Four outstanding undergraduate students are redefining the boundaries of STEM through their high-impact research — and in doing so, placing the university among the nation’s top producers of Goldwater Scholars.

The prestigious Goldwater Scholarship identifies and supports the nation’s best student researchers in the fields of engineering, mathematics and natural sciences.

This year’s honorees — all expected to graduate next spring — have propelled UCF into an elite tier of research institutions, surpassing several Ivy League institutions and tying for fourth in the nation in total Goldwater Scholars produced alongside Stanford University, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago. Their impactful work reflects UCF’s commitment to building a high-level research environment that empowers students to lead projects addressing significant global and scientific challenges.

Supporting Space Exploration

Goldwater Scholar: Keanu Brayman

Major: Mechanical engineering

Ultimate Goal: To develop robotic systems to support human exploration on Mars.

Keanu Brayman’s passion for space began early.

“One of my earliest memories is watching a Space Shuttle streak across the sky from a beach in South Florida,” Brayman says. “I remember being amazed there were people on board and feeling drawn to one day help explore the stars and discover what lies beyond our planet.”

ɫ����, Brayman has refined that dream with the support of faculty and mentors — including Associate Professors Adrienne Dove (physics) and Tarek Elgohary (mechanical and aerospace engineering), and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Engineer Christopher Proctor — as well as through programs like the .

He plans to pursue a doctoral degree in aerospace engineering to support lunar exploration and NASA’s Artemis program, as well as develop robotic systems that can extract resources and build infrastructure to support human exploration on Mars.

Engineering the Brain

Goldwater Scholar: Kyle Coutray

Majors: Computer engineering and biomedical sciences

Ultimate Goal: To research ways to restore communication, movement and cognitive function to the brain through engineering methods.

Kyle Coutray is focused on the intersection of neuroscience and technology.

“I’m interested in building systems that interact directly with the brain,” Coutray says. “In the lab, … [I’m] blending [both majors] into one approach.”

He aims to pursue a doctoral degree in neural engineering to further his research on brain-computer interfaces that translate complex brain activity into useful functions.

A 2026 Order of Pegasus inductee and a Burnett Honors Scholar, Coutray credits his success to disciplined focus and strong mentorship, particularly from Charles N. Millican Professor of Computer Science Joseph LaViola and Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Helen Huang.

Advancing Patient Care

Goldwater Scholar: Varun Nannuri

Major: Molecular and cellular biology

Ultimate Goal: To pursue a career as a physician-scientist.

Varun Nannuri is driven by a desire to understand why people experience different health outcomes and improve care.

“Through my clinical experiences, I have seen how much patients and families rely on physicians during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” Nannuri says. “My research experiences have shown me that better care depends on asking better questions.”

Nannuri plans to pursue a dual M.D./Ph.D. degree and become a physician-scientist. His ambition earned him recognition as a 2026 Order of Pegasus inductee and led to the completion of his Honors Undergraduate Thesis. Nannuri is also a member of the Burnett Honors College as a Burnett Medical Scholar, a program that offers guaranteed admission to the UCF College of Medicine upon completion.

“UCF has given me opportunities to grow as a student, researcher, leader and future physician,” Nannuri says.

Restoring Human Senses

Goldwater Scholar: Trevor Overton

Majors: Electrical engineering and biomedical sciences

Ultimate Goal: To improve the lives of people with disabilities through advanced robotic prostheses.

Burnett Honors Scholar Trevor Overton’s work centers on neuroengineering and next-generation prosthetics.

“I’ve always had a passion for building things, and I also love reading and watching sci-fi,” Overton says. “When UCF offered me the opportunity to join the MEDD [ … I knew I had to take it.”

UCF’s MEDD program provides scientifically driven students like Overton with a unique opportunity to integrate engineering principles into medicine.

Much like the development of cochlear implants, Overton imagines similar breakthroughs with vision and touch.

“I envision a future where robotic prostheses are so advanced that they could completely replace or enhance the abilities of humans,” Overton says. “It’s not entirely impossible.”

After earning a doctoral degree in electrical engineering with a focus on neuroengineering, he hopes to inspire the next generation — just as his professors inspired him — emphasizing that UCF’s strength lies in professors who actively invest in their students.

A Growing Research Powerhouse

With four 2026 Goldwater Scholarship recipients, UCF continues to strengthen its position as a leader in undergraduate research. The achievement reflects both students’ immense dedication and a university-wide commitment to driving innovation, mentorship and hands-on discovery. As these Knights prepare for the next steps in their academic journeys, they carry forward a shared mission: to turn research into real-world impact.

Students interested in applying for the Goldwater Scholarship or other major national awards should contact the Office of Prestigious Awards at opa@ucf.edu.

That’s because every dollar ripples far beyond a single day. Every gift opens doors: for students to chase a dream, create unforgettable memories, boldly invent the future and be recognized for their hard work. And every donor does more than give — they ignite potential, spark inspiration and elevate Knights for generations.

With UCF Day of Giving 2026 right around the corner — Thursday, April 9 — we’re reflecting on the transformational effects and personal stories of triumph that emerged from last year’s show of support, knowing that shortly, our collective contributions will set another wave of Black & Gold breakthroughs, successes and discoveries into motion.

Prioritizing Unique Opportunities

Area of Support: College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean’s Excellence Fund
Amount Raised: $67,421
Impact: Learning experiences

Growing up in rural Ohio, Jordan Hires, an aerospace engineering major and Burnett Honors College Scholar, often gazed at the boundless night sky, inspired by the astronauts from her home state of Ohio. Moving 1,000 miles away for college was daunting, but manageable. With her sights set on becoming a chief engineer for deep space flights, UCF offered two key benefits: a renowned aerospace engineering program and proximity to NASA.

“It’s the best decision I’ve made,” she says.

Since becoming a Knight, she’s done backstage tours at NASA, met with industry leaders from Mitsubishi, Siemens Energy and Lockheed Martin, and even talked to a former astronaut at an awards ceremony. This past summer, she worked alongside Professor Kareem Ahmed in the Propulsion and Energy Research Lab as a U.S. National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) fellow, testing a solution to remove heat from engines — research that could make hypersonic aircraft safer and cheaper. It was her second research experience as an undergrad.

“I don’t know if it’s every little girl’s dream to work on classified projects with military and civilian applications, but it definitely was this little girl’s dream,” she says. “Thanks to UCF, I’ve had experiences that most students don’t get until graduate school.”

Many of those opportunities are made possible by the College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean’s Excellence Fund, which supports hands-on learning, cutting-edge research equipment and innovative initiatives.

Supporting Lasting Memories

Area of Support: Marching Knights Scholarship Fund
Amount Raised: $14,067
Impact: Multiple scholarships for band members

For UCF Marching Knights President Zoie Taverna, two moments define her UCF experience: the rush of running onto the field for her first game and the bittersweet joy of singing the alma mater song alongside her best friend for their final game before graduation.

“For three whole years, we stood next to each other in the stands, screaming, feeding off each other’s energy,” Taverna says. “For her last game, we went all out. We couldn’t even talk by the end of it. We cried while singing the alma mater.”

Taverna is among the Marching Knights whose experiences at UCF are bolstered by the Branen Band Endowed Scholarship, which helps cover essentials like textbooks, meals and rent that her Bright Futures scholarship does not. As a mechanical engineering major, band leader and corresponding secretary for the national chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, she packs her days with coursework, practice and student engagement.

During the summers, she works full-time at a summer camp for kids, and she spends her weekends and evenings at Panera Bread to save up enough to cover the expenses to allow her to stay focused while in school.

“Without scholarships, I wouldn’t have the time to do extracurriculars, such as Marching Knights, where I get to represent UCF in Central Florida and around the world,” she says. “And I wouldn’t get to spend every Saturday in the Bounce House with all of my friends, immersed in the band life we love.”

Illuminating Pathways

Area of Support: College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL)
Amount Raised: $54,880
Impact: $4,880 Went Toward Supporting 19 scholarships for attendees

This summer, high school student Chloe Phung left the bright lights of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to spend a week immersed in the study of light on UCF’s campus. As part of the third Laser and Photonics Summer Camp hosted by CREOL, she joined more than 50 high school students from across Central Florida — and around the world.

“I had the chance to learn many things, to learn more about optics, lenses and lasers,” Phung says.

In addition to learning opportunities, the camp shines a light on the photonics industry, where more than 10,000 jobs open each year in the U.S., despite only 80 to 100 students in the nation graduating with bachelor’s degrees in photonics annually. A third of those graduates come from CREOL.

Paying it Forward

Area of Support: Dr. Michelle R. Dusseau Communication and Community Impact Endowed Scholarship Fund
Amount Raised: $1,780
Impact: $1,500 scholarship for one communication major, awarded annually

Beatrix Alerte transferred to UCF in Spring 2024 with a plan: build community on campus, explore a career in media, stay active in service and say yes to every opportunity.

The first three goals came naturally. She enrolled in classes, mentored two freshmen as part of the UCF chapter of Big Sister Little Sister mentoring program and served as a trip coordinator for the Alternative Spring Break Program. Alerte also gained work experience as a marketing ambassador for Project BEST, a Student Support Services project that supports first generation students, and as an intern with UCF Athletics.

Her final goal was made easier this summer when Alerte was named the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Michelle R. Dusseau Communication and Community Impact Endowed Scholarship, created this past year by longtime the College of Science‘s Nicholson School of Communication and Media faculty member Michelle Dusseau.

“This scholarship has given me the freedom to say yes to career-building opportunities, many of which are unpaid, while worrying less about covering

personal living expenses,” Alerte says. “That support makes all the difference.”

This UCF Day of Giving, we’re launching Knights to new heights! Save the date to on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Check out the to maximize your impact. And get ready to join your Knight Nation family as we Bounce, Stomp, Splash and Cheer our way to more impact than ever before.

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, University 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

Our students are groundbreaking national and global scholarship winners, researchers, athletes, teaching assistants, residence assistants and leaders in campus organizations, including Student Government, LEAD Scholars and the President’s Leadership Council. The honorees include transfer students, those from first-generation and international backgrounds and members of the Burnett Honors College.

Aside from focusing on academics and campus causes, many of the student honorees volunteered at hospitals, schools, parks, food banks, shelters, clinics, youth clubs and with many community service organizations — at times as organizers and coordinators for support drives and campaigns.

“When you look at this group, you see trajectory.” — John Buckwalter, UCF’s provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs

“The students we recognize at our Founders’ Day Student Honors Celebration are extraordinary not just for what they’ve achieved, but for how they’ve shaped their time at UCF. They’ve pursued opportunities, challenged themselves and lifted others along the way,” says John Buckwalter, UCF’s provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “When you look at this group, you see trajectory — students whose experiences here are opening doors in meaningful ways and changing the direction of their futures, the trajectories of their families and the communities they inhabit.”

Student award categories highlight new inductees of the Order of Pegasus, UCF’s highest student honor; graduate awards for outstanding master’s thesis and outstanding dissertation; undergraduate awards for honors thesis; and individual college awardees as chosen by the respective college deans. All honorees earned financial awards.

This year’s 37 inductees into the Order of Pegasus mark the 25^th anniversary class of top-achieving Knights. The average GPA of the 2026 class is 3.912.

The campus community is invited to attend the Student Honors Celebration on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Student Union’s Pegasus Ballroom. A brief reception will follow.

Here are the students to be recognized.

Order of Pegasus Inductees

• Fatima Alziyad, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Andy Ayup, College of Sciences
• Megan Bailey, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
• Stacie Becker ’23, College of Arts and Humanities
• Akash Hari Bharath ’25MS, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Swati Bhargava ’25MS, College of Optics and Photonics
• Sanjana Bhatt, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Griffon Binkowski ’24, College of Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Ossyris Bury, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
• Nico Chen, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College
• Kyle Coutray, College of Medicine, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
• Allyson Crighton, College of Nursing and Burnett Honors College
• Nyauni Crowelle-Feggins, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Cameron Cummins, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College
• Andrew “Drew” Hansen ’25, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Andrea Hernandez Gomez, College of Sciences
• Lindsey Hildebrand, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Ariana Johnson, College of Medicine
• Sanjan Kumar ’23, College of Medicine
• Kworweinski Lafontant, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Meera Lakshmanan, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Abrianna Lalle, College of Nursing
• Ilana Logvinov, College of Nursing
• Hannah Lovejoy, College of Business
• Taiel Lucile, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Robin Marquez, College of Sciences
• Shanel Moya Aguero, College of Community Innovation and Education and Burnett Honors College
• Gabrielle “Gabby” Murison, College of Sciences
• Varun Nannuri, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Natalie Otero, College of Business and Burnett Honors College
• Om Pathak, College of Medicine, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College
• Pritha Sarkar ’24, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Jacob Vierling, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Janapriya Vijayakumar, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Ornella Vintimilla, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Om Vishanagra, College of Medicine, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College

Undergraduate Student Awards

College Founders’ Award

• Liam Pivnichny, Burnett Honors College
• Antonella Bisbal Hernandez, College of Arts and Humanities
• Jordan Nell, College of Business
• Jude Hagan, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Ossyris Bury, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Timothy Horanic, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Sun Latt, College of Medicine
• Abrianna Lalle, College of Nursing
• Jacob Silver, College of Optics and Photonics
• Emily Willis, College of Sciences
• Fabian Rodriguez Gomez, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis

• Edwin Garcia ’25, College of Arts and Humanities, Outstanding Honors Thesis in Arts, Humanities and Creative Inquiry
• Eric Haseman ’25, College of Sciences, Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis in Social Sciences
• Shreya Pawar ’25, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis in Natural Sciences
• Andrea Molero Perez ’25, College of Medicine, Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis in Health Sciences
• Nicholas Rose ’25, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Outstanding Honors Thesis in Engineering and Technology

Graduate Student Awards

Outstanding Dissertation

• Jessica Moon ’25PhD, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Michael Pierro ’20 ’23MS ’25PhD, College of Engineering and Computer Science

With its 12th class in 11 years, the 30 Under 30 program recognizes alumni under the age of 30 whose professional achievements, leadership and service reflect the bold spirit, values and impact of the ɫ����. The program also underscores UCF’s role in developing highly skilled graduates who fuel innovation, service and economic impact in Florida and beyond.

“These alumni embody the spirit ɫ���� in every sense,” says Heather Junod ’98, associate vice president of alumni engagement and annual giving. “Each year, my pride grows as we recognize a new class of 30 Under 30 honorees who are leading with integrity, creativity and courage. Their achievements are extraordinary, but what inspires me most is their commitment to service — to their communities, their professions and their alma mater. They remind us all of the power of a UCF education and the impact Knights can make when they dare to lead.”

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

• Must be a graduate ɫ���� (undergraduate or graduate degree)

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

• Must demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a lifelong relationship with UCF and upholding UCF Young Alumni values

“On behalf of the UCF Young Alumni Community, congratulations to the remarkable members of the 2026 Class of 30 Under 30,” says Austin Wilson ’22, chair of the UCF Alumni Community. “These honorees represent the future of Knight Nation. Their ambition, leadership and dedication to making a difference reflect the values that connect us as alumni. We are proud to celebrate not only what they have already accomplished, but the incredible impact they will continue to make as leaders, mentors and advocates for UCF.”

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

Cassandra Allen ’18
�����������ǰ�’s��������health sciences

Samantha Archer Stoltz ’24
�����������ǰ�’�������� biology
Burnett Honors College

Chloe Artrip ’19 ’23DPT
�����������ǰ�’�������� health sciences
Doctorate in physical therapy

Coral Barron Patraca ’19
�����������ǰ�’�������� aerospace engineering
Burnett Honors College

Ana Beltran ’19 ’24MFA
Bachelor’s in digital media-game design
Bachelor’s in emerging media-animation
Master’s in emerging media-animation and visual effects 

Mishka Brice ’19
�����������ǰ�’�������� political science
Burnett Honors College

Taya Britten ’20
�����������ǰ�’�������� interdisciplinary studies 

Brenden Brown ’20 ’23MHA
�����������ǰ�’�������� health sciences
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� health administration

Dominic Davis ’21
�����������ǰ�’�������� human communication

Jalynn Edmon ’25
�����������ǰ�’�������� nursing

Olivia Feild ’20 ’22MS
�����������ǰ�’�������� forensic science
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� forensic science
Burnett Honors College

Marshall Fornataro-Minnig ’22MS
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� interactive entertainment 

Katherine Grand ’23 ’25MHA
Bachelor’s in health services administration
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� health administration

Michele Guillard ’20
�����������ǰ�’�������� health sciences
�����������ǰ�’�������� interdisciplinary studies
Burnett Honors College

Margaret Hall ’22
�����������ǰ�’�������� legal studies
Burnett Honors College

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

Jaquesha Jefferson ’22
�����������ǰ�’�������� health sciences

Derreasha Jones ’21 ’24MA
�����������ǰ�’�������� psychology
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� counselor education 

Mailuce Louidor ’20
�����������ǰ�’�������� nursing

Faith McFarland ’19 ’22MA
�����������ǰ�’�������� psychology
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� clinical psychology

Hannah Miner ’20
Bachelor’s in forensic science

Lawrence Oks ’21 ’22MS
�����������ǰ�’�������� computer science
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� computer science
Burnett Honors College

Jillian Pirozzi ’22 ’25MHA
�����������ǰ�’�������� health sciences
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� health administration

Emily Puia ’22
�����������ǰ�’�������� human communication

Matthew Rall ’19
Bachelor’s in emergency management

Michael Raymond ’19
�����������ǰ�’s������ business economics

Shaina Ruth ’18
�����������ǰ�’�������� criminal justice 

Maximillian Seidel ’18
Bachelor’s in management

Autumn Shackelford ’25PhD
Doctorate in physics

Nicholas Vaughn ’19
�����������ǰ�’�������� biology

Why this year is significant for UCF: From the 13,000 graduates who applied for the fellowship nationwide, the NSF awarded only 1,500 (about one in nine). Those honorees receive financial support for advanced education and a stipend for their research. Six of them are UCF alums who are now set up to advance research in the areas of interest they discovered as undergraduates.

If you only remember one item: The NSF considers these six graduates among our nation’s next high-achieving scientists and engineers.

Alejandro Aparcedo Gonzalez ’24

Computer science alum and computer vision graduate student

He’s working on his master’s in computer vision at UCF, with an eye on “advancing video understanding with multimodal artificial intelligence (AI).” In short, Gonzalez sees into the future.

Research Interest: In professional terms, I’m finding ways for computer vision to improve human understanding of the real world. In practical terms, the end goal is to give humans time for leisure activities. The way I see it, that’s essentially the goal of AI research.

Research Inspiration: My parents owned a computer shop when I was a kid, so I’ve always been comfortable with technology. Turns out, my parents (like a lot of people) still had a lot to learn. Now they use AI in their own work, and I see how it leaves them more time to engage in other activities.

For Example: With the perfect video understanding model, we could make a device to help blind people to navigate the world by asking the device questions, like, “Is it safe to cross the street?” Using AI, the device would understand the visual context of traffic, obstacles, and pedestrian signals, and give reliable guidance.

How UCF Provided a Path: I was introduced to this field in the Center for Research in Computer Vision, the same place where I learned about the fellowship. I’m now the first person in my family to pursue a Ph.D.

Career Vision: I’d like to work in a top AI lab and then transition into academia — or maybe the other way around.

Madisyn Brooks ’23

Physics alum

As Gonzales sees into the future, Brooks sees into the past, using the largest telescope in space — the James Webb Space Telescope — as a doctoral student at the University of Connecticut.

Research Interest: I study the earliest observable galaxies and black holes (BHs) to find out how they grow and evolve, and how they differ from those in closer galaxies like the Milky Way — always asking why.

Research Inspiration: It’s simple — I love observational astronomy. It’s amazing that we can use technology to observe objects that existed in the first 500 Mega years of the birth of the universe.

How UCF has Provided a Path: I studied Saturn’s rings in the Planetary Rings group under the direction of Dr. Joshua Colwell. That fun and welcoming environment allowed me to grow my skills and discover a new love: observational data analysis.

Career Vision: I came to UCF because of its connection to the Space Coast, and now I’m looking at the real possibility of working as a research scientist at a NASA institute, hopefully while also working at a planetarium.

Katia Destine ’25

Interdisciplinary studies alum, Burnett Honors Scholar and

She just began work on a doctoral degree in sociology at the University of Maryland where, thanks to financial support from the NSF Graduate Fellowship, she’s training to be a social scientist.

Research Interest: I look at working-class artists and the creator economy to find how power structures work in media, technology, community resources and public policy. My goal is a more equitable media landscape, better working conditions for artists and accessible resources for all.

Research Inspiration: My mother immigrated from Haiti and raised me on housekeeper wages. I realized higher education would be the best way to improve our social mobility and socioeconomic reality. Those experiences ignited my interest in researching social [dynamics] in media.

How UCF has Provided a Path: The clubs and organizations at UCF were my first steps. Then I did a study with Dr. Sharon Woodill on Hollywood’s socio-political and economic structures. I’m grateful for the McNair Scholarship, which helps low-income and first-gen students prepare for graduate school while mentoring undergraduate researchers.

Career Vision: I want to work as a social scientist and public scholar, and to make science more equitable and accessible to everyone.

Darrell Nieves Lugo ’24

Aerospace engineering alum and graduate student

The B.S.-to-M.S. aerospace program at UCF allowed him a seamless transition to begin focusing on his rotorcraft research, with plans to share his research with aerospace professionals through the NSF Fellowship.

Research Interest: Helicopter and tiltrotor blades can be unstable. So, I’m using computational fluid dynamics and machine learning to show that instability can be mitigated through a novel approach.

Research Inspiration: As kid from Puerto Rico, I visited KSC with my family in 2015. That experience filled me with awe and instilled a desire to be an aerospace engineer.

How UCF has Provided a Path: As a sophomore, I participated in a quadcopter design project through my engineering club (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) … and got hooked. Making FPV (first-person view) drones became my hobby, which grew into a specific interest in computational methods.

Career Vision: I’d like to advance the technology of rotorcraft, planetary vehicles, and in the emerging field of air mobility. With God’s favor, perhaps I can inspire the next generation, especially those from Puerto Rico, to push the boundaries of what is possible.

Chris Sarkis ’22

Biology alum

She grew up in Orlando, enrolled at UCF to stay close to the ocean, and is staying in the place she loves so she can pursue a doctoral degree in integrative and conservation biology.

Research Interest: My interests center around the population genomics of fish and rays. By using DNA, we can better understand how populations are related, how they move and how they adapt to their environment. The end goal is to improve species management and conservation efforts.

Research Inspiration: I’ve always been captivated by how much we don’t know about the ocean and the species living in it. This research feels like working on a giant puzzle with no edges.

How UCF has Provided a Path: I joined Dr. Anna Forsman and Dr. Erin Seney in the Marine Turtle Research Group to use genomic methods in a study of the sea turtle diet. That project inspired me to continue applying genomics to ecology and conservation.

Career Vision: I’m still exploring options, but my experiences at UCF have helped me uncover a passion for working with genomic data.

Connor Shrader ’23

Mathematics alum and Burnett Honors Scholar

Because the NSF Fellowship is portable, Shrader has landed at the University of Utah, which he calls an amazing place to be a mathematics doctoral student. “A mathematical biologist, to be exact,” he says.

Research Interest: I use math tools, such as probability and calculus, to model and simulate biological processes. These models can then be used to test theories against data, or to predict what will happen if we alter a biological system.

For Example: These models can help us understand how aging affects male fertility. I’m currently doing that by using data from a biology lab that studies spermatogonia stem cells in zebrafish.

Research Inspiration: Math inspiration is all around us. I find it amazing how well math can represent the world in a way that meaningfully creates new understanding.

How UCF has Provided a Path: I always loved math but didn’t know about mathematical biology until I took a course with Dr. Andrew Nevai during my sophomore year. It became my field of interest.

Career Vision: I want to do interdisciplinary research that advances math and biology. The NSF honor doesn’t define my future goals, but it does give me autonomy to work my way closer to them.

Students interested in applying for the U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship program or other major national awards should contact the Office of Prestigious Awards at opa@ucf.edu.

Angelouise De La Cruz

Fulbright Location: Spain
Fulbright Role: English Teaching Assistant (ETA)
UCF Degree: Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
Future Goals: International University Educator

Angelouise De La Cruz’s love of Spanish traditions and language began with food and has led her to an incredible cascade of cultural opportunities. Growing up in a Filipino Spanish household, she watched her grandmother prepare escabeche and paella, recipes that were passed down from her great-grandfather who emigrated from Madrid. That family story became a powerful motivation for De La Cruz to explore the Spanish traditions that was part of her history more deeply.

“My journey with the Spanish language and [traditions] is not only driven by … curiosity but also feels deeply familial,” she says.

In 2022, this reverence took her to Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona through UCF’s Barcelona International Summer School program, where she took courses that explored the European Union’s social policy as well as Spanish history from the Moorish period to the modern era. Taking part in these critical discussions and in the traditions-based experiences she had outside the classroom broadened her sense of global citizenship. They also inspired her to act as a ambassador who could move between languages and communities with empathy and curiosity. She additionally took part in a clinical internship in Sydney, Australia, which also further deepened her global perspective. It also reminded her just how much she admired Spain’s language. Upon attending a Spanish festival in Australia, she found herself deeply missing the Spanish traditions and food she had already experienced in Spain.

ɫ����, De La Cruz majored in health sciences with a focus on kinesiology, blending her scientific interests with a passion for education and international service. As a supplemental physics instructor during the pandemic, she honed her teaching skills by designing lessons that met students where they were academically and personally, a strategy she plans to take with her to her classroom in Spain. On her Fulbright mission, De La Cruz says that “it is now [her] turn to give back and aid students in Spain in developing a connection with the English language.” She is most excited to deepen her relationship with Spanish traditions, empower students through language and grow as an educator through her experiences with the Fulbright Grant.

Advice to Future Applicants: “Be honest and authentic. Make sure to highlight your unique personal experiences to let the writing flow naturally,” De La Cruz says. “This may mean taking time to self-reflect and think about how all of your experiences shape you and your mission. Reflect on how you’ve already impacted your communities and how you intend to do so in the future.”

Francisco Del Prado

Fulbright Location: Poland
Fulbright Role: English Teaching Assistant
UCF Degree: Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Future Goals: Doctoral Candidate and University-Level Educator

Francisco Del Prado first heard about the Fulbright ETA grant while earning his certificate in teaching English as a foreign language when professors and guest speakers described their own experiences abroad. By the time he began his master’s in TESOL at UCF, he was set on a career in English language teaching and began to narrow his focus. He realized his strongest interest was in working with adults, students who bring their own professional and cultural perspectives into the classroom. That led him to Poland, where ETAs can teach at the university level and work closely with faculty and students in an academic setting.

His teaching experience covers a range of ages, settings and geographic contexts. ɫ����, he taught undergraduate courses in applied linguistics and sociolinguistics, helping students explore the relationship between language theory and real-world teaching. In Dublin, he taught English to teenagers from across the globe, leading conversation clubs that encouraged students to share their own traditions while learning about Irish life. In Orlando, he worked with adult learners pursuing academic degrees or advancing their careers, designing lessons and workshops that reflected their specific goals. He approaches each classroom with an awareness of how a student’s first language shapes their learning, noting that even small differences, like the way Polish speakers hear certain English vowel sounds, can open opportunities for clearer communication.

In September, Del Prado will join the Faculty of Philology at the University of Białystok. He plans to incorporate interactive activities, such as American game shows adapted for language learning and traditional exchanges that invite students to explore both English and American life. He sees the Fulbright as an opportunity not only to deepen his teaching skills, but also to connect with a community that already feels familiar through past encounters with Polish friends and family connections. Del Prado says that the program is a way to continue the kind of cultural exchange that first inspired him to teach.

“Participating in the Fulbright Program in Poland will give me invaluable experience on the path to achieving my academic career goals,” he says.

After the grant, he plans to pursue a doctorate in applied linguistics and teach at the university level, sharing his Fulbright experiences with future educators.

Advice to Future Applicants: “Build genuine relationships with professors, mentors and supervisors who can speak to your work,” Del Prado says. “And expect the process to take time. There can be long stretches between application and results, so keep yourself busy with classes or work while you wait.”

Julia Going

Fulbright Location: South Korea
Fulbright Role: U.S.-Korea Presidential STEM Initiative Award at Yonsei University
UCF Degree: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering,
Future Goals: Global Researcher and Collaborator

Julia Going’s path to Fulbright began in her hometown of Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Growing up there, she was exposed to the environmental consequences on waterways were impacted by industrial sources. As a teenager, she attended U.S. Environmental Protection Agency meetings and shadowed cleanup workers at one of the town’s Superfund sites. This experience reshaped how she saw her community and inspired her to pursue environmental engineering. She says that it “forever altered the way [she] saw [her] hometown and gave [her] the confidence to believe [she] could make an impact.”

ɫ���� and as a Burnett Honors Scholar, she brings that passion into focus as a student researcher working on environmental sensing technologies. She’s also a Division I rowing coxswain. Both of these roles have taught her discipline, resilience and the value of collective purpose.

Going’s time in South Korea will not be her first time abroad. In Summer 2024, she traveled to Busan, South Korea, to conduct NSF-funded research at Dong-A University, where she worked on optimizing nanomaterials for energy applications. Alongside master’s and doctoral students in South Korea, she worked on optimizing nanowire fabrication for use in supercapacitors. She immersed herself in both lab practices and daily life. She spent her evenings exploring Busan, riding the subway and bonding with colleagues over street food. These experiences deepened her appreciation for the intersection of science and traditions. They sparked her Fulbright mission to return to South Korea and contribute to hydrogen energy innovation through advanced materials research.

The Fulbright Grant is more than just a research opportunity for Julia. She sees Fulbright as a bridge between the U.S. and South Korea, but also between lab work and practical experience.

“I hope that my experience in South Korea will not only help me hone my research skills and make strides in materials for green energy but also provide a network of academic colleagues to collaborate with and a wider understanding of the global scientific community,” she says.

After completing her grant, she plans to pursue a master’s in materials science and engineering at Stanford, with the goal of returning to South Korea for postdoctoral work and building long-term collaborations in green energy innovation.

Advice to Future Applicants: “Start the application early, especially when it comes to securing a letter of affiliation,” Going says. “Identify a potential university and professor in advance. Sometimes, it helps to reach out to professors at your home institution, as they may have international connections who can help facilitate this process.”

Oscar Lopez

Fulbright Location: Spain
Fulbright Role: English teaching assistant
UCF Degree: Master of Arts in Spanish
Future Goals: Doctoral Candidate and Educator

Oscar Lopez’s path to Fulbright began with his graduate studies in Spanish at UCF, where his research and coursework centered on Peninsular literature from the Medieval period to the 18th century. As he reached the final stages of his program, Lopez says he saw living and teaching in Spain as “a unique culmination to [his] intense study of the literature coming out of Spain.” For him, the experience will allow him to engage directly with the traditions and history that have shaped his field of study. Teaching English at the university level in Spain felt like a natural next step for both his professional growth and his own curiosity.

Lopez’s teaching experience spans a variety of roles, from tutoring undergraduate Spanish students at UCF to serving as instructor of record for multiple elementary-level Spanish courses. These roles strengthened his ability to connect with students through literature, history and cultural analysis. His academic background is paired with a strong commitment to communication, both as a discipline, through his undergraduate degree in communication studies and as a skill, cultivated through years of public-facing work. He also draws from his Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage, which deepens his interest in how language and identity intersect, especially in multicultural classrooms.

In September, Lopez will travel to Spain to join a university community where he plans to create opportunities for dialogue inside and outside the classroom. He says he hopes to design lessons that highlight “the different components of language and [traditions that] come from Spain,” while also encouraging students to explore American literature, film and traditions. He sees the Fulbright year as a chance to reflect on his own path, gain new perspectives on life in Europe and consider the kind of educator and leader he wants to become. After the grant, he plans to pursue a doctorate in educational leadership and continue teaching at the high school or university level, with a focus on empowering students to embrace their heritage and step outside their comfort zones.

Advice to Future Applicants: “Gather as much information as possible! Befriend people on social media, look at other Fulbright grantees’ LinkedIn accounts and reach out,” Lopez says. “You will be shocked by the warmth and willingness that people have to guide and support in whatever way they can.”

Zaima Aline

Fulbright Location: Singapore
Fulbright Role: Open Study/Research Award
UCF Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, Burnett Honors Scholar
Future Goals: Global Physician-Scientist

Raised in Bangladesh, where access to advanced healthcare isn’t always accessible, Burnett Honors Scholar Zaima Aline experienced firsthand how geography and circumstance can shape the course of a medical crisis. In 2019, her cousin was diagnosed with a rare cancer. Her family turned to Singapore for his treatment because his condition was so uncommon and local options were limited. Aline says that the exposure this experience gave her to the complexities of cancer and the limitations of existing treatments “sparked the path that would eventually lead [her] toward medicine and research.” It also drew her to study in Singapore because of its cutting-edge biomedical research environment and strong government-university-industry collaboration, particularly in cancer research.

Her proposed Fulbright project focuses on developing a 3D in vitro model of glioblastoma integrated with a blood-brain barrier system using hydrogels, which will help study drug delivery and therapy resistance within the tumor microenvironment. Her research interest stems from her prior projects at the Mayo Clinic, where she worked on two major research projects focused on brain cancer. For Aline, these experiences built technical skills, developed a practical, working interest in therapy resistance and positioned her to take on more advanced 3D modeling work.

Aline hopes her Fulbright experience will allow her to learn more from international research systems like Singapore’s, where she says “academic institutions and biotech industries work together in ways that accelerate discovery and translation.”

She says she sees this kind of global perspective as essential to the physician-scientist she aims to grow into. Her long-term goal is to contribute to medicine, specifically cancer treatment, on a global scale. She views her coming Fulbright experience as a critical cultural step on that path.

Advice to Future Applicants: “Tell your story honestly and ensure your project clearly aligns with program requirements and the Fulbright mission,” Aline says. “Make sure to show why you’re the right fit for both the research and ambassadorship. After you submit your application, let go of the outcome in your head and trust yourself through the waiting process.”

Additional Selections

Astrid Faulkner was selected for a Fulbright ETA award in Germany.

Darya Sulkouskaya (Burnett Honors Scholar) was selected for a Fulbright ETA award in Spain.

If you have any questions about the Fulbright U.S. Student Program or other scholarships and awards, please reach out to the UCF Office of Prestigious Awards by emailing opa@ucf.edu

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

President Alexander N. Cartwright announced Monday that UCF has reached the 12 metrics required to earn the designation of Preeminent State Research University 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 University 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.

“ɫ����, 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 ɫ����’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 University for Engineering, Technology and Innovation, and become a top 25 public research university.

Since its inception in 2017, the Shining Knights Alumni Awards have honored individuals whose impact transcends campus and community. The inaugural awards were presented to former UCF President John C. Hitt and his wife, Martha, who became the university’s first Honorary Alumni. Among the most prestigious distinctions is the Michelle Akers Award, presented to alumni whose achievements have brought global acclaim to UCF — named for the legendary 1989 graduate, Olympic gold medalist, and one of the greatest soccer players of all time.

“This year’s honorees are nothing short of inspiring,” says Heather Junod, associate vice president for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving. “Each has illuminated their field with brilliance, carried UCF’s values into the world, and uplifted the lives of others in ways that make our entire Knight Nation proud. They are proof that when Knights charge on, the world takes notice.”

Distinguished Alumni Award

The highest honor bestowed annually upon a UCF graduate.

Kenneth Dixon ’75
A visionary leader and champion ɫ����, Dixon’s influence spans more than five decades — from founding the Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting to advancing UCF Athletics and student career development. His generosity has elevated UCF’s reputation and inspired generations of Knights to pursue greatness. Dixon’s steadfast commitment has shaped UCF into a powerhouse for academic and athletic achievement, leaving a legacy that will transform both individuals and the university for generations.

Kevin ’92 and Christine Wydra ’93
For more than three decades, the Wydras have enriched UCF through leadership, generosity and vision. Their commitment inspires students and alumni to carry the torch forward. From supporting scholarships to advancing programs that fuel innovation and community impact, Kevin and Christine have left a lasting mark on campus life and cultivated a culture of giving that will inspire Knights for years to come.

Jason Eichenholz ’95MS ’98PhD
Eichenholz is a serial entrepreneur, executive, philanthropist and recognized pioneer in laser and optics. Over the past two decades, he founded multiple companies that have raised over a billion dollars of investor funding. He is the current CEO and founder of hollow core fiber company Relativity Networks. When he’s not reshaping industries, Eichenholz dedicates himself to serving others — both as a volunteer firefighter and EMT, and through his greatest passion: the Jonathan’s Landing Foundation, a nonprofit creating a comprehensive community for adults across the autism spectrum.

Cathleen Wheatley ’17DNP
As president of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Davie Medical Centers, Wheatley leads with excellence while championing nursing education through the Knightingale Society. Her leadership has touched thousands across North Carolina and the world. Known for her vision and compassion, she has strengthened healthcare delivery and inspired the next generation of nurses and healthcare leaders.

John C. and Martha Hitt Honorary Alumni Award

The highest honor for a friend ɫ����

Mary Palmer
A global educator and founder of the Florida Alliance for Arts Education, Palmer has enriched generations through teaching, philanthropy and advancing arts education statewide. Her advocacy has opened doors for countless students, while her mentorship and leadership have cultivated a community that values creativity as central to learning and growth. Palmer’s vision continues to inspire students and educators to pursue excellence and innovation in the arts.

N. Donald Diebel Sr.
A retired physician whose leadership sustains the UCF College of Medicine’s KNIGHTS Clinic, Diebel ensures vital healthcare for various communities. Beyond his clinical work, he has championed programs that train future physicians in service and empathy. His dedication has improved countless lives and inspired students and colleagues to embrace medicine as both a science and a calling.

Young Alumni Award

The highest annual honor for a recent 30 Under 30 honoree.

Padmavathi Ganduri ’21
From first-generation college student to serving in the Department of Homeland Security, Ganduri is now pursuing her juris doctor at George Washington University with ambitions to return to public service and make an even greater impact.

Distinguished Student Award

The highest honor for a current UCF student.

Ossyris Bury
An aerospace engineering major and Burnett Honors College Scholar, Bury has mentored hundreds of STEM students, welcomed thousands of prospective Knights and earned national recognition for her research in structural dynamics. Her leadership and excellence embody UCF’s bold future.

This fall, these strengths will continue to benefit the graduating Knight as he begins his professional career with Northop Grumman.

“I’ll be looking to get into the field of engineering and robotics,” he says.

Before coming to UCF, Koopman was inspired by his father — who completed three tours in the Army Reserves after 9/11 — to enlist and make an impact through service. By joining the military he also knew he’d have an affordable path to an education that would in turn serve him for the rest of this life.“If I could get an education while serving my country, that would be a dream job,” says Koopman, an Iowa native who came to UCF after being encouraged by family who live in Florida.

During his time at UCF, Koopman took on leadership roles in the engineering program and completed two internships at Northrop Grumman. He’s also led research at the Wearable Engineering Assistive Robotics Lab, where he’s developed a robotic tendon-driven hand exoskeleton for simulation purposes. A novelty of this development is the base framework for the glove, he says.

“For a hand exoskeleton meant to be used in a virtual environment, complete hand dexterity needs to be kept,” Koopman says. “Not only can range of motion and degrees of freedom not be interfered with, but they also need to be replicating to provide opposing force against the user. This meant that I spent a lot of time researching and analyzing the biomechanics of the human in all its amazing complexity.”

Koopman also took advantage of the Engineering Leadership and Innovation Institute, eli2, at UCF.

“That included mentoring project leaders, managing technical resources and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration,” he says.

He also worked with UCF’s Florida Space Institute to showcase an engineering Mars rover project using 3D printing. The final prototype served as a platform for virtual simulation, rehabilitation and robotics research, Koopman says.

Koopman says he hopes to use his education and experiences at UCF to achieve his goals of earning a master’s in robotics and leading a company one day.

“I have the vision of one day starting my own robotics company developing exoskeletons, which is related to my research,” he says.

“I came to realize during my time in academia that I love the problem-solving aspect of engineering.”

Koopman credits a large part of his personal and professional growth to involvement with various clubs on campus, including First Step, a mentorship program for transfer students.

“I really appreciate all the support and resources that have been provided to me,” Koopman says.