This yearā€™s tournament will be the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by three nations ā€” United States, Canada and Mexico ā€” and the first to include an expanded field of 48 teams from across the globe. Eleven U.S. cities will host 78 matches June 11 ā€“ July 19, including the championship match in New York and third place playoff in Miami.

This historic event coincides with the United Statesā€™ 250th anniversaryĀ and marks the first time since 1994 the country has hosted the menā€™s World Cup.

Hereā€™sĀ a look at some of the Knights bringing this event to life.

Izzy Angel ā€™23

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Role:Ģż²Ń±š»å¾±²¹Ģż“Ē±č±š°ł²¹³Ł¾±“Ē²Ō²õĢż²¹²Ō»åĢż²õ±š°ł±¹¾±³¦±š²õ
FIFA location: Atlanta

I will be supporting media logistics, guiding photographers and press to designated areas, and facilitating press conferences and interviews. One of the biggest ways UCF prepared me for this opportunity was through its emphasis on networking, collaboration and real-world experience. That mindset opened doors to internships, jobs and experiences that helped me gain confidence in putting myself out there and connecting with people.

Itā€™s been really fulfilling to meet people with completely different backgrounds and life experiences who are all coming together over a shared passion. Being part of something on such a global scale and feeling that sense of community has been incredibly special.

Brendon Boseja ā€™25

Bachelorā€™s inĀ integratedĀ business

Role:Ā SeniorĀ coordinator,Ā Client Group ManagementĀ Accreditation
FIFA site: Miami

At UCF, I learned to network and make many connections in the industry and to continue these relationships. This has especially helped me throughout FIFA, especially since my main job is to communicate with every stadium involved in the tournament. Working for a sports organization as big as FIFA has been a dream of mine, and to be involved with an event like the World Cup is surreal to think about.

Taylor Culver ā€™23 ā€™26MSBM ā€™26MBA

Bachelorā€™s in kinesiology
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Masterā€™s in business administration

Role:Ā EventĀ executive, FIFA Fan Festival
FIFA site: Houston

ā€œBecause of the connections, mentorship and opportunities I gained through UCF, these experiences expanded my confidence and showed me that I truly belong in this industry.ā€

My role is to help create and execute large-scale fan experiences that bring the energy of the World Cup to life outside of the stadium. Being able to contribute to an event of this magnitude is both humbling and motivating, and I know it will be one of the most impactful experiences of my career. UCF prepared me for this opportunity by putting me in real-world sports environments early and constantly challenging me to grow as a leader. Through the program and my experience as a recruiting assistant for UCF Athletics with the football team, I learned how to operate in fast-paced environments where organization, communication and adaptability are critical. Because of the connections, mentorship and opportunities I gained through UCF, these experiences expanded my confidence and showed me that I truly belong in this industry.

Daniel Garzon ā€™23 ā€™24MSBM ā€™24MBA

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Masterā€™s in businessĀ administration

Role:Ā WorkforceĀ integrationĀ seniorĀ coordinator,Ā Tournament Operation Center Services
FIFA site:Ā Miami

I started my journey at FIFA as an intern with the volunteer management team shortly after graduating from the DeVos Sport Business Management program in 2024. As a recruitment coordinator, I spearheaded communications and recruitment strategy while sourcing and scheduling thousands of candidates. Now in my new role, I will be in the heartbeat of the headquarters of the tournament, fulfilling operational needs for all departments while manipulating data to make informed decisions for all the venues during the World Cup.

William Mendez ā€™26MSBM ā€™26MBA

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Masterā€™s in businessĀ administration

Role: Team protocol liaison officer
FIFA site:Ā Miami

I will provide operational support as a main point of contact for the teamsā€™ protocol representatives, managing VIP/VVIP seating, ticket distribution and logistics. Iā€™m truly excited to be part of an event of this magnitude because FIFA ā€™26 goes beyond sports by bringing people together across cultures from all over the world.ā€ÆThe DeVos Sport Business Management program at UCF has played a major role in preparing me for this moment, giving me the hands-on experience and confidence I need to contribute to an event of this scale.

Colin Oā€™Toole ā€™26MSBM ā€™26MBA

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Masterā€™sĀ in businessĀ administration

Role: Accreditation center coordinator
FIFA site:Ā Boston

I grew up watching the World Cup and always dreamed of being part of the most watched sporting event in the world. My experience in the soccer industry through both professional and volunteer roles gave me a strong foundation, and the DeVos program broadened my perspective. It exposed me to the business side of the industry, while simultaneously connecting me with incredible mentors and peers, ultimately giving me the confidence and network to land this opportunity with FIFA.

Connor Pank ā€™17

Bachelorā€™s inĀ management

Role:Ģż°Õ±š²¹³¾Ģż²õ±š°ł±¹¾±³¦±š²õĢż±¹±š²Ō³Ü±šĢż“Ē“Ś“Ś¾±³¦±š°ł
FIFA site: Tampa, Florida

The sport business management minor at UCF offered plenty of opportunities to gain practical experience in the industry. My junior year, I was fortunate enough to land a season-long internship at Orlando City Soccer Club in the game day operations department, which then turned into a full-time position with seven amazing seasons of constant growth and experiences that I am forever gratefulā€Æfor.

Being involved in a FIFA World Cup has been a personal goal of mine since my early days with Orlando City SC, when we hosted a U.S. Soccer vs.ĢżPanama World Cup QualifierĀ ahead of theĀ 2018 FIFA World Cup.ĢżEvery teamĀ participatingĀ in the World Cup chooses a designated home base,Ā which includes the team hotel, trainingĀ siteĀ and other operational support facilities as needed. My role is centered around acting as FIFAā€™s primary operational lead on-site for Cabo Verdeā€™s home base in Tampa to ensure a seamless, world-class experience.

Annie Quaile ā€™06

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Role:Ā VenueĀ manager,Ā FIFA Fan Festival
FIFA site: Atlanta

I act as the bridge between FIFA, Atlanta and the commercial and operational partners delivering the Fan Festival experience. My role focuses on coordinating eventĀ logistics, operations, guest experience, VIP and talent management, and partner integration while ensuring FIFA brand standards are upheld throughout the event.

One of the biggest takeaways from my experience at UCF was learning how to balance creativity,Ā leadershipĀ and problem-solving under pressure, which isĀ essentially theĀ foundation of live event and operational management.ĢżThe FIFA World Cup is one of the few truly global experiences that brings together people from every background,Ā cultureĀ and country around a shared passion.ĢżAll ofĀ the planning, coordination and operational work happens behind the scenes for months, so finally seeing people from around the worldĀ gathering together, celebrating and creating memories is incredibly rewarding.

Andres Sifontes ā€™24

Bachelorā€™s in communication

Role:Ā Coordinator, Accreditation Documentation and Training Operations
FIFA site: Houston

I joined the FIFA team in September 2024, supporting preparations for both Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 2026. In my role now, I oversee Accreditation Center operations in Houston, assist volunteers, and ensure that key stakeholders ā€” including partners like Coca-Cola, Adidas and Visa ā€” receive proper credentials. ±«°ä¹óā€™s communication program, and especially myĀ Communication Research MethodsĢż±Ź°ł“Ē“Ś±š²õ²õ“Ē°ł , equipped me with the tools I continue to apply every day in my role at FIFA by teaching me how to communicate effectively, carry myself professionally, and think strategically.

Since graduating, my goal has been to contribute to the growth of soccer in the United States. This passion has always been part of who I am, and UCF helped me build the foundation to pursue it professionally. After graduation, I worked with Inter Miami CF, and now with FIFA, Iā€™ve been fortunate to play a role in supporting the continued development of the sport. I truly believe we are about to witness unprecedented growth for the game in this country. I hope that at the end of my career, I can look back and say I contributed to that growth ā€” and that it all started at UCF.

Dennis Sprenkle ā€™01

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Role:Ā Director ofĀ workforceĀ andĀ humanĀ resources
FIFA site:Ģż²Ń¾±²¹³¾¾±

My team oversees the employee journey from recruitment to offboarding across the three host countries (Canada, Mexico and the U.S.) and 16 host cities. We are responsible for everything from workforce planning, training, visa management, benefits, payroll, employee uniforms and just about every other aspect of human resources.

I have always had a keen interest in global political and business affairs, which is why I studied political science with an emphasis on international relations at UCF. Working for a governing body like FIFA in many respects is akin to working for the United Nations. ā€¦ In order to be a successful leader in a global organization like FIFA, it is critical to have an open mind to effectively collaborate, plan and execute the largest sporting event in human history. My education and experience at UCF as a leader in Student Government certainly laid the foundation and has helped prepare me for this opportunity.

Ryan Taheri ā€™24

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Role:Ģż°Ā“Ē°ł°ģ“Ś“Ē°ł³¦±šĢż“Ē±č±š°ł²¹³Ł¾±“Ē²Ō²õĢż³¾²¹²Ō²¹²µ±š°ł
FIFA site: Dallas

I grew up watching the World Cup with my family. Now, I occasionally stop for a second and realize how special it all is to be working behind the scenes on the operational side of the tournament. A big part of what I do in my role is coordinate with different functional areas like transportation, catering, accommodations, uniforms and venue operations to ensure the workforce is supported and operations run smoothly.

ā€œUCF pushed me into leadership opportunities early and taught me how to work in fast-paced environments with a lot of moving parts.ā€

A lot of the role comes down to staying organized, communicating clearly and solving problems quickly. UCF pushed me into leadership opportunities early and taught me how to work in fast-paced environments with a lot of moving parts. Looking back now, I donā€™t think I realized at the time how much of my experience at UCF directly prepared me for working on something as large and complex as aā€ÆFIFA ā€™26.

Alejandro Tarazona ā€™22

Bachelorā€™s in integrated business

Role:Ģż²Ń²¹²Ō²¹²µ±š°ł,Ģż°Õ°ł²¹¾±²Ō¾±²Ō²µĢż³§¾±³Ł±šĢż³Õ±š²Ō³Ü±šĢż°Õ°ł²¹²Ō²õ±č“Ē°ł³Ł
FIFA site: Miami

Iā€Æoversee transportation operations andā€Ælogisticsā€Æat all 75 training sites across U.S., Canada and Mexico ā€” including shuttles, loading zones, team busses and their fleets, and parking lots for media, volunteers and guests. I grew up in Lake Nona and had an opportunity to play collegiate soccer at a Division II school in Florida, but financially, it just didnā€™t make sense for my family and me. Instead I enrolled at Valencia College and earned my degree through the .

UCF gave me the technical skills I needed for my managerial position now, like creating financial analysis for labor rates across 16 stadiums thatā€Æweā€™llā€Æbe using in U.S., Canada and Mexico. As a former soccer player and as someoneā€Æwho isā€Æobsessed with the sport, working for one of the biggest and best sports organization in the world has been a lifelong goal.ā€ÆThis experience has taught me to consider redefining whatā€™s possible and keep setting goals.

Tomas Upegui ā€™22

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Role:Ģż¹ó±ō±š±š³ŁĢż“Ē±č±š°ł²¹³Ł¾±“Ē²Ō²õĢż²¹²Ō²¹±ō²ā²õ³Ł
FIFA site: Miami

Growing up playing soccer, being involved with FIFA in any capacity is something I never imagined would become reality, especially this early in my career. I am supporting transportation and depot operations across all 16 host cities, contributing to transportation operations involving VIPs and trophy movements. Studying business taught me how to work efficiently in fast-paced environments and quickly adapt while balancing multiple responsibilities at once, which directly translates to my role.

One of the most exciting parts of this experience has been realizing the true scale of the FIFA World Cup and seeing firsthand how much coordination happens behind the scenes to make an event of this magnitude successful.

“The residency accelerates clinical reasoning by three to five years, making [residents] more competitive candidates for the best jobs.” ā€” Meredith Chaput, research coordinator and liaison for the UCF and Orlando Health sports physical therapyĀ  residency program

ā€œWe look for people who thrive on rigor,ā€ says Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy Meredith Chaput, the residencyā€™s research coordinator and liaison. The payoff is priceless. ā€œThe residency accelerates clinical reasoning by three to five years, making them more competitive candidates for the best jobs.ā€

Chaputā€™s sport-specific expertise, along with that of four of her colleagues in the UCF Division of Physical Therapy who serve as didactic and clinical mentors, is an instant draw to the program. So, too, are ±«°ä¹óā€™s research labs, partnerships and the opportunity to teach students in the UCF doctor of physical therapy program.

The residents are equally drawn to the opportunity to advance their skills alongside a seasoned clinical team at Orlando Health. They take on a caseload of sports and orthopedic patients, providing specialized care ranging from post-surgical rehabilitation to elite-level performance optimization, tapping into advanced rehabilitation technology to improve athlete recovery. Nearly 2 million people every year suffer sports-related injuries and receive treatment in emergency departments, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

With all of this in place, professionals are being prepared, two at a time, through a specialized 12-month program, to join the select group of 169 board-certified sports clinical specialist physical therapists in Florida. Itā€™s a coveted residency and one designed to develop healthcare providers to better aid athletes of all levels. Central Florida is a premier sports destination, featuring a mix of professional franchises, elite collegiate athletics, large high schools and massive amateur complexes.

ā€œWhen we started this program in 2020, our mission initially aimed to strengthen the rehabilitation services provided to the local sports-based community within Central Florida by producing highly trained and skilled sports physical therapists,ā€ says Philip Agostinelli, residency program coordinator and rehab clinical operations manager with Orlando Health Sports Medicine and Rehab Center.Ģż ā€œNow, currently, in our sixth cohort of residents, that mission evolved to encompass the needs of athletes on a national scale, with multiple past graduates working in professional or semi-professional sports across the country.ā€

The Tireless Protege: Alvaro Zapata

Long days do not faze Alvaro Zapata, even as they turn into 60-hour weeks. To him, theyā€™re part of the allure of the residency program.

ā€œI ask myself, ā€˜When would I have this kind of opportunity again?ā€™ and the answer is never,ā€ Zapata says. ā€œThe program opens doors that would otherwise not be open.ā€

ā€œIā€™m gaining all the knowledge I could possibly need to eventually be at the top of my profession.ā€ ā€” Alvaro Zapata

Since entering the program last August, Zapata has stretched his aptitude alongside clinicians at Orlando Health and Jewett Orthopedic. Heā€™s worked with athletes in high schools and at UCF and accessed the inner circles of Orlandoā€™s two professional soccer teams.

As Zapata puts it, ā€œIā€™m gaining all the knowledge I could possibly need to eventually be at the top of my profession.ā€

Zapata was poised to climb the ladder with his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Boston ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ when he heard about Chaput heading up the residency program at UCF. He knew of her published research and presentations to global audiences.

ā€œSheā€™s a big reason I wanted this residency so badly,ā€ Zapata says.

Here, he has had the opportunity to collaborate with Chaput and progress research on the ā€œvisual-cognitive control-to-chaos continuumā€ in rehab, a model for which Chaput is one of the original creators. After ACL reconstruction surgery, patients often develop inhibitions within the brain that limit the coordination of knee movement. Instead of movement in competition being instinctive, athletes are often consciously aware of deficiencies that were once automatic.

ā€œIf you canā€™t trust your knee, then you canā€™t get back to the top of your game,ā€ Zapata says. ā€œRehab is typically done in a controlled setting. The real sports environment is chaotic. Weā€™re finding ways to challenge people the day after surgery, so inhibitions donā€™t set in.ā€

This means ā€œvisual-cognitiveā€ challenges are added to rehab in the very early stages. For example, the physical therapists might have the patient look for colored lights on a screen. Red means squeeze the right leg. Blue means squeeze the left leg. Yellow means squeeze both.

The visual-cognitive control-to-chaos continuum calls for therapists to gradually make exercises more complex for the patient, from simple, controlled movements to more unpredictable, game-like situations. The goal is to better prepare patients to safely return to sports by training both the body and the brain.

ā€œWe want athletes to react instead of thinking first,ā€ Zapata says. ā€œIt could be a game changer.ā€

The Team Player: Tsianna Barnwell

At noon on a Monday, Tsianna Barnwell leaves Jewett Orthopedic Clinic, where sheā€™s been broadening her skills since 7 a.m. Sheā€™ll now drive to a local high school to work with athletes across a range of sports. Barnwell thrives in the residency program because no two days are the same. She might work with the Orlando Pride or Orlando City, provide expertise for USA Track or binge on insights at Orlando Health.

Some people call the program challenging. Barnwell calls it ā€œincredible.ā€

ā€œIā€™m getting the best of all worlds,ā€ she says. She even immerses herself in the world of Orlando Ballet, calling it ā€œanother unique experience to add to my toolbox.ā€

Barnwell takes her toolbox into the Cognition, Neuroplasticity and Sarcopenia Lab, where she and Chaput are advancing research, which they recently presented in Athens, Greece, at the Isokinetic Conference. It started with a question Barnwell had from her days as a Division I soccer player: Why are female athletes two to six times more likely to suffer knee injuries than men? Through her sports residency, sheā€™s discovered that females are more likely to be weaker in their hamstring muscles. Studying these anatomical and physiological differences can inform impactful changes in rehab, recovery and injury prevention, she notes.

“With this residency under my belt, my opportunities will be almost endless.” ā€” Tsianna Barnwell

Barnwell knows firsthand what itā€™s like to suffer a torn ACL. Sheā€™s also known ā€œthe teamā€ as her home away from home since leaving Qatar as an 18-year-old to study and play soccer at St. Bonaventure ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„. Ultimately, she wants to be part of a team again, perhaps as the director of rehabilitation for a professional womenā€™s soccer team. Thatā€™s her preference, but when the residency ends, sheā€™ll be prepared to work with any team ā€” even a ballet company, Cirque du Soleil or the rehab team at Orlando Health.

ā€œIā€™m fortunate to gain such a breadth of knowledge,ā€ Barnwell says. ā€œWith this residency under my belt, my opportunities will be almost endless.ā€

The Empowered Graduate: Jeremy Wydra ā€™18 ā€™22DPT

Jeremy Wydra ā€™18 ’22DPT is where Zapata and Barnwell will soon be: residency complete, now pursuing a path to find more effective ways to help athletes and performers recover and raise the bar.

ā€œThatā€™s the great outcome for me: variety,ā€ says Wydra, who finished the residency program in 2024 and is now practicing clinically, and working toward his doctorate in kinesiology at UCF, where he is collecting data on the recovery and return to performance after ACL reconstruction.

Wydra worked his way through UCF, first envisioning a career in mechanical engineering and ultimately earning a bachelorā€™s in health sciences. Along the way, he decided he wanted a people-facing profession and shadowed at a clinic, where he noticed physical therapists conversing with patients throughout treatment sessions, often for more than an hour. He saw it as personalized healthcare that he could optimize with physics and innovation.

After finishing his doctorate in physical therapy at UCF, Wydra landed in a dream situation in Maryland, practicing as both a strength and conditioning coach and a physical therapist within sports performance centers. It begs the question: Why return for the residency?

ā€œI wanted to work with mentors who would push me to be better,ā€ says Wydra.

Unlike Zapata and Barnwell, Wydra had little soccer experience. Gaining it became part of the push he desired.

“… the value of the residency for me: having access to such diversified people and environments.” ā€” Jeremy Wydra ā€™18 ā€™22DPT

ā€œDuring my second week in the residency, I stepped into the Orlando City Academy training room to work with high-level athletes,ā€ he says. ā€œI also helped on the sidelines and talked with the medical staff about team-centered communication with coaches and players. That was the value of the residency for me: having access to such diversified people and environments.ā€

Wydra sees himself taking full advantage of the variety still in front of him, perhaps as a physical therapist and sports scientist, reforming best practices and helping others be their best.

ā€œThatā€™s what my mentors in the residency have done for me: made me a better person and professional,ā€ he says. ā€œI wouldnā€™t trade those 12 months for the world.ā€

UCF is the leading producer of talent among Floridaā€™s universities, awarding nearly 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 stateā€™s workforce.

Graduates will hear from six esteemed speakers whose leadership and impact span some of Central Floridaā€™s most influential industries:

• Barry Miller ā€™95, president of Voloridge Investment Management
• Brian Adams ā€™04MBA, president and CEO of AdventHealth Central Florida Division
• Gloria Caulfield, vice president of strategic alliances, Tavistock Development Company
• Barbara Gellman-Danley, president of Higher Learning Commission
• Maj. Gen. James Smith, commander, space training and readiness command at Patrick Space Force Base
• Peter Lee, president of Microsoft Science

Commencement Festivities

Held in the Addition Financial Arena, spring commencement will take place over six ceremonies spanning Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9.

All guests, including children and infants,ā€Æneed 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 theā€Ælive ceremony via a simulcast viewingā€Æin the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be livestreamed .

Commencement Photo-ops Across UCF

Graduating Knights are unable to take photos at the Acrisure Bounce House Stadium this semester due to ongoing construction.

Grad Walk

On Thursday, May 7, 2:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.), spring graduates are invited to a photo-op ā€” Grad Walk ā€” 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.ā€ÆGraduates are required to .

Commencement Schedule

Graduates and guests can review the below commencement ceremony schedule, listing colleges, ceremony dates and streaming links:

Friday, May 8

9 a.m.

College of Business

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

2 p.m.

College of Health Professions and Sciences

College of Medicine

College of Nursing

7 p.m.

College of Arts and Humanities

Nicholson School of Communication and Media

Saturday, May 9

9 a.m.

College of Community Innovation and Education

2 p.m.

College of Sciences (excluding Nicholson School of Communication and Media)

7 p.m.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

College of Graduate Studies

College of Optics and Photonics

For more details and FAQs about Spring 2026 commencement celebrations, visit ucf.edu/graduation.

Commencement Speakers

Barry Miller ā€™95

President of Voloridge Investment Management

Barry Miller ā€™95 serves as president of Voloridge Investment Management, quantitative hedge fund manager, and Voloridge Health, a data science-based health tech company, both Florida based.

Miller, who graduated with honors from UCF with a bachelorā€™s degree in finance, recently made a transformational $50 million gift this spring to establish the Barry S. Miller College of Business at UCF. The largest single philanthropic investment in UCF history, the gift will accelerate a bold new model of business education designed for a world where technology, data and decision-making are inseparable.

Miller, also a member of the UCF College of Business Hall of Fame, brings years of executive experience, having previously served as CEO of LASAS Technologies, a finance and insurance company that he co-founded in 1998. His career experience includes financial analysis, capital raising, financial markets, actuarial experience, software development and in-depth company infrastructure formation.

After gaining valuable experience as an entrepreneur and chief executive officer, Millerā€™s ambition led him to join and invest in Voloridge Investment Management and then Voloridge Health. For both companies, he is responsible for many facets of leadership, including trading, back-office operations, compliance, sales and marketing, vendor relationships and strategic planning.

Brian Adams ā€™04MBA

President and CEO of AdventHealth Central Florida Division

Brian Adams is president and CEO of AdventHealthā€™s Central Florida Division, one of the nationā€™s largest faith-based health systems, whose 37,000 dedicated team members provide care for more than 3 million patients.

Known for building high-performing teams and ensuring the organization grows to meet the care needs of the community, Adams has led efforts to expand access to care, elevate quality and bring innovative solutions to rapidly growing communities. His leadership has continued to position AdventHealth as a trusted and innovative partner in Central Florida.

As a part of AdventHealth for more than 24 years, Adams has held senior leadership roles across the organization, including CEO positions in Tampa and Polk County, where he oversaw major expansions, facility investments and quality improvements.

He earned his masterā€™s of business administration from the ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ and a bachelorā€™s degree from Union College in Nebraska. Originally from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, Adams and his wife have two teenage sons.

Gloria Caulfield

Vice president of strategic alliances, Tavistock Development Company

In her multifaceted role as vice president of strategic alliances at Tavistock, Gloria Caulfield manages business development and corporate partnerships, collaborates with national and global stakeholders to advance health innovation, and leads the development of cutting-edge strategies for the Lake Nona community.

She is the chief architect and creative force behind the Lake Nona Impact Forum. The revered global health innovation summit brings together many of the worldā€™s most preeminent thought leaders and serves as a signature event of the Tavistock Group.

Caulfield serves on boards that reflect her passion for advancing the future of human health, including the StartUp Health Impact Board, which focuses on mobilizing entrepreneurs to solve the biggest health challenges of our time, and the LFE Capital Advisory Board, which supports female founders and impactful, wellness-oriented companies.

Prior to joining Tavistock, she had a distinguished career at AdventHealth. As senior executive director for community development, she provided strategic leadership for corporate partnerships and spearheaded critical community initiatives across Central Florida. Caulfield is an alumna of the ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ of Arizona and brings visionary leadership to every aspect of her work.

Barbara Gellman-Danley

President of Higher Learning Commission

Barbara Gellman-Danley is president of the Higher Learning Commission, which accredits colleges and universities to ensure they meet high-quality standards and continuously improve.

Prior to beginning this role in 2014, she was president of the ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College in Ohio. She previously served as vice chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, president of Antioch ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ McGregor, vice president at Monroe Community College and vice chancellor at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Gellman-Danley sits on the boards of Credential Engine, which she chairs, and GlobalMindED. Her career includes previous board and commission memberships with the Association of Governing Boards Council of Presidents, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, the American Council on Educationā€™s Education and Attainment group and the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning.

Gellman-Danley holds degrees from Syracuse ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„, Simmons ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„, Oklahoma City ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ and the ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ of Oklahoma. She did post-graduate work at New York ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„, Cornell, Harvard, the ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ of Chicago and MIT.

An honorary member of Phi Theta Kappa, she is a professional certified coach, certified executive coach and certified life coach. She holds certifications in change management, Agile and Lean Six Sigma, a professional credential validating expertise in data-driven process improvement aimed at reducing waste and defects.

Maj. Gen. James Smith

Commander, space training and readiness command at Patrick Space Force Base

As commander, Maj. Gen. James E. Smith is responsible for preparing the U.S. Space Force and more than 14,000 military and civilian guardians to prevail in competition and conflict through innovative education, training, doctrine and test activities.

Originally from Boise, Idaho, Maj. Gen. Smith commissioned in 1997 as the top graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. His career spans numerous space operations and acquisition positions, including command at the squadron, group, wing, garrison and Field Command levels.

Maj. Gen. Smith has deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and to the U.S. Embassy in Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Prior to his current position, Maj. Gen. Smith served as the vice director, Joint Force Development, J-7, the Joint Staff, Arlington, Virginia.

Peter Lee

President of Microsoft Science

Peter Lee is president of Microsoft Science, where his responsibility is to accelerate the pace of discovery in the physical, biological and medical sciences through the use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Previously, he led the world laboratories of Microsoft Research. Before joining Microsoft in 2010, he established a new technology office at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency within the U.S. Department of Defense, creating operational capabilities in machine learning, data science and computational social science.

From 1987 to 2010, Lee was a professor and the head of the computer science department at Carnegie Mellon ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and serves on the boards of several institutions in AI and medicine, including the board of trustees of the Mayo Clinic and the board of directors of the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine. He served on President Obamaā€™s Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity and has testified before both U.S. House and Senate committees.

He is the co-author of the book, The AI Revolution in Medicine: GPT-4 and Beyond. In 2024, Lee was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in health and life sciences.

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

Orlando Healthā€™s presence within SPRK aligns with ±«°ä¹óā€™s broader co-location strategy, which brings industry partners onto campus to catalyze innovation through proximity. The approach emphasizes shared space, sharedĀ challengesĀ and shared outcomes to accelerate problem-solving, support experientialĀ learningĀ and speed the translation of ideas into practice.

The co-location marks the latest milestone inĀ Orlando Healthā€™sĀ long-standing partnership with UCF.

ā€œBy working side by side at SPRK, we are accelerating innovation and moving real-world healthcare solutions more quickly into the communities we serve.ā€ Ā ā€” Alexander N. Cartwright, UCF president

Theā€ÆOrlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Instituteā€Æprovides comprehensive, year-round care for UCF student-athletes, including on-field coverage, primary care sports medicine, and specialized imaging. As aĀ Pegasus Partner,Ā Orlando Health pledged $5 million toward theĀ , which supports nursing internships, scholarships, and hiring, helping to address the state’s nursing shortage. In addition, Orlando Health and UCF collaborate on advanced technology projectsĀ ā€”Ā such as theā€ÆAI for Medical Surgery systemĀ ā€”Ā jointly offer specialized residency programs andĀ collaborate inĀ manyĀ additionalĀ ways.

ā€œOrlando Health has been an exceptional partner,Ā demonstratingĀ what is possible when industry and academia come together with sharedĀ purpose. This next phase of co-location builds on that foundation,ā€ says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. ā€œBy working side by side at SPRK, we are accelerating innovation and moving real-world healthcare solutions more quickly into the communities we serve.ā€

Healthcare Innovation at the Center of Campus

Located inĀ approximatelyĀ 2,649Ā square feetĀ within SPRK, theĀ Strategic Innovations groupĀ was intentionally placed, here,Ā to foster continuous collaboration with faculty and students across disciplines.

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

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

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

Built to Go For Launch

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

ThroughĀ a collective effortĀ ā€”Ā combining philanthropy and transformational giving with corporateĀ partnerships, researchĀ commercializationĀ and other revenue-generating endeavorsĀ ā€”Ā UCFĀ is chartingĀ aĀ boldĀ new path forward and building a future the world has only begun to imagine.

ā€œThis co-location with Orlando Health exemplifies the kind of partnership that powers Go for Launch, bringing industry and academia together to create real-world impact,ā€ says Rod Grabowski, UCF vice president for Advancement and Partnership, and CEO of the UCF Foundation. ā€œBy aligning visionary partners with ±«°ä¹óā€™s innovation ecosystem, we are accelerating discovery, expanding opportunity and advancing solutions that improve lives.ā€

Over the course of nearly a full academic year, peers, departmental and college leadership, and the university promotion and tenure committee engaged in a rigorous, multi-stage review to ensure candidates met ±«°ä¹óā€™s high standards in teaching, research, and service. Ultimately, they recommended 100 faculty members for promotion, including 23 for tenure.

Following the review process, the president and provost make final decisions on promotions, while the UCF Board of Trustees provides final approval for tenure candidates. These decisions directly advance ±«°ä¹óā€™s strategic plan and its focus on recruiting and retaining highly qualified faculty ā€“ especially those who elevate student success, accelerate discovery and research, and strengthen the talent pipeline that drives innovation and economics for the state of Florida.

ā€œAt UCF, promotion and tenure reflects a thoughtful, rigorous review process and the high standards we set as an institution and state,ā€ says John Buckwalter, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. ā€œItā€™s a significant moment for these faculty, not just for the years of hard work it recognizes, but for what promotion and tenure represents: a sustained commitment to excellence, a deep dedication to student success, research that boldly improves lives, and the future weā€™re building together.ā€

Promotions and tenure conferrals annually take effect on Aug. 8.

The faculty members recognized below represent the continued strength and momentum of UCF.

Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure

• John Gardiner, College of Arts and Humanities
• Tadashi Ishikawa, College of Arts and Humanities
• Sara Raffel, College of Arts and Humanities
• Jeffery Redding, College of Arts and Humanities
• John Bush, College of Business
• Seongho An, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Cynthia Williams, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Jiannan Chen, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Chinwendu Enyioha, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Ozlem Garibay, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Yao Li, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Miguel Bandres, College of Optics and Photonics
• Robert Fitak, College of Sciences
• Shyam Kattel, College of Sciences
• Kelsey Larsen, College of Sciences
• Kangsang Lee, College of Sciences
• Xialing Lin, College of Sciences
• Emily Zavodny, College of Sciences
• Kayode Aleshinloye, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• Carissa Baker, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• YunYing Zhong, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Promotion to Associate Professor of Medicine with Tenure

• Taj Azarian, College of Medicine
• Thomas Kean, College of Medicine

Promotion to Professor (Tenured)

• Thaddeus Anderson, College of Arts and Humanities
• Ann Gleig, College of Arts and Humanities
• Lanlan Kuang, College of Arts and Humanities
• Sandra Sousa, College of Arts and Humanities
• Mel Stanfill, College of Arts and Humanities
• Melanie Guldi, College of Business
• Xin He, College of Business
• Laurie Campbell, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Eric Merriam, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Woo Hyoung Lee, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Thomas Wahl, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Yang Yang, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Jacqueline Towson, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Romain Gaume, College of Optics and Photonics
• Jacopo Baggio, College of Sciences
• Matthieu Baudelet, College of Sciences
• Karin Chumbimuni Torres, College of Sciences
• Geoffrey Cook, College of Sciences
• Amy Donley, College of Sciences
• Hsinā€‘Hsiung Huang, College of Sciences
• Brigitte Kovacevich, College of Sciences
• Arkadiy Lyakh, College of Sciences
• Peter Smith, College of Sciences
• Xiaohu Xia, College of Sciences

Promotion to Associate Professor of Medicine

• Maria Farooq, College of Medicine

Promotion to Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine

• Naziha Slimani, College of Medicine
• Sharon Wasserstrom, College of Medicine

Promotion to Clinical Professor of Medicine

• Mariana Dangiolo, College of Medicine

Promotion to Research Associate Professor

• Crystal Maraj, Office of Research

Promotion to Associate Lecturer

• Jonathan Barker, College of Arts and Humanities
• Sara Willox, College of Business
• Elizabeth Yost, College of Business
• Michael Gilbrook, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Alison Redd, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Michael Redd, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Michael Chetta, College of Sciences
• Heather Edwards, College of Sciences
• Seongchun Kwon, College of Sciences
• Adam Parrish, College of Sciences
• Jamie Vega, College of Sciences
• Tong Wan, College of Sciences
• Rong Zhou, College of Sciences

Promotion to Senior Lecturer

• Christy Flanaganā€‘Feddon, College of Arts and Humanities
• David Head, College of Arts and Humanities
• Deborah Leitch, College of Arts and Humanities
• Amanda Snyder, College of Arts and Humanities
• Jeanine Viau, College of Arts and Humanities
• Constance Goodman, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Daniel Stephens, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Shane Trenta, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Marino Nader, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Sudeshna Pal, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Rachid Ait Maalem Lahcen, College of Sciences
• Cynthia Bayer, College of Sciences
• Martha Hubertz, College of Sciences
• Tamra Legronā€‘Rodriguez, College of Sciences
• Hyung Park, College of Sciences
• Widaad Zaman, College of Sciences

Promotion to Associate Instructor

• Meeghan Faulconer, College of Arts and Humanities
• Yukari Nakamura, College of Arts and Humanities
• Carolina Salazar, College of Arts and Humanities
• Punam Desormes, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Jorri Bright, College of Sciences
• Richard Hall, College of Sciences
• Nicholas Zuccarello, College of Sciences

Promotion to Senior Instructor

• Rita De Luca Guerriero, College of Arts and Humanities
• Steven Ton, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Todd Fix, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Julie Matura, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Lance Speere, College of Sciences
• Abigail Ferreira, UCF Global

Promotion to Associate Instructional Designer

• Rebecca McNulty, Division of Digital Learning

Promotion to Senior Instructional Designer

• Amy Sugar, Division of Digital Learning

Promotion to Associate Librarian

• Renee Montgomery, UCF Libraries

Promotion to ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ Librarian

• Sai Deng, UCF Libraries
• Sarah Norris, UCF Libraries
• Andrew Todd, UCF Libraries

With its 12th class in 11 years, the 30 Under 30 program recognizes alumni under the age of 30 whose professional achievements, leadership and service reflect the bold spirit, values and impact of the ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„. The program also underscores ±«°ä¹óā€™s role in developing highly skilled graduates who fuel innovation, service and economic impact in Florida and beyond.

ā€œThese alumni embody the spirit of UCF in every sense,ā€ saysĀ Heather Junod ā€™98, associate vice president of alumni engagement and annual giving. ā€œEach year, my pride grows as we recognize a new class of 30 Under 30 honorees who are leading with integrity,Ā creativityĀ and courage. Their achievements are extraordinary, but what inspires me most is their commitment to service ā€” to their communities, theirĀ professionsĀ and their alma mater. They remindĀ usĀ all ofĀ the power of a UCF education and the impact Knights can make when they dare to lead.ā€

Hundreds of nominations were submitted online between Oct. 3ā€”Nov. 12, 2025. Applications were reviewed and scored by previous award recipients, UCF Young Alumni ambassadors and UCF staff. Finalists were then confirmed by the UCF Alumni Board of Directors based on the following criteria:

• Must be a graduate of UCF (undergraduate or graduate degree)

• Must be 29 or younger as of June 1, 2026

• MustĀ demonstrateĀ a commitment toĀ maintainingĀ a lifelong relationship with UCF and upholding UCF Young Alumni values

ā€œOn behalf of the UCF Young Alumni Community, congratulations to the remarkable members of the 2026Ā Class of 30 Under 30,ā€ saysĀ Austin WilsonĀ ā€™22, chair of the UCF Alumni Community. ā€œThese honoreesĀ representĀ the future of Knight Nation. Their ambition,Ā leadershipĀ and dedication to making a difference reflect the values that connect us as alumni. We are proud to celebrate not only what they have alreadyĀ accomplished, but the incredible impact they will continue to make as leaders,Ā mentorsĀ and advocates for UCF.ā€

UCF Alumni will celebrate the 2026 award recipients at a special event on Saturday, May 16, at the Addition Financial Arena. A complete slate of the honorees, listed alphabetically by last name, appears below. Past recipients can be found on the .

Cassandra Allen ’18
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°łā€™sĢż¾±²ŌĢżhealth sciences

Samantha Archer Stoltz ’24
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō biology
Burnett Honors College

Chloe Artrip ’19 ’23DPT
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō health sciences
Doctorate in physical therapy

Coral Barron Patraca ’19
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō aerospace engineering
Burnett Honors College

Ana Beltran ’19 ’24MFA
Bachelor’s in digital media-game design
Bachelorā€™s in emerging media-animation
Master’s in emerging media-animation and visual effectsĀ 

Mishka Brice ’19
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō political science
Burnett Honors College

Taya Britten ’20
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō interdisciplinary studiesĀ 

Brenden Brown ’20 ’23MHA
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō health sciences
²Ń²¹²õ³Ł±š°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō health administration

Dominic Davis ’21
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō human communication

Jalynn Edmon ’25
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō nursing

OliviaĀ FeildĀ ’20 ’22MS
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō forensic science
²Ń²¹²õ³Ł±š°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō forensic science
Burnett Honors College

Marshall Fornataro-Minnig ’22MS
²Ń²¹²õ³Ł±š°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō interactive entertainmentĀ 

Katherine Grand ’23 ’25MHA
Bachelor’s in health services administration
²Ń²¹²õ³Ł±š°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō health administration

Michele Guillard ’20
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō health sciences
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō interdisciplinary studies
Burnett Honors College

Margaret Hall ’22
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō legal studies
Burnett Honors College

Neda Hamood ’22 ’24MS
Bachelor’s in biomedical sciences
Master’s in biomedical sciences
Burnett Honors College

Jaquesha Jefferson ’22
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō health sciences

DerreashaĀ Jones ’21 ’24MA
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō psychology
²Ń²¹²õ³Ł±š°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō counselor educationĀ 

MailuceĀ Louidor ’20
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō nursing

Faith McFarland ’19 ’22MA
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō psychology
²Ń²¹²õ³Ł±š°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō clinical psychology

Hannah Miner ’20
Bachelor’s in forensic science

Lawrence Oks ’21 ’22MS
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō computer science
²Ń²¹²õ³Ł±š°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō computer science
Burnett Honors College

Jillian Pirozzi ’22 ’25MHA
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō health sciences
²Ń²¹²õ³Ł±š°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō health administration

Emily Puia ’22
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō human communication

Matthew Rall ’19
Bachelor’s in emergency management

Michael Raymond ’19
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°łā€™sĢż¾±²Ō business economics

Shaina Ruth ’18
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō criminal justiceĀ 

Maximillian Seidel ’18
Bachelor’s in management

Autumn Shackelford ’25PhD
Doctorate in physics

Nicholas Vaughn ’19
µž²¹³¦³ó±š±ō“Ē°ł’²õĢż¾±²Ō biology

Graduates will hear from four esteemed speakers ā€” Lance Lyttle, CEO for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority; Joe Nunziata, CEO for Acrisure Mortgage; JoAnn Newman, president and CEO for the Orlando Science Center; and Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia College ā€” whose leadership and impact span some of Central Floridaā€™s most influential industries.

UCF will award more than 6,000 degrees during this fallā€™s commencement ceremonies, continuing its record-setting momentum in preparing highly skilled graduates for in-demand fields, including engineering, computer science, nursing, and digital and emerging media. The university awards over 18,000 degrees annually, including more bachelorā€™s degrees in engineering and nursing than any other institution in the state. These two fields are essential to sustaining Floridaā€™s economic and population growth.

UCF servesā€Æmore of Floridaā€™s students than any other university. More thanā€Æ90%ā€Æof ±«°ä¹óā€™s undergraduate students are Florida residents, and most will stay in Florida after they graduate, withā€Æ85%ā€Æof ±«°ä¹óā€™s new graduates remaining in Florida.

Of all degrees, theā€ÆCollege of Sciencesā€Æwill award 25%, with fields like digital media, chemistry and physics. Theā€ÆCollege of Business will award 15%, including disciplines such as finance and accounting. Theā€ÆCollege of Engineering and Computer Science will award 15%, representing fields such as aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science.

About 54% of the bachelorā€™s degree recipients are eligible for Pell Grants, showcasing the universityā€™s commitment to students of all backgrounds. Additionally, about 31% of all bachelor’s degrees will be awarded to first-generation students who will be the first in their families to graduate from college.

Commencement Festivities

Held in the Addition Financial Arena, fall commencement will take place Dec. 12-13.

All guests, including children and infants,ā€Æneed 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 theā€Ælive ceremony via a simulcast viewingā€Æin the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be livestreamed onā€Æ.

Commencement Photo-ops Across UCF

Main Campus

Two photo-ops are available for students to celebrate their accomplishments.

The Reflecting Pond is one of the most iconic spots on campus for grad photos. Strike a pose and make memories Dec. 1-14.

On Thursday, Dec. 11, 2:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.), fall graduates are invited to a photo-op ā€” ā€” 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.ā€Æ.

Graduating Knights are unable to take photos at the Acrisure Bounce House Stadium this semester due to ongoing construction.

UCF Downtown

UCF Downtown offers several great locations forā€Æunforgettable graduation photos. Here are our top picks of the best spots to memorialize your academic achievement.

Celebrate your college journey by honoring your support system at the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons West Lobby donor wall. Use the iconic phrase, ā€œIf you want to go far, go together,ā€ on the donor wall as a backdrop to pay homage to those who helped you along the way.

The Seneff Plaza, located between the East and West Wings of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, is where so many campus events and gatherings take place. The towering columns and reflective glass of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons capture the modern campus where you worked so hard to earn your degree.

Enhance your graduation photos by venturing beyond campus into the surrounding Orlando area. You barely have to step off campus to encounter the iconic Orlando sign locatedat Luminary Green Park. The 2.3-acre park features a large, welcoming lawn that leads up to the oversized ā€œOrlandoā€ letters at the end of the park, creating the ideal environment to mark your time in The City Beautiful.

Commencement Schedule

Graduates and guests can review the below commencement ceremony schedule, listing colleges, ceremony dates and streaming links:

Friday, Dec. 12
2 p.m.

College of Business Administration
College of Health Professions and Sciences

Friday, Dec. 12
7 p.m.

College of Arts and Humanities
College of Community Innovation and Education (includes the School of Interdisciplinary Studies)

Saturday, Dec. 13
9 a.m.

College of Sciences

Saturday, Dec. 13
2 p.m.

College of Engineering and Computer Science
College of Graduate Studies
College of Medicine
College of Nursing
College of Optics and Photonics
Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Commencement Speakers

Lance Lyttle

CEO for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

As chief executive officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), Lance Lyttle oversees the operations and management of Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport ā€” two premier gateways to Central Florida, one of the most visited destinations in the world. Both airports are integral to Floridaā€™s transportation network.

Before his role as GOAA CEO, Lyttle held key leadership positions at three major U.S. airports, where he guided significant capital projects and elevated the standard for customer service. As managing director of Aviation for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, he oversaw major milestones including the completion of the N Concourse Modernization, the International Arrivals Facility and the expansion of the Central Terminal. He also advanced significant progress on the C Concourse expansion. Under his leadership, Seattle-Tacoma earned the prestigious 4-Star Airport Rating from international rating agency Skytrax, becoming only the second large U.S. hub airport to receive the designation.

Lyttle also served in leadership roles at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the U.S. by passenger volume, and within the Houston Airport System.

His aviation experience is complemented by his involvement with several professional organizations. Lyttle currently serves on the boards of the International Association of Airport Executives and the Airport Cooperative Research Program. From 2019 to 2024, he was chair of Federal Affairs for the American Association of Airport Executives and testified before the U.S. House and Senate committees on aviation-related matters.

Joe Nunziata

CEO for Acrisure MortgageĀ 

Joe Nunziata is a driving force in the financial industry, serving as CEO for Acrisure Mortgage (formerly FBC Mortgage), one of the nationā€™s largest independent mortgage banks. His entrepreneurial footprint extends across Central Florida as the founder and director of One Florida Bank, a Central Floridaā€“based community bank; and the founder and director of Trident Reciprocal Insurance, a Florida-based insurance company. He also lends his expertise as a director of FBCInsurance Agency. Nunziataā€™s leadership has earned him appointments by Governor Ron DeSantis to the boards of both the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and the Central Florida Expressway Authority. He has also served on the boards of several financial institutions, including Sunshine Bank (NASDAQ), Southern Community Bank, Florida Bank of Commerce and Fifth Third Bank of Central Florida (NYSE: FITB).

Nunziataā€™s career is marked by moments of bold strategy and impactful transitions. After FBC Mortgage was acquired by The Sterne Agee Group in 2012, he took the lead as president and CEO. Three years later, he played a key role in the companyā€™s successful re-acquisition from Sterne Agee in 2015 and guided it through its next era of growth. His earlier leadership roles in his career include serving as senior vice president at First Horizon Home Loans (NYSE: FHN) and vice president and shareholder at American Heritage Mortgage Corp., where he served from 1989 to 2003.

Beyond business, Nunziata is deeply committed to civic engagement and philanthropy. He currently serves on the boards of the Advent Health Foundation; the Orlando Police, Seminole, Osceola, Winter Park and Orange County Sheriff Foundations; and the FBC Mortgage Charitable Foundation. He and his family also operate the Joe and Jodi Nunziata Charitable Foundation, supporting a range of community initiatives.

A Certified Mortgage Banker through the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, Nunziata has served on the MBAā€™s Legislative Committee, the City of Longwoodā€™s Board of Adjustment and the Florida Council 100. His industry expertise has made him a sought-after commentator for CNBC and Fox News and a frequent speaker at mortgage industry conferences and leadership panels.

Nunziata earned a bachelorā€™s degree from the ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ of South Florida, attended summer courses at UCF and completed sessions at the London School of Economics. His leadership and entrepreneurial achievements have earned him many honors, including Executive of the Year by the Orlando Business Journal and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

JoAnn Newman

President and CEO for the Orlando Science Center

Originally from Pennsylvania, JoAnn Newman holds a bachelorā€™s degree in industrial engineering from Penn State ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ and a masterā€™s degree in industrial engineering from Purdue ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„. She began her career as an engineer at AT&T Microelectronics in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and relocated to Orlando with the company in 1989. By the time she left the corporation in 2003, she had risen to vice president of manufacturing, overseeing a 650-person staff.

Newman joined the Orlando Science Center in 2003, bringing her leadership experience to the nonprofit sector.Ģż Before being named president and CEO in 2009, she served in key roles, including as director of exhibits, vice president of operations and chief operating officer. Under her leadership as CEO, the Orlando Science Center has seen tremendous growth and now reaches more than 650,000 people annually through its mission to inspire science learning for all.

Newman remains dedicated to guiding the Orlando Science Center as a premier educational institution focused on informal science and STEM education, family engagement and workforce development.

Kathleen Plinske

President of Valencia College

Kathleen Plinske serves as president of Valencia College in Orlando.ā€Æ A first-generation college graduate, she’s committed to expanding access to higher education and workforce training.

Plinske previously held several leadership roles at Valencia College, including executive vice president and provost, as well as campus president. She began her higher education career at McHenry County College in her hometown of Crystal Lake, Illinois, where she advanced through multiple positions, ultimately serving as vice president of institutional effectiveness and interim president.

A Herman B Wells Scholar at Indiana ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„, Plinske graduated with the highest distinction, earning a bachelorā€™s degree in Spanish and physics and being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She went on to complete a masterā€™s degree in Spanish from Roosevelt ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ and a doctorate in education from Pepperdine ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ ā€” all while working full-time. She later earned both a master of business administration and a master of science in industrial and systems engineering from the ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ of Florida.

An avid lifelong learner, Plinske is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in philanthropy at Indiana ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„, where her research focuses on improving fundraising success within the community college sector.

For more details and FAQs about Fall 2025 commencement celebrations, visit ucf.edu/graduation.Ģż

A Toolkit Grounded in Evidence

RenewU provides 10 evidence-based interventions to prevent burnout and promote resilience in stressful and challenging environments. The program was created by faculty across ±«°ä¹óā€™s Colleges of Health Professions and Sciences, Medicine and Nursing, with support from a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which aims to decrease high burnout rates among healthcare professionals.

ā€œBurnout has emerged as a growing epidemic among healthcare providers,ā€ says Magdelena Pasarica, College of Medicine assistant dean for medical education, who helped create the program. ā€œThey need to manageĀ the inherent stress of the profession through healthy behaviors.Ģż We wanted to create a virtual, free resource that will work for everyone ā€” whether youā€™re in a huge academic medical center or a clinic in rural Arkansas.ā€

“Promoting health and wellness among healthcare professionals allows us to better care for our patients.ā€ ā€” Laurie Neely, UCF associate professor of physical therapy

While the Internet is full of suggestions for improving mental and physical well-being, ±«°ä¹óā€™s team found that most of those recommendations were not evidence-based. Existing programs had also not been studied for effectiveness and were not designed to support interdisciplinary healthcare teams.

ā€œPromoting health and wellness among healthcare professionals allows us to better care for our patients,ā€ says Laurie Neely, UCF associate professor of physical therapy, who helped create RenewU. ā€œIt is also important that healthcare systems address the problem and promote a workplace that fosters health and wellness among their employees.ā€

Creating Interventions for Realities of Healthcare

In creating the system, the UCF team incorporated proven practices recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, a scientifically independent group of national experts on disease prevention and evidence-based medicine. The toolkit includes information and guides for individuals, teams and health systems, so hospital leaders can create resiliency support for their entire workforce. Resources are provided in medical and lay terms for clinical and non-clinical workers, and include active, self-directed learning, practice activities, group interaction and reflection opportunities. Licensed healthcare providers can even receive continuing education credits through RenewU training.

Supporting Mental and Physical Well-Being

The toolkit is divided into mental and physical wellness sections. Mental health and well-being topics cover stress management, mindfulness, psychological detachment, setting boundaries, behavioral modification and handling stress in challenging situations. Videos from mental health experts guide participants in detaching from work and responding more effectively when experiencing self-doubt or becoming overwhelmed.

ā€œWe selected these evidence-based interventions with intention, keeping in mind the fast-paced and often unpredictable nature of healthcare environments,ā€ says Asli Yalim, associate professor in ±«°ä¹óā€™s School of Social Work and another RenewU creator. ā€œThe practices in this toolkit go beyond generic five- or ten-minute mental health tips. They offer practical, meaningful strategies tailored specifically for healthcare providers to support healthier decision-making in both work and life.ā€

The physical health section covers topics such as active rest, like exercising at your desk or taking a walk during breaks, along with healthy eating recipes and how-to videos from a licensed yoga instructor. Participants can watch a video on preparing baked salmon and vegetables, a meal high in Omega-3 fatty acids that support mental health, and learn which foods have the highest amounts of Omega-3s.

Feedback from UCF Students, Residents and Community Clinicians

UCF faculty piloted the program with 761 AHSC learners, including physicians training in College of Medicine-HCA Healthcare residencies. Emergency medicine residents at HCA Florida Osceola Hospital participated in the programā€™s yoga curriculum at a local park alongside their attending physician, Tracy MacIntosh of the College of Medicine, to test the programā€™s effectiveness in helping teams address burnout. The creators also shared the program with 351 healthcare workers from seven Central Florida clinical organizations. Staff at Orlandoā€™s Grace Medical Home participated in active rest exercises during lunch and were amazed that all the physical and mental health resources are free.

In developing the program, UCF faculty evaluated the educational rigor of their content using the Kirkpatrick Model, an internationally recognized system for measuring the success of learning and training programs.

RenewU is one reason UCF received the National Award for Institutional Excellence and Innovation in Interprofessional Education from the Association of Schools Advancing Health, and itā€™s now integrated into the required curriculum for interprofessional education at the AHSC. As part of this yearā€™s interprofessional education initiative, students from ±«°ä¹óā€™s College of Medicine and the ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ of Floridaā€™s College of Pharmacy completed a five-week virtual course on stress management in healthcare. The YellowdigĀ platform played a key role in fostering learning communities across four campuses, enabling peer interaction, reflective dialogue and shared exploration of evidence-based strategies for well-being.

Findings from the resilience toolkit program have been presented at 17 national and four international scientific conferences and published in six peer-reviewed journals. Even with minimal marketing, the toolkit has been used by 2,500 people, including international healthcare workers in Canada, Ireland, Sweden and Germany.

UCF will award more than 4,000 degrees during three commencementĀ ceremonies this summer, continuing ±«°ä¹óā€™s record-setting pace of preparing highly qualified graduates to drive Floridaā€™s rapidly expanding engineering and technology economy and provide vital services to our communities.

Graduates will hear from industry leaders driving cutting-edge partnerships and processes in the health and space sectors, continuing inventive efforts that look to improve community health, streamline launches and make space more accessible.

They are Elizabeth Ellis ā€™02, a senior program manager at Blue Origin; Mark Soltys ā€™12, principal launch engineer at Space X; and Nicholas Abrahams ā€™20MNM, president and CEO of the Winter Park Health Foundation.

UCF expects to award over 4,000 degrees this summer, a showcase of the universityā€™s continued scale. UCF awards 18,000 degrees annually, including awarding more bachelorā€™s degrees in engineering and nursing than any other institution in the state. These two fields are essential to sustaining Floridaā€™s economic and population growth.

UCF servesĀ more of Floridaā€™s students than any other university. More thanĀ 90%Ā of ±«°ä¹óā€™s undergraduate students are Florida residents ā€” and most will stay in Florida after they graduate, withĀ 85%Ā of ±«°ä¹óā€™s new graduates remaining in Florida.

Of all degrees, the College of Sciences will award 22%, with fields like digital media, chemistry and physics. The College of Business will award 16%, including disciplines such as finance and accounting. The College of Engineering and Computer Science will award 13%, representing fields such as aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science.

About 41% of the bachelorā€™s degree recipients are eligible for Pell Grants, showcasing the universityā€™s commitment to students of all backgrounds. Additionally, about 25% of all degrees will be awarded to first-generation students who will be the first in their families to graduate from college.

Commencement Festivities

Held in Addition Financial Arena, the spring commencement will take place Aug. 1-2.

All guests, including children and infants,Ā need 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 theĀ live ceremony via a simulcast viewingĀ in the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be livestreamed onĀ .

Commencement Photo-ops Across UCF

Main Campus

Two photo-ops are available for students to celebrate their accomplishments.

The Reflecting Pond is one of the most iconic spots on campus for grad photos. Strike a pose and make memories now through Monday, Aug. 4.

On Thursday, July 31, 4:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.), spring graduates will be offered a photo-op ā€” Grad Walk ā€” within 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.Ģż.

Graduating Knights areĀ notĀ able to take photos in FBC Mortgage Stadium this semester due to ongoing construction.

UCF Downtown

UCF Downtown offers several great locations forĀ unforgettable graduation photos. Here are our top picks of the best spots to memorialize your academic achievement.

Celebrate your college journey by honoring your support system at the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons West Lobby donor wall. Use the iconic phrase, ā€œIf you want to go far, go together,ā€ on the donor wall as a backdrop to pay homage to those who helped you along the way.

The Seneff Plaza, located between the East and West Wings of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, is where so many campus events and gatherings take place. The towering columns and reflective glass of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons capture the modern campus where you worked so hard to earn your degree.

Enhance your graduation photos by venturing beyond campus into the surrounding Orlando area. You barely have to step off campus to encounter the iconic Orlando sign located at Luminary Green Park. The 2.3-acre park features a large, welcoming lawn that leads up to the oversized ā€œOrlandoā€ letters at the end of the park, creating the ideal environment to mark your time in The City Beautiful.

Commencement Schedule

Graduates and guests can review the below commencement ceremony schedule, listing colleges, ceremony dates and streaming links:

Friday, Aug. 1
6 p.m.

College of Arts and Humanities
College of Sciences
College of Undergraduate Studies

Saturday, Aug. 2
9 a.m.

College of Business
College of Engineering and Computer Science
College of Optics and Photonics
Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Saturday, Aug. 2
2:30 p.m.

College of Community Innovation and Education
College of Graduate Studies
College of Health Professions & Sciences
College of Medicine
College of Nursing

Commencement Speakers

Elizabeth Ellis ā€™02
Manager – Program Integration/Project Management

Elizabeth Ellis ā€™02 is a senior program manager at Blue Origin. Blue Origin is building a road to space for the benefit of Earth, humanityā€™s blue origin, by radically reducing the cost of access to space and harnessing its vast resources while mobilizing future generations to realize this mission.

Ellis supports the companyā€™s push for reusable rockets to reduce spaceflight costs. Her focus includes work on this yearā€™s successful launch of Blue Originā€™s New Glenn ā€” the first non-legacy rocket to reach orbit on its maiden flight. She also contributes to the companyā€™s endeavors to move and test critical equipment, aiding efforts that include protecting spacecraft payloads from aerodynamic heating and pressure during atmospheric launch.

Her professional career includes extensive experience in legal, hospitality and university sectors and a strong background in project management, analytics, finance, marketing and sales promotion. In addition to earning a bachelorā€™s degree from UCF in marketing with a track in international business, she holds a bachelorā€™s degree in business administration from the ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ of Glamorgan (now Cardiff ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„) in South Wales of the United Kingdom. Beyond work, Ellisā€™ interests include rescuing animals from high-kill shelters and unsafe conditions.

Mark Soltys ā€™12

Principal launch engineer at SpaceX

Mark Soltys ā€™12 has spent more than a decade launching rockets ā€” and humans ā€” into space. His current work centers on the Starship program, SpaceXā€™s ambitious effort to make humanity multiplanetary. He began his Starship journey as the launch director for its first prototype, Starhopper, and has supported further program development through suborbital, high-altitude and orbital flight tests. His current responsibility is to bring Starship ā€œhomeā€ to Cape Canaveral.

Earlier in his career, Soltys developed and executed the first-ever fully automated launch countdown sequences for the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Starship vehicles. This automation effort ā€” designed to make rocket launches ā€œboringā€ by minimizing human error ā€” was a key enabler of SpaceXā€™s record-breaking launch cadence. It contributed to more than 500 successful missions, including critical national security payloads, scientific research missions and human spaceflight.

Soltys believes human spaceflight is our greatest honor and most solemn responsibility. He is proud to have helped end U.S. reliance on Russia to send astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) and has directed historic missions including the first-ever private mission to the ISS and the first human flight to orbit Earthā€™s poles.

Prior to SpaceX, Soltys held roles at Earthrise Space Foundation and Richard Petty Motorsports. A 2012 graduate of the ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ with a bachelorā€™s in aerospace engineering, Mark lives, surfs and freedives in Merritt Island, Florida, with his fiancĆ©e, a UCF nursing alumna.

Nicholas Abrahams ā€™20MNM

President and CEO for Winter Park Health Foundation

Nicholas Abrahams ā€™20MNM is the president and CEO of the Winter Park Health Foundation, where he leads initiatives focused on enhancing community health and well-being. The foundation serves Eatonville, Maitland and Winter Park, aiming to create a lasting impact by fostering innovative partnerships that address the evolving needs of these communities. Since its founding, the foundation has invested over $132 million into the community to support this mission.

He is a graduate of Florida State ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ and completed his masterā€™s in nonprofit management at UCF. His commitment to community service includes his involvement on various boards, such as the AdventHealth Orlando board of directors, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando and Osceola County, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation advisory board, the UCF Downtown dean’s advisory council, the Burnett Honors College dean’s advisory board and the VyStar Credit Union Foundation board of directors.

Together with his wife, Courtney, and daughter, Elle, Abrahams is committed to building a healthier, more vibrant future for families across Central Florida.

Genova credits Ahmed, as well as renowned professors Jayanta Kapat and Subith Vasu, for helping to propel him to a highly successful career. He now works as the lead engineer of combustion at GE Aerospace, one of the nationā€™s aviation and aerospace component manufacturing companies.

ā€œI attribute most of my success to the degree I got from UCF,ā€ Genova says. ā€œThe technical skills I built and connections I made in my graduate studies and research have been invaluable to get me to the point Iā€™ve gotten to in my career.

Like Genova, the U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings recognize the high quality of ±«°ä¹óā€™s aerospace engineering graduate program, which advanced seven spots and now is among the top 40 in the nation.

Overall, 13 UCF graduate programs rank among the top 50 in the nation. Among public universities, nine programs in engineering and computer science rank in the top 50.

±«°ä¹óā€™s emergency and crisis management programĀ  ranks No. 1 in the nation, counselor education is No. 9 and nonprofit management is No. 15.

UCF is the ideal home for graduate students looking to advance their careers and gain new skills in those fields and many others. In addition to working alongside world-class faculty, students benefit from the universityā€™s location in Orlando and strong partnerships with industry.

The city is home to many leading engineering firms, a world modeling and simulation hub and the hospitality capital of the world, as well as a short drive from the Space Coast.

Orlando also is one of the most dynamic regions in the country, securing the No. 1 ranking among the 30 most populous metro areas in job growth, population growth and GDP growth. In 2024, Orlando led the nation in employment expansion, driven by thriving industries such as healthcare, tech and financial services.

A UCF education combines the strong advantages of Orlando with world-class faculty like Ahmed, Vasu and Kapat who bring strong industry and academic experience into classrooms and research labs.

ā€œ±«°ä¹óā€™s rise in U.S. News & World Reportā€™s Best Graduate Schools rankings reflects our strategic commitment to becoming a national leader in engineering,ā€ says Michael D. Johnson, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. ā€œAcross our academic enterprise, we are investing in exceptional faculty, expanding research capabilities and deepening industry partnerships ā€” all with the goal of preparing our students to excel in high-impact careers and to help address the worldā€™s most pressing challenges.ā€

Nationā€™s Top Pipeline to Aerospace Industry

Advances in engineering rankings at Floridaā€™s Premier Engineering and Technology ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ have come as the university has launched a bold faculty hiring initiative to prepare leaders for the future of industry.

UCF also has consistently been ranked by Aviation Week Network as the No. 1 provider of talent in the nation to aerospace and defense companies.

For GE, Genova is far from the only example of that strong talent pipeline. He says his division of GE has hired many UCF graduates who are making substantial contributions to the company.

ā€œUCF has invested a lot into its aerospace engineering program, and it has shown,ā€ he says. ā€œThere is a lot of exciting research going on that make it an attractive destination for someone interested in the aerospace field. This is not only evident from the strong growth of the program, but the increased number of UCF graduates in the field.ā€

ā€œGraduate school at UCF was a challenge but rewarding. The course work was quite informative and helpful in understanding aerospace concepts at a deeper level.ā€ ā€” Nik Patel ā€™19MS, alum

Many UCF aerospace engineering graduates go on to prominent roles at NASA and ā€” at a time when private spaceflight is rapidly growing ā€” the nationā€™s leading private spaceflight companies.

Nik Patel ā€™19MS worked in Tarek Elgoharyā€™s lab on his path to a masterā€™s degree in aerospace engineering. He completed a co-op at NASAā€™s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which led to a full-time job as flight director and mobility subject matter expert for the Mars Curiosity Rover.

ā€œEventually, I was recruited by Blue Origin to work on their lunar lander program as the verification and validation lead for mission operations systems,ā€ Patel says. ā€œI have been here at Blue Origin for three years now and we are quite excited to see the lander land in the coming future. I am now working as one of the leads on the lunar mission.ā€

ā€œFrom the masterā€™s classes, I learned the soft skills required to do my job. For example, balancing multiple priorities, communicating with teams efficiently and focusing on the entire system of an aerospace project,ā€ Patel says.

Helping Students through UCF Counselor Education Program

Emily Ferrand ā€™20 graduated from the counselor education program with a focus on school counseling. The program now ranks No. 9 in the country after moving up three spots this year.

Ferrand says she learned a lot in the graduate program, particularly from senior lecturer Stacy Van Horn and Associate Professor J. Richelle Joe. Ferrand has worked five years at Horizon West Middle School, including three years as the schoolā€™s lead counselor.

ā€œUCF knows how to produce really solid counselors. The professors are really supportive, and they donā€™t shy away from giving feedback, which is really important,ā€ Ferrand says. ā€œIf Iā€™m not doing something well, then I want someone to let me know that, so I can continue to grow and become a better counselor.ā€

ā€œIā€™m still friends with some of the people in my masterā€™s program, and I see them flourishing as counselors, too. Itā€™s a really great program, and I would always recommend it to anyone who asks,ā€ she says.

UCF has also been recognized as a top 40 Best Education School, improving 30 spots in 5 years.

UCF Emergency Management Remains No. 1 in the Nation

Lauren Gros ā€™22 is an alumna of the masterā€™s in emergency and crisis management program, which equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to practice as highly trained emergency management professionals.

The emergency management program at UCF continues to rank No. 1 in the nation, with graduates who have outstanding training and knowledge courtesy of highly skilled faculty.

ā€œThe programā€™s stellar reputation and national ranking made it an obvious choice for pursuing these goals,ā€ Gros says. ā€œOne of the highlights was working at Seminole County Emergency Management, an opportunity made possible by the universityā€™s strong connections.ā€

Gros now works as a professional staff member in the U.S. House of Representativesā€™ Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has emergency management as part of its jurisdiction.

ā€œUCF equipped me with a robust foundation in emergency management and public administration, which I apply daily in my career,ā€ Gros says. ā€œIā€™d enthusiastically recommend UCF to anyone considering a career in emergency management.ā€

Other UCF programs ranked highly in the public affairs category include:

• Nonprofit Management ā€” No. 15
• Public Management and Leadership ā€” No. 21
• Public Finance and Budgeting ā€” No. 27
• Public Affairs ā€” No. 46

Three Health Programs Rank Among Top 50 Nationally

When Jeff Schmidt evaluated where he wanted to pursue his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, he focused on programsā€™ academic excellence, cost and location.

UCF ranks No. 42 in the nation for graduate physical therapy programs. The cohort graduating in 2024 had a 100% employment rate.

ā€œIt was clear UCF met all of those criteria,ā€ he says. ā€œDuring the interview process I realized a fourth item would be just as important: the faculty. It was immediately clear how caring, supportive, down-to-earth the UCF DPT faculty are. This really resonated with me, and I knew right away I wanted to be a part of this program. I could see myself growing significantly as a student and as a person over the next three years under their guidance ā€” and I was absolutely right.ā€

Today, Schmidt is a senior physical therapist at AdventHealth Sports Med & Rehab. He treats patients with neurologic conditions at a rehabilitation clinic and also serves as a mentor within AdventHealthā€™s neurologic residency program and a clinical instructor for DPT students. He also collaborates with his Ph.D. mentor Ethan Hill and the UCF Strategies for Therapeutic Rehabilitation and Optimization for Neuromuscular Growth (STRONG) Lab to examine the effects of blood flow restriction on resistance and walking training for people with multiple sclerosis.

ā€œThe UCF DPT program is highly ranked because of its exceptional faculty, rigorous curriculum, clinical focus and emphasis on research,ā€ Schmidt says. ā€œIn my experience working with UCF DPT students and new graduates, their readiness to excel in the physical therapy field is evident. This is a direct result of the programā€™s commitment to facilitating academic and professional excellence.ā€

±«°ä¹óā€™s healthcare management program ranks No. 41 in the country, and speech language pathology is No. 48.

Matt Atkins ā€™20 ā€™22MHA earned a bachelorā€™s in health services administration and masterā€™s in health administration. He credits his UCF education with helping him become executive director of Spring Haven Senior Living in Winter Haven, Florida ā€” where he successfully leads of a team of more than 100 people who care for more than 200 residents.

ā€œI have had an extensive relationship with the faculty that didn’t just end once I walked across the stage at commencement,ā€ he says.Ģż ā€œThe biggest thing that sets [±«°ä¹óā€™s faculty] apart, [which] is obvious as soon as you walk into a classroom and start interacting with [them], is theyā€™re all about developing their students and impacting their future.ā€