University of Central Florida faculty members are the foundation of the university. They energize students, academic programs, research and service through academic excellence and innovation.
Fri May 7
A new astrophotonics program launching this fall in CREOL, College of Optics and Photonics, will be led by an equally new faculty member, Stephen Eikenberry, Ph.D. While Eikenberry is a UCF rookie, he brings extensive experience studying the cosmos to the college, including credit for discovering one of the brightest and largest known stars with…
Fri May 7
Malcolm Butler wanted to be a physicist, and he wanted to win a Nobel Prize. While pursuing his doctorate in physics, Butler began working at an afterschool program, and this experience planted a seed about the possibility of teaching young people for a living. “I was at this Rubicon in my life where I was…
Thu Apr 29
In 2021, the College of Arts and Humanities recognized staff members for their commendable dedication to UCF and acknowledged the challenging year the employees faced. Three of these staff members received prestigious honors that include a financial award of $600 each. In a message to all faculty and staff, Dean Jeff Moore said, “Sometimes you…
Thu Apr 29
As anti-Asian incidents have increased during the pandemic — with nearly 3,800 U.S. reports to the Stop AAPI Hate nonprofit from March 2020 through February 2021 — recent American history is reflecting roots of Asian American racism. It’s important to understand how we got here and the longstanding history of Asian American racism in this…
Thu Apr 29
After going through a rigorous evaluation process, 138 UCF faculty have been promoted and 45 have been awarded tenure for the 2020-2021 cycle. The process for promotion and tenure takes nearly an entire academic year as faculty are evaluated on three main areas: research, teaching and service. At UCF there are many types of faculty…
Wed Apr 28
Paul W. Wehr, retired professor of history, passed away on March 19. Wehr was a part of the UCF History Department from its inception through 1995, making a remarkable impact on UCF and surrounding communities. As we mourn his passing, we also reflect on Wehr’s unforgettable sense of humor and passion for history. Born in Hamilton, Ohio, Wehr originally did not see himself as a college…
Wed Apr 28
UCF researchers have been awarded a nearly $1.5 million, five-year grant from the National Science Foundation to launch a new program that includes the creation of a new doctoral specialization at UCF and the UCF-Orange County Public Schools’ Noyce Teacher Leader Academy. The grant will also fund the first 15 research fellows in the program.…
Fri Apr 23
Pegasus Professor of Engineering and Associate Vice President for Research and Scholarship Debra Reinhart is retiring effective June 4. After a long career dedicated to advancing research in her own field and as an administrator advocating and supporting fellow researchers, Reinhart plans to enjoy her retirement mixing family time with volunteer work. In addition to…
Tue Apr 20
The induction of UCF Pegasus Professors Deborah C. Beidel and Sudipta Seal, and 13 others from throughout the state, expands the membership of the not-for-profit ASEMFL, all of whom are top scholars and researchers committed to addressing key issues and challenges impacting Florida. The 15 inductees bring the membership to 181. An induction ceremony will…
Tue Apr 20
Congratulations to Pegasus Professor Jeffrey Stout, who has been elected by his peers as Fellow in the National Academy of Kinesiology. Stout is the first faculty member at the University of Central Florida to receive this distinguished honor. This honor is considered the pinnacle career achievement in the discipline of kinesiology. Elected Fellows have exemplified scholarship and leadership in the discipline throughout their career…
Tue Apr 20
David Fukuda, an associate professor and Division of Kinesiology chair, has been awarded Fellow status by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. National Strength and Conditioning Association Fellows are an accomplished group of professionals who promote excellence and leadership within the NSCA. Fukuda was selected for this honor based upon his frequent and sustained contributions to the strength and conditioning profession, which…
Mon Apr 19
Professor Emeritus Llewellyn Ehrhart, known internationally for his long-term research and advocacy for sea turtles, has been named the UCF Arboretum’s inaugural Earth Day Conservation Hero. Ehrhart retired from the Department of Biology in 2004 after more than 30 years researching sea turtle-nesting productivity on Florida’s east coast, which helped scientists understand the turtle population…
Thu Apr 15
Class name: ASL 2140 – Introduction to American Sign Language Instructor: William “Bill” Cooper, professor of American Sign Language and advisor for UCF’s American Sign Language Club When is this course offered?: Fall, spring and summer semesters How many students are typically in a class?: About 30 Are there any prerequisites for this course?: No. From the Professor How would you describe…
Thu Apr 15
For the fifth consecutive year, UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management is ranked among the top five best hospitality and hotel management schools in the world, by CEOWorld magazine. The college, which is less than 20 years old, ranked fifth for 2021, among colleges and universities that have been in existence for more than 50 years, such…
Thu Apr 15
Syretta Spears, assistant director of the UCF Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling Center in the College of Nursing, is among the first to receive the advanced certified healthcare simulation operations specialist designation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Spears was in the first cohort of 25 professionals from four countries to earn the international…
Thu Apr 15
At the age of five, Irene Pons â00 told her mother that she was going to become a lawyer when she grew up because they helped people, and she wanted to do that, too. Although she was born in Puerto Rico, Pons spent part of her childhood in Houston, Texas, standing in line for food…
Thu Apr 15
Syretta Spears, assistant director of the UCF Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling Center in the College of Nursing, has been awarded the first advanced certified healthcare simulation operations specialist designation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Spears was in the first cohort of 25 professionals from four countries to earn the international credentials. The…
Thu Apr 15
The University of Central Florida today named Grace Marie Bochenek ’98PhD its new director of the School of Modeling, Simulation and Training following a national search. Bochenek brings more than 25 years of experience working in defense and energy research, most recently as director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Pittsburgh. Her experience driving innovation through technology and…
Thu Apr 15
Earlier this year, Claire Knox was invited to participate in a task force for the American Society for Public Administration, which is the premier association for the field. Knox, an associate professor of public administration and program coordinator for the emergency and crisis management master’s degree program, has been a member since she was in college. According to Knox, it’s…
Wed Apr 14
Congratulations to the three CHPS faculty members who received the 2021 UCF Research Incentive Award. This year’s winners from the College of Health Professions and Sciences are: Jacqueline Towson, from the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders; Matt Stock, from the Division of Physical Therapy; and Adam Wells, from the Division of Kinesiology. The UCF Research Incentive Award (RIA) recognizes outstanding research,…