ANNUAL REPORT
July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
FROM CONCEPT TO CONSTRUCTION: In May 2017, after five years of planning, UCF broke ground in Creative Village to create UCF Downtown. Construction included Dr. Phillips Academic Commons (pictured), a new parking garage, a UCF Police Department sub-station, and a major renovation of the Communication and Media Building. The Central Florida community rallied behind the effort, contributing more than $21 million in philanthropic gifts to help build the campus.
As we returned to campus this fall, I kept reflecting on Michael Altshuler’s words: “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” It’s hard to believe that UCF Downtown is celebrating its 5-year anniversary, and I am incredibly proud of how far we’ve come together.
When we set out to build UCF Downtown, it wasn’t just about expanding our footprint—it was about reimagining how we could bring access, innovation and impact to the heart of downtown Orlando. Our partnership with Valencia College, once a groundbreaking local initiative, has become a national model for collaboration, creating pathways for students to earn bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
Our campus is a hub for 21st-century education. From No. 1 world-ranked programs to active learning spaces, our faculty has embraced innovative teaching methods to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. And at the core of everything we do is student success—ensuring every student has the opportunity to learn and thrive.
I am also proud of how our research has grown over the past five years. From improving emergency services during disasters to ending homelessness, treating substance abuse disorders and more, our faculty are tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing our community with research that makes a difference in people’s lives across Florida and the globe.
Lastly, our connection to the Parramore community has been invaluable. Through partnerships with local leaders, businesses and nonprofits, we’ve fostered meaningful relationships that reflect our deep commitment to serving our neighbors now and in the future.
As we celebrate this 5-year milestone, I want to extend my deepest thanks to each of you—our faculty, staff and partners—for your dedication and shared belief in our vision. You are the reason we’ve come this far, and you are the reason we will continue to succeed in the years to come. I look forward to all that we will achieve together as we chart the course for UCF Downtown’s next chapter.
Ross Wolf, Ed.D., MPA Professor and Associate Provost for UCF Downtown
ABOUT UCF DOWNTOWN
Together, UCF and Valencia College have created a campus in the heart of downtown Orlando focused on inspiring individuals to achieve their dreams. This transformational project kick-started Orlando’s publicprivate Creative Village. Both schools increase access for students, provide pathways into high-demand career fields, foster meaningful collaboration with our neighbors and improve countless lives through the power of education.
BY THE NUMBERS
8,370
ENROLLMENT (UCF + Valencia, Spring 2024)
360
FACULTY/STAFF (Spring 2024)
218
CO-LISTED COURSES (Spring 2024)
35+
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (UCF+ VC)
4,126
EVENTS HELD ON CAMPUS (2023)
91%
UCF DOWNTOWN STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs; ex: internships, service learning, etc.)
10,358
DOWNTOWN STUDENTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED DEGREES FROM UCF (since 2019)
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS & HIGHLIGHTS
RANKINGS
#1
GRADUATE VIDEO GAME DESIGN PROGRAM IN THE WORLD
PUBLIC MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
#1
#27
PUBLIC FINANCE AND BUDGETING #21
HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT #39
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION GRADUATE SCHOOL #5
UNDERGRADUATE GAME DESIGN PROGRAM IN THE WORLD #47
#15
GRADUATE NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT #47
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Source: Princeton Review and US News & World Report
LEVEL UP
The Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA) graduated its 1,000th student in Fall 2023, where the average starting salary for grads is $81,000 per year.
HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT
U.S. News & World Report names UCF among the top 20 most innovative universities in the nation and its Part-Time Professional MBA ranked among the nation’s best part-time MBA programs.
FROM LAB TO LEADING EDGE CENTER
The Decision Support Systems and Informatics Lab became the Center for Decision Support Systems and Informatics in January 2024. Led by School of Global Health Management and Informatics Associate Professor Varadraj Gurupur, Ph.D., the Center focuses on advancing decision support science to positively impact communities, mentoring students and post-doctoral scholars in healthcare decision support research, and securing funding to train assistant professors.
AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS
UNLEASHING POTENTIAL THROUGH FACULTY AWARDS AND GRANTS
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Nicholson School of Communication and Media Professors and Limbitless Solutions received an Epic MegaGrant from Epic Games to make a prosthetics-training game. This groundbreaking initiative, titled “Project Inventor: Bionic Training Games for Children with Limb Differences,” is led by Associate Professor Matt Dombrowski ’05 ’08 MFA, head of creative arts and media at Limbitless Solutions within UCF’s School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD), and Peter Smith ’05 ’12 Ph.D., head of game development and training at Limbitless Solutions and associate professor at UCF’s Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM). Their training games aim to teach users of prosthetics how to refine their muscle flexes, reducing effort and enabling them to perform multiple gestures with their bionic limbs. The games are designed to be unique and enjoyable with a collaborative gameplay style, making the training process fun and engaging for the users.
School of Public Administration Associate Professor Jungwon Yeo, Ph.D., is a Co-Principal Investigator for a $750,000 National Science Foundation awarded grant. The Strengthening American Infrastructure (SAI) program, supported by NSF, aims to advance human-centered research that enhances the resilience of America’s infrastructure, focusing on socioeconomic benefits and equitable service provision. A specific SAI project targets the emergency management of critical infrastructure systems affected by wildfires, with an emphasis on the disproportionate impacts on socially vulnerable communities. This project integrates social science theories with mathematical models to develop an equity-focused decision-making framework for better wildfire response and infrastructure recovery strategies.
The 2023 Unity Workforce Grant from Unity Social Impact and Jobs For the Future (JFF) prepares future creators for in-demand careers games, extended reality (XR) and the metaverse. NSCM was among those selected from more than 700 submissions to support the next generation of real-time 3D creators. The work supported by the grant is led by three NSCM Games and Interactive Media faculty: David Negrin, Peter Smith and John T. Murray.
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BUILDING RESILIENCE: UCF TEAM DEVELOPS MOBILE CENTER TO SUPPORT VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AFTER DISASTERS
In 2022, a team of researchers from UCF’s College of Community Innovation and Education and College of Engineering and Computer Science set out to address a critical challenge: how to provide essential services to residents in underserved Orlando neighborhoods after a disaster. Many communities, already socioeconomically vulnerable, are at greater risk of losing power, internet, and mobility during extreme weather events.
Led by School of Public Administration
Assistant Professor Kelly Stevens, Ph.D., the team collaborated with the City of Orlando and community leaders to conceptualize a mobile, self-sustaining Resilience, Education, and Advocacy Center for Hazard Preparedness (REACH) hub. These hubs would offer services like device charging, air-conditioned spaces, food distribution, and educational resources for future emergency preparedness.
After a year of research and a community-informed design process, the project recently moved into its second phase, having secured approval and funding from the National Science Foundation’s CIVIC program. The team includes UCF researchers Yue “Gurt” Ge, L. Trenton S. Marsh, Liqiang Wang, and Zhihua Qu, with senior personnel Maritza Concha, Christopher Emrich and Kristopher Davis.
“WE HAD OVER 300 RESPONSES FROM RESIDENTS… WHICH INFORMED OUR DESIGN PROCESS IN A WAY THAT ALLOWED US TO REALLY CO-DESIGN THESE HUBS WITH AND FOR THE COMMUNITY,” STEVENS SAYS.
POWERING UCF DOWNTOWN’S COMMUNITYENGAGED RESEARCH
UCF Downtown faculty from three colleges work with community members, government agencies and private sector partners to address significant challenges and foster positive change through research and innovation. With a strong focus on outreach and social impact, these community-engaged research projects address community and social connection, economic stability, education, good governance, healthcare and livability—aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCF has awarded more than $250,000 for community-engaged research in downtown Orlando to date.
In 2024, four faculty were recipients of the Downtown Community Engaged Research (DCER) Faculty Award:
Developing Strategies for Public Service Motivated UCF Students to Serve as AmeriCorps Members in Orlando
Pegasus Professor of Public Administration Thomas Bryer
Pathways to End Homelessness Through the Collaborative for Homeless Action, Research, and Transformation (CHART)
Assistant Professor of Public Administration Andrew Sullivan
Deep Learning Techniques for a Comprehensive Analysis of Walkability Evolution in Downtown Orlando via Street Panorama Imagery
Associate Professor of Public Administration Chia-Yuan Yu
UCF Downtown Death Café Professor of Public Administration Staci Zavattaro
RISING STARS
“I WANT TO SAVE THE WORLD — OR AT LEAST TRY TO MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE”
UCF Public Affairs Doctoral Student Earns American Society for Public Administration Fellowship
Public administration doctoral student Kathryn Hickey was recently named a Founders’ Fellow by the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), one of the most prestigious programs for rising public service professionals. Hickey was selected as one of just 20 members nationwide for the 2024 cohort. As part of the fellowship, she will be paired with a mentor for a year, who will support her through conference presentations, scholarly writing, including her dissertation and professional networking. The program also guarantees Hickey a publication in PA Times Online, giving her career an early boost.
Hickey is particularly excited about the mentorship and networking opportunities, noting how valuable it will be to have guidance through large conferences and events as she navigates her early career in public administration.
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National Achievers Society Earn Five Awards at Conference and Brain Bowl Competiton
The National Achievers Society, housed in Student Outreach Services at UCF Downtown, won five awards: three first place awards (History/ Culture Brain Bowl, Largest Parent Alliance and Largest Student Delegation) and two second place awards (Math Brain Bowl) between both the conference and brain bowl competitions.
FUELING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DOWNTOWN STUDENTS
THE FLORIDA INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT ACADEMY (FIEA) supported students with a collective $127,000 of fellowships and scholarships during the academic year.
PAYING IT FORWARD
Emergency management master’s student Travis Leslie ’16MS pledged $25,000 over the next five years to help grow the emergency management master’s program through the Travis M. Leslie Emergency Management Endowment.
Public Service Students Create Alliance Following Hands-On Capitol Trip
A new public service student alliance called Public Administration Across Disciplines was formed by enthusiastic students following an annual three-day trip to Tallahassee. Each year a faculty member from the School of Public Administration leads 10 to 15 students from UCF’s public service-oriented programs including public administration, emergency management, nonprofit management, criminal justice, and urban and regional planning. In collaboration with Fred Kittinger, senior associate vice president of university relations, the visit gives students the unique opportunity to meet state agency leaders and participate in real-world exercises such as conducting a mock debate in the Senate chambers. Other stops include visits to the Florida League of Cities, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) and the state’s Emergency Operations Center.
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE
Two downtown faculty members were honored with 2024 Research Incentive Awards: Kelly Stevens, Ph.D., (School of Public Administration) and Maria Harrington, Ph.D., (Nicholson School of Communication and Media). The Research Incentive Award recognizes in-unit employee contributions to UCF’s key goal of achieving international prominence in research and creative activities.
Barbara “Basia” Andraka-Christou, Ph.D., J.D., School of Global Health Management and Informatics, and Irene Pons, J.D. ’00, Department of Legal Studies, College of Community Innovation and Education, were named Luminary Award Winners for academic leadership in their fields and for conducting work that has a significant impact on the world.
Department of Legal Studies
Irene Pons, J.D., received four Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards for her involvement in “A Break for Impact,” a series of documentaries created by the UCF Center for Distributed Learning (CDL).
School of Global Health Management and Informatics
Associate Professor Barbara “Basia” AndrakaChristou, Ph.D., J.D., received the Best Abstract Award by an Associated Professional from the national American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) in April 2024. She also appeared on Swiss Public Radio, covering U.S. policies on combatting opioid addiction.
Associate Professor Varadraj Gurupur, Ph.D., and his fellow inventors patented “Method and Systems for Managing Chronic Illness Health Care Records.”
Assistant Professor Giang Vu, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., secured a competitive Centers for Disease Control honor and will be working towards board certification in dental public health.
Professor Su-I Hou, Dr.P.H., was awarded the 2024-2025 Fulbright-Saastamoinen Foundation Distinguished Chair in Health Sciences position, which will allow her to conduct research at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) at the Faculty of Health Sciences. Her work will also focus on Finland’s world-famous Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) project. She also earned recognition as a fellow of The Gerontological Society of America in honor of her commitment to research on aging.
School of Public Administration
Professor Abdul-Akeem Sadiq, Ph.D., was named A National Academy of Public Administration Fellow.
Professor and School of Public Administration Director Doug Goodman, Ph.D., served as the President of the Southeastern Conference for Public Administration from September 2023 through September 2024.
Professor and Director of the Ph.D. Program in Public Affairs Jeremy Hall, Ph.D., received the Senator Peter B. Boorsma Award from the Southeastern Conference for Public Administration. He was also named the Editor-in-Chief for Public Works Management & Policy
Assistant Professor Andrew Sullivan, Ph.D., was named a 2023 Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) Emerging Scholar.
Thomas Bryer, Ph.D., was recognized as a 2024 Pegasus Professor, an award that honors excellence in the three primary areas of academic endeavor: teaching, research and service.
Naim Kacupu, Ph.D., Pegasus Professor of public administration and associate dean of research in the College of Community Innovation and Education, completed a Fulbright Specialist Trip to foster global connection between Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan and UCF.
CAMPUS SERVICES
Downtown Campus Store Offers Expanded Services for Students
UCF Downtown created a new home for its campus store inside Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, providing students, faculty and visitors with convenient access to UCF merchandise and essential campus services. The store offers a wide selection of UCF-branded items, including shirts, hats, stickers, keychains, notebooks, and even limited-edition Knightro and Citronaut plush toys, making it a one-stop shop for school spirit and supplies.
In addition to merchandise, the campus store now co-locates other critical services such as parking and card services. By bringing these resources together under one roof, UCF Downtown can better serve its students and offer streamlined, accessible services right on campus. Whether students need to learn about parking permits, replace a lost ID, or stock up on UCF gear, they can now do it all in one convenient location.
Thousands of Visitors Use Addition Financial Downtown Library Resources, Attend Events
The library provides access to an extensive collection of books, journals, and scholarly resources, along with expert research assistance and a conducive study space. The downtown campus library had 20,000+ visits and desktop computers were used nearly 2,400 times in the 2023-2024 academic year.
The library also hosted a variety of workshops and events aimed at promoting its academic and popular collections while also helping to alleviate stress for busy students.
UCF Police Department Builds Community at UCF Downtown Through Engagement Events, Mental Health Training and More
UCF Police officers held several community engagement events at UCF Downtown, including Coffee With a Cop and Mighty Knights self-defense classes. They even invited Honey the Mini Therapy Horse to campus to greet students, faculty and staff during the first week of classes. Officers are often present at UCF Downtown events, sharing resources for the community and more information about the services they offer.
UCFPD held a mental health first aid course at UCF Downtown, where they provided local educators, first responders and others who interact with youth with tools to help identify, respond to and support young people facing mental health challenges. Just as a CPR course helps those without clinical training assist someone having a heart attack, Youth Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with youth in crisis.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Connecting Campus and Community: UCF Downtown’s Commitment to Enriching Our Communities
UCF Downtown is deeply committed to fostering meaningful relationships that enrich the lives of Orlando’s residents. Through partnerships with local organizations and businesses, we aim to drive mutual growth and create a positive impact in the communities we serve. We’re proud to have strengthened these ties last year through several initiatives and collaborative opportunities.
UCF hosted Black and Gold Day events at Evans High School and Jones High School, where students experienced firsthand what it’s like to be a Knight. Dynamic performances by Knightro, the cheer team and students representing sororities and fraternities brought the campus experience to life. Presentations from Student Success and Well-Being on topics of admissions and financial aid offered key insights and tips on how to make college dreams come true. Twelve student clubs and offices were represented across the two events. As a result of outreach efforts like Black and Gold Day, applications to UCF (over a 5-year average) have increased 173% at Jones and 8% at Evans.
In October 2023, 70 community members and CCIE faculty and staff gathered at UCF Downtown for the Central Florida TableTalk Super Host event. They discussed improving the region’s quality of life, covering topics like homelessness, education, safety, economic opportunity and the arts.
Downtown Student Services, UCF Downtown and Creative Village hosted an inaugural UCF Tailgate in the Park, which provided 100 Orlando Kids Zone students tickets to a UCF Football Game and a tailgating experience for them and their families.
On October 26, the downtown campus held its annual Book Character Parade for more than 300 Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) VPK through second-grade students. Students visited more than 13 campus departments themed to different books and collected treats and a custom UCF- and Valencia-themed “Going to College” coloring and activity book.
The School of Global Health Management and Informatics welcomed Congresswoman Val Butler Demings and Congressman Ted Yoho to UCF Downtown in April as part of a Congress to Campus event where students had the opportunity to meet the retired members of Congress and engage in dialogue about Congress and the state of healthcare in the U.S.
The School of Global Health Management and Informatics, in association with the College of Medicine, hosted 50 high school students as part of the Health Leaders Summer Academy in July 2023. The event connected ambitious high school students with healthcare providers, offering a unique opportunity for learning and inspiration for future careers in healthcare.
UCF CENTER FOR PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT GRADUATES LATEST COHORT OF LEADERS
With funding from the Orange County Government Citizens’ Commission for Children, the UCF Center for Public and Nonprofit Management, part of the School of Public Administration, offers capacity-building workshops for local nonprofit professionals, many of whom lead early-stage or growing organizations. The series consists of seven hybrid sessions— three online and four in-person at UCF Downtown, providing valuable networking opportunities. In July, 36 professionals from 19 nonprofit organizations graduated as part of the center’s most recent cohort, one of more than a dozen developed over the past decade.
“I can’t even measure how much I’ve learned here,” says Lee Booker, OurLessonsLearned.Inc, a local nonprofit that connects the families of those recently arrested with essential community resources.
“I feel like I came in as an empty vessel, and I am leaving so full. They covered every aspect of running an organization and connected us with so many resources that will help us in the future.”
4,720
COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS COMPLETED BY UCF STUDENTS IN DOWNTOWN ORLANDO (since 2019)
Inspiring Future Scholars:
UCF Downtown Hosts Immersive ‘Day on Campus’ Experiences
“Day on Campus” experiences provide an invaluable opportunity for young students to immerse themselves in a college environment. These visits spark students’ curiosity about higher education. By interacting with college professors and participating in hands-on experiences, students gain insights into various academic disciplines.
For many young students, visiting a college campus can be an amazing experience. It helps demystify the college experience, making it feel more accessible and achievable. Beyond academics, students are exposed to campus life, fostering a sense of belonging, building confidence in their ability to succeed in a college setting and igniting aspirations for their future.
The College of Community Innovation and Education, Valencia College Downtown and the Parramore Community Engagement Council hosted 40 students from Jones High School at UCF Downtown for a “Day on Campus.” The visit included college readiness presentations, a campus tour and attendance at a mock college course. Students enjoyed lunch from a local food truck, played games, listened to music from a DJ, and danced with the UCF cheerleaders and Knightro.
Additionally, UCF Downtown and Valencia College Downtown welcomed more than 200 OCPS ACE 7th- and 8th-graders for similar “Day on Campus” experiences, where students engaged with faculty and participated in educational activities.
WORKING TOGETHER FOR STRONGER, MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES
More than 25 students in Lecturer Mercy Roberg’s Legal Writing class volunteered with the Orange County Bar Association to help over 115 firefighters, law enforcement, veterans and others prepare their estate plans for the event Wills for Heroes. In addition, her Poverty Law and Community Advocacy students volunteered with Community Legal Services in an eviction analysis project. Twenty-three students researched court documents and provided analysis on the eviction proceedings, resulting in more than 300 volunteer hours.
The annual Public Administration Research Conference explored the theme, “Examine Emerging Nonprofit and Public Management Practices that Influence Resilience and Sustainability Through Interdisciplinary Lenses.” This conference focused on innovative practices in the nonprofit and public sectors that enhance community resilience. By emphasizing the interconnectedness of diverse fields, participants engaged in collaborative discussions aimed at addressing the complex challenges faced by communities. Through this thematic framework, the conference fostered a deeper understanding of effective management practices that empower communities to adapt, recover and thrive in the face of adversity.
UCF Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program held a discussion with three Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) experts as they shared insights into their career paths, roles at FEMA and new opportunities with the agency. It was a great opportunity for students to speak with recruiters for FEMA’s new office in Lake Mary and answer questions.
The Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM) hosted its annual International Crisis and Risk Communication Conference, bringing professionals from across the nation to UCF Downtown. The Conference facilitates interaction and discussion about crisis and risk communication among members of both the professional and academic research communities in interrelated fields. It also presents an opportunity for doctoral students and alumni from NSCM to present their research.
The College of Community Innovation and Education hosted the Invest in Girls event, a collaboration between 8 Cents in a Jar, the Florida Council of Economic
Education and OCPS. The event taught students how to save money, acquire assets and diminish the cycle of generational poverty within their families. The impact helps students avoid common pitfalls with money management and take advantage of wealth accumulation early in life across generations.
The first FIEA Collegiate Game Jam at Creative Village was held at the Communication and Media Building at UCF Downtown from January 12-14, 2024. A total of 40 undergraduate and graduate teams from colleges throughout the state and local game companies participated in the event.
The inaugural Joint Sleep Out at the UCF Downtown and Valencia College Downtown resulted in over 40 sleepers, six fundraising teams and approximately $10,000 raised for Covenant House, one of the largest private agencies serving runaway and homeless youth in Florida.
Downtown Student Life hosted its annual Downtown Day of Service which saw 35 attendees volunteering with four community nonprofits: the Christian Service Center, the Boys and Girls Club, the Wells’Built Museum and Operation Gratitude.
In April 2024, the Parramore Community Engagement Council received a Golden Brick Award from the Downtown Orlando Partnership for their work creating and implementing the OCPS ACE Engagement Plan. The plan was designed to educate, engage and excite students at the OCPS ACE K-8 school about postsecondary education by setting a positive foundation for young students through a series of engagement activities. The plan positively impacts more than 600 students per year.
UCF Downtown remains committed to engaging with the community through its active participation in the Parramore Community Engagement Council (PCEC)
In 2023-2024, PCEC hosted and participated in more than 16 events and initiatives aimed at providing valuable education and resources to Parramore residents of all ages. These events included workshops on financial literacy, health and wellness fairs, educational seminars, and career development programs, all designed to empower community members and address community needs.
STUDENT SERVICES
Student Success and Well-Being offers a wide range of programs and support aimed at helping students succeed both academically and personally throughout their time at UCF Downtown. Through initiatives like summer bridge programs, transfer services and student engagement, the division provides resources needed to enrich academic, social and leadership growth. The goal is to ensure students are empowered to thrive and graduate on time, all while creating an engaging campus environment.
The Downtown Scholars Initiative launched its third Pre-College Cohort and expanded to Evans High School. The cohort consists of 36 students and has a 17% increase in average District GPA and 16% increase in average State GPA from 2022-23 cohort.
Downtown Student Engagement focused on forging new partnerships to create three new and unique downtown programs, Open Mic Night at The Monroe, Career Readiness Fair, and Late Night Breakfast, seeing 231 participants combined. These programs were created in partnership with the Multicultural Student Center, UCF Career Services & Experiential Learning, the Writing Center, Valencia College Career Services and UnionWest Student Living.
Downtown Student Services received over $2,000 in funding through Knights Helping Knights Pantry to relocate and expand the Downtown Campus Pantry, which serves UCF Downtown and Valencia College Downtown Campus students. The Downtown Campus Pantry distributed over 579 pantry bags to downtown students during the 2023-2024 academic year, a 164% increase from the prior academic year.
Fall 2023 Weeks of Welcome consisted of 17 events resulting in 2,698 student interactions, a 30% increase from Fall 2022. Spring 2024 Weeks of Welcome saw 10 events resulting in more than 1,477 student contacts, an 18% increase from spring 2023.
Downtown hosted its third annual Family Day, which had 168 attendees, a 320% increase from Fall 2022. This event provided students and their families an opportunity to engage with local vendors, activities and campus resources.
Chanda Torres, Ed.D., and Mindy Mozena presented “Downtown Scholars Initiative: Creating Innovative Pathways for Underrepresented Student Populations” at the Florida College Access Network (FCAN)’s Talent Strong Florida Summit and the Florida Consortium of Metropolitan Research Universities’ National Student Success Conference.
Downtown Student Services led the establishment of the Downtown Care Team, in partnership with UCF Police Department, Valencia College and UnionWest Student Living, designed to support the continuum of care for downtown students by connecting students to wraparound care resources. The establishment of the team resulted in new reporting processes, stronger communication channels between on-and offcampus stakeholders and a more knowledgeable wraparound care network for students.
In 2024, Downtown Student Services was awarded $1.64M from the Fredrick A. DeLuca Foundation. These funds will be used for 4-year scholarships at $2,500 per year for incoming FTIC students graduating from Title I High Schools in Orange County. Scholarship preferences go to students participating in the UCF Downtown Scholars Initiative, supporting them through the remainder of their college careers, allowing them to focus on their studies and participate in community service, student organizations, study abroad and internships.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
From Passion to Profession: FIEA Alum Lands Dream Role with EA SPORTS
Israel Garcia-Diaz ’18MS, a proud alumnus of UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA), has built an impressive career in the gaming industry. Currently working as an Experience Designer at EA SPORTS, Garcia-Diaz’s journey to success highlights the power of determination and mentorship. After beginning his career in advertising, where he led creative campaigns for global brands like McDonald’s and Honda, Garcia-Diaz’s passion for video games inspired a significant career shift.
FIEA played a crucial role in making that transition possible. The program provided him with industry-standard training in 3D animation, UI/UX design and more, while the collaborative environment helped him overcome both personal and professional challenges. One of the key moments in his FIEA journey came when Hurricane Maria devastated his home in Puerto Rico. Faced with the possibility of abandoning his studies, Garcia-Diaz found support and encouragement from the FIEA community, reigniting his determination to complete his degree.
Just months after graduating, Israel landed a position at EA SPORTS, initially contributing to Madden NFL 20 and now leading efforts on the relaunch of EA SPORTS College Football 25. Reflecting on his time at FIEA, Israel credits the program with preparing him for the competitive gaming industry, giving him the skills and confidence to excel in his role today.
His advice to current students: believe in yourself, stay committed to your goals and embrace the support of those around you.
From Classroom to Crisis: UCF Downtown Student Thrives in Emergency Management Internship
Hillarie Burgess grew up immersed in emergency preparedness, thanks to her parents’ business in emergency response training. Her childhood memories of playing the “victim” in training exercises sparked a lifelong interest in the field. That passion led her to pursue a degree in emergency management at UCF Downtown, a decision she says was made easier when the program moved to the downtown campus.
“I was looking at UCF, but before [UCF Downtown] opened, there really wasn’t a way for me to make it work with where I was living,” Burgess says. “When I saw that they were opening the campus and bringing emergency management in as one of the programs there, it was perfect.”
Six UCF Downtown Students Secure Competitive Health Administration Fellowships
Six students in the UCF School of Global Health Management and Informatics secured highly competitive positions as administrative fellows, a vital stepping stone for graduates looking to build successful careers in healthcare administration. Fellowship positions often attract upwards of 200 applicants per site and it is estimated that approximately 200 health administration fellowship positions are available annually across the nation. The programs range from one to two years and focus on a specific project or area of healthcare.
The fellowships provide hands-on experience, leadership development and exposure to the day-to-day operations of healthcare organizations. For students, securing a fellowship is both a prestigious achievement and a powerful launchpad into their professional journey.
The 2024 SGHMI Fellows are:
Jason Gallarday Orlando VA Healthcare System
Taylor Horne Memorial Healthcare System
Andrea Hernández Ruiz
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital
Gitanjali Varma Ohio Health
UCF SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM CHARGES ON TO 10TH IN THE NATION
Jonathan Reichfield Naples Comprehensive Health
Samuel Ali Administrative Fellow with BayCare Health System Florida
The success of these students underscores the quality of UCF’s master of health administration (MHA) program and its commitment to developing the next generation of healthcare leaders.
As part of her studies, Burgess secured an internship with the Lake County Office of Emergency Management. Just weeks into her internship, she found herself thrust into action when Hurricane Idalia prompted the activation of the county’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Working in the planning section during the storm, Burgess quickly learned the fast-paced “battle rhythm” of an active EOC, using skills and concepts from her UCF coursework to succeed in the role.
“My coursework exposed me to the basic concepts that helped me succeed [at the EOC], where I was really able to learn how all the pieces fit together in the real world,” she says.
Burgess graduated in December 2023, and reflects on lessons learned: the importance of relationships, communication and to serving the public. “When you’re serving the public, you have to make the right choices for them and not for yourself,” she says.
The UCF Speech and Debate Team attended the 2024 Pi Kappa Delta Biennial Tournament and Convention, the largest and longest standing comprehensive national championship in the nation. The Team received an excellent in speech, an excellent in debate and an excellent in overall/ combined sweepstakes.
Associate Instructor of Communication and Director of Forensics Jonathan Conway explains the significance of this achievement: “We had four seniors, and they were the firstyear students that joined during the pandemic. They had every opportunity and reason to quit. Public speaking and debate on Zoom is not nearly as fun as in person. But they stuck with it, and four years later they earned this team a spot in the top ten–something we have only done once before! These seniors are everything UCF Knights are supposed to be. Determined, resilient and passionate.”
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FOAM AND FUN: UCF DOWNTOWN’S HOMECOMING TRADITION MAKES A SPLASH
Foam Splash has become an annual tradition at UCF Downtown, energizing students each Homecoming Week with excitement and school spirit. Now in its third year, the event draws hundreds of students eager to dive into a giant foam pit, enjoy water games, giveaways and delicious food. While UCF Downtown may not have a pond to replicate Spirit Splash, Foam Splash has carved out its own identity, offering a unique experience that downtown students look forward to year after year. The 2023 event saw 200 participants and even garnered local media attention, solidifying its place as a must-attend celebration on campus.