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UCF’s new Director of Experiential Learning talks about helping students take learning outside the classroom, the importance of helping others and how internships fostered her own personal and professional growth. With the help of her mom’s colleagues at the U.S. Embassy, Quynh Dang’s family was able to leave Vietnam at the end of the Vietnam…

Dan Green’s ’20 pursuit of a bachelor’s degree was bookended by two pivotal eras in world history, separated by a half-century: the Vietnam War and the COVID-19 pandemic. In between, Green switched gears from a career he thought he’d enjoy to one that he grew to love, raised a family and competed in cycling and…

State of the GEP BY WAYNE BOWEN, PH.D., INTERIM ASSOCIATE DEAN, COLLEGE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES The GEP Refresh continues! We’re making significant progress in providing Knights with world-class teaching and learning to position them for success at UCF and beyond. The most recent AAC&U survey findings reinforced the importance of using GEP courses to help…

What is student academic success? Dr. Berry defines the concept of student academic success and the opportunities and resources available to UCF Knights.

Melissa Gills, administrative coordinator for the Office of Undergraduate Research talks about her experience as an advocate of the LGBTQ+ community at UCF. Melissa Gillis, her preferred pronouns are she, her, hers, can’t seem to get enough of UCF. The married mother of three joined the UCF staff as an office manager in early 2016…

The Division of Student Learning and Academic Success prepares students for what’s next. It guides undergraduates throughout their time at UCF by helping them explore majors, register for classes, and succeed in college-level courses. The division dedicates significant resources to help students learn in real-world settings through high-impact practices experiences including internships, study abroad, and…

In the fall 2021 semester, UF will allow students in the State University System (SUS) to enroll as transient students in applicable language courses. UCF students may participate in UF’s Shared Languages Program (SLP) only if a specific language course is not offered at UCF. For example, a UCF student interested in learning Swahili could…

Kendra Gilbertson, academic advisor in the College of Arts and Humanities, is the 2021 Pegasus Advisor Award recipient. This annual award recognizes an advisor who champions student success. An advisor since 2012, Gilbertson oversees CAH orientation, probation, and at-risk advising programs. Her approach to working with students is to build trust and provide guidance based…

This fall, advisors from UCF’s Pre-Health and Pre-Law Advising, UCF Connect, and DirectConnect to UCF partners convened virtually at the Third Annual UCF/State College Pre-Health Advising Assembly. Its focus was to help transfer students to thrive at UCF, particularly students planning to attend post-baccalaureate health professional schools. “Applying to health professional schools is very competitive,”…

As an avid storyteller, Khadejah Khan started out at UCF as a Writing and Rhetoric major. One semester, she was in a writing class filled with Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) students. Intrigued by the idea of creating a degree program based on her interests, she met with an IDS advisor and soon switched her major. She…

Nina Leonard is the recipient of the Pegasus Advisor Award. This annual recognition honors an advisor who champions student success.

UCF believes that everyone has the potential. The Division of Student Learning and Academic Success provides academic support, programs, and learning experiences that help every Knight know more, do more, and be more. Undergraduates now have a new resource to help them succeed at UCF and beyond. The Knights Major Exploration and Transition Center (KMETC)…

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. It is an annual event celebrated around the world to demonstrate support for environmental protection. According to the Earth Day Network, more than one billion individuals are mobilized for action each year. This year, people will not fill parks, visit zoos, and participate in tree planting ceremonies.…

Through mentorship, Dr. Luciana Garbayo transforms students’ learning experiences. Students of Dr. Luciana Garbayo get more than a lecturing professor. They get a research partner, a collaborator and a highly engaged mentor. “I love working with students,” says Garbayo, assistant professor, College of Medicine. “The authentic desire to learn and the openness for self-discovery are…

Katherine Compton is the winner of the IG duck scavenger hunt! Thank you to those who participated and are following us on Instagram. Keep an eye out for other fun events.

On February 10, undergraduate researchers from across the State of Florida convened at the State Capital to share projects with state legislatures. Four students are represented UCF at the Posters at the Capitol. “UCF has selected some of our outstanding students to represent all undergraduates,” says Kimberly Schneider, Director of Undergraduate Research. “Working with faculty…

In 2018, Michael ’15MS and Pamela ’85, ’95MA, ’00Ed.S Ferrante established the Ferrante Family LGBTQ Scholarship in recognition of UCF’s commitment to the LGBTQ student community. The scholarship annually awards $1,000 to an undergraduate who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community and exhibits academic excellence. Click here for eligibility requirements and to apply.…

An ongoing project to boost classroom student engagement through high-impact practices (HIP) recently earned one of UCF’s highest internal awards. Called HIP Coaches, the project uses student coaches to mentor and guide fellow students through high-impact learning experiences, such as collaborative assignments and projects, undergraduate research, cultural competency, community-based learning and internships. The idea is…