Student Life Archives | ɫ�� News

UCF Pegasus Palooza 2026 Kicks Off Aug. 23

Juzanne Martin — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 13:30:40 +0000

There’s nothing quite like the start of a new semester at UCF. With Fall 2026 classes beginning Aug. 24, , UCF’s annual welcome week, kicks things off with events and activities that bring new and returning Knights together across campuses.

From signature UCF traditions to opportunities to meet new people, get involved and have some fun before classes get into full swing, there’s plenty to experience. Here’s your guide to the week’s events on the main campus and at . Just remember to bring your UCF ID to participate in each event.

For the latest event details and updates, check the ,�� and @UCF_OSI on Instagram.

Sunday, Aug. 23:

The Knighting
Addition Financial Arena
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

UCF’s official welcome ceremony brings together all new Knights to celebrate the start of their UCF journey. No ticket is required, and the event is open to all. Doors open at 10 a.m.

Opening Knight
Student Union
12 – 4 p.m.

What’s the best way to get involved at UCF? Meet the Knights already doing it. Stop by the Student Union to explore student organizations, connect with current members and find your place on campus. Plus, enjoy DJs, free food, giveaways and more.

Monday, Aug. 24:

Welcome Back Social
Reflecting Pond
12 – 1 p.m.

Grab complimentary sweet treats and mingle with UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright, faculty, staff and students.

Movie Knight
Memory Mall
7 – 10 p.m.

Grab your friends and head to Memory Mall for the Campus Activities Board’s annual Movie Knight. Catch Project Hail Mary under the stars, take on a human hamster ball course and enjoy free popcorn and drinks. The event is open to all UCF students.

Tuesday, Aug. 25:

Taste ɫ��
Addition Financial Arena
4 – 6 p.m.

Experience international destinations through food, music, dance and traditions from around the world. This annual celebration brings students together to explore the many backgrounds represented at UCF and throughout the greater Orlando area while building connections and a sense of belonging.

Wednesday, Aug. 26:

Welcome Expo
Student Union Key West Ballroom
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

For nearly 30 years, the has helped Knights discover what campus — and the surrounding community — has to offer. Stop by to learn about UCF programs, explore campus resources, meet local businesses and discover new opportunities, all in one place. Plus, enjoy music, food and tons of giveaways while taking part in a longtime campus tradition.

Homecoming Theme Reveal
Student Union Atrium
12 – 2 p.m.

Be among the first to find out the Homecoming Week 2026 theme and score some UCF Homecoming merch.

Comedy Knight Featuring Leslie Jones
Addition Financial Arena
7 – 9 p.m.

Join the Campus Activities Board for a night of fun and laughs featuring Primetime Emmy-nominated comedian and actress Leslie Jones. Best known for her five seasons on Saturday Night Live, Jones has appeared in nearly 60 film and television projects, including 2016’s Ghostbusters. Get ready to experience her comedic talents, incredible writing and magnetic stage presence live at UCF.

Current UCF students get in free with a valid UCF ID. Tickets for the general public are available at additionfiarena.com.

Thursday, Aug. 27:

Taste of Downtown
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons at UCF Downtown
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Take your taste buds on a trip around the world at this signature event featuring international flavors, live entertainment and interactive experiences inspired by destinations worldwide. Come try something new, meet fellow Knights and celebrate the people and traditions that make UCF Downtown and the greater Orlando area so vibrant.

Speed Friending
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Room 107 at UCF Downtown
12 – 2 p.m.

Break the ice at Speed Friending, a fast-paced, low-pressure way to connect with fellow UCF Downtown students. Rotate through quick conversations, tackle fun icebreaker questions and see who you click with along the way. Whether you’re new to campus or looking to expand your circle, it’s a fun way to meet new people, make meaningful connections and create lasting memories.

Concert Knight Featuring Quavo
Addition Financial Arena
7 – 9 p.m.

Get hyped for a night of live music featuring Grammy-nominated rapper, singer and producer Quavo. Known for solo hits like Hotel Lobby and Workin Me and as a member of Migos, the chart-topping rap group behind Bad and Boujee and Stir Fry, Quavo has amassed more than a billion streams and captivated audiences worldwide with his signature sound.

Current UCF students get in free with a valid UCF ID. Tickets for the general public are available at additionfiarena.com.

Friday, Aug. 28:

Paint Rave
Memory Mall
7:30 – 11 p.m.

Join Late Knights for Paint Rave, a high-energy night packed with glowing paint, music, mocktails and plenty of ways to get creative. Bring a friend, hit the painting stations and light up the night while making memories you won’t want to forget.

Saturday, Aug. 29:

Day of Service
Student Union Patio
7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Make an impact beyond campus with Volunteer UCF’s Day of Service. Team up with fellow Knights and four local community partners for a morning of hands-on service supporting youth and mentoring, the environment, education and literacy. Choose the cause that speaks to you, meet new people and have fun while giving back to the greater Orlando community. Students will earn three service hours for participating.

Service sites are selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive at 7:30 a.m. for check-in, and RSVP on KnightConnect to participate.

Spring 2026 UCFest Lineup

UCF — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:11:59 +0000

Movie Knight, a Coachella-inspired music festival and more headline this spring’s UCFest, which kicks off April 6.

The week-long festival is organized by the Campus Activities Board — a registered student organization focused on fostering student engagement on campus with marquee events including Pegasus Palooza.

The following events are free for UCF students with valid UCF ID.

Monday, April 6

Movie Knight

Pegasus Ballroom (Student Union) | 7:30 p.m.

Please note: due to the expected inclement weather, the location of this event has changed from Memory Mall to the Pegasus Ballroom in the Student Union.

Students can enjoy carnival games, free popcorn and beverages (while supplies last) and a special showing of Disney’s Zootopia 2 with their friends.

Wednesday, April 8

Comedy Knight

Addition Financial Arena | Doors open 7 p.m., event starts at 8 p.m.

Comedian, actress, and celebrity interviewer Ziwe brings her signature humor, fearless questions, and unforgettable stage presence to Comedy Knight! Two students will be selected to be interviewed by Ziwe live on stage during her Hot Seat segment.

Thursday, April 9

KNIGHT-CHELLA

Memory Mall | 6:30–11:30 p.m.

A music festival inspired by the iconic Coachella, KNIGHT-CHELLA features: five student bands and six DJs across two stages, food trucks, giveaways, live art from students, large-scale attractions including roller skating, mechanical bull, bungee jumping and more.

Monday, April 13

Speaker Knight

Pegasus Ballroom (Student Union) | Doors open at 7 p.m., panel starts at 8 p.m.

Chloé Lukasiak, former dancer on the reality TV show Dance Moms, will share her personal story and take part in a Q&A.

UCF Women’s Soccer to Host NCAA Tournament First Round

Jenna Marina Lee — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 18:50:32 +0000

When the UCF women’s soccer team lost starting defenders Brooke Mulroney and Kalena Bellini to devastating injuries within days of each other at the start of Big 12 Conference play in September, it would have been easy for outsiders to write off the Knights. Especially after the team lost a road game at Arizona, 1-0, on their first outing without Mulroney and Bellini on the field.

Their mentality? Don’t tell us the odds.

“I told the team from the very beginning, no successful team goes through any journey that is easy. This is part of our journey,” UCF head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak says. “How are we going to respond to this? You have the ability to go out there and play for them. Believe in how good you are. Visualize doing great things and the rest will follow.”

From that point on, the Knights closed the regular season with a nine-match unbeaten streak, helping them clinch the No. 7 seed and hosting rights in the NCAA Tournament.

UCF will hold a first-round game on Friday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. at the UCF Soccer Complex against Maine, who just won its third-straight America East championship title.

The Knights are one of a conference-record eight teams from the Big 12 selected to participate in this year’s NCAA Tournament.

“After what we went through on a weekly basis in the Big 12 this year — a historical year with how many teams earned postseason bids — what excites me as we head into the NCAA Tournament is we’ve seen the best in the country. We are part of that,” Roberts Sahaydak says. “Obviously it’s one game at a time, and that starts with Maine, but the team should be feeling really confident because they are prepared from the physical and tactical and mental tests they’ve had all season.”

The women’s soccer team reacts during the NCAA Selection Show upon hearing UCF will host Maine in the NCAA Tournament First Round. (Photo courtesy ɫ�� Athletics).

UCF’S NCAA Tournament History

This year’s postseason appearance will mark UCF’s first as a member of the Big 12 Conference and first since 2022 when the Knights advanced to the tournament’s second round.

Friday’s home match will mark the 11th time that UCF has hosted an NCAA Tournament First Round competition and the program’s first since 2017.

In all, it will be the program’s 23rd all-time appearance in the NCAA Division I Championship. UCF ranks among the NCAA’s top 25 winningest teams nationally since the inception of Division I women’s soccer in 1982.

Tickets/Broadcast Info

General admission tickets are $10 and can be at ucfknights.com. The first 100 UCF students with valid UCF ID will receive free entry (first come, first serve). Stadium gates open at 6 p.m.

The match will air on ESPN+.

Knight Hacks, Hack Days and Hackathons

Robert Stephens — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 19:46:09 +0000

There are times when Dylan Vidal, Leonard Gofman, and Richard Phillips get together and sound like brothers, or at least roommates. They laugh at random comments with the inside knowledge of guys who have done some life together. They finish each other’s stories because they know them so well. They share a passion for technology, yet you wouldn’t describe any of them as hard-wired, impersonal tech enthusiasts — quite the opposite, actually. And that has become their most unique connection.

“I think we’d agree that it all points back to the culture of Knight Hacks,” says Vidal, president ɫ��’s widely acclaimed software-development and hackathon organization. His is the first of many references to that word: culture.

Gofman, vice president of Knight Hacks, makes a slight addition. “The culture and community, that’s what sets us apart.”

Phillips, who organizes events as Hack lead, tightens the bow. “I think you guys said it all.”

The computer science students aren’t trying to sell Knight Hacks, just expressing out loud how they’ve experienced UCF’s hack world. Vidal, a senior, wondered if he was tech-savvy enough when he first sampled the club. “Now,” he says, “I could talk about Knight Hacks forever.”

Gofman and Phillips raise their eyebrows and nod, as if admitting either, “Yes, we could,” or “Yes, he ��ǳܱ��.”

“A lot of students come with their heads down, maybe thinking of Knight Hacks only as a path into job recruitment, … and then find themselves in this fun, helpful community.” — Leonard Gofman, student

During a typical week during the fall semester they spend at least three evenings with Knight Hacks members, visitors, organizers and sponsors. No one shows up because they have to, it’s because they want to. The club — which started 10 years ago with 80 members and now boasts 1,000 — offers mentorship, tech workshops, interview training, preparation for internships and a home where like-minded students can create usable technology while asking each other, “What can I do to make this idea better?”

“A lot of students come with their heads down, maybe thinking of Knight Hacks only as a path into job recruitment,” Gofman says. “They might anticipate a seriously competitive environment where you have to prove yourself, and then find themselves in this fun, helpful community.”

He has just described how he, Vidal, and Phillips came to know Knight Hacks. Where they once envisioned the future of technology from a distance, they now envision the future with themselves in it.

“There can be a feeling in technology that what you know is never good enough,” Vidal says. “That’s why Knight Hacks has been such a game-changer, even for our officers and directors.”

Phillips clears his throat. “It’s true. I’ve been there.”

He tells the story of coming to UCF as a transfer student from Broward Community College and immediately being surrounded by really smart computer science majors.

“I had to get through —what’s that word?” Phillips says.

“Imposter syndrome?” Vidal says.

“That’s it, imposter syndrome,” Phillips says.

“I was riddled with imposter syndrome, too,” Vidal says. It’s a surprising admission from the confident leaders they are today.

For Phillips, everything changed when he attended his first Hack Day.

“Those same smart people helped me debug a code I’d been struggling with,” he says. “They leveled me up and made me feel like I belong. From that day forward, I wanted to be like them — highly skilled and willing to help others.”

“They leveled me up and made me feel like I belong. From that day forward, I wanted to be like them — highly skilled and willing to help others.” — Richard Phillips, student

The willingness to help is one of many bridges that makes the Knight Hacks culture so unique. There are also bridges to knowledge, relationships and into the massively real world of technology. Those bridges spanned the country this summer as Vidal is in Santa Clara, California, where he interns with Nvidia. Gofman was in Bellevue, Washington, interning with Statsig, and Phillips was interning in Miami with Florida Blue, which chose him from a pool of 3,000 applicants.

“The mock interviews we do at Knight Hacks helped us tremendously,” Vidal says. “I have to emphasize again, the culture of the organization is so much more than coding.”

Gofman: “Tech companies are looking for candidates who know how to work in teams.”

Phillips: “Candidates who always want to keep learning.”

Back to Vidal: “We’ve learned little tricks of the trade through mentorship. For example, I was told to scan the QR codes at trade events to improve my position in each company’s database. We also learned how to make our resumes more performant as they pass through algorithms. It exemplifies our mission: to bridge the gap from the classroom to industry.”

Thousands of students have crossed the bridge since Knight Hacks launched in 2015. Many of them have been introduced to the organization’s culture at its signature annual event: fall Hackathon.

“Hackathon is the pinnacle,” Vidal says.

Computer science students and Knight Hacks leaders Richard Phillips (left), Dyaln Vidal (center) and Leonard Gofman (right) (Photo by Antoine Hart)

This year, on Friday, Oct. 24, more than 600 students will begin showing up at UCF’s engineering buildings and business administration buildings, carrying laptops, pillows, toothbrushes, and maybe a sleeping bag or air mattress. At exactly 10 p.m., the software-building marathon will begin. For the next 36 hours, participants will code, collaborate and grow from being around each other. Some might nap. Sponsors will provide seven meals and unlimited water and energy drinks.

“We make it a point to have fun, but essentially, hackathon is whatever each person wants it to be,” Vidal says. “Some will focus only on the golden trophy — not stopping to eat, just coding, coding, coding. That’s fine. But they might miss the benefits of Hackathon and the interesting nuances that make Knight Hacks special.”

Among the interesting nuances are midnight karaoke, a frying pan award for the most obscure project, and a paper airplane competition at 2 a.m. to encourage participants to look up, clear their eyes, and take it all in.

“The paper airplane competition started as an off-the-wall idea and wound up with a sponsor,” Gofman says. “It shows us that tech companies really do value our culture.”

They value the talented people within it, too, knowing that any college student who chooses participate in Hackathon could instead be doing “traditional” college student things — playing games, going to the beach and sleeping.

“Instead, we’re up all night building software and building relationships,” Vidal says.

The clearest illustration of the Knight Hack culture mentioned again and again during this interview are, ironically, the three students on the call. At various times, they each say they weren’t the most social or confident programmer when they enrolled at UCF. You’d never know it from the way they speak or from the locations where they’re interning.

Gofman: “You never know where a first step will take you.”

Phillips: “It’s never too early and never too late.”

Vidal: “Like I said, we could talk about this forever.”

He seems to mean it literally. The real world of technology, however, never stops spinning. And these Knights have work to do.

Your Go-to Guide for UCF Homecoming 2025

Juzanne Martin — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 12:44:34 +0000

The much-anticipated is back this fall, bringing a full lineup of unforgettable events for students, alumni, faculty and staff. From Oct. 13-19, a variety of activities — including special events for UCF alumni — will take place across both the main and UCF Downtown campuses.

Keep reading to discover all the ways to join the fun, connect with fellow Knights and celebrate UCF spirit all week long.

Student and Community Events

Note: Comedy Knight and Concert Knight are ticketed events with free admission for current students with a valid UCF ID. Tickets for the public may be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Oct. 13 – Knights Got Talent | Memory Mall | 7-9 p.m.
Bring a blanket or chair to Memory Mall and support your fellow Knights as they showcase their special talents. This event is free for both the community and UCF students.

Oct. 14 – Movie Knight: Superman | UCF Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom | 7-10 p.m.
Catch an epic showing of Superman, plus a short film competition and concessions.

Oct. 15 – Comedy Knight: Karlous Miller | Addition Financial Arena | Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.

Enjoy a night of laughs with comedian Karlous Miller, known for the 85 South Show and Wild N’ Out. Admission is free for all UCF students. Non-UCF students can purchase $25 tickets on Ticketmaster.

Oct. 14 – Foam Splash | Communication and Media Building Plaza, UCF Downtown | 12-2 p.m.
Dive into the biggest foam party of the semester. Splash into a giant foam pit and bubbly pool, enjoy tacos and ice cream, play water games and more. The first 200 attendees will get free rubber ducks and exclusive Foam Splash T-shirts.

Oct. 16 – Concert Knight: JT and SoFaygo | Addition Financial Arena | Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.

Experience a high-energy Concert Knight featuring Miami rapper and special guest SoFaygo, a rapper from Michigan. Admission is free for all UCF students. Non-UCF students can purchase $25 tickets on Ticketmaster.

Oct. 17 – Spirit Splash | UCF Reflecting Pond | 12-2 p.m.
The nation’s biggest homecoming tradition is back. Students will be able to run into the Reflecting Pond and attempt to catch the famous homecoming duck. There will be special guest speakers, as well as performances from the cheer team, Knightmoves, and Marching Knights. The event is free and open to both UCF students and the community.

Oct. 17 – UCF Volleyball vs. University of Arizona | The Venue at UCF | Match begins at 6 p.m.
The UCF women’s volleyball team welcomes Big 12 opponent Arizona. For more information, visit .

Oct. 17 – Ignite the Knight | Memory Mall | Event starts at 6 p.m., fireworks start at 8:30 p.m., weather permitting

Bring your own towel, blanket, or chair to sit on and enjoy live music, carnival games, food, beverages, and special appearances. Then cap off the evening with a one-of-a-kind fireworks display.

Oct. 18 – UCF Football vs. West Virginia | Acrisure Bounce House | Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Cheer on the Knights as they take on the West Virginia Mountaineers during the homecoming game. Purchase game tickets on Ticketmaster or through the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at 407-823-1000. For more information, check out the .

Alumni Events

Oct. 16 – Shining Knights Alumni Awards Reception | Pegasus Ballroom, UCF Student Union | 6-9 p.m.
The Shining Knights Alumni Awards honor UCF’s outstanding alumni and community leaders who have significantly contributed to the university and the community. The UCF Alumni family is honored to recognize nine honorees at this year’s reception.  and include a pre-reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and dinner.

Oct. 17 – Ignite the Knight | Memory Mall | 6-8:30 p.m.
Join Knight Nation for a family-friendly UCF festival celebrating the eve of the big football game. Enjoy live music, food, beverages, carnival games and special appearances, then cap off the evening with a one-of-a-kind fireworks spectacular. .

Bonus: by bringing sealed, individually packaged Halloween candy, small toys or crafts. These items will be collected at Ignite the Knight.

Oct. 18 – UCF Alumni Tailgate | UCF FAIRWINDS Alumni Center | Three hours before kickoff
Head to the UCF FAIRWINDS Alumni Center three hours before the Knights charge the field to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers. Admission to this family-friendly zone is complimentary for all UCF alumni and guests.

Oct. 18 – UCF Black Alumni Community Family Reunion and Tailgate | UCF FAIRWINDS Alumni Center | Three hours before kickoff
Head to the ultimate tailgating experience, hosted by the UCF Black Alumni Community, three hours before the Knights take on the West Virginia Mountaineers. Enjoy a DJ, giant yard games, guest appearances and more. while they last. This event is open to all alumni and guests.

Oct. 18 – UCF Regional Community Watch Parties | Locations vary | Time varies Not able to come to campus? Regional Knights communities will host local watch parties before the UCF vs. West Virginia game — and everyone is invited. .

Oct. 19 – Trick or Treat on Greek Street | Greek Park Drive | 2-5 p.m.
The UCF Greek Community is hosting its annual Trick or Treat on Greek Street. This family-friendly event brings Halloween fun to the Central Florida community — and everyone’s invited.

in your group. All registered Greek alumni will be entered for a chance to win.

Journalism Student Accelerates a Career in Sports Media with NASCAR

Emily Dougherty — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 13:00:31 +0000

Allyson Castillo, a senior at UCF studying broadcast journalism in the Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM), spent ten weeks this summer as an intern for NASCAR’s content team, where she’s working on influencer relations, trend analysis and digital storytelling that brings the energy of the race track to its audiences.

Allyson Castillo, a broadcast journalism senior.

Castillo was only one of 40 students selected from more than 4,000 applicants for the . Interns from various academic backgrounds in the program are placed with teams and departments that stretch across the NASCAR industry, including 23XI Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Daytona International Speedway and more.

“It absolutely means the world to me to be chosen out of 4,000 applicants,” she says. “It’s truly incredible to work alongside professionals and see the reality of what it’s like to actually be working in this exciting industry.”

Castillo’s role within the content team gives her insight into the digital side of motorsports, where she helps the brand connect with new and existing fans.

“My department specifically works with influencers, inviting them to a track to spread awareness and create content that shares the love of the sport,” she says. “It’s been a great experience connecting and working with these influencers.”

Having this internship opened new doors for Castillo and provided her with the opportunity to travel to Chicago and see her work come to life.

“Traveling to Chicago for the first time and having the chance to work alongside talented professionals and help grow the sport through influencer outreach is fulfilling to see,” she says. “It showed me how hard work pays off.”

Castillo says she’s always been a fan of motorsports, which encouraged her to apply when she made connections in the industry though UCF student organizations and opportunities such as the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and NSCM’s Intern Pursuit.

“One of the people I met through networking opportunities on campus works in communications for NASCAR in Daytona,” Catillo says. “I connected with her to learn how to start in the industry. She was kind enough to share information about the NASCAR Next Internship Program.”

Castillo (center) was one of 40 students selected from more than 4,000 applicants for the NASCAR Next Internship Program.

As a first-generation college student, Castillo says her goals have been shaped by the hard work and devotedness she grew up surrounded by.

“My parents were very young when they moved to the United States and seeing their dedication has always inspired me to earn a degree,” she said. “It’s so important to provide a space for communities to share their voice and be heard — and journalism has helped provide that pathway for me.”

Castillo says she credits networking events and UCF’s student organizations for this incredible opportunity.

“If I didn’t go to these networking events or if I wasn’t part of student organizations here at UCF, I wouldn’t have made those important connections or even know that this internship exists,” she says.

Allyson Castillo with NASCAR Cup Series driver Christopher Bell.

As an engaged journalism student, Castillo shares that she has earned priceless professional experience in many areas of media, including NPR’s Are We There Yet? podcast, reporting on UCF Athletics with ESPN+, partaking in Spanish spoken news broadcasts with NAHJ, and contributing to , UCF’s student-run news organization.

“The journalism program does a fantastic job in helping students connect with professionals,” she says. “Those opportunities really prepared me for the real world and taught me how to communicate effectively, meet deadlines, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.”

3 Engineering Students Selected for Department of Defense SMART Scholars Program

Marisa Ramiccio ’11 — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 13:00:41 +0000

UCF engineering students Carlos Arteaga, Chance Brewer ’20 and Jean-Philippe Perrault ’06 ’14MBA have been selected for the Department of Defense (DOD) Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program.

Unlike a typical scholarship that only covers the cost of tuition and fees, the SMART scholarship also provides an annual stipend, a summer internship, an experienced mentor and guaranteed employment with the DOD after graduation.

The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing STEM degrees who can commit to one year of employment with the DOD upon graduation. The goal is to develop a talent pipeline of technically proficient professionals who can meet the nation’s security needs.

Carlos Arteaga

M.S. in civil engineering

For Arteaga, applying for the DOD SMART Scholarship program was a no-brainer. He already works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a geotechnical engineer and plans to use his time in the program to develop as a professional within that agency. He says this program stood out because it aligned perfectly with his values of technical excellence, service to country and long-term impact.

“I was drawn to the program’s integration of academic advancement with real-world application, especially within the DOD’s infrastructure and research divisions,” Arteaga says. “The opportunity to contribute to national security while deepening my expertise in structural and geotechnical engineering made it an ideal fit.”

As a master’s student on the non-thesis track, Arteaga plans to take a more practical approach to the internship. He hopes to gain a better understanding of how engineering decisions are made in defense and looks forward to collaborating with experts across the DOD.

Balancing coursework with a job and the responsibilities of the DOD program is no easy feat, but Arteaga says that the flexibility and technical rigor are what drew him to UCF’s graduate programs.

“The curriculum has strengthened my foundation in structural and geotechnical principle while also enhancing my ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively,” Arteaga says. “Combined with my experience at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, my time at UCF has prepared me to contribute confidently and competently to the DOD’s mission.”

Chance Brewer ’20

Ph.D. in mechanical engineering

Through his work in the Putnam Lab, managed by Shawn Putnam, mechanical engineering associate professor, Brewer has had the chance to collaborate on research projects sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). As a DOD SMART scholar, Brewer will rejoin the AFRL team to work on research related to his expertise.

“My academic research on multifunctional materials in thermal management systems is already closely tied with the work I will be doing with AFRL, but the challenges and applications I am targeting will shift to focus on thermal control for space vehicles,” Brewer says. “Over the past two summers I have worked with the same team that I will be working with for SMART, so I am already very familiar with the community that I will be joining after I graduate, and I feel very fortunate to be joining such a great team.”

Brewer thanks Putnam as well as the UCF Office of Undergraduate Research and the UCF Academic Advancement Programs office for their support and encouragement to get involved with research as an undergraduate student. He credits their guidance and sense of community with shaping his graduate experience and, ultimately, a career with the DOD.

“My ultimate goal from this experience is to establish a career within AFRL leading research on coupled thermal and optical materials for thermal monitoring and control systems,” Brewer says. “Through these efforts, I also hope to learn how we can leverage thermal solutions being developed for space applications to help support missions across the DOD and to help advance thermal management systems for commercial technologies.”

Jean-Philippe Perrault ’06 ’14MBA

Ph.D. in industrial engineering

Like Arteaga, Perrault is already employed with the DOD. He works as an engineering supervisor for the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD). He’s also a father of five, a chess coach an active community volunteer and a doctoral student. With a very full schedule, the DOD SMART Scholarship was a practical choice because it designates study time during work hours, alleviating the pressure of pursuing a Ph.D.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration, Perrault returned to UCF in Fall 2024 to continue his studies. He also serves on the advisory board for the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems and with the encouragement of Professor Luis Rabelo, joined the industrial engineering doctoral program’s systems engineering track.

Perrault’s research focuses on the development of a theoretical framework to adopt AI technology in military training systems. He says the SMART scholarship program will help him deepen his technical knowledge and in turn, inform his research.

“Beyond technical skills, I aim to gain a comprehensive understanding of how research translates into real-world applications within the DOD, including navigating the complexities of defense innovation and collaboration,” Perrault says. “I also look forward to developing leadership, project management and interdisciplinary collaboration skills that will enable me to contribute effectively to the defense community both during and after my scholarship.”

Perrault plans to continue working for the NAWCTSD but hopes to strengthen the collaborative relationship the agency has with UCF. As a three-time alum, he says that some of his most cherished memories were formed at UCF — memories of friendship, hard work and achievements.

“As a continually growing university located close to home, UCF has played a significant role in shaping my professional journey,” Perrault says. “My success is largely attributed to the comprehensive education and experiences I gained here — the coursework, laboratories, professors and student support services all contributed to my development as a leader within our local community.”

Over 25 Pegasus Palooza Events Launch Fall 2025 Semester at UCF

UCF — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:54:09 +0000

The Fall 2025 semester kicks off Aug. 18, and Pegasus Palooza, UCF’s annual welcome week, greets students new and returning to campus with a variety of events. To make the most out of these special events, here is a list of the week’s events on the main campus and at . Students will need to bring their UCF ID to participate in each event. For more information about these events, visit the ,�� and by following @UCF_OSI on Instagram.

Sunday, Aug. 17:

The Knighting
Addition Financial Arena
11 a.m. to Noon

UCF’s official welcome ceremony for all new Knights held in the Addition Financial Arena.

Opening Knight
Student Union
Noon – 4 p.m.

What’s the best way to get involved? Talking to people who are. See the amazing student organizations that you can join here at UCF. There will be DJs, free food and more.

Monday, Aug. 18:

Campus Locators
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons’ Seneff Plaza and Parramore Garage at UCF Downtown
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Coming to the downtown campus for the first time? Not sure where to go? Wondering what services the campus has to offer? Look for the downtown campus locator tents located in the DPAC Seneff Plaza and near the Parramore parking garage. There will be staff waiting to help you find what you are looking for and answer questions you may have.

Saving Secrets with Snap Tabling
Recreation and Wellness Center, Room 111
11 a.m. – noon

Have you heard about Saving Secrets? Come learn the basics of discount savings and grocery shopping tips on a budget. Learn about SNAP benefits and how to apply.

Well-Being Open House
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons’ East Lobby at UCF Downtown
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Stop by the DPAC East Lobby (the side with the campus store) to meet all the downtown resources available to support your well-being.

Valencia College International Student Services Global Welcome Event
UnionWest 2nd Floor Lobby at UCF Downtown
Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Valencia College International Student Services (ISS) is thrilled to invite all Valencia international students to this gathering. ISS is dedicated to ensuring your time at Valencia College is both enjoyable and successful.

Knight-Thon Karnival
Memory Mall
1 – 4 p.m.

Knight-Thon’s kickoff event for the new year. Held at Memory Mall, this event will allow all UCF students to attend a mini carnival with games, food, prizes, an inflatable attraction and more. Students can also learn more about Knight-Thon, their cause and how they can get involved with the organization.

Movie Knight
Memory Mall
7:30 p.m.

The Campus Activities Board will host a movie knight at Memory Mall for students to enjoy a showing of A Minecraft Movie with their friends.

Tuesday, Aug. 19:

Campus Locators
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons’ Seneff Plaza and Parramore Garage at UCF Downtown
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Speed Friending
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Room 107 at UCF Downtown
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Student Engagement presents to you Speed Friending. This event is an amazing networking opportunity where UCF Downtown students can get to know one another by answering fun questions. Food, snacks and drinks will be provided.

Welcome Back Popsicle Social
Reflecting Pond
Noon – 1 p.m.

Pop on by to enjoy complimentary popsicles from Pop Parlour and meet UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright and First Lady Melinda Cartwright. Enjoy mingling with members of the leadership team and a special appearance by Knightro. The event will also include representatives from several campus organizations with resources and information on the opportunities and services they provide. In the event of inclement weather, this outdoor meet and greet will be moved inside Millican Hall.

SNAP Coaching
UnionWest, First Floor at UCF Downtown
2 – 3 p.m.

SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program is federally funded and provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of individuals who may not make enough money to eat healthy consistently. Learn more about SNAP at our monthly tabling event.

Taste ɫ��
Addition Financial Arena
4 – 6 p.m.

This event will highlight cultural foods, free to the student and staff population.

Wednesday, Aug. 20:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown Campus and downtown Orlando
All Day

Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21, to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28, to complete as many challenges as you can.

This is a single-player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends using the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your own account to be considered for one of the giveaways.

Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”

Enter password: “2019”

Welcome Expo
Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The Welcome Expo, hosted by the Knights Major Exploration and Transition Center, is the perfect place to discover what the UCF Main Campus has to offer. Stop by the event to meet with campus offices, departments and local businesses from the area. Enjoy connecting with others while collecting many free giveaways. This event is open to all UCF students, staff and faculty.

Homecoming Reveal
Student Union, Atrium
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Come out to find out the events and theme for UCF Homecoming 2025.

Internships: Who’s Hiring and Where Can I Find Them?
TBD
2 – 3 p.m.

Do you need experience? Find out how to obtain internships through experiential learning.

Fresh-U Market
Recreation and Wellness Center, Room 111
2 – 4 p.m.

Wellness and Health Promotion Services’ (WHPS) FreshU Market, located on the first floor of the wellness center, teaches healthy eating habits and making delicious treats — free of charge. Students should enter through the WHPS entrance, located next to Chick-fil-A.

Comedy Knight
Addition Financial Arena
Doors open at 7 p.m., event starts at 8 p.m.

The Campus Activities Board will be hosting a comedy show with a hilarious set by SNL star Ego Nwodim.

Thursday, Aug. 21:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown and downtown Orlando
All Day

Enter Password: “2019”

Welcome Back Fall 2025
Student Union, Atrium
11 a.m.

Join the Ginsberg Center as we welcome new and returning Knights for the Fall 2025 semester.

Taste of Downtown
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons at UCF Downtown
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

This event entails free food from food trucks for the UCF Downtown community.

Student Faculty Feud
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Parramore Room (Room 107)
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Do you have what it takes to challenge your professor and win a prize? Join the UCF Downtown faculty for some fun and games!

Reunite with Your Orientation
Howard Phillips Hall, outside
5 – 8 p.m.

Reunite with some of the familiar faces from your orientation group.

Concert Knight
Addition Financial Arena
Doors open at 7 p.m., event starts at 8 p.m.

The Campus Activities Board will be hosting a concert featuring singer Daya with special guest Thomas Day.

Library Scavenger Hunt
John C. Hitt Library
Noon – 2 p.m.

The UCF Libraries are hosting a postcard-themed scavenger hunt to get you familiar with all the areas of the John C. Hitt Library. Take a world tour and learn about the services, resources, and spaces that support your academic journey. The first 150 students to complete the grand tour will earn an exclusive UCF Libraries Duck and commemorative postcard.

Friday, Aug. 22:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown and downtown Orlando
All Day

Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2 p.m., Wednesday, August 21, to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28, to complete as many challenges as you can.

This is a single-player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends using the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your account to be considered for one of the giveaways.

Enter Password: “2019”

Welcome to the Majors
Addition Financial Arena
10 a.m. – noon.

The College of Business takes the main stage for its signature event, which introduces incoming business students to the culture of the college and sets them on the path to success. More than 1,200 business students are expected to attend UCF’s largest face-to-face class, where they’ll hear from college leadership, faculty and alumni. They’ll also get a chance to network with student organizations and community and corporate partners, including presenting sponsor Wells Fargo. Doors open at 9:15 a.m.

Movie Night: Deadpool & Wolverine
CMX Plaza Cinema Café 12, near UCF Downtown
7 p.m.

The Downtown Student Life team is thrilled to invite you to an exclusive screening of Deadpool & Wolverine at the CMX Cinema in downtown Orlando. Drinks and snacks will be provided, while supplies last. Student must bring their UCF or Valencia College Downtown ID. RSVP for your slot . At 5:45 p.m., students will check in at UnionWest. At 6:15 p.m., moviegoers will leave for the cinema.

Neon Paint Rave
Memory Mall
8 – 11 p.m.

Join Late Knights for a neon paint rave.

Saturday, Aug. 23:

Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown and downtown Orlando
All Day

Enter Password: “2019”

Day of Service
Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom
8 a.m., check-in is between 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Volunteer UCF is hosting this event to give students an opportunity to get involved in their UCF and Orlando communities. RSVP for this event on Knight Connect. Sign-ups for volunteer sites will be first-come, first-served. Students will complete three hours of service and learn how to get involved in more service activities for the upcoming fall and spring semesters.

Wednesday, Aug. 27:

Speaker Knight
Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom
Doors open at 7 p.m., event starts at 8 p.m.

The Campus Activities Board is hosting a speaker panel with actor Karan Brar in the Pegasus Ballroom, where students can hear about his journey and take part in a Q&A with their friends.

The Last Line of Defense

Laura J. Cole — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 19:34:43 +0000

Entering his final semester majoring in kinesiology, Ryan Hatcher ’23 found himself homeless.

His legal guardian — the woman who raised him and whom he considers his mom — was notified in June that her property manager had sold the home they were renting, and they had 30 days to move out. He bounced around a bit, living in his car briefly and with another family that proved toxic, before he was able to secure a room in UCF’s NorthView.

It came with a cost: That was the first time in his four years in college that Hatcher, who paid for both Valencia and UCF with the Department of Children and Families’ Foster Child Tuition Waiver, had taken out a student loan. He needed the money to cover the cost of his apartment.

UCF Day of Giving is April 10. Consider supporting UCF students through difficult times .

Then, he learned he also needed an emergency root canal.

“I’m someone who doesn’t really like to ask for support until I really feel like I need it,” Hatcher says. “I try to do things by myself as much as I can. But I didn’t have insurance, and I didn’t have the money to pay for a root canal.”

It’s exactly the type of unplanned predicament that UCF’s Student Emergency Fund is designed to help with.

“The purpose of the Student Emergency Fund is to ensure that students have the financial support they need when faced with those short-term crises or emergencies, which can look different for each and every student,” says Tammie Nadeau, director of Student Care Services. “Our role is to ensure that those basic, short-term needs — whether it’s housing, food, transportation or medical — are met by the Emergency Fund Committee so that students can be successful and move forward.”

According to Nadeau, her team receives roughly 100 requests a month for assistance. Typically, they’re in response to an emergency, such as the loss of a job or a natural disaster, including when a nearby apartment complex flooded and students needed to find — and pay for — temporary housing. But there are also simply random events, such as when a student’s car caught on fire and she lost her textbooks and laptop and didn’t have the money to replace everything.

That’s when students can apply for up to $2,500 per degree for assistance. Every Thursday, a committee comprised of Nadeau and staff members from Student Care Services, financial aid, the Registrar’s Office and Student Accounts Services gather to review applications and ensure students have exhausted every other resource. Not every student will qualify for financial aid reasons. Those that do are invited to meet remotely with the committee and review their request. For Hatcher, that included sharing his X-rays, the cost of the procedure and how he had used his other funding.

“It’s nice to know that as a student, UCF provides a security net in the form of the Student Emergency Fund.” — Ryan Hatcher ’23

“It’s remarkable how this fund has been elevated to a place where we’re not only able to support our students with their basic needs, but also to respond to emergencies and crises as they occur,” says Nadeau, who says they often receive calls from other universities asking how they’re able to get so many different departments to the table and award funds so quickly. “Because it’s so easy to get derailed when something unexpected comes up. Without this funding, many of our students probably wouldn’t still be at UCF — or in college. Many times, this fund is a last resource for students who have nowhere else to go.

For Hatcher, the funding helped ensure he completed his bachelor’s on time — as the first person in his birth family to earn a college degree. He’s now in his second semester of grad school at UCF, pursuing a master’s in public administration because he wants to “help others like myself.”

“It’s corny to say this, but the people at Student Care Services really do care,” he says. “They’re consistently at the forefront of making going to UCF the best experience possible for students. And it’s nice to know that as a student, UCF provides a security net in the form of the Student Emergency Fund.”

Medicine Students Showcase Research at FIRE Conference

Wendy Sarubbi — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:47:13 +0000

A love for pickleball turned UCF medical student Isaac Soloveychik into a medical researcher who discovered that physical activity outdoors improves mental health more than exercising inside.

Soloveychik was one of 120 future physician Knights who presented their research at the 2025 FIRE (Focused Individualized Research Experience) conference. UCF is one of the few medical schools in the nation that requires all students to do a two-year scientific research project. The goal, says Deborah German, vice president for health affairs and dean, is to create doctors who have a “spirit of inquiry” that is always looking to advance medical knowledge.

“Research is the currency of progress,” she says.

The conference featured poster and oral presentations on a variety of topics, such as using AI to better diagnose and manage diseases, improving critical reasoning in medical students, and ways to improve care for patients with conditions including cancer, schizophrenia, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and high blood pressure. Because of the FIRE course and the college’s research focus, many UCF medical students present and publish their scientific discoveries before ever graduating from medical school.

Outdoor Exercise and Positive Mental Health

Soloveychik says he became interested in exercise and mental health when his parents moved to Village Walk in Lake Nona and his dad became “obsessed” with pickleball. The two play often and he wondered, did group activities provide more mental health benefits than exercising alone because of the social connections involved? So he analyzed data from the Lake Nona Life Project — an extensive health survey of people who live, work and engage in activities in Lake Nona. The scientific project, led by Eric Schrimshaw, chair of population health sciences at the College of Medicine, in collaboration with the Lake Nona Institute, is designed to identify community health needs and offer solutions to make Lake Nona healthier. Participants answer survey questions about their health, including how much and where they exercise, their social interactions, work habits and levels of depression and anxiety.

Soloveychik analyzed survey data from more than 350 participants and found that while group exercise was not associated with reduced depression as originally expected, outdoor activities — whether done in groups or individually — were positive for mental health.

“Getting outside, a change of scenery, being in the sun and listening to the birds provides mental health benefits,” he says. Unsurprisingly, those who reported no exercise of any kind reported greater depression.

Starlla Dabady hopes to become an OB/GYN and her FIRE project focused on her passion for improving the health of mothers and babies. She studied a new program at Orlando Health that focused on improving outcomes for 25,000 patients at risk for serious pregnancy-related complications. Orlando Health provided telehealth, nurse navigators and a midwife mobile clinic that provided ultrasound and other services at the patient’s home. It gave mothers at-home blood pressure and blood sugar monitors to better manage their chronic health problems. Dabady spent the summer between her first and second year of medical school working with the program, where she saw its impact firsthand.

“Research is important because you want to prove that what you’re doing is having an impact,” she says. “Research helps us strengthen what we are doing and improve our services. When I was working with the program I could see how I helped one patient. With research, I could see the impact we had on so many.”

Student, Researcher Connect Through Science

Aaron Geril came to UCF’s medical school with a dream to fight cancer, a disease that has affected members of his family. At a mentor fair designed to link students with potential FIRE advisors, he met Otto Phanstiel, a UCF medicinal chemist who has dedicated his career to finding a cure for pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of the disease. The two connected over science. Geril’s FIRE project focused on developing inhibitors to a protein that is a master regulator of cancer cell growth signaling pathways. The goal — stop the signaling and stop cancer’s ability to grow and spread.

He says his research project gave him the opportunity to “go behind the scenes and see how medical discoveries are actually made.”

Lindsey Ammann’s research focused on whether children treated with a high-flow nasal cannula for bronchiolitis have an increased risk for asthma.

Lindsey Ammann worked with physicians at Nemours Children’s Health in Orlando and Delaware to study whether children who are treated with a high-flow nasal cannula for bronchiolitis have an increased risk for asthma later in childhood. The cannula is commonly used for severe bronchiolitis, especially when children require hospitalization. She studied 4,736 children who went to the hospital system’s emergency room with bronchiolitis between 2015 and 2023 and found those treated with the cannula had a 10% higher chance of getting asthma. She said she hopes the findings will lead to more research and systems for following children more closely after they have high-flow nasal cannulas.

How Research Experience Creates Better Doctors

Robert Hines, a College of Medicine Population Health Sciences professor and researcher, is co-director of the FIRE course. He says the two-year research experience helps medical students develop curiosity, critical thinking and resilience — in addition to honing their scientific presentation skills.

“With the pace that medicine is advancing today, future physicians must be able to understand and evaluate medical research to practice evidence-based medicine,” he says.

Lane Coffee, the FIRE course’s other co-director, is a nationally recognized leader in collaborative and team science, particularly with the National Institutes of Health. He came to the medical school to advance clinical and translational research and has now helped start the FIRE+ (Plus) program, that will encourage M.D. candidates to continue their research through all four years of training.

“Research is critically important to move science forward and to improve patient care,” he says. “Medical students who conduct research gain an appreciation for, and an understanding of, the importance of scientific discovery and the methodology and processes that encompass it. These skills will be vitally important as they begin to practice medicine and all along their careers.”

Students and faculty members judged all of the research presentations. Here are their awardees:

Student Selected Best Poster Presentation
First – Suvleen Singh
Second – Manasa Satyajit
Third – Matthew Vaccaro

Faculty Selected Best Poster Presentation
First – Lindsey Ammann
Second – Nicole Miralles Muia
Third – Andrew Willmer

Student Selected Best Oral Presentation
First – Kennie Brandt
Second – Jeremy Sheiber
Third – Pascal Escobar

Faculty Selected Best Oral Presentation
First – Kennie Brandt
Second – Jeremy Sheiber
Third – Katrina Russell

Student Life Archives | ɫ���� News

UCF Pegasus Palooza 2026 Kicks Off Aug. 23

Sunday, Aug. 23:

Monday, Aug. 24:

Tuesday, Aug. 25:

Wednesday, Aug. 26:

Thursday, Aug. 27:

Friday, Aug. 28:

Saturday, Aug. 29:

Spring 2026 UCFest Lineup

Monday, April 6

Movie Knight

Wednesday, April 8

Comedy Knight

Thursday, April 9

KNIGHT-CHELLA

Monday, April 13

Speaker Knight

UCF Women’s Soccer to Host NCAA Tournament First Round

UCF’S NCAA Tournament History

Tickets/Broadcast Info

Knight Hacks, Hack Days and Hackathons

Your Go-to Guide for UCF Homecoming 2025

Student and Community Events

Alumni Events

Journalism Student Accelerates a Career in Sports Media with NASCAR

3 Engineering Students Selected for Department of Defense SMART Scholars Program

Carlos Arteaga

Chance Brewer ’20

Jean-Philippe Perrault ’06 ’14MBA

Over 25 Pegasus Palooza Events Launch Fall 2025 Semester at UCF

Sunday, Aug. 17:

Monday, Aug. 18:

Tuesday, Aug. 19:

Wednesday, Aug. 20:

Thursday, Aug. 21:

Friday, Aug. 22:

Saturday, Aug. 23:

Wednesday, Aug. 27:

The Last Line of Defense

Medicine Students Showcase Research at FIRE Conference

Outdoor Exercise and Positive Mental Health

Student, Researcher Connect Through Science

How Research Experience Creates Better Doctors

Student Life Archives | ɫ�� News