On most days, DeAscanis is focused on something many people never think about: the invisible systems that keep modern life running.

Hospitals must power critical equipment. Cities endure record-breaking heat. Data centers aim to hum without interruption. Behind those moments are gas turbines the size of buildings, and a team of engineers determined to make them 听smarter, faster and more reliable.

At Siemens Energy, DeAscanis helps lead that charge.

Rising to Energy Design Challenges

His bold goal is ambitious: transform how turbines are tested, inspected and manufactured so they can be delivered at the speed and scale global demand now requires. As electricity needs surge worldwide, efficiency is no longer optional.

鈥淚f the turbines don鈥檛 work, the power doesn鈥檛 exist,鈥� he says.

After earning his aerospace engineering degree from 麻豆原创, DeAscanis joined Siemens Energy located just steps from campus. He began on a small team of three engineers developing custom tools to test next-generation engines. The work was intensely hands-on and involved long days refining inspection systems, improving automation and solving problems in real time.

Colleagues describe DeAscanis as calm under pressure and relentlessly curious. He sees constraints not as roadblocks but as design challenges.

That perspective proved essential during lean years in the energy sector, when fluctuating demand forced teams to justify every investment. Rather than scale back, DeAscanis and his colleagues innovated their way forward 鈥� streamlining inspection processes, reducing testing time and building automation systems that improved both speed and precision.

Those efforts produced measurable results. DeAscanis now holds 11 patents, with dozens more innovations developed across his team. Some advances are patented; others remain proprietary trade secrets that strengthen Siemens Energy鈥檚 competitive position in a global marketplace.

Enhancing Expertise to Deliver Impact

Over the past decade, he has also helped grow his organization from fewer than five engineers to nearly 100. His role expanded from technical contributor to strategic leader, overseeing budgets, setting research priorities and securing U.S. Department of Defense contracts to accelerate development. Recognizing the importance of business fluency, he returned to 麻豆原创 to earn his MBA.

鈥淚 knew how to build technology,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 wanted to understand how to scale it.鈥�

His journey traces back to his 麻豆原创 senior design project, where he and three classmates developed a system to manufacture thin carbon nanofiber sheets designed to reinforce aircraft structures against lightning strikes. The project demanded technical rigor, collaboration and applied problem-solving 鈥� the same qualities Siemens Energy looks for in its engineers. It also helped open the door to his first role at Siemens Energy, proving that classroom innovation can translate directly into industry impact.

Fueling the Energy Industry

Learn more about how are accelerating innovation, fueling workforce development and strengthening the future of energy infrastructure.

Today, more than half of the engineers in his facility are 麻豆原创 graduates. Through the Pegasus Partnership, Siemens Energy and 麻豆原创 are not simply recruiting talent 鈥� they are co-developing it. Students gain exposure to real-world challenges long before graduation. Industry gains engineers who are ready to lead from day one.

For DeAscanis, that cycle feels deeply personal.

鈥溌槎乖� gave me the foundation to solve complex problems and the confidence to think bigger,鈥� he says. 鈥淣ow I get to help build the systems 鈥� and the teams 鈥� that will power what comes next.鈥�

As global energy demand accelerates and infrastructure grows more sophisticated, the stakes are rising. The partnership between Siemens Energy and 麻豆原创 reflects a shared belief: that bold thinking, applied research and prepared graduates can shape not just an industry, but the future of how the world runs.

Last year,听Spencer听was promoted to听his听first leadership role as a performance coordinator with the Entertainment Events team at Universal Orlando Resort听鈥� guiding performers,听maintaining听show quality,听and collaborating with creative and technical teams听to deliver听live events and听immersive听guest experiences. He credits 麻豆原创 with helping him achieve a decades-long goal.

That听dream听started during听his听childhood in Virginia, when听his听parents went through a difficult divorce, and he听found听his听happy place at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.听He went on to become a theater student, and in high school he took a job听at the park听as a performer.

That鈥檚听when he听knew听he听could turn his passion into a career.

鈥淎s a kid,听I could immerse myself in a show and have a reprieve from听difficult times听at home.听I knew that someday I wanted to create that happiness for others,鈥澨齋pencer听says. 鈥淥nce I听had the opportunity听to work there, I was fascinated听by what it took听behind the scenes听to bring a theme park experience to life.听I听wanted a career filled with days like those.鈥�

To pursue听this path,听he听set听his听sights听on attending听, where he听went on to听earn听his bachelor鈥檚 degree in entertainment management听in 2023.听Just听this week,听麻豆原创听welcomed听 as its first entertainment-sector Pegasus Partner and announced the creation of The Universal School of Experience Leadership and Innovation听at Rosen College.

鈥淲hen I found Rosen College, I knew it was the place for me,鈥� he says.听鈥淥n the first day of class, my professor talked about the joys of a career in the theme park industry. It was a dream听I鈥檇听had for so long that it moved me to tears.鈥�

He sent his mom a text that said,听鈥淭hank you for everything听you鈥檝e听done for me.听I鈥檓听exactly where I need to be.鈥�

However,听as听an out-of-state听student,听tuition听was a challenge听for Spencer.听His听mom did all she could听to help听him, but听he听has worked听hard to pay for听his听education.听He became听a听resident听assistant听on campus听and also听received a Rosen听College听scholarship.听Throughout school,听he has听worked as a performer in all three听major听Central Florida听迟丑别me parks听simultaneously.

He also became a听leader听on campus and in the industry, serving听as听vice听president听of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Future Theme Park Leaders Association听while he was a Rosen College student.

He credits听his听professors听with听believing in him and supporting him throughout his journey,听helping him to work toward听his goal听of听becoming听a show director听in one of the local world-class theme parks.

The same professor who inspired him on day one later encouraged him to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in听迟丑别med experience, part of听麻豆原创鈥檚听College of Arts and Humanities.听This program听is designed听for听迟丑别听next generation of creators, artists and leaders听who听are redefining what it means to be entertained, and Spencer just听graduated in early May.

鈥淢y 麻豆原创 journey has been the experience of a lifetime,鈥� he says.听鈥淎nd the best part is that I鈥檒l spend my career creating experiences that are just as life-changing for others.鈥�

Last year, Spencer received a听Universal Orlando听Impact Award听recognizing his contributions听to听迟丑别听grand opening celebration of Epic Universe, the resort鈥檚 newest theme park.

听补迟听,听inspiring the 麻豆原创 community听and听demonstrating听迟丑别 power of a Knight education to听reshape what it means to be entertained and what the future of experiences holds for people everywhere.

The 麻豆原创-Universal听Pegasus Partnership听is a听significant early听milestone听of听听鈥斕齛听$3.5 billion听campaign to expand听opportunity, advance听discovery听and drive impact across the university.

Spencer鈥檚听story shows why听听is听so important: Investments in 麻豆原创 help students ignite meaningful careers, discover new听frontiers听and create a bold tomorrow.听Students like听him听are launching a new era of innovation and making their mark across every industry.

Dinender Singla, professor and head of the College of Medicine鈥檚 Division of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Sciences, developed a system that turns exosomes 鈥� vesicles that cells secrete to communicate with one another 鈥� into delivery vehicles for medical treatments.

This innovative technology, for which 麻豆原创 is seeking patent protection, places therapeutics inside exosomes and coats them with cell-specific markers that direct them to an exact area of the body to deliver the drug.

鈥淚 call these smart tiny bubbles,鈥� Singla says. 鈥淢illions of people have heart disease, and they take multiple drugs in extremely high doses. But we have no way to be certain these drugs are getting to where they need to go. We need innovative technologies to get treatments exactly where they need to go to cure the problem.鈥�

How the Therapy Works

This discovery is part of Singla鈥檚 work to provide therapies to treat and prevent heart disease, including heart damage caused by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and targeted radiation to the chest. That heart damage seems to be caused by inflammatory factors that treatments use to kill cancer cells. Technology developed by Singla encapsulates anti-inflammatory heart treatments in exosomes and then delivers the drug to the exact area of heart damage.

鈥淭hey can treat cancer and protect the heart.鈥� 鈥� 麻豆原创 Professor Dinender Singla

As part of this research, Singla鈥檚 team also developed technologies to deliver cancer-killing drugs inside exosomes. They chose triple-negative breast cancer for their research, the deadliest form of the disease, with a 77%鈥�78% five-year survival rate. In the lab, the therapy showed significant promise in killing cancer cells 鈥� at much lower doses that are used in chemotherapy 鈥� while also protecting the heart. So the exosome therapy could help cancer patients without the severe side effects of chemotherapy.

鈥淭hese therapies can work hand-in-hand,鈥� Singla said. 鈥淭hey can treat cancer and protect the heart.鈥�

Financial Investment is Key for Drug Development

The next step will be manufacturing the therapy for clinical use and advancing into FDA clinical trials for heart disease and cancer treatment. To help accelerate that path, Singla partnered with Orlando investor and 麻豆原创 donor Chakri Toleti, a healthcare technology entrepreneur focused on building category-defining businesses through AI and agentic platforms, biomedical innovation and ambient intelligence including most recently care.ai, which was acquired by Stryker in 2024.

Through his innovation fund, TCapital, Toleti backs transformative technologies designed to improve healthcare delivery and reduce human suffering at scale. Together, Singla and Toleti invested in and formed Exomic to fund continued research, clinical development, and commercialization of the technology.

鈥淭his was an opportunity to do something truly innovative in cancer and cardiovascular treatment.鈥� 鈥� Chakri Toleti, 麻豆原创 donor

Toleti says his passion for advancing cancer research is deeply personal after losing his father to the disease.

鈥淭his was an opportunity to do something truly innovative in cancer and cardiovascular treatment,鈥� he says. 鈥淒r. Singla鈥檚 work represents a fundamental shift toward new biomedical platforms not only in how targeted therapies are delivered in the human body, but in how we think about treatment and healing itself.鈥�

Such public-private partnerships are one of the goals of , which drives innovation, enterprise, and collaboration across disciplines.

鈥淒r. Singla鈥檚 groundbreaking exosome delivery system perfectly exemplifies how university innovation translates into significant, life-saving benefits for society,鈥� says Winston V. Schoenfeld, vice president for research and innovation. 鈥淎s demonstrated by the creation of Exomic, industry partnership is essential for driving such pioneering technologies towards successful translation and real-world clinical use.鈥�

The effort is also providing exciting learning opportunities for College of Medicine graduate students. Jonatas De Mendonca Rolando 鈥�23MS 鈥�26PhD听earned his Ph.D. in biomedical sciences earlier this month. He is staying at 麻豆原创 as a post-doctoral researcher to continue creating the exosome therapy.

He helped develop protocols and procedures for the delicate technology and saw its impact in the lab. He鈥檚 excited to have a financial supporter who can help take the therapy from lab to, he hopes, patients.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been amazing to part of a high-tech project and see leadership in science,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 am very excited for my future.鈥�

Researcher Background

Singla is the AdventHealth Endowed Chair of Cardiovascular Sciences at the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences and is a faculty fellow with the 麻豆原创 Office of Research. He earned his bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees from Punjabi University, Patiala, India, and his Ph.D. from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and has continually been funded by the American Heart Association and/or the National Institutes of Health since 2004.

About TCapital

TCapital is an AI, Frontier Tech and Life Sciences innovation fund investing in category-defining platforms and infrastructure. Founded by healthcare technology entrepreneur Chakri Toleti, T-Capital invests in companies shaping the future of treatment, care, and biomedical innovation. For more information, visit TCapital.com.

What was your vision for the College of Business听when you arrived in 2012?

When I arrived, 麻豆原创听had experienced听tremendous growth, particularly coming out of the recession. But that growth made the college feel transactional. Faculty were stretched听thin,听technology had replaced听in-person听interaction听and there听wasn鈥檛听a strong sense听of community.

What struck me most was that while we had excellent individual scholars, we听didn鈥檛听yet have a true community of scholars. People听didn鈥檛听know each other well, and without that,听it鈥檚听very difficult听to build a shared vision.

So,听I听started by听listening. I met one-on-one with every听faculty听and staff member and asked three simple questions: What do you think about 麻豆原创? What would you do if you were me? And what is your role here?

What听emerged听was powerful. Many of our faculty were first-generation college graduates, just like our students, just like Barry and just like me. They听are听here because they wanted to听help build something different. That became the foundation for our vision: creating a culture of engagement that would transform the听college听experience听for everyone.

Faculty,听students听and staff here are expected to interact with each other and with people in industry and the community at large.听This has helped make听us fiercely听practical. Faculty learn what is going on at the forefront of business. The college has a relevant curriculum with hands-on听experiences听for students.听This helps听students discover their path, develop听professionally听and fully engage with their future.

How would you describe the college鈥檚 culture today?

Today, that culture of engagement defines us.

There鈥檚听a quote听from听English听philosopher Herbert Spencer听we often reference:听鈥�The great aim of higher education isn鈥檛 knowledge, it鈥檚 action.鈥澨齀t鈥檚听not enough for students to learn concepts;听迟丑别y need to know how to apply them.

You see that in the building itself.听It鈥檚听full. Students are here, working together, interacting with faculty, and engaging with corporate partners and alumni. That connection to the real world has become part of the fabric of the college, and听it鈥檚听what makes the experience more meaningful听and more transformative.

Changing culture is one of the hardest things a leader can do. It requires people to see a future they听haven鈥檛听experienced yet. But over time, our faculty,听staff听and students have seen the value of what听we鈥檝e听built together,听and听that鈥檚听what makes it sustainable.

贬辞飞听does听迟丑别听叠补谤谤测听惭颈濒濒别谤听investment听accelerate that future?

鈥淕reat universities win by attracting great people (faculty and students) and creating the conditions for them to succeed. This gift helps us do exactly that.鈥�

This investment allows us to recruit leading scholars at the intersection of business and technology听鈥斕齠aculty who are working on the most pressing challenges facing industry and society.

They鈥檒l help us tackle critical questions around trust in technology, cybersecurity, the concentration of power and how humans and intelligent systems interact. They鈥檒l also help prepare our students to lead in that environment.

At the end of the day, great universities win by attracting great people听(faculty and students)听and creating听迟丑别 conditions听for them to succeed. This gift helps us do听exactly that.

What will听distinguish听迟丑别 college over the next decade?

Our differentiation will come from听deepening our engagement with industry听and technology.

We want to be known as a place where innovation happens first,听where companies come for talent and insight, and where students gain access to real opportunities.

Ultimately, it鈥檚听about outcomes. If we do this right, our graduates will be exceptionally well-prepared for high-impact, high-growth careers. That return on investment will set us apart.

What gives you optimism about the future?

I grew up during the听Space听Race,听and听at the time, the race to the moon was a sign of hope for people.听Technology was seen as the path to a greater future. With the recent Artemis II launch, I would like听to see听us听instill in our students, and in our leaders, a return to that kind of optimism around what technology听can do. I think those flights are the definition of how technology can enhance the human experience, rather than replace it.

鈥淭he Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation unites creativity, technology and the practical application of business, marketing, and guest service to develop tomorrow鈥檚 leaders in themed entertainment and immersive experiences.鈥� 鈥� Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences

The first-of-its-kind Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation is housed within the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, ranked No. 1 nationally. With the addition of Universal鈥檚 new school and the college鈥檚 School of Hospitality Leadership, students now have access to a dual-school model that brings together experience-focused education with business strategy, operations, and service leadership.

鈥淭he Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation unites creativity, technology and the practical application of business, marketing, and guest service to develop tomorrow鈥檚 leaders in themed entertainment and immersive experiences,鈥� says Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences Mark Woodbury.

鈥溌槎乖� was built to power what鈥檚 next for our students, for industry, and for the State of Florida,鈥� 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright says. 鈥淭his collaboration with Universal Destinations & Experiences represents our mission at its best, creating an environment where students are learning in direct connection with the people and ideas shaping the future of immersive experiences.鈥�

A First-of-its-Kind Model for Experience Education

The Universal and 麻豆原创 partnership will also support research through a new Hospitality Technology Lab, designed to be a creative sandbox for students to collaborate, test ideas, and gain practical hands-on experience working alongside 麻豆原创 faculty, Universal professionals, and industry stakeholders. Students will gain timely insight that reflects industry needs as part of their education. Built around innovation and interdisciplinary teaming, the lab embeds coursework, student projects, and faculty research in a shared space, equipping graduates with both current skills and the adaptability to lead in a constantly evolving technology ecosystem.

The new school鈥檚 research will build on 麻豆原创鈥檚 existing strengths, applying university expertise to one of the world鈥檚 most dynamic industries. Focus areas for teaching, learning, and research will include:

• Service robotics and human-centered approaches to shape guest and employee interactions
• AR and VR simulation technologies for training, operations, and immersive environments
• AI and digital twins for optimizing and personalizing the guest experience

This work extends a decades-long partnership between 麻豆原创 and Universal rooted in collaboration and shared success. For more than 20 years, Rosen College has served as a key talent pipeline for Universal, with thousands of graduates contributing across its parks, experiences, and operations, alongside hands-on learning opportunities like the 麻豆原创/Universal Creative Lab.

鈥淭ogether with 麻豆原创 we have opened doors for students and helped strengthen our industry with valued talent 鈥� and the next chapter will be even better,鈥� Chief Administrative Officer of Universal Destinations & Experiences John Sprouls says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e creating a distinctive academic home that will expand pathways into fulfilling and dynamic careers.鈥�

鈥淩osen College has long been a global leader in hospitality education, and this next step reflects how our industry is evolving,鈥� says 麻豆原创 Rosen College of Hospitality Management Dean Cynthia Mejia. 鈥淏y strengthening our relationship with our longtime partners at Universal Destinations & Experiences, we are creating a first-of-its-kind two-school model that blends creativity, technology and leadership, preparing students to lead the future of guest experiences.鈥�

Pegasus Partners: Scaling Impact Through Collaboration

As 麻豆原创鈥檚 first entertainment-sector Pegasus Partner, Universal Destinations & Experiences joins a group of industry leaders working with the university to solve real-world challenges, accelerate discovery, and strengthen the workforce talent pipeline. Universal is also the first Pegasus Partner to enter into a master research agreement with 麻豆原创, enabling collaboration at scale and unlocking new opportunities for applied research.

The Pegasus Partners program offers opportunities for select partners to engage across the university in ways that create meaningful value for both organizations. That engagement includes talent development and recruitment, shared research projects, joint ventures and collaborations, strategic philanthropy, and co-location at 麻豆原创.

As the first Pegasus Partner since the start of , 麻豆原创鈥檚 $3.5 billion campaign to accelerate its next era of impact, Universal鈥檚 commitment is a powerful model that combines philanthropy and strategic industry investment to drive innovation, expand opportunity, and fuel shared success.

For 25 years, members of have shared a powerful belief: investing in 麻豆原创 is ultimately an investment in students and the lives they鈥檒l lead.

Through planned gifts such as bequests, estate plans and retirement assets, society members extend opportunity far beyond a single generation. Their support fuels scholarships, research and academic programs that prepare students to meet the evolving needs of industry and community.

In 2025 alone, planned gifts accounted for nearly one-third of all charitable support to 麻豆原创.

The society is named for 麻豆原创鈥檚 founding president, Charles Millican, a visionary who built the university with the future firmly in mind. During his tenure, Millican transformed 1,227 acres of Central Florida scrubland into an institution designed to support the space race and prepare students for careers in engineering and computer science. He championed what would become the Central Florida Research Park and helped shape 麻豆原创鈥檚 enduring ambition to reach for the stars.

Today, that vision lives on through more than 500 members of The Charles Millican Legacy Society 鈥� and through the students whose futures are shaped by their generosity.

A World of Possibility

Thiago Maillo鈥檚 path to a bachelor鈥檚 degree wasn鈥檛 linear 鈥� but it was driven by something unwavering: the pursuit of greater opportunity.

After his first year studying medicine at the Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Maillo realized he wanted a different future. He saw higher education in the United States as the place to build it. Just three months after applying to Valencia College, he moved to Florida and later .

“Scholarships have made all the difference. They鈥檝e made it possible for me to achieve my dreams.” 鈥� Thiago Maillo, biomedical sciences major

Today, he鈥檚 a Burnett Honors Scholar and biomedical sciences major on the neuroscience track, with a minor in psychology. He鈥檚 conducted research at the Applied Cognition and Technology Lab, completed an internship with ThinkNeuro and serves as an undergraduate teaching assistant in Genetics and Embryology. He鈥檚 also found community as president of the Argentinian Student Association.

鈥淏eing at 麻豆原创 was my goal from the start,鈥� says Maillo, who plans to pursue a doctoral degree in cognitive neuroscience. 鈥淚 love being a Knight. Scholarships have made all the difference. They鈥檝e made it possible for me to achieve my dreams 鈥� and pave the way for my two siblings to follow in my footsteps.鈥�

Reimagining What鈥檚 Possible

Shannon Hankinson didn鈥檛 follow the traditional path to 麻豆原创 鈥� she created her own.

A Tampa native and single mother of two, Hankinson spent years leading teams at Target before realizing that success and fulfillment aren鈥檛 always the same. Determined to change course, she saved money, left her job, earned an associate degree at Eastern Florida State College and transferred to 麻豆原创, becoming the first in her family to pursue a four-year degree.

“Donors made it possible for me to build a future that reflects my values and supports my family.” 鈥� Shannon Hankinson, electrical engineering major

Now a senior electrical engineering major, she has seized several opportunities at 麻豆原创. She completed two semesters in the , joined the Society of Women Engineers and works as a research assistant in 麻豆原创鈥檚 Radiation Effects Exploration Laboratory. There, she studies semiconductor reliability, hardware design and embedded systems under Assistant Professor Enxia Zhang. Through the Scalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement program, she also gained hands-on experience with the U.S. defense sector.

This spring, Hankinson will graduate debt-free 鈥� supported by scholarships, research funding and a fellowship that鈥檒l carry her directly into a 麻豆原创 master鈥檚 program. A doctorate is next.

鈥淥ne of my goals was to show my children that it鈥檚 never too late to do what you want to do with your life,鈥� Hankinson says. 鈥淒onors made it possible for me to build a future that reflects my values and supports my family.鈥�

A Lasting Legacy

On May 2, 麻豆原创 celebrated the 25th anniversary of The Charles Millican Legacy Society. The milestone coincides with , which builds on the university鈥檚 commitment to accelerating student success, advancing research and driving societal impact.

“… support from … our Charles Millican Legacy Society members [continues] to power our innovators, educators and researchers …” 鈥� Rod Grabowski, senior vice president of Advancement and Partnerships

鈥淭his university was founded to serve the next great frontier 鈥� America鈥檚 space race 鈥� and it鈥檚 support from dedicated individuals like our Charles Millican Legacy Society members that continue to power our innovators, educators and researchers as they move that mission forward,鈥� says Rod Grabowski, senior vice president of Advancement and Partnerships and CEO of the 麻豆原创 Foundation. 鈥淔rom driving the latest advances in AI to creating next-level immersive experiences and sparking breakthrough medical research, 麻豆原创 is building a future others have only imagined 鈥� one that this society鈥檚 namesake would be proud to see.鈥�

Maillo is forging new frontiers for his family. Hankinson is showing her children what鈥檚 possible when you start again.

They aren鈥檛 outliers. They鈥檙e what happens when students with extraordinary drive meet extraordinary support.

This is the true legacy of 麻豆原创, of Millican and of the society members: students with the confidence to go further, supported by those who believe they can.

Designed to accelerate innovation, the Orlando Health Strategic Innovations group connects real clinical and operational challenges with student and academic talent, creating a healthcare environment where ideas are tested, informed by feedback, and continually improved. The space serves as an extension of the system鈥檚 downtown headquarters and is jointly funded by Orlando Health Ventures and the Orlando Health Innovation teams.

Orlando Health鈥檚 presence within SPRK aligns with 麻豆原创鈥檚 broader co-location strategy, which brings industry partners onto campus to catalyze innovation through proximity. The approach emphasizes shared space, shared听challenges听and shared outcomes to accelerate problem-solving, support experiential听learning听and speed the translation of ideas into practice.

The co-location marks the latest milestone in听Orlando Health鈥檚听long-standing partnership with 麻豆原创.

鈥淏y working side by side at SPRK, we are accelerating innovation and moving real-world healthcare solutions more quickly into the communities we serve.鈥� 听鈥� Alexander N. Cartwright, 麻豆原创 president

The鈥疧rlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute鈥痯rovides comprehensive, year-round care for 麻豆原创 student-athletes, including on-field coverage, primary care sports medicine, and specialized imaging. As a听Pegasus Partner,听Orlando Health pledged $5 million toward the听, which supports nursing internships, scholarships, and hiring, helping to address the state’s nursing shortage. In addition, Orlando Health and 麻豆原创 collaborate on advanced technology projects听鈥斕齭uch as the鈥�AI for Medical Surgery system听鈥斕齤ointly offer specialized residency programs and听collaborate in听many听additional听ways.

鈥淥rlando Health has been an exceptional partner,听demonstrating听what is possible when industry and academia come together with shared听purpose. This next phase of co-location builds on that foundation,鈥� says 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淏y working side by side at SPRK, we are accelerating innovation and moving real-world healthcare solutions more quickly into the communities we serve.鈥�

Healthcare Innovation at the Center of Campus

Located in听approximately听2,649听square feet听within SPRK, the听Strategic Innovations group听was intentionally placed, here,听to foster continuous collaboration with faculty and students across disciplines.

This co-location enables a new operating model. Orlando Health brings real health system听challenges听directly into the academic environment, and interdisciplinary teams of students, faculty,听and Orlando Health innovators rapidly design, test,听and refine solutions.

Early collaboration has already begun to generate impact in areas such as cancer research, digital health, creation of AI听models听and various orthopedic innovations.

鈥淭he opening of an Orlando Health Strategic Innovations space at 麻豆原创 represents our shared commitment to advancing healthcare delivery through bold new ideas,鈥� says Jamal Hakim, M.D., chief physician officer, Orlando Health. 鈥淭hrough this partnership, we are creating a collaborative environment where clinicians, researchers, students and industry leaders can generate real-world solutions and drive innovations that will shape the future of how we care for patients.鈥�

Built to Go For Launch

The latest milestone in , this co-location represents 麻豆原创’s deep commitment to the ecosystem of support powering our vision for the future.

Through听a collective effort听鈥斕齝ombining philanthropy and transformational giving with corporate听partnerships, research听commercialization听and other revenue-generating endeavors听鈥斕槎乖刺齣s charting听a听bold听new path forward and building a future the world has only begun to imagine.

鈥淭his co-location with Orlando Health exemplifies the kind of partnership that powers Go for Launch, bringing industry and academia together to create real-world impact,鈥� says Rod Grabowski, 麻豆原创 vice president for Advancement and Partnership, and CEO of the 麻豆原创 Foundation. 鈥淏y aligning visionary partners with 麻豆原创鈥檚 innovation ecosystem, we are accelerating discovery, expanding opportunity and advancing solutions that improve lives.鈥�

麻豆原创 Pegasus Partner Orlando Health has named , dean of 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Nursing, the Orlando Health Endowed Chair in Nursing.

The prestigious endowed faculty position, which will support Tucker鈥檚 nursing research, teaching and scholarly activities, is just the latest example of how 麻豆原创 is leveraging industry partnerships to drive real-world impact.

Tucker is a distinguished scholar in both psychiatric mental health nursing and evidence-based practice who has made sustained impacts on the field, for nurses and patients alike. She is nationally board certified as an adult psychiatric-mental health clinical nurse specialist and integrative nurse coach.

Her research, which has been published in more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and presented around the world, focuses on behavior change through mental health and wellness interventions and organizational change through evidence-based practice.

鈥淲ith its partnership, Orlando Health is elevating excellence in education and research to support future Knight nurses and improve the health of our communities.鈥� 鈥� Sharon Tucker

鈥淚 am incredibly honored to be named to this esteemed endowed position, and grateful for Orlando Health鈥檚 support of the college,鈥� says Tucker. 鈥淧artnerships are powerful and with its partnership, Orlando Health is elevating excellence in education and research to support future Knight nurses and improve the health of our communities.鈥�

In addition to the new endowed chair appointment, Tucker holds the prestigious distinctions of fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and fellow of the National Academies of Practice in Nursing.

Orlando Health has been a long-standing partner of 麻豆原创 and the College of Nursing. The Orlando Health Endowed Chair in Nursing was established in 2009, and Tucker is the second faculty member to be named to the appointment. It was formerly held by Professor Emerita Mary Lou Sole, the previous dean and a renowned critical care researcher.

Kelly Edmondson, Orlando Health鈥檚 senior vice president of nursing and patient care services, says the partnership speaks to the organization鈥檚 mission to improve the health and quality of life of the individuals and communities they serve.

鈥淒r. Tucker鈥檚 research supports our efforts to empower nurses and elevate clinical excellence to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care,鈥� Edmondson says. 鈥淚t is an honor to continue to partner with 麻豆原创 to strengthen the nursing workforce and create a healthier future for all.鈥�

In 2023, Orlando Health became one of 麻豆原创鈥檚 inaugural Pegasus Partners with a $5 million commitment to support the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion as well as provide tuition assistance and additional paid internships for 麻豆原创 nursing students.

to support the College of Nursing

Philanthropic support is critical to the creation of endowed faculty positions, helping 麻豆原创 attract and retain nursing experts, and support groundbreaking research that impacts the profession and the health of communities. Help launch more faculty experts to lead nursing into the future by joining 麻豆原创鈥檚 Go for Launch campaign.

Miller was impressed by our reputation as an early leader in technology and STEM fields, our connection to the space program and our success expanding into other areas. In fact, 麻豆原创 boasted one of the highest certified public accountant (CPA) pass rates of any public university 鈥� impressive to an aspiring accountant.

So Miller applied, was accepted and committed to 麻豆原创 sight unseen. It was the beginning of a journey that would change his family鈥檚 trajectory, along with the university鈥檚.

Today, he committed a transformational $50 million gift 鈥� the largest single philanthropic investment in the university鈥檚 history 鈥� to position 麻豆原创 as a global leader in fintech, artificial intelligence (AI) and business innovation by establishing the Barry S. Miller College of Business.

First-Generation Student

Miller is president and co-founder of both Voloridge Investment Management and Voloridge Health. He also founded and sold another successful business in his entrepreneurial career.

But back when Miller was attending 麻豆原创, he was paving the way as the first in his family to go to college. His dad, a self-taught contractor and developer and a single father, saw the value of higher education for his son.

鈥淢y father had a deeply ingrained work ethic that he passed on to me,鈥� Miller says. 鈥淚n the summer, he would get me out of bed early and have me carrying lumber and working on roofs. I learned to work hard, but I also learned that [it] was a tough job to do for 50 years. I wanted to try a different path.鈥�

Once he started on that path, there was no stopping him.

Building Foundations

At 麻豆原创, Miller became a star student. He excelled in accounting, learned numerical analysis and had a knack for understanding financial markets. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in finance.

鈥淚 learned how to really study and apply myself academically at 麻豆原创. Essentially, I was learning strategy and project management as I made my way through school,鈥� Miller says. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know how impactful those habits would be until later in life. I realize now that everything I learned at 麻豆原创 has been foundational to my success.鈥�

“I realize now that everything I learned at 麻豆原创 has been foundational to my success.鈥�

Outside of class, Miller became a student-athlete, playing football when he initially came to 麻豆原创. That鈥檚 where he met then-quarterback Darin Hinshaw 鈥�90 鈥�94MBA, who encouraged him to join his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE), and became his big brother.

鈥淚nitially, I wasn鈥檛 interested in joining a fraternity. I had this idea that fraternities weren鈥檛 serious about school or life, and I was,鈥� Miller says. 鈥淏ut my experience in PIKE ended up being formative. It鈥檚 where I learned about being a gentleman, dressing for success, networking and more.鈥�

鈥淭o this day, so many of my friends are former fraternity brothers, including one of my best friends, Sean Hayes 鈥�95, who has also been my business partner for nearly 30 years,鈥� Miller continues. 鈥淎s I look back, everything in my life has a connection to 麻豆原创 鈥� my friends, my business partners, my career and even my wife Rosie 鈥�95, since we met in college.鈥�

Leaving a Legacy

As he built his career and found success in the business and financial world, Miller wanted to give back to 麻豆原创. Over time, he has invested in first-generation and STEM student scholarships, 麻豆原创 Athletics鈥� Knights Leadership Academy, the John T. Washington Center mural and more.

Each gift has been based on a personal connection or conviction.

鈥淏eing a first-generation student myself, having that opportunity to support students who are the first in their families to go to college is personal to me,鈥� Miller says.

As his capacity to give grew, Miller wanted to make a transformative gift that would have an impact today and for generations to come. That led to conversations with university leaders about the opportunity to establish as a global leader in fintech, AI and business innovation.

To help bring that vision to life 鈥� and to build early momentum for , 麻豆原创鈥檚 comprehensive campaign to fuel bold ideas and build its future 鈥� Miller has committed to a $50 million gift, establishing the Barry S. Miller College of Business.

The investment will accelerate an innovative new model of business education听designed for a world听where technology, data and decision-making are inseparable, and it will prepare听students with the skills the marketplace demands.

鈥淲e are at a seminal moment in business, and AI and new technologies are creating fundamental shifts at a dramatically faster speed than ever before,鈥� says Miller, who was inducted into the 麻豆原创 College of Business Hall of Fame in 2022. 鈥淚 want 麻豆原创 to become the leader in business education, paving the way for everyone else.鈥�

Inspiring Others

鈥淔inding a way to have an impact is one of the most gratifying things you can do with your time and money.鈥�

Until recently, Miller has made most of his gifts to 麻豆原创 anonymously. But as 麻豆原创 unveiled Go For Launch, he saw a powerful opportunity to step forward and encourage others to do the same. By sharing his commitment more openly, Miller hopes to help build momentum and invite broader participation in 麻豆原创鈥檚 vision.

鈥淚 hope this gift inspires people to be part of 麻豆原创鈥檚 mission to create a bold new future and give at whatever level they can. Maybe it鈥檚 $10, $100 or $1,000 鈥� it all makes a difference,鈥� Miller says.

鈥淚 want to tell people this: If it鈥檚 not your time to make a gift today, maybe it will be a year from now, or five years from now,鈥� he continues. 鈥淔inding a way to have an impact is one of the most gratifying things you can do with your time and money.鈥�

鈥溌槎乖� is being trusted to lead, and Barry鈥檚 investment reinforces that 麻豆原创 is a place where talent is developed at scale, where opportunity is expanded, and where our graduates don鈥檛 just succeed in the world 鈥� they come back to help build what鈥檚 next.鈥� 鈥� Alexander N. Cartwright, 麻豆原创 President

The investment will accelerate a bold new model of business education designed for a world where technology, data and decision-making are inseparable, and it will position 麻豆原创 as a national leader in emerging fields that prepare students to lead with the skills the marketplace demands.

鈥淭his is a defining moment for 麻豆原创 and for the College of Business,鈥� says Board of Trustees Chair Alex Martins 鈥�01MBA. 鈥淎s an alumnus, I have seen firsthand how 麻豆原创 transforms lives by opening doors to opportunity, and this extraordinary gift takes that mission to an entirely new level, giving future generations of Knights access to a world-class business education and an opportunity to achieve their full potential.鈥�

鈥淲e are deeply grateful to Barry for his extraordinary belief in this university and in the impact our students make. This is a defining moment for 麻豆原创 and a powerful signal of who we are and where we are going,鈥� says 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥溌槎乖� is being trusted to lead, and Barry鈥檚 investment reinforces that 麻豆原创 is a place where talent is developed at scale, where opportunity is expanded, and where our graduates don鈥檛 just succeed in the world 鈥� they come back to help build what鈥檚 next.鈥�

鈥溌槎乖� gave me the opportunity to build my future,鈥� Miller says. 鈥淭his investment is about creating that same opportunity for others 鈥� and ensuring students are prepared for a world where technology and business are constantly evolving.鈥�

A Defining Moment for 麻豆原创

Few universities of 麻豆原创鈥檚听young听age听have alumni giving back at this level.

At the center of this听milestone听is longtime听supporter and entrepreneur Barry S. Miller,听president of听迟丑别 Florida-based听听and听Voloridge听Health.听Miller is听a first-generation听college听graduate whose early partnership and belief in鈥痶he university鈥痟elped accelerate鈥槎乖粹�檚 trajectory.

His leadership and commitment to widening听opportunity鈥痟elped lay鈥痶he groundwork for a future-focused strategy that will transform how students learn,鈥痠nnovate鈥痑nd launch their careers.鈥疢iller鈥檚听latest听investment reflects 麻豆原创鈥檚 ability to听produce听talent that succeeds at the highest levels and inspires听that talent to return听not just with pride, but with capacity and conviction to shape听what鈥檚听next.

Building the Future of Business Education

鈥溌槎乖� gave me the opportunity to build my future. This investment is about creating that same opportunity for others.鈥� 鈥� Barry Miller 鈥�95, 听Voloridge Investment Management and Voloridge Health president

will听operate听as a hub for technology-driven business leadership where students, faculty and industry collaborate in real time to solve complex challenges听in emerging fields like artificial intelligence,听fintech听and digital risk.

The focus is not simply on technical skills, but on empowering graduates to take action to address organizational obstacles and lead in fields fueled by rapid technological change.

This vision is grounded in the region 麻豆原创 calls home.

Orlando has rapidly听emerged听as one of the nation鈥檚 fastest-growing technology hubs,听with听demand for talent in fintech and听AI continuing听to听evolve.听Across Florida, one of the largest clusters of banking and insurance firms in the country is fueling new opportunities in financial technology,听risk听and data-driven decision-making.

麻豆原创 sits at the center of this momentum,听uniquely positioned to develop the talent and ideas that will power听迟丑别 future.

The investment will support听a multi-phase strategy designed to position 麻豆原创 as听迟丑别听destination for business and technology education, including:

• Five endowed faculty chairs in fintech, AI strategy, cyber risk,听trust听and disinformation
• A new听master鈥檚听in听technology听leadership and听innovation
• Expanded access to applied learning, including internships, simulations, Bloomberg听training听and industry-led projects
• Growth of 麻豆原创鈥檚 corporate partnership ecosystem.

Together, these investments will create a learning environment that mirrors modern workplaces 鈥� fast听moving, data听driven and deeply connected to industry.

鈥淭echnology is advancing rapidly, and the real opportunity is in how organizations use it to perform,鈥� says听College of Business Dean听Paul听Jarley. 鈥淭his investment allows us to build a business school focused on how the work actually gets done听鈥斺�撎齱here students learn to apply judgment, navigate ambiguity, and lead in environments shaped by technology, data, and organizational complexity.鈥�

Accelerating Momentum

Miller鈥檚 leadership gift听marks a milestone in听听鈥� a听$3.5 billion听campaign to听expand听opportunity,听advance听discovery,听and drive impact across the university.

It sets the tone听for what comes next,听accelerating the pride and vision that will inspire others to invest in 麻豆原创鈥檚 future.

鈥淭his is what momentum looks like,鈥� says听Rodney Grabowski, senior vice president for advancement and partnerships and CEO of the 麻豆原创 Foundation. 鈥淚t reflects confidence in 麻豆原创鈥檚 vision and signals to partners, alumni and investors that this university is building something meaningful and worth being part of.鈥�

Together, talent, opportunity and partnership are converging,听positioning听麻豆原创听to听be a leading force in shaping听what鈥檚听next in business,听technology听and innovation.

鈥溌槎乖� is not waiting to be recognized. We are being chosen, invested in and trusted to lead,鈥� Cartwright says. 鈥淭his milestone gift reflects a growing sense of pride across the university and signals the momentum others will want to help build 鈥� and it is only the beginning.鈥�