Samuel Ensenat
Title:
UCF Benefits Coordinator II
What he does for UCF:
I assist the faculty and staff with their insurance and retirement benefits. This includes the onboarding of our employees to ensure their enrollments run smoothly, showing them how to utilize and maximize our wonderful benefits, and overseeing the offboarding process to ensure their benefits continue to help them after they leave UCF.
1. What made you want to call UCF home?
My late father, Peter J. Ensenat, worked for UCF for 15 years and served as UCF’s Associate Director of Human Resources. I highly revered my father and came to admire the university he proudly served. Some of my fondest childhood memories are carpooling with him to campus and seeing firsthand the pride he took in being a part of the UCF community. I was born and raised in Orlando and gladly wanted to be part of UCF as our hometown team. Being part of Human Resources allows me to continue a legacy that helped shape both my family and my connection to Orlando.
2. What’s one small thing about UCF that makes you smile?
I’m so grateful to be a part of this campus in so many ways as an employee and student. I love the College of Arts and Humanities, where I am earning my second degree, and especially the tremendous work happening in Philosophy and Religion and Cultural Studies. I love walking past my father’s old office in Millican Hall. I remember visiting him with great fondness as a little boy. I know he would be very proud of the educational journey I’ve taken and the career I’ve built while keeping his legacy going.
3. How does your work contribute to the success of our students, faculty, staff, or campus community?
I like to joke that I meet employees at two of their most memorable times in their UCF careers: their hire date and retirement date. I know how hard it is to get acquainted with a new environment. New Employee Orientation is a special part of my job because I can guide employees through the ins and outs of the many benefits we offer. In the same way, I’m glad to help employees who have reached the end of their careers and need extra guidance through retirement. It is always an honor to serve the UCF community and show our faculty and staff how to use resources that can have a vital impact on their lives. Additionally, the benefits help UCF attract and keep talented faculty and staff while also supporting them through important moments in their lives, including health challenges. That allows our faculty and staff to focus on what they do best: inspiring our students and developing ideas that will shape the next generation.
4. If you could give one piece of advice to a new UCF employee, what would it be?
Cherish your work-life balance. Use the time it gives you to be present with your family, pursue what brings purpose to your life, and make a meaningful impact in your community.
5. What’s one thing you wish more people would know about the work you do?
How important it is to plan today and fully maximize the retirement benefits available at UCF. Time is crucial when you’re saving for retirement. I can’t believe I’ve been here for 21 years already. I didn’t start saving for retirement until I moved into my current benefits position 13 years ago. I now realize how beneficial it was to start when I did, but I’m still kicking myself for not starting a little sooner, even if it had been saving a few dollars on my hire date. Your future self will thank you, and the sooner you begin saving, the sooner you may be able to reach your retirement goals.
