The First Steps on The Right Career Path

A few years ago UCF came out with the slogan “UCF Stands for Opportunity,” and Lauren Doney, ’11, credits her career success from the many unique opportunities UCF offers its students. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree in political science and pre-law, UCF provided her with two years of internship and real-world work experience that gave […]

Science Cafés featuring UCF scientists

As part of our celebrations for the UCF 50th Anniversary the College of Sciences will be hosting several Science Cafés to showcase our Pegasus Professors and discuss Science Beyond UCF with the Central Florida community. Admission is free, and you need no reservation—just come ready to listen and contribute. Each speaker will begin their presentation at […]

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 […]

UCF Participates in 9th Annual NAMIWalk

NAMIWalks is the largest and most successful mental health awareness and fundraising event in America. Through these walks the organziation is changing the way Americans view persons with a mental illness and ensuring that help and hope are available for those in need. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will be celelebrating its 9th Annual NAMI Greater […]

Alumnus Combines His Passion for Science with Law

David Frost once said, “Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in it, and it will come naturally.” Alumnus, Christopher T. Byrd, ’04, is a great example of someone who worked hard and has a successful career because he found a job that involves his passion and […]

Alumnus Creates His Own Path to Success

Kevin Varela, ’10, started the international relations track through the UCF Political Science Department with hopes of one day getting a nice cozy job as a diplomat. However, his journey through UCF’s international relations, women’s studies, and Latin American studies programs opened not only his mind, but his desires. “International relations taught me about how […]

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.

Physicist’s Research Gains International Attention

Dr. Zenghu Chang, UCF Distinguished Professor of Physics & Optics, recorded the shortest pulse of light in his UCF lab. Physics World recently interviewed Chang for their publication, which you can view here. Physics World is the British equivalent of Physics Today, which is published in the US. “Dr. Chang’s success in making ever-shorter light pulses helps […]

Where are all the scientists?

Scientist-turned-filmmaker Dr. Randy Olson, is a fan of Al Gore’s global warming movie, but asks, “Where are all the scientists?”  He sets out to make his own documentary about global warming featuring scientists, but the only backers he can find are a fabulously flaky couple who top their list of people they want him to interview with Tom Cruise (not […]

UCF Mentor of the Year

Congratulations, Dr. Josh Colwell, Professor Department of Physics Planetary Sciences Group, on your UCF Mentor of the Year Award. Dr. Colwell got his Ph.D. from the Department of Astrophysical, Planetary, and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Colorado in 1989 and remained in Colorado as a Research Associate at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics until […]

Service-Learning Helps Students Tackle World’s Tough Issues

This is a guest post from Biology Professor Linda Walters, which was featured on UCF Today and The Huffington Post.  The end of each spring semester brings out the best in academia. Not only is graduation soon to occur, but campuses everywhere celebrate excellence — of faculty, staff and students. I am always excited to attend […]

COS Students Win Big at Graduate Research Forum

The 2013 Graduate Research Forum was a huge success, especially for the college of sciences.  COS students swept the mathematics, optics, and physical sciences section, as well as placing in other sections. 70 students from the college of sciences competed in the forum.  Of those 70, eight placed in their respective groups. COS students placed […]

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.

Kenneth I. Pargament Talks About the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality

Nearly 80 percent of Americans say they practice some type of religion, while approximately 20 percent, mostly younger people, say they do not, according to a 2012 Pew Research Center study. Whether a person is religious, spiritual or neither, the major influence religion has on American culture is emphasized in such religious observances as Passover […]

Biology Students are Best in Show

Last week, students competed in the campus wide UCF Service-Learning Showcase.  We had many COS students compete, but three biology students won best in show.  Madison Hall, Lauren Riegler, and Cherri Sookdeo are members of the Trash Talkers and winners of this outstanding award. “Our project dealt with marine debris, and we presented to 5th […]

UCF Celebrates Arbor Day

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, […]

Alumnus Combines Political Science Goals With Soccer Dreams

Antti Laitinen, ’00, started his studies at UCF in the fall of 1997 with the help of an athletic scholarship. He came to Central Florida from Finland and was recruited as the men’s soccer goalkeeper. His goal was to graduate and then return to Finland. Because he was interested in working either as a journalist, […]

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 […]

UCF 50th Anniversary Video

Since the signing of the legislative bill that established a university in Central Florida to being the largest university in Florida and the second largest in the United States, UCF has become a partnership university with groundbreaking research, innovative education and more than 190,000 alumni.

Professors Begin Study of Shelter Policies

This an excerpt from a story Gannett, read the entire piece here. United Way of the Big Bend President Heather Mitchell on Monday introduced two experts she said are helping The Shelter move in the right direction.  UWBB and The Shelter’s board leadership have called in the experts to conduct an internal review of The […]

Kerstin Hamann : Women who shaped UCF

What is your current job title and responsibilities?   I am currently the Chair of the Department of Political Science. My responsibilities include all aspects of leading the department, including budget, curriculum (undergraduate, MA, PhD), faculty development, and partnerships, among others. What is your history at UCF? (past job titles, responsibilities? I was hired as […]

Young Scientists Inspired, Honored at State Science Fair

More than 900 middle and high schoolers will present their research and compete for scholarships during a state science fair coordinated by the University of Central Florida.  The 58th annual State Science & Engineering Fair of Florida began Tuesday, March 26, at the Lakeland Center. Fair activities are coordinated by the Florida Foundation for Future […]

Cynthia Young : Women who shaped UCF

What is your current job title and responsibilities?  Professor of Mathematics and Associate Dean, College of Sciences with oversight of Research and External Funding, Faculty Affairs, Assessment, and STEM Initiatives. What is your history at UCF? (past job titles, responsibilities) Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Professor of Mathematics, NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative […]

Sarah “Stacy” Barber : Women who shaped UCF

What is your current job title and responsibilities?  Assistant Professor, Anthropology.  I am a Mesoamerican archaeologist responsible for teaching undergraduate courses and conducting archaeological field research in Oaxaca, Mexico, and in Florida. What is your history at UCF? (past job titles, responsibilities) I have been at UCF since 2007 as an Assistant Professor. What is […]

“Style My App”, Interactive App Creation Contest

Calling all tech gurus, gamers, programmers and computer junkies. An outstanding portfolio building opportunity awaits you! Glamorize your inner geek!  Orlando Style Magazine, Central Florida’s premiere luxury lifestyle magazine and a component of Style Magazines, is offering tech savvy students from UCF and Full Sail, the chance to develop a unique, interactive app for the […]

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 […]

COS Teams Up With Knights Pantry

The College of Sciences has been keeping busy this semester with numerous activities in celebration of UCF’s 50th Anniversary, including an on-going collaboration with the Knights Helping Knights Pantry. The College of Sciences Dean’s Office brainstormed ideas for ways faculty, staff, and students could give back while also celebrating the anniversary. The Knights Helping Knights […]

Let’s Get the Party Started

It’s finally here! Centric magazine’s spring issue launch party is this Wednesday, April 10, 5-7 p.m. at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. Attendees will receive a free copy of the new spring issue as well as free chicken tenders from Huey Magoo’s and free cupcakes from Kupkake Kidz. A DJ from Giovanni’s will be in charge of […]

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 […]