If holiday noise is causing elevated stress or feelings of loneliness, you are not alone. According to a November 2025 , nearly half of adults (48%) said they are worried about missing someone or grief, and 46% said they are worried about affording or finding holiday gifts. Nearly one in three adults is worried about dealing with challenging family dynamics (32%) or being lonely (31%).

鈥淭here is no right or wrong way to experience this time of year,鈥� says Kayla Beswick 鈥�16 鈥�18MA, a licensed counselor for , who earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology and 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degree in marriage, couple and family therapy. 鈥�I try to encourage my clients to reflect on what the holidays are to them, not what others expect it to be.鈥�

Beswick shares these three tips for navigating the holidays:

Self-Care

• Find connection.

Connection can come in many forms. If you can鈥檛 be with loved ones this year, maybe connection looks giving back to your community or a cause that is important to you; maybe that means reconnecting with yourself and truly giving yourself the time and opportunity to do so.

While we may not be able to be physically present with loved ones, connection in other forms still counts, and we may need to adjust our expectations with what we are able to realistically do. Phone calls, writing letters or doing an activity that you would normally do together can be ways of emotionally connecting to people when they are not physically present.

Remember, you can make the holiday season be what you want it to be.

• Be curious and trust your inner voice.

Ask yourself where the stress is coming from. If it comes from an outside source, then give yourself permission to listen to what is inside, what you want to feel and what you need during this time of year.

• Be aware of roadblocks.

Sometimes it can be difficult to open up to others or be honest with ourselves. If you鈥檙e noticing this roadblock, it could be helpful to be in a space that is completely judgement free and allows for pure self-expression. Often the thought, 鈥渉ere we go again鈥� can be a sign that some additional accountability or a different way of perceiving things may be helpful. If it feels like your usual methods of coping are no longer working, you want guidance to make changes, or even just reflect, therapy would be the perfect space.

Moreover, distress is not a requirement for counseling. Therapy is for anyone who wants to improve themselves or spend time reflecting on their life experience. Being a human can be tough and beautiful at the same time, so why not understand yourself better to enhance your relationships, life goals and experience?

Mental Health Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988. Free, confidential counseling is available 24/7 for mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or simply available for anyone who needs someone to talk to.

It鈥檚 important to prioritize taking care of your mental health. Take advantage of these resources at 麻豆原创 and locally to help you:

Students

• 麻豆原创 : CAPS offers a free 24/7 crisis hotline can be reached by calling 407-823-2811 and pressing 5 during the holiday campus closure. CAPS will be open and available for drop-in services starting Jan. 5, and resume its typical mental health services to students on Jan. 12.
• : TAO is a self-guided interactive program that aids with managing anxiety, depression and other concerns.
• : Togetherall is a peer-to-peer space to connect with others experiencing similar feelings in a supportive environment, with trained professionals on hand 24/7.

Faculty and Staff

• The offers a 24-hour emergency hotline and in-person, telephonic or video counseling with licensed professional counselors. It is confidential and free to all faculty and staff (excluding OPS student employees) as well as their eligible family members, including spouses, dependent children, parents and parents-in-law.

Safety

麻豆原创 police officers and dispatchers are available 24/7, even when campus is closed. Always dial 911 in an emergency. 麻豆原创PD personnel are also available at the non-emergency line at 407-823-5555. All 麻豆原创PD officers are trained in crisis intervention, equipping them to more compassionately and effectively respond to those who may be struggling.

Food Resources

is closed through Jan. 11, 2026, and will reopen Jan. 12 when classes resume for the spring semester. Care bags for 麻豆原创 students can be found at and during the closure. Additionally, the pantry has compiled a in Altamonte Springs, Maitland, Orlando and Oviedo that can offer assistance.

Free Holiday Fun

As one of the world鈥檚 premier tourist destinations, Orlando has endless entertainment options, including opportunities to get in the festive spirit without causing financial stress and maxing out your bank account.

• (downtown Orlando): Now through January 6, you can find holiday-themed light installations, a holiday market, 鈥渟now鈥� fall, Santa and Grinch sightings, musical performances, occasional free holiday movies and more.
• (downtown Orlando and home to ): Running weekly through Jan. 4, 2026, the arts center鈥檚 three-acre lawn 鈥� including Seneff Arts Plaza 鈥� will come alive with more than 80 live performances, twinkling light displays, fire pits, nightly snowfalls and family-friendly activities.
• : Experience some Disney magic without theme park costs. Disney Springs (which has free parking) boasts more than 15 elaborately themed Christmas trees inspired by Disney characters, Pixar films and theme park favorites, nightly entertainment and festive window shopping.
• : Receive free admission every Friday evening, 4鈥�8 p.m., through December, and special live musical performances during the holiday season.
• (free for 麻豆原创 students): The 麻豆原创 women’s and men’s basketball teams will host a doubleheader Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively, at Addition Financial Arena. The men鈥檚 team debuts its 鈥淣auty or Knights鈥� theme, featuring a mix of mascots, specialty concession items and a limited-edition Knights or ‘Nauts Holiday T-shirt giveaway, available on a first come-first served basis, while supplies last. The day is a chance for fans to break out their Black and Gold or Canaveral Blue all at once, celebrating both 麻豆原创鈥檚 primary and alternate identities.
• (Cocoa Beach): A holiday spectacle that is uniquely Florida, Surfing Santas is an annual Cocoa Beach tradition that brings hundreds of surfers of all ages dressed up as Santa, elves, snowmen and everything else in between. This free morning event Dec. 24 is family friendly with entertainment including musical performances, Hawaiian dancers and of course, surfing Santas.

Additional Support for Students

It’s also worth noting, additional support for students is available when campus operations resume in January. serves as a vital resource for students encountering unexpected challenges that may impact their enrollment and academic success. If you are facing issues related to non-clinical mental health, basic needs, or other unforeseen circumstances, please contact Student Care Services by calling 407-823-5607, emailing聽caremanager@ucf.edu, or submitting a for yourself or a fellow Knight.

麻豆原创鈥檚 associate vice president of public safety recently announced his retirement after 11 years of service to the university and a career defined by leadership, integrity and compassion.

At a celebration held in his honor, Metzger reflected on what has mattered most throughout his decades of service.

鈥淲orking in law enforcement isn鈥檛 always easy, but it鈥檚 the relationships you build along the way that make it all worthwhile.鈥� 鈥� Carl Metzger 鈥�03MS, associate vice president of public safety

鈥淭he one thing that stands out the most is the people,鈥� he says.

Metzger began his career as a patrol officer with the Orlando Police Department, rising through the ranks to become the patrol services bureau commander. In 2014, he joined the 麻豆原创 Police Department (麻豆原创PD) as deputy chief over the operations bureau and was named chief in 2018 following Chief Emeritus Richard Beary鈥檚 retirement. In Summer 2025, Metzger stepped down as chief but continued serving as 麻豆原创鈥檚 associate vice president of public safety.

An Impactful Legacy

As chief, Metzger led 麻豆原创 through public safety responses to multiple hurricanes, managed logistics for high-profile events such as ESPN鈥檚 College GameDay and Fox鈥檚 Big Noon Kickoff, and oversaw the university鈥檚 transition into the Big 12 Conference 鈥� a shift that significantly increased the complexity of game day operations.

He also established key priorities for the department, including enhanced active threat response training and building hardening initiatives. Although 麻豆原创PD officers had already received state-mandated active threat training, Metzger pushed for more immersive, realistic preparation. Under his leadership, officers began participating in annual simulations featuring the sights, sounds and even smells of real-life crisis scenarios 鈥� an approach he says is critical for developing instinctive, second-nature responses.

Metzger further led substantial upgrades to campus security infrastructure, including the installation of additional cameras and access control systems. Today, most campus buildings can be locked down instantly at the push of a button.

At his farewell ceremony, a common theme emerged among guest speakers: Metzger led with compassion, empathy and excellence.

鈥淵ou have led with a steady hand and an open heart, always putting people first,鈥� says Student Government President and Board of Trustees member Luci Blanco at the ceremony. 鈥淵ou have modeled what it means to lead with empathy and to serve with grace, and I think that is the greatest legacy any leader can leave behind.鈥�

Recently appointed 麻豆原创 Chief of Police Robin Griffin-Kitzerow also expressed gratitude for Metzger鈥檚 mentorship and acknowledged she has big shoes to fill.

鈥淪ome shoes aren鈥檛 meant to be filled because they are as unique and special as the person who wore them,鈥� Chief Griffin-Kitzerow says. 鈥淲e can never replace you, but we鈥檒l continue on the path you set and remain grateful for the lessons that inspired our growth and helped make 麻豆原创PD a premier law enforcement agency.鈥�

A Champion for Mental Health

Beyond his operational leadership, Metzger has been a dedicated champion for mental health, consistently advocating for expanded resources to support both the community and law enforcement officers. Under his leadership, 麻豆原创PD became the first law enforcement agency in Central Florida to achieve 100% crisis intervention training for all sworn officers, ensuring they are equipped to respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises with compassion and effectiveness.

He also spearheaded suicide prevention efforts, including hosting QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) trainings for law enforcement and the broader community. His initiatives included wearing green patches during Mental Health Awareness Month, wrapping a police cruiser in green, participating in NAMI鈥檚 annual 5K and organizing a campus walk that raised over $15,000 for suicide prevention. Metzger also served on the boards of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Orlando and Central Florida Cares.

Looking Ahead

Although his retirement closes a remarkable chapter, Metzger鈥檚 impact on 麻豆原创 and the broader community will be felt for years to come.

鈥淭hank you to my public safety family for 11 years of teamwork and service,鈥� Metzger says. 鈥淭ogether, we built what I believe is the most professional campus public safety department in the nation, with a culture of caring and excellence that is second to none.鈥�

Held quarterly in Quantico, Virginia, the FBI National Academy is internationally recognized for its challenging curriculum and competitive selection process. Nationally, fewer than 1% of officers are selected to attend this program.

Gavette was nominated by fellow FBI National Academy graduate and 麻豆原创PD Deputy Chief Scott Freeman 鈥�11 鈥� an opportunity he didn鈥檛 take for granted.

鈥淓verything focuses on personal growth and professional development,鈥� Gavette says. 鈥淭he FBI offers academics and coursework, but there鈥檚 also a lot of peer-to-peer interaction. By the time you leave, you have a holistic view of best practices from around the world.鈥�

Attending the Academy had long been a goal for Gavette, dating back to his early days as a corporal at 麻豆原创PD. Beyond the coursework and fitness challenges, he says the greatest benefit was gaining new perspectives and knowledge from his peers.

鈥淔rom the first couple of classes, I learned right away that 麻豆原创PD does things right. We鈥檙e leaps and bounds ahead of other agencies,鈥� Gavette says. 鈥淏ut it was also helpful to learn what others are doing that we might be able to implement at 麻豆原创.鈥�

The immersive program includes dorm-style living, a structured schedule and intensive training. Gavette says the most difficult part was being away from his family and routine, but that experience led to a surprising takeaway: the importance of mindfulness and wellness.

鈥淚n almost everything we did, there was a focus on being intentional and positive,鈥� Gavette says. 鈥淭his job can be challenging, so managing your emotions and understanding how that affects your colleagues, family and personal health is crucial.鈥�

Gavette began his career at 麻豆原创PD in 2004 as a patrol officer and has since served as a special liaison to the 麻豆原创 President and as a field training officer. He currently serves as commander of both the special operations division and special response team, and has previously led the agency鈥檚 main campus patrol and professional standards divisions.

Before joining 麻豆原创PD, Gavette served with the Florida State University (FSU) Police Department and earned both his bachelor鈥檚 and 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degrees in criminal justice and criminology from FSU. He’s also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s 59th Command Officers Development Course.

Now a member of the National Academy Associates, Gavette has access to ongoing training, resources and a global network of law enforcement leaders.

His advice for others considering the program?

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 the best experience you can ever go through as a law enforcement professional,鈥� he says. 鈥淲hen you come back, you鈥檒l be better, and your agency will be better because of it, too.鈥�

He will succeed incoming Chief Robin Griffin-Kitzerow, whose promotion was announced earlier this month. Griffin-Kitzerow shared her enthusiasm about continuing to work alongside Freeman.

鈥淚n the last few years, I have come to know Scott as an incredibly hard worker who genuinely and deeply cares about our agency, personnel and community,鈥� says Griffin-Kitzerow. 鈥淗is heart for service is present in everything he does.鈥�

For Freeman, the appointment is a deeply personal milestone 鈥� one that reflects years of dedication and professional growth.

鈥淚 am both honored and humbled by this opportunity,鈥� says Freeman. 鈥淲ith a steadfast commitment to excellence, I will work tirelessly to support our officers and strengthen our bond with the community we proudly serve. Together, we will continue to raise the standard of care and keep our campus safe.”

A Journey of Service

Freeman鈥檚 career at 麻豆原创PD began in 2005 as a civilian community service officer before the department sponsored him to attend the police academy. Upon graduation, he was immediately sworn in as an officer. Over the years, he steadily rose through the ranks 鈥� from patrol officer to incoming deputy chief 鈥� serving in various investigative roles, including four years with the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation Task Force.

Most recently Freeman served as major over the Operations Bureau, where he oversaw police operations for both the main and regional patrol divisions, the Criminal Investigations Division and the Community Outreach Unit.

Among his many professional accomplishments, Freeman completed esteemed leadership programs through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Police Chiefs Association. He also graduated from the prestigious 285th session of the FBI National Academy 鈥� becoming only the second 麻豆原创PD officer to do so and joining the elite 1% of law enforcement professionals nationwide selected for this honor.

A proud 麻豆原创 alumnus, Freeman holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in and a graduate certificate in police leadership. He also recently earned a 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degree in public safety from the University of Virginia.

Carl Metzger 鈥�03MS, who has served as chief since 2018, 聽will remain the associate vice president of public safety, overseeing the university鈥檚 broader safety portfolio, including 麻豆原创 Police, Victim Services, Emergency Management and the Department of Security.

With safety a top priority for 麻豆原创, President Alexander N. Cartwright says these key transitions will further enhance our unwavering commitment to security and well-being across 麻豆原创鈥檚 campuses.

鈥淚ncoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow is a proven leader whose compassion, expertise and proactive approach to campus safety have earned the trust of our community,鈥� Cartwright says. 鈥淎s she steps into this critical role, and as her fantastic predecessor, Chief Metzger, continues to provide strategic oversight and vision, we are well-positioned to continue our efforts to provide a safe, welcoming environment for our students, faculty, employees and visitors.鈥�

Griffin-Kitzerow expresses her gratitude and appreciation to the Public Safety family and university community.

鈥淚 am thrilled to serve as the 麻豆原创 Police Department’s next chief of police,鈥� Griffin-Kitzerow says. 鈥淭his role comes with a legacy of excellence built by an incredible team of sworn law enforcement officers and support staff, and I am committed to leading as we continue our important mission to keep 麻豆原创 a safe, secure environment for all.鈥�

That legacy includes the steady leadership of Metzger, who will continue serving 麻豆原创 in a strategic role focused on public safety across the university.

鈥淚ncoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow is an exceptional leader whose vision, integrity and dedication will serve 麻豆原创PD well. I look forward to continuing to work alongside her to build an even stronger, safer future for our university,鈥� Chief Metzger says. 鈥淚 remain deeply committed to advancing strategic public safety initiatives across our campuses and working with the talented leaders, officers, and employees across 麻豆原创 Public Safety.鈥�

Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow: A Dedicated Public Servant

Since joining 麻豆原创PD as deputy chief in 2022, Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow has been a driving force behind transformative initiatives in crisis response, threat management and officer development.

With a career spanning more than three decades in public safety and education, Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow brings a unique blend of law enforcement practice and psychological expertise. She recently earned a doctoral degree in forensic psychology, adding to her already impressive academic credentials, which include two 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degrees 鈥� one in psychology, one in public administration and another in forensic psychology 鈥� and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in organizational management.

Before coming to 麻豆原创, she served as deputy chief at Florida Atlantic University Police Department and spent 20 years in leadership roles with the Palm Beach County School District.

In 2018, Griffin-Kitzerow led a juvenile rehabilitation effort in Palm Beach County. In response to the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the same year, she developed a proactive strategy to identify and manage potential threats before they could escalate. This vision led to the creation of a multi-disciplinary investigations division focused on threat assessment and intervention.

She brought that same approach to 麻豆原创PD, where she has worked to support and enhance the Threat Management Team into a comprehensive unit of detectives, an intelligence analyst and a mental health clinician that works collaboratively to monitor individuals of concern.

Her expertise and leadership has not gone unnoticed outside the university. Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow was recently elected president of the Central Florida Criminal Justice Association and serves on the boards of Central Florida Cares and the Central Florida Intelligence Exchange. She is also a sought-after speaker on threat mitigation strategies, frequently presenting to school districts and public safety panels across the country.

Beyond safety, she is also passionate about shaping the future of law enforcement. She has spearheaded 麻豆原创PD鈥檚 recruitment efforts, launching Explorer and cadet programs that tap into the university鈥檚 talent pool of criminal justice majors. The department also sponsored qualified graduates to attend the law enforcement academy, creating a direct pipeline from classroom to career.

As she steps into her new role, Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow becomes 麻豆原创鈥檚 first-ever 鈥淒r. Chief鈥� 鈥� a title that reflects both her subject matter expertise and her unwavering dedication to public service.

Chief Carl Metzger: A Legacy of Leadership

As he transitions from his role as chief of police to continue serving as associate vice president (AVP) for public safety, Metzger carries forward a legacy of steady leadership, innovation and unwavering commitment to the 麻豆原创 community.

Chief Metzger, who will continue to provide oversight to Public Safety鈥檚 more than 130 sworn and civilian personnel across 麻豆原创 Police, Victim Services, Emergency Management and the Department of Security, has been at the helm during some of the university鈥檚 most transformative years. Since beginning his tenure as chief in 2018, Metzger has demonstrated calm, capable leadership 鈥� overseeing public safety responses to numerous hurricanes, managing the logistics of high-profile events like ESPN鈥檚 College GameDay and Fox鈥檚 Big Noon Kickoff, and guiding 麻豆原创 through its expansion into the Big 12 Conference, which significantly increased the complexity of game day operations.

Before joining 麻豆原创PD as deputy chief in 2014, Chief Metzger spent 26 years with the Orlando Police Department, rising through the ranks and serving in patrol, administrative services and special operations.

Upon becoming Chief, Metzger established key priorities for the department, including enhanced active threat response and expanded mental health resources for both the community and officers. He also managed a budget of approximately $15 million annually.

While 麻豆原创PD officers already received the state-mandated active threat training, Chief Metzger pushed for more immersive, realistic preparation. Under his leadership, officers began participating in annual simulations that include the sights, sounds and even smells of real-life crisis scenarios 鈥� something he says is critical for officers to practice until it becomes second-nature.

He also oversaw significant upgrades to campus security infrastructure, including the installation of additional cameras and access control systems. Today, most campus buildings can be locked down instantly at the push of a button.

Chief Metzger shares Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow鈥檚 belief in preventing violence before it occurs. Under his leadership, 麻豆原创PD became the first law enforcement agency in Central Florida to achieve 100% crisis intervention training (CIT) for its sworn officers. This training equips officers to respond compassionately and effectively to individuals experiencing mental health crises.

He also championed suicide prevention efforts, frequently hosting QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training sessions for both law enforcement and the broader community. His initiatives included wearing green patches during Mental Health Awareness Month, wrapping a police cruiser in green, participating in NAMI鈥檚 annual 5K and organizing a campus walk that raised over $15,000 for suicide prevention.

Collaboration remains a cornerstone of Chief Metzger鈥檚 leadership and role as AVP. He worked closely with the Orlando Police Department and other local agencies to launch a regional emergency response team trained in crowd control and bicycle response tactics. When 麻豆原创 expanded to its downtown campus, he helped establish a regional patrol division to oversee 麻豆原创 Downtown, the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and the College of Medicine in Lake Nona.

With decades of experience and a network of strong law enforcement partnerships, Chief Metzger is well-positioned to continue shaping public safety at 麻豆原创 in his ongoing role as AVP. His legacy is one of innovation, compassion and a deep commitment to the safety and well-being of the 麻豆原创 community.

What鈥檚 Next for Public Safety

Incoming Chief Griffin-Kitzerow will be formally sworn in later this summer. Until then, she will continue working alongside colleagues and community partners to ensure a smooth transition focused on maintaining the safety and well-being of the campus and surrounding community.

鈥淭his can be a tough job, but it鈥檚 one that we love,鈥� says 麻豆原创 Police Chief聽Carl Metzger 鈥�03MS. 鈥淚 welcome our three newest officers, and I have no doubt that the future of this agency will be in great hands with talent like you coming on board.鈥�

The new officers will be assigned to the patrol division upon completion of their field-training program, where they will spend several weeks paired with senior officers to receive hands-on experience out in the field before graduating to solo patrol.

Meet the Officers

• Originally from the Dominican Republic, Jonthy Candelario now calls Orlando home. He graduated from Orlando Christian Prep and served with the Orlando Police Department before joining 麻豆原创. He chose 麻豆原创 because he recognized it was a great place to learn and grow in his career while impacting the community through events and outreach. A fun fact 鈥� Candelario is a basketball referee at the collegiate level.
• Sticking near his hometown roots of Deland, Florida, Patrick Daunt joins 麻豆原创PD after serving with the Oviedo Police Department. He says he understands how transformative and challenging college can be and looks forward to building community relationships. He wants students to feel comfortable and turn to him for help, support and guidance. In his free time, Daunt enjoys playing board games with his children.
• Andres Uzcategui comes to 麻豆原创PD after serving with the Orange County Sheriff鈥檚 Office. He is originally from Venezuela and has always been passionate about helping others in his community, so he was drawn to law enforcement. Uzcategui聽looks forward to working with students, faculty, staff and visitors at 麻豆原创, meeting a new student population every four years. Outside of work, he enjoys working on cars and attending car shows.

A live stream of the swearing-in ceremony can be viewed聽.

The department recognized recipients of its Lifesaving and Of the Year awards, while Chief聽Carl Metzger 鈥�03MS presented the prestigious Chief鈥檚 Award to a longtime staff member. The ceremony also recognized winners of commendations, community partnership awards and physical abilities awards.

After being nominated and voted on by their peers, winners were selected and reviewed by award committee members.

2024 Chief鈥檚, Of the Year and Lifesaving Award Winners

Chief鈥檚 Award: Christine Mouton ’98 ’01MS

With 20 years of dedication to 麻豆原创, Christine Mouton ’98 ’01MS exemplifies visionary, compassionate and effective leadership. Her unwavering commitment transformed Victim Services into a vital resource for those in need, significantly impacting Central Florida communities. Mouton鈥檚 leadership extends far beyond 麻豆原创, making her a key figure in disaster response organizations. She鈥檚 advocated for effective mass casualty responses and the support of families during crises. She鈥檚 responded to and established family and victim resource centers following 9/11, the Pulse nightclub tragedy and the Las Vegas mass casualty incidents. As an expert member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and FBI victim services committees, she helped guide the national response to victim assistance. Mouton鈥檚 extensive knowledge has made her a trusted resource in the Orlando community, addressing victim support and the root causes of violence. One of her most impressive accomplishments was helping develop a dating and domestic violence screening tool that identifies and support victims, creating a lasting impact on the 麻豆原创 community and the Orlando area. Additionally, as Public Safety鈥檚 grant manager, she secured and managed more than $3 million in funding for four departments throughout her career.

Crisis Intervention Officer of the Year: Andres Carbone

Mental health remains a growing concern, with many in the 麻豆原创 community facing challenges more than ever before. Thanks to Andres Carbone鈥檚 quick response to a call about a self-harm attempt, a student received the medical help she needed and was placed in protective custody. A week later, the student reached out to thank Carbone for his help and compassion, sharing that she was going through a tough time and recognized him from previous interactions, which made everything a little easier. Beyond this incident, Carbone also responded to two suicide attempts that resulted in Baker Acts.

Dispatcher of the Year: Grace Ehle

Dispatchers are an invaluable asset, not only supporting their agency and officers, but also serving as the reassuring voice the public depends on in emergencies. Grace Ehle is known for always staying one step ahead 鈥� anticipating the details officers need, checking security camera footage, reviewing prior contacts made or history with law enforcement. She maintains clear, concise communication in every situation, earning deep appreciation from several officers for her work.

DUI Officer of the Year: Isabella Sanchez

Ensuring our roads are safe is a shared responsibility, and the 麻豆原创 Police Department (麻豆原创PD) is dedicated to preventing impaired driving on campus and in the surrounding area. This award, based on statistics, recognizes the officer with the most DUI arrests of the year 鈥� seven in 2024. Although this number may seem modest, such arrests are often limited due to 麻豆原创PD鈥檚 jurisdictional boundaries and participation in county-wide details. Impaired drivers can cause devastating, life-altering crashes, and thanks to Isabella Sanchez鈥檚 efforts, seven potential tragedies were likely prevented.

Field Training Officer of the Year: Roman Watkins

麻豆原创PD sets high expectations for new officers, offering a comprehensive training program that includes eight weeks of classroom instruction followed by three months of field training with an experienced officer. Roman Watkins has consistently been available for all types of training, from supporting new officers-in-training on the night shift to assisting his squad and the agency with defensive tactics and firearms training, and even serving as an additional instructor during last year鈥檚 block training. Even beyond the field training offer phase, he continued to offer guidance and assistance, making himself available during his family leave after the birth of his first child.

Officer of the Year: Freddie Tirado Jr.

Freddie Tirado Jr. works tirelessly to make 麻豆原创鈥檚 campus a safe place for students, faculty and staff. His persistence in checking buildings and areas that are known for having trespassers led to several arrests in the first quarter of the year. During one of these patrols, he caught a burglary suspect in the act, resulting in an arrest and the return of the stolen items to their owner. Recognizing the importance of community engagement, Tirado Jr. took it upon himself to mentor and guide younger officers. Always available to help lead training for his squad, he consistently demonstrates a positive, can-do attitude while on shift.

Partner of the Year: Administration and Finance Information Technology

This team is essential to departmental operations, consistently going above and beyond to ensure the safety, security and efficiency of public safety. Their responsibilities, which include managing equipment, developing and maintaining websites, and protecting data, are vital for daily functions. In 2024, their contributions were especially impactful during the relocation of the Victim Services office, where they ensured continuous service for victims. They upgraded systems and implemented new software, improving crime data management and communication reliability. Their behind-the-scenes work directly impacted the safety of officers and the community, and their expertise, reliability, and dedication are integral to the agency鈥檚 success.

Professional Staff Member of the Year: Lindsay Beers

Whether identifying crime patterns, uncovering crucial details or providing immediate investigative support during calls, Lindsay Beers played a vital role in solving crimes and enhancing campus safety. She took initiative, regularly seeking out ways to help detectives work their cases 鈥� sometimes even before they鈥檇 been assigned. In 2024, she completed 41 bulletins, 23 work-ups, nine photo line ups and assisted in identifying suspects in several criminal cases. Not only is she an asset to the team professionally, she鈥檚 credited as being a pleasure to work with by her colleagues, and always cheerful and reliable.

Professional Staff Supervisor of the Year: Shawna Meyers

Shawna Meyers is an indispensable asset to 麻豆原创PD, juggling numerous roles and ensuring everything is done proficiently, professionally and correctly. Her expertise in handling paperwork, arrest packets, and evidence upholds the agency鈥檚 policies and procedures in court, and she is a knowledgeable resource for both officers and staff members. Meyers and her team also handled more than 2,600 public record requests last year, ensuring that the agency complied with state statute. Her friendly demeanor and willingness to provide guidance make her a joy to work with, and her contributions are immeasurable and essential to the department鈥檚 success.

Rookie of the Year: Adriel Rivera Aponte

Adriel Rivera Aponte has been an exceptional addition to the 麻豆原创PD team, surpassing expectations for a recruit. His name frequently appears in cases, not only for responding to calls, but also for his proactive patrolling, addressing suspicious individuals and conducting traffic stops. Additionally, he has demonstrated both skill and compassion in handling mental health-related calls, responding to three Baker Acts and four wellbeing checks in 2024. He also made 18 arrests, conducted 416 traffic stops and handled 11 drug-related calls in 2024.

Senior Leader of the Year: Steven Freund

Though most of his work happens behind-the-scenes, Steven Freund is an exceptional leader whose dedication and vision have profoundly impacted Public Safety. Under his leadership, his team has upgraded campus security technology that鈥檚 frequently used to prevent and solve crimes. He鈥檚 leveraged relationships with key campus stakeholders and is often consulted on major university construction projects across all four 麻豆原创 campuses. In 2024, the Department of Security started a camera replacement project and added license plate readers to parking garages, helping officers detect suspect vehicles. On a personal level, Freund continued his own professional development while his mentorship boosted team morale and contributed to professional growth.

Sworn Supervisor of the Year: Terrell Alexander ’18 ’23MS

Terrell Alexander ’18 ’23MS鈥檚 colleagues highly regard him as an outstanding supervisor who consistently prioritizes the well-being and development of his officers. He ensured that officers were available to represent 麻豆原创PD at necessary trainings and conferences while also advancing their individual educational growth. Always available for support when needed, Alexander trusted his team to do the right thing. Recently, he took on a new role in the Community Partnerships Unit, where he has hit the ground running.

Team of the Year: Victim Services (Mandy Broderick, Nick Dumercy, Christine Mouton, Olivia Oles and Laura Valle)

Despite their small size, the Victim Services team provides essential services and organizes impactful community events, such as the Greater Orlando Domestic Violence Vigil, Victims’ Rights Week and Denim Day. Last year, the team facilitated the 麻豆原创鈥檚 Green Dot Bystander Intervention Program trainings and delivered 14 educational presentations to various community members. Their emotional resilience and unwavering dedication are evident as they work on-call to provide continuous support for victims, even implementing a new chat feature on their website last year. In 2024, their department oversaw 319 cases, closing 266 of them 鈥� an impressive accomplishment despite staffing challenges and a physical office move.

Lifesaving Award: Adriel Rivera Aponte, Amber Charles and Elaina Little

In August, 麻豆原创PD was alerted that a former student was threatening self-harm but no location details were available. Dispatch Supervisor Amber Charles acted quickly, searching campus license plate readers and finding a hit from a parking garage. While officers responded, she searched the security cameras at the top of the garage and spotted a man sitting on a ledge. Officers Adriel Rivera Aponte and Elaina Little arrived, and after a brief conversation, Aponte pulled the former student to safety. A suicide note found nearby confirmed that their timely actions saved a life that day.

Lifesaving Award: Tommy Duhart

During a high school graduation ceremony, 麻豆原创PD received a call to help an elderly woman who was choking. Officer Tommy Duhart was the first to arrive on scene and immediately began performing the Heimlich maneuver. Within seconds, he successfully dislodged the food, allowing her to breathe. The woman was medically cleared and, thanks to Duhart, was able to watch her loved one walk across the stage.

Lifesaving Award: Frank Imparato

While heading to work last summer, Sergeant Frank Imparato noticed a man sitting on the ledge of an overpass in Maitland, Florida. After notifying the Maitland Police Department, Imparato approached the individual and began establishing a rapport with him. A Maitland officer soon arrived, and together they successfully talked the man away from the ledge and ensured he received the help he needed.

Lifesaving Award: Monica Quimbayo

When a 麻豆原创 student left a letter expressing suicidal thoughts, detective Monica Quimbayo jumped into action. She connected with the student over the phone, who shared feelings of depression and doubts about therapy. Through a casual conversation about an old rock band, Quimbayo kept the student engaged until help arrived. The student was safely located, placed under protective custody and later received mental health support under the Baker Act.

Staying aware of your surroundings is the responsibility of both drivers and pedestrians. Avoid distractions like cell phones and remove headphones or ear buds so you can hear what鈥檚 going on around you.

Drivers must follow posted speed limits and yield to pedestrians 鈥� even at green lights. Likewise, pedestrians should follow traffic rules, use crosswalks and look both ways before crossing streets, even when they have the right of way.

Keeping 麻豆原创鈥檚 roads safe is a collective effort, which is why new pedestrian safety enhancements have been added on and off the university’s main campus.

Pedestrian Safety Improvements

In the past few years, 麻豆原创 has made improvements around its main campus by restriping crosswalks for better visibility and adding rumble strips before crosswalks that aren鈥檛 at a traffic light. Rumble strips are designed to provide an audible and vibration warning to alert drivers to slow down.

Flashing lights have been installed at some of the busier crosswalks around campus, along with signage reminding drivers that state law requires them to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.

Off campus, Orange County made significant pedestrian safety upgrades along Alafaya Trail and University Boulevard, including new mid-block crosswalk signals at Solon Drive on Alafaya Trail and Turbine Drive on University Boulevard. The crossings make it more convenient for pedestrians to get to 麻豆原创, nearby restaurants and retail. They feature textured, colored pavement, pedestrian-activated stop lights and road markings that remind drivers to watch for pedestrians.

New fencing and landscaping will help direct pedestrians to the crosswalks, and sidewalks have been widened to eight or 10 feet. Additional signage, lighting and landscaping were also added.

Additionally, major intersections in the area were also updated with high-visibility crosswalks and redesigned with smaller turning radii that force vehicles to slow down.

麻豆原创PD鈥檚 Commitment to Pedestrian Safety

The 麻豆原创 Police Department (麻豆原创PD) regularly conducts pedestrian safety details, where plain-clothed employees use crosswalks throughout campus while officers assess drivers鈥� responses.

While the main goal of these details is education, drivers who fail to yield may be stopped and issued a verbal warning or a citation at the officer鈥檚 discretion. Pedestrians crossing illegally may also be stopped.

Ahead of these details, 麻豆原创PD shares information about these efforts on social media and message boards around campus.

鈥淚t鈥檚 always been my belief that policing is the most noble profession,鈥� says 麻豆原创 Police Chief聽Carl Metzger 鈥�03MS. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of the work we do at 麻豆原创 to keep our campus safe. We hold a very high standard of excellence, and I believe that we do it better than any campus police department in the United States.鈥�

麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright and First Lady Melinda were also present at the ceremony, where the president shared remarks, expressing his gratitude to the public safety team and offering well wishes to the new and newly promoted officers.

鈥淓ach of you really do represent the very best of 麻豆原创,” President Cartwright says. 鈥淥n behalf of all of us at 麻豆原创, welcome to this next chapter of your careers, whether beginning or further along. We are so proud to call all of you Knights and we look forward to all you achieve.鈥�

The new officers will be assigned to the patrol division upon completion of their field-training program, where they will spend several weeks paired with senior officers to receive hands-on experience out in the field before graduating to solo patrol.

Meet the Officers

• Donavan Jackson joined the 麻豆原创 Police Department (麻豆原创PD) in September 2023, sponsored by the agency to attend the law enforcement academy at Valencia College. Despite a delay in admission due to a serious health scare, he made a full recovery and graduated from Academy Class 24-04. Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 in higher education leadership from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. His connection to 麻豆原创 runs deep, having previously worked in the Department of Housing and Residence Life. In his free time, Jackson enjoys writing and recording music, which has garnered more than 400,000 streams and received award nominations.
• Originally from Miami, Kamila “Kami” Otero ’24 has been a part of 麻豆原创’s Public Safety family since August 2023 when she became a 麻豆原创PD intern. After completing her internship, she continued as a cadet while earning her criminal justice degree at 麻豆原创. After graduating, 麻豆原创PD sponsored her to attend the law enforcement academy at Valencia College, where she graduated as the top academic student with an almost perfect score. Fun fact: Otero loves the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and even has four pet turtles named after them.

In addition to welcoming the latest public safety team members, 麻豆原创PD also celebrated three individuals who were recently promoted.

• Commander Matthew Scott 鈥�07 鈥�11MS was promoted from Sergeant in November. With more than 17 years in law enforcement, he began his career as a 麻豆原创PD community service officer before the agency sponsored him to attend the academy. After graduating, he joined the department as a sworn patrol officer and quickly rose through the ranks to detective, supervisor and presidential liaison. Scott spent several years as an award-winning K-9 handler and made history as 麻豆原创PD鈥檚 first therapy dog handler while serving in the Criminal Investigations Division. Most recently, he led the Community Partnerships Unit, where he鈥檚 credited with revolutionizing the department鈥檚 programming and community outreach while also serving as the presidential security escort. A proud two-time 麻豆原创 alumnus, Scott holds bachelor鈥檚 and degrees in criminal justice. He’s also a graduate of the Valencia College Criminal Justice Institute Leadership Academy.
• Sergeant Alexander DeLuca ’15 was promoted from Corporal in November. He started his journey as a 麻豆原创PD community service officer before becoming a sworn officer for the agency in 2016. Throughout his career, he鈥檚 served as a detective, a dedicated member of the Honor Guard, and a key part of the Emergency and Heavy Response teams. An avid biker, DeLuca has participated in several Police Unity Tours and is a police mountain bike instructor and certified bike mechanic. A 麻豆原创 alumnus, he earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in criminal justice and is currently pursuing a dual 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degree in public administration and criminal justice 鈥� all while continuing to patrol his alma mater on the night shift Delta squad.
• Corporal Al Sammelian was promoted from Officer First Class in November. He made a bold career shift from the automotive industry to law enforcement, joining 麻豆原创PD in 2018. He hit the ground running, starting as a patrol officer and quickly advancing to a K-9 handler, working alongside his loyal four-legged partner, Zeus. Most recently, the duo has been an integral part of the Community Partnerships Unit, where Sammelian has led agency programming, outreach events and recruitment efforts. In his new role, he has returned to night shift patrol on the 麻豆原创 main campus, serving as Sergeant DeLuca鈥檚 corporal on the Delta squad.

A live stream of the swearing-in ceremony can be viewed聽.

鈥淲e are very proud of our agency and the work that we do,鈥� 麻豆原创 Police Chief Carl Metzger 鈥�03MS says. 鈥淲e are making a difference in our community each and every day, and we are grateful that these two officers have chosen to serve 麻豆原创.鈥�

The new officers will be assigned to the patrol division upon completion of their field-training program, where they will spend several weeks paired with senior officers to receive hands-on experience out in the field before graduating to solo patrol.

Meet the Officers

• James Beam 鈥�20 鈥�22MA comes to 麻豆原创PD after serving with the Orlando Police Department for about a year. He鈥檚 looking forward to being back on 麻豆原创鈥檚 campus, where he earned his bachelor鈥檚 and 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degrees in political science in 2020 and 2022, respectively. A military veteran originally from St. Augustine, Florida, James has traveled to 12 countries between two deployments with the Navy.
• Chris Colvin, originally from Los Angeles, moved to Florida to attend Eastern Florida State College and later joined the Melbourne Police Department as a patrol and field training officer. He chose 麻豆原创PD for its focus on community policing and looks forward to meeting students and ensuring their first experience with law enforcement is a positive one. When not on patrol, he loves bass fishing and woodworking.

In addition to welcoming the latest public safety team members, 麻豆原创PD also celebrated two individuals who were recently promoted.

• Sergeant Jeffrey Panter was promoted from corporal in June. Panter joined 麻豆原创PD in 2015, where he started as a patrol officer and worked his way through the ranks to become a detective. He has served on a federal task force and most recently served as a corporal on Bravo day squad. Since his promotion, he now oversees Delta night squad at 麻豆原创’s main campus.
• Corporal Agustin Gonzalez was promoted from officer first class in June. Gonzalez also joined 麻豆原创PD in 2015, where he started as a patrol officer and worked his way through the ranks to become a detective. He serves on the agency鈥檚 Special Response Team and supervises Bravo day squad for 麻豆原创’s main campus.

A live stream of the swearing-in ceremony can be viewed聽.