A Letter from Dr. Ehasz

Every year, I look forward to a review of the many accomplishments of the finest staff and students in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services (SDES). During this extraordinary time of a pandemic in our midst, civil unrest and injustices across our country, and a national election, I am most proud of the commitment, courage, and compassion that our SDES family showed to each other while focusing our collective attention on student success.

SDES is a team dedicated to creating the best student experience for all UCF students. The accomplishments of the last year would not be possible without the commitment, courage, and compassion of everyone — student workers, support staff, graduate assistants, Student Government, psychologists, conduct officers, care case managers, administrative assistants, accountants, mail room clerks, admission recruiters, employee relations specialists, resident assistants, financial aid officers and too many others to name. Thank you for every challenge you took on, problem you solved, conversation you engaged in, phone call you answered, referral you made, late night and weekend you gave, and zoom meeting you participated in for the sake of others. You made a difference in the well-being of our community and helped students stay in school, live ethically, be healthy, and graduate as UCF Knights ready to change the world!

This review provides a bookend to my 46-year career in higher education, 26 years at UCF, and 16 years as SDES vice-president. Words cannot fully express my deep, heartfelt gratitude for the people with whom I had the opportunity to share experiences, laugh and cry together, and “reach for the stars.” It is my hope that UCF is a better place than I “found” it and just as I believe that “the student who comes to UCF is not the same person who graduates from UCF”, I leave as a more enriched and better person than when I came here.

“Once a Knight Always A Knight” — Go Knights — CHARGE ON!

Maribeth Ehasz, Ph.D. Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Services