![\"Three](\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/03\/COS-Story-Photo-Template_1200x800-1-2-1024x683.png\")
The UCF Arboretum is host to a community garden, natural lands, student initiatives on Leading by Learning\u2122 and on March 13, it was the featured area for the College of Sciences\u2019 Women Supporting Science event series. This series is open to all and encourages learning about and supporting innovation across the sciences at UCF. Community members and donors gathered with UCF staff, faculty, and students in the scenic Arboretum Park to learn more about the Arboretum\u2019s initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event provided a spotlight on students who work at the Arboretum, engaging attendees through eight interactive stations, including the public garden development and plant production greenhouse.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UCF College of Sciences Dean and Vice Provost of Strategic Initiatives, Maggy Tomova, opened the reception by emphasizing the value of the Arboretum\u2019s role in supporting students\u2019 educational journeys. She stressed how providing hands-on experience outside the classroom helps students develop competitive skills for today\u2019s rapidly changing environment.
\u201cAs one of the most innovative universities in America, we provide students opportunities to have practical applications of what they study. We call this experiential learning, and the UCF Arboretum is a unique example of that,\u201d says Tomova. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Founded in 1983, the UCF Arboretum serves as a natural space for the UCF community and visitors to connect with nature, while offering educational opportunities on the importance of plants, ecosystems and biodiversity to human well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/03\/Jennifer-Elliott_edited-819x1024.jpg\")
Jennifer Elliott, Director of the UCF Arboretum and Sustainability Initiatives, also addressed the crowd at the event, sharing about the Arboretum\u2019s Learning by Leading\u2122 program in preparing students for the workforce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Helping students apply what they\u2019re learning in the classroom, gain real-world skills, and grow in confidence is incredibly rewarding,” says Elliott. “It\u2019s fulfilling to see them not only develop these skills but also pass them on by teaching volunteers, continuing the cycle with the next generation.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elliott is an alumna of the College of Sciences and has been closely involved with the Arboretum since 2002 through the Biology Department while earning her bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees in biology, with a focus on marine turtle biology, ecology, and habitat conservation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m deeply connected with this physical space, program, and UCF. I’m grateful to be in a role where I can contribute to the Arboretum\u2019s work, helping students succeed and serving our UCF community and beyond,\u201d says Elliott. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With her strong ties to UCF, Elliott reflected on how rewarding it has been to engage students with the Arboretum\u2019s initiatives, while maintaining connections with alumni, some of whom remain actively involved in various capacities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an exciting time for us. Seeing alumni return and continue supporting this program has been a wonderful experience and serves as an example for our students,\u201d Elliott says.<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/03\/Tina-McIntyre-819x1024.png\")
Tina McIntyre, UCF alumna and Florida-Friendly Landscaping\u2122 Agent with UF\/IFAS Extension Seminole County, also spoke at the event. She shared how her work as a volunteer and later staff at the UCF Arboretum helped her pursue a career in landscape management. McIntyre credits her UCF education with laying the foundation for her career journey.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWorking here for six years and earning my master\u2019s degree in conservation biology enabled me to gain field experience and provided a strong foundation for teaching in the Biology Department, which led me to my role with the Orange County Environmental Protection Division,\u201d McIntyre said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now at UF\/IFAS Extension, McIntyre emphasizes the importance of science communication and education in her work with communities and students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere’s really not a day that goes by that we’re not engaging with the public, educating, doing science communication, and science education,\u201d says McIntyre. \u201cThe skills that prepared me were public speaking and understanding how to translate research and science into language that\u2019s accessible to the general public and students.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Arboretum has also focused on building partnerships to enhance its programs and extend its impact beyond UCF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith UCF\u2019s influence in the region, I believe it\u2019s important to build partnerships, as they provide students with networking opportunities and expose them to potential careers after graduation,\u201d says Elliott. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Through immersive interactive stations and guided tours, UCF alumni, staff, and community partners explored and learned about the UCF Arboretum\u2019s environmental initiatives and its impact on the community. By: Ana Hidalgo | March 24, 2025 The UCF Arboretum is host to a community garden, natural lands, student initiatives on Leading by Learning\u2122 and on March […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":260,"featured_media":34306,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[33,34,38,6,6483,13,25,27,28],"tags":[305,437,736,1209],"class_list":["post-34296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arboretum","category-biology-departments","category-breaking-news","category-events","category-featured-biology","category-news","category-staff-news","category-stem","category-top-news","tag-arboretum-2","tag-biology","tag-college-of-sciences","tag-events-2"],"yoast_head":"\n