But sometimes, she found, things get in the way of dreams ā€“ such as experiencing difficulties being away from home, adjusting to college life, living out of your car temporarily, and working multiple jobs to stay out of debt.

Her renewed focus and hard work will pay off Friday morning, however, when she graduates from the Ā鶹Ō­““ā€™s Rosen College of Hospitality Management with a bachelorā€™s degree in the field she eventually discovered and fell in love with: event management.

ā€œI’ve had quite a ride over the last five and a half years,ā€ said Klingler, 23. ā€œSome of my time was not the brightest point in my life.ā€

Klingler graduated from high school in Indialantic and said that at Ā鶹Ō­““ ā€œstepping onto the main campus that was the size of a city really brought me a lot of different perspectives and a broader view of the world. Everything was like a culture shock and trying to keep up with being an adult.ā€

Being on her own the first year away from home, however, was difficult to adjust to and she said she struggled with college classes.

She switched to Valencia College, where she earned her AA and where she said she had time to figure out what she really wanted to do.

ā€œI’ve run quite a few races [nine half marathons, a full marathon and smaller distances]. I really loved the atmosphere there and started to think about how it would be to plan events like that,ā€ she said. ā€œI came back to Ā鶹Ō­““ through Rosen…I loved it and the smaller campus.ā€

Klingler credits Vanessa Cogswell, assistant director of student services and director of the collegeā€™s Peer Outreach Mentoring Program, with putting her on the path to graduation.

ā€œShe is one of the most giving people I’ve met onĀ the campus,ā€ Klingler said. ā€œShe had a support program called POMP that really made me feel like there were people to talk to.ā€

But the joy of returning to Ā鶹Ō­““ was met soon by other new hurdles unrelated to school.

She found someone online to move in with, but after giving the woman a security deposit and first monthā€™s rent, her new roommate said she had been fired from her job. A week later the woman moved but did not return any deposits. Since Klinglerā€™s name wasnā€™t on the lease and she couldnā€™t afford the place on her own, the next six months she lived out of her car and sometimes at friendsā€™ places, all the while working two jobs and attending classes.

Her father was living in Melbourne and her mother out of state, but she felt she couldnā€™t ask them to help financially.

ā€œThey had both helped me a lot already with money for books and clothes or groceries,ā€ she said. ā€œI have a very hard time asking for help because they had already given so much to me.ā€

By April 2015 she had saved up enough to find her own apartment and was half way through her Rosen coursework, but a month later as she was driving back home on the interstate from Sarasota, another car plowed into her and slammed her car into a concrete barrier.

Again, she had to step back and pick up the pieces.

She considered dropping out, but she said she really loved the Rosen campus and enjoyed her classes.

ā€œIn the back of my mind, I knew finishing my degree at this elite hospitality school was my best option,ā€ Klingler said.

Rosenā€™s Cogswell said the studentā€™s path is an inspiring story of resilience and persistence.

ā€œIt was not an easy journey from changing her major and the life circumstances that she had to overcome, but she took advantage of the opportunity that she had earned,ā€ Cogswell said. ā€œThrough all of the trials and tribulations, she dedicated herself to completing a degree.ā€

Looking ahead, Klingler said she has found a passion for planning events in the emerging field of eSports, competitions that are facilitated by electronic systems and where prize pools have reached into millions of dollars.

ā€œThat’s my new goal, and five and a half years after starting with anthropology in mind, I’m finally ready toĀ finish my last courses and begin a great career in events,ā€ she said.

ā€œI’mĀ hopingĀ toĀ becomeĀ a pioneer in the eSports industry as it becomes more prominent. I see myĀ life as a big adventure and can’t wait for the next chapter.ā€

The eventā€™s theme was ā€œThe Grand Revealingā€ to symbolize the relationships and support system fostered within the program. Deborah Weissberg, an instructor at Rosen College, served as the eveningā€™s keynote speaker and former POMP member and CEO of BlurtBox, Julien Meyer, ā€˜14, gave closing remarks.

POMP, which pairs upper-level undergraduate students with peers who are looking to enhance their college experience, continued its record of outstanding academic results in Fall 2015:

From Spring 2012 to Fall 2015 (not including summers), 95 percent of students who participated in POMP improved their Ā鶹Ō­““ cumulative GPA with an overall retention rate of 97.4 percent. The program also attained a 47 percent overall success rate in helping students who were on academic probation obtain good standing by the end of the term in which they participated in the program.

When POMP began in Fall 2011, it started with a group of 11 members. It has since more than quadrupled its membership to 61 as of Spring 2016. Giving mentees an opportunity to lead and eventually become peer mentors has proven to be a winning formula and bi-weekly meetings keep all participants engaged throughout the process. The regular interaction also builds relationships that help foster a support system between the mentors and mentees, which has been critical to the programā€™s success. POMPā€™s slogan is ā€œPartnering to reveal the hospitality leader withinā€ and over the years, the mentoring program has truly transformed into a leadership program.

Each semester, students hear presentations and participate in activities that aid in their personal, professional and academic growth. During the Spring 2016 semester, POMP members volunteered at the National Academic Advising Association Region 4 Conference. This event provided an opportunity to practice their public speaking skills, gain experience in conference planning and exposed them to academic advising at the university level.

In 2014, POMP helped form the first Rosen College Knight-Thon team. is Ā鶹Ō­““ā€™s largest, student-run philanthropy benefiting the Greater Orlando Childrenā€™s Miracle Network. In its first year, the team was comprised of three POMP members and raised about $2,000. This year, nine POMP members participated and the team of 10 raised about $7,000, earning them the Rising Knight Award for the highest percentage increase in fundraising.

For more information about joining Rosen Collegeā€™s Peer Outreach Mentoring Program as a mentor or mentee, please contact Vanessa Cogswell.

Hereā€™s a brief recap of POMPā€™s main community service activities in 2015:

4th Annual Pack to Attack Hunger 2015

On Nov. 14, POMP students joined other Ā鶹Ō­““ students at the CFE Arena to package healthy meals for hungry children and families. Currently, one in six Floridians struggle with hunger every day. In total, the event packaged 151,000 meals for local children and families, 10,000 of which were sent to Zambia in Africa to feed orphans through the Family Legacy Zambia Tree of Life Organization.

1st Rent-A-Pup Event

The mission of Knight-Thon, Ā鶹Ō­““ā€™s Miracle Network Dance Marathon and largest student-run philanthropy, is to educate, inspire and unite our campus and community to provide ongoing support for Greater Orlando Childrenā€™s Miracle Network Hospitals. Student teams raise money year-round through fundraising events and personal appeals. In the spring, students stand for 20 hours to celebrate their fundraising efforts and the children they have raised money to support.

In 2014, POMP and Rosen Life partnered to create the first Rosen College Knight-Thon team and raised more than $2,000.Ā On Nov. 2, POMP partnered with Pet Rescue by Judy to fill the Rosen College campus with puppies that students could ā€œrentā€ in exchange for donations to Knight-Thon. The event raised more than $500 in just four hours.

Ā鶹Ō­““ā€™s Dance Marathon will be held at the CFE Arena on April 2.Ā The Rosen College Miracle Makers team fundraising goal is $3,000.

From Spring 2012 to Spring 2015 (not including summers), 94.9% of students who participated in POMP improved their Ā鶹Ō­““ Cumulative GPA with an overall retention rate of 96.8%. The program also attained a 42.5% overall success rate in helping students who were on academic probation obtain good standing by the end of the term in which they participated in the program.

Pairing undergraduate students with their peersĀ who have faced difficulties and/or obstacles in the past has proven to be a winning formula, and bi-weekly meetings keep all participants engaged throughout the process. The regular interaction also builds relationships that help foster a support system between the mentors and mentees, which has been critical to the programā€™s success. POMP inspires confidence to believe that anything is possible, said a mentee, who encouraged others to join the program. The benefits go both ways as mentors gain personal satisfaction and growth from the experience of helping others. One mentor credited POMP for teaching how to listen and learn outside the classroom, in addition to honing skills like patience, understanding and time management.

Each semester, students hear presentations and participate in activities that aid in their personal, professional and academic growth. During the Spring 2015 semester, POMP members assisted with a new Rosen College transfer initiative to engage transfer students early on in the process of transitioning to Ā鶹Ō­““. They visited classrooms at Valencia College and gave testimonials about their journey and experience, in addition to helping plan and execute the first Rosen College Admitted Student Welcome Event. POMP participants also donated their time to worthy causes like Knight-Thon, Ā鶹Ō­““ā€™s largest, student-run philanthropy, organizing Rosen Collegeā€™s first ever team.

POMP concluded another successful year with the 3rd Annual Mentorship Ceremony on April 9. Students chose the eventā€™s theme, ā€œTaking Flight,ā€ and Katie Worthington, ’05, a Rosen College graduate and current President/CEO of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, was the keynote speaker. Later that evening, senior Brittani James received the Peer Mentor of the Year AwardĀ and a $1,000 scholarship, senior Aaron Rozenblat received the Mentee of the Year Award and Jeremy Wilcox, ’07, ’13 was named Alumni Mentor of the Year. Dr. Ian King, a board member for the Learning Institute for Elders (LIFE), was presented a gift and certificate of appreciation for the $500 Competitive Grant that LIFE awarded POMP in Fall 2014. Mr. Don Ratliff, president of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), was also recognized for his organizationā€™s $4,000 donation.

Visit Rosen College’s website for more information about the . To enroll in the program as a mentor or mentee, please contact Vanessa Cogswell.

Senior restaurant and foodservice management major Ryan Burke received the Mentee of the Year Award and senior Jacqueline Gonzales, a hospitality management and event management double major, received the Mentor of the Year Award. Gabrielle Mourino, ’11 was honored with the Alumni Mentor of the Year Award.

ā€œI am extremely proud of this yearā€™s POMPers as they continue to make more and more contributions to the program,” said Vanessa Cogswell, POMP director and Rosen College academic services coordinator. “For example, Leigh Andrzejewski and Mauricio Claros created our first poster, Chaz Tommasini and Katrina Godlewski helped develop our first brochure, and even the families of several POMP participants donated to the 2014 Mentorship Ceremony. The success of the program is attributed to their hard work and the investments they have each made to make it better.ā€

The program,Ā which helps at-risk, probationary and readmitted students improve their grades through peer mentorships, has earned high marks and garnered accolades for its success. It currently boasts a 96.72% overall success rate and a 98% overall retention rate.

Rosen College would like to thank its partners for their generous contributions to POMP:

• Ā鶹Ō­““ Alumni Association
• Ā鶹Ō­““ Career Services
• Adamsonā€™s Orchids
• Area 51 Graphics, LLC
• Lydia Sedely, Chick-Fil-A
• Rosen College Bookstore
• Bradley Loomis
• Julien Meyer
• Jamie and Tammie Sykes
• Barbara Thompson
• Sheila Vargas
• Katie Worthington
• Jennifer Wright

For more information about POMP, visitĀ hospitality.ucf.edu/pomp. Students who wish to enroll in the program as a mentee or mentor should contact Vanessa.Cogswell@ucf.edu.

Cogswell is the academic services coordinator for Rosen College’s Office of Student Services and the creator of its award-winning , which pairs struggling students with peer mentors who have a minimum GPA of 3.0. She shared her expertise with colleagues on a national stage when she was selected to present on the topic of peer advising and mentoring at NACADA’s 36th Annual Conference in 2012.

Under Cogswell’s leadership, this award-winning mentoring program has consistently produced impressive results since its inception in the fall of 2011. From Spring 2012 to Fall 2013 (not including summers), POMP helped 97% of participating students improve their Ā鶹Ō­““ Cumulative GPA with an overall retention rate of 98%. It also attained a 42% overall success rate in helping students who were on academic probation obtain good standing by the end of the term in which they participated in POMP.

“We’re incredibly proud of Vanessa’s contributions to Rosen College and this recognition is very well-deserved,” said Lori Ashby, director of student services at Ā鶹Ō­““ā€™s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. “Her work with POMP has positively impacted many students’ lives and this award is further proof of the amazing difference she’s making at Ā鶹Ō­““.”

Since its inception in the fall of 2011, this award-winning mentoring program has consistently produced impressive results. From Spring 2012 to Fall 2013 (not including summers), POMP helped 97% of participating students improve their Ā鶹Ō­““ Cumulative GPA with an overall retention rate of 98%. It also attained a 42% overall success rate in helping students who were on academic probation obtain good standing by the end of the term in which they participated in POMP.

ā€œI am so proud of the accomplishments of our POMP members,” said Vanessa Cogswell, academic services coordinator for Ā鶹Ō­““’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management and program creator. “The investment and feedback of past and current members have been an integral part of the programā€™s success.ā€

Pairing undergraduate students with GPAs above 3.0 with studentsĀ who have faced difficulties and/or obstacles in the past has proven to be a winning formula, and bi-weekly meetings keep all participants engaged throughout the process. Ā The regular interaction also builds relationships that help foster a support system between the mentors and mentees, which has been critical to the program’s success.

During each semester, students hear presentations and participate in activities that aid in their personal, professional and academic growth. For example, during the Fall 2013 semester, mentor and mentee pairs worked together on a POMP Pineapple Challenge to create a poster that would help market the program. This gave students an opportunity to work together on something that would have a positive impact on POMP in the future. After each poster was presented, the group chose Leigh Andrzejewski and Mauricio Claros’ submission to represent POMP.

Cogswell also encourages POMP participants to volunteer; each member is required to volunteer at one service event during the term with their peer mentor or mentee. Last semester, students lent their time and effort at the Catering Summit, the United Way Campaign’s 5th Annual Critical Needs Drive ā€“ Knights Pantry and Give Kids the World ā€“ Knights Give Back.

For more information about POMP, visit https://hospitality.ucf.edu/peer-outreach-mentoring-program/. To enroll in the program as a mentor or mentee, please contact Vanessa Cogswell at vanessa.cogswell@ucf.edu.

Over the past year, POMP has averaged a 95% success rate, and even earned national praise during the National Academic Advising Associationā€™s 36th Annual Conference.

Cogswell won the Judy Boyte award due to the success of her program through her unique coaching framework.

ā€œIn sports, a coach brings a team of people together to accomplish a common goal,ā€ said Cogswell. ā€œI took this concept and applied it to the Peer Outreach Mentoring Program. By building camaraderie among the students and empowering them to contribute to the group, they are working as a team to successfully reach their goal.ā€

POMP pairs struggling students with peer mentors to deliver presentations on important academic and social topics, such as test-taking strategies and stress management tips, during the programā€™s biweekly meetings. The goal of this effort is to not only gain organizational and scholarly advice, but the camaraderie between the mentors and mentees creates a support system.

ā€œPOMP is a support system for students who need a little extra encouragement, direction or advice,ā€ said Cogswell. ā€œOur peer mentors must not only be able to help their mentees academically, but must also be able to empathize with them. That balance offers the support that our members need to succeed.ā€

Cogswell has also integrated alumni mentors and guest speakers into her program, who engage and motivate both the mentees and mentors.

ā€œThe innovative efforts by Ms. Cogswell motivate and empower all of her POMP members,ā€ said director of student services Lori Ashby, who nominated Cogswell for the Judy Boyte Award. ā€œShe is truly an outstanding academic advisor who has had an impact on studentsā€™ success.ā€

The Judy Boyte Award celebrates outstanding innovation in academic advising. The award is named in honor of Judy Boyte, the first professional academic advisor at Ā鶹Ō­““, who established the first academic advising office, advising policies, and academic standards.

Students, who wish to enroll in the program as a mentee or mentor, should contact Vanessa Cogswell atĀ Vanessa.Cogswell@ucf.edu.

According to POMPā€™s director, academic services coordinator Vanessa Cogswell, ā€œat its core, the success of the Program is rooted in the relationships of the mentors and mentees. Students have an easier time applying the advice of their peers, as opposed to a professor, parent or an advisor, because they have taken the same classes and/or faced similar challenges, and can therefore better relate to their common experiences.ā€

Through the Programā€™s bi-weekly meetings, hosted during the fall & spring semesters, struggling students can interact with their peer mentors to discuss different academic and social topics, such as test-taking strategies and stress management tips.

Mentors must not only meet the minimum academic standards of a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better, but must also successfully interview with Cogswell to ensure advising capabilities.Ā  Cogswell is also planning to implement ā€œtrainingā€ modules for the Fall 2012 term to add more substance to the Program’s orientation session.

ā€œPOMP is a support system for students who need a little extra encouragement, direction or advice,ā€ said Cogswell. ā€œOur peer mentors must not only be able to help their mentees academically, but must also be able to empathize with them. That balance offers the support that our members need to succeed.ā€

In its brief two-term history, POMP has helped remove more than half of its total membership from academic probation, and recently helped 10 mentees to finish the spring semester with a 3.0 term GPA or better.

ā€œThe Program has been so successful that Dean Pizam wants to help recognize POMPā€™s accomplishments with a ceremony and certificates,ā€ said Cogswell. ā€œHe would also like to honor a Mentor of the Year with an award presented to the winner at the ceremony.ā€

In addition to the acknowledgement from the Dean of Ā鶹Ō­““ā€™s Rosen College, the Programā€™s success was also recognized by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).

ā€œI submitted a proposal to NACADA about POMPĀ to present at their National Conference in Nashville, TN this October,ā€ said Cogswell. ā€œMy proposal, titled Peer Outreach Mentoring Program ā€“ Building Empowerment through a Coaching Framework in the Era of the ā€˜Millennial Studentā€™, was accepted out of thousands of proposals from advisors employed by colleges & universities across the nation.ā€

This summer, Cogswell will meet with members to discuss the future plans of POMP, including ways to help the Program become a funded organization or association.

POMP will resume its regular bi-weekly meeting at the beginning of the Fall 2012 term.

Students, who wish to enroll in the Program as a mentee or mentor, should contact Vanessa Cogswell at Vanessa.Cogswell@ucf.edu.

POMP, the first all-student mentor program at the Rosen College, was formed during the Fall 2011 semester under the direction of Academic Services Coordinator, Vanessa Cogswell.

ā€œWe created this program to offer a support system to students already on academic probation, as well as at-risk students,ā€ said Cogswell. ā€œThe goal of POMP is not only to help students improve their GPAā€™s, but also to teach them to cope with stress, grief and other social issues that affect a college studentā€™s life.ā€

Cogswell believes that students have an easier time relating to their peers because they have taken the same classes and faced similar challenges, and can therefore offer advice based on first-hand experience.

ā€œNot only is there a minimum academic standard for our student mentors, but we interview each one to make sure theyā€™re capable of advising a mentee,ā€ said Cogswell. ā€œWe look for mentors that are goal oriented, who like to lead, are nurturing, encouraging and can ultimately empathize with the mentees.ā€

POMP currently hosts bi-weekly meetings, in which mentors facilitate an academic activity, such as test taking strategies, followed by a social activity, such as stress management. Each meeting also includes icebreakers and a refreshment break in order to help build relationships and a sense of camaraderie within the group.

During its inaugural semester, mentees who attended two or more meetings saw an average increase of .85 in their term GPA, and those that attended at least one meeting and had active contact with their mentor saw an average increase of 1.41 in their term GPA. Additionally, all of the mentees who entered the program on academic probation and had attended at least one meeting were removed from academic probation at the end of the Fall 2011 term.

Cogswell credits the programā€™s success to its great group dynamic, productive relationship building and its goals. The success of the program sparked a new rule for readmitted students, who are now required to attend POMP meetings.

ā€œIn a single semester, weā€™ve evolved from a small group to 23 mentors and 20 mentees,ā€ said Cogswell. ā€œIā€™m hoping to make this a funded program next fall, so we can better serve more students. My goal is to create a similar program geared toward freshmen and continue to strengthen the current group.ā€

Students, who wish to enroll in the program as a mentee or mentor, should contact Vanessa Cogswell at Vanessa.Cogswell@ucf.edu.