Giddy off the high of their engagement, they started imagining what their wedding day would look like. Who would officiate the ceremony?

Without a moment’s hesitation, long-time UCF sports and exercise science instructor Jeff Biddle emerged at the top of their list.

“He’s what every professor should be to a student. He doesn’t want you to just come in and get your degree and walk out. You could go into his office anytime he was in there and talk with him. He loved to get to know people and what you wanted to do with your life,” La Londe says. “He was the first person we thought of.”

The now-Beumels met in 2012 in a biomechanics class at UCF’s South Lake campus in Clermont.

They started out as friends. Bryanna had plans to move to Portland, Oregon, at summer’s end. After a month, their relationship progressed to more than friends.

“And then I didn’t go! And it worked out well,” she says with a smile.

The two finished their sports and exercise science degrees, frequently driving the hefty commute out to Clermont – La Londe drove 70 miles one way from her mother’s home in Merritt Island — because they loved the program and professors, especially Biddle.

“Every class that he taught in our major, I tried to sign up with him. He made the drive out to Clermont worth it,” says Beumel, who lived less than eight miles from UCF’s main campus at the time. “It was an hour to get out there but you knew when you’d have him at 8 o’clock in the morning it was going to be fun. It wasn’t just staring at a PowerPoint for an hour and a half. You were interacting with him and all the other students. He made it enjoyable. He’s not one we’ll forget.”

La Londe , a first-generation student, graduated in 2013 and is now working in the rehabilitation department at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Beumel graduated a year later as a second-generation UCF alumnus.

As fate would have it, Beumel’s parents met while they were students at UCF at a house party on Alafaya Trail. His mother, Linda, graduated in 1983 with a bachelor’s in chemistry. They didn’t expect that decades later, their son would mirror their love story and find his future wife while at school.

“UCF helped make me who I am. The experiences I had through sport and exercise molded me into the trainer and coach that I am now,” says Beumel, who works at CrossFit Firebase in Orlando. “I view it as a starting off point. That’s where we met. It’s where my parents met, as well. It holds a special value in that to me.”

The couple married Thanksgiving weekend in 2016 at Club Lake Plantation in Apopka with a black-and-gold-bow-tie-clad Biddle as their officiant.

Their grandparents gave the couple their wedding rings and served as ring bearers in their ceremony.

The gold band of Beumel’s ring belonged to his grandfather. It had to be pieced back together after it was cut off his grandfather’s finger following a motorcycle accident.

When the jeweler melded it together, he chose a black zirconium to sandwich it, making it the perfect color combination for Beumel’s UCF roots.

As the couple anticipated, Biddle was a hit among the family in attendance. He was as comical and engaging in the ceremony as he is in the classroom.

In order to perform the ceremony, the professor needed to obtain a notary license. He told the couple to leave the logistics to him.

Biddle, who makes it a point to attend as many of his students’ commencement ceremonies as he can, says that the request for him to serve as their officiant was an honor and a privilege.

That realization hit him even harder when he recently watched their wedding video.

“Their kids and their kids’ kids are going to be watching that video. I’m permanently a part of their lives and their family’s lives from now on. And that’s pretty cool,” Biddle says. “I am thrilled that they asked me, thrilled that they wanted me to do it. It is certainly one of the bigger moments to happen in my life.”

What he may not realize is that he secured a special place in their lives a long time ago.

“Being a first-generation degree seeker – professors are who I looked up to for guidance and direction throughout the whole process. Dr. Biddle was a role model for me,” La Londe says. “Finding what you love to do may change over the years and that’s OK. That is something I learned from him. I don’t even know if I’ve ever told him this, but it’s how I feel about him and what he’s done for me.”

The term came about from the “embedded journalists” who cover news stories with troops, and is indicative of the librarians who are right in the middle of online learning, having become totally immersed in assisting students whenever and wherever help is needed. The term developed a few years ago because the librarians have transitioned from just being a service provider to becoming part of their customers’ community.

UCF has about 40 faculty librarians at the main and 10 regional campuses, many of whom are involved in online-instruction modes, but a majority of the fully embedded duties are handled by regional librarians.

There currently are five full-time regional librarians who are assigned to specific online classes, along with another one at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. At the main-campus library, two librarians are embedded in classes. Most of the other main-campus librarians are more active meeting the needs of face-to-face help for students.

In the 2015-16 fiscal year, Regional Campus librarians provided help to 68 face-to-face classes compared with 80 online classes. In terms of students, that is 1,550 face-to-face, and 2,272 online. One reason for those online numbers is the convenience and growth of those classes.

“Regional librarians were the early adapters and started serving online faculty and students as soon as the need was recognized,” said Cynthia M. Kisby, head of Regional Campus libraries. “Of course, we could only do that because all of the regional and Orlando [main campus] librarians and IT staff together had already created a virtual library with access to online resources and services…We provide assistance via phone, chat and now Skype.”

Kisby said UCF’s embedded librarians are assigned to completely online classes and those that are mixed-mode or hybrid courses that require some face-to-face class time. They also have privileges as teaching assistants.

“They are virtual librarians embedded in the class who post to a discussion board or answer questions at any time,” she said. “In some classes, embedded librarians also create and grade quizzes that measure subject-specific information-literacy skills. Also, being embedded is usually very discipline-specific.”

Kisby credits Barbara Alderman at the Cocoa and Palm Bay campuses as being UCF’s first embedded librarian.

Alderman said that while working online from home for her master’s degree at Florida State ����ֱ�� she discovered many times she wasn’t able to find research help at the library.

“You had to call someone and hope they would call back,” she said. “I thought that librarians ought to be in the research classes students take to help and teach them how to use the many resources.

“We all understand the need to help students on their degree paths and to minimize the frustration when it’s possible. The online library is rich in resources and we all like to share that information.

In recent years the number of online students served by the regional librarians has exceeded face-to-face assistance, Kisby said.

“With UCF Online coming into the foreground, it shows how libraries continue to adapt as student needs change,” she said.

Kelvin Thompson, director of online design and development strategy for UCF’s Center for Distributed Learning, welcomes the embedded librarians bringing the skills and knowledge of professional librarians right into the midst of online courses.

“Embedded librarians can be ‘present’ in the online course to assist students with preparations for papers or other course assignments that draw on scholarly literature,” Thompson said. “This is a powerful service offered by the UCF Libraries that provides value for students.”

The Pathway program was created to help student development, academic and career planning, and academic and social integration. The program was recognized with the annual WCET Outstanding Work (WOW) Award, which is presented to colleges, universities and other organizations for exceptionally creative, technology-based solutions to a significant problem or need in higher education.

“The new Pathway component of DirectConnect to UCF enhances the transfer experience for students, and is intentionally and purposefully designed using innovative features that will increase student engagement and success,” said Jennifer Sumner, director of Regional Campuses’ academic support services.

The program was launched as a pilot in January with students from each of UCF’s five partner institutions: Daytona State College, Eastern Florida State College, Lake-Sumter State College, Seminole State College, and Valencia College. Pathway was fully launched this fall. There are 120 students in the program, and now that it has been fully launched, Regional Campuses expects the numbers to grow.

To help students, Pathway:

Touch-points have been set up to guide students along the way, such as when to complete career assessments, declarations of majors, attendance at skills workshops, participation with various student groups, and guided assistance in meeting requirements for the UCF application and transfer process.

The Pathway uses online advising tools, and students can track their own academic and professional growth.

“What makes the Pathway unique and innovative are the exclusively created technology elements designed to engage the students,” Sumner said. “The Pathway is built and accessible within UCF’s learning-management system of Canvas, provides students with 24/7 online access to advising and resources, uses virtual advising tools such as chats and video sessions, and awards digital badges that are themed to enhance student engagement.”

Jeff Jones, vice provost for Regional Campuses, said Pathway is the culmination of work by Sumner, the state college partners, Regional Campuses and students themselves.

“All played key roles in developing this tool,” he said, “As always, our team puts the success of our students as our primary goal. We feel that the Pathways project will further enhance our students opportunity  for success.”

Cali Morrison, communications manager for WCET, said the Direct Connect to UCF Pathway was selected as an award winner because it answers a significant need with targeted goals and proven impacts in a creative and sustainable manner.

“It serves as a model to the entire higher education community of a replicable program for planned transfer pathways and support can make a difference for students,” she said.

The other winners for this year’s WOW Award are:

This annual advising forum is also a professional outlet for networking and exchanging of ideas that impact academic advising, retention, graduation and career readiness. Presentations were well received among advisors and the round table discussion initiated conversations related to the completion agenda.

With the number of transfer students rapidly increasing, it is essential for advisors to be aware of academic changes in order to deliver accurate information and create pathways for student success. This year’s event welcomed over 150 advisors from UCF, Valencia College, Eastern State College, Lake-Sumter Community College, Seminole State College, and Daytona State College. Garry Capton, vice president of ����ֱ�� Partnerships at Fairwinds, presented on financial literacy and provided the advisors with valuable information to share with their students.

Overall, the Advising Updates Forum was successful and staff looks forward to next year’s event.

Salas and Karelova started their first semester at UCF this fall and plan to attend medical school after their 2016 graduation.

Salas, who is from Miami, attended and will continue classes at UCF’s shared campus there. Careers in physical therapy or cardiovascular surgery are two areas of his interest.

Karelova, who is from the country of Georgia, attended and will continue classes at the main UCF campus, Karelova moved to the United States on an international study program when she was 16. She aspired to be a journalist and received an Associate in Business degree from Everest ����ֱ��. Soon after, she changed her career goals and applied to Valencia to pursue a career as an anesthesiologist after medical school.

“There were other options, but DirectConnect to UCF was the best option possible,” said Karelova about deciding on her plan for college.

The UCF College of Medicine at Lake Nona is among the medical schools the two scholars intend on applying to. Johnson Scholars are a cohort of students chosen by the partner colleges. Once selected, they will receive the scholarship until graduation as long as they continue to meet the criteria set by the school. Recipients of the scholarship are deemed “Johnson Scholars,” and throughout their college careers they will have special program requirements that emphasize leadership development.

The Johnson Scholarship Foundation is a national, private foundation with a mission to assist deserving people in achieving higher education and a belief in education as a means to help people succeed in life.

Each of the four partner state colleges are responsible for raising $500,000 that the Johnson Scholarship Foundation will match for a total of $1 million for the individual colleges to disburse while the scholars earn their associate degrees.

In addition, the partner colleges are fundraising collectively for $1 million in scholarships to support their students once they transfer to UCF. The n is also fundraising for $1 million with the agreement that Johnson Scholarship Foundation will match these contributions with a goal of raising $3 million over five years. These contributions will be held by the UCF Foundation and disbursed to the scholars while attending one of the partner colleges and will continue until completion of their baccalaureate degree at UCF. The JSF Endowment scholarships are designed to assist with unmet financial need and only available to students who participate in the DirectConnect to UCF program.

The first Johnson Scholars will be recognized at the Johnson Scholars inaugural luncheon on Oct. 14, hosted by Valencia College. The scholars will receive medallions and have the opportunity to meet with the president of the Johnson Scholarship Foundation, Malcolm Macleod.

“The JSF Endowment is the first joint philanthropy between community and state colleges and a state university,” said Angela Peterson, associate vice president of UCF regional campuses. The partnership was encouraged by JSF based on the success of the DirectConnect program, which UCF began in 2006 to guarantee entrance and accelerated admission to UCF after students complete associate degrees from one of the four partner colleges.

For more information about the Johnson Scholarship Foundation, click here.

To learn more about the DirectConnect to UCF program,

DirectConnect 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 and Valencia College – prepared about 70 percent of the more than 10,000 students who transferred to the university in 2012-2013.

The new touch points for students include things such as completing a career-assessment plan; confirming early major declaration; completing a tour of UCF; and completing skills workshops related to academic planning, financial literacy and other topics.

“This enhanced pathway provides an intentional and guided support structure, where students are engaged with advising and services that will help them clarify their career goals and academic plans,” said Jeff Jones, vice provost of Regional Campuses, which oversees 10 Central Florida sites.

The milestones are critical to the early success of students desiring to DirectConnect to UCF. Additionally, once a student transfers to UCF, the university’s commitment is to engage them further during their first two semesters.

The students’ touch points at that level include meeting with their college advisor; attending advanced skill workshops involving resume writing, internships, and job search; meeting with community leaders; and other guidelines.

The pathway teams include professionals and students from each institution and include areas such as advising, student services, and enrollment services.

“They collaborate and coordinate the various needs and milestones of students as they transition from the state college to UCF,” said Pam Cavanaugh, assistant vice provost for student services and advising.

Student focus groups that have been conducted at each of the state colleges during the summer have produced feedback on what students prefer as incentives to participate. Also, a new badging program has been designed to reward and showcase the skills and achievements of the students along the pathway. Students can display the badges in their digital world “so we can create value for these achievements as we acknowledge them institutionally,” Cavanaugh said.

A new online portal also has been established for students to be able to track their progress, and pathway teams can verify and acknowledge their successes and progress.

“From a university perspective, UCF benefits from having stronger partnerships with our partnering institutions and from having students that are successful both in their academic programs and as UCF graduates,” Jones said.

Hosted by the Walter and Betty Boardman Foundation, Land Preservation and Restoration: Conflicts will feature a panel discussion and audience Q&A. The event will be held in building 150, auditorium 101.

The panel will explore land management in Florida, as well as the economic impact of eco-tourism and common misconceptions the public has about land management. Panel members include:

“Public lands have always been a treasure in Volusia County and across our state,” said local environmentalist Reid Hughes, who also serves as a board member for the Boardman Foundation. “Recent policy decisions and new challenges for land managers have caused environmentalists and members of the general public to be concerned, and this panel will discuss some of those issues.”

The Walter and Betty Boardman Foundation awards grants for environmental and natural resource research and studies pertaining to Volusia County and the land surrounding it.

The new 150,000-square-foot building will be the biggest on any of Valencia’s five campuses, and 29,000 square feet of that will be classrooms and offices for UCF. Also to be housed in the building at 1800 Denn John Lane are Valencia’s new library, cafeteria, tutoring center and laboratories.

“We now have more space, services and academic offerings for our UCF Valencia Osceola students who prefer staying in their community at a reasonable cost,” said Angela Peterson, UCF’s associate vice president for enrollment services, marketing and outreach.

“It is our hope and direction to provide a pathway for students to attend college and improve the college-going rate in a county that is demographically very different from Orange, Brevard or Seminole.”

Higher-education opportunities are important in Osceola County, she said, because the area has many first-generation college students.

A variety of classes at the campus now ranges from business to political science. For the spring semester, new classes will include public administration, psychology, elementary education, and criminal justice.

Pending budgetary approval, plans include expanding academic programming next fall. The new four-story building initially will house five UCF faculty members and seven staffers. At full capacity, there will be 12 faculty members and 12 staffers at the campus.

The plans call for offering biomedical sciences at the campus beginning next fall, which would be the first science degree at a UCF regional campus.

Dr. Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia’s Osceola and Lake Nona campuses, said she is especially pleased that UCF will offer the biomedical sciences degree.

“It’s the perfect degree for a student who wants to go on to medical school,” she said. UCF’s College of Medicine is part of the growing medical community in Lake Nona.

Through the DirectConnect to UCF program, students who graduate with A.A. or A.S. degrees from Valencia are guaranteed admission to the university.

UCF is the first public university to offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Osceola County.