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UCF Political Science Grad Shares Career Advice
Theresa McDowell, ’03, says her political science degree from UCF gave her a strong foundation for law school and for being an attorney. Now, as a senior associate attorney at DHN Attorneys law firm in Orlando, she represents many Homeowners Associations and she enjoys helping them build strong communities. “Being a real estate attorney allows […]
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UCF Political Science Alumna Tracks Road to Success
Teresa Lamar-Sarno, ’00, ’03, runs the redevelopment department for the City of Stuart, Florida. Her most recent accomplishment as Community Redevelopment Agency Administrator is the award winning road redesign she directed. The Colorado Avenue Business District Improvement was a 1.2 million dollar project that revitalized a rundown commercial corridor to a revitalized urban area in […]
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UCF Master’s Degree Launches Alumnus’ Career
Ben Freeman, ’05, continues to benefit from his master’s degree in political science from UCF. Dr. Freeman explained the knowledge he gained at UCF was immensely valuable as he worked toward his Ph.D at Texas A&M University, and continues to help him in his current political work. While earning his Ph.D. in political science from […]
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UCF Political Science Graduate Thanks UCF for Her Success
Kerri Milita, ’06, ’09, graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and then pursued her M.A. at UCF. Upon graduation from UCF in May 2009, she began working on her Ph.D. in Political Science at Florida State University. In November 2013, Kerri accepted a tenure-track position as an assistant professor at Illinois State University […]
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UCF Grad Finds his Dream Job through the Power of Networking
William Lusk, ’13, packed his bags with suits, resumes and dreams of finding a job after graduation as he headed for a maritime security conference in 2011. At the time, Lusk had already received his bachelor’s degree in political science from UCF in 2009 and was working on receiving his master’s degree from UCF in […]
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UCF’s Opportunities Open Doors for Dynamic UCF Alumna
Jennie Hayes, ’10, has never been one to take the easy road. During her time at UCF, Hayes double majored in political science and interpersonal-organizational communications, took four internships, and was involved with many extracurricular activities. After graduating from UCF, Hayes earned her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law. There, she also took […]
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UCF Political Science Alumnus Created Successful Multi-Media Company
As a college freshman, UCF alumnus Brad Gans, ’01, envisioned studying in the UCF film program. But after taking a political science class, his eyes were opened to different ideas and he eagerly switched his major to political science. His double major in political science and criminal science has taken Gans from working for England’s […]
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Political Science Alumnus Appreciates Career Advice
When UCF undergraduate Todd Curry, ’03, ’06, approached graduation, he wasn’t sure which path to take: law school or graduate school. He sought advice about both paths with his UCF mentor, taking into account Curry’s expectations and his mentor’s experiences. Curry is very thankful that he realized that pursuing a master’s degree in political science […]
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UCF Alumnus Uses Political Science Degree in More Ways than One
At the age of 20, Rishi Bagga, ’03, graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in political science, and he never thought he would use it in so many different ways. Eleven years later, the successful attorney has now worked in various fields of law, politics and hospitality. After graduating from UCF, Bagga moved to […]
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Recent UCF Alumnus Lands Job in Vienna, Austria
Imagine living in a beautiful and exotic city, learning the culture and interacting with different people. This was exactly the task assigned to Marco Funk, ’11, when he moved to Vienna, Austria and later begin his job as a research and communications associate for the International Organization for Migration. Funk works in the Research and […]
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Alumnus Soars With F-16 Jets In Pakistan
As an exchange officer for the United States Air Force (USAF) and F-16 instructor pilot, Brian Gerwe, ’99, spends his days flying jets and living out the dreams of many. Currently embedded in the Pakistani air force, Gerwe’s mission is to support the interests of the United States and Pakistan to enhance the goals associated […]
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Alumna Betters Her Community Through Inspiring Others To Become Leaders
As program manager for the National AmeriCorps program, Public Allies, for Central Florida, under Community Based Care of Central Florida, Nilmarie Zapata, ’07 and ’09, wears a variety of different hats. Zapata serves as the AmeriCorps volunteer’s coach, mentor, leadership facilitator, curriculum designer and trainer. She also makes time to act as a founding curator […]
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From Florida to Heibei: One Alumna is Bridging the Cultural Gap
Fedorah Philippeaux, ’13, couldn’t have imagined her bachelor’s degree in political science would take her half way across the world to teach English to students in China. Philippeaux began her UCF career aiming for a degree in molecular microbiology. Due to financial limits, Philippeaux later decided to change her major to political science, enabling her […]
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A Knight’s Journey to Oklahoma
From Orlando to where the wind comes sweeping down the plain, Wendy Whitman-Cobb, ’06, ’08, thanks the University of Central Florida for helping her achieve a variety of accomplishments. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in political science, Whitman-Cobb served as a political science adjunct instructor for the University of Central Florida, Santa Fe College in […]
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Alumnus Sparks Connections in Career
It has only been five years since Nathan Christopher, ’08, graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in political science-prelaw. He has climbed the career ladder quickly, working in roles such as the media relations assistant for the Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand at the U.S. Senate and as the director of consumer marketing for […]
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UCF Alumna and News Anchor Covers Politics, Major Trials and . . . Football?
Venezuelan-Puerto Rican multi-media journalist, Ybeth Bruzual, ’05, has done her best to keep busy since graduating from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She is a news anchor on News 13, the only 24-hour news channel in Orlando, Fla., working the 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. time slot. Her high energy style and can-do […]
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UCF Grad Uses Degree for Career in Diplomatic Relations
The journey to UCF and beyond has had many twists and turns for Stephanie Parenti Giordano, ’11. Following high school, she almost joined her family tradition to serve her country by entering the military. However, she decided to be the first woman in her family to attend college instead. Starting at Pasco-Hernando Community College, she […]
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Ryan Vescio: Voice of the Community
UCF Alumnus Ryan Vescio, ’02, has had an exciting fast paced career as an assistant state attorney for the State Attorney’s Office of the 9th Judicial Circuit. He has closed over 2,500 cases and works hard to serve and protect the community in more ways than just in the court room. Vescio graduated from UCF […]
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Get Hooked on New Clothing Line
The newest clothing line of the bay is here, and it’s all from UCF alumnus, Myles Moulton, ’11. Founded two years after graduating with a degree in political science, he started Fishy Itchy through his passion for tarpon fishing and the excitement people share for it. “We were just sitting around talking about tarpon fishing […]
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“Red on the Head” Produces Guaranteed Laughs
Going down memory lane through one’s memories is always a treat, and it worked greatly for Bill Hughes, ’75. He recently published his memoir, “I’d Rather Be Dead than Red on the Head,” with the title being a quote from a classmate who teased Hughes as a child. In his memoir, Hughes tells us about […]
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Alumna Leads Digital Direction on Florida’s Tribune Newspapers
The next time you check out the Orlando Sentinel or the South Florida Sun Sentinel, you are guaranteed that it has the visual touch of a Knight. On June 5, 2013, Julie Anderson, ’84, ’89, was appointed as the vice president of digital publishing for Tribune’s two Florida newspapers. She credits her experience at UCF […]
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Alumnus Experiences the Best of Both Worlds
While many Knights experience the Florida summer year round, Michael Koskey, ’91, experiences the best of both worlds-in Alaska! His work as an assistant professor for the Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development for the University of Alaska Fairbanks continues to grow. Through this work he helps promote personal and community wellbeing among the Alaska […]
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November Alumni Class Notes
Congratulations to the following UCF College of Sciences alumni on their recent career changes and accomplishments: Amanda Castro, ’12, was promoted at 41NBC/WMGT in Macon, Ga. She is the new co-anchor of the morning newscast, Daybreak. She graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in radio-TV. Kyle A. Diamantas, ’10, has joined […]
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Alumna’s Law Practice Celebrates 20 Years of Service to Central Florida
Attorney, professor and mentor are just some of the words that can be used to describe alumna Terry Bledsoe, ’87. She graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in political science and has since made a profound effect on the Central Florida community. Bledsoe was always very active in the community even while she was […]
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Shining Knights, October’s Featured Graduate, Patrick Stewart, ’88
Author, researcher and educator, Patrick Stewart, ’88, said, ‘“Be prepared to pay your dues to realize your dreams. Being great at anything means working very hard for a long time.” Stewart has certainly taken his own advice and over the years has slowly turned his dreams into a reality. “Without a solid start in my […]
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Alumna Credits Success to Volunteering
“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have,” said Anthropologist, Margaret Mead. Alumna Jessica Schwendeman, ’10, has a big heart to go along with her caring and warm personality and has always been one of the few ready to lend a helping hand whenever and […]
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Alumnus Shares Advice for UCF Students Seeking to Work in D.C.
Marc Alberts, ’11, graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in political science on the international relations and comparative politics track and a minor in Spanish. Shortly after graduation, Alberts arrived in Washington, D.C. to work as an intern for a governmental affairs office in the downtown area. His internship helped him get another paid […]
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Alumna’s Degree Takes Her Around The World
To say that Marlene Nilsson, ’97, is well traveled would be putting things mildly. Working in places like Chad, Egypt, Sudan, Libya and Saudi Arabia this alumna has been all over the world. Her career is what allowed her to become so worldly, but Marlene credits her education at UCF for helping her succeed in […]
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COS Alumni Make the List
Orlando Magazine recently released the names of Orlando’s 50 most powerful people for 2013. The 10th annual list showcased a diverse mix of leaders in the Orlando community. As the magazine noted, these movers and shakers possess the power to move and inspire others. Among those listed include University of Central Florida President, John Hitt, […]
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Journey from Sergeant to Top Attorney
When it comes to describing UCF alumnus Jason Odom, ’97, there is no shortage of words. He was very motivated and hardworking during his years at UCF; however, Odom wasn’t like your typical student. While studying to receive his degree from UCF he also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1993 to […]