2017 ANNUAL REPORT University of  Central Florida
community
relations
D I V I S I O N O F C O M M U N I T Y R E L AT I O N S
2017 ANNUAL REPORT UCF DELIVERS ON ITS COMMITMENT TO BE AMERICA’S LEADING PARTNERSHIP UNIVERSITY® through several of its divisions, including the Division of Community Relations. This commitment significantly affects and enhances the economic development, cultural relevance and the social and environmental setting of the community it serves. Every activity executed strives to strengthen existing partnerships or cultivate new ones, as well as expand regional awareness of the educational assets and intellectual capital housed within our institution. 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 11 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 2016–2017.
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.
Division Goals and Objectives 1 Maintain, strengthen and develop relationships with city, county and state officials as well as with representatives of economic development, health care and community agencies.
2 Develop, coordinate and foster partnerships encompassing internal university participants and external community participants promoting economic development initiatives and entrepreneurship.
3 Develop, plan, and coordinate opportunities designed to highlight the president of the university, his goals and his vision.
4 Maintain and strengthen chamber of commerce relationships.
5 Continue to develop and coordinate community
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initiatives focused on economic development, social issues and service opportunities furthering integration within the community.
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, health care 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 16–17, Community Relations participated in, hosted, facilitated, strategically identified UCF representatives for, or sponsored more than 125 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. In FY 16–17, the Office of Constituent Relations coordinated or consulted on 87 events for the president of the university. Each event touches 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 Associate Vice President of Community Relations and Director of the Metropolitan Center for Regional Studies serves as a liaison for the university interacting with community-based organizations. This position is responsible for executive leadership and strategic direction within those organizations as a university resource. Utilizing the Metro Center, the director also serves as a link between the university and the ninecounty Central Florida region. The center provides formats for government leaders, business executives and academic experts to discuss major issues facing the Central Florida area and the state of Florida. Through sponsorships, committee involvement, board positions, and producing and hosting WUCF TV’s Metro Center Outlook, the Metro Center functions as a community resource. During FY 16–17, the Metro Center director moderated, hosted or sponsored more than 28 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 16–17, Global Perspectives partnerships, forums and publications served more than 25,000 people and reached thousands more via traditional and social media.
The Division of Community Relations’ 2016–2017 programs and activities helped advance UCF’s strategic goals in the following ways:
GOAL 1
Offer the Best Undergraduate Education
In FY 16–17, 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 70% of the HHSFMO awards, bolstering the university’s efforts to become designated as a Hispanic-serving institution. The Office of Constituent Relations, in conjunction
with the president’s office, oversees the development, support and training of the 35 members of the President’s Leadership Council who serve as ambassadors for the university and the Office of the President. The President’s Leadership Council has proven to be a valuable asset to UCF and the community. The members contributed more than 4,500 service hours this year while hosting university functions and touring distinguished university guests; the members are also active in recruiting new students. Constituent Relations works closely with the Reg-
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OCTOBER 2016 Community Relations Director Maritza Martinez and the 2016 Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund recipients. (photo: Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando)
istrar’s Office to coordinate UCF’s summer, fall and spring commencement ceremonies. The university awarded more than 14,000 degrees this fiscal year, and has awarded more than 306,000 degrees in its young history. UCF President John C. Hitt and Provost A. Dale Whittaker hosted more than 350 new and returning faculty in August at the annual Faculty Welcome celebration that marks the beginning of the academic year at UCF. Event highlights included an update on performance funding awarded to UCF, as well as the UCF Downtown campus initiative and the pursuit of a new university-based teaching hospital in Lake Nona. More than 150 university members and global partners attended the Global UCF grand opening celebration in August, which was executed by Constituent Relations staff. Program speakers included President John C. Hitt, Dr. Cynthia Young, English Language Institute student Yahya Alassaf, Global UCF student Ximena Gonzalez, and UCF Abroad student Arlena Durant. Speakers emphasized the various departments housed in the new building and the impact it will have on our students who utilize the services provided.
Constituent Relations staff played a key role in coordinating the annual National Scholars Reception in September to welcome the incoming National Merit, National Hispanic and National Achievement Scholars to the university and introduce them to university administrators and their peer mentors. More than 95 were in attendance including scholars, faculty, staff, administrators and trustees. In this fall’s freshman class, there are 77 National Merit Scholars, the second-most in school history, along with 15 National Hispanic Scholars. In collaboration with the Office of the President, in September the Office of Constituent Relations hosted the annual State of the University Address. President Hitt was interviewed by Grant Heston, vice president for communications and marketing, and audience members submitted questions for the president to answer during the event. President Hitt’s comments were followed by remarks highlighting the diversity and inclusivity of our university community from Keith Koons, chair of the Faculty Senate, and Christopher Clemente, president of the Student Government Association. In October, the Office of Constituent Relations coordinated the University Innovation Alliance conference that brought together approximately 75 representatives from this coalition of 11 public research universities dedicated to improving higher education outcomes for all students. Attendees shared ideas, innovations, and best practice examples from their institutions that lead to increased access, excellence, and success for
SEPTEMBER 2016 UCF President John C. Hitt and Vice President Grant Heston discussing the state of UCF.
AUGUST 2016 Ribbon cutting of the new Global UCF building with UCF President John C. Hitt, Trustee Keith Koons, Vice President Bill Merck, Trustee Bev Seay, Trustee Chairman Marcos Marchena, Vice Provost Cynthia Young, and Global UCF students.
OCTOBER 2016 UCF leadership in attendance at the University Innovation Alliance conference. From left to right: Paige Borden, Lisa Jones, Beth Barnes, Joel Hartman, Maribeth Ehasz, DeLaine Priest, and Ryan Goodwin.
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students of all backgrounds. In several of the two-day sessions and presentations, UCF highlighted student success innovations including DirectConnect, LEAD Scholars Academy, and UCF Online. More than 500 Central Florida community members and leaders gathered to celebrate the UCF College of Medicine’s 10th anniversary at the Lake Nona campus. Guests experienced interactive demonstrations that commemorated the college’s past, celebrated its present, and provided a glimpse into its future.
The Metro Center provided internship opportunities for UCF students working closely with the Metro Center director researching and preparing interviews for guests at WUCF TV. Metro Center Outlook hosted two shows highlighting the national American Graduate program. This is a multi-year initiative to increase awareness about the dropout crisis in Central Florida and increase high school graduation rates to 90% in Florida by 2020. This spring marked the pilot project for students from the Nicholson School of Communications to act as crew for Metro Center Outlook on WUCF TV. Students provided support for all aspects of filming the show, contributed ideas and outlines for future shows, and shot b-roll for spring and summer show episodes. The Global Perspectives Office and its affiliates provided undergraduate students with access to a unique selection of 46 prominent specialists—in the classroom, via 39 segments of the award-winning Global Perspectives show on WUCF TV and at 21 public forums or events. Examples of distinguished visitors include Ray Suarez, Dorothy Parvaz, Gen. Ryan Heritage, Kayla Harrison and Mira Sorvino.
NOVEMBER 2016 UCF College of Medicine student showing guests the human synthetic models during self-guided tours.
President John C. Hitt and Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of the College of Medicine Deborah German provided closing remarks at the event, which was produced by the Office of Constituent Relations, and raised over $200,000 for the college. The Office of Constituent Relations executed and managed the annual Founders’ Day Honors Convocation attended by more than 375 faculty, students, administrators and staff. The convocation advances the university’s “best undergraduate education” goal as it recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of more than 150 faculty members, staff and students.
MARCH 2017 U.N. Goodwill Ambassador and Academy Awardwinning actress Mira Sorvino speaks about the global fight against human trafficking.
Additional opportunities for undergraduate students were available through 11 programs offered through the Office or co-chaired by Bersia, including the Human Trafficking Awareness Program, the Diplomacy Program and the Al Ghazali Islamic Studies Program, to name a few. The Office engaged 46 interns, fellows and scholars in research related to program areas during the year.
APRIL 2017 UCF students Angel Sanchez and Catherine Ninah with their Founders’ Award certificates.
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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 Donisha Rita Claire Prendergast and Naomi Tutu. The series, published quarterly, is read by audiences in several countries. Publications by Global Perspectives staff are in multiple libraries and used in classrooms in various countries. 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 distinguished visitors from all over the world, such as the Kurdish Political Issues Forum, which featured commentary from Bayan Abdul Rahman, Kurdistan Regional Government’s highest ranking diplomat to the United States.
GOAL 3
NOVEMBER 2016 Dr. Güneş Murat Tezcür, holder of the Jalal Talabani Endowed Chair of Political Studies at UCF, moderates an audience Q&A session with Ms. Bayan Abdul Rahman, Kurdistan Regional Government’s Representative to the U.S.
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. Topics included the World Health Organization’s recent top 12 list of “superbugs” posing potential harm on a global basis as well as an analysis of the Pulse tragedy and how Orlando is serving as a model nationally and internationally for security measures surrounding terrorist attacks. The Global Perspectives Office and its affiliates provided regular opportunities through speaker forums, the Global Perspectives show on WUCF TV, panel discussions, symposia, working conferences, dialogues and workshops for students, faculty and the community to enhance classroom and textbook instruction, as well as community awareness. These included the LIFE Global Issues Series, Florida International Summit 2017 and Interfaith Forum, among others. John Bersia taught two courses and Ted Reynolds five courses. Finally, Global Perspectives staff and students encouraged and/or published research and commentary of global significance in the areas of human potential and political violence, among others.
OCTOBER 2016 UCF Diplomacy Program Director Amb. Harriet Elam-Thomas and her husband pose with presenters at the 2016 Interfaith Forum. Left to right: Imam Muhammad Musri, Amb. Harriet Elam-Thomas, Rev. Brian Fulwider, Donisha Prendergast and Wilfred Thomas.
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GOAL 4
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, silver-level membership with the African American Chamber of Commerce which has 400 members, bronze-level membership with the Central Florida Disability Chamber which serves approximately 250 members, and corporate membership in MBA Orlando with approximately 250 members. The Community Relations director serves on the board of the African American Chamber of Commerce, and the Community Relations manager is on 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.
Approximately 57% of Metro Center Outlook shows featured minority and diverse guests with topics ranging from the LGBT+ community, to living with disabilities such as autism, to women in traditionally male-dominated occupations such as NASA research scientist, land use attorney and state trooper. The Global Perspectives Office shared ideas and viewpoints through public events about a multitude of topics, including Latinos in America, LGBTQ+ issues, empowering women, diversity in the hospitality sector and many more. Presentations 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.
JANUARY 2017 UCF mascot Knightro joins City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, members of the Mayor’s MLK Holiday Commission, and MLK Humanitarian student award winners at the 33rd Annual MLK Holiday Parade in downtown Orlando. (photo: City of Orlando)
MAY 2017 The Veterans Business Initiative focuses on employment, training and entrepreneurship and is an ongoing initiative to help veterans find career paths. (photo: Central Florida Disability Chamber)
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APRIL 2017 Metro Center Outlook host Diane Trees discusses homelessness among LGBT+ teens with Heather Wilkie, director of the Zebra Coalition. (photo: WUCF TV)
GOAL 5
NOVEMBER 2016 Global Perspectives staff hosted a small discussion group for students with travel writer Michael Luongo after the LGBTQ+ Issues Forum.
Be America’s Leading Partnership University
Chambers of commerce play an important role in building and sustaining relationships, and division staff were actively involved in area chambers through committee and board service, providing leadership on various initiatives throughout the year and serving as a liaison to the university and its resources. Community Relations staff represented the university on a multi-chamber Capitol Connection trip to Tallahassee in April. In July, the Community Relations director chaired the Hispanic Chamber Hob Nob, which featured a voter education session on the proposed state and county charter amendments, and in August, the Metro Center director chaired the West Orange Chamber Hob Nob. The two hob nobs had a combined attendance of more than 1,000 and featured candidates from high-profile local, state and federal races. In addition, the Metro Center director served as chair-elect for the Seminole Regional Chamber of Commerce and assumed chair duties due to medical leave of the current chair; she will continue as chair of the chamber through the
2017–2018 fiscal year. The Metro Center director was honored for her “Outstanding Participation in the West Orange Chamber of Commerce,” and UCF was awarded the “Chairman’s Award” at the annual 2017 West Orange Big Orange Awards. The Office of Community Relations coordinated UCF’s overall involvement in the 2016 Greater Orlando Heart Walk, the American Heart Association’s largest one-day fundraiser in Central Florida, held on UCF’s main campus in September. UCF’s recruiting efforts were led by College of Medicine Dean Deborah German, chair of the 2016 Heart Walk. The university fielded 31 teams, for a total of 461 walkers. In all, UCF teams raised $28,129. Proceeds from the Heart Walk fund cardiovascular research and education as well as community programs. An estimated 20,000 walkers and runners participated this year. The Office of Community Relations collaborated with the Office of the President on the November 2016 President’s Focus on Excellence Breakfast,
JULY 2016 Community Relations Director Maritza Martinez leads a voter education session at the Hispanic Chamber Hob Nob. (photo: Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando)
SEPTEMBER 2016 Metro Center Director Diane Trees is honored for her “Outstanding Participation in the West Orange Chamber.” (photo: West Orange Chamber of Commerce)
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APRIL 2017 A delegation of more than 30 Central Florida business and community leaders traveled to Tallahassee as part of Capitol Connection 2017. (photo: Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce)
featuring the State of the University Address which highlighted UCF’s many recent achievements in academics and research. The hundreds of business and community leaders who attended the event learned more about the UCF Downtown Campus as well as theproposed teaching hospital SEPTEMBER 2016 UCF walkers raised more than $28,000 for cardiovascular research and at Lake Nona. education. (photo: American Heart Association Greater Southeast Affiliate) The eighth annual UCF Countdown to Kickoff Luncheon was held at the CFE Arena in August, and was attended by more than 1,000 UCF and community fans who were introduced to Head Coach Scott Frost and Vice President and Director of Athletics Danny White. The luncheon raised $50,000—enough to fund two Everyday Champion scholarships. This brings the total scholarship dollars raised for student-athletes in the past seven years to more than $320,000. Constituent Relations staff worked with UCF Athletics development staff to secure corporate sponsorships, event NOVEMBER 2016 UCF Trustee Emeritus Rick Walsh interviews President Hitt at the President’s Focus on Excellence Breakfast. support, chance drawing packages, and logistics (photo: Emily Jourdan Photography) coordination. The Office of Constituent Relations provides staff and event logistical support for all Town and Gown events, advancing the “leading partnership university” goal through their mission of strengthening relationships between UCF and the community. The Town and Gown Council is a community-based organization; membership is comprised of representatives from the Central Florida community (Town) and representatives of the UCF community (Gown). The Town & Gown Council and UCF Women’s Club Holiday Coffee, hosted in December by Martha Hitt at the Burnett House, raised more than $4,700 in much-needed AUGUST 2016 UCF Athletic Director Danny White and President funds and items for the Coalition for the Homeless, Hitt presenting check to the Golden Knights Club. The event raised $50,000 for Everyday Champions Scholarships. bringing the total raised for the Coalition since the (photo: UCF Athletics) event’s inception to over $35,000.
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MARCH 2017 President and Mrs. Hitt with the UCF vice presidents. From left to right: William Merck, Deborah German, Rick Schell, Helen Donegan, A. Dale Whittaker, John C. Hitt, Martha Hitt, Maribeth Ehasz, Grant Heston, Joel Hartman, Liz Klonoff, Scott Cole, Danny White, and Dan Holsenbeck.
MAY 2017 UCF Provost A. Dale Whittaker delivering remarks at the UCF Downtown campus groundbreaking ceremony.
APRIL 2016 Metro Center Director Dr. Diane Trees interviews WL Icon Marilee Nutter, as part of the ULI Women’s Leadership Initiative WL Icons Series. (photo courtesy of ULI Central Florida)
The university community gathered in March for President and Mrs. Hitt’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. Following an interview with President Hitt by Vice President of Communications and Marketing Grant Heston, City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Theresa Jacobs presented proclamations to President Hitt for his service. Guests also heard remarks from Faculty Senate Chair Keith Koons, SGA President Christopher Clemente, and Assistant to the Dean of the College of Sciences Maggie LeClair, who spoke on behalf of the staff. Alumni Board Chair-Elect Dan Ward presented President and Mrs. Hitt with an honorary alumni award that recognizes outstanding service and philanthropy to UCF, lifelong devotion and loyalty to the university, and upholding the UCF Creed. In partnership with the state executive board of the Odyssey of the Mind, the Office of Constituent Relations hosts the Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament on UCF’s main campus each April. This single event had approximately 1,500 student participants (from kindergarten to college-age) with an overall total of more than 5,000 attendees. Coordinating such a large event requires the cooperation of many UCF partners, including the UCF Student Union, CFE Arena, UCF Police, UCF Dining Services, and the many Odyssey of
the Mind volunteers that make this program a success. The Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament has returned to the UCF campus each year since 2000. More than 900 Central Florida, UCF, and Valencia community partners gathered at the UCF Center for Emerging Media to break ground on the highlyanticipated UCF Downtown campus in Creative Village in May. Program speakers and videos highlighted the transformative impact the campus will have on surrounding neighborhoods, countless student lives and careers, Central Florida job growth, and the expansion of Creative Village. Guests heard from UCF Board of Trustees Chairman Marcos Marchena, UCF Provost and Executive Vice President A. Dale Whittaker, Valencia College President Sandy Shugart, Orlando City Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Florida Senate Past President Andy Gardiner, Florida House of Representatives Past Speaker Steve Crisafulli, Dr. Phillips, Inc. and The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation President and CEO Ken Robinson, and Jones High School junior and future downtown campus student, Porcha Jones. Ms. Jones was presented with a $1,000 scholarship immediately following her remarks. Metro Center Outlook, a 30-minute public affairs show, is a WUCF TV program shown throughout nine
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counties in Central Florida on the PBS channel. The Metro Center director develops and identifies show concepts, identifies, contacts and schedules guests, researches and writes content for each show, and hosts the program. Fourteen episodes were taped this fiscal year; an additional 10 shows are currently in planning stages. The Metro Center sponsored or co-sponsored seven community events in the last fiscal year. These opportunities provide sponsor segments used by the director to highlight areas and programs of UCF excellence and to reinforce UCF as a resource in the community. Sponsored events included 2017 Capitol Connection, West Orange Chamber of Commerce Economic Update Luncheon, West Orange Chamber Political Hob Nob, the ULI Emerging Trends in Real Estate Forum, the UCF Annual Real Estate Summit, ULI Innovation Grant, and the ULI Innovation Grant Workshop Orlando location. The Global Perspectives Office and its affiliates engaged in partnerships to accomplish every initiative, with 188 organizations to date. Some examples include the Council on Foreign Relations, American Academy of Diplomacy, Global Ties U.S., World Affairs Council of Central Florida, Florida Network for Global Studies, Global Connections Foundation, Dr. Phillips High School, Orlando Area Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Department of State, Association of Opinion Journalists, Institute of International Education, U.S. Institute of Peace, American Security Project and Valencia College Peace and Justice Institute. The reach of distinguished visitors supported by these partnerships was extended through the Global Perspectives television series on WUCF TV. During FY 16–17, Vice President Helen Donegan, listed over the years as one of Orlando’s 50 most powerful people in Orlando Magazine, and 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 Heart Association, 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 establishment 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 execution of the Athena Women’s Luncheon, annually attended by more than 400 of Central Florida’s most influential women, and continues her support of this initiative which raises scholarship dollars for UCF students. In November, Vice President Donegan was honored at the 2016 Athena Orlando Women’s Leadership Luncheon where she was named the 2016 Athena Leadership Legacy Award Recipient. 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.
APRIL 2017 Global Perspectives host John Bersia interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Leonard Pitts, who was the keynote speaker at an event hosted by the Office of Global Perspectives and the Valencia College Peace and Justice Institute. (photo: WUCF TV)
NOVEMBER 2016 Vice President for Medical Affairs and College of Medicine Dean Deborah German presents Vice President of Community Relations Helen Donegan with the 2016 Athena Women’s Leadership Legacy Award. (photo: Athena Orlando Women’s Leadership)
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D I V I S I O N O F C O M M U N I T Y R E L AT I O N S U N I V E R S I T Y O F C E N T R A L F LO R I DA • O R L A N D O, F L