Universal Creative is responsible for bringing to life the most relevant stories and popular characters through innovative attractions, immersive destinations and more at Universal Destinations & Experiences locations around the world.

Each semester, students join the Universal Creative team on-site at Universal Orlando Resort, where they learn first-hand what it takes to develop theme park rides and experiences, including the upcoming new Universal Epic Universe theme park.

Universal Creative Team Members also participate as speakers and as part of panel sessions where they share their areas of expertise. These focus areas include storytelling, design, engineering and safety, legal, budgeting, business analytics and other key skills needed when creating an attraction. Over 90 speakers from Universal Creative have participated since the program’s inception.

“Universal has gone above and beyond what I had originally proposed for the class,” says Peter Weishar, founding director of . “They’re showing us projects in progress like Epic Universe. They’re talking to us transparently about challenges they had and things they would have done differently. That kind of access is invaluable.”

“One of the benefits of the program being in Central Florida is that this is the epicenter for themed entertainment,” says Chris Oliver, vice president of engineering and safety for Universal Creative. “The students are learning from those who are creating the future of this rapidly growing industry. We try and show them everything that’s involved in creating and building attractions, to get holistic exposure from ideation to completion.”

At the end of each semester, students have the unique opportunity to present their original design concepts to a panel of Universal Creative leaders. The students receive productive critiques of their creative thinking, project design, management and presentation skills.

“I have a better understanding of how rides are designed [and] how theme parks are created,” says Christopher Harris, a current engineering student in the class. “I’ve gained so much knowledge and connections. To be able to talk to Chris Oliver and all the other professionals — I think that’s the best part of this class.”

“[Universal Creative has] brought in  professionals [with] 30 years experience. The exposure to those professionals is incredible.” — Karlyn Leander, themed experiences student and Universal Creative intern

Throughout the course, students meet with esteemed Universal Creative professionals from all different backgrounds and disciplines at Universal, such as engineering, operations, guest experience, ride design, finance and more. Many students — including Karlyn Leander, a current themed experiences student and intern with Universal Creative — say the networking opportunities are one of the top benefits of the class.

“Universal is investing in this program — training a new generation and finding a place for us,” Leander says. “They’ve brought in professionals that have 30 years of experience creating theme parks all over the world. The exposure to those professionals is incredible. It’s an industry of mentorship.”

Since UCF Creative Lab launched in Spring 2023, Universal has hired almost 40% of students who have participated in the class. Leander is one of those students. Through this program and partnership with UCF, Universal Creative strives to promote knowledge of careers in themed entertainment and inspire students who may not have originally considered it as a potential career path.

“When [students] start this program, they start to see it as an aspirational goal to work at [Universal Creative],” Weishar says. “It’s one of those classes that really confirms your passion for what you want to do for the rest of your life.”

The Creative Lab is offered through the themed experiences program in the UCF College of Arts and Humanities. Two courses are currently offered annually: a graduate-level spring course and a six-week summer course open to graduate and upper-level undergraduate students from any accredited college or university.

And there’s a plan to broaden the concept and expand the program into additional disciplines.

“This is the start of something bigger. I look forward to seeing it grow and exposing more students to what we do,” Oliver says. “It is important to all of us at Universal Creative who are involved in this program to teach the next generation what we do, and have what we built here continue on.”

A Dream Begins at Rosen College

Corey’s fascination with Disney started long before his time at Rosen, but it was at the college that his dream took shape and found direction.

“I’ve always been obsessed with Disney’s ability to tell stories that transport people to another world,” Clancy says. “But I didn’t know how to turn that fascination into a career until I came to Rosen.”

“I didn’t know how to turn that fascination [with Disney’s storytelling] into a career until I came to Rosen.” — Corey Clancy ’21, project coordinator for Walt Disney Imagineering

Graduating with a degree in entertainment management, a minor in theatre studies, and a certificate in theme park and attraction management, Clancy’s academic excellence was undeniable. But his commitment extended far beyond the classroom. Clancy was heavily involved in UCF’s Burnett Honors College, served on the Rosen College Leadership Council, was an undergraduate admissions student ambassador and participated in numerous student organizations while also volunteering outside of school.

His hard work and dedication didn’t go unnoticed. Clancy earned multiple scholarships, including the Harris Rosen Scholarship, and culminated his undergraduate achievements by receiving the Order of Pegasus, UCF’s highest student honor. After graduation, Clancy was accepted into the themed experience track of the MFA in theatre program, where he is currently continuing his studies.

Like many Rosen College students, Clancy got his start working in the parks at Walt Disney World Resort.

“I worked as a quick service food and beverage cast member, a safari driver at Kilimanjaro Safaris, and even sold balloons in the parks,” he says with a laugh. “Those roles taught me more than I could have imagined about creating moments of joy for guests.”

What sets Rosen College apart is its deep connection to Walt Disney World Resort, the top employer of Rosen students. With Disney Day events and direct pathways into internships, Rosen College students like Corey have a unique window into the world of Disney. “Working at Disney while studying at Rosen gave me a perspective that I couldn’t get anywhere else,” Clancy says. “I wasn’t just learning about hospitality in theory — I was living it, every day.”

But the real turning point for Clancy came in the classroom, where he found the tools and mentorship to chart his course toward Walt Disney Imagineering.

“Classes like Theme Park and Attraction Management and Leading in the Entertainment Industry were pivotal for me,” Clancy says. “They didn’t just teach me technical skills; they helped me figure out what kind of leader I wanted to be and how to turn my passion for themed entertainment into something tangible.”

Bringing Hospitality to Themed Entertainment

The lessons Clancy learned at Rosen College went far beyond textbooks and tests.

“At Rosen, I learned that hospitality is about more than just service — it’s about people,” Clancy reflects. “That’s something I’ve carried with me into every role I’ve had at Disney. Whether I’m working on a small project or something as big as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, I always keep the human connection at the forefront.”

Clancy’s time at Rosen was filled with experiences that mirrored the collaborative nature of Walt Disney Imagineering. “Those group projects taught me how to lead, how to collaborate, and how to pivot when things didn’t go as planned — all skills I use every day at Disney,” Clancy says. “Rosen really prepared me for the fast-paced, ever-changing environment of Imagineering.”

“At Rosen, I learned that hospitality is about more than just service — it’s about people,” Corey Clancy ’21, project coordinator for Walt Disney Imagineering

His professors played a significant role in his development, with Dr. Carissa Baker particularly recalling his blend of enthusiasm and drive.

“[Clancy] has always been immensely enthusiastic about the industry, but he combined that with strong motivation to achieve,” she says. “He is bright and inquisitive, really wanting to delve into industry topics to thoroughly understand them. Clancy is also conscientious and has a positive personality, making it easy to want to collaborate with him. He exemplifies our hospitality core.”

Baker, an assistant professor of theme park and attraction management at Rosen College who also sits on Clancy’s thesis committee, expressed her excitement for Clancy’s role in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. “He has always been passionate about The Princess and the Frog, and to see him tasked with this project was amazing. He is an emerging leader in the industry, and I cannot wait to see what he accomplishes next,” she adds.

Bringing Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to Life

For Clancy, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure was more than just a job — it was a deeply personal project.

“Princess Tiana has always been my favorite Disney character,” Clancy says with a smile. “Her story of resilience and hard work has always resonated with me, so when I found out I’d be working on her attraction, it felt like everything had come full circle.”

As a project coordinator, Clancy played a crucial role in bringing the reimagined attraction to life, overseeing the installation of cutting-edge technology, including brand-new Audio-Animatronics figures.

The attraction immerses guests in Tiana’s world after the events of The Princess and the Frog, showing her expansion into Tiana’s Foods, where visitors can explore her vibrant gardens and the artistic touches she brings to the bayou. Guests even become part of her Mardi Gras celebration, helping to find the missing band for the party. The audio-animatronic figures, including new critters and familiar faces, showcase some of the most advanced technology ever seen at a Disney attraction.

“I’m not an engineer, but Rosen taught me how to ask the right questions and collaborate with the technical teams,” Clancy says. “The project was a massive team effort, and my job was to keep the communication flowing between all the different departments.”

“[Clancy] always brought enthusiasm and energy to any project,” adds Jessica Richards, associate instructor in the events management program. “He is a great example of the values we hold at Rosen — professionalism, leadership, and service.”

One of the highlights for Clancy was seeing how the attraction represented a new era for Disney.

“This ride is about more than just fun — it’s about representation,” Clancy says proudly. “Tiana’s story brings a new voice and new experiences to the parks, and I’m honored to have been part of something that helps more guests feel seen and celebrated.”

The attraction opened in June 2024 to widespread excitement, and for Clancy, it’s a career milestone he’ll always cherish.

“Working on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has been the highlight of my career so far,” he reflects. “Being part of something that has such a lasting impact on people is what I’ve always dreamed of.”

Guiding Future Disney Leaders

Clancy’s path from Rosen College to Walt Disney Imagineering wasn’t just built on passion—i t was built on taking advantage of every opportunity that came his way.

“Internships were critical,” Clancy says. “Without my professional internship at Walt Disney Imagineering, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he says. “My advice to current students is to apply for every opportunity, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone — you never know what skills you’ll pick up that could help you later on.”

“The relationship between Rosen and Disney is invaluable. It’s what made my career possible. ” — Corey Clancy ’21, project  coordinator for Walt Disney Imagineering

Rosen College’s deep connection to Disney opens doors that other institutions simply can’t. Events like Disney Day bring Disney leaders to campus, giving students direct access to potential mentors and future employers. “The relationship between Rosen and Disney is invaluable,” Clancy says. “It’s what made my career possible, and I know it’s helping so many other students achieve their dreams, too.”

Corey’s work on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is just one chapter in what promises to be a long and exciting career. His journey from Rosen College to Disney is proof that with the right education, opportunities and a little bit of imagination, dreams really do come true.

As Corey looks to the future, he’s excited about what lies ahead, both for himself and for the field of themed entertainment.

“We create experiences that allow guests to escape, to leave the real world behind for a little while and just have fun,” Clancy says. “To know that I’m part of that process is incredibly rewarding. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish next.”

The TEA is an international nonprofit association representing the world’s leading creators of compelling places and experiences. Receiving this award from the TEA is considered one of the highest honors in the themed experience industry. Hundreds of international companies, individuals and attractions are judged each year against the industry’s highest standards of achievement.

The Peter Chernak Distinguished Service Award honors exceptional volunteer service to the TEA. According to an announcement from the TEA, Weishar was given the award for “his exceptional promotion of our themed entertainment industry through education, program development and support of our TEA NextGen members.”

Apart from his many years of service to the TEA, Weishar believes the award affirms the impact of UCF’s themed experience programs on the industry.

“I share this recognition with all of the individuals at UCF that have partnered and supported the Themed Experience programs and our students,” Weishar says. “While the award is for many years of service, I believe it was given now due to the tremendous impact being made on industry by the programs at UCF.”

Since 2018, Weishar has helped to establish UCF’s themed experience MS and MFA degrees as the first  program of its kind at a public university. The themed experience program focuses on giving students hands-on industry experience through partnerships with industry leaders like Universal Creative and Meow Wolf. Through involvement with TEA’s NextGen Initiative, students also connect with industry recruiters and professional development programs.

“The TEA is an incredible organization that brings a great deal of value to my students and me. Through its NextGen initiative, events, conferences and Summit, the TEA connects our aspiring professionals with industry leaders,” Weishar says. “It is quite an honor to be recognized by industry for the work we do at UCF.”

Weishar continues to pave the way for the next generation of leaders in the themed experience industry. On Tuesday, Nov. 22, Weishar will host a themed experience graduate program info session for those interested in enrolling in the program.

Called the UCF/Universal Creative Lab, the offering provides students with specially designed coursework and on-site sessions at Universal Orlando Resort, a unique vacation destination that has been creating epic vacations for the entire family and experiences that place guests in the heart of powerful stories and adventures. Class members will also have opportunities to interact with Universal show producers, engineers, creative directors, executives, and other industry professionals with the goal of providing students with an in-depth look at the design and development process.

“People love the energy and thrill of experiencing epic stories and exhilarating adventures and Universal is an incredible place to build a career,” says Mike Hightower, president, Universal Creative. “The Creative Lab with UCF gives students immersive, hands-on, real-world experience through instruction from our talented team. This kind of learning is great for UCF students, great for our theme parks and entertainment and great for Universal Creative as we help grow and inspire the next generation of creators.”

Further, the UCF/Universal Creative lab will help prospective theme park attraction designers and storytellers learn the skills and build the relationships needed to explore career opportunities while giving employers like Universal Parks & Resorts the opportunity to help shape real-world training programs that develop prospective talent.

“Universal Parks & Resorts has closely collaborated with UCF for many years, providing learning opportunities for students and faculty,” says John Sprouls, executive vice president and chief administration officer at Universal Parks & Resorts. “The Creative Lab is a natural next-step, and we are proud to support the next generation of themed entertainment innovators.”

UCF’s themed experience program — which includes an Master of Science degree and a theatre MFA with a track in the specialty — began in 2019 to meet the growing demand for creating experiences across the tourism, hospitality and events industry in Orlando and beyond. Themed entertainment experiences extend beyond the theme parks — to hotels, restaurants, retail establishments and even venues like zoos and museums. UCF’s first cohort of themed experience graduates completed their studies this spring, and quickly found themselves in an in-demand, rapidly growing industry in Central Florida before they even crossed the commencement stage. This fall, 62 students are enrolled in the two programs.

“Orlando is the international hub of the themed entertainment industry,” says Peter Weishar, founding director of UCF’s themed experience program. “World-leading organizations, like Universal Creative, are right here at our doorstep. We know our students need first-hand knowledge of the cutting-edge innovation and industry best practices to become the next generation of themed entertainment. We are grateful Universal Creative shares that vision.” Weishar has more than 20 years of experience leading academic programs and has held a variety of roles within the industry.

The first class will be offered to graduate students enrolled in UCF’s themed experience program. A second class will take place in Summer 2023 and be open to graduate and upperclass students from any accredited college or university. Students will split time between trips to Universal Orlando and on-campus workshops focused on developing original themed designs.

The partnership also comes with some scholarships opportunities to defray tuition costs that are designed to attract new students and talent to the field.

“This partnership will provide incredible opportunities for students,” says Jeff Moore, dean of the UCF College of Arts and Humanities. “Students from academic programs around the university have benefited from interning or working at Universal over the years. This new collaboration ensures that these opportunities are open to a range of aspiring professionals in an in-demand industry.”

“It makes perfect sense for this group,” says Alex Marcello ’14 of the entire cohort from UCF’s inaugural themed experience track, which happens to be the only program of its kind accredited by the National Association of Schools Theater. “We entered the program so we can design theme parks and bring stories to life for people just like us.”

You’d think Marcello had all the perspective she needed before joining the program in 2019. She already worked at Universal, first as a show coordinator and then as assistant manager of intellectual property. It’s natural to wonder if an untested master’s track would be worth her time.

“If I could go back three years and show myself the portfolio I’ve built through this program, it would blow my mind,” she says. “I had no idea of the possibilities it would open to us.”

Marcello’s classmate, Jordan Zauha, echoes her wonder. “The program gave me exactly what I needed: a new beginning.”

From Cornfields to the Big Apple to UCF

Zauha grew up in the heartland of Nebraska. His high school senior class totaled 41 students. He studied musical theater at Nebraska Wesleyan, which provided him the opportunity to perform in 25 stage productions while earning a degree.

“Glee was a thing at the time,” says Zauha, who turns 30 in July, “and Broadway was the goal for anyone in theater.”

Ten days after accepting his diploma, Zauha moved to New York. He worked in restaurants, stood in line for auditions as early as 5:45 a.m., and tried to make the story he imagined come to life. It didn’t take long for him to go broke.

“It’s the reality for a lot of young adults who love theater and chase the dream,” he says. “A friend of mine said it best: ‘New York is not what we imagined. This is not a city where experimenting will go well for us.’ I began to question the entertainment industry and whether I’d ever have a place in it.”

Zauha did some research and saw that regional markets were open to new ideas, new art, and new people. Orlando was one of those places. He’d been to Orlando as a seven-year-old when his dad took him and his grandmother to Disney World. He vividly remembers entering the gates, walking down Main Street, and believing he’d truly entered a different world. When he asked how it could all be possible, his dad said, “People created this.”

“When he said that, I started thinking about a group of people creating this living story for others to enjoy,” he says. “After I moved to Orlando almost 20 years later, certain moments triggered that memory.”

The most important moment happened while Zauha helped a customer in a clothing store where he worked. The man’s shirt depicting Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas and his Disney Visa card became the conversation starters. The man said his name was Peter Weishar and that he was about to start a new master’s program at Ů��AV in themed experience.

“The … Themed Experience (program) was designed to educate and train the next generation of creative leaders in the themed entertainment industry,” says Weishar, a professor and director of UCF’s themed experience graduate programs. “Themed experience is more than theme parks. It is utilized in exhibitions, museums, zoos, retail, dining, libraries and can be applied to almost any compelling space designed to convey a story. There could not be a better fit for this program than at UCF, located in the heart of the themed entertainment industry.”

From the very first week, students rethought whatever they believed about theme parks. Adjunct faculty shared stories about the nuances of design, the creative processes that few people will ever know about, and the people required to turn fiction an actual experience.

“There’s also a rule of thumb,” Zauha says, “that if you want to create themed places, then you have to immerse yourself in them yourself.”

He took a notebook whenever the class went to food truck gatherings or themed restaurants or the parks. He’d write about facades and architecture — the subtleties that opened his eyes wide as a 5-year-old, but later faded into the periphery of his tunnel vision to be an entertainer. The idea of actually creating an immersive narrative like a Harry Potter Experience or Super Nintendo World electrified him.

“The program has given me assurances that there’s a place for me in this industry,” says Zauha, who already has multiple job offers. “I have a peace about my future that I didn’t have three years ago.”

Creating the Rest of Her Life

Marcello has always wanted what so many kids and grown-ups want: to make pretend places come to life. Growing up, she and her friends played the The Legend of Zelda and fantasized what it might be like in a real-life theme park.

“It was a dream of mine to explore Hyrule in real life,” Marcello says. “I still wish it existed.”

She developed a talent for art and hoped one day to build a career around it. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Ů��AV in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis on art administration, Marcello landed a job at Universal Creative.

“I had no idea I’d fall in love with the industry and the collaborative environment,” she says. Marcello worked with a team that helped build Universal Beijing and she could see a clear career path in creative project management. But something kept tugging at her.

She’d always known she was an artist. Deep down she wanted to be the one who started with an empty blue sky, sketched out concepts, painted props and facades and made it possible for people to spend an entire day in an imaginary place. To do that, she needed to learn from people who have done it and she needed to build a portfolio.

“The themed experience program came along at just the right time and place,” Marcello says. “Peter has the credentials. The vendors who do a lot of the art are right here. We toured private creative studios that work directly with the parks, companies that are crucial in the process but that we wouldn’t know existed if we hadn’t seen them for ourselves.”

In the coming months, Marcello, Zauha, and the rest of the first themed experience cohort will begin to weave their childhood imaginations into actual experiences for future theme-park guests. “It isn’t as impossible as we once thought,” Marcello says. “But for now, we’re just going to enjoy a weekend at the park.”