Grad Student Launches Winter Coat Drive for Children
Fri Jan 17
It might feel tropical this week, but colder weather is coming to Florida — and that spells trouble for the kids without protection from the elements. Sociology graduate student Sonya Spence is working to correct that by holding a gently used coat drive for children from pre-K to high school. She was inspired by her…
Attorney Brings Experience Fighting Human Trafficking to UCF
Thu Jan 16
The Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery at UCF has recently recruited the talents of lawyer Shilpa Finnerty to serve as its senior fellow and community advisor. Through Finnerty’s experience in human rights and trafficking advocacy, the center hopes to expand their presence in the Orlando area. “The work that we…
Six UCF Med Students Match into Competitive Residencies
Thu Jan 16
When Fabliha Anbar was 10, she watched her older cousin suffer from a rare eyelid cancer that impaired her vision and eventually claimed her life. Anbar knew then that she wanted to dedicate her life to improving and restoring sight. “As I watched my cousin undergo her treatment, I realized how much weight sight holds,…
UCF Research Provides Tools for Prosecuting Domestic Violence
Wed Jan 15
New, potentially life-saving research from the Department of Sociology is reshaping the way law enforcement approaches domestic violence. Specifically, an associate professor and doctorate students are working alongside investigators with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office to identify signs of strangulation and collect valuable forensic medical evidence to corroborate the potentially lethal attacks. The risk of…
Stigma of Opioid Addiction Medications Prevents Treatment
Wed Jan 15
One in three Americans know someone addicted to opioids. But while widespread, scientific studies show medication-assisted treatments are most effective in reducing opioid addiction-related relapse, incarceration, HIV/AIDS and death, multiple barriers prevent much needed access, according to Basia Andraka-Christou, who is an assistant professor of health management and informatics with a secondary joint appointment in…
Joseph Trubacz Named Interim Chief Financial Officer
Wed Jan 15
Joseph Trubacz, a 30-year veteran of higher-education leadership, was hired as UCF’s interim chief financial officer beginning this week. “Joe is a pragmatic, creative and effective problem solver known for his integrity and ability to tackle large-scale institutional initiatives.” — Interim President Thad Seymour Jr. Trubacz has 30 years of experience working in finance, planning…
UCF Online Programs Rank Among Top 20 in Nation — Again
Tue Jan 14
For the third consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report ranked UCF among the top 20 Best Online Bachelor’s programs in the nation. “Over the past 20 years, we’ve learned that online options help our students learn and perform better, and we are proud to offer access to affordable, high-quality degrees.” — Interim President Thad Seymour Jr. UCF’s undergraduate…
Fighting Fire with Fire: How Controlled Burns Keep Us Safe
Tue Jan 14
From December through June, visitors to UCF’s main campus may occasionally see large, orange flames licking at trees and incinerating plants near recreational grounds, parking garages or student housing. The scene appears much scarier than what’s actually occurring. These months of the year are UCF’s burn season, which is overseen by the UCF Landscaping and…
Global Knights: Emily Irigoyen
Tue Jan 14
Always looking for new opportunities and challenges, Emily Irigoyen is a UCF Burnett Honors business student studying Management with a concentration in International Business and Human Resources. Emily is a current member of the CWEP program with Lockheed Martin and plans to graduate in the Spring of 2022. During her coursework at UCF, Emily has…
Pulitzer Prize-winning Author To Deliver Timely Perspective On The U.S. Presidency
Mon Jan 13
Presidential historian Jon Meacham will bring context and insight on today’s White House by looking through the lens of past presidencies at a free guest lecture Jan. 23, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., in the Student Union Pegasus Ballroom on UCF’s main campus. The lecture – “The Art of Leadership: Lessons from the American Presidency”…
Opioid Education Gets DCF Funding Boost
Mon Jan 13
UCF College of Medicine’s opioid education curriculum is being enhanced thanks to a funding boost from the Florida Department of Children and Families. The college recently received $250,000 from the DCF’s State Opioid Response Grant which is given to medical schools to strengthen opioid education in a bid to stem the epidemic in Florida. In…
Offer Your Feedback on UCF’s Presidential Search
Mon Jan 13
As the new semester starts, we encourage you to share your thoughts about what you are looking for in UCF’s next president. You can provide your feedback via a short online survey. A Spanish version of the survey is also available. On Wednesday, Jan. 15, UCF will hold three additional open forums where you can…
New UCF Project Will Put Downtown Orlando Air Quality Data in Residents’ Hands
Mon Jan 13
Downtown Orlando is growing, but the area’s constant construction and heavy traffic can hurt the quality of air there. That’s why the University of Central Florida is working with the City of Orlando to inform the area’s residents about their air quality as part of a recently announced nearly $1.2 million grant from the National…
New Study Offers Ways to Identify and Reduce Racism in Schools
Fri Jan 10
Racial biases can unconsciously shape school decisions that negatively impact minority students, but a new study co-authored by a University of Central Florida researcher offers a framework to help reduce those biases and improve student outcomes. “It’s important because racial bias is an issue we’ve been dealing with as a nation for a very long…
UCF Celebrates the Arts 2020 Features Inspiration from Dorothy Gillespie
Fri Jan 10
The sixth annual UCF Celebrates the Arts returns to the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts April 7 – 19. The 10-day art event features work from UCF students, staff and faculty from the School of Visual Arts and Design, School of Performing Arts and Nicholson School of Communication and Media, as well as collaborations…
Global Knights: Ashley Marshall
Thu Jan 9
Ashley Marshall is a College of Business alumnus who took the opportunity to expand her wealth of knowledge by studying abroad. Marshall graduated in Fall 2019, studying marketing with a minor in international business, and representing UCF as a Burnett Honors student. During her coursework at UCF, Ashley has had the opportunity to make a…
UCF Study: Judo May Help Health, Social Interaction of Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Thu Jan 9
Judo may be just the right sport to increase the physical activity level among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and holds promise for reducing sedentary behavior, which is linked to obesity and diabetes, according to a new study from the University of Central Florida. The pilot study found increases in moderate to vigorous physical…
Alumni spotlight: Cody Miller
Wed Jan 8
Henry “Cody” Miller ’11 (BA English – Literature Track) was awarded the Teaching Tolerance Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2016. During his seven years as a high school English teacher and in his current role, he positions texts as vehicles to discuss broader socio-political issues in students’ lives and worlds. He leads professional development…
There is Power Inherent in Working with Colleagues from Different Disciplines
Wed Jan 8
When I was an early career academic, I started to hear and read the words “interdisciplinary research” everywhere. As human beings are wont to do, I immediately thought of myself, and wondered how it applied to me and what I was doing. The connections seemed so tenuous and often a little far out (such as…
UCF Student Commits to Helping Individuals with Hearing Loss
Tue Jan 7
Sophia Grilla, one of the newest students in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, doesn’t remember the exact moment she received her first pair of hearing aids. Pictures from the day show a 4-year-old Sophia opening a box with her brand new baby blue hearing aids. Sophia’s mom, Wendy Grilla ’96, had color-coordinated her…
