The university recognized employees who reached milestone years of service, along with those recently retired or about to be. 麻豆原创 also presented a Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award and excellence awards in recognition of employees who made exceptional contributions to benefit the campus community.

鈥淲e celebrate your service, your dedication, and the impact you make across this university. But behind that recognition is something even more powerful: the daily commitment, the steady work, and the consistency that build momentum over time,鈥� says 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淭he future we talk about at 麻豆原创 is not something that begins someday. It is already taking shape in the work you do, in the systems you support, and in the experiences you create for our students.聽Thank you.鈥�

麻豆原创 this year brought a new category of Employee Leadership Excellence Awards, recognizing non-faculty administrative leadership at the director level and above. They joined the expanded Employee Excellence Awards, which highlighted the remarkable contributions of full-time employees up to an associate director level.

The employee event kicked off a Founders鈥� Day celebration that also included faculty and student celebrations. Combined, more than 900 honorees were recognized during the three ceremonies this year.

Here are the honorees from this year鈥檚 Employee Honors Celebration.

Excellence Awards

Employee Excellence Awards for Operational Excellence

Arijeta Kavaja, Public Safety

Cecily McCoy-Fisher, Office of Research

Anna Nye, Office of Risk and Safety

Cindy Prophitt, Facilities and Business Operations

Employee Excellence Awards for Student Success

Cynthia Almanzar, Student Success and Well-Being

Laura Czerkies, Burnett Honors College

Michael McKee, College of Optics and Photonics

Donna Mercado, College of Nursing

Employee Excellence Awards for Community Well-Being

Jodi Reinhart, College of Sciences

Lorna Rodriguez, College of Engineering and Computer Science

David Stoneburner, Office of Institutional Resources

Mykhael Walker, Analytics and Integrated Planning

Employee Excellence Awards for Service and Partnership

Drew Barnes, College of Graduate Studies

Faith DeLorenzo, Digital Learning

Lovelyn Findley, Advancement and Partnerships

Antoine Hart, University Strategic Communications

Employee Excellence Awards Nominees

Sadia Afrin

Cynthia Almanzar

Michelle Anchel

Otto Argibay

Anthony (Joey) Asti

Drew Barnes

Alexandra Barraza-Oliphant

Davalda 鈥淒ee鈥� Bellot

Jim Bennett

Miryana Blesso

Monique Carter

Laura Czerkies

Faith DeLorenzo

Lovelyn Findley

Amanda Greaves

Antoine Hart

Christina Hussey

Alexis Hutchins

Erica Hutton

Kat Jones

Arijeta Kavaja

Marsha Kernica

Melina Kinsey

Keanna Machado

Jay Malcolm

Chuck Mannella

Samantha Mason

Cecily McCoy-Fisher

Michael McKee

Donna Mercado

Traci Mibuta

Anna Nye

Steven Pardo

Diana Perez

Anthony Piazza

Cindy Prophitt

Frances 鈥淔ran鈥� Ragsdale

Matthew Rall

Jodi Reinhart

Lorna Rodriguez

Ashley Samson

William Self

Maricel Soto

Jennifer Stalzer

Emily Stettner

David Stoneburner

Jeremiah Taylor

Rebecca Underhill

Mykhael Walker

Denise Whiteside

Maria Williams

Employee Leadership Excellence Awards

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for Strategic Execution

Andre Watts, Analytics and Integrated Planning

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for People Leadership and Talent Stewardship

Andrea Withington, College of Community Innovation and Education

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for Advancing Collaboration and Partnership

Germayne Graham, Student Programs and Outreach

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for Innovation, Improvement, and Bold Action

Kim Smith, Office of Research

Employee Leadership Excellence Awards Nominees

Drew Andrews

Morgan Bauer

Austin Bott

Brian Boyd

David Canova

Megan Carrigan

Shafaq Chaudhry

Sherri Dixon

Madi Dogariu

Michael Duong

Amy Ellis

Gerard Flood

Steven Freund

Andrea Gandy

Delia Garcia

Germayne Graham

Stephanie Heron

Dana Juntunen

Kerlene King

Ashley Longoria

Ayanna Lopez

Carla McCabe

Rudy McDaniel

Amy Perry

Charlie Piper

Candida Richards

Elizabeth Richner

Cesar RiveraCruzado

Rex Roberts

Anastasia Salter

Wendy Sarubbi

Basma Selim

Kim Smith

Meghan Truhett

Suzzette Turner

Michael Wainstein

Tyler Walsh

Andre Watts

Danta White

Andrea Withington

Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award

Rosemarie Mendoza, Facilities and Business Operations

Emerita Status Awardee

Amy Giroux, College of Arts and Humanities

Employee Service Awards

45 Years of Service

Donna Hickson

35 Years of Service

Tina Maier

Michael Reed

Patricia Trovillion

30 Years of Service

Sharon Bady

Travis Cain

Adrianne Demetry

Francisco Dionisi

Joel Lavoie

Elizabeth Rivera

25 Years of Service

Herlinda Bedoya

Michael Bell

Abdulbaset Benwali

Terri Bigham

Bruce Boutwell

Olivia Bridges

Amy Buford

Cristina Caamano

Carlos Chardon

Keith Coelho

Janny Colon

Elizabeth Costello

Al Davis

Steven Dick

Rafael Durand

Sira Giron

Rebecca Hammond

Jonathan Hanie

Keith Honaker

Davina Hovanec

Latchmin Jaggernauth

Susan Jefferson

Georgia Kent

Michelle Matthews

Andrew O’Mara

Jennifer Opper

Naya Ramirez

Gail Raymond

Brenda Rodrigues

Timothy Ryan

Maria Santiago

Heather Simeon

Carl Truesdell

Meena Turner

Maria Williams

Dela Williams

Andrea Withington

20 Years of Service

Michael Aldarondo-Jeffries

Lindsay Archambault

Gloria Bastidas

Renee Bence

Eric Brewington

Daren Caine

Michael Callahan

Marc Cassidy

Robin Chan

Karen Cox

Kelley Dietrich

Matthew Dunn

Scott Eberle

Cecilia Elias

Samuel Ensenat

Marelis Figueredo Garcia

Matthew Fitzgerald

Scott Freeman

Glenn Gaborko

Tyniesia Gandy

Kelly Gill

Lindana Gomez

Brian Graham

Timothy Haduch

Jenny Hartman

Elizabeth Herrera

Sarah Hunt

Tamara Jomarron

Carreen Krapf

Ellaine Leodones

Marlene Lugo

Carlos Martinez

Deysi Mercedes

Heather Murphy

Uday Nair

Perla Ongy

Robert (Bob) Opdahl

Haresh Patel

Rachel Perry

Omesh Persaud

Sandy Pouliot

Christine Pugh

Luz Quintero

Maria Quintero

Christopher Rains

Tim Reid

Elizabeth Rodriguez

Terrance Rooth

Diana Santiago

Saul Santiago

Kathy Sapp

Basma Selim

Romeo Sibayan

Jeff Smith

George Taylor

Lynda Toussaint

Shreya Trivedi

Reina Vazquez

Tonya Walker

15 Years of Service

Marlene Agostini

Jose Arce

Lucy Bautista

Randy Beck

Aiza Beguez

Miryana Blesso

Carolyn Castro

Silvia Cerro

Lorinda Clark

Patricia Colyer

Theresa Davis

Dani Draper

Jennifer Elliott

Tamara Gabrus

Ernie Gemeinhart

Jessica Glaspie

James Grant

Lisa Haas

Allison Henderson

Maribel Herrera

Jason Kennedy

Ann Kershner

Usha Lal

Dora Laureano

Hank Lewis

Ujjwala Magdum

Jennifer Mark

Jessica Matos

Meghan McCollum

Amanda Miller

Tracey Morrison

Kimberly Nassoiy

Beth Nettles

Hoang Nguyen

Jorge Olmedo

Minh Phan

Rhett Proctor

Elida Prophete

Michael Pugh

Ligia Ramirez

Rebeca Richards

Maria Rodriguez

Daniel Sagendorf

Kimberly Sargent

Wendy Sarubbi

Nick Schenk

Dave Schreier

Lori Shuff

Jacob Skinner

Terri Smith

Suzanne Stalvey

Brian Strickland

Christy Tant

Freddie Tirado Jr.

Joanne Toole

Roger Tripp

Matthew Vaccaro

Tamara Vassallo Soto

Martha Wiggins

Wanda Wint

10 Years of Service

Danielle Adams

Terrell Alexander

Julissa Alicea

Lindsey Anderson

Nadine Arentz

Jose Ayala Torres

Morgan Bauer

Shaun Black

John Boehm

Kate Brinister

Danilo Canlas

Megan Carrigan

Melissa Choinski

Madhavi Chokshi

Lorine Cisch-Taylor

Lisa Clendenning

Shannon Colon

Robert Connors

John Cooke

Todd Coon

Richard Cortez-Satterlee

Joanna Couch

Brandon Couts

Meghan Crowther

Summer Davis

Katherine Del Cid

Vanessa Delgado

Gerald Dillon

Kerri Drylie

Mirvate El Jerdi

Shajira El Masri

Amy Ellis

Jerad Engel

Damian Fagan

Marites Falkenhausen

Sarah Farrell

Jessica Fasano

Ben Fauser

Melissa Fawcett

Janet Feliciano

Valentina Fernandez

Jason Francis

Neftali Garcia

Eileen Garner

Christopher Gase

Kristina Gomez

Agustin Gonzalez

Adriel Gonzalez Gutierrez

Ryan Goodwin

Liz Gordian Olmo

Walter Gordon

Rhonda Granger Gomez

Josh Haupt

George Hayner Jr.

Rita Higgins

Katherine Hoefer

Elizabeth Hughes

Erica Hutton

Renee Johnston

Nathanael Jones

Megan Kellogg

Brian Kelly

Mike Kilbride

Maureen Landgraf

Daniel Lee

Missy Lesnewski

Ian Levy

Sarojben Limbachia

George Lopez

Ricardo Lopez

Juan Lugo

Karemah Manselle

Kristy McAllister

Justin McGill

Pamela McGlinchey

Oliver McSurley

Rebecca Meadows

Nelson Mendez

Pamela Mills

Mike Minutelli

Eli Mizell

Angela Moreira

Rebecca Mowrer

Lauren Murray-Lemon

David Neese

Lucas Noboa

Loida Olivas

Jeffrey Panter

Steven Pardo

Juana Pasco

Laura Patterson

Deborah Pease

Miguel Pellot

Ryan Pendry

Karen Peterson

Wanda Pruett-Butler

Abner Ramos Pi帽ero

Erica Recktenwald

Samantha Redlund

Elizabeth Richner

Carlos Rivera

Victor Rivera

Lisa Roberts

Jacob Scholtz

Skender Shehu

Mari Sievinen

Kiela Sims

Aaron Smart

Liza Smith

Casey Smith

Esperanza Soto

Calvin Soto

Tenley Sterkel

Timothy Sullivan

Jackson Thevenin

Danielle Traylor

Wanda Tummons

Anna Velocci

Brian Villar

Stephen Villiotis

Paul Werden

Jonathan White

Barbara Wilson

Dylan Yonts

5 Years of Service

Lidya Abdelmalak

Elna Andreeva

Dana Archer

Linnette Aviles

Jessica Banos

Arismir Barreiras Peralta

Kristy Beitler

Summer Bernini

Abby Bertrand

Mayra Bonilla Torres

Melissa Braillard

Drew Bryant

Barbara Busch

Jess Camacho

Alexander N. Cartwright

Maria Ceku

Gianna Cifredo

Wilfredo Cornelio

Mario De Vera

Franco Del Pino

Mark Durbin

David Edgar

Lori Fiandra

Steven Fournier

Amoy Fraser

Raquela Garcia-Valenzuela

Melissa Gilliland

Luis Gonzalez

Marisela Guillen

Kathleen Hawkins

Robert Herr

Donna Jackson

Chase Jicha

Justin Kardach

Jamie Kaynan

Scott Langdon

Sarah Lardizabal

Kristeena LaRoue

Angela Lehman

Lucy Leon

Lawrence Lipe

Alex Lucchi

Marc Maheu

Alli Maiorano

Martha Martin

Reyner Martinez

Kate Mascheri

Angelica Mateo

Stephanie Mederos

Christopher Miller

Sarah Moore

Mindy Mozena

Lisa Myles

Iris Neil

Veronica Pak

Evgenia Pamer

Neelam Patel

Tran Pham

Cat Puckett

Monica Quimbayo

Michael Rivera

Marvecia Robinson

Leslie Rogers

Mary Rush

Luis Sanchez Artavia

Kyle Sindelar

Monica Smith

Yulisney Sotolongo

Garrett Spurlin

Jennifer Stalzer

Kimberly Stangle

Kenneth Steele

Lorenzo Stefko

Shari-Ann Stewart

Jane Stump

Elizabeth Tammaro

Jason Taningco

Raquel Toro-Espinal

Pia Valenciano

Thaina Velez

Danta White

Roksana Zak

Recognition of Retirees

Rafael Abreu

Yousef Ayoub

Pam Barkman

Suzette Batka

Emily Bennett

Richard Berwanger

Jeanne Blank

Patrick Blount

Parri Bolinger

Marcus Bowan

Deborah Bradford

Roanne Brice

Gary Burkhart

Rose Carpenter

Rick Catasus

Edgar Chavez

Willis Chico

Eunice Choi

Diane Claudio

Theresa Collins

Debra Copertino

Laura Crouch

Carol Davella

Karen Dlhosh

Debbie Doyle

Carol Ann Dykes Logue

Larry Eflin

Joseph Finnigan

Perry Fraser

Catherine Gholson

Amy Giroux

Robert Goater

Mariela Gonzalez

Tracy Griffith

Mark Gumble

Tania Gutierrez-Catasus

Martha Hamann

MJ Herbert Fuerst

Bethsy Hernandez

Ana Hernandez

Cherie Herrin

Michael Herring

Cathy Hill

Jane Ingalls

Wayne Jackson

Larry Jaffe

Daniel Kidder

Lee Kirkpatrick

Phyllis Kornegay

Melinda Kramer

Donna Leavitt

Ruben Lopez

Dennis Maddox

Kelli Marini

Janice Matley

Marcia Maukonen

Oscar Mauricio

James 鈥淛im鈥� McCully

Carrie McDowell

Linda Milner

Bruce Mink

Michele Monteith

Abderrahim Mouhassin

Christine Mouton

Jesus Munoz

Chuck Nicholas

Stephen OConnell

Leonardo Pascua

Esther Pennepacker

Rosario Pizarro

Brenda Posey

Michele Pozdoll

Odus Radford

Frances Ragsdale

Cindy Rahrle

Robert Reed

Wayne Regilio

Stella Restrepo

Kayonne Riley

Iris Rios

Charles Roberts

Norma Robles

Aimara Rodriguez

James Roop

Rosalba Ruiz

Eileen Ryan

Judith Samuels

Nicolas Santos

James Schaus

Jeanette Schreiber

Susan Schroen

Alison Schultz

Elena Sequera

Kelly Shilton

Michael Shumack

Shela Siegrist

Liza Smith

Karen Smith

Kathleen Snoeblen

Terry Stein

Peter Stephens

Patty Stroupe

Timothy Sullivan

Randolph Sulter

Jeffrey Ulmer

Lisa Vaughn

Luis Velozo

Rebecca Vilsack

Vicki Vitale

Deborah Walker

Kerry Welch

Maria Jocelyn Wick

Scott Wiles

Elena Wilson

Robert Wong

麻豆原创 is the only institution in the state of Florida selected to address the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 civil discourse priority as part of its Fund for Improvement of Postsecondary Education initiative.

The department from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE). Following a record number of applicants, 麻豆原创 was among the honorees with a four-year $3.4 million grant for our proposal 鈥� Civil Interactions and Viewpoints for Interpersonal Competence (CIVIC): A Campuswide Model 鈥� which seeks to protect and promote civil discourse on campuses.

鈥淭he future demands graduates who can collaborate effectively, navigate complex conversations and lead with integrity within varied professional environments, even when they don鈥檛 always agree.鈥� 鈥� Andrea Guzm谩n, 麻豆原创 vice president for access and community engagement

鈥淭he future demands graduates who can collaborate effectively, navigate complex conversations and lead with integrity within varied professional environments, even when they don鈥檛 always agree,鈥� says Andrea Guzm谩n, 麻豆原创 vice president for access and community engagement and CIVIC principal investigator. 鈥淭his grant allows us to prepare students not just academically, but to be thoughtful citizens and professionals. By integrating civil discourse skills throughout curricular and co-curricular experiences, we are helping students develop the communication and critical thinking skills that employers, communities and our democracy depend on.鈥�

What is the Fund for Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE)?

FIPSE is a discretionary grant initiative that supports innovative projects to address urgent national needs in postsecondary education. The funds awarded from this specific program competition empower institutions to develop and scale solutions that improve educational outcomes, strengthen institutional capacity and align education with workforce demands.

In November, the Department of Education announced four FY 2025 competition priorities focused on expanding innovative teaching and student success initiatives, promoting civil discourse on campuses, advancing accreditation reform, and building capacity for high鈥憅uality, workforce鈥慳ligned short鈥憈erm academic programs eligible for Workforce Pell Grants.

While 麻豆原创 was Florida鈥檚 lone representative selected for the civil discourse priority, the state saw Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic University, and its Commission for Public Higher Education, Inc. earn grants in accreditation. Hillsborough Community College earned funding for AI.

What is civil discourse?

鲍颁贵鈥檚 defines civil discourse as constructive conversation or dialogue which intends to enhance understanding, be productive and requires taking responsibility for truly listening and talking about important local, national and global topics/issues.

鈥淐ivil discourse is about understanding the other person鈥檚 viewpoint so you can come together to make thoughtful decisions in spite of having different viewpoints,鈥� Guzm谩n says.

Guzm谩n says she often hears students today are hesitant to share their own perspectives. She hopes that through this intentional framework, students will begin to feel more confident engaging civilly with those around them.

鈥淲hether students are in the classroom or just having a conversation with a peer, we want them to have the skillset and emotional intelligence needed for constructive conversations,鈥� Guzm谩n says. 鈥淭hey should still be able to walk away and respectfully say, 鈥業 still don鈥檛 agree with you, but let鈥檚 go get a burger and fries afterward.鈥� Too often, we鈥檝e seen relationships fracture because the skill of civil discourse has been lost.鈥�

How will 麻豆原创 use these funds?

鲍颁贵鈥檚 priority with this $3.4 million grant is to intentionally embed civil discourse and constructive communication skills into the everyday experience at the university through four main strategies.

Strategy 1: Faculty Learning Communities

The first strategy is geared toward . 麻豆原创 Director of Civil Discourse and Engagement Haley Winston 鈥�17贰诲顿 and a faculty fellow, yet to be named, will partner to create a curriculum to offer paid learning experiences via faculty learning communities each semester and a track at the Summer Faculty Development Institute. This curriculum will inform faculty on strategies and methodologies for building civil discourse opportunities into their classes. There are also plans to develop and implement civil discourse modules in new faculty orientation.

Eventually, 鲍颁贵鈥檚 course catalogue will recognize classes 鈥� much like it does now with service-learning courses 鈥� with a civil discourse designation.

Strategies 2 and 3: Student Orientation and Training

Two additional strategies are student-focused. One will collaborate with 鲍颁贵鈥檚 to include civil discourse modules at orientation.

鈥淔rom the very start of a student鈥檚 journey at 麻豆原创, we set the expectation that we are an institution where people can express their views freely and constructively, in a respectful way,鈥� Guzm谩n says.

The other will partner with to offer civil discourse training for both student employee onboarding training as well as a supervisor-specific training via its , preparing students to carry on these skills into the workforce after graduation.

Strategy 4: Mini-grants for Learning Opportunities

The fourth strategy is geared toward expanding co-curricular opportunities through the 麻豆原创 Ginsburg Center 鈥� Office of Civil Discourse and Engagement. Mini-grants will be offered to units and colleges who want to offer learning opportunities within their department or classrooms.

鈥淭his grant builds on work already underway at 麻豆原创 and allows us to scale it intentionally.鈥�
鈥� Andrea Guzm谩n

鈥淭his grant builds on work already underway at 麻豆原创 and allows us to scale it intentionally. It also enables the development of a pilot program designed to be replicated across the state university system,鈥� Guzm谩n says. 鈥淭he reason we are choosing to bolster programs like orientation and faculty learning communities are because these are existing infrastructures that almost every institution will have and can seamlessly incorporate.鈥�

What happens next?

The funding takes effect immediately. 麻豆原创 will invite faculty applications for the faculty fellow position during the Spring 2026 semester, with the appointment beginning in August.

鲍颁贵鈥檚 will also organize an internal implementation team to confirm year-one priorities, which includes aligning timelines, refining deliverables and establishing the infrastructure needed to support the work.

鈥淲ith every project we implement, we think about scale and long-term impact. The goal is always for meaningful, transformative work to live on beyond the grant,鈥� says Cyndia Morales Mu帽iz 鈥�13EdD, senior director of grant initiatives and partnerships, and CIVIC project director.

In addition to Mu帽iz, Guzm谩n and Winston, the project includes activity coordinators Joel Cramer, interim vice provost for Faculty Excellence; Chanda Torres 鈥�98 鈥�00MA 鈥�08EdD, assistant vice president of the Dixon Career Development Center; and Ryan Goodwin, assistant vice president for Strategic Initiatives.

In years three and four of the grant, 麻豆原创 will develop and host two symposiums for Florida鈥檚 State University System institutions and state colleges to share implementation strategies and lessons learned, providing a model that can be replicated at their own campuses.

鈥淭his is yet another example of 麻豆原创 leading the way to best serve our students and faculty and we look forward to getting started,鈥� Mu帽iz says.

Note: 100% of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 Civil Interactions and Viewpoints for Interpersonal Competence (CIVIC): A Campuswide Model is being financed with this federal funding and 0% of the program is being financed with non-federal funding.

鈥淲e are beyond thrilled to have a dedicated community partner in Florida Blue. Their unwavering support creates a healthier 麻豆原创 community,鈥� says Stephanie Spies 鈥�06 鈥�09MA, director of Wellness and Health Promotion Services. 鈥淔reshU Kitchen has evolved into a comprehensive care unit for our students, empowering one Knight at a time.鈥�

Florida Blue鈥檚 support is helping the FreshU Kitchen reach more students than ever, expanding access to fresh foods, hands-on cooking education and the nutrition resources Knights need to make healthy choices and thrive academically and personally.

FreshU Kitchen began as small campus gardens and has grown into a program that feeds thousands of students each year for free through equitable access to nutritious meals and cooking education. FreshU Kitchen has become more than a source of meals 鈥� it is a foundation for student success and well-being.

Last month, the kitchen celebrated its recent major renovation 鈥� made possible by Florida Blue 鈥� with a ribbon cutting. The funding allowed 麻豆原创 to acquire professional kitchen equipment and offer more cooking classes and demonstrations. It also ensures students have access to fresh fruits and vegetables while addressing food insecurity through quality nutrition.

The expansion enables FreshU Kitchen to grow from serving 8,000 students annually to more than 11,000.

“At Florida Blue, we believe that access to healthy food is a fundamental right, and we’re proud to support 麻豆原创’s FreshU Kitchen program in its mission to combat food insecurity and promote student success. This investment in the 麻豆原创 community aligns with our commitment to building a healthier Florida, and we’re excited to see the positive impact it will have on the lives of thousands of students,鈥� says Tony Jenkins, Central Florida Market president, Florida Blue.

Increasing Access to Health and Nutrition

The Division of Student Success and Well-Being is the hub for services and support that help Knights thrive. The division creates holistic experiences that empower students to succeed. FreshU Kitchen is a dynamic part of this effort, promoting healthy eating habits and nutrition education.

Poor nutrition contributes to chronic conditions like obesity and disease. Research shows that students who lack proper nutrition often struggle with concentration and learning. FreshU Kitchen addresses these challenges by providing healthy food and nutrition education that improves student health, enhances learning, boosts retention and helps them stay on track to graduate.

The change reflects the office鈥檚 expanded mission: not only helping new Knights transition to college life, but also engaging families and supporters as essential partners in student success.

鈥淥rientation, family programming and student transition initiatives extend well beyond the first year,鈥� says Adrienne Frame, vice president for . 鈥淭he new name more clearly communicates the breadth of services our students and families can expect and better aligns with how we describe our work across the university and nationally.鈥�

The FYE name has served 麻豆原创 well for many years, but as programs grew, it no longer fully captured the scope of the office鈥檚 role. NSFP now serves as the central hub for:

• Orientation and transition programming for new students, both first-time-in-college and transfer
• Family and caregiver engagement initiatives
• Resources designed to help students thrive beyond their first year

Students, faculty and staff will begin to see the new name appear in signage, websites, and materials over the next two to three weeks.

鈥淭his transition strengthens our work to transform student aspirations into achievements and empower all students to thrive through our BEAM framework, centering belonging, engagement, achievement and meaning from the very start of a student鈥檚 journey,鈥� Frame says. 鈥淲e are excited to continue this important work under a name that fully represents who we are.鈥�

The three-year grant will incorporate career resources into three areas: curriculum; the academic success coaching community; and technology.

鈥淎 diploma is a starting line for greater things. We want students to leave 麻豆原创 with the tools and confidence to find success on the job market,鈥� says the grant鈥檚 principal investigator, Assistant Vice Provost Kimberly Schneider, who oversees career planning and academic engagement. 鈥淭his grant represents an opportunity to expand our impact and improve the reach of existing platforms.鈥�

麻豆原创 is one of eight universities selected for grants from the Strada Education Foundation, which focuses on 鈥渃learing the path between education and work, especially for those with the most standing in their way.鈥�

At 麻豆原创 the $299,930 grant kickstarts three years of advancing scalable programs that impact the entire student body from the start of their journey as a Knight. It coincides with a period of growth and evolution for Career Services, including聽a recent $5 million commitment聽to career readiness programs from longtime 麻豆原创 supporter Kenneth G. Dixon.

The first focus area is curriculum. Drawing on the expertise of faculty, departments will partner with Career Services to strengthen courses with natural career readiness components. Career Services will also boost faculty interactions by growing a career champions program.

Second is expanding training for academic success coaches to incorporate career readiness into their day-to-day conversations with students. On the horizon are enhanced in-person trainings, web courses and toolkits designed to facilitate and equip ASCs to have those conversations.

Third is growing and marketing current technology outlets like the newly launched VMock resource and online job platform Handshake. With a student body approaching 70,000, it鈥檚 critical services are scalable and available 24/7, Schneider says.

鈥淲hat we鈥檙e creating is a comprehensive experience that prepares students from day one for the job market or post-graduate education,鈥� Schneider says.

鈥湵涔筲�檚 rise in prominence as one of the nation鈥檚 most innovative universities is a reflection of the collective boldness, creativity and excellence of our people.鈥� 鈥� Alexander N. Cartwright, 麻豆原创 president

麻豆原创 is also recognized as the most innovative university in Florida for the seventh consecutive year, according to the 2025 Best Colleges rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report.

鈥淭ogether, our students, faculty, staff, and partners are making an incredible impact as we transform lives, solve societal challenges, elevate our community and state, and invent the future,鈥� says 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright.

麻豆原创 stands tall alongside other top public schools in innovation, including the Georgia Institute of Technology, MIT and Purdue University鈥� 鈥� and ahead of UC Berkley, Harvard and Virginia Tech.鈥�

麻豆原创 continues to advance toward becoming a top 50 public research university overall and earned recognitions in several other categories:

• 

  Top 20 public university nationally for best undergraduate teaching.

• 

  Top 25 public university nationally for student outcome measures, including graduation and retention rates.

• 

  Top 30 public university nationally for social mobility, best value and nursing.

• 

  Top 50 public university nationally for engineering and computer science.

Last year, 麻豆原创 students completed over 28,000 internships, co-ops and service-learning experiences, while the university produced nearly 18,000 graduates, fueling Florida鈥檚 talent pipeline in key industries such as engineering and computer science, digital media, aerospace and defense, business and healthcare.

In all of those industries, students at America鈥檚 Partnership University benefit from the strong connections the university and its talented faculty have developed with leading innovative companies such as Lockheed Martin, Siemens, Northrop Grumman, L3 Harris, Duke Energy and NASA in engineering and computer science; AdventHealth, Orlando Health and Nemours Children鈥檚 Health in healthcare; Electronic Arts in digital media; and many others.

Elevating Student Success and Well-being

麻豆原创 is deeply committed to helping all students unleash their potential and succeed at 麻豆原创 and beyond 鈥� and Student Success and Well-Being division staff are always seeking new and innovative approaches to accomplish that goal.

One of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 newest initiatives is known as BEAM 鈥� Belonging, Engaging, Achieving and Meaning. It provides a framework to transform student aspirations into achievements and empower every student to thrive.

BEAM encourages students to explore opportunities to connect intentionally, actively and meaningfully with others, both inside and outside of the classroom; discover and utilize campus resources to support them on their journey to success; and develop, nurture, deploy and hone passions and interests to catapult their career preparation and success into the future.

麻豆原创 is also transforming student success in other ways. Every undergraduate student can connect with an academic success coach to ensure they have the support to succeed throughout their journey.鈥� The university鈥檚 academic success coaching blends traditional academic advising with coaching and innovative technologies to set goals, create realistic success strategies, and monitor success over the course of a student鈥檚 麻豆原创 career.

鈥淎ll of the things that 麻豆原创 provides for me, through Career Services, academic success coaches, even my peers and professors, have fully prepared me to go into my career.鈥� 鈥� Daniel Bogle, 麻豆原创 student

In addition, academic advocates provide targeted outreach and problem-solving to students to remove challenges adversely affecting their persistence and timely degree completion. Advocates and support students facing academic challenges and those assisted by high-touch support.

鈥淲hen I met with my academic success coach, she guided me through my freshman, sophomore, junior and senior year,鈥� says Daniel Bogle, a 麻豆原创 engineering student interning at Lockheed Martin. 鈥淲e decided when I want to take internships and when I want to take extracurriculars, and how I could do all of those things and still graduate on time.”

The university has developed multiple pathways for students to succeed, including DirectConnect to 麻豆原创, a partnership program with six state colleges that graduates more than 4,400 transfer students annually.

For student-athletes, Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir has achieved his bold goal of a 100% full-time job or graduate school placement rate for all graduating student-athletes.

40-Year Success: How Lockheed Martin Helps Students

Orlando 鈥� a national hub of aerospace and defense innovation 鈥� provides 麻豆原创 students with opportunities to get real-world experience with many top industry partners.

The Lockheed Martin College Work Experience Program (CWEP) provides one of the world鈥檚 leading global security and aerospace companies with a vast talent pool of undergraduate and graduate students studying engineering, business, finance, communications, mathematics, computer science and other disciplines.

For more than 40 years, Lockheed Martin has helped thousands of 麻豆原创 students build their careers. Many get full-time job offers from Lockheed Martin and other companies after participating.

鈥淐WEP cemented my desire to work in engineering as a career, and it also gave me a perspective while I was getting an education of how that was going to be used in the future.鈥� 鈥� Frank St. John 鈥�87 鈥�91MS, Lockheed Martin COO

Among 鲍颁贵鈥檚 CWEP alumni is Lockheed Martin Chief Operating Officer鈥�Frank St. John 鈥�87 鈥�91MS, who holds two electrical engineering degrees from 麻豆原创. His CWEP journey illustrates how transformational CWEP can be for students.

鈥淐WEP cemented my desire to work in engineering as a career, and it also gave me a perspective while I was getting an education of how that was going to be used in the future,鈥� St. John says. 鈥淚t was also beneficial for the company because they got to try me out as a part-time employee.鈥�

Dean of 麻豆原创’s College of Engineering and Computer Science Michael Georgiopoulos says over time, CWEP students become stronger in the classroom and exhibit more enthusiasm for their area of study when they begin to see how their academic learnings are applied in an industry setting.

鈥淏y spending time with Lockheed Martin, they get to understand a little better what their profession is all about. They become more confident, more mature, more talkative about their discipline,鈥� says Georgiopoulos. 鈥淭hey are able to understand why they are learning these important fundamentals in their coursework.鈥�

For almost all of the program鈥檚 40-year history, 麻豆原创 was the only university in the nation with such a partnership with Lockheed Martin.

World-class Faculty as Leading Innovators

Many of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 world-class faculty members are leaders and top innovators in their fields, and their expertise and passion for helping students learn give students an edge as they graduate and pursue their careers.

A longtime innovator, Carolina Cruz-Neira is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and recent inductee into the Augmented World Expo XR Hall of Fame. She is a pioneer in the areas of virtual reality, interactive visualization and digital twins. Her work has translated to standard tools in industry, government and academia.

She is known world-wide for being the creator of the CAVE virtual reality (VR) system and for transferring research into practice by spearheading several open-source initiatives, such as VR Juggler, and by leading entrepreneurial initiatives to commercialize research. She has over 100 publications and has been awarded over $250 million in grants, contracts, and donations.

鈥淚t is not well known that 麻豆原创 has one of the, if not the, largest concentration of VR researchers in the U.S. There is a strong ecosystem that generates many demands for VR, as well as use cases.鈥� 鈥� Carolina Cruz-Neira, professor

Cruz-Neira joined 麻豆原创 in 2020, drawn to the university for its strong programs and extensive network of partners and collaborators across a number of sectors, including space, defense, energy, entertainment and healthcare.

鈥淥f course, the strong reputation of 麻豆原创 as a leader in modeling and simulation ties very well with the ecosystem,” she says. “At this point in my career, the opportunity to have daily interactions, idea exchanges, and stimulating conversations with colleagues and students is the best environment for me to be in.鈥�

Many of her former students are now doing leading work in VR at places such as Unity Labs, Intel, Microsoft Research, Google, DreamWorks, EA, Deere & Company, Boeing, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and Argonne National Laboratory.

A National Leader in Preparing Nurses for Practice

鲍颁贵鈥檚 College of Nursing and the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion under construction at Lake Nona are ideal examples of both student success and an innovative portfolio of industry partnerships.

Through innovative technology and educational excellence both in and out of the classroom, 麻豆原创 continues to lead in educating future nurses to build a talent pipeline and address the nursing shortage. 麻豆原创 is ranked No. 39 among the nation鈥檚 Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs 鈥� second in Florida and among a top 30 among public universities.

Beyond the classroom, 鲍颁贵鈥檚 undergraduate nursing students receive valuable hands-on and real-world experiences to foster learning and skills development in order to graduate ready for clinical practice. Those student experiences includes innovative simulation-based experiences in 鲍颁贵鈥檚 STIM Center, a global leader in healthcare simulation education, providing vital health education and screenings through service learning in economically disadvantaged Central Florida communities, and training alongside professional nurses in clinical experiences at area healthcare partners.

The amount of simulation space available for 麻豆原创 nursing faculty and students will triple in the new .

“To be ranked, once again, among the nation’s best undergraduate nursing programs demonstrates 麻豆原创’s excellence in preparing future nurses for clinical practice and is a testament to our faculty and staff’s commitment to student success.鈥� 鈥� Mary Lou Sole, College of Nursing dean

With multiple bachelor鈥檚 in nursing degree tracks across three Central Florida campuses, 麻豆原创 has educated more than 16,000 Knight nursing alumni to date 鈥� 85% of whom live and work in Florida. Each year, 麻豆原创 graduates more than 260 newly licensed nurses and its graduates continually exceed both state and national averages on the national licensing exam.

With the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion on 鲍颁贵鈥檚 Academic Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona expected to open in Fall 2025, 麻豆原创 also will be able to graduate an additional 150 new Knight nurses annually.

This effort would not come to fruition if not for 鲍颁贵鈥檚 partnerships with many generous philanthropic donors who continue to invest in the success of 麻豆原创鈥� s nursing students: the Florida Legislature, Dr. Phillips Charities, AdventHealth, Orlando Health, Nemours Children鈥檚 Health, Martin Andersen-Gracia Andersen Foundation, the Helene Fuld Health Trust, the Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation, Addition Financial Credit Union, Roslyn and Jody Burttram, Parrish Medical Center and VNA Foundation.

鈥溌槎乖� will build upon these strengths to unleash potential in the new Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, addressing the nursing shortage and providing increased access to a high-quality nursing education for more future Knight nurses,” says Mary Lou Sole, dean of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 College of Nursing.

Social Mobility and Economic Progress

A college degree from 麻豆原创 brings innovative solutions to empower social mobility, paving the way to career and financial stability鈥痜or students, their families and the generations that follow them. Ensuring that every student has an opportunity to earn a high-quality, affordable education is a top priority at 麻豆原创. Higher education makes a positive impact by helping break the cycle of intergenerational hardship.

Many students face challenges and hurdles on their path to realizing their dream of a college education. Students of all backgrounds, including those who are first-generation or from disadvantaged families, must have access to the resources and tools needed to succeed. Eliminating achievement gaps and reducing barriers for students of all backgrounds and incomes has been a decade-long focus for 麻豆原创. This transforms the future for generations to come and creates a powerful ripple effect.

麻豆原创 is frequently praised for its social mobility efforts. Every year, the university graduates more than 3,200 first-generation students and 7,000 Pell Grant students. 麻豆原创 produces the most Pell Grant graduates among public schools and the second most among all schools nationally. The university is also among the鈥痶op 8% most affordable universities鈥痜or families below $75,000 in income.

鈥溌槎乖� really does want you to succeed, and they set you up for success. You just have to have the courage to take the first step to reach out. From there, everything else will fall into place.鈥� 聽鈥� Aliyah Gonzalez 鈥�21 鈥�23, 麻豆原创 alum

There鈥檚 a positive relationship between a student earning their degree and making social and economic progress. Higher education provides a path to achieving the life-changing benefits of upward mobility.

When Aliyah Gonzalez 鈥�21 鈥�23, a first-generation student, began her freshman year at 麻豆原创, it was a big change. She struggled to learn study skills and where to turn to for guidance.

鈥淚 literally remember getting lost every day my first week,鈥� says the two-time alumna. 鈥淎s a first-generation student, I didn鈥檛 have anyone to lean on for questions and to get that guidance. Navigating 麻豆原创, learning study skills, and learning how to be an efficient college student was a big learning curve.鈥�

鈥淥nce I graduated with my first degree with 麻豆原创, I couldn鈥檛 imagine myself anywhere else truthfully,鈥� says Gonzalez, who earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in health sciences and immediately returned to 麻豆原创 in the accelerated second degree nursing program. 鈥淚 had found my people, my comfort and so many opportunities.鈥�

Overall, online sports betting continues to surge in popularity, with a projected revenue of $100 billion in 2023, according to the American Gaming Association. Among college students, a 2023 survey revealed 60% of students gambled illegally and one in five used financial aid to support their habit.

The lure of 鈥渂ig wins鈥� and advertising that promises low-risk fun is often the starting line, says Stephanie Spies, director of Wellness and Health Promotion Services at 麻豆原创.

鈥淧eople only talk about their wins; they don鈥檛 discuss the losses,鈥� Spies says.

That culture of silence and the social nature of sports betting contribute to a lack of stigma, particularly as compared to something like substance abuse. When sports betting gets out of control, it鈥檚 easier to hide than other addictive behaviors until it鈥檚 too late, says Karen Hofmann, director of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

鈥淚f you鈥檙e failing at it, no one is aware,鈥� Hofmann says.

Developing a habit typically comes incrementally. For instance, a few bets and wins with friends over the March Madness season can still become problematic. That鈥檚 particularly the case when paired with other stressors like midterms, says Jennifer Calame, assistant director of Substance Use Disorder Services at 鲍颁贵鈥檚 Student Health Services.

鈥淪tudents feel like it鈥檚 not a problem because they don鈥檛 do it all the time,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut that doesn鈥檛 mean it can鈥檛 become problematic.鈥�

There are several signs that sports betting is out of control, including:

• Financial issues: Inability to pay bills, frequently asking for money
• Neglecting responsibilities: Skipping classes, staying up late to gamble, missing work
• Relationship issues: Irritability, compulsive behavior, lying

Hofmann encourages anyone experiencing issues with sports betting to reach out and seek help. It can feel overwhelming, but there are ways to cope and make better behavioral choices. Calame reinforces that message and would applaud any student with the courage to seek assistance.

鈥淭here is still hope for you,鈥� she says.

For immediate help, call or text the National Gambling Hotline: 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537). For free counseling, reach out to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 407-823-2811.

Learn more here:

Senior Lais Guimaraes personally benefitted from the recently launched Academic Advocates program, which provides targeted outreach to students at risk of falling behind academically. A native of Brazil, Guimaraes picked a double major in international and global studies and creative writing to realize a career in international aid.

Guimaraes鈥� online classes went smoothly up until her final semester, which required an intermediate French course to complete her degree that was only offered in person. That would postpone her graduation past the four years covered by her scholarships. Driving two hours from St. Augustine, Florida, to Orlando was impossible.

鈥淚 felt helpless,鈥� Guimaraes says.

A direct call from Academic Advocate Emily Asaro changed everything. Asaro worked for months with Guimaraes to find a solution and eventually found an alternative source for the class. The constant contact from Asaro reassured Guimaraes.

鈥淪he was so attentive and helpful,鈥� Guimaraes says.

Guimaraes is back on track to pursue that international aid career after graduating in August. Asaro says that鈥檚 the greatest reward.

鈥淭hese students have such big goals and dreams; I can see their potential,鈥� she says. 鈥淎ny part I or any of the advocates can play in smoothing their path to achieve those goals is worth it.鈥�

Individual success stories are a great source of motivation, and the data back up the anecdotes.

麻豆原创 continues to set new records for student retention, including a new 98.3% return rate for first-year undergraduate students from Summer/Fall 2023 to Spring 2024.聽 More than 7,000 students continued their first year at 麻豆原创, a promising signal for their future four-year graduation rates and eventual job placement.

鈥淭his new record demonstrates that the university鈥檚 commitment to student success and well-being 鈥攐ur top priority in our strategic plan 鈥� is showing results,鈥� says Paul Dosal, senior vice president for student success. 鈥淭his high fall-to-spring-retention-rate is a credit to the faculty and staff who work tirelessly to ensure students thrive academically and socially at 麻豆原创.鈥�

Students are also finding benefit in Knightbot, a chat bot that can answer questions about over 1,200 topics, including financial aid, admissions, registration, housing, finding contacts, and policy information. Currently the chat bot answers 3,100 incoming questions a week across dozens of 麻豆原创 websites, offering students 24/7 access to information.

An additional text feature provides targeted reminders to students about financial aid updates and deadlines, enrollment announcements and other key opportunities.

More recently, 麻豆原创 is redefining student support by coupling traditional advising with success coaching, allowing for more proactive, ongoing relationships with students. Under 鲍颁贵鈥檚 new Academic Success Coaching model, each student will have an assigned academic success coach. They will work together on academic, professional, and personal goals, with the coach helping the student to strengthen the skills need to reach those goals.

鈥淭o improve our final outcomes, and to help students reach their established goals, we鈥檙e focusing on the starting line,鈥� says Jenny Sumner, assistant vice president of academic success coaching, and executive director of the 麻豆原创 Higher Education Coaching Academy.

Academic Advocates like Asaro use data to provide targeted outreach to students falling behind. Conversations with the students reveal the obstacles holding them back 鈥� such as financial aid, housing or 聽academic challenges 鈥� and advocates directly connect them with available resources. This extension of the relational approach to advising shrinks an institution the size of 麻豆原创 and grows a sense of community, says Lucas Noboa, senior director for academic advocacy.

“鲍颁贵鈥檚 size gives us an advantage because we can offer students multiple tools to push past any hindrances,鈥� Noboa says. 鈥淲hat we鈥檙e focusing on now is increasing personal, relational assistance that offers a plan uniquely tailored to the students鈥� needs.鈥�