Carrillo is not among those planning to retire. He isn’t panicking either. After 30 years in underwriting, actuary work, risk management, research, and product development, Carrillo believes he’s just getting started. He embraces the workforce chasm as an enormous opportunity. It’s why he brought decades of experience to �鶹ӳ����ý in July 2025 to direct the Center for Risk Management and Insurance Education.

“I came here because �鶹ӳ����ý’s strengths in areas like technology and innovation give us a head start to transform this field in spaces where it’s lagged and build something special from scratch.”

“I came here because �鶹ӳ����ý’s strengths in areas like technology and innovation give us a head start to transform this field in spaces where it’s lagged and build something special from scratch,” Carrillo says.

He credits Ron Piccolo, associate dean for strategic initiatives in the Barry S. Miller College of Business, for preparing a smooth runway. They’ve worked hard to have a major and minor in risk management in place by Fall 2026. In April 2026, �鶹ӳ����ý’s Board of Trustees approved a new bachelor’s program in risk management and insurance education, pending Florida Board of Governors’ approval. Carrillo and Piccolo aim for an MBA and a continuing education program to follow. Experts trained at �鶹ӳ����ý will eventually partner with industry leaders to identify problems, apply research and deliver cutting edge talent.

“I can see what’s ahead, and it’s amazing,” Carrillo says. “At the same time, I’m fully aware of the serious challenges directly in front of us.”

Shattering Perceptions of Insurance

To infuse the program at �鶹ӳ����ý with as much optimism as he exudes, Carrillo must first face down the insurance industry’s most significant obstacle.

“Perception,” Carrillo says, bluntly. “Negative depictions of insurance professionals are everywhere. We even see it in kids’ movies, like The Incredibles, where the boss at an insurance agency is a villain. People grow up believing the entire industry is complicated and greedy.

“Our first step is to blow up those perceptions.”

To do that, Carrillo has been inviting professionals to show �鶹ӳ����ý students what the future of risk management looks like (young and enthused) and where their talents are being applied (Disney, the PGA Tour, the New York Yankees, and Marriott, to name a few). The diverse skillsets (drone operators, investors, accountants, and experts in fintech and cybersecurity) and personalities (extroverts and introverts) do not perfectly match old stereotypes.

The casual “get-to-know-us” events have stirred enough interest to fill as many as 144 seats, with others at The Exchange reaching the capacity of 120.

“Students sit up and say, ‘Wait, we thought working in this field meant shlepping life insurance to people who don’t want it or sitting in cubicles to deny claims.’ Their minds open up when they hear about professional playgrounds that don’t fit the mold.”

“I believe this calling is among the most noble things we can do. We’re helping people put their lives back together at a time of great loss.”

Interest heightens when “the cliff” enters the conversation. In addition to jobs opening because of mass retirement, analysts expect risk management and insurance to grow 17% per year into the foreseeable future, with average starting salaries ranging from $60,000-$90,000. Carrillo says a recession-proof career is all but guaranteed. To the skeptical question, “But is it fulfilling?” he candidly answers from his own experience.

“I believe this calling is among the most noble things we can do,” he says. “We’re helping people put their lives back together at a time of great loss. Is that what people think we do? Maybe not. It’s up to us to change that.”

And that leads to a second canyon-size gap: the knowledge gap. Sound personal advice has been replaced with search engines that find the cheapest rates for the minimum coverage, which can turn out horribly for customers when coverage is actually needed.

“Financial literacy has to be a big part of what we build,” Carrillo says. “With it, graduates can help people make informed decisions and have better lives.”

The 85-15 Ratio

Carrillo plans to launch a podcast soon called, “No One Does This on Purpose.” From his own research, he estimates only 15% of the people working in insurance and risk management intended to enter the industry. The other 85% have stories like Carrillo’s.

As an undergraduate at Purdue University, he took a summer job in the mailroom of an insurance company. An underwriter welcomed Carrillo on his first day and told him, “You’ll stay in this business.” Shortly after, the president of the company and shared more welcoming encouragement.

“I didn’t pay much attention because I wanted to be a pilot,” Carrillo says, “but everyone at that place blew up my own perceptions. The culture hooked me.”

He’s identified hooks all around Central Florida. �鶹ӳ����ý will be the 77^th institution with a risk management and insurance education program, but Carrillo says few have a comparable location or a blank slate to do something truly new — another reason he chose to come here from one of the oldest such programs in the country at FSU. The Center will partner with major risk management companies, collaborate on research with other colleges on campus and with Daytona State, and match students to internships where fresh perspectives are coveted.

“I expect this to explode,” he says, sounding very much like a man who’s about to ride a clean wave into the future with a new generation of students. Like him, they might never want to leave.

“NSF invests in small businesses that bring the most innovative cutting-edge technologies to the market and society,” says Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for TIP. “By closing this gap that is known as the ‘valley of death,’ NSF aims to strengthen our commitment to translational research and further develop innovation ecosystems in the United States.”

The “valley of death” refers to a stage at which a new technology innovation has been substantially de-risked but the technology has not yet been commercially proven, making it difficult to attract funding or other support needed to achieve commercial viability.

“NCTI builds on �鶹ӳ����ý’s growing national leadership in helping promising technologies become products, companies and economic growth.” — Alexander N. Cartwright, �鶹ӳ����ý president

“Many NSF-supported small businesses have the potential to become great commercial successes and contribute significantly to economic growth and job creation throughout the nation,” says Lesia Crumpton-Young, TIP section head for small businesses. “We want to support small businesses to overcome the hurdles common to commercializing deep technology innovations.”

Led by the �鶹ӳ����ý’s National Commercialization and Translation Institute (NCTI), the pilot will examine the factors, conditions and approaches that lead to the successful transition of deep technology innovations to nationally impactful technologies.

The institute represents the latest evolution of a commercialization pipeline �鶹ӳ����ý has spent years developing. Through initiatives including the Southeast Hub of NSF I-Corps, NSF Accelerating Research Translation (ART) and the Florida Semiconductor Engine, �鶹ӳ����ý has helped researchers evaluate commercial opportunities, advance emerging technologies and strengthen regional innovation. NCTI will build on that foundation by expanding �鶹ӳ����ý’s commercialization efforts to companies nationwide.

�鶹ӳ����ý Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems , principal investigator for NCTI, will lead the institute, which will provide commercialization funding, expert mentorship and investor connections to SBIR/STTR Phase II and Phase IIB funded companies, while evaluating which approaches most effectively help deep technology ��companies reach the marketplace.

“We are grateful to the National Science Foundation for its continued confidence in �鶹ӳ����ý and for the opportunity to help shape the future of research translation and commercialization,” says �鶹ӳ����ý President Alexander N. Cartwright. “Discovery reaches its greatest potential when it moves beyond the laboratory and improves lives, strengthens industries and creates opportunity. NCTI builds on �鶹ӳ����ý’s growing national leadership in helping promising technologies become products, companies and economic growth. With Central Florida’s extraordinary concentration of talent, industry and innovation, �鶹ӳ����ý is well positioned to build a model that can deliver impact for Florida and across the nation.”

“�鶹ӳ����ý’s readiness to lead this national effort is anchored by our highly integrated entrepreneurial infrastructure critical in the ‘lab-to-market’ pipeline,” says Winston Schoenfeld, vice president for research and innovation. “NCTI will ensure that federally funded technologies successfully transition into investor-ready commercial enterprises.”

“Providing a ‘bridge’ to support our late-stage NSF-funded companies will move their impactful innovation to the market more quickly and thereby benefit the national economy.” — Peter Atherton, program director for NSF Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer.

“A validated technology is a scientific achievement, but it isn’t yet a business. Many NSF SBIR Phase II companies hold genuinely de-risked technologies, yet still lack the business expertise, infrastructure, and capital access to turn that validation into a viable company,” Garibay says. “NCTI completes that pipeline rather than duplicating any part of it: we coordinate the full continuum of federal resources, managing the handoffs from I-Corps customer discovery through to commercialization support, so each company knows where it stands and what comes next.”

The pilot will support a select group of NSF-funded small businesses at the later stages of deep technology research and development through funding, mentoring, and connections, paired with concierge-level individualized support: diagnostic triage, an individualized commercialization plan, dedicated mentor teams, and curated introductions to customers, investors, industry, and national laboratories.

“Providing a ‘bridge’ to support our late-stage NSF-funded companies will move their impactful innovation to the market more quickly and thereby benefit the national economy,” says Peter Atherton, program director for NSF Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer.

Each stage of the pilot will be structured and independently evaluated. Designed as a scalable model, the results of the pilot will determine whether to establish a long-term program.

Learn more about the .

The top three finalists from the new program, organized by �鶹ӳ����ý Alumni, are creating jobs, strengthening communities and introducing innovative approaches in industries ranging from health care and hospitality to technology, finance and motorsports.

Their origin stories are shaped by education, family, friendships, unexpected career turns and the ability to adapt. �鶹ӳ����ý helped the Ever Upward honorees build the knowledge, relationships and confidence to turn their ideas into impact. Rodney M. Grabowski, �鶹ӳ����ý’s senior vice president for and CEO of the �鶹ӳ����ý Foundation, connected the honorees’ work to the university’s founding mission.

“�鶹ӳ����ý was founded to support the space program … to launch humanity even further. And that spirit still defines us today,” Grabowski says. “We’re launching students into careers and leadership positions in every industry. We’re launching ideas from our classrooms and labs into the real world.”

Recognizing Excellence

Ever Upward is �鶹ӳ����ý’s first program recognizing the fastest-growing Knight-owned and Knight-led businesses around the world. The 2026 rankings were based on cumulative percentage revenue growth over a consecutive three-year period, using calendar years 2022 through 2024.

Explore ways to

�鶹ӳ����ý Alumni accepted applications in January before announcing the top 25 finalists in June. Companies were ranked by percentage of cumulative annual growth in revenue. The final rankings were revealed at a special celebration in August.

Grabowski says, “The success of Knight-led businesses is part of the momentum shaping �鶹ӳ����ý’s future. Through the university’s $3.5 billion campaign, �鶹ӳ����ý is investing in people, ideas, research and partnerships that will help bring tomorrow within reach.”

“These companies demonstrate the transformational power of entrepreneurship,” says Mike Harding, �鶹ӳ����ý associate vice president for partnerships. “As they grow, their success creates opportunities for employees, strengthens the industries and communities they serve and inspires other entrepreneurs to pursue their own ideas.”

Learn more about this year’s top three finalists.��

No. 3: Reception 24/7

Ryan Rapolti ’11MBA, founder and CEO of Reception 24/7, traces his approach to leadership to experiences he had at home.

Rapolti watched his mother return to college while raising a family, which shaped his understanding of perseverance. His stepfather’s work in vocational rehabilitation also influenced his belief that business can be a vehicle for helping people.

Those influences became part of the foundation for Reception 24/7, which provides around-the-clock answering services for businesses. As artificial intelligence reshapes customer service, the company combines aspects of that technology with human support so clients can remain responsive and accessible. Rapolti applies the same people-first philosophy to the company’s workplace culture.

For Rapolti, innovation begins with understanding what both clients and employees need, then using technology to strengthen rather than replace human connection.

“You take away so many things from the �鶹ӳ����ý experience — not just what you learn in a textbook or from the professor, but from the people sitting next to you,” says Rapolti. “I am so excited to have been in the top three. Being able to grow quickly is great. Hopefully it will allow us to hire more �鶹ӳ����ý graduates and continue to do great things with the university.”

No. 2: Sebring Driving Club

Four years ago, W. Paul Jones ’94 had a choice to make: accept his fate or pivot.

Jones was the longtime managing director of the Palm Beach Driving Club before the historic raceway shuttered its gates in 2022. When an opportunity to purchase the��Sebring International Raceway appeared in front of him, Jones decided to take action.

Jones, who had extensive hospitality management experience, returned to his longtime interest when he founded the Sebring Driving Club, creating memorable experiences in the form of a private driving community. The club gives members access to Sebring International Raceway and a place to connect through a shared interest in motorsports.

By turning the traditional track experience into a year-round membership community, Jones found a new business model.

Jones challenges aspiring entrepreneurs to take the leap and dare to chart their own paths forward.

“Don’t be afraid to fail,” says Jones. “Start your company and keep on going. Go at it with passion.”

No. 1: Coastal Investment Company

For Coastal Investment Company founders Keith Ahrens ’08, Travis Barr ’09, Tyler Bloechinger ’09 and Carey Sobel ’09, entrepreneurship was shaped by friendships that began at �鶹ӳ����ý.

The partners built a diversified investment company that acquires and grows businesses across multiple industries. Their model combines complementary expertise with a hands-on approach to identifying opportunities, supporting leadership teams and helping companies reach their next stage of growth.

They credit �鶹ӳ����ý with providing the mentors, networks and entrepreneurial environment that gave them the confidence to take risks and ultimately launch Coastal together. Those connections remain central to the company’s culture, from hiring fellow Knights and drawing talent from their �鶹ӳ����ý networks to mentoring students and young alumni.

“We met at �鶹ӳ����ý, continued on, kept in touch and pushed each other,” says Bloechinger. “Relationships are so important. People are what will lead to your success.”

Coastal’s approach shows how different perspectives and complementary strengths can create a more collaborative model for growth.

Celebrating the Top 25

Interested in Ever Upward? Details about the next application period, including eligibility for 2027 honorees, will be announced at .

See the final rankings below.

1. Coastal Investment Company

• Tyler Bloechinger ’09��

• Keith Ahrens ’08��

• Travis Barr ’09��

• Carey Sobel ’09��

2. Sebring Driving Club

• W. Paul Jones ’94��

3. Reception 24/7

• Ryan Rapolti ’11MBA

4. Orange Tree Staffing

• Mardly Smith ’95��

• Craig Smith ’94��

5. Quadrant Engineering, P.C.

• Rafiqul Chowdhury ’09 ’11MS��

6. Island Direct Primary Care

• John Rothwell III ’13 ’15MS ’18DNP

7. Martin Aquatic Design and Engineering

• Josh Martin ’07��

8. Maymont Senior Care

• Nichole Blake-Little ’15��

9. Boys Electrical Contractors

• Kyle Nylander ’02 ’09��

10. Brewlando

• Shara Sooknarine Pathak ’04

11. Qu5 Services, Inc.

• Zachary Quandt ’84��

12. I’m All Ears

• Shelby Roemer ’08

13. Strategos Group

• Adam Giery ’08 ’11MA��

14. CJS Communications

• Christopher Slaven ’13��

• Alexander Fackler Sr. ’11��

15. Space Coast Pool School

• Lauren Broom ’00��

16. Buckalew Hospitality

• David “Skee” Buckalew ’05

17. Knight Federal Solutions

• Chris Baeten ’03��

18. Boston Data Pro, LLC

• Rajeev Verma ’04MS

19. McGinniss Himmel Insurance Agency

• Allen McGinniss ’05

20. Threaded Marketing Group

• Kelly Jo Jefferis ’04��

21. Garney Construction

• Matthew Reaves ’05��

22. aVenue Event Group

• Sean Hughes Jr. ’10��

23. S Cook Productions, LLC

• Stacey Cook ’99��

24. Global Ktech

• Kannan Srinivasan ’96MS��

25. Kavaliro

• Mark Moore ’99��

• John Mahony ’96

• Diane Mahony ’96 ’01MEd��

• Bill Peppler ’96��

The more Jake Rose’s colleagues at �鶹ӳ����ý and his neighbors around Chuluota, Florida, get to know him, the more he surprises them. The California native surfs and gardens. He is as comfortable building barns as he is building frameworks for AI-driven interfaces. He studied premed, minored in information systems and at heart admits to being “a closet psychologist.” He and his wife, who is now a visiting lecturer in the Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting at �鶹ӳ����ý, raised their two children in New Zealand and recently purchased seven acres of workable land in the Orlando area.

The man with the callused hands is one of only a handful of professors in the world merging artificial intelligence (AI) and neuroscience to shape the future of the field he’s best known for at �鶹ӳ����ý — accounting.

Welcome to the dawn of neuro-accounting.

“When my master’s students hear about these new ways to view and practice accounting and the tremendous difference technology can make, it heightens their interest,” says Rose, �鶹ӳ����ý’s Kenneth G. Dixon Eminent Scholar. He adds with a smile, “I’m also more relatable when they find out how I spend my weekends.”

“Accounting provides the information needed for [business] decision-making, and that’s why neuro-accounting will eventually impact the entire global economy.”

On his most recent Saturdays, he’s been using his hands to dig postholes for 2,000 linear feet of fencing while letting his mind do what comes naturally to him: envisioning the future. In this one, he sees Paso Fino horses and an orchard.

Then, fully refreshed on Monday, he’s Professor Rose again with his thoughts laser-focused on what he calls “this unusual combination” of behavioral science, technology and accounting.

“I’ve never viewed accounting as just credits and debits,” he says. “When you take a step back, you see business is about decision-making. Accounting provides the information needed for this decision-making, and that’s why neuro-accounting will eventually impact the entire global economy.”

Trailblazing with Technology

Rose joined �鶹ӳ����ý in August 2025 after directing accountancy programs at universities from the South Pacific to America’s heartland. He made the move because he recognized a unique culture in , which recently received a $50 million gift from entrepreneur and alum Barry Miller ’95 to strengthen tech-driven business education — including Rose’s work.

“This is one of the very few business schools that want to pursue experimental work with technology,” Rose says. “I saw it as a unique place to make progress in neuro-accounting, which, other than �鶹ӳ����ý, only exists in a colleague’s lab in Australia.”

He’s made rapid progress. Within weeks of arriving at �鶹ӳ����ý, Rose was named the university’s Kenneth G. Dixon Eminent Scholar for excellence in accounting research. At the award ceremony, Rose emphasized the larger mission driving his work: “We can literally improve the world.”

When he says “we” in this context, he refers to a collaboration between people and advanced tech.

“When we design systems and interfaces that allow people and AI to make important decisions together, then every business and government can benefit.”

“The basic mechanics of accounting are already being automated,” he says. “The future will be about how people perceive risks within financial data and how technology can improve professional judgment. The consequences of good judgment are massive and affect businesses and lives worldwide. The truth is, we’re bad at dealing with large amounts of data because our brains are limited. But AI and other new technologies are expanding our limits. When we design systems and interfaces that allow people and AI to make important decisions together, then every business and government can benefit. The implications are massive.”

Those improvements, the way Rose sees them, will have their origins at �鶹ӳ����ý’s Dixon School of Accounting, in the first neuro-accounting lab of its kind in the U.S.

Fun and Fresh: The Future of Accounting

Rose already knows what the future lab could look like because he’s worked in the Business Behavioural Laboratory at Monash University in Australia. The Dixon School’s director, Jay Thibodeau, is currently seeking funding to bring the concept to �鶹ӳ����ý.

Once complete, the lab would allow researchers to measure how new technology and financial information influence crucial judgment factors like stress and attention.

“Ultimately, we’ll be able to help firms make better decisions,” Rose says.

However, he doesn’t want to be one of the only people in the world who understands neuro-accounting.

“This is why I love teaching,” Rose says. “I get to spread the word with students and let them experiment. It’s fun. They’re enthusiastic about taking accounting where no one has taken it.”

This guide is a resource to help you develop a sense of belonging, find community and build lifelong friendships while studying at �鶹ӳ����ý.

Marquee Events

Whether you’re studying at �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown, the , Rosen College of Hospitality Management or the main campus,����you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Some signature events have become beloved �鶹ӳ����ý traditions��with not-to-be-missed programming:

• Pegasus Palooza, �鶹ӳ����ý’s annual welcome week, greets new and returning students to campus with a variety of events including notable headliners at Comedy Knight and Concert Knight.

• �鶹ӳ����ý Homecoming��Week,���ڱ𲹳ٳܰ����Բ���Spirit Splash,��kicks��off��Monday,��Oct. 19,��and��concludes��with the �鶹ӳ����ý football team’s matchup against BYU on��Saturday,��Oct. 24.

• Space Game, a football game unlike any other in the nation, pays tribute to our �鶹ӳ����ý’s roots as America’s Space University. This year’s matchup against Baylor on Friday, Oct. 30, marks 10 years of the Space Game.

• , held each spring at����Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, showcases the artistic talents of �鶹ӳ����ý’s faculty and students in performances, exhibitions, presentations and interactive experiences.

• Gather Luncheon,��a��community-building event in the spring hosted by��Wellness & Health Promotion Services and Dining Services,����brings hundreds of students��together����for��a free, three-course meal.

Recreation, Intramurals and Sports Clubs

In addition to its fitness and recreation facilities, the Recreation and Wellness Center has longstanding intramural and sports club programs that allow students to form friendships and win championships, sometimes on the brightest of stages.

The RWC’s intramural sports program welcomes all �鶹ӳ����ý students, especially those who are new to Orlando and haven’t met enough peers to form their own team. Thanks to its free agency feature, individuals ca��be matched up with others or be paired with an established team.

The sports club includes 45 different sports, encompassing everything from judo to lacrosse to wakeboarding and have produced some of �鶹ӳ����ý’s most notable alumni. Gold medalist Phil Dalhausser ’02, who played club volleyball while pursuing his business degree, and bronze medalist Kristen Thomas ’16, who began her rugby career��as a theatre studies major��at �鶹ӳ����ý,��both went on to��represent��Team USA��at��multiple Summer Olympic Games.

For more information, visit��.

Registered Student Organizations

�鶹ӳ����ý offers more than 650 registered student organizations spanning academic, professional, cultural and spiritual, social and recreational, and sports interests.

KnightConnect��is �鶹ӳ����ý’s official involvement platform where students can explore��these organizations or even create a new one.��Each organization has its own page with meeting times, contact information,��and ways to get involved.

Visit the����to find the organization right for you.

Greek Life

The fraternity and sorority experience has long been a part of campus life. Since the 1970s, fraternities and sororities have been providing spaces of belonging for students to grow together during their collegiate years.

Currently our �鶹ӳ����ý Greek community is comprised of 47 organizations, which all share the values of scholarship, leadership, service and brotherhood/sisterhood.

For more information visit��.

�鶹ӳ����ý Athletics – Knightmare Society and Marching Knights

�鶹ӳ����ý is a member of one of the premiere conferences in the nation, the Big 12. From��Fear the Fronds��to��Zombie Nation, the student section’s energy is��an integral part of the game day atmosphere��and gives the Knights a distinct home field (and court) advantage.

All full-time �鶹ӳ����ý-enrolled students (except �鶹ӳ����ý Online) are eligible for free tickets to home sporting events. Please note: all seating is first-come, first-served and admission is not guaranteed. For more information, especially for football and men’s basketball student tickets, please visit .

�ճ���� is an organization built and run by �鶹ӳ����ý students and supported by �鶹ӳ����ý Athletics. Joining the official group has its perks, including football tickets automatically loaded to members’ Ticketmaster accounts, a dedicated fast pass entrance at all �鶹ӳ����ý men’s basketball games, and first access to post-season student ticket claims.

Students can also contribute to game-day experiences by joining��, a more than 390-member marching band student organization that performs at pregame shows, halftime shows, pep rallies and��other��fan-fest��events. By creating the soundtrack for these dynamic events, the Marching Knights serve as one of the most vibrant and visible forces for school spirit.

Engage in��Research

Undergraduate research provides opportunities to build a learning community with faculty and fellow students��while engaging��in meaningful work that��develops��solutions��for��challenges facing our communities,��industries��and the world.

In addition to forging connections with peers and mentors, this��practical experience��allows students to��build their professional resumes��before��they graduate.

, �鶹ӳ����ý’s annual university-wide celebration of research and creative scholarship showcases graduate and undergraduate research. The week is scheduled for March 29 through April 2, 2027, featuring presentations, exhibitions and other events showcasing student research.

For more information on how to get involved with undergraduate research, visit��.

�������ǰ��������������Ի��

�鶹ӳ����ý students live in one of the most vibrant destinations in the world, Orlando.��Whatever your interest, Orlando��likely has��it:��theme parks,��elite��sporting events,��electric festivals,��Michelin-rated restaurants,��nearby��coastlines��and��natural springs.

Orlando is what you make it, and there are ways to experience it all on a student budget.

�ճ������offers��discounted��tickets to various attractions, including Walt Disney World, Universal��Orlando��and Kennedy Space Center.��Every spring semester, �鶹ӳ����ý students��enjoy��free, exclusive access to Universal Islands of Adventure as part of Universal Knights.

��gives Knights of all experience levels opportunities to go on hiking and camping trips at nearby springs, learn to surf, paddle through bioluminescent waters and more.

Several cultural museums in the area offer free entry,��including��the�� on the main campus,��Rollins Museum of Art��and Mead Garden in nearby Winter Park,��and the��Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida��in Maitland.���ճ����acclaimed��Orlando Museum of Art��offers free entry on the third Thursday of each month��as part of its Access for All initiative.

Held annually at the start of the fall semester, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining offers a chance to sample some the area’s exceptional restaurants at a fraction of the normal cost. Savor three-course, prix-fixe dinners�� — including at Aurora at the on-campus The Celeste Hotel — for just $40 or $60 per person from Aug. 14 – Sept. 30, 2026.

For a combined 13 years, Alexandria Marcellus and Mason Miles lived lives defined by missions, military orders and serving something greater than themselves.

Then came a challenge unlike any either had faced before: college.

Stepping onto �鶹ӳ����ý’s campus meant trading uniforms for backpacks, military precision for unstructured schedules and familiar routines for classrooms filled with students years younger than themselves. After years of knowing exactly where they needed to be and when, they suddenly had to chart their own course.

That uncertainty became the beginning of an entirely new mission.

This summer, the two U.S. Army veterans — both first-generation college students — will cross the stage during �鶹ӳ����ý’s Summer 2026 Commencement with bachelor’s degrees and full-time jobs already secured. Their journeys represent far more than earning a degree. They show how resilience, adaptability and a willingness to embrace the unknown can transform possibility into opportunity.

Alexandria Marcellus: Finding Stability — and a Calling to Serve

Marcellus has spent much of her life opening doors no one in her family had opened before.

At 17, she became the first person in her family to enlist in the Army. While stationed in Germany, she earned an associate degree in business administration and began to see college as a realistic option for the first time.

“The military was an escape,” Marcellus says. “If I wanted a different life from the one I’d seen, this was the way.”

“Serving my soldiers put me in a position to always be in service of others because of the difference that I can make.” — Alexandria Marcellus

During seven years of military service, she quickly rose into a noncommissioned officer leadership role, discovering that her greatest fulfillment came from helping others succeed.

“Serving my soldiers put me in a position to always be in service of others because of the difference that I can make. That’s what stuck with me the most,” Marcellus says.

That mindset followed her to �鶹ӳ����ý.

Leaving the military and becoming a full-time student just two months later proved more difficult than she expected.

The campus felt enormous. The freedom she had long desired suddenly became intimidating. Unsure where she fit, she walked into (MVSS), where a veteran peer success coach assured her she wasn’t alone.

“That’s when, for the first time since I left the military, I felt like somebody understood me,” Marcellus says.

What began as a place to ask questions quickly became what she describes as her “duty station on campus.”

Inspired by the support she received, Marcellus returned as a peer success coach, helping veterans and students on academic probation regain confidence, navigate challenges and create plans for success. Often, she found that what students needed most was someone willing to listen.

She recalls several students telling her, “No one has ever asked me what’s going on in my life that’s affecting my grades.”

Marcellus became that person.

Wanting women veterans to experience the same sense of belonging she found in the military, Marcellus established the Women Veterans Association at �鶹ӳ����ý, creating a community where women veterans could build lifelong friendships and support one another throughout college.

“If I could create a space where women could come together and find someone who was going to be pivotal to them succeeding along their journey,” she says, “then I wanted to do it.”

Her own journey wasn’t without setbacks. After realizing the management major wasn’t the right academic fit, she discovered �鶹ӳ����ý’s integrated business program, where collaborative projects and interdisciplinary coursework aligned perfectly with her strengths.

“I want my future children, my nieces and nephews, my godchildren and anyone close to me to see what’s possible because when you watch someone you know accomplish something, it suddenly feels like something you can accomplish, too.” —Alexandria Marcellus

As graduation approached, she looked beyond the classroom for industry experience. After six unanswered applications to Lockheed Martin, persistence paid off when she landed a year-long position through the Lockheed Martin College Work Experience Program (CWEP), which provides undergraduate and graduate students with real-world work skills relevant to their academic and career goals. As an integrated program planner, she balanced full-time coursework while coordinating schedules, improving processes and building industry-ready skills.

The experience helped prepare her for her current position as an administrative assistant at CHA Consulting, a local engineering consulting firm, where she supports engineering teams across Central Florida.

Graduation isn’t the finish line. She plans to earn her project management professional certification before pursuing graduate studies focused on business psychology and organizational leadership.

For Marcellus, every achievement represents another opportunity for someone else.

“Every single challenge or opportunity in life is like a door,” she says. “When I can open one, it doesn’t just change my life. It creates a path for people coming after me. I want my future children, my nieces and nephews, my godchildren and anyone close to me to see what’s possible, because when you watch someone you know accomplish something, it suddenly feels like something you can accomplish, too.”

Mason Miles: Turning Curiosity into a Career

For many teenagers, an 18th birthday comes with cake and car keys. For Miles, it came with a decision to enlist in the Army.

College wasn’t financially realistic after high school, but military service offered opportunity, purpose and a way forward.

The son of a construction worker who had long been fascinated by engineering and aviation, Miles participated in JROTC throughout high school before spending six years in the Army, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He began as an unmanned aircraft operator before advancing to aircraft commander, instructor and noncommissioned officer, eventually helping develop battlefield training doctrine alongside senior military leaders — responsibilities few people in their early twenties ever experience.

Yet during deployment, another passion quietly emerged.

“I saw that it was direct industry-relevant experience that was veteran-preferred. So I thought, ‘Why not try my hand at it?’ I ended up in a field that has a ton to do with my exact interest.” — Mason Miles

Between missions, he taught himself Python programming, built Arduino robotics kits and enrolled in online college courses.

“I knew engineering was something I was interested in,” Miles says. “I never thought I would do it. Once I got back from deployment, I saw I had plateaued [in my career]. My natural next step was in engineering.”

Returning to his hometown of Orlando, he enrolled at �鶹ӳ����ý to study computer engineering.

Determined to gain industry experience as early as possible, he applied to Lockheed Martin’s CWEP program during his first year as a Knight.

Having previously worked with Lockheed Martin while serving in the military, he recognized the program as an opportunity to combine classroom learning with real-world experience.

“I saw that it was direct industry-relevant experience that was veteran-preferred,” he says. “So I thought, ‘Why not try my hand at it?’ I ended up in a field that has a ton to do with my exact interest.”

Over the past three years, Miles has worked as a software engineer focused on cybersecurity for embedded systems, strengthening his knowledge of software and hardware development.

“Every class I took throughout my computer engineering degree either has a direct piece of software or skill or toolbox that I need for my job.” — Mason Miles

Classroom learning and professional experience quickly became inseparable.

“Every class I took throughout my computer engineering degree either has a direct piece of software or skill or toolbox that I need for my job,” Miles says.

His proudest accomplishment came during Senior Design, a capstone course for engineering and computer science disciplines at �鶹ӳ����ý. He helped create a biometric sleep-tracking device that mimics a bedside lamp — an invention he hopes to patent while continuing his accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s degree in computer engineering.

Miles has already accepted a full-time position as a cyber software engineer with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando.

Where Their Stories Go From Here

For Marcellus, graduation represents another door opened for her and for the generations of family members and fellow veterans who’ll follow.

For Miles, it marks the moment when years of military service give way to a career solving tomorrow’s greatest cybersecurity challenges.

As they graduate with careers already underway, they embody what military service has always been about: using your skills to make a difference wherever you’re called next.

Natalie Otero ’26 may have missed her graduation ceremony this spring, but she had a good excuse. She’d just landed in Japan for a long-awaited vacation that was three years in the making. She says the trip — where she discovered new interests (sword-making), traversed a mountain and bonded with friends — symbolized her �鶹ӳ����ý experience.

“Building knowledge and strengthening friendships,” Otero says. “That’s my story at �鶹ӳ����ý.”

Those relationships led her to pivot from pre-med to accounting and opened her up to learn new skills like coding. Friends fueled her drive, brought her joy and encouraged internships, all of which she credits for her induction into the Order of Pegasus, the highest honor for �鶹ӳ����ý students.

“When I started at �鶹ӳ����ý, I didn’t know anyone,” says the Jacksonville, Florida, native. “Everything changed quickly.”

Discovering Her Own Calling

Otero didn’t really want to be a doctor. She just heard she was supposed to be a doctor.

“When you do well in high school, people say, ‘Oh, be a doctor and cure cancer.’ That’s where my mind was when I arrived as a freshman,” says Otero, who began her �鶹ӳ����ý journey studying biomedical sciences.

Then an elective class, Principles of Financial Accounting, intervened.

“The professor, Jeff Reinking ’13PhD, broke the mold of what it means to be an accountant,” she says. “The concepts made such perfect sense that I switched my major to accounting and saw a clear path ahead. For a freshman, that’s exciting.”

That same year, Otero’s friends introduced her to KnightHacks, a student organization that hosts �鶹ӳ����ý’s biggest software-building marathon annually for hundreds of students from throughout the nation.

“I said I’d go for fun. Only one girl in our group was a computer science major, but we were able to use basic coding theories to build a program from scratch in 36 hours,” she says. “We didn’t need to win. Learning and becoming closer, those were our awards.”

A Powerful Cycle for Success

Otero needed no push but says her friends at �鶹ӳ����ý became like iron sharpening iron. They’d talk about work experiences, which made Otero feel as if she needed to catch up. As a sophomore, she applied for the (CWEP), a year-long paid opportunity that enables undergraduate and graduate students to gain real-world work skills and abilities relevant to their academic and career goals.

“I guess they sensed something genuine because they offered the position to me,” she says.

A few months later, she was chosen for another internship, this one with Deloitte. By the time she started her junior year, she had experience with two corporations, had become a hackathon regular and developed a hunger for accounting coursework.

“It all comes full circle. The instructors bring business experiences to the lessons, and we take lessons into businesses,” she says. “I’d leave [Associate Professor] Sean Dennis’s class and think auditing must be the most exciting subject ever. All along, my friends and I kept encouraging each other.”

Her True Inspiration

Word about Otero’s accounting skills spread until people began asking her to help with their taxes. She routinely gives her time and skillset to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, where she serves people limited by income, language and disabilities.

“My dad walked me through financial knowledge, and with VITA I have the privilege of doing the same for others,” she says.

Otero has drawn more than financial knowledge from her family. Her paternal grandparents came to the U.S. from Cuba at young ages as part of Operaçion Pedro Pan, an agreement of cooperation between the U.S. State Department and Catholic Charities of Miami in the 1960s that saw more than 14,000 unaccompanied children sent by their parents to Miami, away from the growing communist regime in Cuba.

“This has been so much better than I imagined when I came to �鶹ӳ����ý and didn’t know anyone.” — Natalie Otero ’26

“It was hard, but my grandparents talk about how happy they were to be in the U.S., even with limited resources and not knowing when they’d see their parents again,” Otero says. “They’ve always been optimistic because they know the value of opportunities and they worked hard to make the most of them.”

Otero’s own optimism engages friends, and her work ethic has led to the Order of Pegasus award, another internship with Deloitte this summer and graduate school in the fall at UNC Chapel Hill.

“It’s hard to believe,” Otero says. “This has been so much better than I imagined when I came to �鶹ӳ����ý and didn’t know anyone. Everything is more rewarding, too, because of all the people who have made it possible.”

Worth noting among this graduating class:

• Roughly 30% of the undergraduate students receiving their degrees are the first in their families to earn their diploma.
• More than 25% of this term’s degrees are tied to STEM majors.
• About 30% of the undergraduate graduating class are Pell Grant recipients.

�鶹ӳ����ý is the leading producer of talent among Florida’s universities, awarding roughly 19,000 degrees annually to Knights who go on to work in high-demand industries. About 85% of our alumni stay in Florida because of the ample opportunity to thrive as part of our state’s workforce.

Graduates will hear from��three��esteemed speakers��— all �鶹ӳ����ý graduates —��whose leadership and impact��have��benefited��our region:

• Psychology alum��Allen Johnson��’81,��chief��venue��officer for��City��for��Orlando Venues
• Journalism alum Tanya (Easterling) Hill ’97, market president for Central Florida for Florida Blue
• ����������Բ�������ܲ��پ������������ܳ���Fred Kittinger ’80, �鶹ӳ����ý’s former��senior associate vice president for government and community relations

Commencement Festivities

Held in the Addition Financial Arena, summer commencement will take place over three ceremonies spanning Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1.

All guests, including children and infants, need a ticket for admission. All graduates who have filed an intent to graduate will receive five commencement ceremony tickets when they pick up their regalia packet.

Guests who do not have tickets may watch the live ceremony via a simulcast viewing in the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be .

Commencement Photo-ops Across �鶹ӳ����ý

Graduating Knights are unable to take photos at the Acrisure Bounce House football stadium this semester due to ongoing construction.

Grad Walk

On Thursday,��July��30,��4:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.),��summer��graduates are invited to a photo-op — Grad Walk — within the Addition Financial Arena. This will be a first-come, first-served occasion for graduates and up to 10 of their well-wishers to take photos and videos on the ceremony stage. Graduates��are required to��register at��.

Commencement Schedule

Graduates and guests can review the below commencement ceremony schedule, listing colleges, ceremony��dates��and streaming links:

������岹��,�����ܱ�����31

6����.��.

College of Arts and Humanities

College of Community Innovation and Education

College of Graduate Studies

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Saturday,��Aug. 1

9 a.m.

Barry S. Miller��College of Business

College of Health Professions and Sciences

College of Medicine

College of Nursing

2:30����.��.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

College of Optics and Photonics

College of Sciences

For more details and FAQs about��Summer��2026 commencement celebrations, visit��ucf.edu/graduation.

Commencement Speakers

Allen Johnson ’81

Chief Venues Officer, City of Orlando Venues

Allen Johnson ’81 has served as chief venues officer of Orlando Venues since 2004, overseeing the City of Orlando’s diverse portfolio of Kia Center, Camping World Stadium, Tinker Field, Leu Gardens and the Mennello Museum of American Art.

Johnson brings decades of venue management experience from leadership roles across Florida. Under Johnson’s leadership, Orlando Venues has evolved into a premier, globally recognized destination for sports, entertainment and culture, welcoming millions of guests each year while strengthening Central Florida’s reputation as a world-class destination.

A proud �鶹ӳ����ý graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, he has earned numerous honors, including the 2025 International Association of Venue Managers Foundation Legacy Award, the SPORTYS Executive of the Year Award and the Downtowner of the Year Award.

He remains active in the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), serving as past chairman and trustee of the foundation board, while also contributing to organizations that include the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, Florida Citrus Sports, Victim Service Center and the .

Tanya (Easterling) Hill ’97

Market President for Central Florida, Florida Blue

Tanya Hill ’97��is Florida Blue’s market president for Central Florida,��responsible for��regional business and community engagement in a 9-county region.

Throughout her more than 25-year career, she has worked with reputable brands including Chick-fil-A, Target and Walt Disney World to drive business results through strategic partnerships.

Hill is passionate about investing time in the community and has been involved with��numerous��community and civic organizations. She currently serves on the board of directors for the��African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, 4Roots Foundation, Orlando Economic��Partnership��and the Winter Park Health Foundation.

Hill holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from �鶹ӳ����ý.

Fred Kittinger ’80

Former Senior Associate Vice President for Government and Community Relations, �鶹ӳ����ý

A native of central Florida, Fred Kittinger ’80 recently retired as senior associate vice president for government and community relations at �鶹ӳ����ý, where he served for more than 22 years.

He worked alongside local and state leaders to help foster some of �鶹ӳ����ý’s most transformative achievements, including the approval of �鶹ӳ����ý’s College of Medicine, the creation of the world-class Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, the development of �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown, the expansion of the �鶹ӳ����ý Business Incubation Program and investments that enhanced the student experience and advanced regional impact.

Prior to his career at �鶹ӳ����ý, Kittinger served as chief of staff to Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood and previously as vice president of government relations for the Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce. He began his career as a legislative aide to state Senator George Stuart of Orlando.

Reflecting his commitment to the community, Kittinger currently serves on the board of directors for Junior Achievement of Central Florida (past chair), Central Florida Council for Scouting America and Legacy Pointe at �鶹ӳ����ý.

Kittinger graduated from �鶹ӳ����ý’s criminal justice program and earned his master’s degree in public administration from Florida State University.

This year’s tournament will be the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by three nations — United States, Canada and Mexico — and the first to include an expanded field of 48 teams from across the globe. Eleven U.S. cities will host 78 matches June 11 – July 19, including the championship match in New York and third place playoff in Miami.

This historic event coincides with the United States’ 250th anniversary��and marks the first time since 1994 the country has hosted the men’s World Cup.

Here’s��a look at some of the Knights bringing this event to life.

Izzy Angel ’23

Bachelor’s��in��human��communication

Role:��Media��operations��and��services
FIFA location: Atlanta

I will be supporting media logistics, guiding photographers and press to designated areas, and facilitating press conferences and interviews. One of the biggest ways �鶹ӳ����ý prepared me for this opportunity was through its emphasis on networking, collaboration and real-world experience. That mindset opened doors to internships, jobs and experiences that helped me gain confidence in putting myself out there and connecting with people.

It’s been really fulfilling to meet people with completely different backgrounds and life experiences who are all coming together over a shared passion. Being part of something on such a global scale and feeling that sense of community has been incredibly special.

Brendon Boseja ’25

Bachelor’s in��integrated��business

Role:��Senior��coordinator,��Client Group Management��Accreditation
FIFA site: Miami

At �鶹ӳ����ý, I learned to network and make many connections in the industry and to continue these relationships. This has especially helped me throughout FIFA, especially since my main job is to communicate with every stadium involved in the tournament. Working for a sports organization as big as FIFA has been a dream of mine, and to be involved with an event like the World Cup is surreal to think about.

Taylor Culver ’23 ’26MSBM ’26MBA

Bachelor’s in kinesiology
Master’s��in��sport��business��management
Master’s in business administration

Role:��Event��executive, FIFA Fan Festival
FIFA site: Houston

“Because of the connections, mentorship and opportunities I gained through �鶹ӳ����ý, these experiences expanded my confidence and showed me that I truly belong in this industry.”

My role is to help create and execute large-scale fan experiences that bring the energy of the World Cup to life outside of the stadium. Being able to contribute to an event of this magnitude is both humbling and motivating, and I know it will be one of the most impactful experiences of my career. �鶹ӳ����ý prepared me for this opportunity by putting me in real-world sports environments early and constantly challenging me to grow as a leader. Through the program and my experience as a recruiting assistant for �鶹ӳ����ý Athletics with the football team, I learned how to operate in fast-paced environments where organization, communication and adaptability are critical. Because of the connections, mentorship and opportunities I gained through �鶹ӳ����ý, these experiences expanded my confidence and showed me that I truly belong in this industry.

Daniel Garzon ’23 ’24MSBM ’24MBA

Bachelor’s��in��elementary��education
Master’s��in��sport��business��management
Master’s in business��administration

Role:��Workforce��integration��senior��coordinator,��Tournament Operation Center Services
FIFA site:��Miami

I started my journey at FIFA as an intern with the volunteer management team shortly after graduating from the DeVos Sport Business Management program in 2024. As a recruitment coordinator, I spearheaded communications and recruitment strategy while sourcing and scheduling thousands of candidates. Now in my new role, I will be in the heartbeat of the headquarters of the tournament, fulfilling operational needs for all departments while manipulating data to make informed decisions for all the venues during the World Cup.

Risako Karasawa ’21

Bachelor’s in entertainment management
Graduate student majoring in sport business management

Role: VIP Tour Coordinator/Translator
FIFA site:��Dallas

I serve as the primary point of contact for a VIP delegation from Japan. My responsibilities include coordinating transportation and logistics, providing interpretation and translation support, and ensuring a seamless experience throughout the visit. Combining my passions for sports, entertainment and hospitality, this opportunity feels like the perfect intersection of everything I love. Through both the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and the DeVos Sport Business Management Program, I have gained practical experience through hands-on opportunities working with professionals across the industries in event planning, guest experience, sponsorship and stakeholder management that prepared me for this incredibly exciting opportunity.

William Mendez ’26MSBM ’26MBA

Master’s��in��sport��business��management
Master’s in business��administration

Role: Team protocol liaison officer
FIFA site:��Miami

I will provide operational support as a main point of contact for the teams’ protocol representatives, managing VIP/VVIP seating, ticket distribution and logistics. I’m truly excited to be part of an event of this magnitude because FIFA ’26 goes beyond sports by bringing people together across cultures from all over the world. The DeVos Sport Business Management program at �鶹ӳ����ý has played a major role in preparing me for this moment, giving me the hands-on experience and confidence I need to contribute to an event of this scale.

Colin O’Toole ’26MSBM ’26MBA

Master’s��in��sport��business��management
Master’s��in business��administration

Role: Accreditation center coordinator
FIFA site:��Boston

I grew up watching the World Cup and always dreamed of being part of the most watched sporting event in the world. My experience in the soccer industry through both professional and volunteer roles gave me a strong foundation, and the DeVos program broadened my perspective. It exposed me to the business side of the industry, while simultaneously connecting me with incredible mentors and peers, ultimately giving me the confidence and network to land this opportunity with FIFA.

Connor Pank ’17

Bachelor’s in��management

Role:��Team��services��venue��officer
FIFA site: Tampa, Florida

The sport business management minor at �鶹ӳ����ý offered plenty of opportunities to gain practical experience in the industry. My junior year, I was fortunate enough to land a season-long internship at Orlando City Soccer Club in the game day operations department, which then turned into a full-time position with seven amazing seasons of constant growth and experiences that I am forever grateful for.

Being involved in a FIFA World Cup has been a personal goal of mine since my early days with Orlando City SC, when we hosted a U.S. Soccer vs.��Panama World Cup Qualifier��ahead of the��2018 FIFA World Cup.��Every team��participating��in the World Cup chooses a designated home base,��which includes the team hotel, training��site��and other operational support facilities as needed. My role is centered around acting as FIFA’s primary operational lead on-site for Cabo Verde’s home base in Tampa to ensure a seamless, world-class experience.

Annie Quaile ’06

Bachelor’s��in��marketing

Role:��Venue��manager,��FIFA Fan Festival
FIFA site: Atlanta

I act as the bridge between FIFA, Atlanta and the commercial and operational partners delivering the Fan Festival experience. My role focuses on coordinating event��logistics, operations, guest experience, VIP and talent management, and partner integration while ensuring FIFA brand standards are upheld throughout the event.

One of the biggest takeaways from my experience at �鶹ӳ����ý was learning how to balance creativity,��leadership��and problem-solving under pressure, which is��essentially the��foundation of live event and operational management.��The FIFA World Cup is one of the few truly global experiences that brings together people from every background,��culture��and country around a shared passion.��All of��the planning, coordination and operational work happens behind the scenes for months, so finally seeing people from around the world��gathering together, celebrating and creating memories is incredibly rewarding.

Andres Sifontes ’24

Bachelor’s in communication

Role:��Coordinator, Accreditation Documentation and Training Operations
FIFA site: Houston

I joined the FIFA team in September 2024, supporting preparations for both Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 2026. In my role now, I oversee Accreditation Center operations in Houston, assist volunteers, and ensure that key stakeholders — including partners like Coca-Cola, Adidas and Visa — receive proper credentials. �鶹ӳ����ý’s communication program, and especially my��Communication Research Methods��Professor , equipped me with the tools I continue to apply every day in my role at FIFA by teaching me how to communicate effectively, carry myself professionally, and think strategically.

Since graduating, my goal has been to contribute to the growth of soccer in the United States. This passion has always been part of who I am, and �鶹ӳ����ý helped me build the foundation to pursue it professionally. After graduation, I worked with Inter Miami CF, and now with FIFA, I’ve been fortunate to play a role in supporting the continued development of the sport. I truly believe we are about to witness unprecedented growth for the game in this country. I hope that at the end of my career, I can look back and say I contributed to that growth — and that it all started at �鶹ӳ����ý.

Dennis Sprenkle ’01

Bachelor’s��in��political��science

Role:��Director of��workforce��and��human��resources
FIFA site:��Miami

My team oversees the employee journey from recruitment to offboarding across the three host countries (Canada, Mexico and the U.S.) and 16 host cities. We are responsible for everything from workforce planning, training, visa management, benefits, payroll, employee uniforms and just about every other aspect of human resources.

I have always had a keen interest in global political and business affairs, which is why I studied political science with an emphasis on international relations at �鶹ӳ����ý. Working for a governing body like FIFA in many respects is akin to working for the United Nations. … In order to be a successful leader in a global organization like FIFA, it is critical to have an open mind to effectively collaborate, plan and execute the largest sporting event in human history. My education and experience at �鶹ӳ����ý as a leader in Student Government certainly laid the foundation and has helped prepare me for this opportunity.

Ryan Taheri ’24

Bachelor’s��in��finance

Role:��Workforce��operations��manager
FIFA site: Dallas

I grew up watching the World Cup with my family. Now, I occasionally stop for a second and realize how special it all is to be working behind the scenes on the operational side of the tournament. A big part of what I do in my role is coordinate with different functional areas like transportation, catering, accommodations, uniforms and venue operations to ensure the workforce is supported and operations run smoothly.

“�鶹ӳ����ý pushed me into leadership opportunities early and taught me how to work in fast-paced environments with a lot of moving parts.”

A lot of the role comes down to staying organized, communicating clearly and solving problems quickly. �鶹ӳ����ý pushed me into leadership opportunities early and taught me how to work in fast-paced environments with a lot of moving parts. Looking back now, I don’t think I realized at the time how much of my experience at �鶹ӳ����ý directly prepared me for working on something as large and complex as a FIFA ’26.

Alejandro Tarazona ’22

Bachelor’s in integrated business

Role:��Manager,��Training��Site��Venue��Transport
FIFA site: Miami

I oversee transportation operations and logistics at all 75 training sites across U.S., Canada and Mexico — including shuttles, loading zones, team busses and their fleets, and parking lots for media, volunteers and guests. I grew up in Lake Nona and had an opportunity to play collegiate soccer at a Division II school in Florida, but financially, it just didn’t make sense for my family and me. Instead I enrolled at Valencia College and earned my degree through the .

�鶹ӳ����ý gave me the technical skills I needed for my managerial position now, like creating financial analysis for labor rates across 16 stadiums that we’ll be using in U.S., Canada and Mexico. As a former soccer player and as someone who is obsessed with the sport, working for one of the biggest and best sports organization in the world has been a lifelong goal. This experience has taught me to consider redefining what’s possible and keep setting goals.

Tomas Upegui ’22

Bachelor’s��in��integrated��business

Role:��Fleet��operations��analyst
FIFA site: Miami

Growing up playing soccer, being involved with FIFA in any capacity is something I never imagined would become reality, especially this early in my career. I am supporting transportation and depot operations across all 16 host cities, contributing to transportation operations involving VIPs and trophy movements. Studying business taught me how to work efficiently in fast-paced environments and quickly adapt while balancing multiple responsibilities at once, which directly translates to my role.

One of the most exciting parts of this experience has been realizing the true scale of the FIFA World Cup and seeing firsthand how much coordination happens behind the scenes to make an event of this magnitude successful.

At 16, he opened his first brokerage account��in 2008, with his grandmother’s help, during the Great Recession because he saw a market that had no place to go but up.

When cloud accounting platforms were just starting to become viable in the early 2010s, he was an early adopter, eventually building a firm that served clients remotely.

Now as��artificial intelligence (AI)��reshapes��the business landscape, Hubenthal decided to embrace this��latest inflection point by enrolling in �鶹ӳ����ý’s��.

“�鶹ӳ����ý is ready for every Knight who dares to lean in.”

“�鶹ӳ����ý��doesn’t��just educate you. It finds you. It amplifies who you are and prepares you to make a difference,” says Hubenthal, who is from Elon, North Carolina. “Sometimes��I’m��amazed that this small-town kid has ended up consulting with business leaders in boardrooms across the globe. Somewhere out there, another teenager is watching the world shift and feeling that pull. �鶹ӳ����ý is ready for every Knight who dares to lean in.”

Leading With a Spirit of Innovation

It’s Knights like Hubenthal who inspired Barry S. Miller ’95 to invest a transformational $50 million gift into the College of Business to further strengthen �鶹ӳ����ý’s reputation as a global leader in fintech, AI and business innovation.

A graduate of �鶹ӳ����ý’s����program in the��,��Hubenthal��initially came to �鶹ӳ����ý to study����and��engineering. But��after��witnessing��the impact of the��Great Recession��on��families, including his own,��he��switched��to business and finance.

“I��made it my mission to��understand what happened, why it happened and how to help prevent it,”��Hubenthal says.

Early��in his career,��Hubenthal��worked in corporate��finance,��gaining��hands-on experience��and��learning��how established organizations manage their financial infrastructure.

In 2015,��just two years after��earning his bachelor’s degree,��he��co-founded��a data analytics firm with fellow �鶹ӳ����ý graduates,��bringing��enterprise-grade��big��data and��analytics��services��to local businesses at an accessible price point.��That��venture earned Hubenthal��recognition��as part of��Business��North Carolina��magazine’s��cover story��on��innovation��in��2016.

Building on Success

He��has since founded firms rooted in data analytics, accounting and finance — including his firm Bookscaping — started a financial literacy podcast to share his expertise with small businesses, and published a book, The Simple Fiscal Method: 17 Financial Lessons for Every Small Business Owner to Succeed in Life.

In 2022, he signed on as vice president of finance for ryco.io, an educational startup where he built and still leads the company’s financial strategy and operations.

He is currently beta��testing��an automated system for the company, which almost fully manages its payable function with safeguards, audit trails and authorizations built in. He envisions this empowering ryco.io to scale its financial operations.

Hubenthal wanted to fully immerse himself in this new era of business and tech, so he is turning to �鶹ӳ����ý’s fintech program to prepare him for what’s ahead.

“For me, the real world is the lab. And thanks to �鶹ӳ����ý, I’m just getting started.”

“The program put me in a room with nearly 30 students from four continents who felt like family within the first month,”��Hubenthal��says. “Just weeks ago,��I built a portfolio optimization tool for my own retirement account —��1��million simulated market days��and��almost��4,000��years of data, solved by a��supercomputer��in under three seconds — using what I learned in this program.

“For me,��the real world is the lab,” he continues.��“And thanks to �鶹ӳ����ý,��I’m��just getting started.”