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When Teresa Dorman joined UCF in 1996 as a graduate secretary she didn\u2019t know she would spend the next 29 years reshaping the student experience, creating initiatives, and mentoring advisors, faculty, staff, and students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This week she retires from her position as the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic and Student Affairs in the College of Sciences, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and significant impact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn kindergarten, I drew a picture of a school crossing guard for \u2018what do you want to be when you grow up,\u2019\u201d she says. \u201cI had no idea then that my career really would revolve around helping others find their way.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAlthough she began college as a psychology and art double major with plans to become an art therapist, and later trained to counsel adolescents, her professional journey led her to higher education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile I may not have reached every goal I set, I learned that success is about having a goal and being open to unexpected possibilities and opportunities along the way. You may be diverted in some way from what you intended, but the journey can be just as fulfilling,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dorman says she\u2019s seen the way advising and academic support have evolved to promote student success for Knights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI believe the student experience has transformed dramatically,\u201d she says. \u201cWhen I started, advising would say \u2018here\u2019s what you need to do\u2014now go do it.\u2019 Today, it\u2019s about finding balance: helping students choose and stay on a path, while still leaving room to explore and discover.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among her accomplishments is her leadership of UCF\u2019s Curriculum Alignment Initiative, a collaborative, faculty-led effort spanning multiple institutions and disciplines. <\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\u201cSince 2013, I\u2019ve had the privilege of leading, co-leading, and facilitating this multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary faculty-driven effort,\u201d Dorman says. \u201cOur primary goals are to ensure that students encounter consistent learning outcomes in foundational transfer courses, and that the skills they gain prepare them for success in the next level courses and the degree.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The initiative has helped define academic consistency across UCF and its partner institutions, ensuring that students transfer and transition smoothly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The College of Sciences held a retirement celebration on campus with faculty and staff from across the college and university, with college and university leaders sharing their appreciation of Dorman. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt my pleasure to be here to honor Dr. Dorman\u2019s contributions to UCF during her long and distinguished career as a Knight,\u201d says Kerstin Hamann, Pegasus Professor & Senior Associate Dean in the College of Sciences. \u201cI wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael D. Johnson, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, shared how Dorman supported him throughout his career with UCF. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy first step into administrative work was working with Teresa, she quite literally taught me what I was supposed to do back when we had the College of Arts and Sciences,\u201d Johnson says. \u201cShe is one of the best people I have ever worked with, she has incredible skills, and I am so lucky that she came to UCF.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nInterim Dean of the College of Sciences, Josh Colwell, says that Dorman also was a pillar of support for him when he transitioned into new roles at UCF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was Assistant Chair for the Department of Physics I learned through Michael Johnson where to go to get the answers to any questions I have had,\u201d Colwell says. \u201cI learned quickly that Teresa Dorman would have those answers.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As she steps away from UCF, she leaves with confidence in the future of the college she helped shape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have a great team, and I\u2019m excited that the college is set up for continued success with dedicated leadership,\u201d she says. \u201cWithin and beyond the Dean\u2019s Office, there are countless individuals who are dedicated to the success of their units and the college as a whole. I look forward to seeing how our college progresses.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The College of Sciences celebrates the retirement of Teresa Dorman and her lasting impact. By Emily Dougherty | Published July 31, 2025 When Teresa Dorman joined UCF in 1996 as a graduate secretary she didn\u2019t know she would spend the next 29 years reshaping the student experience, creating initiatives, and mentoring advisors, faculty, staff, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":250,"featured_media":34829,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[38,39,25,28,29],"tags":[736,2863,3289],"class_list":["post-34718","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news","category-faculty-news","category-staff-news","category-top-news","category-ucf-news","tag-college-of-sciences","tag-retirement","tag-teresa-dorman"],"yoast_head":"\n