The moves include UCF’s national-model DirectConnect to Ů��AV program and UCF Global, which among other responsibilities, manages international student recruitment, English language programs for students and the community, and international partnerships in education, research and business.

Other aspects of the realignment involve units that impact online student services, faculty training and development, and continuing education for working professionals.

“At UCF, we strive for constant improvement,” Johnson says. “These changes allow us to continue our focus on student success and the student experience.”

The reorganization by the Division of Academic Affairs will unfold throughout September with the following units and offices:

• DirectConnect to UCF and the UCF Connect Centers move to the Division of Student Learning and Academic Success, reporting to Theodorea Regina Berry, vice provost of Student Learning and Academic Success and dean of the College of Undergraduate Studies;
• UCF Global moves to the Office of the Provost, reporting to Tim Letzring, senior associate provost for Academic Affairs;
• UCF Online Connect Center and UCF Continuing Education move to the Division of Digital Learning, reporting to Tom Cavanagh, vice provost for Digital Learning;
• Office of Instructional Resources Classroom Support, Engineering, Programming and Project Management teams move to UCF Information Technology, reporting to Michael Sink, interim vice president and CIO.

The transitions for DirectConnect to UCF, the UCF Connect Centers and UCF Global coincide with the Oct. 1 retirement of Jeff Jones, vice provost for UCF Connect and UCF Global. Johnson praised Jones for his impactful work during his seven years at UCF and for his suggestions and insights regarding the overall realignment.

“The possibilities for this reimagining are exciting,” Johnson said. “As we move forward, success relies on the creativity and collaboration of our staff, faculty and partners.”

The agreement is one of eight between Florida institutions of higher education and TAU designed to boost research opportunities, academic collaboration and economic development, which were signed during a diplomatic trip organized by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The other Florida institutions include Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida International University, Miami-Dade College and St. Leo University.

Blockchain is a distributed ledger where data is “chained” together by linking encrypted blocks of information across a peer-to-peer digital network. It is most often associated with cryptocurrency, such as bitcoin, which is already disrupting established financial assumptions. Additionally, blockchain is poised to affect other industries, including medical technology, digital entertainment and cybersecurity.

“This partnership with Tel Aviv University will further our efforts at joint research on applications for blockchain technology,” says Jeff Jones, vice provost for UCF Connect and UCF Global. “The exciting opportunities with this emerging technology should be fruitful areas for collaboration with TAU.”

UCF offers programs in financial technology in response to the growing interest and evolution in the field due to innovations such as blockchain and cryptocurrency. The program is believed to be the first in Florida’s State University System. In addition, UCF offers a Master of Science in Data Analytics to train the next generation of professionals who will leverage large and complex data sets to drive innovation across the business spectrum.

Tel Aviv University established the Institute for Applied Blockchain Research in 2018 to be on the forefront of blockchain research and application. The institute is designed to accelerate blockchain entrepreneurship in global markets.

“Tel Aviv University is thrilled about collaborating with the Ů��AV in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly to blockchain innovation,” says Raanan Rein, vice president of Tel Aviv University. “As part of its globalization strategy, Tel Aviv University is strengthening its ties with universities in Florida in various cutting-edge research areas.”

By combining the resources of the two universities, this agreement provides Florida and Israel with opportunities to foster research, application and start-up success in blockchain technology. Blockchain start-ups will find increased expertise and partnerships in Israel and Florida, which in turn will provide more opportunities to create products and services that positively impact the local and global communities.

With world-class incubators and regional strengths in key innovation districts, including smart cities, healthcare, hospitality and immersive entertainment, Central Florida, in partnership with Israel, is uniquely positioned to become the global blockchain center of excellence.

The Pathway program was created to help student development, academic and career planning, and academic and social integration. The program was recognized with the annual WCET Outstanding Work (WOW) Award, which is presented to colleges, universities and other organizations for exceptionally creative, technology-based solutions to a significant problem or need in higher education.

“The new Pathway component of DirectConnect to UCF enhances the transfer experience for students, and is intentionally and purposefully designed using innovative features that will increase student engagement and success,” said Jennifer Sumner, director of Regional Campuses’ academic support services.

The program was launched as a pilot in January with students from each of UCF’s five partner institutions: Daytona State College, Eastern Florida State College, Lake-Sumter State College, Seminole State College, and Valencia College. Pathway was fully launched this fall. There are 120 students in the program, and now that it has been fully launched, Regional Campuses expects the numbers to grow.

To help students, Pathway:

Touch-points have been set up to guide students along the way, such as when to complete career assessments, declarations of majors, attendance at skills workshops, participation with various student groups, and guided assistance in meeting requirements for the UCF application and transfer process.

The Pathway uses online advising tools, and students can track their own academic and professional growth.

“What makes the Pathway unique and innovative are the exclusively created technology elements designed to engage the students,” Sumner said. “The Pathway is built and accessible within UCF’s learning-management system of Canvas, provides students with 24/7 online access to advising and resources, uses virtual advising tools such as chats and video sessions, and awards digital badges that are themed to enhance student engagement.”

Jeff Jones, vice provost for Regional Campuses, said Pathway is the culmination of work by Sumner, the state college partners, Regional Campuses and students themselves.

“All played key roles in developing this tool,” he said, “As always, our team puts the success of our students as our primary goal. We feel that the Pathways project will further enhance our students opportunity  for success.”

Cali Morrison, communications manager for WCET, said the Direct Connect to UCF Pathway was selected as an award winner because it answers a significant need with targeted goals and proven impacts in a creative and sustainable manner.

“It serves as a model to the entire higher education community of a replicable program for planned transfer pathways and support can make a difference for students,” she said.

The other winners for this year’s WOW Award are:

A fledgling ��AV program designed to ease that transition and ensure the success of transfer students has already earned national recognition.

UCF has had success with the DirectConnect to Ů��AV program, which guarantees admittance to students who earn an associate’s degree from one of four partner institutions: Eastern Florida State College, Lake Sumter State College, Seminole State College and Valencia College.

Now, nearly seven years after DirectConnect was established, it’s been enhanced by the “Pathway,” a support tool designed to work closely with students as they prepare to transfer to UCF. It provides students at two-year colleges with everything from online chats with specialized advisors to virtual campus tours.

“This is an attempt to engage students in the transitional process at an earlier stage,” said Jeff Jones, UCF’s vice provost for regional campuses. “The sooner a student can become engaged with an institution, the better their chance of success.”

The Pathway program went live during a pilot phase just two weeks ago, and though there hasn’t been any official announcement or marketing, 33 students at two-year colleges have signed up already. It has also already earned a gold award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, which Jones’ team will accept at a conference in New Orleans next month.

Among other things, the Pathway program provides:

At the center of the program is an online portal that provides 24/7 access to information and access to Pathway Team members. Students can use the portal to obtain advising through live chats, web-conferencing and hosted workshops. They’ll also find videos and other resources.

DirectConnect students can take advantage of the program from the beginning of their college career. As they progress through the Pathway, they earn virtual badges and rank up, climbing from Page to Squire to Knight and, finally, Golden Knight.

The Platform has the potential to help a large number of students succeed. More than 10,000 students transferred to UCF from other institutions in the 2014 academic year, and more than two-thirds of them came through DirectConnect.

It’s also good for UCF, because the university’s departments, including its 12 colleges, want transfer students to understand program and major requirements before they arrive.

“The more individual students we can help succeed, the better we are as a whole,” Jones said.

Visit  for more information about DirectConnect to UCF.

DirectConnect is a nationally recognized program that guarantees admission into UCF for students graduating from one of the four institutions. The state college partners – Eastern Florida State College, Lake Sumter State College, Seminole State College and Valencia College – prepared about 70 percent of the more than 10,000 students who transferred to the university in 2012-2013.

The new touch points for students include things such as completing a career-assessment plan; confirming early major declaration; completing a tour of UCF; and completing skills workshops related to academic planning, financial literacy and other topics.

“This enhanced pathway provides an intentional and guided support structure, where students are engaged with advising and services that will help them clarify their career goals and academic plans,” said Jeff Jones, vice provost of Regional Campuses, which oversees 10 Central Florida sites.

The milestones are critical to the early success of students desiring to DirectConnect to UCF. Additionally, once a student transfers to UCF, the university’s commitment is to engage them further during their first two semesters.

The students’ touch points at that level include meeting with their college advisor; attending advanced skill workshops involving resume writing, internships, and job search; meeting with community leaders; and other guidelines.

The pathway teams include professionals and students from each institution and include areas such as advising, student services, and enrollment services.

“They collaborate and coordinate the various needs and milestones of students as they transition from the state college to UCF,” said Pam Cavanaugh, assistant vice provost for student services and advising.

Student focus groups that have been conducted at each of the state colleges during the summer have produced feedback on what students prefer as incentives to participate. Also, a new badging program has been designed to reward and showcase the skills and achievements of the students along the pathway. Students can display the badges in their digital world “so we can create value for these achievements as we acknowledge them institutionally,” Cavanaugh said.

A new online portal also has been established for students to be able to track their progress, and pathway teams can verify and acknowledge their successes and progress.

“From a university perspective, UCF benefits from having stronger partnerships with our partnering institutions and from having students that are successful both in their academic programs and as UCF graduates,” Jones said.