Zaima Aline, Arlette Morcelo and Nicole Stevens, who all graduate with honors from UCF on May 2, say support from UCF faculty mentors and caring physicians inspired them to follow their dreams to improve healthcare for all.

“These three undergraduate students each have a remarkable story of academic achievement, resilience and scientific curiosity that drove them during their undergraduate careers,” says William Self, who leads undergraduate education at the Burnett School. “They benefited from outstanding faculty mentoring and an integrated student community to help them achieve their goals. We are so proud to support transfer students who help UCF stand for academic excellence while offering opportunities to ensure access in our community.”

Since 2006, UCF has increased opportunities for student success through the DirectConnect program, which guarantees admission to students who complete an associate degree in the Florida College System. More than 8,200 students transfer to UCF through this program each year. As of Fall 2024, the program has awarded 77,900 UCF degrees. DirectConnect students save more than $6,500 in tuition as they work toward their college degree.

Here’s a closer look at the graduating DirectConnect students and aspiring doctors’ stories:

Nicole Stevens

Stevens is the oldest daughter of 10 children in her family. Homeschooled, she finished high school, got married and had three children. She always loved science.

“One day I was thinking about my future and asked, ‘What do I know about myself?’” she says. “And it came to me that the science I loved could be used in medicine to alleviate suffering.”

She was 26 when she enrolled at Valencia College. Two years later, she transferred to UCF and pursued a major in biomedical sciences while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. She volunteered at Nemours Children’s Health, where she was named Volunteer of the Month for being what she calls the “Santa Claus of the ER,” helping children and parents seeking emergency care at the hospital.

At UCF, Stevens has conducted and presented research on improving care for children with asthma, including those whose families don’t have reliable access to internet, through which they could learn more about the condition. Stevens has won numerous UCF research and academic awards, such as the Order of Pegasus — the university’s most prestigious student honor.

In August, she will join the UCF College of Medicine’s Class of 2029. She is considering becoming a pediatrician but is open to other specialties.

“As the oldest daughter, I took care of a lot of boo-boos and I always wanted to learn more about how to do it better,” she says. “As a mother I think I have a unique perspective to see parents and children where they are.”

Her children, who are 7, 10 and 11, accompanied Stevens to the Order of Pegasus celebration. Her husband is a store manager at Publix who says he is thrilled watching her fulfilling her dreams.

“I’m not a traditional student at all,” Stevens says. “But I want people to know they can do it. You just have to take that first step. Pursue your dreams and get the best out of life. I am living proof of the UCF [spirit of] unleashing the possible and reaching for the stars.”

Zaima Aline

Aline’s passion for medical research was sparked by a heartbreaking personal experience. During her senior year of high school, a cousin was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare type of cancer that attacks soft tissue.

“Before then I didn’t really study that much, I mainly played video games,” she says. “Witnessing his diagnosis and treatment made me realize what truly mattered to me and I completely changed the direction of my life.”

Before transferring to UCF, Aline began her studies at Valencia. The COVID-19 pandemic hit while she was at Valencia, and she saw the physical and mental health impacts that social distancing and isolation caused. So she conducted a research project, including a campus-wide survey to document the effects of the disease.

“COVID-19 took away a lot of what I had hoped to experience at Valencia,” she says. “So, when I got to UCF, I made a promise to myself — I wasn’t going to waste a single moment.”Aline immersed herself in opportunities at UCF, diving into research at the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences and quickly discovering a passion for scientific inquiry. Her honors undergraduate thesis explored the role of a protease (enzyme) called prostasin and its effects on angiogenesis — the process by which the body uses chemical signals to trigger the formation of new blood vessels.

Beyond the lab, she co-founded It Takes A Village, a student-led organization dedicated to helping transfer and nontraditional students build a stronger sense of community on campus. Aline also volunteered with Hearts for the Homeless, an initiative that offers health services, such as blood pressure screenings, to individuals receiving care at Orlando’s Christian Service Center.

Her academic and research accomplishments led to two Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. There, she studied the genetic mutations that drive brain cancer and contribute to its resistance against therapies. She says she was inspired by how Mayo physicians balanced cutting-edge research with a deep compassion for their patients.

“What struck me most was that, at Mayo, the patient always came first, before anything else,” she says. “It made me realize that I don’t want to choose between science and people. I want to be the kind of physician-scientist who can do both — [one] who listens, who investigates and who shows up for their patients every step of the way.”

Another Order of Pegasus honoree, Aline will take a gap year after graduation to conduct cancer research at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center before applying to medical school to pursue an M.D./Ph.D.

“Everything I’ve done so far has been building toward this,” she says. “I don’t just want to study cancer — I want to find better ways to treat it. I just hope I can make a difference in my lifetime.”

Arlette Morcelo

Morcelo became fascinated with science, especially genetics, at age 16 after learning she was conceived through IVF. After completing her associate degree at Valencia, she transferred to UCF, where she met Ken Teter, a professor at the Burnett School.

“I didn’t even know what a Ph.D. was,” she says, “But I went into the lab and said, ‘Oh, my God, I love�� this.’ ”

Morcelo says Teter encouraged her to “go for it,” when it came to scientific discovery and taught her that failure was just a learning experience.

She served on the board of UCF’s Undergraduate Research Council, working with students and faculty to increase research opportunities for students earlier in their college careers. Among her academic and research honors, she became a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, which is a prestigious federal program that prepares students for graduate school. She became a peer mentor to help other students achieve success and served on the executive board of Transfer Knights, which organizes programs for transfer students.

And through it all, she kept researching. In Teter’s lab, Morcelo focused on cholera, a potentially deadly disease caused by drinking contaminated water. The disease affects up to 4 million people a year worldwide. As she advanced in her undergraduate degree — with a major in biomedical sciences and a minor in genomics and bioinformatics — Morcelo says she became fascinated with the brain.

Morcelo leaves UCF as the 2025 Founders’ Day student honoree for the College of Medicine and will do a two-year postbaccalaureate research experience at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Next year, she will apply to medical school to become an M.D./Ph.D.

“My aspiration to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. reflects my commitment to merging scientific inquiry with clinical practice,” Morcelo says. “As a future surgeon-scientist, I aim to lead advancements in treating��neurovascular malformations through pioneering surgical techniques and gene therapy. This path allows me to innovate treatments that directly enhance patient care and outcomes.”

From reflecting on my own experience and asking other students, professionals and educators, here are 10 things I wish I knew before starting college.

1. It’s important to get involved.

I first came to UCF in the spring of 2016 after receiving my associate degree at Valencia College. As an Orlando native, I always knew about UCF but didn’t realize just how big the university is. I worried that since I was a junior upon arrival and didn’t live on campus, I wouldn’t be able to get involved in school without feeling like an outsider. Being a first-generation college student, I didn’t have a clue where to start. How was I supposed to find any friends if I couldn’t even find my classes?

Getting involved will be something that defines your college experience.

Luckily, the major I chose turned out to be a great fit for me. The classes I took in the allowed me to interact with my peers on a personal level and it only took a few weeks of stressing out over papers together to realize a lot of us were in the same situation and looking for ways to get involved. I joined the student ambassador program for my department and started getting to know and hang out with the people who were in my major. It’s amazing what a few events with free pizza can do to develop lifelong friendships.

UCF is full of incredible resources, but it’s up to you to find them. Whether it’s finding a yoga meetup, taking care of your mental health, joining a campus club, or attending a resume workshop��with career services, getting involved will be something that defines your college experience.

2. Seek out scholarships and apply. No seriously, just apply.

Millions of dollars of scholarship money goes unclaimed each year, even as student loan debt has reached a collective $1.5 trillion in the United States. In other words, there’s no reason to not apply for free money. Even though UCF is a best-value university with [more than 60%] of students graduating debt-free, there are a multitude of scholarships available to students depending on your degree programs, academic record and future goals.

Millions of dollars of scholarship money goes unclaimed each year.

Spending my first two years at a state college saved me a lot of money on tuition, but so did the decision to live at home until graduation. To help with car and travel expenses to campus, I held a part-time job or paid internship during each semester. It was hard working throughout all four years of college, but it taught me how to balance multiple responsibilities and be aware of my financial decisions.

In that balance, I’ve found that grades really do matter if you want to curb college expenses. Financial aid has been available to me every semester, but doing well in my classes has increased the amount of additional grant money available to me. Even if you don’t think you qualify, it never hurts to fill out an application for Federal Student Aid. You can also fill out a general application and see your matched scholarships through .

3. Focus on your plan instead of worrying about how you compare to others.

When I graduated from high school, I never pictured myself getting a four-year degree. My plan was to get a vocational degree in theatre tech so I could string some lights up at one of the theme parks in Orlando. After realizing the ��was a good fit for me, I ended up at UCF without any regret for the journey that got me here.

One the most important things about college is that you will interact with people from all walks of life —different cultures, abilities, races, nationalities, aspirations and socio-economic backgrounds. Remember that every person has their own path, including you. While it will be tempting to think about the internship or job offers someone in your class has already gotten or the schools they’ve been accepted to, the important thing to remember is that you are doing things the way they best fit your learning experience. The world won’t stop revolving if you aren’t elected president of a club, change your major or stay an extra semester.

What matters is being prepared for the future you choose to create.

4. Take advantage of tutoring, advising and office hours.

Sometimes the semester comes at you fast. It can be tough to ask for help, but you’re never alone in the asking. Everyone has that one subject or class that’s a struggle. For me, it was statistical methods. It took going to tutoring every day after my class had ended to sit down and attempt to piece together what I had just learned. Even though math was never my strong suit, with tutoring I ended up passing my statistical methods course with one of the highest class averages.

Everyone has that one subject or class that’s a struggle.

There are reasons UCF has resources such as ��that help you with assignments ranging from introductory composition assignments to full-length dissertations. Even if you’re a pro at viewing your degree audit and figuring out what classes to sign up for, advisors are here to make sure you’re taking the steps that will most benefit you. If a professor invites you to tutoring or open office hours, consider stopping by. Not only can you gain assistance or advice, but you’ll build rapport with them that will be memorable for future help and recommendation letters.

5. Explore your city.

There’s hardly ever been a better time to be in Orlando as a college student. The city is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States and is quickly becoming a destination city beyond the lure of theme parks. One of my favorite weekend things to do in Central Florida is to spend a day out at Wekiva Island —a lively riverfront spot about 30 minutes west of campus where you can rent kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. The best part? It’s dog friendly.

If you’re looking for local fun, try visiting one of Florida’s natural springs. Buy discount Disney tickets at the Student Union, eat at the delicious and creative , or feel the infectious energy coming from a wall of purple smoke at an Orlando City soccer game. The city has a lot to offer and there’s something for just about every interest.

6. Surround yourself with people who reflect who you want to be and how you want to feel.

Even though there’s fun to be had, college still requires time management and work.

It’s easier to focus on your own goals if your friends are taking their goals seriously. I had a friend from high school that I really cared about, but as I made my way through each semester, I could feel a sense of bitterness growing in our friendship because I started to become more involved in extracurricular activities at UCF. It was difficult to admit, but I knew things were changing for me, and my friend didn’t want to celebrate the things I was passionate about.

Sometimes it takes meeting new people to realize the ones you’ve kept around are no longer growing with you. You’ll want to hang out with people who encourage you to be your best self. Your friends won’t resent you if you have to say “no” to going out in order to study for an upcoming exam. Those who understand you will support you, and those who don’t aren’t really your friends.

7. Seek out advice from professionals in your field.

Finding a mentor can be highly beneficial to your professional development. If you’re unsure of what steps you should take after graduation, try asking your friends, family or professors to connect you with someone who is doing the kind of things you want to be doing. Someone who is new in their field can offer advice on how they got their start, which may give you ideas on where to begin, as well as be a contact within your network.

It’s never too early to get connected to the resources and people that will help your future.

Since starting at UCF, I always had an interest in how the fields of writing and public policy work together. In the spring of my senior semester, I participated in the ��program that sent me to live and work in Florida’s capital. Besides the incredible professional experience the program gave me, I also made lifelong friends and mentors. It’s never too early to get connected to the resources and people that will help your future.

8. Maintain your grades at the beginning to create a safety net for yourself later on.

GPA may not always be the defining factor in one’s career, but there’s little debate that the ability to get good grades and perform well in school reflects a strong work ethic and drive to learn. It can also lead to scholarships providing more money for your expenses.

At the beginning of each semester, strategically plan your time management so you get ahead for the term. If the material becomes more difficult later on, you’ll have some room to breathe. One of the things I always make sure to do during the first week is scout all the freebies being handed out on campus and look for the student planner. Getting into the habit of writing in a planner has done wonders for my ability to actually remember when I have quizzes due. Webcourses is usually reliable, but I’ve found that keeping physical notes about when things are due helps your grade more than you might imagine.

9. Enroll in one class you never thought you would take.��

If your program permits you the opportunity, you should take a course that challenges your beliefs or perspective. I’ll never forget the semester when I signed up for Ethics of Law. I needed to fill a requirement for my legal studies minor and ended up enrolled in a course on the death penalty. My professor was a defense attorney in Orlando and had incredible connections in the field. She brought in guest speakers that included a homicide detective and state prosecutor Jeff Ashton, who served on the Casey Anthony trial. I never imagined that simply enrolling in that course would introduce me to experts in the legal field, and an entire new way of looking at capital punishment.

Taking classes outside of your comfort zone will also make you think critically.

Taking classes outside of your comfort zone will also make you think critically, developing a valuable skill set for potential employers. Ask your advisors about interesting or new classes that would complement your curriculum. You may end up in a psychology course focusing on human-animal interaction or even a literature studies class on Harry Potter.

10. Find your interests and follow them.

If I had never chosen to pursue writing, you would probably have never read this.

When I first started at UCF, I ran into a former middle school teacher of mine who was taking students on a tour. He asked me what I was majoring in, and I told him a little about the writing department. He looked at me with sympathy and said, “Good luck finding a job.” Little did he know, I never needed luck. College isn’t about being lucky. It’s about building upon the knowledge you learn every day to get a little closer to your goals.

Life is too short to not do the things that interest and inspire you.

One of the things that makes college such a unique, transformational experience is that there are so many ways to discover your goals and discover the world. Life is too short to not do the things that interest and inspire you. Start a club that plays Super Smash Brothers in front of the Chick-fil-a on campus. Take a Zumba class at the rec center. Skip a party to watch movies with your roommate. Take your roommate to a party. Get politically involved. Win a national championship. Take cooking classes. Jump in the Reflecting Pond. Prove that Pluto actually is a planet.

Whatever you choose, the experience is yours. And UCF is a great place to start.

Melissa Mitchum is a writing and rhetoric major and legal studies minor at UCF, and works as an intern for UCF Downtown. When she’s not creating content for social media, she spends her time exploring Orlando with her French bulldog, Frank.

The award, which was announced during the 13^th College Access Summit on April 12, recognizes an individual, institution or team that exudes the spirit of collaboration in leading and serving others toward supporting transfer-student success. The award is in honor of�� Valencia’s Joyce Romano, who forged relationships to build the partnership program that includes working groups, data systems and communication plans that help sustain the DirectConnect to UCF program.

Since 2013, Valencia’s Learning Support Division and UCF’s Transfer and Transition Services have worked together to create programs that provide students a seamless learning experience from the first day at Valencia to the last day at UCF. The first co-created program was SEEUCF, a full-day immersion experience on the UCF campus for first-year Valencia students. Since the program launched, more than 1,500 students have participated.

Recognizing the need to provide Valencia students with a more extensive orientation to UCF, the partnership developed curriculum delivered in a 16-week, three-credit course called “Transitions,” taught by Valencia and UCF instructors. Class meetings are held on Valencia’s East Campus for the first two weeks��and then moved to UCF’s main campus for the remainder of the semester. The program piloted last fall. Assessment results indicate that 95 percent of students who completed the end-of-semester survey were satisfied with the course and understood the steps to transfer to UCF.

Many aspects of this initiative are noteworthy, staffers say. The idea that a student enrolled at a state college during their first term would take a course at the university they plan to transfer to is uncommon in higher education. In addition, transfer-partner institutions working together to develop curriculum around preparing students for successful transfer from a state college to a university represents an innovative approach to helping students overcome “transfer shock,” a temporary drop in grade point average commonly associated with the transition to a new institution. Lastly, to run a course that is offered at both the initial and the transfer institution illustrates the commitment both institutions have displayed towards partnership, and a willingness to put student’s needs first.

Co-leads on the project are Chris Tuemer, Valencia College assistant director of Learning Support and Advising (Title V), and Jason Dodge, director of UCF Transfer and Transition Services, and the committee includes Leonard Bass, Courtney Moore, Dina El Musa, Anna Saintil and Celicia Wallace from Valencia College and Jamil Johnson and Angie Smith from UCF.

DirectConnect to UCF is a nationally recognized access program that guarantees admission to the ����ֱ�� for A.A. or articulated A.S. graduates from six partner state colleges across Central Florida, including College of Central Florida, Daytona State College, Eastern Florida State College, Lake-Sumter State College, Seminole State College and Valencia College. Details about DirectConnect to UCF can be found at .

Thursday, the series focused on the DirectConnect to UCF program. To see the video .

DirectConnect to UCF is a nationally recognized program that guarantees admission into UCF for students graduating from one of the four institutions. The state college partners – Eastern Florida State College, Lake Sumter State College, Seminole State College, Valencia College – prepared about 70 percent of the more than 10,000 students who transferred to UCF in 2012-2013. Daytona State College has since joined as a fifth state college partner.

Tune in all this week at 7 p.m. to WUCF to see the following:

For Tyson, a degree was something she always wanted to attain, but for the stay-at-home mother going back to school didn’t always seem to fit into the plans she had for her family. Then in 2008, her family relocated to Florida and her dreams of obtaining a degree soon became a reality.

Tyson returned to the classroom after 30 years, initially enrolling as a business major at Seminole State College in Sanford. It wasn’t until she took an entry-level psychology class that she discovered a love for psychology and switched her major.

Sims also soon began studying at Seminole State.

“I showed her the ropes, how to get into the honor society, to select classes and professors because I had already taken those classes and professors,” Tyson said. The two spent much of their time at school together, even enrolling in one of the same classes.

Sims said: “We sat together, did homework together, and ate lunch together. I would bring my friends over to the house for lunch, and mom would make soup.”

After graduating from Seminole State, Tyson went on to UCF through , where she studied psychology. Once again, Sims followed in her mom’s footsteps.

“I believe it has been a sense of competition for her to excel, and maintain her GPA,” said Tyson. “It makes me feel like I have showed my children that you can excel.”

To see more information about UCF’s commencement ceremonies click here.

Another daughter, Kirsten Sims, will graduate from Lake Mary High School at the end of this month.

After commencement, Tyson plans to continue higher education courses.

“Going to college, studying under well-known professors, and reading material for classes directed my education in many different ways,” said Tyson. “It opened up doors and helped me to realize different potential in myself.”

As for Sims, she hopes to land a job with the Seminole County Public School district.

A fledgling ����ֱ�� program designed to ease that transition and ensure the success of transfer students has already earned national recognition.

UCF has had success with the DirectConnect to UCF program, which guarantees admittance to students who earn an associate’s degree from one of four partner institutions: Eastern Florida State College, Lake Sumter State College, Seminole State College and Valencia College.

Now, nearly seven years after DirectConnect was established, it’s been enhanced by the “Pathway,” a support tool designed to work closely with students as they prepare to transfer to UCF. It provides students at two-year colleges with everything from online chats with specialized advisors to virtual campus tours.

“This is an attempt to engage students in the transitional process at an earlier stage,” said Jeff Jones, UCF’s vice provost for regional campuses. “The sooner a student can become engaged with an institution, the better their chance of success.”

The Pathway program went live during a pilot phase just two weeks ago, and though there hasn’t been any official announcement or marketing, 33 students at two-year colleges have signed up already. It has also already earned a gold award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, which Jones’ team will accept at a conference in New Orleans next month.

Among other things, the Pathway program provides:

At the center of the program is an online portal that provides 24/7 access to information and access to Pathway Team members. Students can use the portal to obtain advising through live chats, web-conferencing and hosted workshops. They’ll also find videos and other resources.

DirectConnect students can take advantage of the program from the beginning of their college career. As they progress through the Pathway, they earn virtual badges and rank up, climbing from Page to Squire to Knight and, finally, Golden Knight.

The Platform has the potential to help a large number of students succeed. More than 10,000 students transferred to UCF from other institutions in the 2014 academic year, and more than two-thirds of them came through DirectConnect.

It’s also good for UCF, because the university’s departments, including its 12 colleges, want transfer students to understand program and major requirements before they arrive.

“The more individual students we can help succeed, the better we are as a whole,” Jones said.

Visit ��for more information about DirectConnect to UCF.

The event provided an opportunity for the hopeful future Knights to experience UCF, meet with academic advisers and learn about the different fields of study available to them. The event was hosted by UCF’s Transfer and Transition Services and Student Development and Enrollment Services in partnership with Valencia College.

“We decided to put together this program as a way to get students excited about coming to the university, getting involved, discovering what they can do to enhance their degree at UCF, learn about housing, and really get a look at the university experience they can look forward to,” said Sharisse Kenney, coordinator for transfer advising at Valencia College East Campus.

The visit was an initiative of the DirectConnect to UCF program, which offers graduates of state college ��partner institutions guaranteed admission to UCF and comprehensive advising from state college and UCF advisers to help make the transition a smooth one.

The day’s agenda included presentations and workshops to help students decide what academic track fits their career aspirations and a behind-the-scenes look at some of UCF’s facilities.

The students were welcomed to campus by Mr. and Miss UCF and quickly jumped into a career exploration presentation. The students took brief tests to narrow their interests and provide guidance on what major to consider, and then students met with different colleges and advisers who could answer questions about majors and programs that might be a good fit.

“As they are going through the process of exploring careers and majors of interest, we are making a really intentional connection between the two institutions and helping the students make the connection and develop a pathway for success,” said Leonard Bass, dean of learning support at Valencia College East Campus.

Students also received some information about being active at UCF outside of the classroom. Leaders from the Student Government Association and the Office of Student Involvement shared information about the opportunities UCF has for students to be involved on campus.

“We found that many of our students, despite living just down the street from UCF, have never been on campus,” said Bass. “For more than half the students here today, this is their first time being on campus. So they are really excited to learn more about the university.”

After the presentations and tours, the students capped off their day with a surprise visit by members of UCF’s Tostitos Fiesta Bowl-winning football team.

“I’m just happy to be at this event because it opened my eyes to a lot of things about UCF that I didn’t know before. I’ve learned about housing, how the transfer process works and the lifestyle here at UCF,” said Valencia College student Stephanie Albizu. “I’m really excited to join the UCF family and create memories that will last forever.”

Since DirectConnect to UCF began in 2006, more than 31,000 students have been admitted to UCF through the partnership with Eastern Florida State College, Lake Sumter State College, Seminole State College and Valencia College.

Thirty-six percent of new undergraduates in 2012-13 were DirectConnect to UCF students, and the program is one of the least expensive ways in the country to earn a bachelor’s degree.

For more information, visit .

The new initiative, Top 10 Knights, was developed to recognize academic achievement in high school. Top 10 Knights also protects against budget uncertainty and potential legislative changes by providing Florida residents with guaranteed access to an affordable, quality college education.

The first class of Top 10 Knights will start at UCF in summer 2014.

“This effort, among the few of its kind in the nation, rewards academic success, streamlines the university selection process and promises to attract more of Florida’s best and brightest students to UCF,” said UCF President John C. Hitt. “Top 10 Knights is a winner for high-achieving students, for their families and for UCF.”

Top 10 Knights will have an impact upon Florida high schoolers like Rosa Elena Alcantar, who ranks second out of 430 seniors in her class at Evans High School in Orange County. Alcantar, a would-be first-generation college student, is a native of Mexico who grew up in Orlando and hopes to one day go on to UCF’s College of Medicine.

“Most people say that what you do in high school doesn’t have the same rigor as college,” said Alcantar. “When I heard about Top 10 Knights, it shows that everything I’ve done so far means something. I’m happy there’s an opportunity to be recognized for what I’ve done in high school.”

To become a Top 10 Knight, students must first apply for admission into UCF. To qualify for the program, applications must be completed by Dec. 31 of students’ senior years.

Students also must meet criteria such as a top 10 percent ranking in their high school class or a GPA of 3.9 or above if the high school does not rank; the completion of high-level math courses; and a minimum of 1010 (1500-3 score) on the SAT or 21 on the ACT.

UCF Undergraduate Admissions will determine which students qualify as Top 10 Knights, and students who meet the criteria will be notified by Feb. 15.

“As admission into Florida universities becomes more competitive, we’re responding to the students and families seeking a quality education by making admission to UCF certain for the state’s top students,” said Gordon Chavis, associate vice president for Undergraduate Admissions. “The Top 10 Knights are among the best students at UCF, and we’re excited to see what they will contribute here.”

Top 10 Knights is UCF’s latest effort to expand college access and opportunity. More than 31,000 students have been admitted to UCF since 2006 through the DirectConnect partnership with regional state colleges, which helps students smoothly transition to UCF to complete their bachelor’s degrees.

California and Texas offer similar initiatives to their highest-achieving high schoolers, but Top 10 Knights is among the first of its kind in Florida.

UCF hopes to announce scholarship opportunities for Top 10 Knights in the near future. Earlier this semester, representatives from Undergraduate Admissions met with high school counselors from across the state to explain Top 10 Knights and provide guidance on acceptance into UCF.

The Johnson Scholarship Foundation announced Thursday that it will offer a $1.5 million challenge grant to support need-based scholarships.

“We’re interested in students who have financial need who might not otherwise go to college. DirectConnect is a perfect fit for us,” said foundation president Malcolm Macleod, adding that community and state colleges can offer a bridge out of poverty.

The foundation will provide $500,000 to benefit students who attend Brevard Community College, Lake-Sumter Community College, Seminole State College and Valencia College.�� The colleges will raise money to match the foundation’s contribution, increasing the value of that endowment to $1 million.

The other $1 million of the foundation’s matching funds will help build a $3 million scholarship endowment available to students once they make the transition to UCF. Every dollar given by the colleges to this fund will be matched by both UCF and the Johnson Scholarship Foundation.

Once the endowments are fully funded, the investment proceeds from a total of $4 million will benefit students at the four colleges and UCF.

Recipients of the scholarship will be deemed “Johnson Scholars.” Throughout their college careers they will have special program requirements that emphasize leadership development.

DirectConnect to UCF began in 2006 to increase local students’ access to the many opportunities that earning a college degree can provide. This partnership guarantees entrance and accelerated admission to UCF after students complete their associate’s degrees from one of the four colleges.

Joint advisers from the colleges and UCF are available to the students to help create a four-year plan. This makes the transfers as seamless as possible and better prepares students to complete bachelor’s degrees.

Macleod said DirectConnect to UCF enables students to attend the partner colleges and continue to live at home for two years to save money.

During the 2010-2011 school year, 6,805 new students enrolled at UCF from the program, and a little more than one third of UCF graduates during that same year participated in DirectConnect to UCF.

The Johnson Scholarship Foundation is a private foundation with a mission to assist disadvantaged people. All scholarships and grants are made through selected institutions. The foundation believes that education can empower disadvantaged people to improve their economic circumstances and quality of life.

UCF President John Hitt and several trustees joined Seminole State leaders Friday at a dedication ceremony for the center, which includes 29 state-of-the-art classrooms and labs, a new library and office suites for faculty members from both institutions. The Partnership Center, which opened for classes in January, houses UCF and Seminole State classes, along with UCF student services offices.

“This new facility represents the latest achievement in what is one of the most successful higher education alliances anywhere,” Hitt said. “UCF is fortunate to have such a strong partner in Seminole State College. And students and families in our region are fortunate to have such high-quality, affordable options available to them right in their neighborhoods.”

To continue reading about the dedication ceremony and the DirectConnect to UCF program, click here.