to ongoing construction.
Grad Walk
On Thursday, July 30, 4:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.), summer graduates are invited to a photo-op 麻豆精品 S� Grad Walk 麻豆精品 S� within the Addition Financial Arena. This will be a first-come, first-served occasion for graduates and up to 10 of their well-wishers to take photos and videos on the ceremony stage. 麻豆精品 S疓raduates are required to register at .
Commencement Schedule
Graduates and guests can review the below commencement ceremony schedule, listing colleges, ceremony dates and streaming links:
Friday, July 31
6 p.m.
College of Arts and Humanities
College of Community Innovation and Education
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Saturday, Aug. 1
9 a.m.
Barry S. Miller College of Business
College of Health Professions and Sciences
2:30 p.m.
College of Engineering and Computer Science
College of Optics and Photonics
For more details and FAQs about Summer 2026 commencement celebrations, visit ucf.edu/graduation.
Commencement Speakers
Allen Johnson 麻豆精品 S�81
Chief Venues Officer, City of Orlando Venues
Allen Johnson 麻豆精品 S�81 has served as chief venues officer of Orlando Venues since 2004, overseeing the City of Orlando’s diverse portfolio of Kia Center, Camping World Stadium, Tinker Field, Leu Gardens and the Mennello Museum of American Art.
Johnson brings decades of venue management experience from leadership roles across Florida. Under Johnson’s leadership, Orlando Venues has evolved into a premier, globally recognized destination for sports, entertainment and culture, welcoming millions of guests each year while strengthening Central Florida’s reputation as a world-class destination.
A proud UCF graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, he has earned numerous honors, including the 2025 International Association of Venue Managers Foundation Legacy Award, the SPORTYS Executive of the Year Award and the Downtowner of the Year Award.
He remains active in the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), serving as past chairman and trustee of the foundation board, while also contributing to organizations that include the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, Florida Citrus Sports, Victim Service Center and the .
Tanya (Easterling) Hill 麻豆精品 S�97
Market President for Central Florida, Florida Blue
Tanya Hill 麻豆精品 S�97 is Florida Blue 麻豆精品 S檚 market president for Central Florida, responsible for regional business and community engagement in a 9-county region.
Throughout her more than 25-year career, she has worked with reputable brands including Chick-fil-A, Target and Walt Disney World to drive business results through strategic partnerships.
Hill is passionate about investing time in the community and has been involved with numerous community and civic organizations. She currently serves on the board of directors for the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, 4Roots Foundation, Orlando Economic Partnership and the Winter Park Health Foundation.
Hill holds a bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree in journalism from UCF.
Fred Kittinger 麻豆精品 S�80
Former Senior Associate Vice President for Government and Community Relations, UCF
A native of central Florida, Fred Kittinger 麻豆精品 S�80 recently retired as senior associate vice president for government and community relations at UCF, where he served for more than 22 years.
He worked alongside local and state leaders to help foster some of UCF’s most transformative achievements, including the approval of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Medicine, the creation of the world-class Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, the development of UCF Downtown, the expansion of the UCF Business Incubation Program and investments that enhanced the student experience and advanced regional impact.
Prior to his career at UCF, Kittinger served as chief of staff to Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood and previously as vice president of government relations for the Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce. He began his career as a legislative aide to state Senator George Stuart of Orlando.
Reflecting his commitment to the community, Kittinger currently serves on the board of directors for Junior Achievement of Central Florida (past chair), Central Florida Council for Scouting America and Legacy Pointe at UCF.
Kittinger graduated from UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 criminal justice program and earned his master’s degree in public administration from Florida State University.
