Community Engagement
See how UCF academics and leaders intersect and collaborate with the community and others in making the world a better place.
Wed Apr 28
As we close another successful academic year at UCF, we have a new goal worthy of our skills and passion: To become the world’s leading public metropolitan research university and a top 50 public research university in the nation. Together, we will achieve this vision by focusing on student success and innovative teaching, research and…
Mon Apr 26
The Princeton Review’s list of Best Value Colleges for 2021 names UCF in the top 200, coming in at No. 46. The education-services company based its ratings on more than 40 categories and annually identifies institutions with the highest return on investment. The review covers topics such as academics, cost/financial aid, job-placement services, graduation rates, student debt…
Fri Apr 23
Internal Medicine residents at Osceola Regional Medical Center are playing their part in encouraging Central Florida residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Three residents are featured in Orange County’s “I Got My Shot” public safety campaign geared at reducing vaccine hesitancy and building community immunity. The campaign enlists trusted voices from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and…
Fri Apr 23
Forbes this week listed UCF in the top 25 of its 2021 list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity. The university, ranked at No. 25, was the only Florida-ranked employer in the top tier. The total Forbes list of 500 employers is based on employee responses, proactive diversity initiatives and other inclusion factors. “To be ranked in…
Wed Apr 21
April has been known as Autism Awareness Month for more than 10 years. I remember the excitement when April 2 was established as World Autism Awareness Day by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 — it was heralded as a victory for people on the autism spectrum. Like many awareness movements, the autism awareness…
Tue Apr 20
Many in our campus community and throughout our nation are awaiting the jury’s verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial. No matter what the jury decides, George Floyd’s death is a tragedy. His death represents to many the discrimination, oppression and hate that many of us deal with on a daily basis. We know the trial…
Tue Apr 20
When UCF alums Teresa Falcone ’14 and Christopher Sanchez ’14 first looked at the storyboards for Pixar’s Soul, they had a gut feeling they were going to be working on something memorable. “You can tell it feels special, when you know that people are going to love the movie when it is released,” Sanchez says. “I could feel it when…
Thu Apr 15
To honor the legacy of David Ingram, one of the first faculty members in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, his family and one of his former students have joined forces to establish a scholarship in his name. The David Ingram Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a CSD student, with preference given to students…
Thu Apr 15
From surfing lessons in Cape Canaveral to hiking in Patagonia, UCF Outdoor Adventure provides students affordable options to explore beyond campus. Students of all experience levels are welcome to take part in the activities Outdoor Adventure offers. Accessible and inclusive outdoor equipment are available, as well, so every Knight can enjoy the outdoors. Whether you’re enjoying…
Wed Apr 14
Are you always doing something? Always working, studying, reading, writing, clicking, typing, teaching, meeting, Zooming, cooking, cleaning, washing, wiping, folding, planning, prepping or just plain worrying? I know I am. And it was time to do nothing about it! So I took a day off. I wasn’t going on vacation. I didn’t have a doctor’s…
Wed Apr 14
In partnership with local law enforcement and in adherence with local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations, community members are invited to safely dispose of their unwanted prescription drugs at UCF’s the following HCA Healthcare drive-through sites from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at UCF Lake Nona Medical Center and other HCA hospitals in Orange, Seminole and…
Wed Apr 14
This year Ramadan, a sacred period of spiritual reflection for Muslim communities, is observed April 12 through May 12. During this time, common greetings to those who participate in the observance include “Ramadan Mubarak” (Blessed Ramadan) or “Ramadan Kareem” (May Ramadan be generous to you). UCF’s Muslim Student Association is hosting an Iftar event April…
Tue Apr 13
Three COVID-19 vaccines are currently approved by for distribution in the United States: Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson. Please note: As of April 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration recommended a “pause” in using the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of rare…
Fri Apr 9
Michael Morsberger, who has led the UCF’s fundraising efforts for the past six years, announced his resignation as vice president for advancement and CEO of the UCF Foundation on Thursday. Morsberger’s resignation comes as he prepares for open heart surgery later this month, followed by a lengthy period of recovery and cardiac rehabilitation. “I remain…
Fri Apr 9
Pegasus Professor Martin Richardson, Ph.D., was recently admitted as a fellow of the Directed Energy Professional Society (DEPS), one of only a handful of academics to do so. Richardson, a CREOL professor of optics and founding director of the Townes Laser Institute, was chosen for his “longstanding commitment to directed energy through globally recognized academic…
Fri Apr 9
The power of spectroscopy is proving a gamechanger for identifying pollutants in nature and building a career for Ty Olmstead, Ph.D., ’11. Olmstead was first hired at Ocean Insight five years ago as an application scientist with a Ph.D from CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics, supporting the endeavor. He was recently promoted to…
Fri Apr 9
This year, the visual arts will take center stage at UCF Celebrates the Arts. The festival will feature a series of events highlighting the visual arts and visual artists at UCF from April 2 to 10. From competitions to showcases of artistic achievement, these events offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creativity and talent of students, alumni and faculty. Events will be…
Wed Apr 7
April is National Poetry Month! National Poetry Month was launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996. This year marks the 25th anniversary of this annual celebration. Throughout the month of April, we will be spotlighting a few of our UCF alumni poets! Meet Malcolm Kelly ’16 ’20MFA: Tell us a little about yourself! A…
Wed Apr 7
Leading a score of diverse ensemble events at UCF Celebrates the Arts, Inuksuit will immerse performers and audiences alike in a unique percussion experience. Musicians will start at the stage and gradually move to surround the audience for an immersive sound experience. Leveraging the natural sounds of the audience and environment, Inuksuit has been hailed by the New York…
Wed Apr 7
Today, 2,000 students will receive the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as UCF has begun distribution for students. Each day for the next two days, 2,000 more students will also be vaccinated in the Student Union’s Pegasus Ballroom Earlier this week, UCF sent an email to select students who were eligible to sign…