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

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

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

鈥淯niversal has gone above and beyond what I had originally proposed for the class,鈥� says Peter Weishar, founding director of . 鈥淭hey鈥檙e showing us projects in progress like Epic Universe. They鈥檙e talking to us transparently about challenges they had and things they would have done differently. That kind of access is invaluable.鈥�

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

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

鈥淚 have a better understanding of how rides are designed [and] how theme parks are created,鈥� says Christopher Harris, a current engineering student in the class. 鈥淚鈥檝e gained so much knowledge and connections. To be able to talk to Chris Oliver and all the other professionals 鈥� I think that鈥檚 the best part of this class.鈥�

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

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

鈥淯niversal is investing in this program 鈥� training a new generation and finding a place for us,鈥� Leander says. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e brought in professionals that have 30 years of experience creating theme parks all over the world. The exposure to those professionals is incredible. It鈥檚 an industry of mentorship.鈥�

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

鈥淲hen [students] start this program, they start to see it as an aspirational goal to work at [Universal Creative],鈥� Weishar says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one of those classes that really confirms your passion for what you want to do for the rest of your life.鈥�

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

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

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

A Dream Begins at Rosen College

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

鈥淚鈥檝e always been obsessed with Disney鈥檚 ability to tell stories that transport people to another world,鈥� Clancy says. 鈥淏ut I didn鈥檛 know how to turn that fascination into a career until I came to Rosen.鈥�

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know how to turn that fascination [with Disney’s storytelling] into a career until I came to Rosen.” 鈥� Corey Clancy 鈥�21, project coordinator for Walt Disney Imagineering

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

His hard work and dedication didn鈥檛 go unnoticed. Clancy earned multiple scholarships, including the Harris Rosen Scholarship, and culminated his undergraduate achievements by receiving the Order of Pegasus, 麻豆原创鈥檚 highest student honor. After graduation, Clancy was accepted into the themed experience track of the MFA in theatre program, where he is currently continuing his studies.

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

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

What sets Rosen College apart is its deep connection to Walt Disney World Resort, the top employer of Rosen students. With Disney Day events and direct pathways into internships, Rosen College students like Corey have a unique window into the world of Disney. 鈥淲orking at Disney while studying at Rosen gave me a perspective that I couldn鈥檛 get anywhere else,鈥� Clancy says. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 just learning about hospitality in theory 鈥� I was living it, every day.鈥�

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

鈥淐lasses like Theme Park and Attraction Management and Leading in the Entertainment Industry were pivotal for me,鈥� Clancy says. 鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 just teach me technical skills; they helped me figure out what kind of leader I wanted to be and how to turn my passion for themed entertainment into something tangible.鈥�

Bringing Hospitality to Themed Entertainment

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

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

Clancy鈥檚 time at Rosen was filled with experiences that mirrored the collaborative nature of Walt Disney Imagineering. “Those group projects taught me how to lead, how to collaborate, and how to pivot when things didn鈥檛 go as planned 鈥� all skills I use every day at Disney,” Clancy says. “Rosen really prepared me for the fast-paced, ever-changing environment of Imagineering.”

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

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

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

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

Bringing Tiana鈥檚 Bayou Adventure to Life

For Clancy, Tiana鈥檚 Bayou Adventure was more than just a job 鈥� it was a deeply personal project.

鈥淧rincess Tiana has always been my favorite Disney character,鈥� Clancy says with a smile. 鈥淗er story of resilience and hard work has always resonated with me, so when I found out I鈥檇 be working on her attraction, it felt like everything had come full circle.鈥�

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

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

鈥淚鈥檓 not an engineer, but Rosen taught me how to ask the right questions and collaborate with the technical teams,鈥� Clancy says. 鈥淭he project was a massive team effort, and my job was to keep the communication flowing between all the different departments.鈥�

鈥淸Clancy] always brought enthusiasm and energy to any project,鈥� adds Jessica Richards, associate instructor in the events management program. 鈥淗e is a great example of the values we hold at Rosen 鈥� professionalism, leadership, and service.鈥�

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

鈥淭his ride is about more than just fun 鈥� it鈥檚 about representation,鈥� Clancy says proudly. 鈥淭iana鈥檚 story brings a new voice and new experiences to the parks, and I鈥檓 honored to have been part of something that helps more guests feel seen and celebrated.鈥�

The attraction opened in June 2024 to widespread excitement, and for Clancy, it鈥檚 a career milestone he鈥檒l always cherish.

鈥淲orking on Tiana鈥檚 Bayou Adventure has been the highlight of my career so far,鈥� he reflects. 鈥淏eing part of something that has such a lasting impact on people is what I鈥檝e always dreamed of.鈥�

Guiding Future Disney Leaders

Clancy鈥檚 path from Rosen College to Walt Disney Imagineering wasn鈥檛 just built on passion鈥攊 t was built on taking advantage of every opportunity that came his way.

鈥淚nternships were critical,鈥� Clancy says. 鈥淲ithout my professional internship at Walt Disney Imagineering, I wouldn鈥檛 be where I am today,鈥� he says. 鈥淢y advice to current students is to apply for every opportunity, and don鈥檛 be afraid to step out of your comfort zone 鈥� you never know what skills you鈥檒l pick up that could help you later on.鈥�

鈥淭he relationship between Rosen and Disney is invaluable. It鈥檚 what made my career possible. 鈥� 鈥� Corey Clancy 鈥�21, project 聽coordinator聽for Walt Disney Imagineering

Rosen College鈥檚 deep connection to Disney opens doors that other institutions simply can鈥檛. Events like Disney Day bring Disney leaders to campus, giving students direct access to potential mentors and future employers. 鈥淭he relationship between Rosen and Disney is invaluable,鈥� Clancy says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 what made my career possible, and I know it鈥檚 helping so many other students achieve their dreams, too.鈥�

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

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

鈥淲e create experiences that allow guests to escape, to leave the real world behind for a little while and just have fun,鈥� Clancy says. 鈥淭o know that I鈥檓 part of that process is incredibly rewarding. I can鈥檛 wait to see what we can accomplish next.鈥�

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

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

Apart from his many years of service to the TEA, Weishar believes the award affirms the impact of 麻豆原创鈥檚 themed experience programs on the industry.

鈥淚 share this recognition with all of the individuals at 麻豆原创 that have partnered and supported the Themed Experience programs and our students,鈥� Weishar says. 鈥淲hile the award is for many years of service, I believe it was given now due to the tremendous impact being made on industry by the programs at 麻豆原创.鈥�

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

鈥淭he TEA is an incredible organization that brings a great deal of value to my students and me. Through its NextGen initiative, events, conferences and Summit, the TEA connects our aspiring professionals with industry leaders,鈥� Weishar says. 鈥淚t is quite an honor to be recognized by industry for the work we do at 麻豆原创.鈥�

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

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

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

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

鈥淯niversal Parks & Resorts has closely collaborated with 麻豆原创 for many years, providing learning opportunities for students and faculty,鈥� says John Sprouls, executive vice president and chief administration officer at Universal Parks & Resorts. 鈥淭he Creative Lab is a natural next-step, and we are proud to support the next generation of themed entertainment innovators.鈥�

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

鈥淥rlando is the international hub of the themed entertainment industry,” says Peter Weishar, founding director of 麻豆原创鈥檚 themed experience program. 鈥淲orld-leading organizations, like Universal Creative, are right here at our doorstep. We know our students need first-hand knowledge of the cutting-edge innovation and industry best practices to become the next generation of themed entertainment. We are grateful Universal Creative shares that vision.鈥� Weishar has more than 20 years of experience leading academic programs and has held a variety of roles within the industry.

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

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

鈥淭his partnership will provide incredible opportunities for students,鈥� says Jeff Moore, dean of the 麻豆原创 College of Arts and Humanities. 鈥淪tudents from academic programs around the university have benefited from interning or working at Universal over the years. This new collaboration ensures that these opportunities are open to a range of aspiring professionals in an in-demand industry.鈥�

鈥淚t makes perfect sense for this group,鈥� says Alex Marcello 鈥�14 of the entire cohort from 麻豆原创鈥檚 inaugural themed experience track, which happens to be the only program of its kind accredited by the National Association of Schools Theater. 鈥淲e entered the program so we can design theme parks and bring stories to life for people just like us.鈥�

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

鈥淚f I could go back three years and show myself the portfolio I鈥檝e built through this program, it would blow my mind,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 had no idea of the possibilities it would open to us.鈥�

Marcello鈥檚 classmate, Jordan Zauha, echoes her wonder. 鈥淭he program gave me exactly what I needed: a new beginning.鈥�

From Cornfields to the Big Apple to 麻豆原创

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

鈥�Glee was a thing at the time,鈥� says Zauha, who turns 30 in July, 鈥渁nd Broadway was the goal for anyone in theater.鈥�

Ten days after accepting his diploma, Zauha moved to New York. He worked in restaurants, stood in line for auditions as early as 5:45 a.m., and tried to make the story he imagined come to life. It didn鈥檛 take long for him to go broke.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the reality for a lot of young adults who love theater and chase the dream,鈥� he says. 鈥淎 friend of mine said it best: 鈥楴ew York is not what we imagined. This is not a city where experimenting will go well for us.鈥� I began to question the entertainment industry and whether I鈥檇 ever have a place in it.鈥�

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

鈥淲hen he said that, I started thinking about a group of people creating this living story for others to enjoy,鈥� he says. 鈥淎fter I moved to Orlando almost 20 years later, certain moments triggered that memory.鈥�

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

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

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

鈥淭here鈥檚 also a rule of thumb,鈥� Zauha says, 鈥渢hat if you want to create themed places, then you have to immerse yourself in them yourself.鈥�

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

鈥淭he program has given me assurances that there鈥檚 a place for me in this industry,鈥� says Zauha, who already has multiple job offers. 鈥淚 have a peace about my future that I didn鈥檛 have three years ago.鈥�

Creating the Rest of Her Life

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

鈥淚t was a dream of mine to explore Hyrule in real life,鈥� Marcello says. 鈥淚 still wish it existed.鈥�

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

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

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

鈥淭he themed experience program came along at just the right time and place,鈥� Marcello says. 鈥淧eter has the credentials. The vendors who do a lot of the art are right here. We toured private creative studios that work directly with the parks, companies that are crucial in the process but that we wouldn鈥檛 know existed if we hadn鈥檛 seen them for ourselves.鈥�

In the coming months, Marcello, Zauha, and the rest of the first themed experience cohort will begin to weave their childhood imaginations into actual experiences for future theme-park guests. 鈥淚t isn鈥檛 as impossible as we once thought,鈥� Marcello says. 鈥淏ut for now, we鈥檙e just going to enjoy a weekend at the park.鈥�