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.”

The students will serve as UCF Legislative Scholars, conducting research, assisting with constituent relations, tracking bills and supporting other daily operations of a legislative office during the session, which runs March 4 to May 2. They will work full-time and receive a stipend and housing in the state capital for a minimum of three months.

UCF established the Legislative Scholars Internship in 2005 to provide students with insight into the workings of state government and the Florida Legislature. To be eligible for the internship, students must be a junior, senior or graduate student in a communication, legal studies, political science or public administration academic program.

Students are selected for the internship through a rigorous application and interview process led by Fred Kittinger, associate vice president of state and local government affairs. Kittinger appoints a committee of UCF faculty and staff members and representatives from local legislative offices to select the interns.

Successful candidates exhibit strong communication skills, including speaking, writing, research and computer skills; an interest in or knowledge of the legislative process; and a demonstrated ability to work with others in a fast-paced, highly visible environment.

“This year’s field of candidates for the internship was the strongest to date,” Kittinger shared.

The 2014 interns include seven legal studies majors, two communication majors, a political science major and a graduate student in public administration. Ten have been assigned to state senator and representative offices, and one has been assigned to the government relations office of a law firm. (For the intern placements, see http://bit.ly/1j2Zk5u.)

Kathy Cook, instructor of legal studies, is especially proud so many students in her program are participating this year. “They are very professional students and well-prepared for this experience,” she said.

Legal studies junior Mikaela Duffy moved to Tallahassee last weekend to intern in Senator Alan Hays’ office. She will room with Jessica Sirianni, a legal studies and finance junior who heads to Tallahassee next month to intern at the Gray Robinson law office. Both plan to attend law school and are thrilled to be part of the legislative process.

“This will do nothing but help us learn how to work in the legal and legislative fields,” Duffy said excitedly.

Duffy’s excitement is understandable. Alumni of the internship program have been hired by both state and federal legislative offices and other government offices, and several have been accepted to prominent law schools.

The gold award is given to organizations that provide at least 15,000 volunteer hours a year to Junior Achievement projects. UCF volunteers more than doubled that mark by donating more than 35,000 service hours.

The university joins 11 companies in receiving the award, including Walt Disney World, AT&T, General Electric and Bank of America.

“UCF through its service-learning unit is the largest volunteer source of any JA in the world,” said Craig Polejes, president of Junior Achievement of Central Florida.

The award was created in 2003 by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation for people who donate significant time to volunteering. In 2006, Junior Achievement became the certifying organization for the award.

Through the UCF and JA service-learning partnership in 2011-12, there were 2,079 classes taught by UCF students at 160 Central Florida schools, reaching 37,676 children, Polejes said.

UCF students teach children in schools about entrepreneurship, work readiness, how to become successful and to stay in school. In return, university students learn leadership, communication skills and critical thinking.

Polejes said UCF’s volunteers come from the College of Arts & Humanities, College of Business Administration, College of Education, College of Health and Public Affairs, College of Medicine,   Interdisciplinary Studies, Nicholson School of Communication, and the Burnett Honors College.

For example, in the College of Business Administration JA is incorporated into the Cornerstone course curriculum. Students spend at least 25 hours teaching JA classes and completing projects at elementary and middle schools.

UCF Provost and Executive Vice President Tony Waldrop and Fred Kittinger, associate vice president and director of state and local government affairs, also serve on the board of Junior Achievement of Central Florida.

“We’re extremely proud of this relationship,” Polejes said. “There’s been a lot of work and effort from many over 20 years, and we don’t take it for granted.”

UCF will officially be recognized at the President’s Volunteer Service Award presentations in New York in March.