In his role as the senior associate vice president for government and community relations, Kittinger has been a constant and trusted presence in UCF’s work across Central Florida.

He has faithfully represented the university with a spirit of collaboration, generosity, and care that has strengthened relationships and opened doors for years, leading to some of the university’s most impactful, long-lasting, and strategic partnerships.

On April 22, Kittinger will conclude his tenure at his beloved alma mater after nearly 23 years of service.

“Fred Kittinger has approached his work with authenticity, optimism and a sincere joy that brings people together and builds the connections that propel our success,” says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. “He has left a lasting impression with everyone he has worked with and leaves an enduring legacy at UCF.”

Joining Knight Nation

An Orlando native, Kittinger remembers the main campus being built in the 1960s. He enrolled at ��AV in 1977, known then as Florida Technological University.

He was intent on staying one year to save enough money to eventually transfer to another, more established university in northern Florida. He abandoned the plan in mere weeks, falling in love with the school that he would later spend so much of his career serving.

“We always had that chip-on-our-shoulder attitude, even back then. I like that part of UCF,” Kittinger says. “We were the little engine that could. We knew we were going someplace. We knew we were important.”

He served on orientation team and President’s Leadership Council, joined Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, witnessed UCF’s first home football game in 1979 and stockpiled memories he now relays with a smile before graduating with his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

After completing his master’s degree at Florida State, he went on to work as a legislative aide in the Florida Senate and as vice president with the then Orlando Chamber of Commerce. He later served as chief of staff for City of Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood.

In 2003, he was approached by the late Senior Vice President Emeritus Dan Holsenbeck and Board of Trustee charter member Patrick Christensen to gauge his interest in a position at UCF working with local governments.

Now nearly 23 years later, he’s ready for his next adventure.

Advocating for his Alma Mater

When you’re anywhere as long as Kittinger has been at UCF, you’re bound to pick up a few keepsakes. Precious items that once adorned his office walls and bookshelves will now have a new place in his home.

A metal pipe from the Reflecting Pond’s old plumbing before it was refurbished in 2018.

A Florida Tech Boulevard street sign, which may or may not have been procured in an unofficial capacity in 1978 under the guise of darkness by some of his fraternity brothers.

But his most treasured mementos are the relationships he carries with him — from the university to the community to government offices across the state.

“My greatest fortune is the number of folks I’ve had a chance to work with and develop long-term friendships with.” — Fred Kittinger

“It takes that trio to make an impact — you’ve got to have private industry, you’ve got to have government, and you have to have the non-profit independent sector all working together,” he says. “My greatest fortune is the number of folks I’ve had a chance to work with and develop long-term friendships with. I’ve been very blessed.”

He says his proudest moments are wrapped up in some of the university’s biggest milestones, all made possible through partnerships: approval for the College of Medicine; the creation of UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA);  the UCF Downtown campus; the growth of the UCF Business Incubation Program that spans all Central Florida counties; and working on the team that secured $90 million in Tourist Development Tax revenues from the Orange County Board of Commissioners to invest in Acrisure Bounce House.

“His ability to build trust and make people feel valued has left a lasting impression on colleagues, partners and communities across our region,” says Janet Owen, UCF vice president for government and community relations and associate general counsel.

More Than a Job

In addition to his role as an administrator, Kittinger played an active part in students’ lives for many years.

Alongside Holsenbeck and former government relations team member Alison Schultz, Kittinger helped form and guide the UCF Legislative Scholars Program, a premier, immersive, full-time experience during state legislative sessions. From the classroom to the Capitol, students gain firsthand exposure to the legislative process by working directly with legislative staff and professional lobbyists in Tallahassee, Florida. Since the program’s inception in 2005, more than 320 students have participated.

Kittinger served as a longtime adjunct instructor in the , which is part of the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE).

Alongside his wife of 43 years, they established the Fred and Sandra Kittinger Scholarship Fund in 2020. This scholarship supports graduate students in public administration, assisting with tuition, textbooks, fees and any other items included in the cost of education.

“What has always set Fred apart is not just what he has done, but how he has done it,” Owen says. “He brings a genuine positivity and a welcoming presence to every interaction, approaching his work with kindness, thoughtfulness and a sincere interest in others. On a personal level, I am especially grateful for Fred’s friendship and counsel over the years. He will be deeply missed.”

UCF has appointed Janet Owen as vice president for government relations. Owen comes to UCF from the University of North Florida, where she serves as vice president for governmental affairs and associate general counsel. She starts at UCF on June 22.

“I have always admired what Ů��AV is about. The way UCF has grown into the partnership university has been an example for all of us in the State University System,” Owen said. “The idea that I could be a part of a new president’s team and help him accomplish his goals and visions for UCF’s next chapter is really exciting.”

Owen, a native of Jacksonville, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a law degree from Stetson University College of Law. She worked in a Jacksonville law firm before moving to UNF as associate general counsel in 1994, and has served as UNF’s lobbyist since 1998.

Owen will build on the strong foundation laid by Daniel Holsenbeck, who as senior vice president for university relations and director of governmental relations has helped guide UCF’s growth for a generation. Holsenbeck has been appointed senior counsel to the president, effective July 1.

“This is a win-win for UCF,” said president-elect Dale Whittaker, who takes office on July 1. “From day one, I will be able to rely on Dan’s knowledge and counsel and Janet’s leadership in accomplishing our goals. This is exciting.”

Since joining Ů��AV in 1985, Holsenbeck has reported to every Ů��AV president except its first. He has fostered deep relationships with elected officials who have helped propel the university’s rise in quality, size and status, securing support for increased state funding, the College of Medicine, UCF Downtown and more.

“Dan has been an invaluable resource for UCF since before I arrived. His fingerprints are on every major university initiative of the past 30 years,” President John Hitt said. “I have been fortunate to have had his wise counsel, and I’m thrilled that with Dan at his side, president-elect Whittaker will continue to benefit from Dan’s experience, connections and insights.”

Before coming to UCF, Holsenbeck worked as associate vice president for development and alumni affairs at the University of South Florida, the director of university relations at Auburn University, and vice chancellor for development at Auburn University at Montgomery.

“Any chance I have to work with Dale Whittaker is a tremendous opportunity,” Holsenbeck said. “I have watched him closely, worked with him, learned so much from him, and will do whatever I can to make his presidency successful.”

During a dedication ceremony today, a plaque was placed in each of one of Research Park’s five Partnership Buildings to honor Hitt’s support of technological industries that have created an impact on local, state and national levels.

The event took place in Research Park, which is located adjacent to campus. Several guest speakers were in attendance, including Congressman Daniel Webster, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the National Center for Simulation’s Chief Operating Officer George Cheros.

Research Park is a hub of organizations and businesses that generate a $6 billion simulation and technology industry for the state economy. Each year, the region secures about $4 billion in government contracts due to U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine and other federal agency operations based in the 1,027-acre space.

Although Research Park opened in 1978 before Hitt became president, his committed efforts to growing the center have created strong partnerships with the Department of Defense over the past 26 years. About 60,000 people employed in the park are affiliated with the military.

“During his presidency, John Hitt has championed these five buildings that are not only important to our national defense, but [also] our research opportunities for faculty and graduate students, local economy, and state-wide impact for business,” says Dan Holsenbeck, UCF’s senior vice president of university relations.

Most recently, UCF acquired Partnership Buildings IV and V to help keep military personnel in the area by leasing 200,000 square feet of office space to Team Orlando, the military entity comprised of the national defense organizations, federal agencies and private businesses that work to help improve human performance through simulation.

The original building in the complex, Partnership Building I, was built in the late 1990s, and is home to the Florida Space Institute, NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium and National Center for Forensic Science.

Partnership Building II includes , which includes UCF Online, and the Team Performance Laboratory/Partnership for Aviation Team Training Research.

One of the nation’s leading simulation, training and virtual reality research centers, the National Center for Simulation, is located in Partnership Building III. The facility also holds UCF’s , which has secured more than $26 million in research funding over the past two years.

All students are invited to discuss their ideas, concerns and experiences at the forum from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Union’s Key West Ballroom, Room 218ABCD.

The forum will be 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Key West Ballroom, Room 218AB.

Acting Provost Elizabeth Dooley and vice presidents Maribeth Ehasz, Grant Heston, Dan Holsenbeck and Bill Merck also will be at the meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Key West Ballroom, Room 218 ABCD.

�ճ����will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Pegasus Ballroom of the Student Union. All students are invited to discuss their ideas, concerns and experiences.

�ճ����forum will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the . All students are invited to discuss their ideas, concerns and experiences.

 Associate University Registrar and VARC Director Paul Viau presented an overview of the VARC’s services while Alzo Reddick, assistant vice president for University Relations and Director of Defense Transition Services, presented Rep. Mica with information about UCF’s Soldiers to Scholars program. Vice President University Relations Dan Holsenbeck; University Registrar Brian Boyd; Career Services’ Director of Career Development Bill Blank; and various student veterans were also on hand to speak with Rep. Mica and answer questions.

 Rep. Mica plans to return to Ů��AV in the future to attend a VARC programming event.

 VARC, located in the CFE Arena suite 100, is a one-stop solution to for student veterans. The center provides study space and lounge space, as well as access to a number of university offices, in one central location. To learn more about VARC’s services, accommodations and workshops, visit: .