University of  Central Florida
community
relations
2015
annual report
University of Central Florida
community
relations The departments within the Division of Community Relations share authority,
responsibility and accountability for community engagement. As in previous years, staff continue to serve as ambassadors to the external community by speaking upon invitation at community and business functions, supporting fundraising events for non-profit entities and facilitating efforts that encourage strategic collaborations. As the national economy continues to rebound, investments in the local chambers of commerce have proven to be the most efficient and cost effective engagement and communication vehicles. Through our division, the university holds membership and actively participates in 13 chambers of commerce, including board service with three chambers. Collectively, division staff served in more than 80 leadership roles (e.g., boards, executive committees) during FY 2014–2015.
Vision The University of Central Florida is a comprehensive metropolitan university with a combination of academic excellence and commitment to its social, economic, cultural and environmental setting. The Division of Community Relations serves as both the internal and external liaison accomplishing the university’s goals by connecting UCF to the community through faculty, student and staff relationships, partnerships, collaborations, events and other community engagement.
Mission The mission of the Division of Community Relations is to cultivate, maintain and enhance the link between UCF and the various publics which it serves and to create and implement community-based programs to increase knowledge and understanding of the university within key external communities.
Department Roles and Objectives The Office of Community Relations maintains constant involvement with the immediate external community in an effort to position the university as a community resource, an intellectual hub, and a community asset. Community Relations staff
achieve this by partnering with internal departments, and external organizations, holding leadership roles in key local organizations, (e.g., chambers of commerce), maintaining relationships with city, county, and state officials, as well as representatives of economic development, healthcare and community agencies. In addition, the office is responsible for communicating with neighbors and groups in proximity to the university to build awareness and support for university initiatives. During FY 14–15, Community Relations participated in, hosted, facilitated, strategically identified UCF representatives for, or sponsored more than 140 programs held in the tri-county Orange, Osceola and Seminole area. The Office of Constituent Relations implements high-profile events for the president of the University of Central Florida. Constituent Relations provides staff support, management, administrative direction, coordination and control of events and activities for academic programs, donors and campus-related events. Each event showcases the education and research opportunities available at the University of Central Florida by highlighting the talent of the students, faculty and staff. Every event venue brings the community, donors, partners, alumni, students, faculty, and staff together to tell the story of their particular academic program and how it enhances the education available at the university.
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In FY 14–15, the Office of Constituent Relations coordinated or consulted on 100 events for the president of the university. Each event touched upon the goals of the university by showcasing the undergraduate and graduate programs, international programs, research, diversity and partnerships. The Metropolitan Center for Regional Studies serves as a place where government leaders, business executives and academic experts come together to discuss major issues facing the State of Florida. The center works in partnership with other institutions and organizations committed to a shared future that advances economic prosperity and development. Every forum, presentation, event, and Metro Center Outlook show highlights community outreach and awareness.
During FY 14–15, the Metro Center hosted or sponsored more than 32 live events and television broadcasts. The Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Global Perspectives sharpens UCF’s international focus. The office helps advance UCF’s goal of providing international emphasis to curricula and research. In addition, it works to expand the university’s efforts to increase Central Florida’s awareness and understanding of the interconnectedness of the global community. In FY 14–15, Global Perspectives partnerships, forums and publications served more than 32,000 people and reached thousands more via traditional and social media.
The Division of Community Relations’ 2014–2015 programs and activities helped advance UCF’s strategic goals in the following ways:
Goal 1
Offer the Best Undergraduate Education
In FY 2014–15, division staff assisted and advised external groups providing scholarships to undergraduate UCF students such as Florida Executive Women and the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando (HHSFMO), which support the educational development of outstanding women and minority students. Due to this involvement, UCF students are the recipients of approximately 80% of the HHSFMO awards.
Constituent Relations works closely with the Registrar’s Office to coordinate UCF’s summer, fall and spring commencement ceremonies. The university awarded more than 15,500 degrees this fiscal year, a new school-record total that led all universities in Florida, while celebrating a milestone as the 250,000 alum crossed the stage during the spring 2015 ceremonies. UCF has awarded more than 270,000 degrees in its young history.
october 2014 Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund recipients. (photo courtesy of Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando)
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Constituent Relations staff played a key role coordinating the annual National Scholars Reception in August to welcome incoming National Merit, National Hispanic and National Achievement Scholars and introduce them to university administrators and their peer mentors. In addition, Florida Lottery officials partnered with Constituent Relations staff for the Bright Futures Scholarship reception in September. In collaboration with the Office of the President, in September the Office of Constituent Relations hosted the annual State of the University Address. More than 500 attendees, including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, gathered for President Hitt’s remarks centered on the university’s rich 51-year history. These remarks included recognizing UCF as the first university in Florida to welcome more than 60,000 students in the fall and an announcement of the undertaking of a robust downtown Orlando campus
may 2015 Commencement speaker Roger Pynn, President Hitt, Provost Whittaker, and Trustees Koons and Martins, with UCF’s 250,000 alumnus, Daniel Berreth. (photo courtesy of the Office of Constituent Relations)
september 2014 Florida Lottery District Manager, Don Creley; President Hitt; Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell; and members of the President’s Leadership Council at the Bright Futures Scholarship reception. (photo courtesy of the Office of Constituent Relations)
as part of the city’s Creative Village project, which could potentially have programs, facilities, and housing for up to 10,000 students. The Metro Center provided internship opportunities for political science and public affairs majors as well as the Nicholson School of Communications. Interns are rotated through a variety of camera and taping duties as well as gaining control room experience for Metro Center Outlook, a 30-minute public affairs program aired on WUCF TV in nine Central Florida counties. They work closely with the Metro Center director researching and preparing interviews for guests. Metro Center Outlook aired 22 episodes this fiscal year, including five highlighting the national American Graduate program. This is a multi-year initiative to increase awareness about the dropout crisis in Central Florida and to increase high school graduation rates to 90% in Florida by 2020. The Global Perspectives Office and its affiliates provided undergraduate students with access to a unique selection of 69 prominent specialists—in the classroom, via 38 segments of the award-winning Global Perspectives show on WUCF TV, in digital video conferences and teleconferences, at 13 public forums, and through internships, fellowships and scholarships. Examples of distinguished visitors include James McLurkin, Vivek Tiwary, Sen. Olympia Snowe, Julian Bond, Cheryl Brown Henderson, Gen. Donald Kerick and Cathy Areu. Additional opportunities for undergraduate students were available through: the Diplomacy Program (directed by Amb. Elam-Thomas), the PMBF Program (directed by David Dumke and co-chaired by John Bersia, with Amb. Elam-Thomas on the advisory board), The India Center (directed by Pallavoor Vaidyanathan and co-chaired by
september 2014 President Hitt and SGA President Weston Bayes at the State of the University Address.(photo courtesy of the Office of Constituent Relations)
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april 2015 Metro Center director Dr. Diane Trees moderates an
october 2014 Civil rights activist and politician Julian Bond
American Graduate panel discussion. (photo courtesy of WUCF TV)
addresses an audience at UCF. (photo courtesy of Gene Kruckemyer, UCF News & Information)
John Bersia), the Kurdish Political Studies Program (co-directed by John Bersia), the China-Taiwan Cross-Strait Program (co-directed by John Bersia), the Global Peace and Security Studies Program (co-directed by John Bersia, with Jessica Gagnon serving as assistant director and Amal Khan on the advisory board), the Human Trafficking Awareness Program (chaired by John Bersia, with Amb. ElamThomas on the advisory board), the Isle of Man Small
Countries Program at UCF (chaired by John Bersia, with Jessica Gagnon serving as assistant director, and Amb. Elam-Thomas and Ted Reynolds on the advisory board) and the Middle Eastern Studies Program (co-chaired by John Bersia, with David Dumke, Amb. Elam-Thomas and Ted Reynolds on the advisory board). The Office and its affiliates also hosted 39 student interns, fellows, scholars, volunteers and other assistants during the year.
Goal 2
Achieve International Prominence in Key Programs of Graduate Study and Research
The Global Perspectives Office and its affiliates have developed or supported publications that boost UCF’s national and international profile and reputation, along with providing special opportunities for graduate students as research/editorial assistants. The Worldviews for the 21st Century monograph series featured globally-prominent specialists in the past year, such as Wes Moore and Gabriel Weimann. The series, published quarterly, is read by audiences in several countries. Publications by Global Perspectives staff are in libraries and used in classrooms in multiple countries as well. The Global Perspectives television series on WUCF TV featured national and global newsmakers in various fields that helped increase the university’s visibility at home and abroad. The Office also sponsored or co-sponsored several forums that drew academics from all over the world, such as the “On the Outside Looking In: A Kurdish Studies Conference,” held in collaboration with Soran University in Iraq.
january 2015 Academics from around the world gathered at UCF for the Kurdish Studies Conference. (photo courtesy of the Global Perspectives Office)
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Goal 3
Provide International Focus to Our Curricula and Research Programs
Metro Center Outlook provided opportunities to increase community awareness and knowledge through internationally-oriented topics and guests. A show discussing climate change and rising sea levels illustrated how this issue affects not only Florida’s coastline, but has implications for worldwide challenges and trade. Also featured on Metro Center Outlook, former U.S. Senator Bob Graham, co-chair of the National Commission investigation into the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, discussed ramifications, updates and the international scope of this disaster. The Global Perspectives Office and its affiliates provided regular opportunities through speaker forums, the Global Perspectives show on WUCF TV, panel discussions, symposia, digital video conferences, teleconferences, working conferences, dialogues and workshops for students, faculty and the community to enhance classroom and textbook instruction, as well as community awareness. These included: “Women and Leadership: A Global Perspective,” Florida International Summit 2015, and UCF Community Summit on Environment and Global Climate Change 2015, among others. John Bersia taught two courses, Ted Reynolds two courses and David Dumke one course. Finally, Global Perspectives staff encouraged and/or published research and commentary of global significance in the areas of human potential and political violence, among others.
Goal 4
january 2015 Diane Trees and former U.S. Senator Bob Graham
discuss the impact of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Florida’s economy and environment. (photo courtesy of WUCF TV)
october 2014 Religious leaders representing the Christian, Sikh, Muslim, and Hindu faiths participate in the Interfaith Forum in an effort to promote understanding at the international, national, and local level. (photo courtesy of the Global Perspectives Office)
Become More Inclusive and Diverse
Division staff supported, participated and made the university’s resources available to diverse populations by providing support for internal and external community initiatives via sponsorships, committee and board service. Community Relations holds trustee-level membership with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce which serves 1,700 members, bronze-level sponsorship with the Central Florida Disability Chamber which serves approximately 400 members, and corporate membership in MBA
Orlando with approximately 400 members. The Community Relations director serves on the board of the African American Chamber of Commerce, and Community Relations staff are also members of the City of Orlando’s Mayor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Executive Planning Team, providing guidance on more than 20 MLK-related events throughout the metro area and coordinating UCF’s student entry in the City of Orlando’s MLK parade.
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october 2014 Maritza Martinez, center, co-chaired the African American Chamber’s political Hob Nob.
october 2014 Students participating in the Central Florida
These shows included gaining a competitive advantage through a diverse workforce, a celebration of Black History Month, a discussion of minorities now accounting for more than half the births in America, and a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The Global Perspectives Office and its affiliates shared ideas and viewpoints on the main theme for the year, “Shaping a World in Transition: The Power of Imagination, Invention and Innovation,” as well as for other themes or series. These focused on a multitude of topics—political change, the global economy, peace and security, women’s leadership and civil rights/human rights—and were led by speakers of varied national, ethnic, religious, political and ideological backgrounds. Every visitor, forum, presentation, event and partnership is planned with the idea of encouraging a better understanding of the world, its people and its diversity. The Office also supported inclusion and diversity through its programming on the Global Perspectives show on WUCF TV.
Disability Chamber’s Youth Entrepreneurship Program visited UCF’s Blackstone LaunchPad. (photo courtesy of the Central Florida Disability Chamber)
february 2015 Diane Trees interviews former Chief Judge Belvin
Perry and his sister, Valeria Perry Maxwell, principal of Jones High School, during Black History Month. (photo courtesy of WUCF TV)
january 2015 UCF mascot Knightro joined Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and City of Orlando commissioners in kicking off the 31st annual MLK Holiday Parade.
Approximately 46% of Metro Center Outlook shows featured minority guests, with topics ranging from changing demographics in Central Florida to family law and economic issues with same-sex marriage legislation. Metro Center Outlook also featured episodes focusing on diversity and opportunities for change.
september 2014 Amb. Harriet Elam-Thomas joins civil rights activists Cheryl Brown Henderson and Peggy Wallace Kennedy at the 8th annual Women and Leadership forum. (photo courtesy of the Global Perspectives Office)
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Goal 5
Be America’s leading partnership university
Division staff were actively involved in area chambers of commerce through committee and board service, providing leadership on various initiatives throughout the year and serving as a liaison to the university and its resources. For example, the Community Relations director served as an economic competitiveness committee member of the Project DTO Task Force which provides strategic guidance in the development and evolution of Downtown Orlando. Community Relations staff also served on the Oviedo-Winter Springs Chamber’s Young Entrepreneur’s Academy committee, identifying speakers and judges from the Blackstone LaunchPad and UCF Business Incubation Program, securing classroom space, and providing guidance on logistics. The inaugural class brought 24 Seminole County high school students to UCF’s main campus and resulted in the formation of 14 new student-owned businesses. The Office of Community Relations coordinated UCF’s overall involvement in the 2014 Greater Orlando Heart Walk, the American Heart Association’s (AHA) largest one-day fundraiser in Central Florida, held on UCF’s main campus in September. Proceeds from the Heart Walk fund cardiovascular research and education as well as community programs, and an estimated 20,000 walkers and runners participated this year. UCF’s recruiting efforts were again led by College of Medicine Dean Deborah German, chair of the 2014 Heart Walk.
may 2015 Seminole County high school students make business presentations to the Oviedo-Winter Springs Chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy investor panel.
may 2015 Maritza Martinez, right, serves as co-chair of the 2015 Go Red For Women luncheon. (photo courtesy of American Heart Association Greater Southeast Affiliate)
september 2014 Knightro was on hand to greet visitors and lead off the festivities at the Greater Orlando Heart Walk which took place on UCF’s main campus for the second consecutive year.
The university fielded 33 teams, for a total of 422 walkers. In all, UCF teams raised $40,768, surpassing the university’s $40,000 fundraising goal. Additionally, the Community Relations director co-chaired the AHA’s Go Red For Women fundraising luncheon in May, which raised more than $250,000 for education and research. The UCF Community Council was established by the Division of Community Relations in 2009 to increase communication between the university and neighboring business and community leaders. Since its inception, quarterly council meetings have
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provided a platform for members to share input on various campus developments and stay abreast of events that impact the community. By partnering with and keeping an open line of communication with these stakeholders, the university enjoys a positive relationship with its nearest neighbors. This year’s featured speakers included two representatives from Student Development and Enrollment Services: Vice President Maribeth Ehasz and Associate Vice President Kerry Welch, among other senior administrators.
cheon was attended by more than 800 university and community friends and raised $33,286—enough to fund two Everyday Champion scholarships for UCF student-athletes. This amount brings the total amount of scholarship dollars raised for student-athletes in the past 6 years to more than $221,000. The Office of Constituent Relations spearheaded the inaugural UCF Celebrates the Arts Festival reception, which kicked off a six-day showcase of extraordinary university performing and visual arts talent in April at the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. The opening night featured a multimedia collaboration of music, science and film in the performance of Icarus at the Edge of Time. The festival was made possible due to the generous support of numerous community and campus partners and gave 1,000 Central Florida K-12 students the opportunity to participate in educational workshops led by UCF professors throughout the week.
september 2014 Members of the UCF Community Council met at the university’s new NorthView apartment community for a Student Development and Enrollment Services update by Dr. Maribeth Ehasz.
The Office of Community Relations collaborated with the Office of the President to execute the September 2014 and March 2015 President’s Focus on Excellence Breakfasts, both of which averaged 400 in attendance and focused on newly-formed public-private partnerships. At the fall breakfast, UCF President John C. Hitt formally announced the university’s plans to establish a campus in downtown Orlando. At the spring breakfast, Dr. Hitt, Osceola County Manager Don Fisher, and UCF Vice President for Research and Commercialization MJ Soileau unveiled plans to establish the state-ofthe-art Florida Advanced Manufacturing Research Center in Osceola County. Hundreds of business and community leaders attended each event, helping to build community support for both endeavors, and attendees were encouraged to voice their support to their elected officials. The sixth annual UCF Countdown to Kickoff Luncheon was held in August at the CFE Arena. Constituent Relations staff worked with the UCF Athletics development staff to secure corporate sponsorships and provide logistics coordination. The lun-
march 2015 President Hitt, center, is joined by Orange County
Mayor Teresa Jacobs and representatives from the Florida Advanced Manufacturing Research Center consortium. (photo courtesy of Emily Jourdan Photography)
august 2015 President Hitt presents Athletic Director Todd Stansbury a check for the Golden Knights Club.
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april 2015 President Hitt with Ann Brown and UCF Trustee Buck Brown at the UCF Celebrates the Arts opening night reception. (photo courtesy of the Office of Constituent Relations)
Working in partnership with the UCF Foundation, Constituent Relations staff hosted 70 of the university’s top corporate partners at the Burnett House in April. Guests heard from President Hitt, UCF alumna and current FAIRWINDS Alumni Center employee Ashley Colquhoun, and Larry Tobin, president/CEO of FAIRWINDS Credit Union, who was honored with the Partnership Award. President Hitt thanked guests for their continued support of the university. The Office of Constituent Relations, in partnership with the Historical Society of Central Florida, hosted the 10th annual John Young History Maker Celebration at the UCF Student Union. The event, attended by more than 420 guests, celebrated the contributions of this year’s History Makers, Dr. John C. Hitt, and Bert Roper, citrus pioneer and philanthropist. The event was supported by over 40 sponsors and proceeds support educational programs.
The Metro Center sponsored seven events throughout the fiscal year targeting the external community as the audience: “Project DTO: Advancing Downtown Orlando,” in partnership with the Urban Land Institute; Urban Land Institute Emerging Trends Conference; Capitol Connection trip to Tallahassee with the Seminole Regional Chamber of Commerce; Urban Land Institute Volusia County Update; EA Sports Riverside Dash, in coordination with the Seminole Regional Chamber of Commerce; “Developing Opportunities: The Future of the Central Florida Real Estate Market” (UCF College of Business Administration Real Estate Conference); and the 2015 Urban Land Institute Florida Summit.
may 2015 Diane Trees moderates a panel discussion at the College of Business Administration Real Estate Conference. (photo courtesy UCF College of Business Administration)
The Global Perspectives Office and its affiliates engaged in partnerships to accomplish every initiative, with 184 organizations to date. Some examples include Florida Network for Global Studies, Global Connections Foundation, The India Group, Zora Neale Hurston Festival, Dr. Phillips High School, Orlando Area Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Department of State, Association of Opinion Journalists, U.S. Army War College, U.S. Institute of Peace, Small Countries Financial Management Centre, American Security Project and Bipartisan Policy Center. The reach of distinguished visitors supported by these partnerships was extended through the Global Perspectives television series on WUCF TV.
april 2015 President Hitt and J. Charles Gray with the 2015 John Young History Maker Award. (photo courtesy of Frank Weber, RF Photography)
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august 2014 Vice President
of Community Relations Helen Donegan is recognized as the honorary chair of Share Our Strength’s 25th annual Taste of the Nation Orlando.
october 2014 Global Perspectives Office director John Bersia dis-
cusses bipartisanship with Bipartisan Policy Center founder Jason Grumet and former U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe. (photo courtesy of WUCF TV)
During FY 14–15, Vice President Donegan, recognized among Central Florida’s most well-networked citizens, contributed to scores of civic and professional organizations by using her influence and access to support education, social services, health and arts, and provided valuable networking opportunities to local up-and-coming professionals. Over the years, Vice President Donegan has chaired, co-chaired and served on the boards of many fundraisers for local nonprofits, including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Florida Hospital Board, Heart of Florida United Way, Mennello Museum and Orlando Repertory Theatre, and chaired the opening festivities for the Orlando Science Center. Her leadership roles in professional women’s groups—including the development of the United Way Council of Women—have earned
her several honors. Often, she continues to advise these nonprofits in an unofficial capacity, as the institutional knowledge she possesses is vital to their success and the cultivation of their respective volunteer leadership pipelines. Donegan played a key role in the establishment of the Athena Women’s Luncheon, attended annually by more than 400 of Central Florida’s most influential women. The event raises scholarship dollars for UCF students. In addition, through the executive women’s group she founded, affectionately known as FOH, she continues to connect local women from all areas of business via quarterly gatherings. Under Donegan’s directive, the Division of Community Relations coordinates community-based programs to enhance the community’s understanding of UCF’s role as a major research university.
february 2015 The eighth annual Heart of Florida United Way Women’s Leadership Luncheon on February 26 featured New York Times
best-selling author Cheryl Strayed and raised more than $150,000 for educational programs focused on increasing literacy in local schools. Vice President Donegan founded the Women’s Leadership Council in 2007 to address critical problems impacting women and children in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.
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