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Alumnus Named Assistant Director for the Orlando DDB/CRA
David Barilla, 06, has had a hand in the development of Orlando since he began his career with the City of Orlando Downtown Development Board and Community Redevelopment Agency (DDB/CRA) in 2010. He worked for two years as the economic development coordinator III and worked on key projects such as the $165 million 55 West […]
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Honor, Courage and Commitment
Congratulations to alumnus, Jeffrey N. Aybar, ’12, for recently completing U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Aybar completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis […]
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UCF Alumna Receives Toastmasters International’s Highest Honor
Toastmasters International, a world leader in communication and leadership development, awarded its highest honor, Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM,) to Michelle Hanchey, ’76. The DTM award is given only to those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and communication skills and who have used these skills to help others in their self-development. Less than one percent of 4 […]
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Alumna Moves Up the Public Relations Ladder
Congratulations to Megan Licata,’08, who recently earned Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), one of the highest credentials for public relations and communications professionals. Licata graduated from the Nicholson School of Communication with a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal-organizational communication. She currently works as a public relations account executive for Fry Hammond Barr in Orlando, FL.
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Wedding Bells
Congratulations to Joann Tyson, ’01, and Douglas Marks, ’82, who got married last April in Winter Park. Douglas graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and Joann graduated with a bachelor’s degree in film.
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Jillian Pavlica, ’09, Said Yes on Local TV
Jillian Pavlica, ’09, and Vincent Ramos,’10, are now engaged. The couple met in 2007 at UCF and have been together ever since. Vincent proposed on television in Huntsville, Ala. where Jillian is a local TV anchor. Pavlica graduated from the Nicholson School of Communication with a bachelor’s degree in radio-television and her fiancé, Vincent Ramos, […]
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COS Alumni Welcome Future UCF Knight
Congratulations to Christopher Tomko,’07, and Helen Pastrana, ’07, on welcoming their first child and future UCF Knight, Christian Anthony Tomko, on Jan. 24, 2013 in Dallas, Texas. Christopher Tomko and Helen Pastrana are both graduates from UCF’s College of Sciences. Tomko graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and is also a Kappa Sigma […]
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UCF Alumna Writes Her Way Around the World
Sarah Sekula, ’00, describes herself as a writer, photographer, editor and chronic adventurer. Her writing has taken her to 21 different countries on six continents. She writes about her adventures, fitness, health/wellness and extraordinary people. Sekula has written for publications such as USA Today, ISLANDS, ShermansTravel.com, CNN Travel, Orlando Sentinel and more. She has also […]
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Graduate Finds Success in Media
Jennifer King McVan, ’99, graduated from the Nicholson School of Communication in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in radio/television and began her career in media at WESH-TV in Orlando, FL. She has also worked for Nielsen Media Research & ESPN. McVann currently serves as the media relations manager of Florida Hospital Tampa Bay Division. Prior […]
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UCF Alumna Lends Creativity to Pepsi MAX Commercial
This story is reposted from UCF Today. Read the original here. When Pepsi MAX’s #GordonTestDrive commercial went viral in March, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon wasn’t the only one at the wheel. UCF alumna Kristina Krkljus, who works at TWBA\CHIAT\DAY in Los Angeles, served as the art director for the commercial that gained 7 million views in […]
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Helping to Save Lives One Person and Mission Trip at a Time
Samuel Realista, ’01, graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in health services administration. Since graduating from UCF, Realista obtained a nursing degree from Valencia Community College and worked as a nurse for five years before becoming a nephrology nurse practitioner in 2009. Last […]
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He Jumps, He Shoots and He Scores a Great Job
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with a professional basketball team? Leon Bichachi, ’05, has had the opportunity to be a part of the Miami HEAT organization for the past seven years. Bichachi currently serves as the community affairs coordinator for the organization, and manages all aspects of functional projects […]
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UCF alumna to perform at the Hatch Presenting Series
Stephanie Koscielecki, ’10, graduated from the Nicholson School of Communication with a bachelor’s degree in advertising/public relations. Koscielecki performs with the Emotions Dance Company, and has been a part of the company for three years now. Recently, Emotions Dance Company has been invited to perform at the Hatch Presenting Series in New York City placing […]
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UCF Alumna Earns Promotion at Capitol College
Rachel Burns, ’09, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communication from the Nicholson School of Communication. After working two years as the administrative assistant to two presidents of the college, Burns has been promoted to the assistant director of development at Capitol College. Founded in 1927, Capitol College is the only independent college in […]
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Advice About College From Alumnus
This is a guest post from Heather Waymouth, UCF Today. As a senior graduating from UCF in May, I recently have spent a lot of time reflecting on my college experience – and boy, I wish people had told me a lot of things sooner about college! Other than the expected advice of “Don’t party too […]
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Alumnus Appointed to the Board of Directors of Jazz Archive, Inc.
Louis Smoller, ’04, graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He currently works for the Bradley Legal Group, P.A. practicing civil and complex litigation, intellectual property litigation, entertainment, and new media law. Smoller has recently been appointed to the board of directors of Jazz Archive, Inc., a not for profit 501(c)(3) corporation. […]
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Alumnus Named VP for AECOM Technology Corporation
Todd Mazza, ’95, graduated from the Nicholson School of Communication with a bachelor’s degree in radio/television. He was recently named corporate vice president and chief technology officer for AECOM Technology Corporation. Mazza will continue to be based in San Francisco. AECOM is a global leader in providing fully integrated professional technical and management support services […]
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Alumnus Named Top Private Company CMO
Chris Tomasso, ’93, graduated from the Nicholson School of Communication with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He is currently the chief marketing officer for First Watch Restaurants and was recently named a Top Private Company CMO for 2012 by ExecRank. The rankings were compiled by ExecRank, and was the result of two years of research […]
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Student Receives UCF McNair Graduate Fellowship
Incoming graduate student Shantel Campbell has been selected as a recipient of the UCF McNair Graduate Fellowship. Campbell is the first student from the Nicholson School of Communication to be selected by the Diversity Fellowships committee to receive the coveted award. In order to be eligible for the graduate fellowship, Campbell had to successfully complete the McNair […]
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Alumna Launches New Business
Sylaisha Taylor, ’10, a graduate of the Nicholson School of Communication, has recently started her own project management consulting business called Think Outside The World, LLC. She extends her services to small businesses, nonprofit organizations, students and recording artists. Taylor offers smart, innovative, unique solutions and encouragement. “My business is actually a reflection of me, […]
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Violent Video Games and the Supreme Court
“Violent Video Games and the Supreme Court: Lessons for the Scientific Community in the Wake of Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association,” published in the American Psychologist is written by Dr. Chris Ferguson, a graduate of the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at UCF. From the abstract: In June 2011 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that video games enjoy […]
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Alumnus Becomes U.S. Marine
Marine Corps Pfc. Jarl E. Gustafson, ’11, earned the title of United States Marine after graduating from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. For 13 weeks, Gustafson stayed committed during some of the world’s most demanding entry-level military training in order to be transformed from civilian to Marine instilled with pride, […]
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Alumna Publishes First Novel
Amanda Gasbarro, ’11, graduated from the Nicholson School of Communication with a bachelor’s degree in advertising/public relations. Amanda is a book enthusiast in every form. She has passion for reading and writing and has recently published her first novel called, Shifting Shadows. The book is part one of Amanda’s Sparks Collide trilogy, which is described […]
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Alumna Continues Successful Career in Event Planning
Deb Perry Melnick, ’87, is a graduate of the Nicholson School of Communication. Deb is pictured here with Florida’s Governor Rick Scott, the First Lady and Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll. Since graduating from UCF, she has gone on to have a very successful career in event planning. Melnick is currently the manager of marketing events […]
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Alumnus and Student Head to White House
Congratulations to two Political Science students, who were accepted into the White House Internship Program. Ida Eskamani graduated in Spring 2012 with a double major in Political Science and Sociology and Nick Oscheneek is a Political Science major, who is expected to graduate in Fall 2013.
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Alumnus Publishes New Book
Are you ready to become the best leader you can be? Alumnus John Mattone, ’80, is going to tell you how in his new book, Intelligent Leadership: What You Need to Know to Unlock Your Full Potential. Mattone graduated from UCF with a master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology. His book is scheduled to be […]
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Peace Corps Expands Post-Grad Experience
This is an excerpt post from the Central Florida Future, read their full story here. Joining the Peace Corps isn’t just for students who are trying to avoid the job search after graduation. Volunteering overseas can be a résumé booster for those who can make the months-long commitment. Alethea Parker, public affairs specialist at the Peace Corps Southeast […]
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Alum Represents UCF in the 2012 Arthritis Foundation California Coast Classic Bike Tour
Randy Evans,’75, participated in the 2012 Arthritis Foundation California Coast Classic Bike Tour where he represented UCF on college jersey day. The 12th annual California Coast Classic Bike Tour is hosted by the Arthritis Foundation and is intended to help support the search for a cure for the disabling disease. The bike tour, which is about […]
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Alumni Marry in Largo, Fla.
Jessica Battaglia, ‘09, and her husband, Anthony, ‘10, were married on June 9, 2012 in Largo, Fla. While attending UCF, Jessica and Anthony were both very involved. Anthony was a recipient of the Order of Pegasus. He was also a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, the President’s Leadership Council, SGA, Order of Omega, Pi Sigma […]
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College of Sciences’ Alumni Welcome Their Baby Knights
Congratulations to all of our College of Sciences’ alumni who welcomed new additions to their Knight families! Kelley Cannon, ’02, and her husband, John, ’02, welcomed their baby girl, Isla, in November 2012. Melissa Leitzell, ’98, and her husband, Scott,’99, welcomed their second child, Ben. Ian Philips, ’03, and his wife, Marjorie, ’03, welcomed their […]