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.

“Florida has an unparallel industrial ecosystem that includes turbomachinery companies, space propulsion companies and aviation companies,” Pegasus Professor and Trustee Chair Jayanta Kapat says. “CATER 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.”

Fostering Faculty Mentorship

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

As part of Kapat’s 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’s current interdisciplinary faculty expertise includes mechanical and aerospace engineering, and modeling, simulation and training.

“The typical faculty career is 20 to 30 years, and we want our faculty to stay successful over that period of time,” Kapat says. “None 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.”

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’t 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.

“These are the areas where we contribute to the university’s overall strategic initiatives that President Alexander N. Cartwright implemented as part of �����’s strategic plan,” Kapat says. “So this is our contribution to the university’s strategic goals.”

The faculty are already working on several research projects to support CATER’s 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’s 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 — one of the first in the world.

Kapat’s 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’t 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’s 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.

“We need to train the new workforce because there is not enough people trained in nuclear engineering anymore,” Kapat says. “Mechanical 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’s a win-win for everybody.”

UCF Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor Deborah Beidel, who serves as executive director of UCF 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 — representing the entire UCF RESTORES team — 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.

“When we founded UCF RESTORES, we set out to prove that PTSD treatment could be faster, more effective and accessible to everyone who needs it,” Beidel says. “Over 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.”

The center’s intensive outpatient program produces outcomes that exceed national standards – 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.

“Dr. Beidel’s work reflects the very best of UCF. She combines compassion, research and innovation to address one of the most complex challenges facing our local communities,” says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. “Through 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.”

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.

“HLC is an accreditation partner that matches our scale, our innovation, and our commitment to strong stewardship of public resources.” — President Alexander N. Cartwright

“�����’s transition to HLC reflects our bold ambitions for the future and our responsibility to deliver exceptional value for Florida,” says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. “HLC 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.”

About the Higher Learning Commission

Founded in 1895, HLC is a private nonprofit accrediting agency and the nation’s 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, ��AV 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 �����’s commitment to continuous improvement. It is also essential for the university to receive federal funding, including student financial aid.

�����’s 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 �����’s online degrees among the top 10 nationally for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s 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.

Ů��AV is also Florida’s most financially efficient university.

“UCF 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,” President Cartwright says. “Because of that efficiency, additional new investments in UCF would deliver among the strongest returns in higher education — fueling the talent, research, and innovation that drive Florida’s future.”

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’s accreditation is available in HLC’s .

Their determined pursuit of excellence and transformation of knowledge into breakthroughs have catapulted UCF to become Florida’s 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’s highest designation highlights �����’s achievements in student success, research and more — and the talents and hard work of so many in the UCF community who made this happen.

“From the very beginning, UCF has been a university that defies expectations, turning scrubland into a next-generation university built for discovery, innovation and opportunity,” President Cartwright says. “Reaching the 12 metrics necessary for Florida’s 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.”

“This is an extraordinary accomplishment, and one that reflects the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, students, and leadership team — with this Board’s unwavering support,” says Board of Trustees Chair Alex Martins ’01MBA. “It is a milestone that belongs to the entire UCF community, and I am proud we have reached this point together.”

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.

“When I got [Christian’s] email, I was like, ‘Someone here wants me to succeed and help me map out my classes,’ ” Ellis says. “That was a huge relief. It felt good to have someone there for me.”

“I think providing [a] support system from inside the institution is vital. As a success coach, that’s a driving factor for me — because in my undergrad, I would’ve loved to have someone I could lean on.” — Christian Viau, senior academic success coach

Since then, they’ve 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’s 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.

“Serving 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.” — 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 — helping bolster student success across the university.

“Serving more than 6,500 students a year, success in these courses plays a pivotal role in helping students persevere at UCF and ultimately graduate,” Wood says.

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

“We’re trying to make students feel like they belong here, and when they feel supported, they’re more likely to continue,” Rankins-Robertson says. “Preeminence, 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’ lives.”

From Ingenuity to Impact: Boosting Research Funding and Technology Transfer

�����’s 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. — and meet preeminence metrics.

“When the Office of Technology Transfer showcases Ů��AV innovations, we not only generate interest in licensing intellectual property, but also create pathways for industry partnerships that extend far beyond licensing alone.”  — Svetlana Shtrom ’08MBA, director of Technology Transfer

The Office of Technology Transfer, which oversees the filing and issuance of patents, is part of the university’s 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  other Office of Research staff who submit proposals, process funding awards and much more.

“�����’s 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,” says Svetlana Shtrom ’08MBA, director of Technology Transfer.

Being a strong producer of patents enhances �����’s national prominence, attracting more talented students and researchers who further fuel the cycle of innovation.

“We are committed to supporting researchers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders in turning ideas into impact,” says Raju Nagaiah, Technology Transfer’s assistant director of licensing. “We are passionateabout our work — 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.”

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 �����’s Entrepreneurship for Defense course. The company, now part of the UCF Business Incubation Program, creates immersive simulations for electromagnetic defense training.

“At UCF, I found a community that supported me every step of the way,” Zuniga says. “From mentors to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, I’ve never experienced this level of encouragement anywhere else.”

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’s Future

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

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

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

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

“The 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’s nursing talent pipeline in ways that make communities across our state healthier,” says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. “Together, 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.”

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’s 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’s 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.

“We worked very hard to secure the funding,” he says. “When you think about state-of the-art nursing, when you think about doubling the capacity of nursing, this couldn’t come at a better time. Florida is growing 400,000 people a year still. We’re going to continue to grow.”

“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,” says State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. “The new Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion at the Ů��AV is no exception — by providing innovative educational opportunities for nursing students now, Florida is ensuring a promising future of skilled nurses that will care for our communities.”

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 — unleashing potential for generations to come.

“We are honored to be part of this transformative moment for Central Florida,” says Kenneth Robinson, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Inc. and the Dr. Phillips Foundation. “This 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’re helping to graduate more Knight nurses who will make a lasting impact. We’re proud to stand with UCF and our community partners to shape a healthier, brighter future.”

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

“Today we are witnessing the power of partnerships,” 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. “The Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion is the result of the collective efforts of UCF 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.”

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.

“The Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion will serve as a catalyst for ensuring a brighter, healthier future,” says new College of Nursing Dean Sharon Tucker. “In 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.”

On the second and third floors is a hub of healthcare innovation, the Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling (STIM) Center. Ů��AV is Florida’s 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 “” public art commissioned by Florida’s 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.

�����’s Industry Partners Highlight Transformational Impact

AdventHealth

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

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

Helene Fuld Health Trust

“The 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’re proud to make this investment to strengthen nursing skills and improve the welfare of our communities.”

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

Nemours Children’s Health

“Growing 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.”

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

Orlando Health

“It is an honor and privilege to be associated with UCF, and we are thankful for our partnership with the university, nursing professors, and students.”

-David Strong, president and CEO

“It’s always been my belief that policing is the most noble profession,” says UCF Police Chief Carl Metzger ’03MS. “I’m 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.”

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.

“Each of you really do represent the very best of UCF,” President Cartwright says. “On 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.”

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 �������ٱ��’s 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 UCF’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 ’07 ’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’s first therapy dog handler while serving in the Criminal Investigations Division. Most recently, he led the Community Partnerships Unit, where he’s credited with revolutionizing the department’s programming and community outreach while also serving as the presidential security escort. A proud two-time UCF alumnus, Scott holds bachelor’s 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’s 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’s degree in criminal justice and is currently pursuing a dual �������ٱ��’s degree in public administration and criminal justice — 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’s corporal on the Delta squad.

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

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’s 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’s 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 “Tubby” 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 �����’s 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 — just to name a few,” he says. “Our research in these areas has benefitted from significant DoD support — 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 �����’s highly regarded ROTC programs — Army ROTC Fighting Knights Battalion and Air Force Detachment 159 — to see firsthand how Ů��AV is cultivating the officers and leaders of tomorrow.

�����’s AFROTC program, which has been developing officers for the Air Force and Space Force for more than 50 years, has earned the DoD’s 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 ��AV 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 (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 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’s 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.

Ů��AV 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’s 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 Ů��AV 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’s Lunabotics competition.

Electrical engineering doctoral student Ganesh Marasini tests real-life grid control operations in �����’s — a training ground for rising engineers to collaborate, learn and help reimagine the energy grid of the future.

Hundreds of fans celebrated UCF men’s basketball’s upset win over No. 3 Kansas at Addition Financial Arena.

UCF broke ground on the transformational Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion at Lake Nona, which is anticipated to open in 2025-26. The new 90,000 square-foot home of the College of Nursing will help UCF graduate more highly qualified, compassionate nurses for the future.

A student practices with a manikin hand at �����’s state-of-the-art in the College of Nursing, which is equipped with advanced medical devices and technology to train nursing students for clinical practice.

Since kicking off the outdoor season with a top 10 national ranking, the UCF women’s track and field team has clocked some of the world’s fastest times this year.

During the 10th anniversary of UCF Celebrates the Arts — a multi-day festival honoring creative expressions — artists competed in Creative Clash, a live art event where they raced against the clock to create large-format artwork with markers in front of spectators at Seneff Arts Plaza.

A graduate walks across the stage during a Spring 2024 commencement ceremony that took place in Addition Financial Arena.

Three students dove into their studies while hanging out in their dorm room at the .

A Summer 2024 graduate beams with pride, holding his diploma as he walks across the commencement stage.

Knightro shows off a UCF specialty license plate while filming a new at Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy’s Studio 500. To Knight Your Ride, click here.

UCF students are conducting groundbreaking research at labs, paving the way for the future of space exploration and innovation.

Two fighter aircrafts flew over FBC Mortgage Stadium during the pregame ceremony for the Family Weekend football game, where the Knights defeated the Sam Houston State University Bearkats, 45-14.

Running back RJ Harvey crossed into the end zone for a touchdown during the Knight’s second home game of the season against Sam Houston.

A student guides TapeMeasure, �����’s semiautonomous dog-like robot, up the steps of the John C. Hitt Library, demonstrating its advanced navigation capabilities for innovative research by students and faculty.

A member of UCF Air Force ROTC Detachment 159 salutes while being filmed on campus for , showcasing UCF as a place for those who dare to invent the future.

Annika Emmert, a health sciences student, and Limbitless Solutions intern and past bionic arm recipient, tries on a bionic arm, showcasing its advanced technology that empowers children with limb differences.

This year, UCF Downtown, in partnership with Valencia College, celebrates five years of educational excellence. The campus has welcomed more than 7,000 students and awarded 10,300 degrees since opening in 2019.

Two space scientists operate a rover on the world’s largest simulated lunar surface, located in �����’s Exolith Lab. The lab’s Lunar Highland Regolith Test Bin was developed in partnership with the Florida Space Institute to support space exploration research.

Before the UCF Knights took on the Colorado Buffaloes, two cheerleaders interacted with a young UCF fan during Knight Walk at IOA Plaza, the lively pregame tradition where fans, the marching band, and the cheer and dance teams rally together to welcome the football team before kickoff.

�����’s cheer team amped up the crowd as the Knights took on the University of Cincinnati Bearcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Rapper NLE Choppa performed at Concert Knight presented by UCF Homecoming at Addition Financial Arena.

The cheer team hyped up the crowd with a high-energy stunt routine before students charged into the Reflecting Pond to catch homecoming rubber ducks at Spirit Splash.

Knightro surfed over a crowd of students at Spirit Splash, �����’s biggest homecoming tradition.

During Spirit Splash, Knightro even secured a cowboy-themed rubber duck, celebrating this year’s theme: Cowboys vs. Aliens.

Knightro posed with a constellation-themed SpaceU cape in front of a giant moon backdrop at �����’s 2024 SpaceU Luncheon, honoring the university’s ties to space exploration and innovation.

UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright stands next to rocket engines while touring facilities during a visit to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

The tour included visits with key UCF research centers, such as (IST), , and the Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion (HyperSpace Center).

While Grady toured �����’s defense-related research, his wife, Christine Grady, visited �����’s Office of Military and Veteran Student Success; , a clinic dedicated to treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and met with UCF Army and Air Force ROTC cadets.

“The visit from Admiral and Mrs. Grady underscores the vital role Ů��AV plays in advancing national security and defense research, supporting critical DOD needs, and preparing the next generation of military leaders,” says Winston V. Schoenfeld, �����’s vice president for research and innovation. “Over 30% of �����’s federal funding has come from the DOD for more than a decade, positioning UCF as a national leader in delivering key innovations to the DOD.”

The Tour

Grady began his visit with a meeting alongside UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright, where they discussed �����’s longstanding commitment to supporting the nation’s defense through cutting-edge research and workforce development.

While with CREOL, Admiral Grady received a briefing on directed energy research and its applications for DOD missions, particularly the capabilities of the Townes Institute for Science and Technology Experimentation Facility. The institute, located at Kennedy Space Center, supports multidisciplinary research with a focus on space science, optics and other advanced technologies.

At IST, UCF showcased the latest advancements in digital twin technology, such as real-time 3D digital twins of structures and areas, and artificial intelligence for DOD-decision making tools.

Grady’s visit to the HyperSpace Center focused on the integration of students into the research process and the timeline for the hypersonic technology, which would allow air travel at speeds of up to 13,000 miles per hour (Mach 17).

Commitment to National Defense and Military Success

��AV is a national leader in supporting military and defense initiatives through education, research and industry partnerships.

�����’s Office of Military and Veteran Student Success supports more than 3,200 military-connected students, including veterans, active-duty and dependents, by providing academic advising, transition assistance and tailored guidance.

UCF RESTORES offers innovative, no-cost PTSD treatment for veterans and first responders, with clinical trials achieving a 100% success rate in just 14 days for participants completing VR-assisted exposure therapy. The program has treated more than 500 veterans and 950 first responders, with the majority no longer meeting PTSD criteria.

UCF also boasts top-ranked ROTC programs, with the Army ROTC Fighting Knights Battalion and Air Force Detachment 159 preparing leaders for military and civilian careers. �����’s AFROTC program, which has been developing officers for the Air Force and Space Force for more than 50 years, has earned the DOD’s ROTC and Educational Institutional Partnership Excellence Award for multiple areas of excellence.

In research, �����’s close ties to the defense industry are amplified through Central Florida Research Park, a $7 billion hub for modeling and simulation adjacent to �����’s main campus, which is also home to six DOD headquarters. UCF also ranks No. 1 in Florida for VA certifications, is leading the nation in the number of cybersecurity championships, and is the top supplier of graduates to the aerospace and defense industries.

The new physicians-in-training include artists, engineers, athletes and crisis counselors. More than 80% did medical research before entering medical school. They received undergraduate degrees from BYU, Emory, John’s Hopkins, Ohio State, Rice and Vanderbilt. Thirty of them are UCF alumni.

MacDonald is one of those Knights. He worked with children at Limbitless Solutions, an organization based at UCF that specializes in accessibility technology including bionics for children missing limbs. He says he has always wanted to become a doctor and that his work with children taught him patience, understanding and the ability to communicate with those he will care for in the future.

Innovation and discovery are the core of Limbitless’ work and both topics were themes of this year’s White Coat Ceremony. UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright told students of their opportunity to learn at the university’s biosciences cluster minutes from one of the world’s most visited airports.

“Your new home at �����’s Academic Health Sciences Center will embed you in health education, research and clinical practice — right in the heart of Orlando’s Medical City at Lake Nona,” he says. “At UCF, we turn our excellence into impact, and we boldly innovate where others would never dare. You will have that opportunity to innovate and to transform diagnostics, treatments and therapies to drive health outcomes for your patients.”

Deborah German, vice president for health affairs and founding dean of �����’s College of Medicine, told students they are joining an innovative, research-based medical school supported by physicians, scientists, clinics and hospitals across Florida.

“Students, today you become part of this community, part of a pioneering, young medical school committed to preparing doctors to face today’s healthcare challenges by putting their patients first,” she says.

That community includes donors like Mark Trolice, founder and medical director of the IVF Center, whose gift paid for all of the students’ white coats. The College of Medicine’s White Coat and Stethoscope campaign raised more than $53,000 this year — the most ever — from donations that included parents, faculty and staff.

Monday’s ceremony included the students’ first class in medical school: The Good Doctor – A UCF Tradition. In it, German asks students to imagine the person they love most in the world is seriously ill with an undiagnosed condition. She asks them to describe the attributes of the physician they would want caring for their loved one. As students suggest a trait, German writes the word on a blackboard that stays on display at the medical school all year.

This year students came up with 35 words including passionate, reliable, courageous, resilient, knowledgeable, ethical, curious and accountable. When a student suggested humble, German responded, “That means it’s not about us, it’s about the patient.” When another suggested caring, their dean replied, “Patients don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Marshall liked the word leader and said it described her grandfather, Manuel Torres, perfectly. He immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba and served patients as an anesthesiologist in South Florida for 50 years. He passed away last year before knowing where his granddaughter would attend medical school.

“It’s exciting to follow in my family’s footsteps,” she says.

Joseph Helmy’s favorite word on The Good Doctor board was humble because he says a physician needs to think about others first. Family and friends traveled from Helmy’s home state of Tennessee to join him at the ceremony, and took turns hugging, back slapping and fist-pumping the new Ů��AV physician-in-training as he wore his new white coat. Nearby stood Father Karas, Helmy’s Coptic Orthodox priest.

“I made the trip,” Father Karas says. “I had to come. Joseph is such a good person, my spiritual son.”