At a university serving nearly 70,000 students 鈥� one of the nation鈥檚 largest student bodies 鈥� student success can鈥檛 depend on chance or on students figuring out complex systems on their own.

UCF has built something different.

Over the past decade, the university increased its four-year graduation rate by 23.4 percentage points, from 40.4% for the 2011鈥�15 cohort to 63.8% for the 2021鈥�25 cohort. Preliminary projections for the 2022鈥�26 cohort indicate the rate could surpass 68%.

That progress has transformed student outcomes and placed UCF among just three finalists for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ (APLU) 2026 Excellence in Student Success Award.

The annual award recognizes institutions demonstrating a comprehensive, systemic commitment to advancing student success. Through innovative initiatives, honorees reduce barriers to educational attainment, increase graduation rates and improve outcomes such as time to degree, civic engagement and career readiness.

The award winner will be announced at the APLU’s Annual Meeting, Nov. 15鈥�17 in San Antonio.

“We have listened to students, strengthened cross-functional collaboration, used evidence to guide timely support and embedded student success practices into the university’s daily operations.” 鈥� Alexander N. Cartwright, UCF president

The distinction reflects a fundamental shift in how UCF approaches student success: not as a collection of programs, but as a university-wide operating model designed to help more students thrive.

鈥淲hat distinguishes 鲍颁贵鈥檚 approach is the way our community has translated that belief into sustained action,鈥� UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright says. 鈥淲e have listened to students, strengthened cross-functional collaboration, used evidence to guide timely support and embedded student success practices into the university’s daily operations.鈥�

And UCF has done it while operating with fewer resources than many of its peers. The university receives the lowest funding per full-time equivalent student among Florida鈥檚 12 State University System institutions and ranks in the 11th percentile nationally for expenditures per student among public universities.

UCF didn鈥檛 wait for permission or for more resources to improve outcomes. It transformed how the university works.

Community Is the Starting Line

In 2022, UCF made its highest strategic priority. Then it asked students a simple question: What does it mean to thrive?

Their answers helped create 鈥� Belonging, Engaging, Achieving and Meaning 鈥� a framework for success that gives students, faculty, and staff a shared way to describe connection, purpose, academic progress, and well-being.

Today, BEAM is embedded across the student experience. By Fall 2025, nearly 35,000 students had participated in orientation programming incorporating the framework. Thousands more engaged with BEAM-informed support across the university: 158 Academic Success Coaches and student success professionals use BEAM-guided conversations with students; 8,323 students engaged through Housing and Residential Life programming; 3,971 students engaged through Fraternity and Sorority Life; and more than 19,000 students engaged through the in the last year.

The idea is simple but powerful: Success starts with students feeling that they belong and knowing where to turn when they need help.

Building a Coordinated System of Care

UCF dared to rethink traditional academic guidance, replacing reactive advising with a holistic model in 2023 鈥� one that reaches students before challenges become barriers.

“Our Academic Success Coaches are aligned with students as both advisors and coaches.” 鈥� Jennifer Sumner, assistant vice president of Academic Success Coaching

Academic Success Coaches combine BEAM-guided conversations with student-level analytics to identify needs 鈥� including academic planning, graduation requirements, registration issues and personal challenges 鈥� initiate outreach and connect students with support. Rather than waiting for students to ask for help, coaches use data to identify where support may be needed and reach out.

鈥淥ur Academic Success Coaches are aligned with students as both advisors and coaches,” says Jennifer Sumner, assistant vice president of Academic Success Coaching at UCF. 鈥淲e鈥檝e positioned [them] to be active and dynamic, and we expect students to do the same 鈥� to take an active role in their journey and work with us [to determine] how they can be successful at UCF.鈥�

Behind that work is 鲍颁贵鈥檚 Student Success Analytics platform, which brings real-time visibility into progression risk, retention patterns, graduation forecasts and intervention activity into one environment.

Every student in the graduating cohort is automatically evaluated nightly for indicators of completion status and progression risk. Those insights allow coaches, colleges and administrators to act while there is still time to make a difference.

The university鈥檚 Student Success Tiger Team takes that proactive approach further. Launched in 2024, the cross-functional team brings together analytics, coaching, enrollment management, academic affairs and college partners to resolve issues that individual advising can鈥檛 solve alone. Using data to pinpoint hindrances to graduation, the team helped prioritize graduating students for required courses, expand course capacity and improve graduation-related paperwork processes.

And this work now reaches students earlier in their academic journey, not just those nearing graduation. Progression checks for students in their first three years help identify challenges sooner, creating a continuum of support from entry to degree completion.

鈥淸I can鈥檛] express my gratitude enough for [my Academic Success Coach鈥檚] support during my time at UCF, says psychology alum Jasmine Washington 鈥�25. 鈥淚 graduated with my bachelor鈥檚 degree, and I couldn鈥檛 have reached that milestone without [his] guidance. Navigating the requirements and staying on track wasn’t always easy, but [his] encouragement and insight truly made a difference in my journey.鈥�

Advancing Timely Degree Completion

The impact is undeniable.

鲍颁贵鈥檚 four-year graduation rate has climbed to聽63.8%, surpassing Florida鈥檚 60% preeminence benchmark, with another increase projected for the 2022鈥�26 cohort.

But the bigger accomplishment is what UCF built to get there.

Rather than layering temporary programs onto existing structures, UCF embedded student success into how it operates 鈥� from leadership priorities and analytics to coaching, academic planning and institutional decision-making. The sustained progress isn鈥檛 a result of a single program or initiative. It comes from making student success a shared responsibility.

Students helped define what thriving looks like. Faculty and staff bring that vision to life. Analytics reveal where action is needed. Coaches provide personalized support. UCF’s 12 colleges and administrative teams remove barriers. And university leaders keep student success at the center of decision-making.

Together, those efforts create an environment where more students can belong, move forward, overcome obstacles and graduate on time 鈥� prepared to thrive long after they leave campus.

That鈥檚 the difference between supporting student success and building a university around it.

Two decades ago, UCF opened an on-campus stadium that embodied the ambition of a spirited university and the belief of its fanbase. Today, the opening of the new Roth Tower marks the next chapter in that story, celebrating the rise of Knight Nation, 鲍颁贵鈥檚 trajectory as the youngest institution in a Power Four conference and the momentum still ahead.

The Roth Tower project, made possible by a $90 million commitment of Tourist Development Tax revenues from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, represents a pivotal addition to the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village that strengthens Orange County as a premier destination for sports tourism and community engagement.

鈥淭he new Roth Tower would not be possible without Orange County鈥檚 $90 million investment, and we are deeply grateful to Mayor Demings and the Board of County Commissioners for their belief in UCF,鈥� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淭hat investment, together with the commitment of our donors, fans and community, helped make this next chapter of the Bounce House possible. Today, we are delivering a community asset designed to bring people here, bring them back and create lasting value for Orange County.鈥�

Born to Bounce

Since its opening in 2007, Acrisure Bounce House has allowed UCF to showcase the momentum and trajectory of one of the country鈥檚 fastest-growing universities.

For years the idea of an on-campus stadium at UCF was a dream that many had said could never come true. UCF President John C. Hitt and several prominent UCF supporters, including the tower鈥檚 namesake, Jerry and Susan Roth, saw the vision of what an on-campus stadium could be. They believed the football program and a stadium could help elevate the university and its brand.

In the last 20 years of the Bounce House, UCF has captivated audiences on nationally televised primetime broadcasts; welcomed premiere college football shows 贰厂笔狈鈥檚 College GameDay and 贵翱齿鈥檚 Big Noon Kickoff; hosted conference championships that catapulted the Knights to New Year鈥檚 Six bowl games; and has become a not-to-be-missed atmosphere in college sports.

The new Roth Tower represents another important investment in our continued rise.

A Tower With a Story to Tell

Thoughtful planning went into the design elements and functionality of the new tower.

The new space allows more opportunities beyond game day to welcome alumni, partners and visitors for corporate meetings and retreats, weddings and events, and even rocket launch viewing opportunities of nearby Kennedy Space Center, whose Launch Complex 39A aligns with the stadium鈥檚 50-yard line.

Stronger media and broadcast spaces will help showcase UCF nationally and open possibilities for hosting other premiere sporting events and concerts. The strategic layout and structure will make operations and logistics safer, smarter and more efficient.

The tower also serves as an extension of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 mission to equip our students with the knowledge, skills and aptitudes that align with the workforce of the future, offering paid opportunities to gain industry experience in areas including facility and event management, game day operations, broadcasting and production, brand management and strategic communications.

The details are uniquely UCF, with nods to the university鈥檚 roots as America鈥檚 Space University and its location in one of the most desirable tourist destinations globally.

A new concept in luxury seating, the open-air, semi-private Sky Suites on the north and south wings of the tower鈥� take advantage of Orlando鈥檚 average of 233 sunny days per year. Floor-to-ceiling windows serve as the east and west walls of the central suite space on the third floor for optimal views of the field and athletic village.

The stadium鈥檚 art collection is growing with two custom murals that pay homage to the UCF story and the university鈥檚 relationship to Orange County designed by artist Harry Foreman 鈥�18, a graphic design and emerging media management graduate. These complement several installations around the concourse already that include Knightro, wings of Pegasus (the university鈥檚 official seal), 鲍颁贵鈥檚 Big 12 ties and Orlando.

Building What鈥檚 Next

Roth Tower will create memorable experiences for visitors and reinforces UCF as another reason people choose to come to Orange County and come back.

While the tower is a huge step forward for UCF Athletics, it is not the finish line, says UCF Director of Athletics and Vice President Terry Mohajir, who has worked to implement facility enhancements throughout the village since he arrived in 2021.

鈥淥ur fans gave this stadium its identity 鈥� and kept the faith as UCF climbed from one level of collegiate athletics to the next,鈥� Mohajir says. 鈥淥ur responsibility now is to keep matching that belief, by giving our student-athletes every opportunity to succeed, competing for championships, delivering a Power Four-caliber experience and continuing to build the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village into one of the greatest destinations in college sports.鈥�

The UCF football team opens the 2026 season against Bethune-Cookman on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. Ticket information can be found at .

Minutes from one of the world鈥檚 most visited airports, UCF has opened a new clinic to help pilots meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical requirements to fly safely.

The new 糖心logo入口 Aerospace Medicine Clinic at UCF Health Faculty Physician Practice in Lake Nona is led by William 鈥淓d鈥� Powers, chief medical officer of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 and a certified aviation medical examiner.

Pilots operating civilian aircraft must have various levels of FAA medical certification depending on the type of aircraft. Commercial pilots must pass the exam every six months or each year.

鈥淔light safety depends on healthy pilots,鈥� says Powers, who is certified to conduct the highest level of FAA exams. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 ultimately what we鈥檙e here to support.鈥�

“Here at UCF, we are … connecting medicine, engineering, research and industry in ways few universities can.” 鈥� UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright

UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright says the clinic is an example of the university鈥檚 mission to educate talent, advance discovery and solve societal challenges that matter.

鈥淭he next era of flight will bring new demands on health and human performance,鈥� Cartwright says. 鈥淗ere at UCF, we are meeting those challenges by connecting medicine, engineering, research and industry in ways few universities can.鈥�

What sets this clinic apart from others is its ability to more efficiently address the health needs of pilots thanks to a network of UCF College of Medicine faculty physicians, university officials say.

The clinic marked its opening with a ceremony today.

Assessing Safety and Minimizing Risk

Medical clearance for pilots is 鈥渁ll about risk,鈥� Powers says. 鈥淭he FAA has to assess the risk of a pilot experiencing a sudden incapacitation while flying. That鈥檚 really what these exams are focused on.鈥�

For that reason, the UCF clinic will not focus on diagnosing disease, but on identifying and acting on any condition that might endanger pilot, crew and passenger safety.

In addition to a physical exam, pilots must pass hearing and vision tests, including demonstrating that they are not color blind. Airline pilots receive an electrocardiogram every year, while other pilots, like hobbyists, may receive an electrocardiogram if there is evidence of heart disease. Physicians also review medical history and discuss any health concerns that could affect flight safety.

Even manageable chronic conditions like high blood pressure can temporarily delay certification until the condition is treated, stabilized and controlled.

鈥淲hen you鈥檙e flying an airplane, you don鈥檛 have the luxury of pulling over and waiting for help like if you鈥檙e a truck driver,鈥� Powers says. 鈥淵ou must be aware at all times. If you鈥檙e responsible for an aircraft full of passengers, the FAA wants to minimize the chance of a sudden incapacitation.鈥�

A Vast Network of Expertise

Complicated medical cases are referred to the FAA for further review, and pilots may need additional interventions to meet certification standards. That鈥檚 where the College of Medicine鈥檚 physician practice offers a distinct advantage, Powers says.

“We can guide pilots to the specialists and testing they need and help them get back on the path toward medical clearance.” 鈥� William “Ed” Powers, chief medical officer of the CASEEM

Unlike private clinics that do pilot certification exams, UCF offers multiple medical specialties under one roof and a team approach to care.

鈥淲e can guide pilots to the specialists and testing they need and help them get back on the path toward medical clearance,鈥� Powers says.

Powers brings decades of expertise in space and aviation medicine. Before joining UCF, he was chief of NASA鈥檚 Medical Operations Branch, director of flight medicine for Axiom Space and director of the aerospace medicine residency program at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

Powers also worked inside the FAA as a supervisory medical officer. He says that experience gives him a firm understanding of what the FAA requires, making the process smoother for everyone.

鈥淭hat means fewer delays, fewer mistakes in paperwork and a more efficient process for pilots whose livelihoods depend on getting certified,鈥� he says.

Strengthening the Regional Aviation Ecosystem

Another UCF advantage: the clinic is only about 10 miles from Orlando International Airport, which welcomes 58 million travelers annually. So in addition to local aviators, pilots nationwide who travel to and through Orlando could easily schedule their certification exams at UCF.

“Clinics like 鲍颁贵鈥檚 Aerospace Medicine Clinic [are] helping pilots, whether in space or on the ground, access the care and medical certification support they need to remain flight-ready.” 鈥� Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

The clinic will help strengthen the aviation training pipeline in one of the nation鈥檚 most active aerospace regions. This capability is especially important for local flight schools whose students may require guidance in navigating medical certification, return-to-flight concerns and the health demands of aviation careers.

鈥淐entral Florida鈥檚 aviation ecosystem is built on more than runways, terminals and launchpads,鈥� says Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which manages Orlando International and Orlando Executive airports. 鈥淚t also depends on the people and services that keep aviation moving safely and efficiently. Clinics like 鲍颁贵鈥檚 Aerospace Medicine Clinic complement that ecosystem by helping pilots, whether in space or on the ground, access the care and medical certification support they need to remain flight-ready.鈥�

The clinic is embedded in Central Florida鈥檚 bustling travel hub with numerous satellite airports, including Kissimmee Gateway Airport and Orlando Sanford International Airport. Giving pilots another option to get cleared to fly strengthens the regional economy, says Shaun Germolus, director of aviation for the Kissimmee facility.

鈥淭he aviation industry in Central Florida provides a major economic impact to the region,鈥� Germolus says. 鈥淭he medical exams and certificates provided by the UCF Aerospace Medicine Clinic will be very valuable to ensure our aviation professionals are healthy and readily available to serve.鈥�

Launching the Clinic

The clinic is starting with limited Thursday and Friday morning appointments to allow the team to refine operations before expanding. Helping coordinate those efforts is Camila Niebla 鈥�26, a UCF health sciences graduate who now serves as the clinic鈥檚 aerospace medicine navigator.

Niebla discovered aerospace medicine by accident while exploring future career paths before applying to medical school.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even know aerospace medicine was a possibility,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been interested in performance-driven medicine, like sports medicine, so this felt really exciting. It鈥檚 exciting to be part of something from the beginning and watch it grow.鈥�

Part of a Larger Vision for Aerospace Medicine at UCF

The clinic is part of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 , which is being developed as a comprehensive academic, clinical, research, education, and operational platform to support the future of aviation, commercial spaceflight, and human space exploration.

鈥淭his is about building the medical infrastructure required for the next era of flight, both on Earth and in space,鈥� says Emmanuel Urquieta, vice chair for aerospace medicine at the UCF College of Medicine. 鈥淥ur goal is to create a program that is not only academic, but operational and translational in nature 鈥� one that supports student pilots, flight schools, commercial aviation, spaceflight providers and the broader aerospace ecosystem.鈥�

Schedule an Appointment

to learn more about FAA medical exams at UCF Health Faculty Physician Practice and schedule an appointment online.

Now CATER is expanding its mission and its reach as it shifts from a center within the College of Engineering and Computer Science to an official university center, effective July 1. This new iteration of CATER includes structured goals for faculty success, advancing new industry and national lab partnerships and the development of new research and testing facilities for students and faculty.

鈥淔lorida has an unparallel industrial ecosystem that includes turbomachinery companies, space propulsion companies and aviation companies,鈥� Pegasus Professor and Trustee Chair Jayanta Kapat says. 鈥淐ATER works at the intersection of these technologies and strives to provide the best training to UCF students who will work for these organizations, capable of providing them with fast and quality technical solutions.鈥�

Fostering Faculty Mentorship

UCF sets up its faculty for long-term success, in part, through quality mentorship.

As part of Kapat鈥檚 plan, core senior CATER faculty members will mentor incoming assistant professors who join CATER as core faculty members until they receive promotion and tenure. Throughout the process, junior faculty will receive guidance on the grant funding process and networking as well as student recruitment and advising.

CATER鈥檚 current interdisciplinary faculty expertise includes mechanical and aerospace engineering, and modeling, simulation and training.

鈥淭he typical faculty career is 20 to 30 years, and we want our faculty to stay successful over that period of time,鈥� Kapat says. 鈥淣one of this is taught in a university as a course. So in CATER we have created a very intense one-to-one mentorship plan that worked well in the previous version of CATER so that core members can sustain productivity over their entire faculty careers.鈥�

Redefining the Research Focus

To be considered or to remain a core member of CATER, senior faculty will need to continuously meet specific metrics such as annual research expenditures, total annual awards, the number of mentored graduate students, number doctoral graduations, publications, etc.

CATER won鈥檛 expand beyond 15 core members and 10 research faculty members, while keeping its focus on various research applications, such as hypersonics and national security, energy and sustainability, advanced air mobility, and space power and propulsion.

鈥淭hese are the areas where we contribute to the university’s overall strategic initiatives that President Alexander N. Cartwright implemented as part of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 strategic plan,鈥� Kapat says. 鈥淪o this is our contribution to the university鈥檚 strategic goals.鈥�

The faculty are already working on several research projects to support CATER鈥檚 research pillars, including the development of digital twin architecture for power plants and aviation systems, creating new fuels for zero-emission aviation, use of supercritical carbon dioxide, molten salt and ammonia as energy carriers for future power generation systems, expanding design paradigm using advanced manufacturing and newer materials, and investigating the possibility of building a power plant on the moon.

Expanding Industry Partnerships

CATER also supports industry needs through partnerships with major energy, aerospace and defense organizations that are based in Central Florida, including Pegasus Partner Siemens Energy. For the past decade, CATER鈥檚 homebase has been the Siemens Energy Center on the main campus. But now researchers have additional facilities that support their work.

CATER and the Aerospace Technology Group (ATG) have collaborated on the CATER-ATG Engine Research Test (CERT) facility, which recently opened at Valkaria Airport near Melbourne, Florida. The space allows CATER researchers to certify engine parts and develop/validate new technologies that companies like Boeing or GE could incorporate into their next generation aviation systems.

Professor Kareem Ahmed, a world expert in hypersonic and space propulsion, is using the space to conduct fuel tests for the Department of Defense. Professor Subith Vasu, a world expert in supercritical carbon dioxide oxy-combustion and ammonia combustion, will conduct engine testing of ammonia as a fuel for an actual aviation gas turbine 鈥� one of the first in the world.

Kapat鈥檚 group is conducting ground testing of hypersonic flight components and will conduct cracking of ammonia using heat from a gas turbine exhaust. Such experiments can鈥檛 be run on the UCF campus.

A third joint facility called the CATER Applied Propulsion and Energy Center (CAPE), is under development with start of operation expected by August. This would house several mid-TRL experimental rigs on supercritical carbon dioxide cycle, molten salt systems and components, energy storage, advanced air mobility, etc.

CAPE facility will be also strategically located close to the world鈥檚 largest molten salt energy storage facility, called MOSS, being planned by Siemens Energy and will be used to test components for thermal energy storage systems and thermal interface for advanced nuclear reactors. Siemens Energy would own the MOSS facility while a nuclear reactor company will supply a large fraction of the equipment. UCF researchers will help operate and use the facility to conduct research and train the next generation of nuclear and mechanical engineers.

鈥淲e need to train the new workforce because there is not enough people trained in nuclear engineering anymore,鈥� Kapat says. 鈥淢echanical engineering is a nuclear-adjacent area, so they see this as an opportunity to train the workforce by letting them run the facility. So it鈥檚 a win-win for everybody.鈥�

UCF Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor Deborah Beidel, who serves as executive director of 糖心logo入口 RESTORES, has been named a finalist for the Orlando Sentinel‘s 2026 Central Floridian of the Year award, an honor recognizing those whose leadership and community impact shape the region.

The award recognizes Beidel 鈥� representing the entire UCF RESTORES team 鈥� for building a national model for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment. Since its founding in 2011, UCF RESTORES has treated more than 2,150 individuals, including nearly 600 military members and more than 1,350 first responders. All treatment is provided at no charge, supported by state funding, federal grants and private donations.

鈥淲hen we founded UCF RESTORES, we set out to prove that PTSD treatment could be faster, more effective and accessible to everyone who needs it,鈥� Beidel says. 鈥淥ver the past 15 years, that mission has grown into something larger: a comprehensive system of treatment, training, and crisis response that meets people wherever they are in their journey toward healing. This recognition reflects the clinicians, researchers and staff who have made that vision a reality.鈥�

The center鈥檚 intensive outpatient program produces outcomes that exceed national standards 鈥� 76% of participants no longer meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD following treatment, and the program boasts a relapse rate of less than 1%.

Several states are now establishing similar programs, sending clinicians and researchers to Orlando to study UCF RESTORES’ approach.

What began as a research-focused treatment program has expanded into a comprehensive ecosystem of care encompassing clinical treatment, peer support training, crisis response and family resources.

, UCF RESTORES clinicians:

• Delivered more than 2,100 hours of evidence-based care;
• Trained more than 450 first responders through the center’s REACT peer support program;
• Unveiled a first-of-its-kind mobile Resiliency Command Center to deliver psychological support at disaster scenes; and,
• Integrated the UCF RESTORES 2nd Alarm Project, extending capacity-building and behavioral health navigation services to agencies across Florida’s Panhandle.

UCF RESTORES has also responded to large-scale tragedies including the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting and the 2021 Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside, FL, providing on-site mental health support to survivors, families, and emergency personnel. All treatment is provided at no charge, supported by state funding, federal grants and private donations.

鈥淒r. Beidel鈥檚 work reflects the very best of 糖心logo入口. She combines compassion, research and innovation to address one of the most complex challenges facing our local communities,鈥� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淭hrough UCF RESTORES, she has redefined how PTSD is treated, turning breakthrough ideas into real solutions for those who need them most. Because of her work, first responders, trauma survivors, and so many others across Central Florida, and beyond, are finding a path forward.鈥�

The Central Floridian of the Year finalist recognition follows Beidel’s selection as the Big 12 Conference’s 2025 Faculty of the Year for UCF. Now in its second year, the award showcases the academic excellence, research breakthroughs and educational opportunities available to students at Big 12 institutions.

UCF earned the status after completing the Accelerated Process for Initial Accreditation and demonstrating the university meets all HLC quality standards and requirements related to institutional mission; ethical and responsible conduct; teaching and learning for student success; and institutional effectiveness, resources and planning.

鈥淗LC is an accreditation partner that matches our scale, our innovation, and our commitment to strong stewardship of public resources.鈥� 鈥� President Alexander N. Cartwright

鈥湵涔筲�檚 transition to HLC reflects our bold ambitions for the future and our responsibility to deliver exceptional value for Florida,鈥� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淗LC is an accreditation partner that matches our scale, our innovation, and our commitment to strong stewardship of public resources. Meeting the rigorous standards to earn this accreditation reflects the faculty and staff whose unwavering dedication to student success, academic excellence, and operational efficiency fuel our momentum.鈥�

About the Higher Learning Commission

Founded in 1895, HLC is a private nonprofit accrediting agency and the nation鈥檚 largest institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. HLC accredits approximately 1,000 colleges and universities in the United States.

Why Accreditation Matters for UCF

As Florida offers universities new and innovative options for accreditation, UCF is proud to lead the way as the first in the State University System to earn accreditation from HLC.

HLC accreditation validates excellence across UCF, evaluating aspects including academic programs, governance and administration, mission, finances and resources.

Accreditation provides assurance that the university is fulfilling its public mission and providing excellent education, while also demonstrating 鲍颁贵鈥檚 commitment to continuous improvement. It is also essential for the university to receive federal funding, including student financial aid.

鲍颁贵鈥檚 Strong Return on Investment

As a leading R1 university committed to building a better future, UCF empowers innovative community partnerships, world-class research with global impact, and the integration of technology and learning to foster incredible student outcomes.

U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the top 15 most innovative universities in the country and has consistently ranked 鲍颁贵鈥檚 online degrees among the top 10 nationally for Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs.

According to the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 College Scorecard, UCF has a higher graduation rate and lower annual cost than the average midpoint for four-year schools, with a graduation rate of 73% compared to the midpoint of 58%. UCF remains a great value for a quality education, with average annual costs of $10,650 compared to the $19,740 midpoint for other four-year schools.

UCF is also Florida鈥檚 most financially efficient university.

鈥淯CF has become a national leader in delivering excellence at scale, achieving outstanding outcomes for our students and the state while operating with one of the lowest costs per degree in the nation,鈥� President Cartwright says. 鈥淏ecause of that efficiency, additional new investments in UCF would deliver among the strongest returns in higher education 鈥� fueling the talent, research, and innovation that drive Florida鈥檚 future.鈥�

Our Ongoing Commitment to Excellence

UCF was initially accredited in 1970, and most recently held its status through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Accreditation is an ongoing relationship. As a member of HLC, the institution will participate in ongoing reviews for compliance with HLC standards.

More information about the institution鈥檚 accreditation is available in HLC鈥檚 .

Their determined pursuit of excellence and transformation of knowledge into breakthroughs have catapulted UCF to become Florida鈥檚 Next-Generation Preeminent University.

President Alexander N. Cartwright announced Monday that UCF has reached the 12 metrics required to earn the designation of Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors. Qualifying for the state鈥檚 highest designation highlights 鲍颁贵鈥檚 achievements in student success, research and more 鈥� and the talents and hard work of so many in the UCF community who made this happen.

鈥淔rom the very beginning, UCF has been a university that defies expectations, turning scrubland into a next-generation university built for discovery, innovation and opportunity,鈥� President Cartwright says. 鈥淩eaching the 12 metrics necessary for Florida鈥檚 Preeminent State Research University designation reflects the grit and ambition of our students, faculty, and staff, and the power of this community to dream bigger and achieve more. Preeminence is not an arrival point but a launchpad for an even bolder future.鈥�

鈥淭his is an extraordinary accomplishment, and one that reflects the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, students, and leadership team 鈥� with this Board鈥檚 unwavering support,鈥� says Board of Trustees Chair Alex Martins ’01MBA. 鈥淚t is a milestone that belongs to the entire UCF community, and I am proud we have reached this point together.鈥�

A Community Dedicated to Student Success

UCF adopted a new model of student success support in 2023 with academic success coaches. Each student is paired with a success coach who works one-on-one with them, helping them develop their academic and career goals, and guiding them on the path to success. Success coaches help remove barriers for students and empower them to thrive on campus and beyond.

When DirectConnect to UCF student Hayley Ellis transferred from Daytona State College, she had to adjust to a much larger school in a new city. Mostly homeschooled growing up, Ellis is an aspiring pathologist double majoring in health sciences, and molecular and cellular biology.

Just as she began feeling overwhelmed in Organic Chemistry, senior academic success coach Christian Viau reached out to champion her success.

鈥淲hen I got [Christian鈥檚] email, I was like, 鈥楽omeone here wants me to succeed and help me map out my classes,鈥� 鈥� Ellis says. 鈥淭hat was a huge relief. It felt good to have someone there for me.鈥�

鈥淚 think providing [a] support system from inside the institution is vital. As a success coach, that鈥檚 a driving factor for me 鈥� because in my undergrad, I would鈥檝e loved to have someone I could lean on.鈥� 鈥� Christian Viau, senior academic success coach

Since then, they鈥檝e met several times to build a manageable academic schedule and discuss how to get involved and connect with Knights across campus.

Every student Viau works with receives individualized support. That includes Ellis, whom he knew needed extra help due to the unique challenges double majors face. Now approaching graduation, she鈥檚 stayed on track to finish in four years.

Thanks to the efforts of Viau and dozens of other academic success coaches across campus, along with caring faculty members who mentor students, and many other people, UCF has increased our four-year graduation rate to 63.8%, which is up 14 percentage points in four years.

Another example of efforts that have greatly benefited students is in the College of Arts and Humanities, where faculty in writing and rhetoric are strengthening student success in first-year composition courses. Shane Wood, associate professor and director of first-year composition and Professor Sherry Rankins-Robertson facilitated a progress report initiative that identifies at-risk students early in Composition I and II courses. Students are then connected to support and resources to help them succeed in these subjects, which nearly every UCF student takes, and which directly affect key preeminence metrics like freshman retention and four-year graduation rates.

鈥淪erving more than 6,500 students a year, success in these [composition] courses plays a pivotal role in helping students persevere at UCF and ultimately graduate.鈥� 鈥� Shane Wood, associate professor

What began as a small pilot program with about 10% faculty participation has grown to be embraced by nearly 90% of instructors today. That shift has contributed to a remarkable 96% persistence rate, which measures percentage of students who continue, in composition courses 鈥� helping bolster student success across the university.

鈥淪erving more than 6,500 students a year, success in these courses plays a pivotal role in helping students persevere at UCF and ultimately graduate,鈥� Wood says.

Rankins-Robertson says the initiative also reflects the dedication of faculty who support students from their very first semester.

鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to make students feel like they belong here, and when they feel supported, they鈥檙e more likely to continue,鈥� Rankins-Robertson says. 鈥淧reeminence, to me, highlights the dedication of our faculty and the intentional ways they approach the classroom in order to make a meaningful impact on students鈥� lives.鈥�

From Ingenuity to Impact: Boosting Research Funding and Technology Transfer

鲍颁贵鈥檚 world-class faculty are bold innovators who drive over $285 million in annual research expenditures across fields like space exploration, engineering, optics and photonics, modeling and simulation, healthcare, cybersecurity and more. Their work has helped UCF become a National Academy of Inventors top 20 public university for patents in the U.S. 鈥� and meet preeminence metrics.

鈥淲hen the Office of Technology Transfer showcases UCF innovations, we not only generate interest in licensing intellectual property, but also create pathways for industry partnerships that extend far beyond licensing alone.鈥� 聽鈥� Svetlana Shtrom 鈥�08MBA, director of Technology Transfer

The Office of Technology Transfer, which oversees the filing and issuance of patents, is part of the university鈥檚 Economic Development and Innovation division within the Office of Research. Technology Transfer plays an integral role in overseeing research commercialization, strengthening industry relationships and facilitating formation of new startup companies. Supporting the efforts of the Technology Transfer team are a host of 聽other Office of Research staff who submit proposals, process funding awards and much more.

鈥湵涔筲�檚 Office of Technology Transfer is dedicated to serving the university research community by identifying innovative research that has commercial potential and attracts interest from industry partners, entrepreneurs, and investors with the goal of bringing promising research results to the market for the betterment of society,鈥� says Svetlana Shtrom 鈥�08MBA, director of Technology Transfer.

Being a strong producer of patents enhances 鲍颁贵鈥檚 national prominence, attracting more talented students and researchers who further fuel the cycle of innovation.

鈥淲e are committed to supporting researchers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders in turning ideas into impact,鈥� says Raju Nagaiah, Technology Transfer鈥檚 assistant director of licensing. 鈥淲e are passionateabout our work 鈥� we love science and technology, and get very excited when we learn about new inventions and the opportunity to improve people’s lives through innovation.鈥�

Companies frequently approach the Technology Transfer to explore available technologies, and this often leads to deeper research collaborations and more funding opportunities for faculty, Shtrom says.

Driving Student Achievement and Innovation

Preeminence also acknowledges the many ways that students excel in the classroom and transform ideas into impact.

Zackary Zuniga, a dual major undergraduate student studying photonics science and engineering, and electrical engineering, founded ZuLeris Interactive in 2023 after taking 鲍颁贵鈥檚 Entrepreneurship for Defense course. The company, now part of the UCF Business Incubation Program, creates immersive simulations for electromagnetic defense training.

鈥淎t 糖心logo入口, I found a community that supported me every step of the way,鈥� Zuniga says. 鈥淔rom mentors to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, I鈥檝e never experienced this level of encouragement anywhere else.鈥�

Set to graduate in December, Zuniga and his team spent the summer on a national fellowship sponsored by the Defense Innovation Unit, which focuses on helping startup companies. He credits UCF for connecting him with opportunities that have shaped his startup, allowing it to make training more accessible and scalable.

Leading Florida鈥檚 Future

As UCF attracts top talent, strengthens industry partnerships and drives innovation that benefits the state and nation, the university鈥檚 impact is felt across key sectors 鈥� from healthcare and nursing to space and defense 鈥� positioning UCF as a vital contributor to Florida鈥檚 prosperity.

For the 2025-26 academic year, UCF boasts its strongest class in years. The university received a record 65,900 applicants from first-year students for 8,100 spots in the Summer and Fall 2025 semesters. The average high school GPA for fall freshmen was 4.24 and the class posted a 1347 average SAT score.

What Comes Next

When it comes to preeminence, the Board of Governors must first verify the results of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 12 metrics. Once verified, the 12 metrics will come before the UCF Board of Trustees for approval in April 2026, and would then move onto the Board of Governors for certification and official designation in June.

President Cartwright shared that his priority for any new dollars that come with the official preeminence designation is investment in the faculty and staff who propel the university鈥檚 excellence.

From there, the sky is the limit as UCF continues to build on our innovations in student success at scale, grow as Florida鈥檚 Premier University for Engineering, Technology and Innovation, and become a top 25 public research university.

Elected leaders joined founding donors to celebrate the pavilion鈥檚 opening on 鲍颁贵鈥檚 at Lake Nona. They gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and toured the pavilion, which will help to address Florida鈥檚 critical nursing shortage. Fittingly for Florida鈥檚 Premier Engineering and Technology University, the pavilion also features the latest in immersive modeling and simulation technologies.

“This facility will help strengthen Florida鈥檚 nursing talent pipeline in ways that make communities across our state healthier.” 鈥� UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright

鈥淭he Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion is a powerful example of what is possible when vision, community and partnership come together. Built with the generous support of state leaders, donors and health care champions, this facility will help strengthen Florida鈥檚 nursing talent pipeline in ways that make communities across our state healthier,鈥� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淭ogether, we are fueling hands-on learning, enabling new research and discovery, and preparing generations of Knight Nurses who will have a lasting impact on the lives of those they serve.鈥�

With the opening, UCF will increase access to its accredited and nationally ranked nursing degree programs and graduate an additional 150 newly licensed nurses annually. These graduates will have a direct impact on the state. Of the 17,000 Knight nurse alumni, 85% live and work in Florida, and nearly 60% remain in Central Florida.

Located next to the College of Medicine and in Lake Nona鈥檚 Medical City, a nationally recognized hub of healthcare innovation, the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion will bolster interdisciplinary collaboration to prepare providers to thrive in the workforce and deploy cutting-edge research to solve the industry鈥檚 greatest challenges and ensure a healthier future for all.

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson played a vital role as Senate President in securing about $43 million in state funding for the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, as well as additional funding for state university and state college nursing initiatives throughout Florida.

鈥淲e worked very hard to secure the funding,鈥� he says. 鈥淲hen you think about state-of the-art nursing, when you think about doubling the capacity of nursing, this couldn鈥檛 come at a better time. Florida is growing 400,000 people a year still. We鈥檙e going to continue to grow.鈥�

“Thanks to the leadership of Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, the state continues to invest in key academic programs that set an example nationwide,鈥� says State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. 鈥淭he new Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion at the 糖心logo入口 is no exception 鈥� by providing innovative educational opportunities for nursing students now, Florida is ensuring a promising future of skilled nurses that will care for our communities.鈥�

The Power of Partnerships

The Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, which came to fruition through $43 million from the State of Florida and over $29 million from private donors, will directly impact the community that created it and will be a longstanding symbol of what can be achieved through the power of community partnerships 鈥� unleashing potential for generations to come.

鈥淲e are honored to be part of this transformative moment for Central Florida,鈥� says Kenneth Robinson, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Inc. and the Dr. Phillips Foundation. 鈥淭his investment will help address the nursing shortage, strengthen our healthcare system, and expand access to exceptional education and career opportunities. By supporting this project, we鈥檙e helping to graduate more Knight nurses who will make a lasting impact. We鈥檙e proud to stand with UCF and our community partners to shape a healthier, brighter future.鈥�

Founding donors of the facility also include the Helene Fuld Health Trust; UCF Pegasus Partners AdventHealth, Orlando Health, Nemours Children鈥檚 Health and Addition Financial; Zaby and Suree Vyas; and many others.

鈥淭oday we are witnessing the power of partnerships,鈥� says Professor Emerita Mary Lou Sole, who, as the previous College of Nursing dean, led the efforts to advocate and raise funds for the new building. 鈥淭he Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion is the result of the collective efforts of 糖心logo入口 and this community to come together to solve one of our greatest healthcare challenges. We are incredibly grateful for the support, which will have an immeasurable impact for generations to come.鈥�

Inside the Future of Nursing

Every aspect of the 90,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility was thoughtfully designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and student success and well-being.

鈥淭he Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion will serve as a catalyst for ensuring a brighter, healthier future,鈥� says new College of Nursing Dean Sharon Tucker. 鈥淚n this space, UCF will strengthen and empower future nurses and nurse leaders to advance healthcare innovation and collaboration to improve evidence-based patient care and outcomes.鈥�

On the second and third floors is a hub of healthcare innovation, the Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling (STIM) Center. UCF is Florida鈥檚 first simulation center to earn three international accolades in the field and the new, expanded space will build upon its global leadership to innovate healthcare education using the latest immersive technologies to prepare nurses for practice as compassionate, skilled providers.

The second floor also features the Dr. Colleen Conway Welch Virtual Reality Learning Studio, a makerspace design studio to accelerate nurse-led innovations, a home health apartment to meet growing demand for home-based healthcare, and the Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation Healthy Aging Research Lab for interdisciplinary research and innovations led by renowned aging expert Ladda Thiamwong.

Upon entering the pavilion, students, faculty, staff and visitors are greeted with the inspiring 鈥溾�� public art commissioned by Florida鈥檚 Art in State Building program. The first floor also includes three large high-tech learning studios, the Zaby and Suree Vyas Collaboration Concourse, the Martin Andersen-Gracia Andersen Foundation Study Cafe and a student success suite.

The opening comes a little over a year and a half after the groundbreaking in January 2024. UCF built the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion in conjunction with HuntonBrady Architects, Ayers Saint Gross and DPR Construction.

鲍颁贵鈥檚 Industry Partners Highlight Transformational Impact

AdventHealth

鈥淎t AdventHealth, we鈥檝e seen firsthand the extraordinary caliber of nurses who graduate from UCF. They bring clinical excellence, compassion and an unwavering commitment to their patients 鈥� values that perfectly align with our mission to provide whole-person care. As the demand for skilled nurses continues to grow, we鈥檙e happy to support this exciting new chapter for the UCF College of Nursing. And as a UCF alum, I鈥檓 excited to welcome even more outstanding Knight nurses to AdventHealth.鈥�

-Cathy Stankiewicz, (MSN鈥�11), chief nursing officer, Central Florida Division

Helene Fuld Health Trust

鈥淭he Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling Center at UCF exemplifies our mission to support the education of nursing students. Simulation is a critical component [of] nursing education and will continue to be in the future, and we鈥檙e proud to make this investment to strengthen nursing skills and improve the welfare of our communities.鈥�

-Robert Campbell, vice president of Trust & Fiduciary Services at HSBC, who oversees the trust

Nemours Children鈥檚 Health

鈥淕rowing and solidifying the nursing workforce is critical to care delivery across the healthcare sector. Through our longtime relationship with the UCF College of Nursing, we have seen firsthand the benefits of hiring their well-trained, work-ready graduates. The new nursing pavilion will be a tremendous asset in our continued collaboration, partnership, and investment to support the education, development, and maturation of emerging nurses.鈥�

-Nicole Johnson, (DNP鈥�17), senior vice president and chief nursing and patient operations officer 聽

Orlando Health

鈥淚t is an honor and privilege to be associated with UCF, and we are thankful for our partnership with the university, nursing professors, and students.鈥�

-David Strong, president and CEO

鈥淚t鈥檚 always been my belief that policing is the most noble profession,鈥� says UCF Police Chief聽Carl Metzger 鈥�03MS. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of the work we do at UCF to keep our campus safe. We hold a very high standard of excellence, and I believe that we do it better than any campus police department in the United States.鈥�

UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright and First Lady Melinda were also present at the ceremony, where the president shared remarks, expressing his gratitude to the public safety team and offering well wishes to the new and newly promoted officers.

鈥淓ach of you really do represent the very best of 糖心logo入口,” President Cartwright says. 鈥淥n behalf of all of us at UCF, welcome to this next chapter of your careers, whether beginning or further along. We are so proud to call all of you Knights and we look forward to all you achieve.鈥�

The new officers will be assigned to the patrol division upon completion of their field-training program, where they will spend several weeks paired with senior officers to receive hands-on experience out in the field before graduating to solo patrol.

Meet the Officers

• Donavan Jackson joined the UCF Police Department (UCFPD) in September 2023, sponsored by the agency to attend the law enforcement academy at Valencia College. Despite a delay in admission due to a serious health scare, he made a full recovery and graduated from Academy Class 24-04. Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 in higher education leadership from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. His connection to UCF runs deep, having previously worked in the Department of Housing and Residence Life. In his free time, Jackson enjoys writing and recording music, which has garnered more than 400,000 streams and received award nominations.
• Originally from Miami, Kamila “Kami” Otero ’24 has been a part of 糖心logo入口’s Public Safety family since August 2023 when she became a UCFPD intern. After completing her internship, she continued as a cadet while earning her criminal justice degree at UCF. After graduating, UCFPD sponsored her to attend the law enforcement academy at Valencia College, where she graduated as the top academic student with an almost perfect score. Fun fact: Otero loves the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and even has four pet turtles named after them.

In addition to welcoming the latest public safety team members, UCFPD also celebrated three individuals who were recently promoted.

• Commander Matthew Scott 鈥�07 鈥�11MS was promoted from Sergeant in November. With more than 17 years in law enforcement, he began his career as a UCFPD community service officer before the agency sponsored him to attend the academy. After graduating, he joined the department as a sworn patrol officer and quickly rose through the ranks to detective, supervisor and presidential liaison. Scott spent several years as an award-winning K-9 handler and made history as UCFPD鈥檚 first therapy dog handler while serving in the Criminal Investigations Division. Most recently, he led the Community Partnerships Unit, where he鈥檚 credited with revolutionizing the department鈥檚 programming and community outreach while also serving as the presidential security escort. A proud two-time UCF alumnus, Scott holds bachelor鈥檚 and degrees in criminal justice. He’s also a graduate of the Valencia College Criminal Justice Institute Leadership Academy.
• Sergeant Alexander DeLuca ’15 was promoted from Corporal in November. He started his journey as a UCFPD community service officer before becoming a sworn officer for the agency in 2016. Throughout his career, he鈥檚 served as a detective, a dedicated member of the Honor Guard, and a key part of the Emergency and Heavy Response teams. An avid biker, DeLuca has participated in several Police Unity Tours and is a police mountain bike instructor and certified bike mechanic. A UCF alumnus, he earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in criminal justice and is currently pursuing a dual 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degree in public administration and criminal justice 鈥� all while continuing to patrol his alma mater on the night shift Delta squad.
• Corporal Al Sammelian was promoted from Officer First Class in November. He made a bold career shift from the automotive industry to law enforcement, joining UCFPD in 2018. He hit the ground running, starting as a patrol officer and quickly advancing to a K-9 handler, working alongside his loyal four-legged partner, Zeus. Most recently, the duo has been an integral part of the Community Partnerships Unit, where Sammelian has led agency programming, outreach events and recruitment efforts. In his new role, he has returned to night shift patrol on the UCF main campus, serving as Sergeant DeLuca鈥檚 corporal on the Delta squad.

A live stream of the swearing-in ceremony can be viewed聽.

Whiting is one of only seven geographic combatant commanders, and the visit showcased key research areas and opportunities for collaboration that align with DoD transformative technology and national security research priorities.

UCF recently joined USSPACECOM鈥檚 Academic Engagement Enterprise, which allows for further collaboration opportunities with the command.

Whiting began the visit by hearing from several UCF leaders about the university鈥檚 unique space-related research endeavors, including Winston V. Schoenfeld, vice president for research and innovation; David Hagan, dean of CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics; Greg Autry, associate provost for space commercialization and strategy; David Metcalf, associate research professor and director of the Mixed Emerging Technology Integration Lab; Stephen Eikenberry, professor of physics and optics and photonics; Tarek Elgohary, associate professor and director of the Astrodynamics, Space and Robotics Laboratory; and Eric 鈥淭ubby鈥� Shwedo, assistant vice president for federal relations.

In the introductory briefing, Whiting was exposed to cutting-edge research in areas such as cislunar developments, space photonics, and modeling and simulation.

The visit further exemplifies 鲍颁贵鈥檚 track record for advancing meaningful space research, Schoenfeld says.

“Here at UCF, we have a rich history of exceptional research in key defense areas beneficial to USSPACECOM such as hypersonics, optics, cybersecurity, materials science and modeling and simulation 鈥� just to name a few,鈥� he says. 鈥淥ur research in these areas has benefitted from significant DoD support 鈥� with more than 30% of our federal funding coming from DoD sources for over a decade. I am excited about the collaborative partnership between UCF and USSPACECOM to further the impact our research activities of direct interest to USSPACECOM.”

After the roundtable introduction, the USSPACECOM delegation visited with 鲍颁贵鈥檚 highly regarded ROTC programs 鈥� Army ROTC Fighting Knights Battalion and Air Force Detachment 159 鈥� to see firsthand how UCF is cultivating the officers and leaders of tomorrow.

鲍颁贵鈥檚 AFROTC program, which has been developing officers for the Air Force and Space Force for more than 50 years, has earned the DoD鈥檚 ROTC and Educational Institutional Partnership Excellence Award for multiple areas of excellence.

They met with President Alexander N. Cartwright to learn about workforce development and how UCF plays a critical role in supplying quality STEM professionals who are ready to unleash their potential at the crossroads of space and innovation.

The tour concluded with a visit to the newly established Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion聽(HyperSpace Center) to delve into the groundbreaking aerodynamics, propulsion and hypersonic research being conducted at the unique testing facility.

Kareem Ahmed, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the聽College of Engineering and Computer Science, discussed specialized detonation methods and carefully crafted fuels that can enhance the efficiency and efficacy of propulsion technologies.

The HyperSpace Center stands out as a pioneering research and testing hub dedicated to advancing next-generation technologies in space propulsion and high-speed travel, playing a vital role in shaping the future of space exploration and defense capabilities.

Ahmed鈥檚 team has received multiple DoD grants to develop hypersonic technology, which will be capable of traveling at speeds of Mach 6 to 17 (4,600 to 13,000 mph).

Additionally, undergraduate and graduate students working under Ahmed presented projects in specific areas of hypersonic research, including a live demonstration test of one of their experimental engines.

UCF is well-positioned to continue delivering impactful research for the aerospace industry, having recently joined the newly founded Florida University Space Research Consortium. As the state鈥檚 official space research entity designated by Space Florida, the consortium will facilitate the awarding of NASA research grants in partnership with Kennedy Space Center.

The USSPACECOM visit to UCF is a culmination of mutual interest, partnerships and prior tours earlier in 2024, such as when USSPACECOM Major General Samuel Keener visited UCF when it hosted NASA鈥檚 Lunabotics competition.