Name:聽Christopher Emrich
笔辞蝉颈迟颈辞苍(蝉):听Boardman Endowed Professor of Environmental Science and Public Administration and聽founding member 色花堂鈥檚 National Center for Integrated Coastal Research

Why are you interested in this research?
A main reason stems from my childhood in Florida 鈥� constantly being exposed to a variety of hazards and seeing how communities were impacted in different ways.聽Being able to study geography at a state university, the 聽University of South Florida, and then completing my Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina under the tutelage of leading experts in the field really helped solidify that I wanted to become an expert in both the hazards themselves and what we can do to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and rebound from them.

My time with FEMA supporting long-term recovery in Florida pushed me further to understand what is keeping people from recovering as quickly as some might expect.聽Tying all of these strings together really helped me pinpoint that one of the problems is that people are thirsty for knowledge.聽Learning how to turn data into information in order to extract meaningful knowledge has positioned me into a place that has meaning and impact for those attempting to make real-time decisions about hazards and disasters 鈥� from before the storm through the recovery period.

Who inspires you to conduct your research?
Seeing the suffering that takes place following disaster 鈥� suffering that could be avoided if society (people, governments and organizations) took the right steps to prepare for disasters 鈥� is what really drives what I do.聽I think that we can make simple changes to the way we do business that could lead to really impactful positive outcomes for disaster survivors.

How does UCF empower you to do your research?
UCF has given me space and opportunity to explore the different aspects of hazard threat identification and vulnerability assessment.聽 Partnering with experts at DIST, and partners at FDOH, and the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (among others) 聽we have been able to create open access websites like hazardaware.org,聽vulnerabilitymap.org,聽hazardrisk.org, and the Florida Public Health Risk Assessment tool (flphrat.com).聽 Each of these share the common goal of translating data into knowledge to support better emergency management decision making and preparedness planning.

What major grants and honors have you earned to support your research?
Since arriving at UCF, I have been awarded $10.8 million across 34 different extramurally supported grants and contracts.聽This includes grants of over $300K from funders including the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine鈥檚 Gulf Research Program, the State of Florida, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Along the way, I have been awarded UCF鈥檚 Research Incentive Award twice (2021 and 2026) and UCF鈥檚 Luminary Award.

Why is this research important?
American political philosopher John Rawl鈥檚 once said, 鈥淭he natural distribution is neither just nor unjust; nor is it unjust that persons are born into society at some particular position.鈥�

I think it is a responsibility of each person, each organization, each governmental entity 聽鈥� and society as a whole 鈥� 聽to support those who need the most help among us.聽If we do not, how can we ever hope to move our society into a better position? My research supports making decisions that help those in most need, including those most at risk and with the least resources, to be better positioned for the next disaster.

This year鈥檚 tournament will be the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by three nations 鈥� United States, Canada and Mexico 鈥� and the first to include an expanded field of 48 teams from across the globe. Eleven U.S. cities will host 78 matches June 11 鈥� July 19, including the championship match in New York and third place playoff in Miami.

This historic event coincides with the United States鈥� 250th anniversary聽and marks the first time since 1994 the country has hosted the men鈥檚 World Cup.

Here鈥檚聽a look at some of the Knights bringing this event to life.

Izzy Angel 鈥�23

叠补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚听颈苍听丑耻尘补苍听肠辞尘尘耻苍颈肠补迟颈辞苍

Role:听惭别诲颈补听辞辫别谤补迟颈辞苍蝉听补苍诲听蝉别谤惫颈肠别蝉
FIFA location: Atlanta

I will be supporting media logistics, guiding photographers and press to designated areas, and facilitating press conferences and interviews. One of the biggest ways UCF prepared me for this opportunity was through its emphasis on networking, collaboration and real-world experience. That mindset opened doors to internships, jobs and experiences that helped me gain confidence in putting myself out there and connecting with people.

It鈥檚 been really fulfilling to meet people with completely different backgrounds and life experiences who are all coming together over a shared passion. Being part of something on such a global scale and feeling that sense of community has been incredibly special.

Brendon Boseja 鈥�25

Bachelor鈥檚 in聽integrated聽business

Role:聽Senior聽coordinator,聽Client Group Management聽Accreditation
FIFA site: Miami

色花堂, I learned to network and make many connections in the industry and to continue these relationships. This has especially helped me throughout FIFA, especially since my main job is to communicate with every stadium involved in the tournament. Working for a sports organization as big as FIFA has been a dream of mine, and to be involved with an event like the World Cup is surreal to think about.

Taylor Culver 鈥�23 鈥�26MSBM 鈥�26MBA

Bachelor鈥檚 in kinesiology
惭补蝉迟别谤鈥檚听颈苍听蝉辫辞谤迟听产耻蝉颈苍别蝉蝉听尘补苍补驳别尘别苍迟
Master鈥檚 in business administration

Role:聽Event聽executive, FIFA Fan Festival
FIFA site: Houston

鈥淏ecause of the connections, mentorship and opportunities I gained through UCF, these experiences expanded my confidence and showed me that I truly belong in this industry.鈥�

My role is to help create and execute large-scale fan experiences that bring the energy of the World Cup to life outside of the stadium. Being able to contribute to an event of this magnitude is both humbling and motivating, and I know it will be one of the most impactful experiences of my career. UCF prepared me for this opportunity by putting me in real-world sports environments early and constantly challenging me to grow as a leader. Through the program and my experience as a recruiting assistant for UCF Athletics with the football team, I learned how to operate in fast-paced environments where organization, communication and adaptability are critical. Because of the connections, mentorship and opportunities I gained through UCF, these experiences expanded my confidence and showed me that I truly belong in this industry.

Daniel Garzon 鈥�23 鈥�24MSBM 鈥�24MBA

叠补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚听颈苍听别濒别尘别苍迟补谤测听别诲耻肠补迟颈辞苍
惭补蝉迟别谤鈥檚听颈苍听蝉辫辞谤迟听产耻蝉颈苍别蝉蝉听尘补苍补驳别尘别苍迟
Master鈥檚 in business聽administration

Role:聽Workforce聽integration聽senior聽coordinator,聽Tournament Operation Center Services
FIFA site:聽Miami

I started my journey at FIFA as an intern with the volunteer management team shortly after graduating from the DeVos Sport Business Management program in 2024. As a recruitment coordinator, I spearheaded communications and recruitment strategy while sourcing and scheduling thousands of candidates. Now in my new role, I will be in the heartbeat of the headquarters of the tournament, fulfilling operational needs for all departments while manipulating data to make informed decisions for all the venues during the World Cup.

Risako Karasawa 鈥�21

Bachelor鈥檚 in entertainment management
Graduate student majoring in sport business management

Role: VIP Tour Coordinator/Translator
FIFA site:聽Dallas

I serve as the primary point of contact for a VIP delegation from Japan. My responsibilities include coordinating transportation and logistics, providing interpretation and translation support, and ensuring a seamless experience throughout the visit. Combining my passions for sports, entertainment and hospitality, this opportunity feels like the perfect intersection of everything I love. Through both the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and the DeVos Sport Business Management Program, I have gained practical experience through hands-on opportunities working with professionals across the industries in event planning, guest experience, sponsorship and stakeholder management that prepared me for this incredibly exciting opportunity.

William Mendez 鈥�26MSBM 鈥�26MBA

惭补蝉迟别谤鈥檚听颈苍听蝉辫辞谤迟听产耻蝉颈苍别蝉蝉听尘补苍补驳别尘别苍迟
Master鈥檚 in business聽administration

Role: Team protocol liaison officer
FIFA site:聽Miami

I will provide operational support as a main point of contact for the teams鈥� protocol representatives, managing VIP/VVIP seating, ticket distribution and logistics. I鈥檓 truly excited to be part of an event of this magnitude because FIFA 鈥�26 goes beyond sports by bringing people together across cultures from all over the world.鈥疶he DeVos Sport Business Management program at UCF has played a major role in preparing me for this moment, giving me the hands-on experience and confidence I need to contribute to an event of this scale.

Colin O鈥橳oole 鈥�26MSBM 鈥�26MBA

惭补蝉迟别谤鈥檚听颈苍听蝉辫辞谤迟听产耻蝉颈苍别蝉蝉听尘补苍补驳别尘别苍迟
Master鈥檚聽in business聽administration

Role: Accreditation center coordinator
FIFA site:聽Boston

I grew up watching the World Cup and always dreamed of being part of the most watched sporting event in the world. My experience in the soccer industry through both professional and volunteer roles gave me a strong foundation, and the DeVos program broadened my perspective. It exposed me to the business side of the industry, while simultaneously connecting me with incredible mentors and peers, ultimately giving me the confidence and network to land this opportunity with FIFA.

Connor Pank 鈥�17

Bachelor鈥檚 in聽management

Role:听罢别补尘听蝉别谤惫颈肠别蝉听惫别苍耻别听辞蹿蹿颈肠别谤
FIFA site: Tampa, Florida

The sport business management minor at UCF offered plenty of opportunities to gain practical experience in the industry. My junior year, I was fortunate enough to land a season-long internship at Orlando City Soccer Club in the game day operations department, which then turned into a full-time position with seven amazing seasons of constant growth and experiences that I am forever grateful鈥痜or.

Being involved in a FIFA World Cup has been a personal goal of mine since my early days with Orlando City SC, when we hosted a U.S. Soccer vs.聽Panama World Cup Qualifier聽ahead of the聽2018 FIFA World Cup.聽Every team聽participating聽in the World Cup chooses a designated home base,聽which includes the team hotel, training聽site聽and other operational support facilities as needed. My role is centered around acting as FIFA鈥檚 primary operational lead on-site for Cabo Verde鈥檚 home base in Tampa to ensure a seamless, world-class experience.

Annie Quaile 鈥�06

叠补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚听颈苍听尘补谤办别迟颈苍驳

Role:聽Venue聽manager,聽FIFA Fan Festival
FIFA site: Atlanta

I act as the bridge between FIFA, Atlanta and the commercial and operational partners delivering the Fan Festival experience. My role focuses on coordinating event聽logistics, operations, guest experience, VIP and talent management, and partner integration while ensuring FIFA brand standards are upheld throughout the event.

One of the biggest takeaways from my experience at UCF was learning how to balance creativity,聽leadership聽and problem-solving under pressure, which is聽essentially the聽foundation of live event and operational management.聽The FIFA World Cup is one of the few truly global experiences that brings together people from every background,聽culture聽and country around a shared passion.聽All of聽the planning, coordination and operational work happens behind the scenes for months, so finally seeing people from around the world聽gathering together, celebrating and creating memories is incredibly rewarding.

Andres Sifontes 鈥�24

Bachelor鈥檚 in communication

Role:聽Coordinator, Accreditation Documentation and Training Operations
FIFA site: Houston

I joined the FIFA team in September 2024, supporting preparations for both Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 2026. In my role now, I oversee Accreditation Center operations in Houston, assist volunteers, and ensure that key stakeholders 鈥� including partners like Coca-Cola, Adidas and Visa 鈥� receive proper credentials. UCF鈥檚 communication program, and especially my聽Communication Research Methods听笔谤辞蹿别蝉蝉辞谤 , equipped me with the tools I continue to apply every day in my role at FIFA by teaching me how to communicate effectively, carry myself professionally, and think strategically.

Since graduating, my goal has been to contribute to the growth of soccer in the United States. This passion has always been part of who I am, and UCF helped me build the foundation to pursue it professionally. After graduation, I worked with Inter Miami CF, and now with FIFA, I鈥檝e been fortunate to play a role in supporting the continued development of the sport. I truly believe we are about to witness unprecedented growth for the game in this country. I hope that at the end of my career, I can look back and say I contributed to that growth 鈥� and that it all started at UCF.

Dennis Sprenkle 鈥�01

叠补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚听颈苍听辫辞濒颈迟颈肠补濒听蝉肠颈别苍肠别

Role:聽Director of聽workforce聽and聽human聽resources
FIFA site:听惭颈补尘颈

My team oversees the employee journey from recruitment to offboarding across the three host countries (Canada, Mexico and the U.S.) and 16 host cities. We are responsible for everything from workforce planning, training, visa management, benefits, payroll, employee uniforms and just about every other aspect of human resources.

I have always had a keen interest in global political and business affairs, which is why I studied political science with an emphasis on international relations at UCF. Working for a governing body like FIFA in many respects is akin to working for the United Nations. 鈥� In order to be a successful leader in a global organization like FIFA, it is critical to have an open mind to effectively collaborate, plan and execute the largest sporting event in human history. My education and experience at UCF as a leader in Student Government certainly laid the foundation and has helped prepare me for this opportunity.

Ryan Taheri 鈥�24

叠补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚听颈苍听蹿颈苍补苍肠别

Role:听奥辞谤办蹿辞谤肠别听辞辫别谤补迟颈辞苍蝉听尘补苍补驳别谤
FIFA site: Dallas

I grew up watching the World Cup with my family. Now, I occasionally stop for a second and realize how special it all is to be working behind the scenes on the operational side of the tournament. A big part of what I do in my role is coordinate with different functional areas like transportation, catering, accommodations, uniforms and venue operations to ensure the workforce is supported and operations run smoothly.

鈥淯CF pushed me into leadership opportunities early and taught me how to work in fast-paced environments with a lot of moving parts.鈥�

A lot of the role comes down to staying organized, communicating clearly and solving problems quickly. UCF pushed me into leadership opportunities early and taught me how to work in fast-paced environments with a lot of moving parts. Looking back now, I don鈥檛 think I realized at the time how much of my experience at UCF directly prepared me for working on something as large and complex as a鈥疐IFA 鈥�26.

Alejandro Tarazona 鈥�22

Bachelor鈥檚 in integrated business

Role:听惭补苍补驳别谤,听罢谤补颈苍颈苍驳听厂颈迟别听痴别苍耻别听罢谤补苍蝉辫辞谤迟
FIFA site: Miami

I鈥痮versee transportation operations and鈥痩ogistics鈥痑t all 75 training sites across U.S., Canada and Mexico 鈥� including shuttles, loading zones, team busses and their fleets, and parking lots for media, volunteers and guests. I grew up in Lake Nona and had an opportunity to play collegiate soccer at a Division II school in Florida, but financially, it just didn鈥檛 make sense for my family and me. Instead I enrolled at Valencia College and earned my degree through the .

UCF gave me the technical skills I needed for my managerial position now, like creating financial analysis for labor rates across 16 stadiums that鈥痺e鈥檒l鈥痓e using in U.S., Canada and Mexico. As a former soccer player and as someone鈥痺ho is鈥痮bsessed with the sport, working for one of the biggest and best sports organization in the world has been a lifelong goal.鈥疶his experience has taught me to consider redefining what鈥檚 possible and keep setting goals.

Tomas Upegui 鈥�22

叠补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚听颈苍听颈苍迟别驳谤补迟别诲听产耻蝉颈苍别蝉蝉

Role:听贵濒别别迟听辞辫别谤补迟颈辞苍蝉听补苍补濒测蝉迟
FIFA site: Miami

Growing up playing soccer, being involved with FIFA in any capacity is something I never imagined would become reality, especially this early in my career. I am supporting transportation and depot operations across all 16 host cities, contributing to transportation operations involving VIPs and trophy movements. Studying business taught me how to work efficiently in fast-paced environments and quickly adapt while balancing multiple responsibilities at once, which directly translates to my role.

One of the most exciting parts of this experience has been realizing the true scale of the FIFA World Cup and seeing firsthand how much coordination happens behind the scenes to make an event of this magnitude successful.

There鈥檚 something undeniably powerful about becoming the person your younger self once needed.

For nonprofit management alum Britt Johnson 鈥�23 鈥�25MNM, that transformation came full circle.

Johnson, who experienced homelessness and a lack of resources growing up, was recently named executive director of Christian HELP, a local nonprofit dedicated to preventing homelessness by supporting at-risk households.

“I see myself in some of the children who come to us fighting hunger. … Now I lead an organization that [supports] and protects them.”

The organization primarily serves the ALICE population 鈥� Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed 鈥斅爓orking families who may be one car breakdown or missed paycheck away from crisis.

鈥淚 see myself in some of the children who come to us fighting hunger and [lacking] resources because I was once that child,鈥� Johnson says. 鈥淚n my own personal life, I experienced homelessness. I experienced a lack of basic necessities. Now I lead an organization that [supports] and protects them.鈥�

Establishing an Educational Foundation

Johnson’s path to leadership wasn’t linear.

After dropping out of high school to help support his family, he spent 17 years away from the classroom. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he enrolled at Orange Technical College and earned his GED.

He later attended Seminole State College before transferring to UCF through the program. 色花堂, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science before enrolling in the 鈥檚 program.

That education changed more than his career trajectory 鈥� it introduced him to nonprofit Christian HELP. Its mission focuses on preventing homelessness by helping people find work, access resources and build stability.

In 2021, Johnson began volunteering there to fulfill a Seminole State honors program service requirement. But the moment he started working with clients, he recognized himself in them.

鈥淚t looked like my lived experience,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 got really connected to the mission.鈥�

Rising Through the Ranks

What began as 20 volunteer hours turned into years of service and leadership. Johnson rose through the organization as volunteer coordinator, resource manager, food distribution lead and care manager before being named executive director in November 2025 鈥� just before graduating with his master鈥檚 degree.

Today, he leads with a philosophy grounded in listening first and meeting people where they are to best provide the help they need.

鈥淲hen I walk into a neighborhood or a church or a city council meeting, I’m there to co-create with the community, not prescribe it,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e have to listen first before acting.鈥�

Christian HELP provides everything from one-on-one career coaching, resume clinics, financial literacy workshops and skill-building sessions. Through its Central Florida Employment Connections division, the nonprofit hosts six regional job fairs each year at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, connecting employers directly with job seekers. Its food pantry distributes more than 1 million pounds of food annually across Orange and Seminole counties.

“Our services help provide stability in times of uncertainty.”

For clients actively working toward employment, the organization also provides targeted financial assistance, helping cover expenses like gas, an oil change or a utility bill.

鈥淥ur services help provide stability in times of uncertainty,鈥� Johnson says. 鈥淚f you’re not working, you’re going to tip over into a spiraling cycle of issues, and we want to prevent that.鈥�

Under Johnson’s leadership, Christian HELP is continuing to expand. This spring, the organization opened a second Orange County location through a partnership with Peace United Methodist Church, bringing employment services, grocery support and financial literacy programs directly into neighborhoods.

The Heart of the Mission

In 2025, Johnson was named an Emerging Leader Impact Award recipient by Heart of Florida United Way and recognized as an Alumni Excellence Honoree by Seminole State College. He was also recently accepted into Nova Southeastern University, where he鈥檒l pursue a Doctor of Education degree in human service administration.

Still, Johnson says many of the opportunities that made these recognitions and opportunities possible began at UCF. Coursework in volunteer management and cross-sector collaboration gave him practical tools he now uses every day. Just as important were the mentorship, networking and alumni community connections that helped open doors beyond graduation.

鈥淭he biggest lesson I carry from UCF to Christian HELP every day is very simple: Access is dignity,鈥� he says. 鈥淲hen you build systems that are welcoming, data-informed and relentlessly human, lives are transformed.鈥�

Some of the nation鈥檚 most promising scientists can be found in Will Furiosi 鈥�13 鈥�14MAT鈥檚 Oviedo High School classroom.

Spend five minutes talking to Ankan Das, Angela Calvo-Chumbimuni and Moitri Santra about their research innovations in robotics, mental health and agriculture, and one truth becomes quite clear: These teens are the real deal.

Backed by UCF associate professors Ellen Kang (physics and NanoScience Technology Center) and Candice Bridge 鈥�07笔丑顿聽(chemistry) and researcher Max Kuehn 鈥�22 (Exolith Lab), the Oviedo High trio recently earned recognition as the top three projects at Seminole County鈥檚 regional science fair.

With Oviedo鈥檚 proximity to main campus, the collaboration highlights UCF鈥檚 steadfast commitment to supporting STEM education across Central Florida.

They went on to represent the county admirably at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix, where they took home several prizes against more than 1,700 high schoolers from around the globe.

Most notably, Santra took home first place and $6,000 in the Plant Sciences category and received the EU Contest for Young Scientists Award. She will represent Regeneron ISEF at the EU Contest for Young Scientists to be held this September in Kiel, Germany.

鈥淲orking in Dr. Kang鈥檚 lab played pretty big role in choosing materials science and engineering as my major for college because I was exposed to just how many different things someone can do in the area I work with, nanotechnology,鈥� says Santra, a senior bound for Stanford who has worked with Kang since she was a freshman. 鈥淭he lab provided a lot of resources 鈥� not just the instruments, but also mentorship, advice and support.鈥�

A Will to Succeed

The hallway leading to Furiosi鈥檚 classroom is decorated with rows of blue, red, white, green, yellow and pink paper accomplishment ribbons. More ribbons, pennants and certificates adorn his walls, along with eight Science and Engineering Fair of Florida best-in-fair grand award senior division trophies 鈥� more than any other high school in the state.

During his own primary education, Furiosi attended eight schools over 12 years. As a seventh-grader at Stone Magnet Middle School in Brevard County, he was initially prohibited from participating in science fair because officials couldn鈥檛 verify Furiosi was capable of the coursework from his transfer transcripts. He would later go on to earn Order of Pegasus as a Burnett Honors Scholar majoring in biomedical sciences before earning his master鈥檚 degree in teacher education.

Every day, he saw a wall of ribbons, much like the ones in his classroom now. And every day he would tell himself, 鈥淚 want to be one of those kids.鈥�

That experience fundamentally shaped how the UCF grad runs his program today.

鈥淲hat keeps me motivated is knowing that I have the opportunity to get people to be really prepared, informed citizens who are good thinkers, and who, when faced with a problem, smile and tackle it instead of running away,鈥� Furosi says.

Infusing Life into Science

Furiosi began teaching at Oviedo High School in 2013 as he pursued his accelerated master鈥檚 degree, made possible by the College of Community Innovation and Education鈥檚 Resident Teacher Professional Preparation Program. The program, funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant, was created in response to the growing need for skilled workers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Four years later, he took over the school鈥檚 science fair program and was determined to breathe new life into it, which at the time involved just four kids.

He cold called students in his AP Biology and Honors Chemistry聽courses, begging anyone who had shown a glimmer of interest during class to sign up so they wouldn鈥檛 have to fold the program.

Today, he鈥檚 at 46 students, with some, like Calvo-Chumbimuni, interested in joining the program as soon as they arrive at Oviedo High.

鈥淢y seventh grade science fair teacher knew Mr. Furiosi and spoke highly of him,鈥� says Calvo-Chumbimuni, who earned fourth place ISEF’s biochemistry category this year. 鈥淲hen I came to Oviedo High and met him, I immediately understood why. The research program stood out to me as a valuable opportunity.鈥�

Furiosi fosters a safe space to fail, learn and grow from the research. There are no barriers to entry; no project deemed too insignificant. And he stresses the merits of high-quality mentorship, like the ones Das, Santra, and Calvo-Chumbimuni formed with UCF faculty and STEM labs.

Some of his students have earned thousands of dollars in prizes 鈥� one alone pulled in $70,000 and is now studying at the University of Glasgow 鈥� at prestigious competitions sponsored by some of the tech industry鈥檚 biggest names, including Regeneron and Lockheed Martin, a UCF Pegasus Partner.

His alums have gone on to top research institutions including Harvard, MIT, Columbia, Stanford, and of course, UCF. One of those Knights is aerospace engineering grad Daniel Dyson 鈥�21 鈥�22MS 鈥�25PhD, who studied in Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Subith Vasu鈥檚 lab and now works for Relativity Space at NASA鈥檚 Stennis Space Center, America鈥檚 largest rocket propulsion test site.

鈥淢r. Furiosi really pushes you toward excellence,鈥� says Das, a sophomore building a tensegrity robot with shape memory alloys that he tested at UCF鈥檚 Exolith Lab.

Supporting Excellence

An award-winning researcher who has been supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, Kang is not easily impressed. Still, Santra made an immediate impression as an eighth grader when she first popped up Kang鈥檚 inbox, asking if she could present her idea on a nanoparticle treatment for citrus greening disease in Florida.

鈥淚 could clearly see that she had a firm understanding of the material and just thought, 鈥榃ow, she is really a force.鈥� I actually wanted to have my undergrad students see her presentation because of how professional she was, even at that young age,鈥� Kang says. 鈥淪he has this creativity, passion, persistence and resilience 鈥� all the key elements that you need as a successful STEM field researcher.鈥�

Similarly, Bridge immediately noticed Calvo-Chumbimuni鈥檚 persistence and go-getter attitude when she initially connected with her two years ago. Driven by her interest in the intersection of neuroscience, psychology and analytical chemistry, Calvo-Chumbimuni pitched her idea to develop an electrochemical sensor and biosensor to improve diagnostic methods for mental health disorders.

鈥淚鈥檝e always appreciated her sense of humanity,鈥� Bridge says. 鈥淚 thought, 鈥業f you can foster someone who has this sort of compassion already, there are infinite possibilities for what they can do to benefit the community.鈥� 鈥�

The two have been dedicated, active participants in their labs, regularly conducting research multiple days per week during the school year and, at times, daily over the summer.

The faculty and their doctoral students have mentored the high schoolers through instrumentation methods, analyzing data, the literature review process and their presentations.

Both presented continuations of their projects at ISEF 鈥� Calvo-Chumbimuni for her second-straight year, Santra for her third 鈥� while Das made his first time at the competition memorable with his fourth-place finish in the engineering technology: statics and dynamics category.

Kuehn, who is an engineer at , is accustomed to working with a variety of researchers and scientists who test their experiments and equipment at the Highland Regolith Test Bin. He says he was quickly intrigued by Das鈥� project, a lightweight and nimble robot that can expand, contract and move through electric current.

Das wanted to test the robot in lunar regolith 鈥� simulated moon dirt 鈥� because he envisions the tech behind his robot one day being utilized in lunar missions or search and rescue efforts in unstable environments.

鈥淢ax noticed that sometimes the motion was a little slow, so he gave some suggestions,鈥� Das says. 鈥淲orking in the lunar regolith chamber was a very insightful and eye-opening experience. I know I鈥檓 still in high school, but I鈥檝e learned I want to do research for as long as I can because I really find this interesting.鈥�

Which, at the end of the day, has been Furiosi鈥檚 mission all along.

鈥淩esearch is not just in science. It is in all disciplines. There鈥檚 a lot of cool things that need to be discovered in all fields,鈥� he says. 鈥淯CF鈥檚 expertise has been so invaluable in preparing my students for the future. A lot of these kids have wonderful ideas, and I really hope we can continue growing more professional support for them in any capacity.鈥�

They鈥檙e already renowned researchers and experts in emergency management. Now, professors and are expanding their impact to the federal level after being hand-selected for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Vanguard Executive Crisis Leaders Fellowship.

The fellowship, housed within FEMA鈥檚 National Disaster and Emergency Management University (NDEMU), brings together top crisis leaders from across the nation to strengthen the future of emergency and crisis management. Emrich was selected for the 11th cohort in New Orleans (May 11-15) and Washington D.C. (June 22-26), and Knox will join the 12th in Washington D.C. (July 20-24) and Houston (Aug. 17-21).

Researchers Sought Out by FEMA

Prior to joining the s Emergency Management and Homeland Security program, Emrich and Knox each worked with FEMA in separate capacities.

Emrich spent years working in the organization, from mapping hurricane impacts in Florida in 2004 to helping rebuild trust in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Knox has worked with FEMA through its Higher Education Program, which she has participated in since 2011, lead focus group initiatives, established an annual award, and aided in training curriculum development.

When assembling these new cohorts, FEMA sought out and hand-selected each of them. Typically, it is rare to include multiple academics in these groups, let alone two from one university in consecutive cohorts.

鈥淭he fact that there’s two of us from UCF is a really big deal,鈥� Knox says.

鈥淏y bringing together these multidisciplinary, cross-sectoral leaders, it will help us better prepare for uncertainty in future disasters.鈥� 鈥� Chris Emrich

FEMA formed the program鈥檚 cohort model knowing that the future of disaster response depends not on any single agency or sector but on the strength of connections between them. Each cohort brings together crisis leaders from government, academia, nonprofits and the private sector to build the kind of cross-sectoral networks that are nearly impossible to forge during an actual disaster.

鈥淭his program is part of a more recent attempt to try to engage across sectors more efficiently,鈥� Emrich says. 鈥淏y bringing together these multidisciplinary, cross-sectoral leaders, it will help us better prepare for uncertainty in future disasters.鈥�

Strengthening the Field, Benefiting Students

Emrich and Knox will participate in roundtable seminars, site visits and discussions with fellow experts to examine emerging risks and shifts in the emergency management landscape, explore leadership frameworks for navigating crises, and brainstorm strategies to strengthen the field, all while building this trusted, cross-sector network.

Knox sees the fellowship as a chance to build new partnerships and bring national insights back to UCF, ultimately benefiting students.

鈥淓mergency management changes constantly,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 have the luxury of rinse and repeat. This gives us another avenue to bring the latest thinking directly into our courses. I’m looking forward to exploring these issues through both the lens of researcher and the lens of program director.鈥�

Emrich also sees opportunities for expanding research and collaboration by learning where those in the field are currently struggling.

鈥淚鈥檇 love to be a fly on the wall to hear what people’s troubles are,鈥� he says. 鈥淚n academia, we’re fortunate to have the time to think about these things and reflect on how to better support them. Those insights turn into grant proposals, student support and expanding the knowledge base.鈥�

Enhancing UCF鈥檚 Cutting-Edge Research

The fellowship also aligns with emerging research areas that UCF is already exploring when it comes to cutting-edge innovations in crisis management.

For example, Emrich is currently using AI to build educational games that teach students about social vulnerability. What would once have taken years of programming work can now be produced from existing course materials and exercise content 鈥� opening the door to educational tools that weren’t previously feasible.

鈥淲hat AI has been able to produce from my knowledge is something I could not have produced on my own,鈥� Emrich says. 鈥淥ne of the things emergency managers are grappling with now is how to use AI productively. I look forward to being part of the conversation.鈥�

Knox is interested in real-time digital replicas of communities, called 鈥渄igital twins,鈥� that can be used to model disaster scenarios, as well as to test recovery and mitigation plans before they’re needed.

鈥淎 lot of emergency management boots-on-the-ground work is to help make decisions with the incomplete information in a very timely manner,鈥� Knox says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e looking at how AI can complement critical thinking skills with new capabilities. I鈥檝e seen it take off in engineering and computer sciences disciplines using real-time social media data to understand evacuation patterns.鈥�

Beyond their individual research, both professors see the fellowship as a catalyst for something bigger within UCF and beyond. They hope it will help them identify new ways to connect expanded emergency management expertise across disciplines.

鈥淢补苍测 faculty members in different departments are doing research that can actively support emergency management,鈥� Emrich says. 鈥淚 think it might be incumbent upon us to come back to the university and say, 鈥楾his is where we need to be. This is how we connect all of our different experts, stakeholders and partners to make our program even stronger.鈥�

When Latrell Sam-German graduated high school in 2021, he didn鈥檛 have a detailed career plan 鈥� just a desire to do something that was bigger than him.

Fortunately for him, the possibilities in the realm of serving others are plentiful. He first thought of enlisting in the military, which would also provide the structure he was seeking. He even considered pursuing medicine, trade work or air traffic control.

It was ultimately that innate sense of purpose, coupled with mentorship, that introduced Sam-German to the world of law enforcement by way 色花堂. Now on the brink of becoming the inaugural graduate of the bachelor鈥檚 in criminal justice program鈥檚 professional track, he鈥檚 preparing to cross the commencement stage at Addition Financial Arena on Saturday.

But first, he鈥檒l spend today celebrating his graduation from the inaugural class of the Orlando Police Department鈥檚 in-house academy.

Boldly Pursuing His Purpose

Sam-German鈥檚 foray into criminal justice began with candid discussions with both his uncle and best friend鈥檚 brother, both of whom work for a police department in South Florida. The latter became his mentor.

鈥淗e took me under his wing and showed me the ins and outs of the career, getting me into the right mindset for the academy and what to expect,鈥� he says.

After completing his associate degree at Broward College, Sam-German transferred to UCF in 2024. Although he knew he wanted to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 in criminal justice, it was an email about the program鈥檚 new professional track from Associate Professor that caught his attention.

Housed in the College of Community Innovation and Education, the professional track allows students to graduate with a degree in criminal justice and a聽certificate in criminal justice management and leadership 鈥� plus state certification in law enforcement or corrections, acquired through internship experiences like officer academies.

鈥淏eing able to graduate UCF and academy at the same time was definitely the biggest draw for me,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like knocking out two birds with one stone. The opportunity to complete the academy in my last semester as my internship, get my degree and walk out with a job is huge.鈥�

“The opportunity to complete the academy in my last semester as my internship, get my degree and walk out with a job is huge.鈥� 鈥� Latrell Sam-German, student

In the professional track, he had the opportunity to go on ride-alongs with three agencies 鈥� Orange and Osceola County Sheriff鈥檚 offices, and Orlando Police Department (OPD). He spent the next year and a half juggling his coursework with the various career fairs and networking opportunities that Watkins passed along. All the while, his eyes remained locked on the goal of landing an academy sponsorship for his final semester.

In early Fall 2025, he interviewed with OPD and passed the physical abilities test. He knew his commitment to networking had paid off when his recruiting lieutenant and sergeant remembered him from a spring career summit.

Fast forward a few weeks, and Sam-German got the call he鈥檇 been hoping for: OPD had offered him an academy sponsorship.

Training for Impact

Since early December, Sam-German has attended OPD鈥檚 in-house academy full-time as his required internship. The rigorous experience consists of intensive training in law enforcement policies and procedures, physical training and defense tactics. That includes five consecutive weeks of high-liability training with firearms, first aid and driving patrol cars.

鈥淚t’s very paramilitary,鈥� he says. 鈥淓very day we have to shine our boots, iron our clothes, make sure everything is up to par and come ready. It鈥檚 essentially changing our point of view from the civilian mindset to an officer mindset. We鈥檝e learned to watch our surroundings, never be complacent, know policy and rules, and know when to apply them.鈥�

鈥淥ur job is public service, and we’re there to help. I really wanted to do something that was bigger than me, and I think this is one of the best occupations to fulfill that.鈥� 鈥� Latrell Sam-German, student

When all is said and done, he will have completed 772 hours of training that concludes at the culmination of his first week as a sworn officer. In mid-May, he鈥檒l begin field service alongside a field training officer.

Right now, he鈥檚 most looking forward to learning about community patrol.

鈥淚 have always been interested in getting out there in community, speaking with people, learning a city鈥檚 cultural fabric and how I can help,鈥� he says. 鈥淢y biggest focus right now is to be great in patrol because sometimes people just need somebody to talk to. After all, our job is public service, and we’re there to help. I really wanted to do something that was bigger than me, and I think this is one of the best occupations to fulfill that.鈥�

Persistence That Delivers

The fact that he鈥檚 about to cross the finish line won鈥檛 hit him until he puts on the cap and gown 鈥� and the official OPD officer uniform. But Sam-German is already reflecting on how quickly his time at UCF has gone by, and how the decision to pursue the professional track helped launch his career trajectory.

That鈥檚 thanks in large part, he says, to the faculty who have helped foster connections and provided opportunities to explore different career paths.

鈥淢y professors have been great,鈥� he says. 鈥淢补苍测 of them are retired law enforcement who came over to UCF and can speak about the career and what to expect. Being able to come straight from college into the academy has given me the upper hand because a lot of what we talked about in class now pertains to my police academy experience.鈥�

鈥淏eing able to come straight from college into the academy has given me the upper hand because a lot of what we talked about in class now pertains to my police academy experience.鈥� 鈥� Latrell Sam-German, student

Sam-German’s story is exactly what Watkins hopes to see for years to come 鈥� more graduates like him who will go on to impact change in the criminal justice system.

鈥淲orking with and assisting Latrell along his professional journey is exciting, fulfilling and a testament to the work of many,鈥� he says. 鈥淒eveloping and promoting the professional track has taken many years and considerable work with our police and correctional professionals in and around Central Florida.”

Professor and Chair adds that the program was intentionally designed to be mutually beneficial to students and law enforcement agencies in reinforcing the workforce pipeline.

鈥淭he professional track is our department鈥檚 way to give back to the surrounding law enforcement and correctional community in the form of producing high-quality, motivated and practitioner-ready students like Latrell,鈥� Paoline says.

As he prepares to reap both the academic and professional rewards of his work, Sam-German also finds personal reward in having become someone his classmates turn to for advice as they consider pursuing the professional track. He tells them that if they鈥檙e willing to put the work in, good things will happen.

鈥淚 don’t think it was luck; it was the result of hard work,鈥� he says of his success. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really about not being afraid to put yourself out there and talk to these agencies, even when it can feel intimidating. That door is going to open. You just have to step through it.鈥�

Johnston, who was born without arms, joined UCF鈥檚 program in Fall 2024 and is now graduating this May. IES, housed by the in the College of Community Innovation and Education, is a state-recognized, two-year certified transition program that immerses students with disabilities into campus life while helping them develop the independence necessary for long-term employment.

Johnston says she learned about IES online and became interested when she researched the program.

鈥淚 feel more outgoing since I started the program. I was homeschooled and used to hang out with only three or four friends, so I was really shy when I first came here.鈥� 鈥� Nina Johnston, IES student

鈥淭wo months after I graduated high school, my mom saw the application for IES on Facebook and asked if I wanted to apply,鈥� Johnston says. 鈥淚 wanted a college experience, but I didn鈥檛 want to go to college for four or six years. Two years sounded perfect, so I thought it would be a good idea. After looking into the program, I thought, 鈥楾his looks really fun.鈥� 鈥�

Program Director says Johnston made a strong first impression even before she arrived at UCF.

鈥淎s part of her application, Nina sent a video of herself cleaning, doing her daily routine and even horseback riding,鈥� Best says. 鈥淲e were amazed when we watched that video. When she came here, we saw firsthand how independent and determined she is.鈥�

Johnston started IES in August 2024, and it wasn鈥檛 long before she jumped right into various campus activities. While pursuing a major in hospitality, she joined Knights Exemplar and Best Buddies, two clubs that provide social and academic support to students with intellectual disabilities. In fact, she鈥檚 now a Buddy director with Best Buddies.

Her growing involvement even led to a part-time job at the information desk in the UCF Student Union. She says these experiences have greatly improved her confidence and social skills.

鈥淏ut having all these classes and opportunities made me realize, 鈥極K, I can do this. I can talk to people.鈥� IES helped me come out of my shell.鈥� 鈥� Nina Johnston, IES student

鈥淚 feel more outgoing since I started the program,鈥� Johnston says. 鈥淚 was homeschooled and used to hang out with only three or four friends, so I was really shy when I first came here. But having all these classes and opportunities made me realize, 鈥極K, I can do this. I can talk to people.鈥� IES helped me come out of my shell.鈥�

Best says she has blossomed into an inspiring and beloved member of the IES community.

鈥淣ina is a true leader,鈥� Best says. 鈥淢补苍测 students in the program go to her for advice even before they come to us. They look up to her because she thrives in her academics while holding down a job. She鈥檚 always looking to pick up extra hours, and she never falls behind on her assignments while she鈥檚 working. She is a committed and hardworking student.鈥�

In her newfound social circle, Johnston made a connection that developed into something deeper over time. Soon after starting in the program, she met fellow student Zackary Bruns. Their friendship grew into a relationship, and they are now engaged to be married in November 2026.

As she plans for her wedding, Johnston has also been working to prepare other logistical aspects of her future. One of these is a major personal and practical achievement: her driver鈥檚 license, which she earned after practicing with IES鈥檚 AI-powered driving simulation.

鈥淭he driving simulation at IES gave me a good idea of how traffic happens in real time,鈥� Johnston says. 鈥淎nd it worked perfectly: I got my license on the first try.鈥�

Students with disabilities often lack adequate opportunities to practice driving, so many never earn their licenses 鈥� something TJEEI Program Director says can be a barrier to employment.

鈥淥ur driving simulator helps students get more comfortable behind the wheel, and Nina is a great example of that.鈥� 鈥� Christine Parsons, TJEEI Program Director

鈥淚f students can鈥檛 drive and don鈥檛 have a car, they can鈥檛 get to work without public transportation,鈥� Parsons says. 鈥淭hat can be a huge issue, especially here in Central Florida. Our driving simulator helps students get more comfortable behind the wheel, and Nina is a great example of that.鈥�

Equipped with her license, Johnston and Bruns are now focusing on two main goals: securing full-time employment and finding an apartment. They have decided to move to Ocala, Florida, where they plan to be close to Johnston鈥檚 parents as they begin the next stage of their lives.

Looking ahead, Johnston says she is excited for her next chapter and grateful for all her experiences at UCF.

鈥淲hen I was in my first semester of IES, it felt like it took forever,鈥� Johnston says. 鈥淏ut now that I鈥檓 here, it鈥檚 like, 鈥榃here did the time go?鈥� I鈥檓 sad to leave the program, but I鈥檓 happy I did it because I鈥檝e met so many wonderful people.鈥�

We could start 33 years ago to when Castro Tapler first visited UCF and dreamed of becoming a Knight.

Or jump to when she lost sight of that dream in the whirlwind of life after enlisting in the U.S. Marines, completing an overseas deployment, getting married and raising a family.

Or here, in present day, as the 49-year-old graduates alongside her oldest, each with degree choices influenced by Johnny鈥檚 struggle with neurological hearing loss 鈥� hers, early childhood development and education and his, communication sciences and disorders. And don鈥檛 forget her other son, Michael, an emergency management major, close behind and husband, John, graduating later this year from Valencia College, a partner.

Their story is one of many subplots and selfless acts, and so much love for family 鈥� a family that pulled strength from each other on the road to this long-awaited, triumphant moment.

鈥淧eople doubted us for moving here from Long Island to become Knights,鈥� Castro Tapler says. 鈥淲e said, 鈥楯ust watch.鈥� 鈥淲e鈥檙e proving that you can do anything you put your mind to doing by adapting and overcoming.鈥�

A Dream Put on Hold, But Never Forgotten

Castro Tapler鈥檚 mind first fixed on UCF in 1993 when the family of her friend, David Konits 鈥�01, paid for her to visit them in Orlando to thank her for saving their son鈥檚 life after a serious injury. Putting others first had already become ingrained for Castro Tapler, then 16, despite a childhood without means. She lived with her mother in another friend鈥檚 basement and had never traveled beyond New York.

鈥淭hey brought me to the UCF campus and I was blown away,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檇 never seen such nice kids studying together in such a beautiful environment. If I could ever afford college, I wanted it to be here.鈥�

Castro Tapler went back home, finished high school and joined the U.S. Marines. Shortly after 9/11, she was deployed to Kuwait. The idea of college continued to dim as she fulfilled her military duty, returned to Long Island, went to work and raised a family.

鈥淭he goal was always out there,鈥� she says, 鈥渂ut I just couldn鈥檛 get to it.鈥�

She wanted a more streamlined path for her sons, Johnny and Michael, so she and her husband always included tours of universities during family trips.

鈥淲hen we came to UCF, the boys and John fell in love,鈥� Castro Tapler says, 鈥渁nd to me, that feeling of belonging was still there after so many years.鈥�

On the day of Johnny鈥檚 high school graduation, they loaded up the car and moved to Orlando 鈥� placing her within reach of the dream she never gave up on.

Planting Roots on Campus

As a U.S. Marine veteran, Castro Tapler has chilling stories about how she calmly put out oil fires in open combat zones. On her first day of classes at UCF, she 鈥� like a good Marine 鈥� arrived 30 minutes early with food and hydration. An emotion consumed her: Fear.

Here she was, surrounded by students half her age using tablets and carrying backpacks while she pulled around a wagon and used a spiral notebook. She would need to relearn how to learn. Three encounters quickly made her feel at ease.

鈥淭he sound of a piano in the lobby soothed my nerves. Then a group of girls in my first class invited me to work with them. And I found the ,鈥� she says. 鈥淎 college campus is a different world from what veterans are used to. The people in that office helped me understand aid, tutoring and the culture. They鈥檙e veterans, too, so they know how difficult the transition can be.鈥�

Her fear turned to joy and a genuine belief she belonged. She felt even more connected knowing Johnny and Michael were on the same campus feeling the same pride.

The Start of a New Future

We come to the most surreal moment: mom and son graduating together. She points out this is a goal achieved, but not the goal.

鈥淥ur degrees open doors to serve others,鈥� Castro Tapler says.

She鈥檒l teach first grade, knowing each child is unique, perhaps with a challenge that hasn鈥檛 yet been identified. Johnny intends to use his communications and sciences disorders degree as the first step toward a medical degree in audiology. He visualizes being the first person parents see when their babies are diagnosed with a complication. He already knows what he鈥檒l say:

鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be OK. Look at me. I have a hearing disorder, too, and now I鈥檓 a doctor,鈥� Johnny says.

Michael will apply his emergency management degree from UCF to help communities on a larger scale. And John, after finishing at Valencia College, will consider an online business master鈥檚 program at UCF, so he can provide financial planning and support for those facing their own challenges.

鈥淗e wants so badly to be a Knight like the rest of us,鈥� Castro Tapler says.

It makes sense. Knights are known for their grit. And this family has plenty of it.

鈥淚 think back to people saying you鈥檒l never afford college, you鈥檙e too old, and Johnny can鈥檛 become a doctor with hearing loss,鈥� Castro Tapler says. 鈥淣ow we鈥檙e going to walk to the stage together and hear our names called.鈥�

UCF is the leading producer of talent among Florida鈥檚 universities, awarding nearly 19,000 degrees annually to Knights who go on to work in high-demand industries. About 85% of our alumni stay in Florida because of the ample opportunity to thrive as part of our state鈥檚 workforce.

Graduates will hear from six esteemed speakers whose leadership and impact span some of Central Florida鈥檚 most influential industries:

• Barry Miller 鈥�95, president of Voloridge Investment Management
• Brian Adams 鈥�04MBA, president and CEO of AdventHealth Central Florida Division
• Gloria Caulfield, vice president of strategic alliances, Tavistock Development Company
• Barbara Gellman-Danley, president of Higher Learning Commission
• Maj. Gen. James Smith, commander, space training and readiness command at Patrick Space Force Base
• Peter Lee, president of Microsoft Science

Commencement Festivities

Held in the Addition Financial Arena, spring commencement will take place over six ceremonies spanning Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9.

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

Guests who do not have tickets may watch the鈥痩ive ceremony via a simulcast viewing鈥痠n the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be livestreamed .

Commencement Photo-ops Across UCF

Graduating Knights are unable to take photos at the Acrisure Bounce House Stadium this semester due to ongoing construction.

Grad Walk

On Thursday, May 7, 2:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.), spring graduates are invited to a photo-op 鈥� Grad Walk 鈥� within the Addition Financial Arena. This will be a first-come, first-served occasion for graduates and up to 10 of their well-wishers to take photos and videos on the ceremony stage.鈥疓raduates are required to .

Commencement Schedule

Graduates and guests can review the below commencement ceremony schedule, listing colleges, ceremony dates and streaming links:

Friday, May 8

9 a.m.

College of Business

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

2 p.m.

College of Health Professions and Sciences

College of Medicine

College of Nursing

7 p.m.

College of Arts and Humanities

Nicholson School of Communication and Media

Saturday, May 9

9 a.m.

College of Community Innovation and Education

2 p.m.

College of Sciences (excluding Nicholson School of Communication and Media)

7 p.m.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

College of Graduate Studies

College of Optics and Photonics

For more details and FAQs about Spring 2026 commencement celebrations, visit ucf.edu/graduation.

Commencement Speakers

Barry Miller 鈥�95

President of Voloridge Investment Management

Barry Miller 鈥�95 serves as president of Voloridge Investment Management, quantitative hedge fund manager, and Voloridge Health, a data science-based health tech company, both Florida based.

Miller, who graduated with honors from UCF with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in finance, recently made a transformational $50 million gift this spring to establish the Barry S. Miller College of Business at UCF. The largest single philanthropic investment in UCF history, the gift will accelerate a bold new model of business education designed for a world where technology, data and decision-making are inseparable.

Miller, also a member of the UCF College of Business Hall of Fame, brings years of executive experience, having previously served as CEO of LASAS Technologies, a finance and insurance company that he co-founded in 1998. His career experience includes financial analysis, capital raising, financial markets, actuarial experience, software development and in-depth company infrastructure formation.

After gaining valuable experience as an entrepreneur and chief executive officer, Miller鈥檚 ambition led him to join and invest in Voloridge Investment Management and then Voloridge Health. For both companies, he is responsible for many facets of leadership, including trading, back-office operations, compliance, sales and marketing, vendor relationships and strategic planning.

Brian Adams 鈥�04MBA

President and CEO of AdventHealth Central Florida Division

Brian Adams is president and CEO of AdventHealth鈥檚 Central Florida Division, one of the nation鈥檚 largest faith-based health systems, whose 37,000 dedicated team members provide care for more than 3 million patients.

Known for building high-performing teams and ensuring the organization grows to meet the care needs of the community, Adams has led efforts to expand access to care, elevate quality and bring innovative solutions to rapidly growing communities. His leadership has continued to position AdventHealth as a trusted and innovative partner in Central Florida.

As a part of AdventHealth for more than 24 years, Adams has held senior leadership roles across the organization, including CEO positions in Tampa and Polk County, where he oversaw major expansions, facility investments and quality improvements.

He earned his master鈥檚 of business administration from the 色花堂 and a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Union College in Nebraska. Originally from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, Adams and his wife have two teenage sons.

Gloria Caulfield

Vice president of strategic alliances, Tavistock Development Company

In her multifaceted role as vice president of strategic alliances at Tavistock, Gloria Caulfield manages business development and corporate partnerships, collaborates with national and global stakeholders to advance health innovation, and leads the development of cutting-edge strategies for the Lake Nona community.

She is the chief architect and creative force behind the Lake Nona Impact Forum. The revered global health innovation summit brings together many of the world鈥檚 most preeminent thought leaders and serves as a signature event of the Tavistock Group.

Caulfield serves on boards that reflect her passion for advancing the future of human health, including the StartUp Health Impact Board, which focuses on mobilizing entrepreneurs to solve the biggest health challenges of our time, and the LFE Capital Advisory Board, which supports female founders and impactful, wellness-oriented companies.

Prior to joining Tavistock, she had a distinguished career at AdventHealth. As senior executive director for community development, she provided strategic leadership for corporate partnerships and spearheaded critical community initiatives across Central Florida. Caulfield is an alumna of the University of Arizona and brings visionary leadership to every aspect of her work.

Barbara Gellman-Danley

President of Higher Learning Commission

Barbara Gellman-Danley is president of the Higher Learning Commission, which accredits colleges and universities to ensure they meet high-quality standards and continuously improve.

Prior to beginning this role in 2014, she was president of the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College in Ohio. She previously served as vice chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, president of Antioch University McGregor, vice president at Monroe Community College and vice chancellor at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Gellman-Danley sits on the boards of Credential Engine, which she chairs, and GlobalMindED. Her career includes previous board and commission memberships with the Association of Governing Boards Council of Presidents, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, the American Council on Education鈥檚 Education and Attainment group and the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning.

Gellman-Danley holds degrees from Syracuse University, Simmons University, Oklahoma City University and the University of Oklahoma. She did post-graduate work at New York University, Cornell, Harvard, the University of Chicago and MIT.

An honorary member of Phi Theta Kappa, she is a professional certified coach, certified executive coach and certified life coach. She holds certifications in change management, Agile and Lean Six Sigma, a professional credential validating expertise in data-driven process improvement aimed at reducing waste and defects.

Maj. Gen. James Smith

Commander, space training and readiness command at Patrick Space Force Base

As commander, Maj. Gen. James E. Smith is responsible for preparing the U.S. Space Force and more than 14,000 military and civilian guardians to prevail in competition and conflict through innovative education, training, doctrine and test activities.

Originally from Boise, Idaho, Maj. Gen. Smith commissioned in 1997 as the top graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. His career spans numerous space operations and acquisition positions, including command at the squadron, group, wing, garrison and Field Command levels.

Maj. Gen. Smith has deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and to the U.S. Embassy in Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Prior to his current position, Maj. Gen. Smith served as the vice director, Joint Force Development, J-7, the Joint Staff, Arlington, Virginia.

Peter Lee

President of Microsoft Science

Peter Lee is president of Microsoft Science, where his responsibility is to accelerate the pace of discovery in the physical, biological and medical sciences through the use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Previously, he led the world laboratories of Microsoft Research. Before joining Microsoft in 2010, he established a new technology office at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency within the U.S. Department of Defense, creating operational capabilities in machine learning, data science and computational social science.

From 1987 to 2010, Lee was a professor and the head of the computer science department at Carnegie Mellon University. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and serves on the boards of several institutions in AI and medicine, including the board of trustees of the Mayo Clinic and the board of directors of the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine. He served on President Obama鈥檚 Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity and has testified before both U.S. House and Senate committees.

He is the co-author of the book, The AI Revolution in Medicine: GPT-4 and Beyond. In 2024, Lee was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in health and life sciences.

Behind every badge is a commitment to serve 鈥� a commitment two new officers now carry forward at UCF.

Surrounded by family, friends, colleagues and university leaders, the officers were sworn in during a ceremony that marked not just a personal milestone, but the (UCFPD)’s continued growth and commitment to service.

鈥淯CF is a special place and working in public safety here takes a special kind of person,鈥� says UCF Police Chief Robbin Griffin-Kitzerow. 鈥淚t takes someone who genuinely cares, who shows up every day with a heart for service, and who is committed to the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff.鈥�

Ross Wolf, interim dean of the College of Community Innovation and Education and associate provost of UCF Downtown, reflected on the ceremony鈥檚 significance, drawing on his recent retirement from policing after 34 years of service in both full-time and reserve roles.

“My law enforcement career instilled in me a deep respect for this profession and for the camaraderie, commitment and sense of purpose that define it,鈥� Wolf says.

UCFPD鈥檚 two newest officers will join the patrol division after completing a field-training program, where they鈥檒l work alongside senior officers and gain hands-on experience out in the field before graduating to solo patrol.

Get to Know the New Officers

Brittany Lopez

Having previously served with the Clermont Police Department as both a patrol officer and a detective, Brittany Lopez brings a strong foundation in law enforcement to UCF. She was drawn to UCFPD for its culture and the unique community it serves. With a master’s degree in cybercrime from the University of South Florida, Lopez is driven by a desire to help students make informed choices that support their future success.

Daira Yulfo-Vargas 鈥�25

Joining UCFPD is a full-circle moment for Daira Yulfo-Vargas 鈥�25. After moving to Orlando to attend UCF, she began as a police explorer while earning her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She later served as a UCFPD cadet and, through departmental sponsorship, completed the police academy, graduating among the top academic performers in her class. Now she returns to serve her alma mater as a UCF police officer, committed to supporting students and advancing the department鈥檚 safety mission.

Celebrating Promotions

The ceremony also recognized four individuals taking on new roles within UCF Public Safety.

Corporal Melissa Guadagnino

Community Outreach and Crime Prevention Unit

Corporal Melissa Guadagnino has been a vital part 色花堂PD for more than 12 years, including nine years as a detective. In that role, she worked alongside her therapy dog, Chipper, providing investigative support and comfort to victims during difficult moments. She鈥檚 also served on the Emergency Response Team through dozens of deployments and instructed crisis intervention and patrol investigator programs. Now part of the Community Outreach and Crime Prevention Unit, Guadagnino continues to lead with dedication and heart, making an impact.

Jennifer Floyd

University Physical Security Manager

During a time of significant staffing transitions, Jennifer Floyd played a critical role in maintaining operations while supporting major security initiatives. She coordinated hundreds of maintenance requests and led a campuswide security camera upgrade, overseeing the replacement of more than 500 cameras to strengthen UCF鈥檚 safety infrastructure. Floyd also led nearly 50 training sessions, helping ensure teams have the knowledge and confidence to effectively manage and maintain essential systems.

Benita Harrison

Administrative Operations Manager

Benita Harrison supports departmental leadership with professionalism and exceptional integrity. She manages daily operations, chairs multiple committees and oversees all department-led events, playing a key role in ensuring smooth transitions. Her attention to detail and ability to create meaningful experiences are felt at every level across the organization.

Tiffany Ortiz

Dispatch Supervisor

Tiffany Ortiz brings a deep understanding of communication operations. Known for delivering organized, accurate and dependable work, she鈥檚 respected by both her peers and patrol officers for her collaborative, supportive approach. In her new role, she led a full revamp of the dispatch training program, updating the manual, strengthening the curriculum and enhancing skill development to better prepare team members for long-term success.

Together, these new officers and newly promoted leaders represent UCF Public Safety 鈥� united by a shared commitment to serve, support and safeguard the campus community.