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Dr. Theodorea Regina Berry discusses the Student Academic Resource Center at the University of Central Florida with Becky Piety, Director; Dr. Ana Mack, Assistant Director; and Erika Staiger, the Coordinator of the Supplemental Instruction program. The Student Academic Resource Center is a learning center on the UCF campus that provides students with group and one-on-one…

Future diplomat Isabella Castro ’22 sees diversity and first-hand experience as the keys to harmony and understanding between people and nations Isabella Castro ‘22 picked an interesting time to pursue a career as a diplomat. Soon it will be Castro’s job to keep tabs on iconoclastic world leaders, global health crises and every other foreign…

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree happens once in a lifetime. Getting to that point requires planning, engagement, and academic and social experiences. UCF’s PeerKnights Coaching program helps undergraduates make the most of their time at UCF. In one-on-one meetings, a peer coach will help students explore academic and social opportunities and connect them to resources and services.  …

Growing up as the son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Michael Mendez watched his parents run the gauntlet of trying to become legal U.S. residents. After graduating from UCF in 2004 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration, Mendez decided to devote his life to helping other individuals and families navigate the fraught, confusing…

Early this year, the College of Undergraduate Studies (CUGS) and the Division of Student Learning and Academic Success (SLAS) conducted a nationwide search for the new Assistant Vice Provost for Student Success Research and Strategic Initiatives (SSR) and Assistant Dean for Research (ADR) position. Ryan Goodwin, Ph.D., was selected. As SSR, Dr. Goodwin will lead…

It’s 2 a.m., and you need help with an assignment due the next day. We’ve all been there. UCF alumni Shayna Rosen ‘16 and Austin Drury ‘18 decided to do something about it. They created StudyDate.   “As undergraduate students at one of the nation’s largest universities, and in today’s fast-paced, highly technological society, we noticed…

Undergraduate Researchers Gathered at UCF On February 18-19, over 750 colleagues from across Florida gathered at UCF’s main campus at the 2022 Florida Undergraduate Research Conference (FURC).  This year’s conference included remarks by UCF President Alexander Cartwright and Theodorea Regina Berry, Ed.D., vice provost for Student Learning and Academic Success and dean of the College of…

Nominations are open! The Shining Knights Alumni Awards honor our university’s most keen supporters and friends. UCF Alumni presents six distinct awards annually during Homecoming Week.  We are calling upon UCF Faculty and Staff to submit nominations for the Distinguished Student Award. The Distinguished Student Award is given to a currently enrolled Knight who is dedicated to maintaining a…

UCF’s PeerKnights Coaching Program is an innovative peer-to-peer initiative that provides academic and co-curricular coaching to UCF students. The program’s goal is to empower students to be strong academically as they integrate into the campus community through a coordinated care network of peer coaches and professionals. The coaching program supports student retention and success. The…

ToCarra Jordan, Program Manager, Division of Student Learning and Academic Success, has received the 2022 Athena International Emerging Women Leadership Fellowship. The award is part of ATHENA International’s commitment to developing a global pipeline of women leaders. Jordan, who is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, Higher Education Track, is both excited and…

I am writing with updates on masks, testing hours, attendance policies and medical release forms. As we expected, UCF experienced an increase in positive tests among our students, faculty and staff last week. We may continue to see higher totals due to the current Omicron wave, but projections suggest this wave will be shorter in…

Welcome back to UCF. I look forward to an exciting year of academic achievement, innovative research and serving our students to deliver the campus experience that prepares them to be global citizens for the future.As President Cartwright said in his note, our students are fortunate to learn from you and be inspired by you. As we…

Vice Provost and Dean Perspective As 2021 draws to a close, I want to thank you for supporting the College of Undergraduate Studies (CUGS). Together, we ensure that every Knight has the experiences and knowledge to succeed academically.  We are proud of our students and alumni. Khadejah Khan ’20 received the prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award.…

Eli Dreyfuss – Regional Campuses / UCF Connect UCF Photography major Eli Dreyfuss ’22 wants to change the world with his camera When you read about all the places Eli Dreyfuss ’22 has lived, it’s not surprising that he picked up photography. What better way to chronicle growing up in places as dissimilar as Ohio,…

Be in the Moment We’re fast approaching the end of the Fall Semester. In the next week, you’ll complete projects and take final exams. Some of you will graduate on December 17.  I have been where you are now. The advice that I would give to my undergraduate self is to be in the moment.…

So, You Want To Propose a Course for the GEP? BY WAYNE BOWEN, PH.D., INTERIM ASSOCIATE DEAN, COLLEGE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES With the introduction of the Kuali Curriculum Management platform this fall, we are taking a pause in reviewing new courses for the GEP this year. However, the process will be open for fall 2022, with…

Partners in Academic Success The fall semester is in full swing. I hope you are settling into the rhythm of the term and are attending classes, completing assignments, and participating in social activities. You are not alone in your pursuit of your bachelor’s degree. UCF and College of Undergraduate Studies faculty, staff, and advisors are…

Vice Provost and Dean Perspective It seems that fall has come to Florida. The mornings are a bit cooler, homecoming is next week, and students are plotting their strategies to take home a Spirit Splash duck. Traditions like these foster a sense of community that helps drive creativity and scholarship. Like UCF, the College of…

You Know a Knight When You See a Knight Ensuring that UCF students succeed academically, personally, and professionally guides the work of the Division of Student Learning and Academic Success (SLAS). We do this by collaborating with UCF’s colleges and divisions to provide our students with robust educational experiences.  To meet the evolving needs of…

BY MELISSA GILLIS There is nothing more personal than how people refer to each other through names and pronouns. Using a person’s chosen name and desired pronouns shows respect and courtesy. Everyone deserves to have their self-ascribed name and pronouns recognized in the workplace. But why are we talking about pronouns? Because pronouns are everywhere!…