Landing humans on the moon was just a dream when UCF was founded in 1963. But we dared to believe — developing the talent and inventing the technologies to make it reality. That same spirit still drives us today.

We are America’s Space University. And we celebrate UCF Space Week to honor our origin as we dare to build what’s next.

Where Global Leaders Unite to Forge the Future of Space

On a clear night, Teresa Kinney ’11MS��can step into her backyard in Merritt Island, just a few miles from Kennedy Space Center (KSC), and look toward the moon. Its illuminated gray and white surface is no longer just a distant destination — it represents the next chapter of��human space exploration��and her own��engineering������������.

As transportation office program lead engineer in NASA’s Moon Base Program, the UCF alumna plays a critical role in the agency’s phased effort to establish America’s first permanent outpost near the moon’s South Pole. Her��engineering��team oversees the surface transportation systems needed to deliver cargo,��move equipment across the lunar surface, support deep-space and orbital missions and ensure every component works together as part of the larger lunar architecture.

Kinney evaluates whether transportation concepts and designs are technically ready to advance and how they fit into NASA’s long-term vision for building and sustaining a lunar base.

“I make sure technically that the design is worthy of moving forward to the next phase, that we’re looking at all the right thermal, dynamic and radiation environments and making sure the integration of hardware, including electronics and other parts, is coming together the proper way,” Kinney says.

Engineering a Moon Base

NASA’s Moon Base Program is designed to evolve from robotic and early uncrewed missions to semi-permanent infrastructure, early habitation and, eventually, a sustained human presence on the lunar surface. Every phase depends on reliable transportation systems capable of delivering the hardware and supplies needed to build, operate and maintain a base��hundreds of thousands (238,855)��of miles from Earth.

For Kinney, success depends on how every system works together. Landers must deliver the right payloads.��Surface vehicles can transport equipment once it arrives. Orbital and deep-space transportation systems must support the broader mission. Each piece must perform safely on its own while also working within the overall architecture.

“I was surprised by the logistical complexity of maintaining a permanent presence on the International Space Station,” Kinney says. “I guess I shouldn’t have been — it’s like going on a month’s-long camping trip when you’re used to camping for long weekends. You need a lot more for that longer duration because you can’t just make do for an extended period. You think you’re prepared, but then you realize there are things you didn’t expect to need and things you wish you had with you. I think we’ll learn those same kinds of lessons from Moon Base, and I’m excited and ready to get started.”

Kinney also serves as project chief engineer for the Liquid Oxygen-Methane Assessment, a joint initiative involving NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Space Force. As the project’s final technical authority, she’s helping quantify the explosive yield and risks associated with the large quantities of liquid oxygen and methane carried by next-generation rockets and spacecraft, including human landing systems, particularly during catastrophic failures or other anomalies. The data will help inform safety protocols for spacecraft, launch sites and surrounding communities.

Whether she’s assessing lunar transportation architecture or helping government agencies better understand the risks of cryogenic propellants, Kinney’s work comes down to the same challenge: understanding how complex systems behave, where they can fail and how engineers can make them safer.

A Curiosity That Started Early

That instinct to understand how the pieces fit together began early.

” … my dad slid me up under the dashboard and started handing me parts. At some point I realized, ‘I can do this.’”

At 8, Kinney started helping her father work on cars. By 12, she was small enough to slide under the dashboard of the family’s Chevrolet station wagon and install its air-conditioning system before a summer trip to Florida.

“We were living in Alabama and were going to [Walt] Disney World [Resort] but couldn’t make the drive to Florida without air conditioning,” Kinney says. “I was small enough that my dad slid me up under the dashboard and started handing me parts, asking me to connect things. At some point I realized, ‘I can do this.’ It was the first time I had ever completed a mechanical task entirely on my own.”

That experience sparked an interest in solving complex problems, shaping her career and allowing her to do what she enjoys most: putting things together.

Career Takes Off

Before becoming a NASA civil servant at Kennedy Space Center in 2005, Kinney earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and spent two decades supporting the space shuttle solid rocket booster, Spacelab and International Space Station programs as a contractor at Marshall Space Flight Center.

As a structural dynamicist at NASA, she embraced the challenges of loads analysis and modal testing of large space structures while enjoying the freedom to explore new ideas and uncover innovative solutions.

“I never had any roadblocks in front of me,” Kinney says. “They were like, ‘Here’s the work. Here’s your part of it, Teresa. If you have problems, come and talk to us.’ No one ever treated me in a way that wasn’t wonderful and supportive.”

UCF Landing

As her career evolved, Kinney realized technical expertise alone wasn’t enough if she ever wanted to lead an interdisciplinary team. With UCF’s longstanding presence at Kennedy Space Center, she knew where to turn.

“UCF has a great reputation and the proximity, but it took me years to say, ‘OK, start doing a master’s,’” Kinney says.

While working full-time, she attended most classes at KSC through a special program, often balancing 60- to 70-hour workweeks as she earned her master’s degree in industrial engineering.

“You never know what opportunities might be waiting in front of you.”

Kinney applies that same dedication to everything she does, whether she’s building bookcases with her husband — a retired NASA engineer she met while working at NASA (MSFC) — or encouraging young people to pursue careers in space exploration. She offers the same advice she gave her daughter, Julia Kinney ’19, a UCF biomedical sciences��graduate who works at a cancer center, and her son, Jackson, an aerospace engineer at Marshall Space Flight Center.

“Don’t be intimidated,” Kinney says. “Don’t see things as too hard — see them as challenges. You never know what opportunities might be waiting in front of you.”

Know Your Enrollment Window

You can view your enrollment window in . This information relays the earliest date and time you can register, so add it to your calendar. To find it, sign in to myUCF, open your Student Center, and look for your enrollment appointment under Manage Classes.

Get Guidance

Undergraduate students should connect with their Academic Success Coach if they have questions or would like guidance selecting classes. to make sure you’re fulfilling your degree requirements and staying on track.

Graduate students should and the Fall Registration Overview ahead of . For more assistance, reach out to the or the College of Graduate Studies.

Clear Holds

Check your in myUCF. A hold may keep you from registering until it’s resolved. If you need help, .

Plan Your Schedule

Use to preview and compare class schedules. To navigate to mySchedule Builder, open your Student Center in myUCF, locate the Manage Classes tile where you will find Planner Tools. This feature allows you to preview and compare every possible class schedule until you find the one that works for you.

Load Your Shopping Cart

Once you develop your game plan, you can start adding your selected classes to your Student Center shopping cart. Even if your assigned enrollment window has not opened, you can pre-load your shopping cart with your classes so that you can quickly enroll once your enrollment window opens. This saves you time and increases the chances of claiming a spot in your selected classes.

Get Familiar with Registration in myUCF

If you haven’t worked through Campus Solutions yet, to see how to search for courses, manage your schedule, and enroll.

Key Dates to Remember

• Sept. 28, 2026: Your registration window for Spring 2027 is available to view on myUCF. Your enrollment window cannot be changed.

• Oct. 1, 2026-Jan. 10, 2027: Registration open for Spring 2027.

• Jan. 8, 2027:
  • 1 p.m.: Registration for UCF employees, UCF employees’ spouses and dependents, state, non-degree, dual enrollment, transients and audits begins.
  • 3 p.m.: Registration for UCF Athletics Association employees begins.

• Jan. 11, 2027: Classes begin.

• Jan. 11-15, 2027: Late registration period.

• Jan. 15, 2027: Drop/swap and add deadline.

Need Help?

Undergraduates can contact their or for assistance.

“Postdocs are highly trained professionals, not students,” says Jade Laderwarg, director of postdoctoral affairs at UCF. “They contribute significantly to the university’s research enterprise by supporting grant activity, co-authoring publications and carrying out day-to-day research.”

Since postdoctoral scholars typically have fewer teaching and service responsibilities than tenured faculty, they can devote significant time to making new discoveries and are a vital part ɫ����’s research infrastructure.

In 2025, UCF employed 250 postdoctoral scholars, 25% higher than the postdoctoral scholar requirement for preeminence in Florida. The university’s investment in this researcher demographic in recent years emphasizes a strengthened focus on research growth and supporting postdoctoral scholars’ success.

Their impact can be seen across UCF’s research community.

Protecting Marine Ecosystems: Ian Silver-Gorges

As a biology postdoctoral scholar at UCF, Ian Silver-Gorges is investigating how environmental stress influences disease in green sea turtles throughout the Gulf of Mexico. His research is supported through the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology program.

“UCF has given me important teaching experience and provided resources critical to my success,” Silver-Gorges says.

Support from both the NSF and UCF has been pivotal to his research and professional development.

The NSF funds fundamental research and provides fellowships that help cover��salary and research costs during this pivotal career stage. Meanwhile, strategic initiatives such as the help UCF recruit nationally competitive scholars by providing matching funds to faculty.

“I believe that by completing both a P3 and an NSF fellowship at UCF, I’ll be a competitive candidate for faculty or research positions when I start applying,” Silver-Gorges says.

Advancing the Future of Cancer Detection: Dhruvam Pandey

In the Han Lab at CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics, postdoctoral scholar Dhruvam Pandey is combining super-resolution microscopy and high-throughput imaging to develop tools that provide clinicians with faster, more precise cancer diagnostics. His work bridges the gap between experimental photonics and deep learning algorithms to improve cancerdetection.

“What drew me to UCF is the unique research ecosystem at CREOL,” Pandey says. “It’s a place where cutting-edge optics and computation come together.”

Building a Research Powerhouse

Postdoctoral scholar numbers are one of 12 metrics used by the Florida Board of Governors to determine eligibility for designation as a Preeminent State Research University — the state’s highest classification for public universities. In 2025, UCF met all 12 metrics, fueled by an expanding research enterprise and more than $285 million in annual research expenditures.

Programs such as P3 and Short-Term Postdoc Support (STePS) have helped drive this growth by providing resources that enablefaculty to recruit talented scholars and strengthen mentorship opportunities.

“We’re incredibly proud of all the progress we’ve made,” says John Weishampel, dean of the . “The tireless work of our faculty and staff, along with the success of programs like P3 and STePS, has allowed us to expand our postdoctoral community in meaningful and lasting ways.”

As UCF continues its rise as a leading research institution, its expanding postdoctoral community is both a symbol of progress and a catalyst for future breakthroughs.

Worth noting among this graduating class:

• Roughly 30% of the undergraduate students receiving their degrees are the first in their families to earn their diploma.
• More than 25% of this term’s degrees are tied to STEM majors.
• About 30% of the undergraduate graduating class are Pell Grant recipients.

UCF is the leading producer of talent among Florida’s universities, awarding roughly 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’s workforce.

Graduates will hear from��three��esteemed speakers��— all UCF graduates —��whose leadership and impact��have��benefited��our region:

• Psychology alum��Allen Johnson��’81,��chief��venue��officer for��City��for��Orlando Venues
• Journalism alum Tanya (Easterling) Hill ’97, market president for Central Florida for Florida Blue
• ����������Բ�������ܲ��پ������������ܳ���Fred Kittinger ’80, UCF’s former��senior associate vice president for government and community relations

Commencement Festivities

Held in the Addition Financial Arena, summer commencement will take place over three ceremonies spanning Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1.

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

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

Commencement Photo-ops Across UCF

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

Grad Walk

On Thursday,��July��30,��4:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.),��summer��graduates are invited to a photo-op — Grad Walk — 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. Graduates��are required to��register at��.

Commencement Schedule

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

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6����.��.

College of Arts and Humanities

College of Community Innovation and Education

College of Graduate Studies

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Saturday,��Aug. 1

9 a.m.

Barry S. Miller��College of Business

College of Health Professions and Sciences

College of Medicine

College of Nursing

2:30����.��.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

College of Optics and Photonics

College of Sciences

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

Commencement Speakers

Allen Johnson ’81

Chief Venues Officer, City of Orlando Venues

Allen Johnson ’81 has served as chief venues officer of Orlando Venues since 2004, overseeing the City of Orlando’s diverse portfolio of Kia Center, Camping World Stadium, Tinker Field, Leu Gardens and the Mennello Museum of American Art.

Johnson brings decades of venue management experience from leadership roles across Florida. Under Johnson’s leadership, Orlando Venues has evolved into a premier, globally recognized destination for sports, entertainment and culture, welcoming millions of guests each year while strengthening Central Florida’s reputation as a world-class destination.

A proud UCF graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, he has earned numerous honors, including the 2025 International Association of Venue Managers Foundation Legacy Award, the SPORTYS Executive of the Year Award and the Downtowner of the Year Award.

He remains active in the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), serving as past chairman and trustee of the foundation board, while also contributing to organizations that include the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, Florida Citrus Sports, Victim Service Center and the .

Tanya (Easterling) Hill ’97

Market President for Central Florida, Florida Blue

Tanya Hill ’97��is Florida Blue’s market president for Central Florida,��responsible for��regional business and community engagement in a 9-county region.

Throughout her more than 25-year career, she has worked with reputable brands including Chick-fil-A, Target and Walt Disney World to drive business results through strategic partnerships.

Hill is passionate about investing time in the community and has been involved with��numerous��community and civic organizations. She currently serves on the board of directors for the��African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, 4Roots Foundation, Orlando Economic��Partnership��and the Winter Park Health Foundation.

Hill holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UCF.

Fred Kittinger ’80

Former Senior Associate Vice President for Government and Community Relations, UCF

A native of central Florida, Fred Kittinger ’80 recently retired as senior associate vice president for government and community relations at UCF, where he served for more than 22 years.

He worked alongside local and state leaders to help foster some ɫ����’s most transformative achievements, including the approval ɫ����’s College of Medicine, the creation of the world-class Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, the development ɫ���� Downtown, the expansion of the UCF Business Incubation Program and investments that enhanced the student experience and advanced regional impact.

Prior to his career at UCF, Kittinger served as chief of staff to Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood and previously as vice president of government relations for the Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce. He began his career as a legislative aide to state Senator George Stuart of Orlando.

Reflecting his commitment to the community, Kittinger currently serves on the board of directors for Junior Achievement of Central Florida (past chair), Central Florida Council for Scouting America and Legacy Pointe at UCF.

Kittinger graduated from UCF’s criminal justice program and earned his master’s degree in public administration from Florida State University.

Timothy Letzring, senior vice provost for academic affairs, made the appointment in close consultation with Provost John Buckwalter. The decision was shaped by thoughtful feedback from faculty, staff and other stakeholders throughout the search.

“Dr. Weishampel’s steady leadership as interim dean has created an environment that supports the success of our students, faculty, and staff and strengthens collaboration across the college.” — Timothy Letzring, senior vice provost for academic affairs

“Dr. Weishampel’s steady leadership as interim dean has created an environment that supports the success of our students, faculty, and staff and strengthens collaboration across the college,” Letzring says. “I am confident that as dean, he will continue to elevate the College of Graduate Studies through innovation, scholarly distinction and a strong commitment to graduate students.”

Weishampel has spent nearly 31 years at UCF, beginning his career as an assistant professor in biology. He has served in a variety of leadership roles, including biology graduate program director, director of interdisciplinary studies and senior associate dean. He has also served as a U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) program officer in the Division of Graduate Education. In those roles, his oversight helped elevate UCF’s national profile in graduate education and expand opportunities for interdisciplinary training and research engagement.

“This college sits at the intersection of everything UCF aspires to be from research excellence, student opportunity and meaningful community impact,” Weishampel says. “I’ve spent the better part of my career here building those connections, and I’m excited to deepen that work as dean.”

As permanent dean, Weishampel’s agenda centers on three interlocking priorities: supporting graduate students and postdoctoral scholars success, strengthening day‑to‑day operations, and building collaborations across UCF and with external stakeholders.

“Our graduate students and postdocs are doing extraordinary work. My job is to make sure the infrastructure, the mentorship and the resources are in place so they can excel — and so the world knows about it.” — John Weishampel, College of Graduate Studies dean

In practice, he says he sees these as inseparable. For Dean Weishampel, prioritizing competitive stipends and accessible health care, goes hand in hand with modernizing degree audit systems and data tools that help students and advisors track progress. He also believes both efforts depend on strengthening relationships with faculty, principal investigators, industry partners, and the graduate education community to enhance opportunities and UCF’s national profile.

“Our graduate students and postdocs are doing extraordinary work,” he says. “My job is to make sure the infrastructure, the mentorship and the resources are in place so they can excel — and so the world knows about it.”

Weishampel’s first steps as dean include establishing an advisory board, launching a strategic enrollment plan to strengthen domestic and international recruitment, and creating additional pathways for graduate students to showcase their research and compete for national and international recognition.

“We have made significant progress,” he says. “The goal now is to build on it deliberately to make UCF a destination for the best graduate students and scholars, and to ensure every one of them leaves prepared to take on the challenges associated with our dynamic world.”

“The goal now is to build on it deliberately to make UCF a destination for the best graduate students and scholars, and to ensure every one of them leaves prepared to take on the challenges associated with our dynamic world.” — John Weishampel, College of Graduate Studies dean

A nationally recognized scholar, Weishampel’s research spans remote sensing of forest ecosystems, sea turtle ecology and pioneering applications of LiDAR to detect archaeological features beneath forest canopies. His work has been supported by major federal agencies, including NSF, NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Education, garnering honors such as the NSF CAREER Award and NASA New Investigator Award.

Earlier in Weishampel’s career, he held numerous fellowships and visiting appointments, including service as a Fulbright distinguished research chair and senior scholar; Fulbright awards in Canada, Germany and Spain; a Charles Bullard Fellowship at Harvard University; and a visiting professorship in Paris. From 2019 to 2021, he served as a program officer at NSF, administering the Research Traineeship and Innovations in Graduate Education programs across more than 100 institutions, an experience he now draws upon in his leadership.

Weishampel holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Duke University and master’s and doctoral degrees in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia. Before joining UCF, he served as a National Research Council Research Associate at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

For UCF’s graduate community, Weishampel’s selection reflects confidence, in a leader who knows the institution well and brings a clear vision for what comes next.

UCF is the leading producer of talent among Florida’s 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’s workforce.

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

• Barry Miller ’95, president of Voloridge Investment Management
• Brian Adams ’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, need a ticket for admission. All graduates who have filed an intent to graduate will receive five commencement ceremony tickets when they pick up their regalia packet.

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

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 — Grad Walk — 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. Graduates 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 ’95

President of Voloridge Investment Management

Barry Miller ’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’s 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’s 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 ’04MBA

President and CEO of AdventHealth Central Florida Division

Brian Adams is president and CEO of AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division, one of the nation’s 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’s of business administration from the ɫ���� and a bachelor’s 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’s 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’s 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’s 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.

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

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

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

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

A Commitment to Fostering Student Success

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Year’s Events

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

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

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

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

Building Skills and Community

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

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

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

Forging the Future

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connecting Mentors to Mentees

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GEMiNi’s Resource Offerings

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

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

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

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

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

Graduates will hear from four esteemed speakers — Lance Lyttle, CEO for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority; Joe Nunziata, CEO for Acrisure Mortgage; JoAnn Newman, president and CEO for the Orlando Science Center; and Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia College — whose leadership and impact span some of Central Florida’s most influential industries.

UCF will award more than 6,000 degrees during this fall’s commencement ceremonies, continuing its record-setting momentum in preparing highly skilled graduates for in-demand fields, including engineering, computer science, nursing, and digital and emerging media. The university awards over 18,000 degrees annually, including more bachelor’s degrees in engineering and nursing than any other institution in the state. These two fields are essential to sustaining Florida’s economic and population growth.

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

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

About 54% of the bachelor’s degree recipients are eligible for Pell Grants, showcasing the university’s commitment to students of all backgrounds. Additionally, about 31% of all bachelor’s degrees will be awarded to first-generation students who will be the first in their families to graduate from college.

Commencement Festivities

Held in the Addition Financial Arena, fall commencement will take place Dec. 12-13.

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

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

Commencement Photo-ops Across UCF

Main Campus

Two photo-ops are available for students to celebrate their accomplishments.

The Reflecting Pond is one of the most iconic spots on campus for grad photos. Strike a pose and make memories Dec. 1-14.

On Thursday, Dec. 11, 2:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.), fall graduates are invited to a photo-op — — within the Addition Financial Arena. This will be a first-come, first-served occasion for graduates and up to 10 of their well-wishers to take photos and videos on the ceremony stage. .

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

UCF Downtown

UCF Downtown offers several great locations for unforgettable graduation photos. Here are our top picks of the best spots to memorialize your academic achievement.

Celebrate your college journey by honoring your support system at the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons West Lobby donor wall. Use the iconic phrase, “If you want to go far, go together,” on the donor wall as a backdrop to pay homage to those who helped you along the way.

The Seneff Plaza, located between the East and West Wings of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, is where so many campus events and gatherings take place. The towering columns and reflective glass of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons capture the modern campus where you worked so hard to earn your degree.

Enhance your graduation photos by venturing beyond campus into the surrounding Orlando area. You barely have to step off campus to encounter the iconic Orlando sign locatedat Luminary Green Park. The 2.3-acre park features a large, welcoming lawn that leads up to the oversized “Orlando” letters at the end of the park, creating the ideal environment to mark your time in The City Beautiful.

Commencement Schedule

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

Friday, Dec. 12
2 p.m.

College of Business Administration
College of Health Professions and Sciences

Friday, Dec. 12
7 p.m.

College of Arts and Humanities
College of Community Innovation and Education (includes the School of Interdisciplinary Studies)

Saturday, Dec. 13
9 a.m.

College of Sciences

Saturday, Dec. 13
2 p.m.

College of Engineering and Computer Science
College of Graduate Studies
College of Medicine
College of Nursing
College of Optics and Photonics
Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Commencement Speakers

Lance Lyttle

CEO for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

As chief executive officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), Lance Lyttle oversees the operations and management of Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport — two premier gateways to Central Florida, one of the most visited destinations in the world. Both airports are integral to Florida’s transportation network.

Before his role as GOAA CEO, Lyttle held key leadership positions at three major U.S. airports, where he guided significant capital projects and elevated the standard for customer service. As managing director of Aviation for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, he oversaw major milestones including the completion of the N Concourse Modernization, the International Arrivals Facility and the expansion of the Central Terminal. He also advanced significant progress on the C Concourse expansion. Under his leadership, Seattle-Tacoma earned the prestigious 4-Star Airport Rating from international rating agency Skytrax, becoming only the second large U.S. hub airport to receive the designation.

Lyttle also served in leadership roles at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the U.S. by passenger volume, and within the Houston Airport System.

His aviation experience is complemented by his involvement with several professional organizations. Lyttle currently serves on the boards of the International Association of Airport Executives and the Airport Cooperative Research Program. From 2019 to 2024, he was chair of Federal Affairs for the American Association of Airport Executives and testified before the U.S. House and Senate committees on aviation-related matters.

Joe Nunziata

CEO for Acrisure Mortgage��

Joe Nunziata is a driving force in the financial industry, serving as CEO for Acrisure Mortgage (formerly FBC Mortgage), one of the nation’s largest independent mortgage banks. His entrepreneurial footprint extends across Central Florida as the founder and director of One Florida Bank, a Central Florida–based community bank; and the founder and director of Trident Reciprocal Insurance, a Florida-based insurance company. He also lends his expertise as a director of FBCInsurance Agency. Nunziata’s leadership has earned him appointments by Governor Ron DeSantis to the boards of both the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and the Central Florida Expressway Authority. He has also served on the boards of several financial institutions, including Sunshine Bank (NASDAQ), Southern Community Bank, Florida Bank of Commerce and Fifth Third Bank of Central Florida (NYSE: FITB).

Nunziata’s career is marked by moments of bold strategy and impactful transitions. After FBC Mortgage was acquired by The Sterne Agee Group in 2012, he took the lead as president and CEO. Three years later, he played a key role in the company’s successful re-acquisition from Sterne Agee in 2015 and guided it through its next era of growth. His earlier leadership roles in his career include serving as senior vice president at First Horizon Home Loans (NYSE: FHN) and vice president and shareholder at American Heritage Mortgage Corp., where he served from 1989 to 2003.

Beyond business, Nunziata is deeply committed to civic engagement and philanthropy. He currently serves on the boards of the Advent Health Foundation; the Orlando Police, Seminole, Osceola, Winter Park and Orange County Sheriff Foundations; and the FBC Mortgage Charitable Foundation. He and his family also operate the Joe and Jodi Nunziata Charitable Foundation, supporting a range of community initiatives.

A Certified Mortgage Banker through the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, Nunziata has served on the MBA’s Legislative Committee, the City of Longwood’s Board of Adjustment and the Florida Council 100. His industry expertise has made him a sought-after commentator for CNBC and Fox News and a frequent speaker at mortgage industry conferences and leadership panels.

Nunziata earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida, attended summer courses at UCF and completed sessions at the London School of Economics. His leadership and entrepreneurial achievements have earned him many honors, including Executive of the Year by the Orlando Business Journal and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

JoAnn Newman

President and CEO for the Orlando Science Center

Originally from Pennsylvania, JoAnn Newman holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Penn State University and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Purdue University. She began her career as an engineer at AT&T Microelectronics in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and relocated to Orlando with the company in 1989. By the time she left the corporation in 2003, she had risen to vice president of manufacturing, overseeing a 650-person staff.

Newman joined the Orlando Science Center in 2003, bringing her leadership experience to the nonprofit sector.�� Before being named president and CEO in 2009, she served in key roles, including as director of exhibits, vice president of operations and chief operating officer. Under her leadership as CEO, the Orlando Science Center has seen tremendous growth and now reaches more than 650,000 people annually through its mission to inspire science learning for all.

Newman remains dedicated to guiding the Orlando Science Center as a premier educational institution focused on informal science and STEM education, family engagement and workforce development.

Kathleen Plinske

President of Valencia College

Kathleen Plinske serves as president of Valencia College in Orlando.  A first-generation college graduate, she’s committed to expanding access to higher education and workforce training.

Plinske previously held several leadership roles at Valencia College, including executive vice president and provost, as well as campus president. She began her higher education career at McHenry County College in her hometown of Crystal Lake, Illinois, where she advanced through multiple positions, ultimately serving as vice president of institutional effectiveness and interim president.

A Herman B Wells Scholar at Indiana University, Plinske graduated with the highest distinction, earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and physics and being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She went on to complete a master’s degree in Spanish from Roosevelt University and a doctorate in education from Pepperdine University — all while working full-time. She later earned both a master of business administration and a master of science in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Florida.

An avid lifelong learner, Plinske is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in philanthropy at Indiana University, where her research focuses on improving fundraising success within the community college sector.

For more details and FAQs about Fall 2025 commencement celebrations, visit ucf.edu/graduation.��