-
Survey Certificate Program Offers Expertise For Students of Multiple Disciplines
Surveys are a great tool for measuring intangible data like feelings and opinions, but designing one that can withstand academic scrutiny takes real skills. That’s where a new Survey Research Graduate Certificate Program comes into play. The program launches in Spring 2022, and primarily targets social science students studying behavior in areas like criminal […]
-
Maggy Tomova Joins the College of Sciences Today as Dean
Maggy Tomova, Ph.D., officially joins the University of Central Florida today as dean of the College of Sciences. Tomova, 44, brings deep research and leadership experience to the role, most recently as associate dean for the 18 departments that fall under the Natural, Mathematical, and Social Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences […]
-
Model UN Team Makes Good Showing at Conference
BY: Jessica Budin and Dr. Paul Vasquez From September 16th -19th, University of Central Florida’s Model United Nations team visited Florida State University to participate in NoleMUN I, where UCF’s delegates had an exciting and enriching experience. While in Tallahassee, team members participated in activities that ranged from investigating the role of multinational corporations in […]
-
UCF Expert Sheds Light on Guinea’s Coup
When gunfire erupted in the Guinean capital of Conakry on the morning of September 5, it was clear elements of the country’s armed forces had attempted a coup. Though initial statements from the government pushed the idea that the coup had failed, the conspirators managed to overwhelm loyalists and arrest President Alpha Condé. Special […]
-
Tezcür Tapped to Lead School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs
The School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs recently appointed Güneş Murat Tezcür, Ph.D., to become its second director. Tezcür studies political violence, politics of identity and democratization, with a focus on Iranian, Kurdish, and Turkish human geography. He has published more than two dozen scholarly articles in journals including American Political Science Review, Comparative […]
-
New Dean Named for UCF’s College of Sciences
Maggy Tomova will become the next dean of UCF’s College of Sciences on Oct. 18. She joins UCF from the University of Iowa, where she currently serves as the associate dean for the Natural, Mathematical, and Social Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Her appointment by Michael D. Johnson, interim provost and […]
-
New Study Into Latinx Behavior and Politics Launched With Acceptance of Build and Broaden Grant
The political behavior and policy preferences of the Latinx community will be the subject of a new study in the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs (SPSIA). The study is funded by the National Science Foundation’s Build and Broaden 2.0 Grant, created to encourage research by scholars at minority-serving institutions to apply for grants. […]
-
Film Festival Launches To Highlight Issues In the Latin American/LatinX Communities
The first Latin American/ Latinx Film Festival at UCF launches over September and October with the intention of shedding light on issues the Latin American and Latino communities face. The six films explore themes like gender issues, racism, colonialism and LGBTQ issues. The festival was created by School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs Lecturer […]
-
Summer 2021 Graduates Head Out With New College of Sciences Degrees
UCF’S newest College of Sciences graduates crossed the stage Saturday at Summer 2021 Commencement. Among them was Nahla Turner, a psychology graduate who not only battled pandemic challenges in 2020, but a cancer diagnosis. A clean bill of health in October 2020 brought her to Saturday’s academic finish line and a new starting line pursuing […]
-
Congratulations to the Summer 2021 Doctoral Graduates
Biology Jordan Dowell, Ph.D., faculty advisor, Chase Mason, Ph.D. and Pedro Quintana-Ascencio, Ph.D. Dissertation: “Genetics and Evolution of Specialized Metabolism In Wild and Cultivated Helianthus.” Christopher Long, Ph.D., faculty advisor, Katherine Mansfield, Ph.D. Dissertation: “Long-Term Changes in Juvenile Green Turtle Abundance and Foraging Ecology in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida.” Chemistry Sajia Afrin, Ph.D., faculty […]
-
Overseas Deployment Adds To Ph.D. Candidate’s Security Studies Experience
By TAD SCHNAUFER During the summer, many students undertake internships to gain hands-on experience in their respective fields. For Tad Schnaufer, a Security Studies doctoral candidate in the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs, his summer experience came from his service as a captain in the Florida Army National Guard. He currently serves as […]
-
India Center Welcomes New Director of Public Affairs
The India Center has witnessed exciting changes just this past month, and is delighted to introduce Leila Chacko, the India Center’s Director of Public Affairs. Leila is the India Center’s first full-time staff member and you can find her in the India Center’s new office (Chemistry 117). An Orlando native and licensed attorney, Leila brings […]
-
Ph. D. Candidate Serves as a Discussant at the Air University Research Showcase
By Sara Belligoni, Ph.D. Candidate Sara Belligoni, a doctoral candidate in Security Studies at the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs, served as a Discussant at the Air University (AU) Research Showcase for the panel “Strategic Direction for Blood Banks” on June 7, 2021. The conference, organized by AU in partnership with […]
-
Security Studies Graduate Takes Position Advising Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff
U.S. Army Colonel Joseph Funderburke, Ph.D. ’19, has stepped into a new advisory role as Special Assistant to the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark A. Milley — the highest-ranking military officer in the Department of Defense and principal military advisor to the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense. […]
-
UCF Student Receives Boren Scholarship to Study Swahili
Language has an incredible ability to make us feel connected. For Abigail Reynolds the first time she connected through a foreign language was during a first-year UCF study abroad trip to South Africa, where a local woman gave her a Zulu name. “I helped run a clothing drive and I had the greatest time working […]
-
138 Faculty Promoted Across the University
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 […]
-
2021 Founder’s Day Honorees
BY ALLISON HURTADO ’12 The Founders’ Day Awards celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of our faculty members and students. As we recognize these achievements, we remember the efforts of those women and men who made this university a reality, and we prepare for the accomplishments of the future. In an extraordinary time, our faculty and […]
-
Security Studies Ph.D. Graduate Pens Most-Viewed Article on West Point Website
A controversial opinion piece on shifting the focus of U.S. special forces basic training racked up more than 17,000 views last year on a West Point Military Academy website. The achievement earned the author, Summer 2020 Security Studies doctorate graduate Sandor Fabian, Ph.D., the distinction of penning the most viewed article of 2020 on Modern […]
-
Research: Medical Outcomes for Certain Women Significantly Improve With More Female Doctors
Assistant Professor Kenicia Wright, Ph.D, is challenging perspectives through her research focusing on the interplay of race and gender. The School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs faculty member’s most recent accolade is winning the American Political Science Association’s 2021 “Best Paper on Race and Intersectionality Award.” The award comes from APSA’s Women, Gender, and […]
-
After-School Civics Projects Earn Top Marks from State
By CHRIS SPINALE and KELVIN CURRY An Orlando chapter of Boys & Girls Club that shares a partnership with the Lou Frey Institute (LFI) recently earned recognition as top club in the state. The 2020 Best Overall Program Impact Excellence Award comes from Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Florida Area Council. It’s awarded […]
-
Research: Shifting Perspective on Fish from Commodity to Resource Holds World-Changing Potential
Viewing fish as a source of global nutrition instead of only as a commodity holds potential to fortify global food security and diminish world hunger, a new international study shows. The paper, published in the journal Ambio, includes an analysis by Professor Peter Jacques, Ph.D, an expert in global environmental politics and ocean policy from […]
-
23 Students to Receive UCF’s Highest Honor
UCF has named 23 students as recipients of the Order of Pegasus, the university’s most prestigious student award. The 2021 recipients were selected from a pool of 83 nominations. The 2021 class includes 15 Burnett Honors College students, six LEAD Scholars, six Student Government leaders, three President’s Leadership Council members, one Greek member, one student-athlete […]
-
UCF Hosts Spring Graduation Celebration, April 30 to May 9
UCF is excited to offer spring graduates and their families the opportunity to choose one of two in-person options to celebrate their achievements. Recognitions of graduates will occur April 30 to May 9. Spring 2021 graduates will have the option of either participating in UCF’s Grad Walk or their college’s in-person commencement. Both recognitions will […]
-
Prestigious Fellowship Opens Fresh Opportunities For Nuclear Studies Ph.D. Student
Doreen Horschig, a doctoral candidate in the Security Studies program, has been awarded the Roger L. Hale Fellowship. This highly competitive one-year fellowship provides an exemplary individual with an outstanding opportunity to develop professional skills by working at a leading peace and security institution. She was also recently accepted into the Nuclear Scholars Initiative by […]
-
UCF Names 30 Under 30 Alumni Award Winners
UCF Alumni has announced its annual 30 Under 30 Award winners. These accomplished graduates were chosen for their great professional success, commitment to helping others and track record of giving back to UCF and their local community. “Every year, UCF Alumni’s 30 Under 30 classes are made up of extraordinary young alumni. This year’s class […]
-
UCF Helps Organize Iraq’s first National Model United Nations Conference
Model United Nations (MUN) conferences have a long history. Dating back to 1921 (then – Model League of Nations), these simulations introduce students to the parliamentary procedure of the organization, increase their understanding of the international order and engage them in discussing crucial matters of diplomacy, human rights, security and humanitarian assistance around the […]
-
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 […]
-
UCF Student Gains Unique Experience as an Intern for the US Consulate in Erbil
Mohammed Al Awwad, a Junior at the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs majoring in Political Science, has been selected for a highly competitive internship with the U.S. State Department in fall 2020. He is currently serving as Human Rights Research Intern at the United States Consulate of Erbil, Iraq, as part of the […]
-
Serving Native American Communities
Growing up with family members who held leadership positions with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians — the only federally recognized tribal nation in Alabama — Rebecca Naragon ’07 knew she wanted to pursue a career in public service. Now the political science grad is an economic development director for the United South and Eastern […]
-
In Memoriam and Discussion of Kurdish Politics at UCF
The Kurdish Political Studies Program (KPSP) at the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs (SPSIA) hosted its annual Kurdish forum on November 20, 2020, during the UCF Global-sponsored International Education Week. The forum was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Najmaldin Karim (1949-2020). Dr. Karim was the former Governor of Kirkuk, Iraq, and a […]