The National Leader in Emergency and Crisis Management

UCF earned the No. 1 Homeland/National Security and Emergency Management Graduate Program ranking in the nation for the聽 third consecutive year.

At the forefront of this year’s ranking is the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE)’s online emergency and crisis management program, signaling UCF鈥檚 long-standing leadership in programs that keep people safe from disasters of all kinds.

鈥淭o maintain the U.S. News No. 1 ranking of graduate programs in homeland security and emergency management is truly a team endeavor,鈥� Associate Professor of Public Administration Yue ‘Gurt’ Ge says. 鈥淚t reflects our nationally and internationally renowned faculty in education and research, our stellar students and alumni 鈥� who have become the backbone of the emergency management profession in Florida and beyond 鈥� and our signature staff members and advisory board representing government, nonprofit, and business sectors across Central Florida.鈥�

That strong connection to practice is central to the program鈥檚 success. Faculty research influences policy nationwide, while students gain real-world insight through close partnerships with emergency managers at the local, state and federal levels. Graduates leave prepared to respond to complex crises, from natural disasters to public health emergencies, at a time when the need for highly trained professionals continues to grow.

A Top-10 School Preparing Student Counselors

UCF’s College of Community Innovation and Education also earned the No. 9 ranking for Student Counseling and Personnel Services Graduate Programs in the nation.

Recognition for CCIE’s student counseling聽 graduate program reflects UCF鈥檚 high-touch faculty mentorship model and its emphasis on integrating research, service, and professional preparation.

For Benoit Aubin, a first-year doctoral student in counselor education, that support has been transformative. A former firefighter and medic, Aubin now works as a mental health clinician for his former fire station while serving as a graduate research assistant with UCF鈥檚 Marriage and Family Research Institute (MFRI).

With guidance from Department of Counselor Education and School Psychology Chair and MFRI Executive Director Sejal Barden, Aubin has conducted clinical research focused on trauma and relationship stress among first-responder couples. His work has already contributed to a funded grant, conference presentations, a published book and the development of a training program 鈥� achievements he credits to a highly supportive learning environment.

鈥淯CF knows how to prepare us to compete professionally,鈥� Aubin says.

A 34-Spot Rise in Advanced Nursing Education

UCF’s College of Nursing jumped 聽34 spots to No. 37 for Doctor of Nursing Practice Graduate Programs in the nation 鈥� the highest ranking in the college鈥檚 history.

UCF’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program (DNP) improved ranking reflects a continued investment in academic rigor, faculty expertise and hands-on clinical training designed to address the nation鈥檚 growing need for nurse practitioners.

Graduates from the DNP program consistently outperform national first-time pass rates on nurse practitioner certification exams. They also often receive job offers before they even complete their degrees, according to Christopher Blackwell 鈥�00 鈥�01MSN 鈥�05PhD, director of UCF鈥檚 adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program. All full-time faculty hold at least one doctoral degree, more than half remain actively practicing clinicians and many are nationally recognized fellows. Through partnerships with healthcare organizations across Central Florida students gain applied experience alongside expert preceptors in varied clinical settings.

鈥淭he incredible amount of support I鈥檝e received from UCF鈥檚 nursing professors and the opportunities to make an impact through my research and clinical practice solidified that I made the best choice in my graduate degree,鈥� says Mimi Alliance 鈥�21, a family nurse practitioner doctoral student who provides care and conducts research on the UCF Mobile Health Clinic.

Some of that training is anchored in the college鈥檚 Helene Fuld Health Trust STIM Center, an internationally recognized simulation facility that strengthens clinical skills and decision-making before students enter patient-care environments. The STIM Center, as well as UCF鈥檚 nursing programs, are housed in the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, which opened in Lake Nona in Fall 2025 thanks to generous state and industry support 鈥� a proof point of UCF’s ability to solve real-world issues.

Building on a Legacy of Aerospace Engineering Excellence

As Florida鈥檚 Technological 海角直播, UCF continues to build on our strength in technology-driven fields by ranking No. 38 for Aerospace Engineering Graduate Programs in the nation.

The UCF College of Engineering and Computer Sciences‘ aerospace engineering graduate program ranking reinforces the university鈥檚 legacy in a field deeply tied to Florida鈥檚 Space Coast and NASA’s recent Artemis II launch.

鈥淚t is gratifying to see the hard work and exciting research of our faculty and students recognized by our peers,鈥� says Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Jeffrey Kauffman, noting that since launching the aerospace engineering doctoral program in 2019, UCF has steadily climbed in rankings while program enrollment has grown to more than 100 doctoral students.

Fueling that growth are advances in hypersonic flight, space exploration and defense research, with UCF鈥檚 HyperSpace Center serving as a catalyst for interdisciplinary collaboration. Faculty success in securing competitive federal research funding has strengthened infrastructure and expanded opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students.

The result is a vibrant research environment where students engage directly in cutting-edge projects and build industry connections well before entering the workforce.

Across disciplines, UCF鈥檚 growth in the U.S. News & World Report’s graduate rankings reflects a shared commitment to student success 鈥� driven by faculty who mentor closely, curricula that align with real-world needs and an institutional culture focused on impact. As UCF鈥檚 graduate programs continue to climb, they reinforce the university鈥檚 role as a national leader preparing professionals to tackle society鈥檚 most urgent challenges.

Recipients will include this year鈥檚 awardees of some of the highest honors the university bestows, including: Pegasus Professor; the鈥疢edal of Societal Impact; the Reach for the Stars Award; the Big 12 Faculty Member of the Year Award; and the Champion of Student Success and Well-Being.

Also being honored are university excellence award winners; those who recently reached milestone years of service; Faculty Senate service awardees; faculty granted鈥�别尘别谤颈迟耻蝉鈥�辞谤鈥�别尘别谤颈迟补鈥�status; and retired or retiring faculty members.

This year鈥檚 celebration includes recognition of Chuck Dziuban, one of the longest-serving and most trailblazing faculty members in school history. His remarkable 55-year-career includes being UCF鈥檚 inaugural Pegasus Professor and founding director of the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning.

Starting this year at Founders鈥� Day, the Chuck D. Dziuban Award for Excellence in Online Teaching will be given to underscore the talented faculty behind UCF鈥檚 nationally renowned reputation as a leader in in online teaching and learning.

Here are this year鈥檚 faculty honorees.

Pegasus Professor Award

Hassan聽Foroosh,聽College of Engineering and Computer Science

Carmen聽Giurgescu, College of Nursing

Annette R. Khaled, College of Medicine

Matthew Marino, College of聽Community Innovation and Education

Reach for the Stars Award

John Bush, College of Business

Ana Carolina聽de Souza Feliciano, Office of Research

Shyam Kattel, College of Sciences

Kevin Moran, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Soyoung Park, College of Community Innovation and Education

Hao Zheng, College of Engineering and Computer Sciences

Medal of Societal Impact Award

Zhihua Qu, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award

Suha Saleh,聽College of Health Professions and Sciences

Big 12 Faculty Member of the Year

Deborah Beidel, College of Sciences

Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

College Awardees

Tanvir Ahmed, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Norine Blanch, College of Community Innovation and Education

Matthew Bryan, College of Arts and Humanities

Peter Delfyett, College of Optics and Photonics

Nyla Dil, College of Medicine

Katia Ferdowsi, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Murat Hancer, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Deborah Horzen, College of Arts and Humanities

Richard Jerousek, College of Sciences

Betsy Kalin, College of Sciences

Evelin Pegoraro, College of Arts and Humanities

Richard Plate, College of Community Innovation and Education

Alfons Schulte, College of Sciences

Nicholas Shrubsole, College of Arts and Humanities

Daniel Stephens, College of Community Innovation and Education

Wei Sun, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Danielle Webster, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Sara Willox, College of Business

Xiaohu Xia, College of Sciences

Widaad Zaman, College of Sciences

海角直播 Winner

Norine Blanch, College of Community Innovation and Education

Excellence in Graduate Teaching

College Awardees

Shaurya Agarwal, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Kim Anderson, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Christopher Blackwell, College of Nursing

Shannon Carter, College of Sciences

Sasan Fathpour, College of Optics and Photonics

Murat Hancer, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Dana Joseph, College of Business

Magdalena Pasarica, College of Medicine

Mel Stanfill, College of Arts and Humanities

Vassiliki Zygouris-Coe, College of Community Innovation and Education

海角直播 Winner

Christopher Blackwell, College of Nursing

Excellence in Research

College Awardees

Sarah Bush, College of Community Innovation and Education

Zixi (Jack) Cheng, College of Medicine

Enrique Del Barco, College of Sciences

Romain Gaume, College of Optics and Photonics

Nan Hua, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Kevin Mullally, College of Business

Matthew Stock, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Ladda Thiamwong, College of Nursing

Subith Vasu, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Cyrus Zargar, College of Arts and Humanities

海角直播 Winner

Enrique Del Barco, College of Sciences

Chuck D. Dziuban Award for Excellence in Online Teaching

Nicole Lapeyrouse, College of Sciences

Excellence in Faculty Academic Advising

Emily Proulx, College of Arts and Humanities

Excellence in Professional Service

Linda Walters, College of Sciences

Excellence in Librarianship

Katy Miller, UCF Libraries

Excellence in Instructional Design

Amy Sugar, Division of Digital Learning

海角直播 Award for Excellence in Mentoring Doctoral Students

Engineering, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences

Subith Vasu, College of Engineering and Computer Science

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

David Boote, College of Community Innovation and Education

海角直播 Award for Excellence in Mentoring Postdoctoral Scholars

Kausik Mukhopadhyay, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Thomas Wahl, College of Engineering and Computer Science

20 Years of Service

Haiyan Bai, College of Community Innovation and Education

Brian Barone, College of Arts and Humanities

Aman Behal, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Corinne Bishop, UCF Libraries

Joseph Brennan, College of Sciences

Mark Calabrese, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Li-Mei Chen, College of Medicine

Baiyun Chen, Division of Digital Learning

Joshua Colwell, College of Sciences

William Crampton, College of Sciences

Richard Curcio, College of Business

Donovan Dixon, College of Sciences

Martin Dupuis, Burnett Honors College

Michelle Dusseau, College of Sciences

Dorin Dutkay, College of Sciences

Kirk Gay, College of Arts and Humanities

Deborah German, College of Medicine

William Hagedorn, College of Community Innovation and Education

Joseph Harrington, College of Sciences

Fayeza Hasanat, College of Arts and Humanities

Bobby Hoffman, College of Community Innovation and Education

Elizabeth Hoffman, College of Community Innovation and Education

Alisha Janowsky, College of Sciences

Abdelkader Kara, College of Sciences

David Kwun, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Stephen Lambert, College of Medicine

Peter Larson, College of Arts and Humanities

Joseph LaViola Jr., College of Engineering and Computer Science

Edgard Maboudou, College of Sciences

Kevin Mackie, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Iryna Malendevych, College of Community Innovation and Education

Jonathan Matusitz, College of Sciences

Holly McDonald, College of Arts and Humanities

Florin Mihai, College of Arts and Humanities

Olga Molina, College of Health Professions and Sciences

George Musambira, College of Sciences

Nina Orlovskaya, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Talat Rahman, College of Sciences

25 Years of Service

Laura Albers-Biddle, College of Community Innovation and Education

Steven Berman, College of Sciences

Tarek Buhagiar, College of Business

Melissa Dagley, College of Sciences

Sabatino DiBernardo, College of Arts and Humanities

Mark Dickie, College of Business

Ivan Garibay, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Anthony Grajeda, College of Arts and Humanities

Bari Hoffman, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Steven Hornik, College of Business

Anna Jones, College of Arts and Humanities

Mikhail Klimov, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Stefanie Mayfield Garcia, College of Business

Rudy McDaniel, College of Arts and Humanities

Rachel Mulvihill, UCF Libraries

Christopher Niess, College of Arts and Humanities

Eugene Paoline, College of Community Innovation and Education

Sumanta Pattanaik, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Tison Pugh, College of Arts and Humanities

Walter Sotero, College of Sciences

Suren Tatulian, College of Sciences

Nizam Uddin, College of Sciences

Lei Wei, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Graham Worthy, College of Sciences

Shin-Tson Wu, College of Optics and Photonics

30 Years of Service

Charlie Abraham, College of Arts and Humanities

Helen Becker, College of Business

James Campbell, College of Arts and Humanities

Karl X. Chai, College of Medicine

Ratna Chakrabarti, College of Medicine

Jill Fjelstul, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Barbara Fritzsche, College of Sciences

Nora Lee Garc铆a, College of Arts and Humanities

Linwood Jones, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Alexander Katsevich, College of Sciences

Kuotsai Tom Liou, College of Community Innovation and Education

Lisa Logan, College of Arts and Humanities

Humberto L贸pez Cruz, College of Arts and Humanities

Eric Martin, Office of Research

Kevin Meehan, College of Arts and Humanities

Charles H. Reilly, Office of the Provost

Timothy Rotarius, College of Community Innovation and Education

Peter Spyers-Duran, UCF Libraries

Alexander Tovbis, College of Sciences

Laurence von Kalm, College of Sciences

Linda Walters, College of Sciences

Bruce Wilson, College of Sciences

Hong Zhang, College of Arts and Humanities

Ying Zhang, UCF Libraries

35 Years of Service

Issa Batarseh, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Alain Kassab, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Mansooreh Mollaghasemi, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Robert Peale, College of Sciences

Chung-Ching Wang, College of Sciences

40 Years of Service

Ahmad Elshennawy, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Michael Georgiopoulos, College of Engineering and Computer Science

David Hagan, College of Optics and Photonics

Anna Lillios, College of Arts and Humanities

Mubarak Shah, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Kalpathy Sundaram, College of Engineering and Computer Science

45 Years of Service

Robert Rivers, College of Arts and Humanities

55 Years of Service

Chuck Dziuban, Division of Digital Learning

Faculty Emeritus and Emerita

Lynn Casmier-Paz, College of Arts and Humanities

James Clark, College of Arts and Humanities

Teresa Dorman, College of Sciences

Chuck Dziuban, Division of Digital Learning

Amy Giroux, College of Arts and Humanities

Glenda Gunter, College of Community Innovation and Education

Michael Hampton, College of Sciences

Richard Hofler, College of Business

Robin Kohn, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Piotr Mikusinski, College of Sciences

Ram Mohapatra, College of Sciences

Donna Neff, College of Nursing

Alice Noblin, College of Community Innovation and Education

Robert Peale, College of Sciences

Trey Philpotts, College of Arts and Humanities

Robin Roberts, College of Business

Sherron Killingsworth Roberts, College of Community Innovation and Education

Lisa Roney, College of Arts and Humanities

Sybil St. Claire, College of Arts and Humanities

Terry Ann Thaxton, College of Arts and Humanities

Deborah Weaver, College of Arts and Humanities

Retired Faculty

Ahlam Al-Rawi, College of Sciences

Donna Breit, College of Nursing

Martha Brenckle, College of Arts and Humanities

Chinyen Chuo, Student Success and Well-Being

Therese Coleman, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Robertico Croes, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Juli Dixon, College of Community Innovation and Education

Teresa Dorman, College of Sciences

Chuck Dziuban, Division of Digital Learning

Philip Fairey, Office of Research

John Fauth, College of Sciences

Amy Giroux, College of Arts and Humanities

Glenda Gunter, College of Community Innovation and Education

Michael Hampton, College of Sciences

Roger Handberg, College of Sciences

C. Keith Harrison, College of Business

Randall Hewitt, College of Community Innovation and Education

Rebecca Hines, College of Community Innovation and Education

Richard Hofler, College of Business

Charlie Hughes, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Alvaro Islas, College of Sciences

Mourad Ismail, College of Sciences

David Jenkins, College of Sciences

Michael Johnson, Office of the Provost

Dayle Jones, College of Community Innovation and Education

Denise Kay, College of Medicine

Gary Leavens, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Mary Little, College of Community Innovation and Education

Humberto L贸pez Cruz, College of Arts and Humanities

Michael Macedonia, Office of Research

Wasfy Mikhael, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Piotr Mikusinski, College of Sciences

Roslyn Miller, Division of Digital Learning

Ram Mohapatra, College of Sciences

Vicki Montoya, College of Nursing

Brian Moore, College of Sciences

Donna Felber Neff, College of Nursing

Alice Noblin, College of Community Innovation and Education

Peggy Nuhn, UCF Libraries

Joyce Nutta, College of Community Innovation and Education

Jeffrey O鈥橞rien, College of Business

Bendegul Okumus, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Fevzi Okumus, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Robert Peale, College of Sciences

Trey Philpotts, College of Arts and Humanities

Brian Plamondon, Office of Research

Michael Proctor, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Enrique Puig, College of Community Innovation and Education

Pedro Quintana-Ascencio, College of Sciences

Mark Rapport, College of Sciences

Sherron Roberts, College of Community Innovation and Education

Kelly Schaffer, College of Community Innovation and Education

Elzbieta Sikorska, College of Sciences

Jo Smith, Division of Digital Learning

Sybil St. Claire, College of Arts and Humanities

Mark Steiner, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Raymond Surette, College of Community Innovation and Education

Terry Ann Thaxton, College of Arts and Humanities

Patti Thielemann, College of Nursing

Cheryl Van De Mark, College of Community Innovation and Education

Martine Vanryckeghem, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Jane Vaughan, College of Arts and Humanities

Scott Warfield, College of Arts and Humanities

Debbie Weaver, College of Arts and Humanities

Philip Wessel, College of Community Innovation and Education

James Whitworth, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Boguslawa Anna Wolford, College of Community Innovation and Education

Laine Wyatt, College of Arts and Humanities

Cherie Yestrebsky, College of Sciences

Martin Klapheke, College of Medicine

Stephen Lambert, College of Medicine

Olga Molina, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Euripides Montagne, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Darlin’ Neal, College of Arts and Humanities

Michael Pape, College of Business

Tison Pugh, College of Arts and Humanities

David Young, College of Sciences

Nicole Lapeyrouse 鈥�16MS 鈥�18PhD never knows when and where she might be recognized. Students and their significant others who have never met her in person will come up to her in stores and along sidewalks to say, 鈥淓xcuse me, but aren鈥檛 you 鈥�?鈥�

Yes, it鈥檚 her.

The chemistry and geology instructor recently walked into a coffee shop on campus and heard the barista casually singing a familiar tune: Chemsi-Tea time, Ohh-Ohh-Ohh. Flattered, Lapeyrouse said, 鈥淭hat鈥檚 my jingle. You must be in my online course.鈥�

Random encounters around the community make it clear that students are engaging with the videos Lapeyrouse produces for her classes. They learn about concepts like plate tectonics and viscosity, while also getting to know the person teaching it 鈥� she likes drinking tea, for example 鈥� and that鈥檚 the point.

鈥淚 design the classes this way because I love doing it,鈥� Lapeyrouse says. 鈥淏ut most importantly, it鈥檚 effective. That鈥檚 the end goal.鈥�

On Founder鈥檚 Day, Lapeyrouse will be recognized in public again, this time by peers who have selected her to receive the Chuck D. Dziuban Award for excellence in online teaching. The award, in its 13^th year, is named for UCF鈥檚 first Pegasus Professor and an international pioneer in online learning. Dziuban will be presenting Lapeyrouse with the award at Founders Day, where he will also be honored for his 55 years of service to UCF.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a tremendous honor because Dr. Dziuban鈥檚 name is synonymous with the pillars of good online teaching,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 heard about him when I was developing my first course. At that time, I wanted to do something different, but I had no idea where it would lead.鈥�

Merging Science with a Hidden Talent

Awards were not on Lapeyrouse鈥檚 mind when she designed her proof of concept in 2017 as a better way for one instructor to connect Chemistry Fundamentals to a class of 475 students.

鈥淭o teach the material well to that many students, I needed to be creative,鈥� she says of the flipped class that eventually supported a fully online class. Students had known Lapeyrouse as an authority on math and science, with a doctorate in chemistry from UCF to back it up. They were not aware of her love for art.

The large enrollment class, oddly enough, allowed her to apply all her interests in a flipped classroom format. Instead of developing a standard educational video with the typical PowerPoint slides and voiceover, Lapeyrouse personalized her course. She turned her garage into a studio, borrowed her sister鈥檚 camera and, after dozens of takes and hours of editing, debuted ChemisTea Time, complete with the introductory jingle.

鈥淗onestly, I just hoped it wouldn鈥檛 bomb,鈥� she says.

It didn鈥檛 bomb, although interest in her classes did explode. Feedback was so positive that she used the same video format for her geology course, which has grown from 30 students to as many as 125.

Within the videos, Lapeyrouse enters discussion boards to embed questions and scavenger hunts, and make sure students understand the material. It鈥檚 working, as evidenced by pre-test scores climbing from an average of 25% to a post-test average of 83%.

Over the years, Lapeyrouse has integrated better technology to elevate the production value and engagement of her videos. She created a teleprompter and a lightboard so she can write directly on the screen and maintain eye contact with her invisible audience.

What the students do not see is the time Lapeyrouse puts into each video: 10 hours for one 10-minute video.

鈥淲hen I see how engaged the students are,鈥� she says, 鈥渢hat makes it all worthwhile.鈥�

As a 67-year-old retiree, Amy Lendian wants you to know it鈥檚 never too late. Never too late to start over; to go for your dream career; to earn your college degree.

When the UCF Online history student assumes her spot at the console at Kennedy Space Center to lead the facility systems engineers for the upcoming historic Artemis II launch, that affirmation will echo within her once more.

鈥淚 always believed in myself and felt that I could do this,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t really is never too late.鈥�

Turning a Setback Into a Comeback

Lendian spent the majority of her adult life building her career as a fire protection engineer, helping design sprinkler systems and other fire safety infrastructure.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic happened. The construction industry came to a screeching halt. In her 60s, she suddenly faced unemployment.

鈥淚 thought, 鈥榃ho is going to want to hire me in my 60s?鈥� 鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut I made it my job to find a job. And not just any job. I set out for my dream job in the aerospace industry.鈥�

She logged in every day on her home computer to research job listings, dressed as if she was headed to an office. She sought career counseling. She joined virtual seminars to learn new software and online tools she knew she鈥檇 need to master if she wanted to break into the field. She learned how to rework her resume to leverage her relevant skills.

Her strategy and persistence paid off. She got a call back for a fire protection systems engineer position on base at Kennedy Space Center.

Finding Her Place in Space

On her first day at KSC, she attended a briefing where they discussed etiquette while serving on the console. She says it took her a moment to process what she was hearing.

鈥淚 stayed up to watch Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. I have a photo of myself as a kid standing in front of an Apollo rocket. And you鈥檙e saying you want me to be on the console during a launch?!鈥� she says. 鈥淚 thought, 鈥業鈥檓 here. I arrived.鈥� 鈥�

Lendian served on the console for the Artemis I launch in November 2022.

Although she has since retired from her formal position with KSC and moved to Chicago, she is still employed as a part-time consultant and will be there again for Artemis II managing the fire protection systems on the launchpad.

Finishing What She Started

Her late-stage career change inspired her to consider other dreams she had yet to realize. A big one has been nearly 50 years in the making.

Lendian was 19 years old when she attempted college the first time. She enrolled in the 海角直播 of South Florida鈥檚 electrical engineering program in the late 1970s. But after three years, she stopped her studies because she got married and needed to support her new family.

In 2021, she decided to resuscitate her dream of a college degree. She transferred her old credits into the program at Eastern Florida State College, earned her associate鈥檚 degree and looked to enroll in one of UCF Online鈥檚 degree programs so she could manage school with her full-time job.

The history degree she is working toward is affiliated with one of the top online institutions. UCF ranks No. 6 for Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs nationally according to the U.S. News & World Report.

鈥淚 want that bachelor鈥檚 degree,鈥� Lendian says. 鈥淚 am doing this for me. I am going to do something that I love (history). And I am going to graduate.鈥�

鈥淯CF has been building the future of online education for more than 30 years,鈥� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淭his recognition from U.S. News & World Report聽affirms the excellence of a people-first, technology-driven approach refined over decades. It reflects a university that has consistently led with innovation, delivered quality at scale and continues to set the standard for what online learning can be.鈥�

This year, UCF also ranks:

• No. 3 nationally for Online Psychology Bachelor鈥檚 Programs
• No. 5 nationally for Online Master鈥檚 in Educational and Instructional Media Design
• No. 6 nationally for Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs for Veterans
• No. 6 nationally for Online Business (Lodging and Restaurant Management) Bachelor鈥檚 Programs

Empowering Driven Non-Traditional Students

UCF is a leader in how to support learners who don鈥檛 fit the traditional academic mold, says Thomas Cavanagh 鈥�06PhD, vice provost for digital learning. These students are parents, working professionals, people with disabilities, those caring for loved ones in need and many others with distinct life circumstances.

UCF Online provides 9,000 students annually a path to a degree that may otherwise be impossible.

鈥淭aking online classes was the best way for me to be efficient as a mom and a detective at the Seminole County Sheriff鈥檚 Office,鈥� says Melissa Schuck 鈥�25, a criminal justice alum and a Florida Army National Guard sergeant. 鈥淏eing able to show my children that through two careers and being a full-time mom that I could still be a full-time student and be successful [makes all my hard work worth it].鈥�

Shuck says she鈥檚 even considering the added challenge of pursuing an online graduate degree in criminal justice, which UCF ranks No. 17 for nationally and No. 10 among veterans.

How We Lead at Scale Without Compromise

Behind each online course is a deeply collaborative process. By investing in faculty development and support, UCF Online offers an accessible path to degrees without comprising on quality.

Each semester up to 40 faculty members complete a rigorous, graduate-equivalent course to prepare them for how to best teach students in the unique environment of online learning while meeting academic standards.

鈥淭he same faculty who teach on campus , teach online, which is a hallmark of our quality,鈥� Cavanagh says. 鈥淲e partner with faculty to develop intentionally designed, media-rich courses for our students. We emphasize that the proven practices of consistent assignment schedules, engagement and responsiveness lead to a more engaging learning experience for students, as well as achieve better outcomes.鈥�

More than 150 Center for Distributed Learning staff members work with 2,000 faculty across the university to develop and enhance UCF鈥檚 online programs.

That same intentionality extends to student success. UCF Online鈥檚 dedicated coaching staff supports prospective and current students with the application process, applying for financial aid, signing up for classes, connecting them to resources and more.

鈥淲e meet students where they are 鈥� and we walk with them,鈥� says Tasha Williams 鈥�12 鈥�17MNM, director of student coaching for UCF Online.

Redefining Online Education for Tomorrow鈥檚 Workforce

This year鈥檚 recognition reflects that UCF Online continues to be at the forefront of digital learning. To lead this charge, instructional designer, multimedia specialists, assessment experts and other staff combine their insights with tools such as artificial intelligence to evolve academic offerings.

This includes exploring opportunities to redesign courses for disciplines like nursing 鈥� which UCF ranks No. 17 for online graduate programs nationally 鈥� from 16 weeks to eight weeks while meeting industry standards.

鈥淲e鈥檙e never finished,鈥� Cavanagh says. 鈥淐ontinuous improvement is part of our culture 鈥� whether that鈥檚 refining how we support faculty, enhancing the student experience or rethinking how programs are structured to meet today鈥檚 workforce demands.鈥�

A national leader in online education and the top supplier of talent to the nation鈥檚 aerospace and defense industries, the 海角直播 established the new MBA program to support the space commercialization industry and a global space economy that is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035.

鈥淲e have world-class researchers, direct connections to the space industry and the very best location,鈥� says Greg Autry, associate provost for space commercialization and strategy at UCF and President Trump鈥檚 nominee to become NASA鈥檚 chief financial officer. 鈥淚 want students to come to UCF knowing they can participate in an industry that鈥檚 about to take off, no matter what field they鈥檙e interested in. This is the place to launch the next stage of your career.鈥�

The UCF space MBA brings together UCF鈥檚 excellence in space and online education and is designed to develop forward-thinking leaders who will shape the future of the commercial space sector. With a curriculum focused on space commercialization, business strategy and innovation, graduates will be ready to lead in fast-growing and high-impact roles across the commercial space, aerospace, government, startups and emerging tech industries.

The MBA will be a fully online, part-time graduate business program spanning 24 months in which students will take a set of core MBA courses plus four electives focused on space entrepreneurship, governmental and commercial space finance, space leadership and the global space domain. With a flexible, asynchronous format, this program allows students to learn from anywhere on Earth 鈥� or even in orbit.

With more than 25 years of experience providing top online degrees, UCF is a trusted source for innovative education technology and is recognized among the nation鈥檚 leaders in online education. Classes in more than 130 fully online degree programs are led by world-class faculty with extensive industry and academic experience who prepare students well to thrive and advance in their careers.

鈥淭he space industry isn鈥檛 the future. It鈥檚 happening now. Our new space MBA will put talent at the center of that movement,鈥� says Paul Jarley, dean of the UCF College of Business, which will be offering the new program. 鈥淯nder Dr. Autry鈥檚 leadership, the space MBA will develop business pioneers ready to drive innovation in space commercialization. This is an important step in the business school becoming a key asset in supporting UCF’s mission to鈥痓e Florida鈥檚 Premier Engineering and Technology 海角直播.”

Autry leads the college鈥檚 efforts to deliver executive and MBA programs in space commercialization while helping America鈥檚 Space 海角直播 craft and implement a roadmap for its space efforts. Before joining UCF in 2024, he was the director and clinical professor of space leadership, policy and business at the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State 海角直播. He serves as the vice president for space development at the National Space Society and chairs the Business Case sub-committee for NASA鈥檚 In Space Production Applications program, which sends manufacturing experiments to the International Space Station.

Applications are open now until Dec. 1, with classes beginning in Spring 2026. Visit to learn more and apply.

From engineering, healthcare and criminal justice to nursing, hospitality, leadership and management, and education, UCF has grown its portfolio of fully online programs to offer students a wide range of options that support our workforce needs and fuel a pipeline of skilled professionals across a range of in-demand industries and sectors.

Given the breadth of these academic offerings, U.S. News & World Report has once again affirmed the quality of UCF鈥檚 online degrees by placing the university ninth in the nation for Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs.聽This recognition marks the fourth consecutive year UCF鈥檚 online programs have been ranked in the top 10, a testament to our expert faculty鈥檚 commitment to maintaining the highest standards of academic quality and excellence. Of the 15 UCF national rankings from U.S. News & World Report, seven programs made the top 10, one made the top 15, and six were in the top 50.

• No. 4 for Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs in Psychology
• No. 8 for Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs for Veterans
• No. 8 for Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs for Business 鈥� Lodging & Restaurant Management
• No. 9 for Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs Overall
• No. 12 for Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs
• No. 17 for Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs Overall
• No. 17 for Best Online Graduate Computer Information Technology Programs Overall
• No. 39 for Best Online Graduate Engineering Programs Overall

UCF Online programs are able to provide flexibility for thousands of students to succeed even as they juggle jobs and family responsibilities. No matter where students reside, UCF Online is committed to supporting fully online students from application to graduation. This commitment makes it possible to earn a high-quality, convenient and affordable degree without needing to set foot on campus.

聽UCF Online Statistics

• UCF has been recognized for its top 10 Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs overall for the last four years (2022-25) and a top 20 overall Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs for the past eight years (2018-25).
• UCF is meeting students’ needs where they are, with fully online students residing in 64 Florida counties, 49 states and 17 countries (2023-24).
• UCF鈥檚 experience in online education is evident, as over 1 million credit hours of digital learning has been taught at UCF (2023-24).
• UCF鈥檚 fully online programs are helping supply talent to industry at scale, with over 13,000 fully online students awarded degrees in the last decade.

鈥淯CF continually pushes boundaries to deliver exceptional learning experiences,鈥� says President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淥ur world-class faculty 鈥� leaders in both academia and industry 鈥� ensure our programs remain at the forefront of innovation. We remain focused on growing our reputation as a national leader in online education, preparing students to thrive and advance in their current careers and seize opportunities in the future.鈥�

Advancing Industry and Empowering Students for Career Success

UCF鈥檚 top-ranked online programs align closely with industry demands, fueling Florida鈥檚 workforce by preparing graduates who are ready to excel. Our offerings span critical areas like healthcare and engineering, directly supporting key initiatives such as educating 25,000 future engineers.

UCF already partners with many leading companies, including Duke Energy, Lockheed Martin, L3 Harris, Northrop Grumman, NASA and Siemens Energy, in engineering and computer science; Advent Health, Nemours Children鈥檚 Health and Orlando Health in healthcare; Electronics Arts in digital media; and many more.

Leveraging technology and innovative online teaching delivery, our faculty equip students with the skills needed for immediate career advancement, ensuring they thrive in a competitive job market.

UCF Faculty Are Primed to Help Students

The support doesn鈥檛 stop there: UCF Online鈥檚 highly skilled faculty are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to help students earn bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees, doctoral degrees and graduate certificates. Students are able to better their lives through distance learning thanks to the flexibility of UCF Online鈥檚 many programs. Before they teach any online class, every instructor receives 80 hours of demanding training.

In addition, the UCF Online Connect Center team works with students as advocates and guides throughout their fully online academic experience at UCF. Success coaches are available to help students locate resources and create effective strategies to ensure their success. These skilled success coaches are specifically trained, motivational partners鈥痺ho help students along the path of their academic journey, providing high-level support, coordination and guidance for UCF Online students from the time of admission through graduation.

鈥淯CF began offering online courses in 1996 and in the ensuing decades has excelled at delivering quality distance learning and continually innovating,鈥� says Tom Cavanagh, vice provost for Digital Learning at UCF. 鈥淭he ongoing refinement of UCF Online programs is thanks to our expert faculty, development support team and online success coaches.鈥�

Helping Students Achieve Their Goals 鈥� Even if They鈥檙e 1,000 Miles Away

Prospective students may worry about their ability to handle online coursework 鈥� especially if they live in a distant part of the U.S. or abroad. But they needn鈥檛 wring their hands over it. UCF Online offers flexibility in coursework, giving students the opportunity to succeed whether it鈥檚 for a bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 or graduate degree.

Max Melguizo is a good example. He attended UCF but decided to take another route along the way: joining the U.S. Air Force before finishing his studies. The now 26-year-old hadn鈥檛 attended college classes in more than four years 鈥� until he discovered UCF Online classes.

鈥淚 joined the Air Force in 2020, and my goal is to become a fighter pilot,鈥� Melguizo says. 鈥淚鈥檓 stationed in Illinois, which is pretty far from my previous home in Orlando, so initially I was concerned about being able to manage everything. But with online courses I don鈥檛 have to worry about going anywhere for tests or quizzes. It鈥檚 very convenient.鈥�

Andrea Guzm谩n, vice president for access and community engagement, works with veterans and others affiliated with the military, as well as first-generation college students, students with disabilities and unique abilities, and students with limited resources.

鈥淯CF Online programs are consistently ranked among the best because they are designed to meet military students wherever they are stationed around the globe,鈥� Guzm谩n says. 鈥淯CF Online programs have the flexibility needed for military students to complete their educational objectives and advance their career goals. Dedicated UCF Online success coaches ensure military students are on the right path to success.鈥�

Of the gold-ranking schools, UCF earned the highest score for resources, 86.5. This pillar considers institutional funding dedicated to online academic activities, the ratio of online faculty to students and the number of hours of professional development for online faculty.

鈥淯CF’s online programs excel through an unparalleled ecosystem of support, where the Division of Digital Learning empowers faculty with expert instructional design, advanced media production and innovative technological resources that transform digital education,鈥� says Thomas Cavanagh 鈥�06PhD, UCF鈥檚 vice provost for digital learning. 鈥淭his holistic approach extends directly to students through dedicated online success coaches and a responsive technical support team, ensuring that every learner has the tools, guidance and assistance needed to thrive in a dynamic, virtual learning environment.”

The only other U.S. universities that ranked gold were Arizona State 海角直播 (Tempe) and American 海角直播. UCF is one of 56 total schools to make the list.

Knight Nation also earned a 71.5 score for outcomes, 71.1 score for environment and 56.8 score for engagement. These four pillars cover 17 total metrics, which include factors like number of programs, among others.

Creating Paths to Student Success

At UCF, students thrive with a strategic mix of online, blended and face-to-face courses. In Fall 2023, about 65% of all UCF students took at least one fully online course.

鈥淥nline courses enabled students to continue studying through the COVID-19 pandemic and provide access to higher education for those living in conflict areas such as Ukraine,鈥� The Times Higher Education stated in its release. 鈥淭hey bring the possibility of qualifications to those living in education deserts, and of professional development to lifelong learners.鈥�

One striking example of this commitment is UCF Online international and global studies alum Mia Willard ’24, who continued her studies from Kyiv, Ukraine, during the ongoing conflict. Her resilience underscores the extensive support UCF extends across geographic and situational boundaries to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

From admission to graduation, each academic year UCF Online supports over 8,000 fully online students who can access a range of services including academic advising, library services, career support, tech support and more.

Among the resources UCF provides to students are online success coaches, who are advisors dedicated to working one-on-one with each person to understand their academic and career goals. To reach these, online success coaches help develop realistic strategies and a plan for each student鈥檚 path to success at UCF. They also assist students with balancing their academic pursuits with other life priorities.

鈥淭he [online] success coach-student partnership is crucial because academics are directly affected by external challenges, so we work together to help students achieve the best possible results,鈥� says Tasha Williams, director of student coaching.

Dedicated Online Faculty and Staff

UCF faculty also receive dedicated support and training to ensure they鈥檙e providing the best online learning experience for students. Faculty creating new online courses must complete 80 hours of professional development with an instructional designer. UCF also provides 35 hours of training for faculty who want to teach existing online courses.

Through this training, participants attend live seminars and consultations, complete web-based activities, and develop online or blended course materials. To date, nearly 2,000 faculty have completed Professional Development for Teaching Online, an award-winning, non-credit instructional design course. More than 3,400 fully online courses have been developed at UCF.

The Center for Distributed Learning (CDL), part of the Division of Digital Learning, assists with providing this instruction and resources for teaching online. The staff at CDL include award-winning professionals such as members of Video@CDL, a team that produces and manages multimedia for online classes at UCF.

鈥淲e are committed to creating content that improves the student learning experience and adds real value,鈥� says Aaron Hos茅, media production manager and lead producer. 鈥淭his is why we do what we do at the Center for Distributed Learning 鈥� to help elevate the quality of media used in online courses.鈥�

Extensive Online Program Offerings

UCF Online offers more than 130 fully online programs, including 34 bachelor鈥檚, 49 master鈥檚, 43 graduate certificates and 5 doctoral degrees. From psychology to nursing, these academic offerings provide a convenient way for students to start a new or elevate their existing career across in-demand industries.

Among UCF鈥檚 new online programs is the criminal justice 鈥� professional track bachelor鈥檚 program, which not only provides students with the academic training needed to work in policing or corrections but also the state certification needed for these careers. The new track also embeds courses that culminate in a鈥�certificate in criminal justice management and leadership.

鈥淭he ultimate goal for the professional track is to equip students who want to serve their communities as they work toward becoming the next generation of law-enforcement leaders,鈥� said Associate Profess辞谤鈥疌ory Watkins, the professional track coordinator, in a story about the program.

Earlier this year, UCF was also named No. 7 in the nation for Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs by U.S. News & World Report. In 2023, UCF Digital Learning was awarded the Power Learner Potential Award by 1EdTech.

In Spring 2024, 12 students in the undergraduate nonprofit management program housed at UCF Downtown influenced the distribution of $115,000 to philanthropic organizations around Central Florida. This was the main objective of Nonprofit Leadership Seminar, the program鈥檚 capstone course.

Stephanie Krick, senior lecturer of in the College of Community Innovation and Education, says the course teaches students how community foundations distribute donors鈥� money in responsible and meaningful ways.

鈥淚t’s a strategic philanthropy project where students learn the importance of investing in sustainable and reliable organizations,鈥� Krick says. 鈥淭his course is often the first opportunity students have to look at philanthropy from a donor鈥檚 perspective.鈥�

To accomplish their goal, Krick鈥檚 students conducted grant research on behalf of the Central Florida Foundation. Established in 1994, the foundation drives social change through strategic investments and collaborative partnerships. Sandi Vidal, the foundation鈥檚 vice president of community strategies and initiatives, says its mission is to build community by building philanthropy.

鈥淲e focus on working with charitable investors to make a difference,鈥� Vidal says. 鈥淲e think about various problems in the community and how to apply capital to help solve them.鈥�

Working closely with mentors, the students utilized community portfolios intended to fund various causes, such as animal welfare, senior care, Jewish services, support for medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s or lung diseases, and homeless services. After researching nonprofits related to these causes, the students chose three or four from each category.

Victor Suarez says his group took a top-down approach to choosing the most appropriate nonprofits.

鈥淲e looked at all local organizations in the portfolio and reached out to the ones that were aligned with the foundation鈥檚 goals of sustainability and long-term solutions,鈥� Suarez says. 鈥淲e contacted them and discussed their needs. If we felt they fit the essential specifications, we visited them and asked more questions.鈥�

The students toured the select organizations and learned about projects in need of funding. Using this information, the students then identified which organizations aligned best with donor interests and presented their findings to the Central Florida Foundation board of directors.

鈥淭he students didn鈥檛 make the final decision, but they shared their research, answered questions and explained why they believed these were great organizations and projects for the foundation to invest in,鈥� Krick says. 鈥淗owever, the board voted on the students鈥� recommendations and ultimately approved them all.鈥�

Based on these recommendations, the Central Florida Foundation granted a total of $35,000 from the Jewish services and services to the poor portfolios. That included $9,000 to The Sharing Center for case management certifications, $7,500 to the Orlando Torah Academy for its ESL curriculum and supplies, and $18,500 to the Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando for its Pearlman Food Pantry project.

The foundation also allocated a total of $35,000 from the animal welfare portfolio to three related nonprofits. Little Ray Children鈥檚 Books received $5,000 for new computers, Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando received $10,000 for an animal transportation vehicle, and the Central Florida Zoo received $20,000 for its peccary habitat.

Additionally, the foundation distributed $35,000 from the seniors portfolio to caregiver center Share the Care for its behavioral health services.

Suarez says the project helped him understand the importance of examining nonprofits and showed him the many ways they can be organized.

鈥淎 lot of the bigger nonprofits knew exactly what they needed to move forward while other nonprofits were unsure of their needs,鈥� Suarez says. 鈥淚 think it’s important for nonprofits to analyze themselves to understand what they need to be successful.鈥�

Looking ahead, Krick hopes to create more collaborative opportunities for her students by utilizing the downtown campus鈥� proximity to numerous community partners and nonprofit organizations.

鈥淲e鈥檙e seeking to develop partnerships that are beneficial to students, organizations and communities,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hat’s what I’m looking for 鈥� any opportunity to have my students out in the field and learning from the people who are doing the work.鈥�

鈥淲hen I saw that question before our conversation, it was the first time I contemplated it,鈥� Willard says. She pauses for a moment, which is something she has rarely taken time to do since Russia began bombarding her Ukrainian homeland more than two years ago. 鈥淵ou could say my educational journey has not been a traditional one.鈥�

Willard isn鈥檛 referring to a transfer or to taking online classes for four years 鈥� she hasn鈥檛 thought much about those twists in her path toward a degree in international and global studies. She鈥檚 been trying to focus on classwork from some of the worst war-torn areas of Ukraine. The assignments, honestly, have been secondary to providing aid for people, narrowly surviving landmines and missiles, rescuing animals from the rooftops of homes underwater and recovering from the shock of finding the bodies of civilians in villages and small settlements.

Here comes another logical question: Why didn鈥檛 you leave Ukraine, especially since you have U.S. citizenship? She doesn鈥檛 need to think very hard about this one.

鈥淚 have a high stress resistance,鈥� Willard says. 鈥淚n some ways I feel more comfortable going into danger and fighting for what I believe in than trying to escape it.鈥�

Let鈥檚 back up for some much-needed context about this nontraditional educational journey. Midway through 11^th grade in Ukraine, she moved to Florida to finish high school while living with an aunt she鈥檇 met only once.

鈥淚 knew that earning a diploma in the United States would provide the best runway into college and the career I envisioned,鈥� Willard says.

She saw herself one day facing the challenges of international affairs, legal matters, and politics. For her freshman year of college, she attended American 海角直播 in Washington D.C., the epicenter of all the topics that excited her, before personal reasons pulled her back home to Ukraine 鈥� Kyiv, to be exact. There, she landed a job with a think tankand became involved in journalism and research.

鈥淎t that point it made sense to stay in Ukraine and pursue a college degree online,鈥� Willard says. 鈥淚 chose UCF because the university offered a broad online program that allowed me to continue working fulltime.鈥�

Threats from neighboring Russia had been hovering over Ukraine for centuries, first in attempts to abolish Ukrainian artists, thinkers, even the language. But Willard, like many people, did not think Russia would act on its 鈥渋mperialistic ambitions鈥� and start a full-scale war, even as its military built up an ominous presence along Ukraine鈥檚 eastern border. In fact, she remembers nothing out of the ordinary in and around her office on February 23, 2022. After work, however, she was told an invasion was imminent. It would happen at 4 a.m.

As night quietly ticked toward morning, Willard poured herself a glass of wine and stayed awake by updating her news feeds every 30 seconds.

鈥淣othing happened,鈥� she says, 鈥渟o sometime after four o鈥檆lock, I tried to go to sleep.鈥�

At 4:57 a.m., a friend from Florida texted to ask if everything was OK. Willard sensed that everything was not OK. Three minutes later, she heard the first bombs falling on Kyiv. Her 15^th floor apartment shook. The explosions grew louder and more frequent.

鈥淓verything became a blur,鈥� Willard says. 鈥淟ike most people, I鈥檝e read historic materials about wars and watched documentaries. But I never imagined waking up to a war outside my windows.鈥�

And yet she did not panic or flee on the morning of Feb. 24, 2022. Her first move was to try helping a friend who ran a morning news show, but she found out the bridges near her home were closed. Next, she contacted Ukraine鈥檚 Territorial Defense Force to sign up for duty and help protect Kyiv.

鈥淭hey already had such an influx of volunteers that I was dismissed in about three seconds.鈥�

At some moment during the most surreal, incomprehensible day of her life, Willard sent an email to her UCF professors with the following request: 鈥淐an I please have an extension on my assignments because of the full-scale war here?鈥� Then Willard went out to find water and to offer help to anyone who needed it. For the next week, whenever evening came, she sheltered in a basement with her sister and their mother.

鈥淟eaving was not a choice we wanted to make,鈥� she says. 鈥淢y mother has no relatives or sponsors to take her in. She would not want to be a wandering refugee. But I鈥檇 also be lying if I said I wasn鈥檛 scared about Chechen forces closing in on Kyiv 鈥� they鈥檙e known for brutality and rapes.鈥�

A friend from the U.S. would check on Willard every day.

鈥淗is check-ins kept me sane,鈥� she says.

The blur that began the morning of Feb. 24, 2022, has never fully subsided for Ukrainians. In her work and volunteerism, Willard has seen things that cannot be described here, all from a war she and her countrymen did not choose. The power outages that have altered her sleep patterns and interrupted online classwork are inconsequential in the bigger picture that she wakes up to every day.

鈥淥ur world has been altered,鈥� Willard says, 鈥渂ut it does not stop.鈥�

As she finishes her degree from UCF while working full time, Willard is also weighing an offer to work at the U.S. embassy in Kyiv. This leads to another question often asked of new college graduates: 鈥淗ave your experiences uniquely prepared you for your career?鈥�

鈥淕oing through any type of conflict would give applicants a benefit, that鈥檚 the pragmatic answer,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut the real answer is, I have no idea. I鈥檓 still wondering when and where the next mortar might land when I鈥檓 by the frontlines with aid.鈥�

After answering these questions during a phone call at 11 p.m. in Kyiv, she will complete her last final exam for the class Emerging Space Powers.

鈥淚n the midst of my life, I haven鈥檛 stopped to think of this as a major culmination. And honestly, I do not consider my story to be brave or heroic. It takes away from the actual heroes: Our military, energy workers and emergency personnel. I鈥檓 just doing my best, like everyone else.鈥�

Asked once more, perhaps encouraged this time, about celebrating graduation, Willard lets out a deep breath and a gentle laugh, and says, 鈥淢aybe I鈥檒l sip the glass of red wine that I never had a chance to finish.鈥�