The university recognized employees who reached milestone years of service, along with those recently retired or about to be. UCF also presented a Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award and excellence awards in recognition of employees who made exceptional contributions to benefit the campus community.

“We celebrate your service, your dedication, and the impact you make across this university. But behind that recognition is something even more powerful: the daily commitment, the steady work, and the consistency that build momentum over time,” says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. “The future we talk about at UCF is not something that begins someday. It is already taking shape in the work you do, in the systems you support, and in the experiences you create for our students.��Thank you.”

UCF this year brought a new category of Employee Leadership Excellence Awards, recognizing non-faculty administrative leadership at the director level and above. They joined the expanded Employee Excellence Awards, which highlighted the remarkable contributions of full-time employees up to an associate director level.

The employee event kicked off a Founders’ Day celebration that also included faculty and student celebrations. Combined, more than 900 honorees were recognized during the three ceremonies this year.

Here are the honorees from this year’s Employee Honors Celebration.

Excellence Awards

Employee Excellence Awards for Operational Excellence

Arijeta Kavaja, Public Safety

Cecily McCoy-Fisher, Office of Research

Anna Nye, Office of Risk and Safety

Cindy Prophitt, Facilities and Business Operations

Employee Excellence Awards for Student Success

Cynthia Almanzar, Student Success and Well-Being

Laura Czerkies, Burnett Honors College

Michael McKee, College of Optics and Photonics

Donna Mercado, College of Nursing

Employee Excellence Awards for Community Well-Being

Jodi Reinhart, College of Sciences

Lorna Rodriguez, College of Engineering and Computer Science

David Stoneburner, Office of Institutional Resources

Mykhael Walker, Analytics and Integrated Planning

Employee Excellence Awards for Service and Partnership

Drew Barnes, College of Graduate Studies

Faith DeLorenzo, Digital Learning

Lovelyn Findley, Advancement and Partnerships

Antoine Hart, ����ֱ�� Strategic Communications

Employee Excellence Awards Nominees

Sadia Afrin

Cynthia Almanzar

Michelle Anchel

Otto Argibay

Anthony (Joey) Asti

Drew Barnes

Alexandra Barraza-Oliphant

Davalda “Dee” Bellot

Jim Bennett

Miryana Blesso

Monique Carter

Laura Czerkies

Faith DeLorenzo

Lovelyn Findley

Amanda Greaves

Antoine Hart

Christina Hussey

Alexis Hutchins

Erica Hutton

Kat Jones

Arijeta Kavaja

Marsha Kernica

Melina Kinsey

Keanna Machado

Jay Malcolm

Chuck Mannella

Samantha Mason

Cecily McCoy-Fisher

Michael McKee

Donna Mercado

Traci Mibuta

Anna Nye

Steven Pardo

Diana Perez

Anthony Piazza

Cindy Prophitt

Frances “Fran” Ragsdale

Matthew Rall

Jodi Reinhart

Lorna Rodriguez

Ashley Samson

William Self

Maricel Soto

Jennifer Stalzer

Emily Stettner

David Stoneburner

Jeremiah Taylor

Rebecca Underhill

Mykhael Walker

Denise Whiteside

Maria Williams

Employee Leadership Excellence Awards

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for Strategic Execution

Andre Watts, Analytics and Integrated Planning

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for People Leadership and Talent Stewardship

Andrea Withington, College of Community Innovation and Education

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for Advancing Collaboration and Partnership

Germayne Graham, Student Programs and Outreach

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for Innovation, Improvement, and Bold Action

Kim Smith, Office of Research

Employee Leadership Excellence Awards Nominees

Drew Andrews

Morgan Bauer

Austin Bott

Brian Boyd

David Canova

Megan Carrigan

Shafaq Chaudhry

Sherri Dixon

Madi Dogariu

Michael Duong

Amy Ellis

Gerard Flood

Steven Freund

Andrea Gandy

Delia Garcia

Germayne Graham

Stephanie Heron

Dana Juntunen

Kerlene King

Ashley Longoria

Ayanna Lopez

Carla McCabe

Rudy McDaniel

Amy Perry

Charlie Piper

Candida Richards

Elizabeth Richner

Cesar RiveraCruzado

Rex Roberts

Anastasia Salter

Wendy Sarubbi

Basma Selim

Kim Smith

Meghan Truhett

Suzzette Turner

Michael Wainstein

Tyler Walsh

Andre Watts

Danta White

Andrea Withington

Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award

Rosemarie Mendoza, Facilities and Business Operations

Emerita Status Awardee

Amy Giroux, College of Arts and Humanities

Employee Service Awards

45 Years of Service

Donna Hickson

35 Years of Service

Tina Maier

Michael Reed

Patricia Trovillion

30 Years of Service

Sharon Bady

Travis Cain

Adrianne Demetry

Francisco Dionisi

Joel Lavoie

Elizabeth Rivera

25 Years of Service

Herlinda Bedoya

Michael Bell

Abdulbaset Benwali

Terri Bigham

Bruce Boutwell

Olivia Bridges

Amy Buford

Cristina Caamano

Carlos Chardon

Keith Coelho

Janny Colon

Elizabeth Costello

Al Davis

Steven Dick

Rafael Durand

Sira Giron

Rebecca Hammond

Jonathan Hanie

Keith Honaker

Davina Hovanec

Latchmin Jaggernauth

Susan Jefferson

Georgia Kent

Michelle Matthews

Andrew O’Mara

Jennifer Opper

Naya Ramirez

Gail Raymond

Brenda Rodrigues

Timothy Ryan

Maria Santiago

Heather Simeon

Carl Truesdell

Meena Turner

Maria Williams

Dela Williams

Andrea Withington

20 Years of Service

Michael Aldarondo-Jeffries

Lindsay Archambault

Gloria Bastidas

Renee Bence

Eric Brewington

Daren Caine

Michael Callahan

Marc Cassidy

Robin Chan

Karen Cox

Kelley Dietrich

Matthew Dunn

Scott Eberle

Cecilia Elias

Samuel Ensenat

Marelis Figueredo Garcia

Matthew Fitzgerald

Scott Freeman

Glenn Gaborko

Tyniesia Gandy

Kelly Gill

Lindana Gomez

Brian Graham

Timothy Haduch

Jenny Hartman

Elizabeth Herrera

Sarah Hunt

Tamara Jomarron

Carreen Krapf

Ellaine Leodones

Marlene Lugo

Carlos Martinez

Deysi Mercedes

Heather Murphy

Uday Nair

Perla Ongy

Robert (Bob) Opdahl

Haresh Patel

Rachel Perry

Omesh Persaud

Sandy Pouliot

Christine Pugh

Luz Quintero

Maria Quintero

Christopher Rains

Tim Reid

Elizabeth Rodriguez

Terrance Rooth

Diana Santiago

Saul Santiago

Kathy Sapp

Basma Selim

Romeo Sibayan

Jeff Smith

George Taylor

Lynda Toussaint

Shreya Trivedi

Reina Vazquez

Tonya Walker

15 Years of Service

Marlene Agostini

Jose Arce

Lucy Bautista

Randy Beck

Aiza Beguez

Miryana Blesso

Carolyn Castro

Silvia Cerro

Lorinda Clark

Patricia Colyer

Theresa Davis

Dani Draper

Jennifer Elliott

Tamara Gabrus

Ernie Gemeinhart

Jessica Glaspie

James Grant

Lisa Haas

Allison Henderson

Maribel Herrera

Jason Kennedy

Ann Kershner

Usha Lal

Dora Laureano

Hank Lewis

Ujjwala Magdum

Jennifer Mark

Jessica Matos

Meghan McCollum

Amanda Miller

Tracey Morrison

Kimberly Nassoiy

Beth Nettles

Hoang Nguyen

Jorge Olmedo

Minh Phan

Rhett Proctor

Elida Prophete

Michael Pugh

Ligia Ramirez

Rebeca Richards

Maria Rodriguez

Daniel Sagendorf

Kimberly Sargent

Wendy Sarubbi

Nick Schenk

Dave Schreier

Lori Shuff

Jacob Skinner

Terri Smith

Suzanne Stalvey

Brian Strickland

Christy Tant

Freddie Tirado Jr.

Joanne Toole

Roger Tripp

Matthew Vaccaro

Tamara Vassallo Soto

Martha Wiggins

Wanda Wint

10 Years of Service

Danielle Adams

Terrell Alexander

Julissa Alicea

Lindsey Anderson

Nadine Arentz

Jose Ayala Torres

Morgan Bauer

Shaun Black

John Boehm

Kate Brinister

Danilo Canlas

Megan Carrigan

Melissa Choinski

Madhavi Chokshi

Lorine Cisch-Taylor

Lisa Clendenning

Shannon Colon

Robert Connors

John Cooke

Todd Coon

Richard Cortez-Satterlee

Joanna Couch

Brandon Couts

Meghan Crowther

Summer Davis

Katherine Del Cid

Vanessa Delgado

Gerald Dillon

Kerri Drylie

Mirvate El Jerdi

Shajira El Masri

Amy Ellis

Jerad Engel

Damian Fagan

Marites Falkenhausen

Sarah Farrell

Jessica Fasano

Ben Fauser

Melissa Fawcett

Janet Feliciano

Valentina Fernandez

Jason Francis

Neftali Garcia

Eileen Garner

Christopher Gase

Kristina Gomez

Agustin Gonzalez

Adriel Gonzalez Gutierrez

Ryan Goodwin

Liz Gordian Olmo

Walter Gordon

Rhonda Granger Gomez

Josh Haupt

George Hayner Jr.

Rita Higgins

Katherine Hoefer

Elizabeth Hughes

Erica Hutton

Renee Johnston

Nathanael Jones

Megan Kellogg

Brian Kelly

Mike Kilbride

Maureen Landgraf

Daniel Lee

Missy Lesnewski

Ian Levy

Sarojben Limbachia

George Lopez

Ricardo Lopez

Juan Lugo

Karemah Manselle

Kristy McAllister

Justin McGill

Pamela McGlinchey

Oliver McSurley

Rebecca Meadows

Nelson Mendez

Pamela Mills

Mike Minutelli

Eli Mizell

Angela Moreira

Rebecca Mowrer

Lauren Murray-Lemon

David Neese

Lucas Noboa

Loida Olivas

Jeffrey Panter

Steven Pardo

Juana Pasco

Laura Patterson

Deborah Pease

Miguel Pellot

Ryan Pendry

Karen Peterson

Wanda Pruett-Butler

Abner Ramos Piñero

Erica Recktenwald

Samantha Redlund

Elizabeth Richner

Carlos Rivera

Victor Rivera

Lisa Roberts

Jacob Scholtz

Skender Shehu

Mari Sievinen

Kiela Sims

Aaron Smart

Liza Smith

Casey Smith

Esperanza Soto

Calvin Soto

Tenley Sterkel

Timothy Sullivan

Jackson Thevenin

Danielle Traylor

Wanda Tummons

Anna Velocci

Brian Villar

Stephen Villiotis

Paul Werden

Jonathan White

Barbara Wilson

Dylan Yonts

5 Years of Service

Lidya Abdelmalak

Elna Andreeva

Dana Archer

Linnette Aviles

Jessica Banos

Arismir Barreiras Peralta

Kristy Beitler

Summer Bernini

Abby Bertrand

Mayra Bonilla Torres

Melissa Braillard

Drew Bryant

Barbara Busch

Jess Camacho

Alexander N. Cartwright

Maria Ceku

Gianna Cifredo

Wilfredo Cornelio

Mario De Vera

Franco Del Pino

Mark Durbin

David Edgar

Lori Fiandra

Steven Fournier

Amoy Fraser

Raquela Garcia-Valenzuela

Melissa Gilliland

Luis Gonzalez

Marisela Guillen

Kathleen Hawkins

Robert Herr

Donna Jackson

Chase Jicha

Justin Kardach

Jamie Kaynan

Scott Langdon

Sarah Lardizabal

Kristeena LaRoue

Angela Lehman

Lucy Leon

Lawrence Lipe

Alex Lucchi

Marc Maheu

Alli Maiorano

Martha Martin

Reyner Martinez

Kate Mascheri

Angelica Mateo

Stephanie Mederos

Christopher Miller

Sarah Moore

Mindy Mozena

Lisa Myles

Iris Neil

Veronica Pak

Evgenia Pamer

Neelam Patel

Tran Pham

Cat Puckett

Monica Quimbayo

Michael Rivera

Marvecia Robinson

Leslie Rogers

Mary Rush

Luis Sanchez Artavia

Kyle Sindelar

Monica Smith

Yulisney Sotolongo

Garrett Spurlin

Jennifer Stalzer

Kimberly Stangle

Kenneth Steele

Lorenzo Stefko

Shari-Ann Stewart

Jane Stump

Elizabeth Tammaro

Jason Taningco

Raquel Toro-Espinal

Pia Valenciano

Thaina Velez

Danta White

Roksana Zak

Recognition of Retirees

Rafael Abreu

Yousef Ayoub

Pam Barkman

Suzette Batka

Emily Bennett

Richard Berwanger

Jeanne Blank

Patrick Blount

Parri Bolinger

Marcus Bowan

Deborah Bradford

Roanne Brice

Gary Burkhart

Rose Carpenter

Rick Catasus

Edgar Chavez

Willis Chico

Eunice Choi

Diane Claudio

Theresa Collins

Debra Copertino

Laura Crouch

Carol Davella

Karen Dlhosh

Debbie Doyle

Carol Ann Dykes Logue

Larry Eflin

Joseph Finnigan

Perry Fraser

Catherine Gholson

Amy Giroux

Robert Goater

Mariela Gonzalez

Tracy Griffith

Mark Gumble

Tania Gutierrez-Catasus

Martha Hamann

MJ Herbert Fuerst

Bethsy Hernandez

Ana Hernandez

Cherie Herrin

Michael Herring

Cathy Hill

Jane Ingalls

Wayne Jackson

Larry Jaffe

Daniel Kidder

Lee Kirkpatrick

Phyllis Kornegay

Melinda Kramer

Donna Leavitt

Ruben Lopez

Dennis Maddox

Kelli Marini

Janice Matley

Marcia Maukonen

Oscar Mauricio

James “Jim” McCully

Carrie McDowell

Linda Milner

Bruce Mink

Michele Monteith

Abderrahim Mouhassin

Christine Mouton

Jesus Munoz

Chuck Nicholas

Stephen OConnell

Leonardo Pascua

Esther Pennepacker

Rosario Pizarro

Brenda Posey

Michele Pozdoll

Odus Radford

Frances Ragsdale

Cindy Rahrle

Robert Reed

Wayne Regilio

Stella Restrepo

Kayonne Riley

Iris Rios

Charles Roberts

Norma Robles

Aimara Rodriguez

James Roop

Rosalba Ruiz

Eileen Ryan

Judith Samuels

Nicolas Santos

James Schaus

Jeanette Schreiber

Susan Schroen

Alison Schultz

Elena Sequera

Kelly Shilton

Michael Shumack

Shela Siegrist

Liza Smith

Karen Smith

Kathleen Snoeblen

Terry Stein

Peter Stephens

Patty Stroupe

Timothy Sullivan

Randolph Sulter

Jeffrey Ulmer

Lisa Vaughn

Luis Velozo

Rebecca Vilsack

Vicki Vitale

Deborah Walker

Kerry Welch

Maria Jocelyn Wick

Scott Wiles

Elena Wilson

Robert Wong

For twenty years, has highlighted the ambition, creativity and discovery that defines UCF, Florida’s Technological ����ֱ��.

What began as two modest research events has become a university-wide tradition. Now, Student Research Week brings together more than 1,000 student presenters and over 200 faculty mentors who serve as judges and contributors. It reflects how deeply exploration and innovation shape the student experience.

The week of activities also includes awards for student researchers, including the College of Business’ Yu-Shan Huang earning the 2025-26 Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching, and the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s Brent Pappas receiving the 2025-26 Award for Excellence by a Graduate Teaching Assistant.

A Commitment to Fostering Student Success

Student Research Week traces its roots to two early initiatives: the Graduate Research Forum, launched by the , and the Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence established by the . In the early 2000s, these events provided a welcoming environment for students to share their research and creative work.

“It was the first time I shared my early research in a public setting, and the encouragement I received made me realize that academia was the path I wanted to take.” — Reid Oetjen ’02MS ’04PhD, UCF alum and professor

In 2004, the inaugural Graduate Research Forum launched, featuring 76 student oral and poster presentations spanning disciplines across the university. The event created a campus-wide platform for graduate students to share their research and engage with faculty and peers.

Among them was Reid Oetjen ’02MS ’04PhD, then a public affairs graduate student defining his path. Today, he is a professor in UCF’s School of Global Health Management and Informatics and directs the master’s of health administration program. He has built a nationally recognized body of work on long-term care quality and advanced teaching in the field.

“Presenting my research at the first Graduate Research Forum was an important milestone. It was the first time I shared my early research in a public setting, and the encouragement I received made me realize that academia was the path I wanted to take,” Oetjen says. “It is special to know I was there at the beginning, and I am proud to see it grow into what is now Student Research Week.”

“When you’re given the space to explore a question deeply and share that work with others, it builds the skills and confidence that carry forward into graduate study and the kind of thoughtful problem-solving our world needs.” — Christine Dellert Mullon ’06 ’15MA, UCF alum

Undergraduates gained experience in the Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence, where they tested new ideas and strengthened their communication skills.

For Christine Dellert Mullon ’06 ’15MA, presenting in 2006 proved pivotal. The then journalism studentshared her work with faculty and peers, building confidence and sharpening her ability to explain complex ideas. The experience helped lay the foundation for her later success as the founder of a communications strategy firm.

“Early research opportunities can be a turning point for students,” she says. “When you’re given the space to explore a question deeply and share that work with others, it builds the skills and confidence that carry forward into graduate study and the kind of thoughtful problem-solving our world needs.”

����ֱ�� leaders later unified the events under one banner, launching Student Research Week, now planned through the Offices of and . The initiative expanded visibility for student research and creative scholarship while strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration among graduate and undergraduate students. Over time, the program grew in scale and participation. Today, every college contributes projects that explore pressing questions and new possibilities.

This Year’s Events

UCF launches the 20th anniversary of Student Research Week on Monday, March 23, celebrating two decades of student scholarship.

The week continues with the Research Impact Competition, presented in partnership with the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, where students explain the real-world significance of their work in five-minute presentations.

The Student Scholar Symposium scheduled March 25–26 in the Pegasus Ballroom, will include six sessions featuring hundreds of posters. Judges will evaluate presentations and award scholarships at the conclusion of each day.

The Creative Scholarship Symposium, introduced in 2023, returns March 25 with interactive projects in the arts and other creative disciplines.

Building Skills and Community

Student Research Week plays a vital role in the academic and professional development of UCF students. Presenters gain valuable experience articulating ideas, explaining their methods and responding to questions. Judges provide feedback that strengthens projects before submission to conferences, publication of findings, or completion of theses and dissertations.

The event also connects students across disciplines, sparking new research directions and collaborations.

Community partners play an important role in supporting the week’s activities. This year’s sponsors include the Florida High Tech Corridor, Learning Institute for Elders at UCF (LIFE at UCF), the Parent and Family Fund, and Student Government. Many UCF colleges, schools and academic units also provide sponsorship and programmatic support, reflecting a shared commitment to student research across the university.

Forging the Future

As UCF continues to grow as a leading research university, Student Research Week reflects that momentum.

For many students, participation marks a turning point. They build confidence, establish professional networks, and discover pathways to careers in industry, government, education and entrepreneurship.

For more than two decades, Student Research Week has been a defining feature of the UCF experience. What began with poster boards filling campus ballrooms has evolved into a celebration of academic achievement, inspiring the next generation of scholars.

This year’s presenters continue that tradition of curiosity, rigor and opportunity, with even greater impact ahead.

The goal of GEMiNi is to create impactful mentorships that support the personal, professional and academic growth of students in master’s or doctoral programs. The initiative was created by Nazanin Rahnavard, a professor of electrical engineering, and developed by the College of Graduate Studies.

The idea was born from Rahnavard’s passion for mentoring the next generation of engineers, for which she’s received two prestigious university awards. Over the years, students have come to her for guidance related to academic struggles and their personal challenges, as well. She says it’s important for faculty to know how to handle these situations and to be sensitive to the difficulties graduate students may face.

“Mental health is a big component, and oftentimes graduate students can suffer from depression or anxiety, and it’s important for faculty to see the signs,” Rahnavard, a Graduate Studies faculty fellow, says. “It especially affects international students because they’re away from their families and cultures. We need to be there for them as human beings, to help them navigate this challenging time in their lives.”

Connecting Mentors to Mentees

The key component of the GEMiNi program is mentorship. Students who are seeking a mentor fill out a with information about the type of guidance and support they seek. Graduate students, postdoctoral scholars or faculty who wish to serve as mentors can fill out a with mentoring topics they wish to discuss and their contact information. The GEMiNi director will then match mentors and mentees based on student needs and mentor expertise.

There are three different levels to the mentorship model: Constellation, where senior-level graduate students can mentor incoming graduate students; Supernova, where postdocs can mentor graduate students; or Starlight, where faculty can mentor grad students. Rahnavard sees GEMiNi as not just a professional development tool, but an investment in people.

“Strong mentorship leads to stronger students, stronger faculty and a healthier graduate community.” —  Nazanin Rahnavard, UCF professor

“Strong mentorship leads to stronger students, stronger faculty and a healthier graduate community,” she says. “When we support our students as whole individuals, everyone benefits.”

The College of Graduate Studies continues to expand its leadership in mentoring initiatives across the university, including GEMiNI and the .

Interim Dean John Weishampel emphasizes that mentorship is among the most powerful drivers of student success.

“In addition to academic guidance, it provides professional insight, encouragement, and a sense of belonging that helps students navigate challenges and thrive as scholars and leaders,” Weishampel says. “These initiatives reflect our commitment to building a graduate community where mentorship is intentional and impactful and where students feel supported.”

GEMiNi’s Resource Offerings

The GEMiNi mentorship portal is now open on  the . GEMiNi also offers resources for both faculty and graduate students, including mental health and wellness guides, mentoring guides, and recommended readings on supervision and mentorship in higher education.

The site also includes a template for a mentorship plan that faculty can customize and use for grant proposals.

In the future, additional resources such as workshops, panel discussions and guest speakers will be offered through the GEMiNi program. However, the program requires sponsorships to fund future events and activities.

“Investing in this mentoring program aligns with UCF’s strategic priorities for graduate student success, retention and timely degree completion, offering measurable returns for students and the university,” Rahnavard says. “I look forward to working with university leaders who share a commitment to supporting GEMiNi as a high-impact investment in graduate education.”

Interested department or college administrators can reach out to her at Gradmentoring@ucf.edu for more information.

Graduates will hear from four esteemed speakers — 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 — whose leadership and impact span some of Central Florida’s most influential industries.

UCF will award more than 6,000 degrees during this fall’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 bachelor’s degrees in engineering and nursing than any other institution in the state. These two fields are essential to sustaining Florida’s economic and population growth.

UCF serves more of Florida’s students than any other university. More than 90% of UCF’s undergraduate students are Florida residents, and most will stay in Florida after they graduate, with 85% of UCF’s new graduates remaining in Florida.

Of all degrees, the College of Sciences will award 25%, with fields like digital media, chemistry and physics. The College of Business will award 15%, including disciplines such as finance and accounting. The College of Engineering and Computer Science will award 15%, representing fields such as aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science.

About 54% of the bachelor’s degree recipients are eligible for Pell Grants, showcasing the university’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, 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 the live ceremony via a simulcast viewing in the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be livestreamed on .

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 — — 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. .

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 f�ǰ� 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, “If you want to go far, go together,” 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 “Orlando” 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 — two premier gateways to Central Florida, one of the most visited destinations in the world. Both airports are integral to Florida’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 Mortgage 

Joe Nunziata is a driving force in the financial industry, serving as CEO for Acrisure Mortgage (formerly FBC Mortgage), one of the nation’s largest independent mortgage banks. His entrepreneurial footprint extends across Central Florida as the founder and director of One Florida Bank, a Central Florida–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. Nunziata’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).

Nunziata’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 company’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 MBA’s Legislative Committee, the City of Longwood’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 bachelor’s degree from the ����ֱ�� 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 bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Penn State ����ֱ�� and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Purdue ����ֱ��. 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.�� 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.  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 ����ֱ��, Plinske graduated with the highest distinction, earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and physics and being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She went on to complete a master’s degree in Spanish from Roosevelt ����ֱ�� and a doctorate in education from Pepperdine ����ֱ�� — 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 ����ֱ�� of Florida.

An avid lifelong learner, Plinske is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in philanthropy at Indiana ����ֱ��, 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.��

Their determined pursuit of excellence and transformation of knowledge into breakthroughs have catapulted UCF to become Florida’s Next-Generation Preeminent ����ֱ��.

President Alexander N. Cartwright announced Monday that UCF has reached the 12 metrics required to earn the designation of Preeminent State Research ����ֱ�� by the Florida Board of Governors. Qualifying for the state’s highest designation highlights UCF’s achievements in student success, research and more — and the talents and hard work of so many in the UCF community who made this happen.

“From the very beginning, UCF has been a university that defies expectations, turning scrubland into a next-generation university built for discovery, innovation and opportunity,” President Cartwright says. “Reaching the 12 metrics necessary for Florida’s Preeminent State Research ����ֱ�� designation reflects the grit and ambition of our students, faculty, and staff, and the power of this community to dream bigger and achieve more. Preeminence is not an arrival point but a launchpad for an even bolder future.”

“This is an extraordinary accomplishment, and one that reflects the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, students, and leadership team — with this Board’s unwavering support,” says Board of Trustees Chair Alex Martins ’01MBA. “It is a milestone that belongs to the entire UCF community, and I am proud we have reached this point together.”

A Community Dedicated to Student Success

UCF adopted a new model of student success support in 2023 with academic success coaches. Each student is paired with a success coach who works one-on-one with them, helping them develop their academic and career goals, and guiding them on the path to success. Success coaches help remove barriers for students and empower them to thrive on campus and beyond.

When DirectConnect to UCF student Hayley Ellis transferred from Daytona State College, she had to adjust to a much larger school in a new city. Mostly homeschooled growing up, Ellis is an aspiring pathologist double majoring in health sciences, and molecular and cellular biology.

Just as she began feeling overwhelmed in Organic Chemistry, senior academic success coach Christian Viau reached out to champion her success.

“When I got [Christian’s] email, I was like, ‘Someone here wants me to succeed and help me map out my classes,’ ” Ellis says. “That was a huge relief. It felt good to have someone there for me.”

“I think providing [a] support system from inside the institution is vital. As a success coach, that’s a driving factor for me — because in my undergrad, I would’ve loved to have someone I could lean on.” — Christian Viau, senior academic success coach

Since then, they’ve met several times to build a manageable academic schedule and discuss how to get involved and connect with Knights across campus.

Every student Viau works with receives individualized support. That includes Ellis, whom he knew needed extra help due to the unique challenges double majors face. Now approaching graduation, she’s stayed on track to finish in four years.

Thanks to the efforts of Viau and dozens of other academic success coaches across campus, along with caring faculty members who mentor students, and many other people, UCF has increased our four-year graduation rate to 63.8%, which is up 14 percentage points in four years.

Another example of efforts that have greatly benefited students is in the College of Arts and Humanities, where faculty in writing and rhetoric are strengthening student success in first-year composition courses. Shane Wood, associate professor and director of first-year composition and Professor Sherry Rankins-Robertson facilitated a progress report initiative that identifies at-risk students early in Composition I and II courses. Students are then connected to support and resources to help them succeed in these subjects, which nearly every UCF student takes, and which directly affect key preeminence metrics like freshman retention and four-year graduation rates.

“Serving more than 6,500 students a year, success in these [composition] courses plays a pivotal role in helping students persevere at UCF and ultimately graduate.” — Shane Wood, associate professor

What began as a small pilot program with about 10% faculty participation has grown to be embraced by nearly 90% of instructors today. That shift has contributed to a remarkable 96% persistence rate, which measures percentage of students who continue, in composition courses — helping bolster student success across the university.

“Serving more than 6,500 students a year, success in these courses plays a pivotal role in helping students persevere at UCF and ultimately graduate,” Wood says.

Rankins-Robertson says the initiative also reflects the dedication of faculty who support students from their very first semester.

“We’re trying to make students feel like they belong here, and when they feel supported, they’re more likely to continue,” Rankins-Robertson says. “Preeminence, to me, highlights the dedication of our faculty and the intentional ways they approach the classroom in order to make a meaningful impact on students’ lives.”

From Ingenuity to Impact: Boosting Research Funding and Technology Transfer

UCF’s world-class faculty are bold innovators who drive over $285 million in annual research expenditures across fields like space exploration, engineering, optics and photonics, modeling and simulation, healthcare, cybersecurity and more. Their work has helped UCF become a National Academy of Inventors top 20 public university for patents in the U.S. — and meet preeminence metrics.

“When the Office of Technology Transfer showcases UCF innovations, we not only generate interest in licensing intellectual property, but also create pathways for industry partnerships that extend far beyond licensing alone.”  — Svetlana Shtrom ’08MBA, director of Technology Transfer

The Office of Technology Transfer, which oversees the filing and issuance of patents, is part of the university’s Economic Development and Innovation division within the Office of Research. Technology Transfer plays an integral role in overseeing research commercialization, strengthening industry relationships and facilitating formation of new startup companies. Supporting the efforts of the Technology Transfer team are a host of  other Office of Research staff who submit proposals, process funding awards and much more.

“UCF’s Office of Technology Transfer is dedicated to serving the university research community by identifying innovative research that has commercial potential and attracts interest from industry partners, entrepreneurs, and investors with the goal of bringing promising research results to the market for the betterment of society,” says Svetlana Shtrom ’08MBA, director of Technology Transfer.

Being a strong producer of patents enhances UCF’s national prominence, attracting more talented students and researchers who further fuel the cycle of innovation.

“We are committed to supporting researchers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders in turning ideas into impact,” says Raju Nagaiah, Technology Transfer’s assistant director of licensing. “We are passionateabout our work — we love science and technology, and get very excited when we learn about new inventions and the opportunity to improve people’s lives through innovation.”

Companies frequently approach the Technology Transfer to explore available technologies, and this often leads to deeper research collaborations and more funding opportunities for faculty, Shtrom says.

Driving Student Achievement and Innovation

Preeminence also acknowledges the many ways that students excel in the classroom and transform ideas into impact.

Zackary Zuniga, a dual major undergraduate student studying photonics science and engineering, and electrical engineering, founded ZuLeris Interactive in 2023 after taking UCF’s Entrepreneurship for Defense course. The company, now part of the UCF Business Incubation Program, creates immersive simulations for electromagnetic defense training.

“At UCF, I found a community that supported me every step of the way,” Zuniga says. “From mentors to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, I’ve never experienced this level of encouragement anywhere else.”

Set to graduate in December, Zuniga and his team spent the summer on a national fellowship sponsored by the Defense Innovation Unit, which focuses on helping startup companies. He credits UCF for connecting him with opportunities that have shaped his startup, allowing it to make training more accessible and scalable.

Leading Florida’s Future

As UCF attracts top talent, strengthens industry partnerships and drives innovation that benefits the state and nation, the university’s impact is felt across key sectors — from healthcare and nursing to space and defense — positioning UCF as a vital contributor to Florida’s prosperity.

For the 2025-26 academic year, UCF boasts its strongest class in years. The university received a record 65,900 applicants from first-year students for 8,100 spots in the Summer and Fall 2025 semesters. The average high school GPA for fall freshmen was 4.24 and the class posted a 1347 average SAT score.

What Comes Next

When it comes to preeminence, the Board of Governors must first verify the results of UCF’s 12 metrics. Once verified, the 12 metrics will come before the UCF Board of Trustees for approval in April 2026, and would then move onto the Board of Governors for certification and official designation in June.

President Cartwright shared that his priority for any new dollars that come with the official preeminence designation is investment in the faculty and staff who propel the university’s excellence.

From there, the sky is the limit as UCF continues to build on our innovations in student success at scale, grow as Florida’s Premier ����ֱ�� for Engineering, Technology and Innovation, and become a top 25 public research university.

Ten years after UCF earned the prestigious Carnegie Classification of R1, which represents the highest tier of research universities, Knight Nation’s doctoral graduates continue to distinguish themselves among peers from other top research institutions.

According to data from the 2023 Survey of Earned Doctorates published by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) this year, UCF doctoral graduates lead the way with strong employment outcomes and exceptional salaries, surpassing R1 averages across both science and engineering (S&E) and non-S&E fields. For the 2023 survey, the number of R1 institutions nationwide was 146; with a new classification, there are now 187.

Over 55% of UCF’s doctoral graduates had lined up definite, long-term employment following graduation, over 10% higher than the average for all R1 institutions. Most of our graduates secured positions in the private industry or business sector. Additionally, the starting salaries for our doctoral graduates far exceeded the averages for other R1s. Most of UCF’s S&E and non-S&E alumni annual earnings were more than $80,000 and $60,000, respectively.

These data show that UCF’s doctoral graduates readily secure high-profile jobs, indicating the value of holding a graduate degree from UCF. Ultimately, the prosperity of our doctoral alums serves as a testament to the excellence of UCF’s graduate programs and the university’s commitment to student success.

Furthermore, the survey also revealed that most UCF doctoral graduates remain in the same region of the university following graduation, with nearly 60% choosing to stay in Central Florida, compared to less than 50% for other R1 institutions. This highlights the strong appeal of both UCF and the Orlando area, underscoring why so many graduates are eager to build their future here.

Texts and technology doctoral alumna Nikki Barnes ’25PhD credits UCF’s interdisciplinary approach and strong faculty mentorship with preparing her for a dynamic and multifaceted career in academia and media.

“Completing my Ph.D. in texts and technology gave me the opportunity to engage deeply with digital humanities while developing skills that bridge creative practice and scholarly research,” she says. “The program thrives under the innovative leadership of Dr. Anastasia Salter, whose vision and mentorship helped shape my academic path. The collaborative and supportive environment among faculty and peers was instrumental in my growth.”

During her time at UCF, Barnes also served on the Graduate Student Council and was actively involved with the College of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Student Center, experiences that further enriched her doctoral journey and positioned her for long-term professional success.

After graduating last spring, Barnes accepted a role as a visiting lecturer of creative writing in UCF’s Department of English, a position she says she was thrilled to accept.

“Teaching as a full-time faculty member at a leading R1 is an exceptional opportunity to connect my creative practice while launching career as a leader in digital pedagogy and multimedia publishing,” she says.

In addition to her teaching and academic work, Barnes is launching both a media production company and a nonprofit community incubator while seeking a publisher for a series of academic and creative texts developed during her doctoral studies. She is also preparing to present at a national conference, where she will speak on the intersections of writing and community.

“UCF’s focus on innovation and professional relevance allowed me to build a meaningful foundation for my career,” she says. “Being part of a leading metropolitan research university has positioned me to contribute not only to the academic community but to society at large through media, publishing and mentorship.”

The ongoing success of UCF’s graduate alums reflects the exceptional quality of the university’s highly ranked programs, extensive resources and committed faculty. With strong job placement rates and above-average starting salaries, UCF graduates are not just entering the workforce, they’re driving innovation and shaping the future across a wide range of industries. Strategic university partnerships with major organizations such as AdventHealth, Lockheed Martin, NASA and Siemens also open doors to meaningful career opportunities, positioning UCF graduates at the forefront of tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

UCF will award more than 4,000 degrees during three commencement ceremonies this summer, continuing UCF’s record-setting pace of preparing highly qualified graduates to drive Florida’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 ’02, a senior program manager at Blue Origin; Mark Soltys ’12, principal launch engineer at Space X; and Nicholas Abrahams ’20MNM, president and CEO of the Winter Park Health Foundation.

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

UCF serves more of Florida’s students than any other university. More than 90% of UCF’s undergraduate students are Florida residents — and most will stay in Florida after they graduate, with 85% of UCF’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 bachelor’s degree recipients are eligible for Pell Grants, showcasing the university’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, 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 the live ceremony via a simulcast viewing in the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be livestreamed on .

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 — Grad Walk — 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.��.

Graduating Knights are not able to take photos in FBC Mortgage Stadium this semester due to ongoing construction.

UCF Downtown

UCF Downtown offers several great locations for 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, “If you want to go far, go together,” 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 “Orlando” 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 ’02
Manager – Program Integration/Project Management

Elizabeth Ellis ’02 is a senior program manager at Blue Origin. Blue Origin is building a road to space for the benefit of Earth, humanity’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 company’s push for reusable rockets to reduce spaceflight costs. Her focus includes work on this year’s successful launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn — the first non-legacy rocket to reach orbit on its maiden flight. She also contributes to the company’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 bachelor’s degree from UCF in marketing with a track in international business, she holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the ����ֱ�� of Glamorgan (now Cardiff ����ֱ��) in South Wales of the United Kingdom. Beyond work, Ellis’ interests include rescuing animals from high-kill shelters and unsafe conditions.

Mark Soltys ’12

Principal launch engineer at SpaceX

Mark Soltys ’12 has spent more than a decade launching rockets — and humans — into space. His current work centers on the Starship program, SpaceX’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 “home” 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 — designed to make rocket launches “boring” by minimizing human error — was a key enabler of SpaceX’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 Earth’s poles.

Prior to SpaceX, Soltys held roles at Earthrise Space Foundation and Richard Petty Motorsports. A 2012 graduate of the ����ֱ�� with a bachelor’s in aerospace engineering, Mark lives, surfs and freedives in Merritt Island, Florida, with his fiancée, a UCF nursing alumna.

Nicholas Abrahams ’20MNM

President and CEO for Winter Park Health Foundation

Nicholas Abrahams ’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 ����ֱ�� and completed his master’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.

The celebration honored recipients of the Pegasus Professor Award, UCF’s highest faculty honor; the Reach for the Stars Award; the recipient of the Medal of Societal Impact award; the inaugural Big 12 Faculty Member of the Year Award, university excellence award winners; those who recently reached 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service; a Faculty Senate service award; faculty granted �𳾱�����ٳܲ� �ǰ� �𳾱�����ٲ� status; and retired faculty members.

The event also included the announcement of this year’s faculty Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award, which went to Manoj Chopra, professor and associate dean of Undergraduate Affairs in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and a special presentation of provost emeritus status to Michael D. Johnson, UCF’s provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. Johnson, UCF’s provost since 2020, will retire this summer after 35 years at UCF in various teaching and leadership roles.

The faculty event was part of a Founders’ Day Celebration that also included separate employee and staff recognition ceremonies. Here are the faculty honorees.

Pegasus Professor Award

Roger Azevedo, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Fevzi Okumus, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Yan Solihin, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Reach for the Stars Award

Amrita Ghosh, College of Arts and Humanities

Leland Nordin, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Yogesh Rawat, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Kelly Stevens, College of Community Innovation and Education

Societal Medal of Impact Award

Mohamed Abdel-Aty, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award

Manoj Chopra, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Big 12 Faculty Member of the Year

Shin-Tson Wu, College of Optics and Photonics

Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

College Awardees

Robert Borgon, College of Medicine

Karin Chumbimuni Torres, College of Sciences

Stacey DiLiberto, College of Arts and Humanities

Archana Dubey, College of Sciences

Leah Gaines, College of Undergraduate Studies

Christine Hanlon, College of Sciences

Gail Humiston, College of Community Innovation and Education

Ethan Hill, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Haidar Khezri, College of Arts and Humanities

Kelly Kibler, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Eunkyung Lee, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Michael Mousseau, College of Sciences

Brian Reese, College of Arts and Humanities

Jeffrey Reinking, College of Business Administration

Meredith Robertson, College of Community Innovation and Education

Sandra Sousa, College of Arts and Humanities

Dawn Turnage, College of Nursing

Rani Vajravelu, College of Sciences

Konstantin Vodopyanov, College of Optics and Photonics

Amanda Walden, College of Community Innovation and Education

Wei Wei, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

����ֱ�� Winner

Christine Hanlon, College of Sciences

Excellence in Graduate Teaching

College Awardees

Tuhin Das, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Melissa Frye, College of Business Administration

Erica Hoyt, College of Nursing

Pieter Kik, College of Optics and Photonics

Jihyun Kim, College of Sciences

Christine Kolaya, College of Arts and Humanities

Sheila Moore, College of Community Innovation and Education

Ahmet Ozturk, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Carey Rothschild, College of Health Professions and Sciences

����ֱ�� Winner

Erica Hoyt, College of Nursing

Excellence in Research

College Awardees

Barbara Andraka-Christou, College of Community Innovation and Education

Desiree Díaz, College of Nursing

Naveen Eluru, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Xin He, College of Business Administration

Emily Johnson, College of Arts and Humanities

Guifang Li, College of Optics and Photonics

Humberto Lopez Castillo, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Michal Masternak, College of Medicine

Richard Plate, College of Undergraduate Studies

Wei Wei, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Xiaohu Xia, College of Sciences

����ֱ�� Winner

Barbara Andraka-Christou, College of Community Innovation and Education

Excellence in Faculty Academic Advising

Chen Chen, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Excellence in Professional Service

Jessica Wickey, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Excellence in Librarianship

Sai Deng, UCF Libraries

Excellence in Instructional Design

Amanda Major, Digital Learning

����ֱ�� Award for Excellence in Mentoring Doctoral Students

Engineering, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences

David Mohaisen, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Social Science, Humanities, Education, Business, Art and Health

Juli Dixon, College of Community Innovation and Education

����ֱ�� Award for Excellence in Mentoring Postdoctoral Scholars

Ghaith Rabadi, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Faculty Senate Service Awards

10 Years of Service

Karol Lucken, College of Community Innovation and Education

Service Awards

20 Years of Service

Ni-bin Chang, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Zixi Cheng, College of Medicine

Max Croft, College of Sciences

Leslee Damato-Kubiet, College of Nursing

Kenneth Fedorka, College of Sciences

Yanga Fernandez, College of Sciences

Amy Foster, College of Arts and Humanities

Martha Garcia, College of Arts and Humanities

Vladimir Gatchev, College of Business Administration

Andre Gesquiere, Office of Research

Xun Gong, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Constance Goodman, College of Community Innovation and Education

Ali Gordon, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Richard Hall, College of Sciences

William Hanney, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Tadayuki Hara, Rosen, College of Hospitality Management

Sally Hastings, College of Sciences

Eric Hoffman, College of Sciences

Jeremy Hunt, College of Arts and Humanities

Qun Huo, Office of Research

Hyung Jung, Rosen, College of Hospitality Management

Saiful Khondaker, Office of Research

Jacqueline Lamanna, College of Nursing

Glenn Lambie, College of Community Innovation and Education

Connie Lester, College of Arts and Humanities

Michael Leuenberger Office of Research

Amelia Lyons, College of Arts and Humanities

Carolyn Massiah, College of Business Administration

Daniel Novatnak, College of Sciences

Fevzi Okumus, Rosen, College of Hospitality Management

Thomas Potter, College of Arts and Humanities

Fernando Rivera, College of Sciences

Sean Robb, College of Business Administration

John Rotolo, College of Sciences

Swadeshmukul Santra, Office of Research

Zixia Song, College of Sciences

Judit Szente, College of Community Innovation and Education

Alexandru Tamasan, College of Sciences

Scott Waring, College of Community Innovation and Education

Ronald Weaver, College of Sciences

Harry Weger, College of Sciences

Margaret Zaho, College of Arts and Humanities

Lei Zhai, Office of Research

Changchun Zou, College of Engineering and Computer Science

25 Years of Service

Sue Bauer, Digital Learning

Aniket Bhattacharya, College of Sciences

David Boote, College of Community Innovation and Education

Shawn Burke, College of Graduate Studies

Juli Dixon, College of Community Innovation and Education

Patricia Farless, College of Arts and Humanities

Deguang Han, College of Sciences

Peter Hancock, College of Sciences

Christine Hanlon, College of Sciences

Rae Hanson, College of Graduate Studies

Robin Kohn, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Jaydeep Mukherjee, Office of Research

Carla Poindexter, College of Arts and Humanities

Luis Rabelo, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Dean Reed, College of Graduate Studies

Kimberly Renk, College of Sciences

Kirk Scammon, College of Engineering and Computer Science

David Scrogin, College of Business Administration

Stephen Sivo, College of Community Innovation and Education

Yongho Sohn, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Nancy Swenson, Digital Learning

Terry Thaxton, College of Arts and Humanities

Pamela Thomas, College of Sciences

Kristina Tollefson, College of Arts and Humanities

Rajan Vaidyanathan, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Mark Winton, College of Community Innovation and Education

Ross Wolf, UCF Downtown

Ronnie Zimmerman, College of Community Innovation and Education

30 Years of Service 

Hadi Abbas, College of Arts and Humanities

Mohamed Abdel-Aty, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Debopam Chakrabarti, College of Medicine

David Chasar, Office of Research

Leslie Connell, College of Business Administration

Dina Fabery, College of Arts and Humanities

Cristina Fernandez-Valle, College of Medicine

Kevin Haran, College of Arts and Humanities

James Helsinger, College of Arts and Humanities

Athena Hoeppner, UCF Libraries

Aubrey Jewett, College of Sciences

Timothy Kotnour, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Heath Martin, College of Sciences

Janet McIlvaine, Office of Research

Lisa Nalbone, College of Arts and Humanities

Saleh Naser, College of Medicine

Marianna Pensky, College of Sciences

Otto Phanstiel, College of Medicine

Jeanne Piascik, UCF Libraries

Jeffrey Rupert, College of Arts and Humanities

Raymond Surette, College of Community Innovation and Education

John Weishampel, College of Graduate Studies

35 Years of Service

Kien Hua, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Zhihua Qu, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Clint Bowers, College of Sciences

Lyman Brodie, College of Arts and Humanities

Sudipto Choudhury, College of Sciences

Shelley Park, College of Arts and Humanities

Alfons Schulte, College of Sciences

40 Years of Service

Karen Biraimah, College of Community Innovation and Education

Gene Lee, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Piotr Mikusinski, College of Sciences

Ady Milman, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Bhimsen Shivamoggi, College of Sciences

45 Years of Service

Charles Hughes, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Faculty Emeritus and Emerita

Gregg A. Buckingham, College of Community Innovation and Education

Robertico Croes, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Joseph DiNapoli, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Juli Dixon, College of Community Innovation and Education

Denise Gammonley, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Roger Handberg, College of Sciences

Charles E. Hughes, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Joe Hutchinson, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

David Jenkins, College of Sciences

Michael D. Johnson, Office of the Provost

Elizabeth A. Klonoff, College of Sciences

Gary Leavens, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Joyce Nutta, College of Community Innovation and Education

Pedro Francisco Quintana-Ascencio, College of Sciences

Abraham Pizam, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Melvin Rogers, College of Community Innovation and Education

Linda Rosa-Lugo, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Maria Cristina Santana-Rogers, College of Arts and Humanities

Michael Sigman, College of Sciences

Mary Lou Sole, College of Nursing

Martine Vanryckeghem, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Cherie Yestrebsky, College of Sciences

Retired Faculty

Richard Ajayi, College of Business Administration

Kelly Allred, College of Nursing

Maureen Ambrose, College of Business Administration

Blaise Bossy, College of Medicine

Ella Bossy-Wetzel, College of Medicine

Gregg Buckingham, College of Community Innovation and Education

Scott Bukstein, College of Business Administration

Carol Burgunder, College of Nursing

Angeline Bushy, College of Nursing

Lynn Casmier-Paz, College of Arts and Humanities

Kevin Coffey, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Maureen Covelli, College of Nursing

Barry Edwards, College of Sciences

Azza Fahim, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Lynette Feder, College of Community Innovation and Education

Denise Gammonley, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Leonid Glebov, College of Optics and Photonics

Paul Goldwater, College of Business Administration

Lixing Gu, Office of Research

Shari Hodgson, College of Sciences

Joe Hutchinson, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Frances Iacobellis, College of Nursing

Steve Jex, College of Sciences

Eric Johnson, Office of Research

Mark Kerlin, UCF Global

Joo Kim, College of Arts and Humanities

Barbara Kinsey, College of Sciences

Elizabeth Klonoff, College of Graduate Studies

Keith Koons, College of Arts and Humanities

Alice Korosy, College of Arts and Humanities

Judith Levin, College of Community Innovation and Education

Michael McManus, College of Community Innovation and Education

Zuhair Nashed, College of Sciences

Pedro Patino Marin, College of Sciences

Abraham Pizam, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Robert Reedy, College of Arts and Humanities

Bahaa Saleh, College of Optics and Photonics

Maria Cristina Santana-Rogers, College of Arts and Humanities

Melvin Rogers, College of Community Innovation and Education

Marshall Schminke, College of Business Administration

Janice Seabrooks-Blackmore  College of Community Innovation and Education

Timothy Sellnow, College of Sciences

Michael Sigman, College of Sciences

Verner Smith, College of Business Administration

Janan Smither, College of Sciences

Ula Stoeckl, College of Sciences

Joseph Vasquez, College of Sciences

Lewis Worrell, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Xin Yan, College of Sciences

For undergraduate students, this esteemed honor recognizes exceptional academic excellence, leadership, active university involvement and meaningful community service. For master’s, doctoral, professional, and M.D. students, the Order of Pegasus highlights remarkable academic accomplishments, professional leadership, impactful community service, and innovative research or publications.

Recipients of the Order of Pegasus award represent the highest ideals of what it means to be a UCF Knight. Their dedication, passion, and contributions to both local and global communities showcase the remarkable talent and potential found at UCF.With a combined grade point average of 3.89, this year’s honorees are making impacts across various fields, including engineering, healthcare, hospitality, engineering and the humanities. Throughout the community they are enriching the human experience by meeting the challenges of our world. By engaging with hands-on research they are uncovering new knowledge and contributing to broad-based prosperity.

Other student honor categories being highlighted include graduate awards for outstanding master’s thesis and outstanding dissertation; undergraduate awards for honors undergraduate thesis; and individual college awardees as chosen by the respective college deans. All honorees earned financial awards.

Celebrating Excellence on Founders’ Day

UCF’s annual Founders’ Day, held on the first Wednesday in April, is dedicated to honoring the outstanding achievements of UCF’s employees, faculty and students. This year’s Student Honors Celebration will take place at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 2, in the Student Union’s Pegasus Ballroom.

Order of Pegasus Inductees

• Frances Aguayo, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Burnett Honors College
• Zaima Aline, College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College
• Dave Austin ’22MS ’24PhD, College of Sciences
• Gabryella Baldaci, College of Optics and Photonics
• Austin Bennett ’24, College of Sciences
• Nicholas Bruno, College of Sciences, Burnett Honors College
• Tiffany Dawson, College of Sciences
• Hannah DeGraw, College of Sciences, Burnett Honors College
• Melissa Deinys, College of Medicine
• Jonae Edwards, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• Liana Alvarez Garcia, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Bedis Elkamel, College of Health Professions and Sciences, Burnett Honors College
• Teri Faucette ’98, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Cooper Foxman, College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College
• Sebastian Garcia ’23, College of Arts and Humanities, College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College
• Julia Going, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Burnett Honors College
• Juliana Hirn ’17 ’19MA, College of Community Innovation and Education, College of Health Professions and Sciences, Burnett Honors College
• Nelson Jones, College of Science
• Raj Khuperkar, College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College
• Ayaka Kimura, College of Health Professions and Sciences, Burnett Honors College
• Yuka Kimura, College of Health Professions and Sciences, Burnett Honors College
• Jenna Koo, College of Nursing
• Sun Latt, College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College
• Stephanie Lough ’21MS, College of Sciences
• Chloe Milliron, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Aneesha Nayak, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Burnett Honors College
• Apoorva Palled, College of Health Professions and Sciences, Burnett Honors College
• Nicole Parker, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Burnett Honors College
• Justin Phelps ’19 ’22MS ’24PhD, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Gabriela Polera, College of Sciences
• Chloe Pinkston, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Burnett Honors College
• Roshna Cherugail Ramadoss, College of Health Professions and Sciences, Burnett Honors College
• Heidi Rivera, College of Arts and Humanities
• Anderson Rosa, College of Sciences
• Nicole Stevens, College of Medicine
• Brielle Young, College of Business Administration, Burnett Honors College
• Sydney Weisman ’23, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Undergraduate Student Awards

College Founders’ Award

• Chase Scholze, College of Arts and Humanities
• Madelyn Francis, Burnett Honors College, College of Medicine
• Jeffrey Linares, College of Business
• Isabella Rojas, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Mariana Sorroza Aguilar, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Samantha Migliore, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Arlette Morcelo, College of Medicine
• Victoria Trautwein, College of Nursing
• Alejandro Lopez Zelaya, College of Optics and Photonics
• Jonae Edwards, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• Amanda Lindquist, College of Sciences

Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis

• Aishwarya Rajakumar ’24, College of Medicine
• Abdulrazak Kalae ’23, College of Sciences
• Gregory DeCamillis ’24, College of Sciences
• Maria Ocando Monaco ’24, College of Sciences
• Hanna Mohammed ’23, College of Undergraduate Studies

Graduate Student Awards

Outstanding Dissertation

• Furkan Luleci ’19MS ’24PhD, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Michael Johnstone ’17 ’19MS ’24PhD, College of Medicine

Outstanding Master’s Thesis

• Aaditya Bhatia ’24MA, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Brandi Antonio ’24MS, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Outstanding Creative Work

• Sylvia McMillon ’22 ’24MA, College of Sciences, College of Community Innovation and Education

This year’s ceremonies will feature speeches from four influential Central Florida leaders: Thad Seymour Jr., former UCF interim president and executive; Ken Robinson, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Inc. and The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation; Mark Penning, vice president of Walt Disney World’s Animals, Science and Environment team; and interdisciplinary studies alumnus Cole NeSmith ’07, founder and artistic director of the Creative City Project.

Of the degrees UCF expects to award, 5,308 are bachelor’s, 989 are master’s and 92 are doctoral degrees. UCF will also award 108 graduate certificates, and commencement speakers Seymour Jr. and Robinson will receive honorary degrees in recognition of their transformative contributions to education, healthcare innovation, community development and more throughout Central Florida.

Overall, UCF anticipates awarding 1,793 degrees in STEM fields — including 949 in engineering and computer science — as well as 941 in business-related fields, 267 in hospitality-related fields, 191 in nursing, 101 in biomedical sciences, and 34 in digital and emerging media.

About 44% of the bachelor’s degree recipients are eligible for Pell Grants, which total 2,872 graduates, showcasing the university’s commitment to social mobility. Additionally, 1,648 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 Addition Financial Arena, the fall commencement will take place Dec. 13-14.

All guests, including children and infants, need a ticket for admission. All graduates who have filed an intent to graduate will receive five commencement tickets for their ceremony when they pick up their regalia packet.

Guests who do not have tickets may watch the live ceremony via a simulcast viewing in the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be livestreamed on .

Commencement Photo-ops Across UCF

Main Campus

Three different photo-ops on UCF’s main campus 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 through Dec. 16.

Graduating Knights will also be able to take photos in FBC Mortgage Stadium from 10 a.m. to 4p.m., Dec. 10-12. Please enter through Gate 13B (Carl Black & Gold Cabana) to access the stadium. Taking photos on the field is prohibited.

On Thursday, Dec. 12, 2:30-7 p.m., fall graduates are invited for a photo-op — Grad Walk — 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. . Complimentary parking is available in Garage D.

UCF Downtown

UCF Downtown offers several great locations for unforgettable graduation photos. Here’s 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, “If you want to go far, go together,” 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 “Orlando” 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:

College of Business Administration

College of Engineering and Computer Science

College of Optics and Photonics

College of Graduate Studies

College of Health Professions and Sciences

College of Medicine

College of Nursing

College of Undergraduate Studies

College of Sciences

College of Arts and Humanities

College of Community Innovation and Education

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Commencement Speakers

Thad Seymour Jr.

Dec. 13, 9 a.m.

Proving that following a “crooked path” has its merits, Thad Seymour Jr. began his career in a high school classroom, going on to earn a doctoral degree in history. Bitten by the business bug, Seymour Jr. ventured into health technology innovation. He led strategy for the Tavistock Group at Lake Nona Medical City, which includes the UCF College of Medicine and the soon-to-open Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, along with billions of dollars invested in hospitals, research facilities, and cutting-edge health and life sciences companies.

After years of collaborating with UCF, Seymour Jr. joined the university to lead the development of its 2016 strategic plan. He then led the effort to build and open the UCF Downtown campus, served as chief innovation officer and concluded his UCF career as interim president from February 2019 to April 2020, in partnership with his extraordinary wife, Katie. Seymour Jr. earned a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, master’s and doctoral degrees from the ����ֱ�� of Wisconsin, and an MBA from Northwestern ����ֱ��. He and Katie are the proud parents of three grown children and have one grandchild (so far).

Ken Robinson

Dec. 13, 2 p.m.

Ken Robinson is the president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Inc. and The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation, where he focuses on upholding the values and legacy of the Phillips family. He oversees the organization’s real estate operations, an extensive investment portfolio and one of Central Florida’s largest grant-making entities, with over $257 million donated to the region.

Robinson is dedicated to Central Florida, actively supporting various nonprofits. He serves as president of the Committee of 100 of Orange County and is a member-at-large for the AdventHealth Foundation Central Florida. Additionally, he’s the director of the 4Roots Foundation and is a member of the Central Florida YMCA Metro Board and the Florida Council of 100. He has also held leadership roles with the Florida Citrus Bowl and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. A proud supporter of higher education, he values his connections to the Florida State ����ֱ�� College of Business and his hometown university, the ����ֱ��.

Mark Penning

Dec. 14, 9 a.m.

Mark Penning is vice president of animals, science and environment at Disney Experiences. He oversees animal care and environmental sustainability at Disney sites around the globe. Penning also leads the teams that manage Disney field conservation efforts and the responsible portrayal of animals and nature in film and television productions.

A veterinarian by training, Penning has a special interest in wildlife. He served as CEO of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research in Durban, South Africa, and has held roles as president of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and board member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Today, Penning sits on the board of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International and is a trustee of Wild Welfare, an animal welfare organization.

Cole NeSmith ’07

Dec. 14, 2 p.m.

Cole NeSmith ’07 is an experience curator, writer, musician, actor and speaker. He’s the founder and artistic director of the Creative City Project in addition to being the co-founder and chief creative officer of The Memoir Agency. Through these two companies, NeSmith works to make every place and moment meaningful through epic events and immersive experiences. Each year, Cole helps create unique artistic experiences that reach hundreds of thousands of guests in Central Florida and beyond, including Dazzling Nights Holiday events, Happy Frights and Haunting Nights Halloween events, one-of-a-kind corporate and client experiences, and innovative arts programming as part of the annual Creative City Project season.

NeSmith started the Creative City Project, an award-winning arts nonprofit, in 2012 to elevate Orlando’s creative stature and help shape the global perception of Orlando as a place known for creativity and innovation. Through The Memoir Agency, NeSmith and his team create “immersive master plans,” helping cities and developers build irresistible places to live, work and visit. Through artistic activations, NeSmith helps municipal leaders design cities that bring meaning to people’s lives every day. Actively involved in Orlando’s transformation, he’s been recognized as one of Orlando Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful People in Orlando, featured among Orlando Business Journal (OBJ)’s Power Players and included in OBJ’s 40 Under 40 list. NeSmith also regularly contributes to the Orlando Sentinel’s Central Florida 100. As a performing artist, he has appeared in professional theater, works of classical and contemporary music, film and TV.

For more details and FAQs about Fall 2024 commencement celebrations, visit ucf.edu/graduation.