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Community Engagement

See how UCF academics and leaders intersect and collaborate with the community and others in making the world a better place.

Theatre UCF Returns to the Stage this Spring

The show must go on, so Theatre UCF is finding new ways to bring live performances back to the stage for in-person shows this spring. The three outdoor performances include a hopeful musical concert, a colorful Commedia dell’arte play and a family-friendly show about wanting to be anything but average. To maintain the health and…

UCF Engineering and Biology Researchers Collaborate to Aid Coral Reef Restoration

Florida’s threatened coral reefs have a more than $4 billion annual economic impact on the state’s economy, and University of Central Florida researchers are zeroing in on one factor that could be limiting their survival – coral skeleton strength. In a new study published in the journal Coral Reefs, UCF engineering researchers tested how well staghorn…

COVID-19 Precautions and Vaccine Update

We are all concerned about the status of COVID-19 in Central Florida, especially as we prepare to start spring classes on Monday. As physicians and faculty, we want to share information about the virus and UCF’s plan. We have been living with COVID since March, and the university’s robust contact tracing program has shown no…

New UCF COVID-19 Safety Measures for Spring 2021

When UCF resumed reduced campus operations last fall, the university made  numerous upgrades to cleaning and safety procedures to help promote a healthier environment for Knights. These changes included reducing seating capacity in classes, adding hand sanitizing stations across campuses and using disinfectant foggers to conduct efficient cleaning, among many others. As UCF continues to…

UCF Student Elected to Help Protect Local Natural Resources

There are the average demands of a final semester in college, and then there’s Raquel Lozano’s life. She’s juggling two majors — political science and public administration — a minor in urban and regional planning and a certificate in human resources. The 24-year-old has the power of attorney and is the healthcare surrogate for her grandmother, who raised her and with whom…

Matthew Hall Named Vice President for Information Technology and CIO

After a national search, UCF has selected  Matthew Hall  as its new vice president for information technology and chief information officer. He is expected to start his new role on Feb. 5. “I look forward to welcoming Matt to the leadership team and to working with him to help our faculty, staff and students to…

Global Health Conference to Focus on Pandemics, Goes Virtual

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to make an enormous impact on the world in just about every area of life, it has also underscored the importance of global health awareness and the challenges faced across populations. These issues and more will be explored at the College of Medicine’s 2021 Global Health Conference entitled, “Global Health Conference X:…

Why We Remain Hopeful

2020 has certainly been full of challenges. Melinda and I are proud to be associated with faculty, staff and students whose remarkable resilience during these difficult times helped UCF flourish as a metropolitan research university and continue to reach new heights in academic, operational and inclusive excellence. While we know that many are still struggling, we…

Tell Me Something Good — The Benefits of Gratitude

In this last COVID-19 health tip before the holidays, we’re addressing gratitude — an approach to life that helps improve your mental outlook, especially during challenging times. Medical research also shows that grateful, thankful people are better in protecting their physical health and in dealing with healthcare challenges. For advice on how to practice gratitude,…

UCF-based Limbitless Solutions Returns to U.N. to Talk About Inclusivity

This week marks the fourth time in three years that representatives from UCF-based Limbitless Solutions has spoken at the United Nations. Limbitless Solutions, which makes bionic arms for children and expects to launch adult clinical trials in 2021, has been a strong advocate of the power technology to create a more inclusive world. The U.N.…

Review Roundup: Florida Rays Hits the Jazz Charts

Orlando’s own Flying Horse Big Band celebrates the legacy of Ray Charles. On their 7th album, The Flying Horse Big Band, joined by a host of distinguished guest artists, stands on the shoulders of genius. Ray Charles spent his formative years in Florida and went on to forge a long, successful career unique and stunning musical interpretations.…

Proceeds from UCF Masks Raise $50,000 for Student Aid

Proceeds from UCF-designed and Rock ’Em-manufactured face coverings have raised $50,000 for the UCF Student Emergency Fund as of this month. The masks were released in August as part of an ‘Armor Up, Knights’ fundraiser. UCF Marketing teamed up with Rock ’Em — an Orlando-based company started in 2011 by former UCF student Rob Starkman — to…

Making Holiday Treats with Bite Knights

Bite Knights aims to inspire college students to experiment in the kitchen and try new dishes. The series encourages students that there’s no right or wrong way to cook, as long as you are having fun and staying safe. In this episode, UCF Social Ambassador and Bite Knights host Christopher D’Andrea is joined by two…

Not Everything in Today’s Society Needs to be a Competition

Iam a competitor. We all are to some extent—some more than others. We all have something ingrained in our primitive brains: We love to win. This is the reason when I wake up every morning that I pick my feet up no matter how heavy they may feel. Whether it’s a game of rock-paper-scissors or…

Limbitless Solutions Announces New Bionic Arm Design Collaboration With Ubisoft

Today, Limbitless Solutions announced that beginning in 2021, recipients of 3D-printed prosthetic arms from UCF’s Limbitless Solutions get to choose new bionic designs from the world of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Kassandra, a main character in the universe, is an elite warrior whose resilience and strength enabled her to change the world, and Ubisoft and Limbitless Solutions…

How UCF Made a Difference During the Pandemic

Whenever there is a crisis, Knights step up to the challenge to help campus, local and global communities as best we can. The coronavirus pandemic was no exception. Here are some of the ways Knight Nation has made a difference through community, innovation and impact efforts. Protecting the Community UCF partnered with Aventus Biolabs to…