Natalie Otero 鈥�26 may have missed her graduation ceremony this spring, but she had a good excuse. She鈥檇 just landed in Japan for a long-awaited vacation that was three years in the making. She says the trip 鈥� where she discovered new interests (sword-making), traversed a mountain and bonded with friends 鈥� symbolized her UCF experience.

鈥淏uilding knowledge and strengthening friendships,鈥� Otero says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 my story at UCF.鈥�

Those relationships led her to pivot from pre-med to accounting and opened her up to learn new skills like coding. Friends fueled her drive, brought her joy and encouraged internships, all of which she credits for her induction into the Order of Pegasus, the highest honor for UCF students.

鈥淲hen I started at UCF, I didn鈥檛 know anyone,鈥� says the Jacksonville, Florida, native. 鈥淓verything changed quickly.鈥�

Discovering Her Own Calling

Otero didn鈥檛 really want to be a doctor. She just heard she was supposed to be a doctor.

鈥淲hen you do well in high school, people say, 鈥極h, be a doctor and cure cancer.鈥� That鈥檚 where my mind was when I arrived as a freshman,鈥� says Otero, who began her UCF journey studying biomedical sciences.

Then an elective class, Principles of Financial Accounting, intervened.

鈥淭he professor, Jeff Reinking 鈥�13PhD, broke the mold of what it means to be an accountant,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he concepts made such perfect sense that I switched my major to accounting and saw a clear path ahead. For a freshman, that鈥檚 exciting.鈥�

That same year, Otero鈥檚 friends introduced her to KnightHacks, a student organization that hosts UCF鈥檚 biggest software-building marathon annually for hundreds of students from throughout the nation.

鈥淚 said I鈥檇 go for fun. Only one girl in our group was a computer science major, but we were able to use basic coding theories to build a program from scratch in 36 hours,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 need to win. Learning and becoming closer, those were our awards.鈥�

A Powerful Cycle for Success

Otero needed no push but says her friends at UCF became like iron sharpening iron. They鈥檇 talk about work experiences, which made Otero feel as if she needed to catch up. As a sophomore, she applied for the (CWEP), a year-long paid opportunity that enables undergraduate and graduate students to gain real-world work skills and abilities relevant to their academic and career goals.

鈥淚 guess they sensed something genuine because they offered the position to me,鈥� she says.

A few months later, she was chosen for another internship, this one with Deloitte. By the time she started her junior year, she had experience with two corporations, had become a hackathon regular and developed a hunger for accounting coursework.

鈥淚t all comes full circle. The instructors bring business experiences to the lessons, and we take lessons into businesses,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檇 leave [Associate Professor] Sean Dennis鈥檚 class and think auditing must be the most exciting subject ever. All along, my friends and I kept encouraging each other.鈥�

Her True Inspiration

Word about Otero鈥檚 accounting skills spread until people began asking her to help with their taxes. She routinely gives her time and skillset to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, where she serves people limited by income, language and disabilities.

鈥淢y dad walked me through financial knowledge, and with VITA I have the privilege of doing the same for others,鈥� she says.

Otero has drawn more than financial knowledge from her family. Her paternal grandparents came to the U.S. from Cuba at young ages as part of Opera莽ion Pedro Pan, an agreement of cooperation between the U.S. State Department and Catholic Charities of Miami in the 1960s that saw more than 14,000 unaccompanied children sent by their parents to Miami, away from the growing communist regime in Cuba.

鈥淭his has been so much better than I imagined when I came to UCF and didn鈥檛 know anyone.鈥� 鈥� Natalie Otero ’26

鈥淚t was hard, but my grandparents talk about how happy they were to be in the U.S., even with limited resources and not knowing when they鈥檇 see their parents again,鈥� Otero says. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e always been optimistic because they know the value of opportunities and they worked hard to make the most of them.鈥�

Otero鈥檚 own optimism engages friends, and her work ethic has led to the Order of Pegasus award, another internship with Deloitte this summer and graduate school in the fall at UNC Chapel Hill.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to believe,鈥� Otero says. 鈥淭his has been so much better than I imagined when I came to UCF and didn鈥檛 know anyone. Everything is more rewarding, too, because of all the people who have made it possible.鈥�

Standing before a room of business leaders, community partners and fellow students, UCF junior Mariana Guerrero introduced herself not only as an accounting major in the and a student, but as someone shaped by a lifetime of seeing what meaningful engagement can do.

Born and raised in Orlando, Guerrero grew up with UCF woven into her life. Her parents, both proud Knights, spent their early careers working full time while attending school part time. Her mother鈥檚 two decades in government and community relations meant that childhood weekends were often spent at university events long before she understood what it meant to belong to a campus community.

So when it came time to apply to college, she submitted only one application.

鈥淚 have always been a Knight,鈥� she said.

Her parents鈥� work ethic allowed her to fully immerse herself at UCF. She joined the College of Business Ambassadors, now serving as vice chair, became active in the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA), mentors two students, and chairs the President鈥檚 Leadership Council. Each role, she says, has deepened her sense of community and purpose.

Her interest in accounting began at age 13, when her parents enrolled her in a financial literacy summer camp she initially resisted.

鈥淚 just wanted to be a normal teenager,鈥� she said.

Instead, she discovered how engaging personal finance could be, especially through the board game Cash Flow, which she played so often her cousins eventually called her for help.

That curiosity grew in high school, where she researched teen financial literacy and realized how few young people had access to the conversations her parents encouraged at home. When she took her first financial accounting class at UCF, her interests aligned, and she began envisioning a future where her love of numbers could translate into meaningful work.

Her professional world expanded quickly. She represented UCF in competitions, including the KPMG-sponsored HSI Battle of the Brains Case Competition, where UCF won first place. She attended leadership programs at the KPMG Lakehouse and joined the firm鈥檚 Global Advantage Program in Lisbon, Portugal. Next summer, she will return to KPMG as an audit intern, with plans to earn her CPA and begin her career in public accounting.

Guerrero closed her remarks with gratitude for her family, for UCF and for partnerships like the one between the university and KPMG.

鈥淚 am excited to make the leap from being an involved UCF student to being an engaged UCF alumna,鈥� she says.

Her introduction set the tone for an evening focused on shared purpose.

Impact of Partnership

UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright followed by highlighting the significance of the Crossroads Speaker Series and its partnership with Dr. Phillips Charities. The series, he said, is designed to explore how business, philanthropy and values-based leadership can work together to create positive change.

Cartwright emphasized KPMG鈥檚 engagement across the university, from supporting the Professional Selling Program to mentoring students at the KPMG Lakehouse. Their recent support of UCF Space Week reflects a partnership committed to innovation across disciplines.

He also spoke about UCF鈥檚 continued momentum, including achieving the final metric required for Florida鈥檚 Preeminent 海角直播 designation.

鈥淭hat is what makes UCF remarkable,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e open doors, spark possibility and empower students to make a lasting difference.鈥�

鈥淭hat is what makes UCF remarkable. We open doors, spark possibility and empower students to make a lasting difference.鈥� 鈥� UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright

Remarks from Ken Robinson, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Charities, reinforced the importance of investing in people and partnerships. From there, the evening shifted to its featured conversation.

Sherry Magee聽鈥�92, senior director of community relations at the KPMG Lakehouse and a UCF graduate, moderated a fireside chat with Jennifer Flynn Dear, managing director of corporate affairs for KPMG US鈥攐ffering the audience a close look at leadership, service and purpose through Dear鈥檚 experience.

鈥淲e are so lucky to have UCF in our community,鈥� Dear began. 鈥淭hey are wonderful community partners as well as a stellar business school thanks to the excellent Kenneth Dixon School of Accounting, KPMG accepts 70% of UCF applicants.鈥�

Her career with the company began more than 25 years ago when she moved to New York City hoping for an advertising career. Feeling overwhelmed on her first day, she called her mother to say she would not last. Instead, she built a career across 12 areas of the organization, learning continuously.

One of her most memorable projects involved partnering with the late Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy鈥檚, to raise awareness for adoption issues. That work sparked a passion for connecting business with causes that matter.

鈥淚 like pairing business and industry to raise awareness of an issue,鈥� she said.

Dear shared that KPMG employees have donated more than $67 million and logged 130,000 volunteer hours. She takes special pride in the firm鈥檚 work in education and mental well-being, noting that KPMG Family for Literacy has provided more than 7 million new books to children in low-income communities since 2008.

The more employees get involved, she said, the more fulfilled they feel.

鈥淓ven before Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, KPMG had a match set up for hurricane assistance, and participation was incredible.鈥�

Philanthropy, she added, is considered an obligation as employees advance.

She also described the KPMG Lakehouse, a learning and innovation center where employees and clients engage with emerging technologies and leadership training.

鈥淲e train every day on AI,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e invested $2 billion in Microsoft to keep our data safe and to be more efficient and effective.鈥�

The evening closed with remarks from Rodney M. Grabowski, UCF鈥檚 senior vice president for Advancement and Partnerships and CEO of the UCF Foundation.

鈥淭his is our fifth year for Crossroads,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are grateful to Dr. Phillips Charities, to Mariana Guerrero, and to KPMG and Jennifer Flynn Dear for sharing their stories. Thank you for joining us. Go Knights and Charge On!鈥�

1. Pop Parlour

Serving up sweets is practically in graduate Brandon Chandler 鈥�10鈥檚 DNA. In 2013, Chandleropened Pop Parlour, a shop offering fruity, creamy and boozy frozen treats as a tribute to his grandfather PopPop, who sold similar items after World War II. Pop Parlour has grown to two locations and serves coffee, tea, craft beer and wine, depending on which spot you visit.

尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍蝉:听4214 E. Plaza Drive on the UCF campus; 431 E. Central Blvd., Suite C; ThePopParlour.com
(Pop Parlour’s UCF location will be closed on Small Business聽Saturday due to campus closures, but you can still visit the downtown location or stop by another day.)

2. Six28 Boutique

Six months after graduating with a degree in elementary education, Rachel Ledbetter 鈥�16聽took a risk to pursue entrepreneurship by opening clothing boutique Six28. Located near UCF, Six28 sells trendy, affordable women鈥檚 clothing and accessories, which can also be purchased on the store鈥檚 online site.

Location:12082 Collegiate Way; 407-630-3890; Six28Boutique.com

3. Bikes, Beans & Bordeaux

Cycling enthusiasts Darrell Cunningham 鈥�93聽and Jen Cunningham 鈥�95 鈥�96MSW聽opened Bikes, Beans and Bordeaux to provide a space for people to bond over good food, drinks and company. With a commitment to health in mind, the shop sells breakfast items, sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts, beer, wine and more daily and at special events each month. While at UCF, Darrell studied civil engineering and Jen majored in social work.

Location:3022 Corrine Drive; 407-427-1440; BikesBeansandBordeaux.com

4. Deli Fresh Threads

Marketing major Anthony 鈥淏iggie鈥� Bencomo 鈥�98聽merged his love of sandwiches with another creative passion by opening Deli Fresh Threads, a clothing store? with designs inspired by what he considers the #KingOfMeals. You can buy foodie fashion in the form of T-shirts, hats, pins and stickers on the online shop. Bencomo also hosts a monthly #SandwichEatUp at local shops around Central Florida to help support other small businesses.

Location: 321-303-5129; DeliFreshThreads.com

5. Tactical Brewing Company

Owned and operated by veteran and psychology graduate Doug Meyer 鈥�14 鈥�16MBA, Tactical Brewing Company serves craft brews created on-site to veterans, first responders and all beer lovers alike.

尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍:听4882 New Broad St.; 407-203-2033; TacticalBeer.com

6. Retrolando

Retro Orlando captures the City Beautiful鈥檚 history while giving back to others. The online T-shirt company offers men and women鈥檚 clothing inspired by former iconic Orlando businesses, organizations and landmarks. Each purchase is something you can feel good about because owner and English major Shannon Flesch Couillard 鈥�04, donates a new shirt to a local homeless shelter for each shirt sold.

尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍:听Retrolando.com

7. Yaupon Brothers Tea Co.

Brothers 鈥� UCF senior hospitality major Kyle White and legal studies graduate Bryon 鈥�09鈥� have revived an ancient Native American superfood with their yaupon holly tea company. The brothers sustainably harvest their organic crop and distribute their product at restaurants and shops. Online purchases can also be made on their official site and Amazon.聽Yaupon Brothers also offers sustainable agricultural consulting services for Florida farmers looking for alternative crops.

尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍蝉:听Various local shops such as Lucky鈥檚 Market, Credo Coffee, Infusion Tea and Dandelion Communitea Caf茅; YauponBrothers.com

8. A Piece of Work

Started by marketing graduate Curtis Young 鈥�04聽in 2007, A Piece of Work apparel company creates custom embroidery and screen printing. Through partnerships with companies such as the Orlando Magic, Funky Buddha and more, the online site offers quality work clothing. A Piece of Work also sells eco-friendly items such as recycled journals and organic cotton totes.

尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍:听321-662-3836; APieceofWorkGear.com

9. Just Save the Date

Whether you need to put together a small intimate gathering or a major extravagant event, Just Save the Date can help make any occasion special. Communication graduate and owner聽Kelly Erickson Fowler 鈥�02聽started the event planning company after planning her own destination wedding. Just Save the Date operates from two locations in the Orlando and Key West areas.

尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍蝉:听Orlando 鈥� 407-258-1944;聽Key West 鈥� 305-767-3774; JustSaveTheDate.com

The course is an integral part of the #UCFBusiness Primary Business Core, five required courses that help provide students a foundation in business and some direction for their chosen field of study.

鈥淎ccounting for Decision Makers provides all of our business students with an understanding of accounting when they enter the workplace,鈥� said Ray Sturm, Ph.D., an associate lecturer of finance and the course instructor. 鈥淏y introducing this much-needed class, we are giving our students the opportunity to learn how decisions affect accounting choices on financial information used by stakeholders.鈥�

The class builds on material learned in accounting principles, familiarizes students with the business tax environment, and prepares students for more rigorous financial statement and business valuation analysis.

For more information on the college鈥檚 undergraduate curriculum, visit .

鈥淲e are very pleased to see that our undergraduate and master鈥檚 accounting programs are beginning to get more external recognition. The Accounting.com top 50 rankings for both programs are a reflection of the hard work and accomplishments of the Dixon School of Accounting faculty over the last 5 years,鈥� said Sean Robb, Ph.D., director of #UCFBusiness鈥� Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really impressive when you realize that there are over 1200 U.S. business schools with undergraduate accounting programs.鈥�

To be included in Accounting.com鈥檚 rankings, a school must report at least two out of the four following metrics: acceptance rate, enrollment rate, retention rate and graduation rate.

鈥淭he high level of faculty engagement with students through office hours, College of Business events, and student organizations is what gives the Dixon School an edge in accounting education. I have never felt like I was on my own in this program, which is why I was eager to return for an M.S.A.,鈥� said Renee Giron, 鈥�15, accounting alumna and former college student ambassador.

鈥淲hile it may not be tested on the CPA exam, the positive connections with other students and faculty are what drive me and many others to succeed.鈥�

Watch her , shown at the Black & Gold Gala, to learn more about Melanie.

鈥淚 hadn鈥檛 graduated from high school exactly,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd I hadn鈥檛 exactly graduated from Valencia College.”

Plaumann鈥檚 credentials simply lagged his accomplishments. An Orlando native who took summer courses in calculus and trigonometry for fun, he finished his high school鈥檚 three-year accelerated program in just two years. He then tested out of all the courses for his associate鈥檚 degree, and was only a year away from earning his bachelor鈥檚 degree by the time his high school and Valencia handed him diplomas in June 1973.

Today Plaumann is a managing member of Greyhawke Capital Advisors LLC, a Greenwich, Conn., firm that he co-founded. It controls several million square feet of real estate around the country. He chairs the audit committee of three public companies, is chairman of the board of a small private company, and serves as a trustee of the Eagle Hill School where his 14-year-old daughter, Margaux, attends. Married to Marilyn Wilson, he and family live in New York.

With all his success he remains grateful to UCF for embracing his fast paced approach to academics. 鈥淚 flew through the university because they bent over backwards for me,鈥� he said.

He shows that gratitude with generous support of the university鈥檚 Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. His special interest is in science and technology startups, reflecting his lifelong love of science and engineering.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a fantastic idea for the university to combine disciplines to develop ideas for viable, new companies,鈥� he said. 鈥淪tanford 海角直播 has done an excellent job of that. So have the 海角直播 of Texas Austin, and the Boston area with all its colleges and universities. UCF could create the same sort of environment and take it to the big time. People could think of UCF as the school that develops dynamic entrepreneurs who are discovering the next Google.鈥�

Plaumann鈥檚 varied career has provided him with a broad view of what is possible. He was 18 years old when he joined Ernst & Ernst as the youngest employee of the then Big Eight public accounting firm鈥檚 Orlando office. He was still completing his bachelor鈥檚 degree.

Viewed as a prodigy, Plaumann was training for a prestigious assignment in the firm鈥檚 new consulting division when he decided he needed an MBA. Again he turned to UCF, studying at night to complete the degree in 1979.

Now, giving back to the university that named him to College of Business Administration Hall of Fame is an obligation he is happy to fulfill.

鈥淚 was the son of a manager of a Black and Decker store. My dad was the only one earning money in the family, and we weren鈥檛 wealthy by any means,鈥� he said. 鈥淯CF was flexible and affordable because I could live at home while I studied. And the education was rigorous. I am grateful for my career, and UCF prepared me for the success I have had.鈥�

The group obtained first place for the second year in a row and will compete in the national competition on August 8-10 in Anaheim, California.

Beta Alpha Psi, founded in 1919, is an honorary organization for financial information students and professionals. UCF’s Epsilon Gamma chapter is open to accounting and finance majors and is advised by聽Donna Bobek Schmitt, Ph.D.聽You can find out more about the chapter on their聽website.

The awards are presented by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants each year to candidates who obtained a cumulative average score above 95.5 across all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination More than 90,000 candidates sat for the exam in 2011, but just 37 people received the Sells Award.

Kyle Summerlin, 鈥�09 and 鈥�10, a senior associate of assurance at Ernst and Young, was among the 37. He offers the following advice for those preparing to take the exam:

鈥淎ttempt to take as many of the sections as possible prior to beginning employment. Commit to a study routine, recognizing that the exams are too exhaustive not to afford yourself adequate time to prepare. Finally, do not become flustered during the exam if you find it more difficult than you may have expected,鈥� he said.

鈥淭he exams are supposed to be rigorous. Just because it is challenging does not mean you are not doing well enough to pass.鈥�

He feels UCF prepared him to do well on the exam because of the strong graduate program that focused on teaching various accounting topics, and taught him to conduct self-directed research. He credits Professors Charlie Kelliher and Gregory Trompeter for helping him.

Ryan Ossowski, 鈥�07 and 鈥�08 won the Sells Award in 2009.