Over the course of nearly a full academic year, peers, departmental and college leadership, and the university promotion and tenure committee engaged in a rigorous, multi-stage review to ensure candidates met �����’s high standards in teaching, research, and service. Ultimately, they recommended 100 faculty members for promotion, including 23 for tenure.

Following the review process, the president and provost make final decisions on promotions, while the �鶹ӳ����ý Board of Trustees provides final approval for tenure candidates. These decisions directly advance �����’s strategic plan and its focus on recruiting and retaining highly qualified faculty – especially those who elevate student success, accelerate discovery and research, and strengthen the talent pipeline that drives innovation and economics for the state of Florida.

“At �鶹ӳ����ý, promotion and tenure reflects a thoughtful, rigorous review process and the high standards we set as an institution and state,” says John Buckwalter, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “It’s a significant moment for these faculty, not just for the years of hard work it recognizes, but for what promotion and tenure represents: a sustained commitment to excellence, a deep dedication to student success, research that boldly improves lives, and the future we’re building together.”

Promotions and tenure conferrals annually take effect on Aug. 8.

The faculty members recognized below represent the continued strength and momentum of �鶹ӳ����ý.

Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure

• John Gardiner, College of Arts and Humanities
• Tadashi Ishikawa, College of Arts and Humanities
• Sara Raffel, College of Arts and Humanities
• Jeffery Redding, College of Arts and Humanities
• John Bush, College of Business
• Seongho An, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Cynthia Williams, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Jiannan Chen, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Chinwendu Enyioha, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Ozlem Garibay, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Yao Li, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Miguel Bandres, College of Optics and Photonics
• Robert Fitak, College of Sciences
• Shyam Kattel, College of Sciences
• Kelsey Larsen, College of Sciences
• Kangsang Lee, College of Sciences
• Xialing Lin, College of Sciences
• Emily Zavodny, College of Sciences
• Kayode Aleshinloye, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• Carissa Baker, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• YunYing Zhong, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Promotion to Associate Professor of Medicine with Tenure

• Taj Azarian, College of Medicine
• Thomas Kean, College of Medicine

Promotion to Professor (Tenured)

• Thaddeus Anderson, College of Arts and Humanities
• Ann Gleig, College of Arts and Humanities
• Lanlan Kuang, College of Arts and Humanities
• Sandra Sousa, College of Arts and Humanities
• Mel Stanfill, College of Arts and Humanities
• Melanie Guldi, College of Business
• Xin He, College of Business
• Laurie Campbell, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Eric Merriam, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Woo Hyoung Lee, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Thomas Wahl, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Yang Yang, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Jacqueline Towson, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Romain Gaume, College of Optics and Photonics
• Jacopo Baggio, College of Sciences
• Matthieu Baudelet, College of Sciences
• Karin Chumbimuni Torres, College of Sciences
• Geoffrey Cook, College of Sciences
• Amy Donley, College of Sciences
• Hsin‑Hsiung Huang, College of Sciences
• Brigitte Kovacevich, College of Sciences
• Arkadiy Lyakh, College of Sciences
• Peter Smith, College of Sciences
• Xiaohu Xia, College of Sciences

Promotion to Associate Professor of Medicine

• Maria Farooq, College of Medicine

Promotion to Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine

• Naziha Slimani, College of Medicine
• Sharon Wasserstrom, College of Medicine

Promotion to Clinical Professor of Medicine

• Mariana Dangiolo, College of Medicine

Promotion to Research Associate Professor

• Crystal Maraj, Office of Research

Promotion to Associate Lecturer

• Jonathan Barker, College of Arts and Humanities
• Sara Willox, College of Business
• Elizabeth Yost, College of Business
• Michael Gilbrook, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Alison Redd, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Michael Redd, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Michael Chetta, College of Sciences
• Heather Edwards, College of Sciences
• Seongchun Kwon, College of Sciences
• Adam Parrish, College of Sciences
• Jamie Vega, College of Sciences
• Tong Wan, College of Sciences
• Rong Zhou, College of Sciences

Promotion to Senior Lecturer

• Christy Flanagan‑Feddon, College of Arts and Humanities
• David Head, College of Arts and Humanities
• Deborah Leitch, College of Arts and Humanities
• Amanda Snyder, College of Arts and Humanities
• Jeanine Viau, College of Arts and Humanities
• Constance Goodman, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Daniel Stephens, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Shane Trenta, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Marino Nader, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Sudeshna Pal, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Rachid Ait Maalem Lahcen, College of Sciences
• Cynthia Bayer, College of Sciences
• Martha Hubertz, College of Sciences
• Tamra Legron‑Rodriguez, College of Sciences
• Hyung Park, College of Sciences
• Widaad Zaman, College of Sciences

Promotion to Associate Instructor

• Meeghan Faulconer, College of Arts and Humanities
• Yukari Nakamura, College of Arts and Humanities
• Carolina Salazar, College of Arts and Humanities
• Punam Desormes, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Jorri Bright, College of Sciences
• Richard Hall, College of Sciences
• Nicholas Zuccarello, College of Sciences

Promotion to Senior Instructor

• Rita De Luca Guerriero, College of Arts and Humanities
• Steven Ton, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Todd Fix, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Julie Matura, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Lance Speere, College of Sciences
• Abigail Ferreira, �鶹ӳ����ý Global

Promotion to Associate Instructional Designer

• Rebecca McNulty, Division of Digital Learning

Promotion to Senior Instructional Designer

• Amy Sugar, Division of Digital Learning

Promotion to Associate Librarian

• Renee Montgomery, �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries

Promotion to University Librarian

• Sai Deng, �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries
• Sarah Norris, �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries
• Andrew Todd, �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries

With its 12th class in 11 years, the 30 Under 30 program recognizes alumni under the age of 30 whose professional achievements, leadership and service reflect the bold spirit, values and impact of the �鶹ӳ����ý. The program also underscores �����’s role in developing highly skilled graduates who fuel innovation, service and economic impact in Florida and beyond.

“These alumni embody the spirit of �鶹ӳ����ý in every sense,” says Heather Junod ’98, associate vice president of alumni engagement and annual giving. “Each year, my pride grows as we recognize a new class of 30 Under 30 honorees who are leading with integrity, creativity and courage. Their achievements are extraordinary, but what inspires me most is their commitment to service — to their communities, their professions and their alma mater. They remind us all of the power of a �鶹ӳ����ý education and the impact Knights can make when they dare to lead.”

Hundreds of nominations were submitted online between Oct. 3—Nov. 12, 2025. Applications were reviewed and scored by previous award recipients, �鶹ӳ����ý Young Alumni ambassadors and �鶹ӳ����ý staff. Finalists were then confirmed by the �鶹ӳ����ý Alumni Board of Directors based on the following criteria:

• Must be a graduate of �鶹ӳ����ý (undergraduate or graduate degree)

• Must be 29 or younger as of June 1, 2026

• Must demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a lifelong relationship with �鶹ӳ����ý and upholding �鶹ӳ����ý Young Alumni values

“On behalf of the �鶹ӳ����ý Young Alumni Community, congratulations to the remarkable members of the 2026 Class of 30 Under 30,” says Austin Wilson ’22, chair of the �鶹ӳ����ý Alumni Community. “These honorees represent the future of Knight Nation. Their ambition, leadership and dedication to making a difference reflect the values that connect us as alumni. We are proud to celebrate not only what they have already accomplished, but the incredible impact they will continue to make as leaders, mentors and advocates for �鶹ӳ����ý.”

�鶹ӳ����ý Alumni will celebrate the 2026 award recipients at a special event on Saturday, May 16, at the Addition Financial Arena. A complete slate of the honorees, listed alphabetically by last name, appears below. Past recipients can be found on the .

Cassandra Allen ’18
�����������ǰ�’s��������health sciences

Samantha Archer Stoltz ’24
�����������ǰ�’�������� biology
Burnett Honors College

Chloe Artrip ’19 ’23DPT
�����������ǰ�’�������� health sciences
Doctorate in physical therapy

Coral Barron Patraca ’19
�����������ǰ�’�������� aerospace engineering
Burnett Honors College

Ana Beltran ’19 ’24MFA
Bachelor’s in digital media-game design
Bachelor’s in emerging media-animation
Master’s in emerging media-animation and visual effects 

Mishka Brice ’19
�����������ǰ�’�������� political science
Burnett Honors College

Taya Britten ’20
�����������ǰ�’�������� interdisciplinary studies 

Brenden Brown ’20 ’23MHA
�����������ǰ�’�������� health sciences
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� health administration

Dominic Davis ’21
�����������ǰ�’�������� human communication

Jalynn Edmon ’25
�����������ǰ�’�������� nursing

Olivia Feild ’20 ’22MS
�����������ǰ�’�������� forensic science
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� forensic science
Burnett Honors College

Marshall Fornataro-Minnig ’22MS
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� interactive entertainment 

Katherine Grand ’23 ’25MHA
Bachelor’s in health services administration
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� health administration

Michele Guillard ’20
�����������ǰ�’�������� health sciences
�����������ǰ�’�������� interdisciplinary studies
Burnett Honors College

Margaret Hall ’22
�����������ǰ�’�������� legal studies
Burnett Honors College

Neda Hamood ’22 ’24MS
Bachelor’s in biomedical sciences
Master’s in biomedical sciences
Burnett Honors College

Jaquesha Jefferson ’22
�����������ǰ�’�������� health sciences

Derreasha Jones ’21 ’24MA
�����������ǰ�’�������� psychology
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� counselor education 

Mailuce Louidor ’20
�����������ǰ�’�������� nursing

Faith McFarland ’19 ’22MA
�����������ǰ�’�������� psychology
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� clinical psychology

Hannah Miner ’20
Bachelor’s in forensic science

Lawrence Oks ’21 ’22MS
�����������ǰ�’�������� computer science
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� computer science
Burnett Honors College

Jillian Pirozzi ’22 ’25MHA
�����������ǰ�’�������� health sciences
�Ѳ����ٱ��’�������� health administration

Emily Puia ’22
�����������ǰ�’�������� human communication

Matthew Rall ’19
Bachelor’s in emergency management

Michael Raymond ’19
�����������ǰ�’s������ business economics

Shaina Ruth ’18
�����������ǰ�’�������� criminal justice 

Maximillian Seidel ’18
Bachelor’s in management

Autumn Shackelford ’25PhD
Doctorate in physics

Nicholas Vaughn ’19
�����������ǰ�’�������� biology

Graduates will hear from four esteemed speakers — Lance Lyttle, CEO for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority; Joe Nunziata, CEO for Acrisure Mortgage; JoAnn Newman, president and CEO for the Orlando Science Center; and Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia College — whose leadership and impact span some of Central Florida’s most influential industries.

�鶹ӳ����ý will award more than 6,000 degrees during this fall’s commencement ceremonies, continuing its record-setting momentum in preparing highly skilled graduates for in-demand fields, including engineering, computer science, nursing, and digital and emerging media. The university awards over 18,000 degrees annually, including more bachelor’s degrees in engineering and nursing than any other institution in the state. These two fields are essential to sustaining Florida’s economic and population growth.

�鶹ӳ����ý serves more of Florida’s students than any other university. More than 90% of �����’s undergraduate students are Florida residents, and most will stay in Florida after they graduate, with 85% of �����’s new graduates remaining in Florida.

Of all degrees, the College of Sciences will award 25%, with fields like digital media, chemistry and physics. The College of Business will award 15%, including disciplines such as finance and accounting. The College of Engineering and Computer Science will award 15%, representing fields such as aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science.

About 54% of the bachelor’s degree recipients are eligible for Pell Grants, showcasing the university’s commitment to students of all backgrounds. Additionally, about 31% of all bachelor’s degrees will be awarded to first-generation students who will be the first in their families to graduate from college.

Commencement Festivities

Held in the Addition Financial Arena, fall commencement will take place Dec. 12-13.

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 livestreamed on .

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

Main Campus

Two photo-ops are available for students to celebrate their accomplishments.

The Reflecting Pond is one of the most iconic spots on campus for grad photos. Strike a pose and make memories Dec. 1-14.

On Thursday, Dec. 11, 2:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.), fall graduates are invited to a photo-op — — 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. .

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

�鶹ӳ����ý Downtown

�鶹ӳ����ý Downtown offers several great locations f�ǰ� unforgettable graduation photos. Here are our top picks of the best spots to memorialize your academic achievement.

Celebrate your college journey by honoring your support system at the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons West Lobby donor wall. Use the iconic phrase, “If you want to go far, go together,” on the donor wall as a backdrop to pay homage to those who helped you along the way.

The Seneff Plaza, located between the East and West Wings of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, is where so many campus events and gatherings take place. The towering columns and reflective glass of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons capture the modern campus where you worked so hard to earn your degree.

Enhance your graduation photos by venturing beyond campus into the surrounding Orlando area. You barely have to step off campus to encounter the iconic Orlando sign locatedat Luminary Green Park. The 2.3-acre park features a large, welcoming lawn that leads up to the oversized “Orlando” letters at the end of the park, creating the ideal environment to mark your time in The City Beautiful.

Commencement Schedule

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

Friday, Dec. 12
2 p.m.

College of Business Administration
College of Health Professions and Sciences

Friday, Dec. 12
7 p.m.

College of Arts and Humanities
College of Community Innovation and Education (includes the School of Interdisciplinary Studies)

Saturday, Dec. 13
9 a.m.

College of Sciences

Saturday, Dec. 13
2 p.m.

College of Engineering and Computer Science
College of Graduate Studies
College of Medicine
College of Nursing
College of Optics and Photonics
Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Commencement Speakers

Lance Lyttle

CEO for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

As chief executive officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), Lance Lyttle oversees the operations and management of Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport — two premier gateways to Central Florida, one of the most visited destinations in the world. Both airports are integral to Florida’s transportation network.

Before his role as GOAA CEO, Lyttle held key leadership positions at three major U.S. airports, where he guided significant capital projects and elevated the standard for customer service. As managing director of Aviation for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, he oversaw major milestones including the completion of the N Concourse Modernization, the International Arrivals Facility and the expansion of the Central Terminal. He also advanced significant progress on the C Concourse expansion. Under his leadership, Seattle-Tacoma earned the prestigious 4-Star Airport Rating from international rating agency Skytrax, becoming only the second large U.S. hub airport to receive the designation.

Lyttle also served in leadership roles at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the U.S. by passenger volume, and within the Houston Airport System.

His aviation experience is complemented by his involvement with several professional organizations. Lyttle currently serves on the boards of the International Association of Airport Executives and the Airport Cooperative Research Program. From 2019 to 2024, he was chair of Federal Affairs for the American Association of Airport Executives and testified before the U.S. House and Senate committees on aviation-related matters.

Joe Nunziata

CEO for Acrisure Mortgage 

Joe Nunziata is a driving force in the financial industry, serving as CEO for Acrisure Mortgage (formerly FBC Mortgage), one of the nation’s largest independent mortgage banks. His entrepreneurial footprint extends across Central Florida as the founder and director of One Florida Bank, a Central Florida–based community bank; and the founder and director of Trident Reciprocal Insurance, a Florida-based insurance company. He also lends his expertise as a director of FBCInsurance Agency. Nunziata’s leadership has earned him appointments by Governor Ron DeSantis to the boards of both the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and the Central Florida Expressway Authority. He has also served on the boards of several financial institutions, including Sunshine Bank (NASDAQ), Southern Community Bank, Florida Bank of Commerce and Fifth Third Bank of Central Florida (NYSE: FITB).

Nunziata’s career is marked by moments of bold strategy and impactful transitions. After FBC Mortgage was acquired by The Sterne Agee Group in 2012, he took the lead as president and CEO. Three years later, he played a key role in the company’s successful re-acquisition from Sterne Agee in 2015 and guided it through its next era of growth. His earlier leadership roles in his career include serving as senior vice president at First Horizon Home Loans (NYSE: FHN) and vice president and shareholder at American Heritage Mortgage Corp., where he served from 1989 to 2003.

Beyond business, Nunziata is deeply committed to civic engagement and philanthropy. He currently serves on the boards of the Advent Health Foundation; the Orlando Police, Seminole, Osceola, Winter Park and Orange County Sheriff Foundations; and the FBC Mortgage Charitable Foundation. He and his family also operate the Joe and Jodi Nunziata Charitable Foundation, supporting a range of community initiatives.

A Certified Mortgage Banker through the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, Nunziata has served on the MBA’s Legislative Committee, the City of Longwood’s Board of Adjustment and the Florida Council 100. His industry expertise has made him a sought-after commentator for CNBC and Fox News and a frequent speaker at mortgage industry conferences and leadership panels.

Nunziata earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida, attended summer courses at �鶹ӳ����ý and completed sessions at the London School of Economics. His leadership and entrepreneurial achievements have earned him many honors, including Executive of the Year by the Orlando Business Journal and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

JoAnn Newman

President and CEO for the Orlando Science Center

Originally from Pennsylvania, JoAnn Newman holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Penn State University and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Purdue University. She began her career as an engineer at AT&T Microelectronics in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and relocated to Orlando with the company in 1989. By the time she left the corporation in 2003, she had risen to vice president of manufacturing, overseeing a 650-person staff.

Newman joined the Orlando Science Center in 2003, bringing her leadership experience to the nonprofit sector.�� Before being named president and CEO in 2009, she served in key roles, including as director of exhibits, vice president of operations and chief operating officer. Under her leadership as CEO, the Orlando Science Center has seen tremendous growth and now reaches more than 650,000 people annually through its mission to inspire science learning for all.

Newman remains dedicated to guiding the Orlando Science Center as a premier educational institution focused on informal science and STEM education, family engagement and workforce development.

Kathleen Plinske

President of Valencia College

Kathleen Plinske serves as president of Valencia College in Orlando.  A first-generation college graduate, she’s committed to expanding access to higher education and workforce training.

Plinske previously held several leadership roles at Valencia College, including executive vice president and provost, as well as campus president. She began her higher education career at McHenry County College in her hometown of Crystal Lake, Illinois, where she advanced through multiple positions, ultimately serving as vice president of institutional effectiveness and interim president.

A Herman B Wells Scholar at Indiana University, Plinske graduated with the highest distinction, earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and physics and being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She went on to complete a master’s degree in Spanish from Roosevelt University and a doctorate in education from Pepperdine University — all while working full-time. She later earned both a master of business administration and a master of science in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Florida.

An avid lifelong learner, Plinske is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in philanthropy at Indiana University, where her research focuses on improving fundraising success within the community college sector.

For more details and FAQs about Fall 2025 commencement celebrations, visit ucf.edu/graduation.��

A Toolkit Grounded in Evidence

RenewU provides 10 evidence-based interventions to prevent burnout and promote resilience in stressful and challenging environments. The program was created by faculty across �����’s Colleges of Health Professions and Sciences, Medicine and Nursing, with support from a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which aims to decrease high burnout rates among healthcare professionals.

“Burnout has emerged as a growing epidemic among healthcare providers,” says Magdelena Pasarica, College of Medicine assistant dean for medical education, who helped create the program. “They need to manage the inherent stress of the profession through healthy behaviors.�� We wanted to create a virtual, free resource that will work for everyone — whether you’re in a huge academic medical center or a clinic in rural Arkansas.”

“Promoting health and wellness among healthcare professionals allows us to better care for our patients.” — Laurie Neely, �鶹ӳ����ý associate professor of physical therapy

While the Internet is full of suggestions for improving mental and physical well-being, �����’s team found that most of those recommendations were not evidence-based. Existing programs had also not been studied for effectiveness and were not designed to support interdisciplinary healthcare teams.

“Promoting health and wellness among healthcare professionals allows us to better care for our patients,” says Laurie Neely, �鶹ӳ����ý associate professor of physical therapy, who helped create RenewU. “It is also important that healthcare systems address the problem and promote a workplace that fosters health and wellness among their employees.”

Creating Interventions for Realities of Healthcare

In creating the system, the �鶹ӳ����ý team incorporated proven practices recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, a scientifically independent group of national experts on disease prevention and evidence-based medicine. The toolkit includes information and guides for individuals, teams and health systems, so hospital leaders can create resiliency support for their entire workforce. Resources are provided in medical and lay terms for clinical and non-clinical workers, and include active, self-directed learning, practice activities, group interaction and reflection opportunities. Licensed healthcare providers can even receive continuing education credits through RenewU training.

Supporting Mental and Physical Well-Being

The toolkit is divided into mental and physical wellness sections. Mental health and well-being topics cover stress management, mindfulness, psychological detachment, setting boundaries, behavioral modification and handling stress in challenging situations. Videos from mental health experts guide participants in detaching from work and responding more effectively when experiencing self-doubt or becoming overwhelmed.

“We selected these evidence-based interventions with intention, keeping in mind the fast-paced and often unpredictable nature of healthcare environments,” says Asli Yalim, associate professor in �����’s School of Social Work and another RenewU creator. “The practices in this toolkit go beyond generic five- or ten-minute mental health tips. They offer practical, meaningful strategies tailored specifically for healthcare providers to support healthier decision-making in both work and life.”

The physical health section covers topics such as active rest, like exercising at your desk or taking a walk during breaks, along with healthy eating recipes and how-to videos from a licensed yoga instructor. Participants can watch a video on preparing baked salmon and vegetables, a meal high in Omega-3 fatty acids that support mental health, and learn which foods have the highest amounts of Omega-3s.

Feedback from �鶹ӳ����ý Students, Residents and Community Clinicians

�鶹ӳ����ý faculty piloted the program with 761 AHSC learners, including physicians training in College of Medicine-HCA Healthcare residencies. Emergency medicine residents at HCA Florida Osceola Hospital participated in the program’s yoga curriculum at a local park alongside their attending physician, Tracy MacIntosh of the College of Medicine, to test the program’s effectiveness in helping teams address burnout. The creators also shared the program with 351 healthcare workers from seven Central Florida clinical organizations. Staff at Orlando’s Grace Medical Home participated in active rest exercises during lunch and were amazed that all the physical and mental health resources are free.

In developing the program, �鶹ӳ����ý faculty evaluated the educational rigor of their content using the Kirkpatrick Model, an internationally recognized system for measuring the success of learning and training programs.

RenewU is one reason �鶹ӳ����ý received the National Award for Institutional Excellence and Innovation in Interprofessional Education from the Association of Schools Advancing Health, and it’s now integrated into the required curriculum for interprofessional education at the AHSC. As part of this year’s interprofessional education initiative, students from �����’s College of Medicine and the University of Florida’s College of Pharmacy completed a five-week virtual course on stress management in healthcare. The Yellowdig platform played a key role in fostering learning communities across four campuses, enabling peer interaction, reflective dialogue and shared exploration of evidence-based strategies for well-being.

Findings from the resilience toolkit program have been presented at 17 national and four international scientific conferences and published in six peer-reviewed journals. Even with minimal marketing, the toolkit has been used by 2,500 people, including international healthcare workers in Canada, Ireland, Sweden and Germany.

�鶹ӳ����ý will award more than 4,000 degrees during three commencement ceremonies this summer, continuing �����’s record-setting pace of preparing highly qualified graduates to drive Florida’s rapidly expanding engineering and technology economy and provide vital services to our communities.

Graduates will hear from industry leaders driving cutting-edge partnerships and processes in the health and space sectors, continuing inventive efforts that look to improve community health, streamline launches and make space more accessible.

They are Elizabeth Ellis ’02, a senior program manager at Blue Origin; Mark Soltys ’12, principal launch engineer at Space X; and Nicholas Abrahams ’20MNM, president and CEO of the Winter Park Health Foundation.

�鶹ӳ����ý expects to award over 4,000 degrees this summer, a showcase of the university’s continued scale. �鶹ӳ����ý awards 18,000 degrees annually, including awarding more bachelor’s degrees in engineering and nursing than any other institution in the state. These two fields are essential to sustaining Florida’s economic and population growth.

�鶹ӳ����ý serves more of Florida’s students than any other university. More than 90% of �����’s undergraduate students are Florida residents — and most will stay in Florida after they graduate, with 85% of �����’s new graduates remaining in Florida.

Of all degrees, the College of Sciences will award 22%, with fields like digital media, chemistry and physics. The College of Business will award 16%, including disciplines such as finance and accounting. The College of Engineering and Computer Science will award 13%, representing fields such as aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science.

About 41% of the bachelor’s degree recipients are eligible for Pell Grants, showcasing the university’s commitment to students of all backgrounds. Additionally, about 25% of all degrees will be awarded to first-generation students who will be the first in their families to graduate from college.

Commencement Festivities

Held in Addition Financial Arena, the spring commencement will take place Aug. 1-2.

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 livestreamed on .

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

Main Campus

Two photo-ops are available for students to celebrate their accomplishments.

The Reflecting Pond is one of the most iconic spots on campus for grad photos. Strike a pose and make memories now through Monday, Aug. 4.

On Thursday, July 31, 4:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.), spring graduates will be offered a photo-op — Grad Walk — within 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.��.

Graduating Knights are not able to take photos in FBC Mortgage Stadium this semester due to ongoing construction.

�鶹ӳ����ý Downtown

�鶹ӳ����ý Downtown offers several great locations for unforgettable graduation photos. Here are our top picks of the best spots to memorialize your academic achievement.

Celebrate your college journey by honoring your support system at the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons West Lobby donor wall. Use the iconic phrase, “If you want to go far, go together,” on the donor wall as a backdrop to pay homage to those who helped you along the way.

The Seneff Plaza, located between the East and West Wings of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, is where so many campus events and gatherings take place. The towering columns and reflective glass of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons capture the modern campus where you worked so hard to earn your degree.

Enhance your graduation photos by venturing beyond campus into the surrounding Orlando area. You barely have to step off campus to encounter the iconic Orlando sign located at Luminary Green Park. The 2.3-acre park features a large, welcoming lawn that leads up to the oversized “Orlando” letters at the end of the park, creating the ideal environment to mark your time in The City Beautiful.

Commencement Schedule

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

Friday, Aug. 1
6 p.m.

College of Arts and Humanities
College of Sciences
College of Undergraduate Studies

Saturday, Aug. 2
9 a.m.

College of Business
College of Engineering and Computer Science
College of Optics and Photonics
Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Saturday, Aug. 2
2:30 p.m.

College of Community Innovation and Education
College of Graduate Studies
College of Health Professions & Sciences
College of Medicine
College of Nursing

Commencement Speakers

Elizabeth Ellis ’02
Manager – Program Integration/Project Management

Elizabeth Ellis ’02 is a senior program manager at Blue Origin. Blue Origin is building a road to space for the benefit of Earth, humanity’s blue origin, by radically reducing the cost of access to space and harnessing its vast resources while mobilizing future generations to realize this mission.

Ellis supports the company’s push for reusable rockets to reduce spaceflight costs. Her focus includes work on this year’s successful launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn — the first non-legacy rocket to reach orbit on its maiden flight. She also contributes to the company’s endeavors to move and test critical equipment, aiding efforts that include protecting spacecraft payloads from aerodynamic heating and pressure during atmospheric launch.

Her professional career includes extensive experience in legal, hospitality and university sectors and a strong background in project management, analytics, finance, marketing and sales promotion. In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree from �鶹ӳ����ý in marketing with a track in international business, she holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Glamorgan (now Cardiff University) in South Wales of the United Kingdom. Beyond work, Ellis’ interests include rescuing animals from high-kill shelters and unsafe conditions.

Mark Soltys ’12

Principal launch engineer at SpaceX

Mark Soltys ’12 has spent more than a decade launching rockets — and humans — into space. His current work centers on the Starship program, SpaceX’s ambitious effort to make humanity multiplanetary. He began his Starship journey as the launch director for its first prototype, Starhopper, and has supported further program development through suborbital, high-altitude and orbital flight tests. His current responsibility is to bring Starship “home” to Cape Canaveral.

Earlier in his career, Soltys developed and executed the first-ever fully automated launch countdown sequences for the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Starship vehicles. This automation effort — designed to make rocket launches “boring” by minimizing human error — was a key enabler of SpaceX’s record-breaking launch cadence. It contributed to more than 500 successful missions, including critical national security payloads, scientific research missions and human spaceflight.

Soltys believes human spaceflight is our greatest honor and most solemn responsibility. He is proud to have helped end U.S. reliance on Russia to send astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) and has directed historic missions including the first-ever private mission to the ISS and the first human flight to orbit Earth’s poles.

Prior to SpaceX, Soltys held roles at Earthrise Space Foundation and Richard Petty Motorsports. A 2012 graduate of the �鶹ӳ����ý with a bachelor’s in aerospace engineering, Mark lives, surfs and freedives in Merritt Island, Florida, with his fiancée, a �鶹ӳ����ý nursing alumna.

Nicholas Abrahams ’20MNM

President and CEO for Winter Park Health Foundation

Nicholas Abrahams ’20MNM is the president and CEO of the Winter Park Health Foundation, where he leads initiatives focused on enhancing community health and well-being. The foundation serves Eatonville, Maitland and Winter Park, aiming to create a lasting impact by fostering innovative partnerships that address the evolving needs of these communities. Since its founding, the foundation has invested over $132 million into the community to support this mission.

He is a graduate of Florida State University and completed his master’s in nonprofit management at �鶹ӳ����ý. His commitment to community service includes his involvement on various boards, such as the AdventHealth Orlando board of directors, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando and Osceola County, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation advisory board, the �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown dean’s advisory council, the Burnett Honors College dean’s advisory board and the VyStar Credit Union Foundation board of directors.

Together with his wife, Courtney, and daughter, Elle, Abrahams is committed to building a healthier, more vibrant future for families across Central Florida.

Genova credits Ahmed, as well as renowned professors Jayanta Kapat and Subith Vasu, for helping to propel him to a highly successful career. He now works as the lead engineer of combustion at GE Aerospace, one of the nation’s aviation and aerospace component manufacturing companies.

“I attribute most of my success to the degree I got from �鶹ӳ����ý,” Genova says. “The technical skills I built and connections I made in my graduate studies and research have been invaluable to get me to the point I’ve gotten to in my career.

Like Genova, the U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings recognize the high quality of �����’s aerospace engineering graduate program, which advanced seven spots and now is among the top 40 in the nation.

Overall, 13 �鶹ӳ����ý graduate programs rank among the top 50 in the nation. Among public universities, nine programs in engineering and computer science rank in the top 50.

�����’s emergency and crisis management program  ranks No. 1 in the nation, counselor education is No. 9 and nonprofit management is No. 15.

�鶹ӳ����ý is the ideal home for graduate students looking to advance their careers and gain new skills in those fields and many others. In addition to working alongside world-class faculty, students benefit from the university’s location in Orlando and strong partnerships with industry.

The city is home to many leading engineering firms, a world modeling and simulation hub and the hospitality capital of the world, as well as a short drive from the Space Coast.

Orlando also is one of the most dynamic regions in the country, securing the No. 1 ranking among the 30 most populous metro areas in job growth, population growth and GDP growth. In 2024, Orlando led the nation in employment expansion, driven by thriving industries such as healthcare, tech and financial services.

A �鶹ӳ����ý education combines the strong advantages of Orlando with world-class faculty like Ahmed, Vasu and Kapat who bring strong industry and academic experience into classrooms and research labs.

“�����’s rise in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings reflects our strategic commitment to becoming a national leader in engineering,” says Michael D. Johnson, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “Across our academic enterprise, we are investing in exceptional faculty, expanding research capabilities and deepening industry partnerships — all with the goal of preparing our students to excel in high-impact careers and to help address the world’s most pressing challenges.”

Nation’s Top Pipeline to Aerospace Industry

Advances in engineering rankings at Florida’s Premier Engineering and Technology University have come as the university has launched a bold faculty hiring initiative to prepare leaders for the future of industry.

�鶹ӳ����ý also has consistently been ranked by Aviation Week Network as the No. 1 provider of talent in the nation to aerospace and defense companies.

For GE, Genova is far from the only example of that strong talent pipeline. He says his division of GE has hired many �鶹ӳ����ý graduates who are making substantial contributions to the company.

“�鶹ӳ����ý has invested a lot into its aerospace engineering program, and it has shown,” he says. “There is a lot of exciting research going on that make it an attractive destination for someone interested in the aerospace field. This is not only evident from the strong growth of the program, but the increased number of �鶹ӳ����ý graduates in the field.”

“Graduate school at �鶹ӳ����ý was a challenge but rewarding. The course work was quite informative and helpful in understanding aerospace concepts at a deeper level.” — Nik Patel ’19MS, alum

Many �鶹ӳ����ý aerospace engineering graduates go on to prominent roles at NASA and — at a time when private spaceflight is rapidly growing — the nation’s leading private spaceflight companies.

Nik Patel ’19MS worked in Tarek Elgohary’s lab on his path to a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. He completed a co-op at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which led to a full-time job as flight director and mobility subject matter expert for the Mars Curiosity Rover.

“Eventually, I was recruited by Blue Origin to work on their lunar lander program as the verification and validation lead for mission operations systems,” Patel says. “I have been here at Blue Origin for three years now and we are quite excited to see the lander land in the coming future. I am now working as one of the leads on the lunar mission.”

“From the master’s classes, I learned the soft skills required to do my job. For example, balancing multiple priorities, communicating with teams efficiently and focusing on the entire system of an aerospace project,” Patel says.

Helping Students through �鶹ӳ����ý Counselor Education Program

Emily Ferrand ’20 graduated from the counselor education program with a focus on school counseling. The program now ranks No. 9 in the country after moving up three spots this year.

Ferrand says she learned a lot in the graduate program, particularly from senior lecturer Stacy Van Horn and Associate Professor J. Richelle Joe. Ferrand has worked five years at Horizon West Middle School, including three years as the school’s lead counselor.

“�鶹ӳ����ý knows how to produce really solid counselors. The professors are really supportive, and they don’t shy away from giving feedback, which is really important,” Ferrand says. “If I’m not doing something well, then I want someone to let me know that, so I can continue to grow and become a better counselor.”

“I’m still friends with some of the people in my master’s program, and I see them flourishing as counselors, too. It’s a really great program, and I would always recommend it to anyone who asks,” she says.

�鶹ӳ����ý has also been recognized as a top 40 Best Education School, improving 30 spots in 5 years.

�鶹ӳ����ý Emergency Management Remains No. 1 in the Nation

Lauren Gros ’22 is an alumna of the master’s in emergency and crisis management program, which equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to practice as highly trained emergency management professionals.

The emergency management program at �鶹ӳ����ý continues to rank No. 1 in the nation, with graduates who have outstanding training and knowledge courtesy of highly skilled faculty.

“The program’s stellar reputation and national ranking made it an obvious choice for pursuing these goals,” Gros says. “One of the highlights was working at Seminole County Emergency Management, an opportunity made possible by the university’s strong connections.”

Gros now works as a professional staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives’ Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has emergency management as part of its jurisdiction.

“�鶹ӳ����ý equipped me with a robust foundation in emergency management and public administration, which I apply daily in my career,” Gros says. “I’d enthusiastically recommend �鶹ӳ����ý to anyone considering a career in emergency management.”

Other �鶹ӳ����ý programs ranked highly in the public affairs category include:

• Nonprofit Management — No. 15
• Public Management and Leadership — No. 21
• Public Finance and Budgeting — No. 27
• Public Affairs — No. 46

Three Health Programs Rank Among Top 50 Nationally

When Jeff Schmidt evaluated where he wanted to pursue his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, he focused on programs’ academic excellence, cost and location.

�鶹ӳ����ý ranks No. 42 in the nation for graduate physical therapy programs. The cohort graduating in 2024 had a 100% employment rate.

“It was clear �鶹ӳ����ý met all of those criteria,” he says. “During the interview process I realized a fourth item would be just as important: the faculty. It was immediately clear how caring, supportive, down-to-earth the �鶹ӳ����ý DPT faculty are. This really resonated with me, and I knew right away I wanted to be a part of this program. I could see myself growing significantly as a student and as a person over the next three years under their guidance — and I was absolutely right.”

Today, Schmidt is a senior physical therapist at AdventHealth Sports Med & Rehab. He treats patients with neurologic conditions at a rehabilitation clinic and also serves as a mentor within AdventHealth’s neurologic residency program and a clinical instructor for DPT students. He also collaborates with his Ph.D. mentor Ethan Hill and the �鶹ӳ����ý Strategies for Therapeutic Rehabilitation and Optimization for Neuromuscular Growth (STRONG) Lab to examine the effects of blood flow restriction on resistance and walking training for people with multiple sclerosis.

“The �鶹ӳ����ý DPT program is highly ranked because of its exceptional faculty, rigorous curriculum, clinical focus and emphasis on research,” Schmidt says. “In my experience working with �鶹ӳ����ý DPT students and new graduates, their readiness to excel in the physical therapy field is evident. This is a direct result of the program’s commitment to facilitating academic and professional excellence.”

�����’s healthcare management program ranks No. 41 in the country, and speech language pathology is No. 48.

Matt Atkins ’20 ’22MHA earned a bachelor’s in health services administration and master’s in health administration. He credits his �鶹ӳ����ý education with helping him become executive director of Spring Haven Senior Living in Winter Haven, Florida — where he successfully leads of a team of more than 100 people who care for more than 200 residents.

“I have had an extensive relationship with the faculty that didn’t just end once I walked across the stage at commencement,” he says.�� “The biggest thing that sets [�����’s faculty] apart, [which] is obvious as soon as you walk into a classroom and start interacting with [them], is they’re all about developing their students and impacting their future.”

The celebration honored recipients of the Pegasus Professor Award, �����’s highest faculty honor; the Reach for the Stars Award; the recipient of the Medal of Societal Impact award; the inaugural Big 12 Faculty Member of the Year Award, university excellence award winners; those who recently reached 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service; a Faculty Senate service award; faculty granted �𳾱�����ٳܲ� �ǰ� �𳾱�����ٲ� status; and retired faculty members.

The event also included the announcement of this year’s faculty Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award, which went to Manoj Chopra, professor and associate dean of Undergraduate Affairs in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and a special presentation of provost emeritus status to Michael D. Johnson, �����’s provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. Johnson, �����’s provost since 2020, will retire this summer after 35 years at �鶹ӳ����ý in various teaching and leadership roles.

The faculty event was part of a Founders’ Day Celebration that also included separate employee and staff recognition ceremonies. Here are the faculty honorees.

Pegasus Professor Award

Roger Azevedo, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Fevzi Okumus, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Yan Solihin, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Reach for the Stars Award

Amrita Ghosh, College of Arts and Humanities

Leland Nordin, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Yogesh Rawat, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Kelly Stevens, College of Community Innovation and Education

Societal Medal of Impact Award

Mohamed Abdel-Aty, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award

Manoj Chopra, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Big 12 Faculty Member of the Year

Shin-Tson Wu, College of Optics and Photonics

Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

College Awardees

Robert Borgon, College of Medicine

Karin Chumbimuni Torres, College of Sciences

Stacey DiLiberto, College of Arts and Humanities

Archana Dubey, College of Sciences

Leah Gaines, College of Undergraduate Studies

Christine Hanlon, College of Sciences

Gail Humiston, College of Community Innovation and Education

Ethan Hill, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Haidar Khezri, College of Arts and Humanities

Kelly Kibler, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Eunkyung Lee, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Michael Mousseau, College of Sciences

Brian Reese, College of Arts and Humanities

Jeffrey Reinking, College of Business Administration

Meredith Robertson, College of Community Innovation and Education

Sandra Sousa, College of Arts and Humanities

Dawn Turnage, College of Nursing

Rani Vajravelu, College of Sciences

Konstantin Vodopyanov, College of Optics and Photonics

Amanda Walden, College of Community Innovation and Education

Wei Wei, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

University Winner

Christine Hanlon, College of Sciences

Excellence in Graduate Teaching

College Awardees

Tuhin Das, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Melissa Frye, College of Business Administration

Erica Hoyt, College of Nursing

Pieter Kik, College of Optics and Photonics

Jihyun Kim, College of Sciences

Christine Kolaya, College of Arts and Humanities

Sheila Moore, College of Community Innovation and Education

Ahmet Ozturk, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Carey Rothschild, College of Health Professions and Sciences

University Winner

Erica Hoyt, College of Nursing

Excellence in Research

College Awardees

Barbara Andraka-Christou, College of Community Innovation and Education

Desiree Díaz, College of Nursing

Naveen Eluru, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Xin He, College of Business Administration

Emily Johnson, College of Arts and Humanities

Guifang Li, College of Optics and Photonics

Humberto Lopez Castillo, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Michal Masternak, College of Medicine

Richard Plate, College of Undergraduate Studies

Wei Wei, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Xiaohu Xia, College of Sciences

University Winner

Barbara Andraka-Christou, College of Community Innovation and Education

Excellence in Faculty Academic Advising

Chen Chen, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Excellence in Professional Service

Jessica Wickey, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Excellence in Librarianship

Sai Deng, �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries

Excellence in Instructional Design

Amanda Major, Digital Learning

University Award for Excellence in Mentoring Doctoral Students

Engineering, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences

David Mohaisen, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Social Science, Humanities, Education, Business, Art and Health

Juli Dixon, College of Community Innovation and Education

University Award for Excellence in Mentoring Postdoctoral Scholars

Ghaith Rabadi, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Faculty Senate Service Awards

10 Years of Service

Karol Lucken, College of Community Innovation and Education

Service Awards

20 Years of Service

Ni-bin Chang, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Zixi Cheng, College of Medicine

Max Croft, College of Sciences

Leslee Damato-Kubiet, College of Nursing

Kenneth Fedorka, College of Sciences

Yanga Fernandez, College of Sciences

Amy Foster, College of Arts and Humanities

Martha Garcia, College of Arts and Humanities

Vladimir Gatchev, College of Business Administration

Andre Gesquiere, Office of Research

Xun Gong, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Constance Goodman, College of Community Innovation and Education

Ali Gordon, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Richard Hall, College of Sciences

William Hanney, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Tadayuki Hara, Rosen, College of Hospitality Management

Sally Hastings, College of Sciences

Eric Hoffman, College of Sciences

Jeremy Hunt, College of Arts and Humanities

Qun Huo, Office of Research

Hyung Jung, Rosen, College of Hospitality Management

Saiful Khondaker, Office of Research

Jacqueline Lamanna, College of Nursing

Glenn Lambie, College of Community Innovation and Education

Connie Lester, College of Arts and Humanities

Michael Leuenberger Office of Research

Amelia Lyons, College of Arts and Humanities

Carolyn Massiah, College of Business Administration

Daniel Novatnak, College of Sciences

Fevzi Okumus, Rosen, College of Hospitality Management

Thomas Potter, College of Arts and Humanities

Fernando Rivera, College of Sciences

Sean Robb, College of Business Administration

John Rotolo, College of Sciences

Swadeshmukul Santra, Office of Research

Zixia Song, College of Sciences

Judit Szente, College of Community Innovation and Education

Alexandru Tamasan, College of Sciences

Scott Waring, College of Community Innovation and Education

Ronald Weaver, College of Sciences

Harry Weger, College of Sciences

Margaret Zaho, College of Arts and Humanities

Lei Zhai, Office of Research

Changchun Zou, College of Engineering and Computer Science

25 Years of Service

Sue Bauer, Digital Learning

Aniket Bhattacharya, College of Sciences

David Boote, College of Community Innovation and Education

Shawn Burke, College of Graduate Studies

Juli Dixon, College of Community Innovation and Education

Patricia Farless, College of Arts and Humanities

Deguang Han, College of Sciences

Peter Hancock, College of Sciences

Christine Hanlon, College of Sciences

Rae Hanson, College of Graduate Studies

Robin Kohn, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Jaydeep Mukherjee, Office of Research

Carla Poindexter, College of Arts and Humanities

Luis Rabelo, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Dean Reed, College of Graduate Studies

Kimberly Renk, College of Sciences

Kirk Scammon, College of Engineering and Computer Science

David Scrogin, College of Business Administration

Stephen Sivo, College of Community Innovation and Education

Yongho Sohn, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Nancy Swenson, Digital Learning

Terry Thaxton, College of Arts and Humanities

Pamela Thomas, College of Sciences

Kristina Tollefson, College of Arts and Humanities

Rajan Vaidyanathan, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Mark Winton, College of Community Innovation and Education

Ross Wolf, �鶹ӳ����ý Downtown

Ronnie Zimmerman, College of Community Innovation and Education

30 Years of Service 

Hadi Abbas, College of Arts and Humanities

Mohamed Abdel-Aty, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Debopam Chakrabarti, College of Medicine

David Chasar, Office of Research

Leslie Connell, College of Business Administration

Dina Fabery, College of Arts and Humanities

Cristina Fernandez-Valle, College of Medicine

Kevin Haran, College of Arts and Humanities

James Helsinger, College of Arts and Humanities

Athena Hoeppner, �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries

Aubrey Jewett, College of Sciences

Timothy Kotnour, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Heath Martin, College of Sciences

Janet McIlvaine, Office of Research

Lisa Nalbone, College of Arts and Humanities

Saleh Naser, College of Medicine

Marianna Pensky, College of Sciences

Otto Phanstiel, College of Medicine

Jeanne Piascik, �鶹ӳ����ý Libraries

Jeffrey Rupert, College of Arts and Humanities

Raymond Surette, College of Community Innovation and Education

John Weishampel, College of Graduate Studies

35 Years of Service

Kien Hua, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Zhihua Qu, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Clint Bowers, College of Sciences

Lyman Brodie, College of Arts and Humanities

Sudipto Choudhury, College of Sciences

Shelley Park, College of Arts and Humanities

Alfons Schulte, College of Sciences

40 Years of Service

Karen Biraimah, College of Community Innovation and Education

Gene Lee, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Piotr Mikusinski, College of Sciences

Ady Milman, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Bhimsen Shivamoggi, College of Sciences

45 Years of Service

Charles Hughes, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Faculty Emeritus and Emerita

Gregg A. Buckingham, College of Community Innovation and Education

Robertico Croes, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Joseph DiNapoli, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Juli Dixon, College of Community Innovation and Education

Denise Gammonley, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Roger Handberg, College of Sciences

Charles E. Hughes, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Joe Hutchinson, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

David Jenkins, College of Sciences

Michael D. Johnson, Office of the Provost

Elizabeth A. Klonoff, College of Sciences

Gary Leavens, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Joyce Nutta, College of Community Innovation and Education

Pedro Francisco Quintana-Ascencio, College of Sciences

Abraham Pizam, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Melvin Rogers, College of Community Innovation and Education

Linda Rosa-Lugo, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Maria Cristina Santana-Rogers, College of Arts and Humanities

Michael Sigman, College of Sciences

Mary Lou Sole, College of Nursing

Martine Vanryckeghem, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Cherie Yestrebsky, College of Sciences

Retired Faculty

Richard Ajayi, College of Business Administration

Kelly Allred, College of Nursing

Maureen Ambrose, College of Business Administration

Blaise Bossy, College of Medicine

Ella Bossy-Wetzel, College of Medicine

Gregg Buckingham, College of Community Innovation and Education

Scott Bukstein, College of Business Administration

Carol Burgunder, College of Nursing

Angeline Bushy, College of Nursing

Lynn Casmier-Paz, College of Arts and Humanities

Kevin Coffey, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Maureen Covelli, College of Nursing

Barry Edwards, College of Sciences

Azza Fahim, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Lynette Feder, College of Community Innovation and Education

Denise Gammonley, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Leonid Glebov, College of Optics and Photonics

Paul Goldwater, College of Business Administration

Lixing Gu, Office of Research

Shari Hodgson, College of Sciences

Joe Hutchinson, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Frances Iacobellis, College of Nursing

Steve Jex, College of Sciences

Eric Johnson, Office of Research

Mark Kerlin, �鶹ӳ����ý Global

Joo Kim, College of Arts and Humanities

Barbara Kinsey, College of Sciences

Elizabeth Klonoff, College of Graduate Studies

Keith Koons, College of Arts and Humanities

Alice Korosy, College of Arts and Humanities

Judith Levin, College of Community Innovation and Education

Michael McManus, College of Community Innovation and Education

Zuhair Nashed, College of Sciences

Pedro Patino Marin, College of Sciences

Abraham Pizam, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Robert Reedy, College of Arts and Humanities

Bahaa Saleh, College of Optics and Photonics

Maria Cristina Santana-Rogers, College of Arts and Humanities

Melvin Rogers, College of Community Innovation and Education

Marshall Schminke, College of Business Administration

Janice Seabrooks-Blackmore  College of Community Innovation and Education

Timothy Sellnow, College of Sciences

Michael Sigman, College of Sciences

Verner Smith, College of Business Administration

Janan Smither, College of Sciences

Ula Stoeckl, College of Sciences

Joseph Vasquez, College of Sciences

Lewis Worrell, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Xin Yan, College of Sciences

The inductees and their respective academies are: Interim Dean Matthew Theriot (Social Work), Associate Dean of Research Jennifer Kent-Walsh (Speech-Language Pathology), Department of Health Sciences Chair Gail Kauwell (Nutrition and Dietetics), Director for the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders Ann Eddins (Audiology), Associate Professor Nicole Dawson (Physical Therapy), Clinical Associate Professor Carey Rothschild (Physical Therapy) and Assistant Professor Susanny Beltran (Social Work). The honors were bestowed at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 15.

Prior to his appointment as interim dean, Theriot served as the director of the School of Social Work where he implemented a professional and community education program, grew interprofessional research opportunities, and elevated the school’s graduate rankings. As the interim dean, he provides leadership to the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, the Department of Health Sciences, the School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, and the School of Social Work. Theriot’s career includes more than two decades of higher education teaching and research coupled with years of executive leadership roles centered around implementing strategic initiatives. He previously worked as a school social worker, mobile crisis counselor and child welfare worker. Theriot is active in professional service on a national level, chairing the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Membership and Professional Development.

Kent-Walsh is a Pegasus Professor and the associate dean of research and faculty excellence within CHPS, the director of the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology Center and leads the Assistive Technology Center Lab. Kent-Walsh has earned more than two dozen awards and accolades for excellence in teaching, service, research and innovation during her more than 20-year career in higher education and has worked extensively in interdisciplinary teaching and clinical roles. A highly accomplished researcher, she has secured millions in funding to further her research which focuses on aided language development and augmentative and alternative communication, has presented her work extensively nationally and internationally, and has led a variety of initiatives in the college to advance interdisciplinary research and practice.

An experienced educator, researcher and registered dietician nutritionist with more than four decades of experience in academia focused on nutrition and dietetics education and practice, Kauwell has served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Sciences for the last six years. Her mentoring skills and passion for educating future healthcare professionals have been recognized with multiple awards for teaching and mentoring excellence. Her research record, which focuses on folate and vitamin B12, has been published in top-ranked journals with findings translated into materials for healthcare professionals and consumers. Kauwell most recently spearheaded the development of the department’s first graduate program, the master’s in health promotion and behavioral sciences.

Eddins, a professor and the director of the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, has more than 30 years of academic and leadership experience in the field. She is a clinical audiologist and classically trained neuroscientist who has centered her clinical and research interests on neural encoding, neural plasticity aging and rehabilitative intervention — working to better understand the neural bases of auditory perception in normal-hearing and hearing-impaired individuals. Her research has been continuously funded by the NIH, NSF, private industry and foundations. Eddins is also a leader on a national level, serving as past President of the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences & Disorders and on the Board of Directors and journal editor for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Dawson has been involved with interprofessional education, practice and research throughout her 22-year career. An associate professor in the Division of Physical Therapy and director of the Aging and Longevity Initiatives for Vitality & Enrichment Lab, Dawson’s clinical work and research has centered around healthy aging and improving the quality of life for seniors. She is a Board Certified Geriatric Physical Therapist Emeritus who has been recognized by both the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy and the American Physical Therapy Association for her outstanding work as an educator. She holds an appointment with �����’s Faculty Cluster Initiative in Disability, Aging and Technology, an interdisciplinary collaboration that explores innovations to better support aging populations.

A clinical associate professor in the Division of Physical Therapy, Rothschild is a board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy and orthopedic physical therapy, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a Menopause Society certified practitioner. Her areas of interest are determining best practices for the assessment and treatment of persistent pain to improve the health of patients. Rothschild has more than 25 years of clinical practice experience, collaborating with interprofessional and intraprofessional teams to deliver cost-effective, collaborative and patient-centered care to those with chronic pain. She has been recognized nationally for her teaching excellence, and recently helped lead the implementation of a new Women’s Health Physical Therapy Residency program in conjunction with Orlando Health. She also serves as editor in chief of the prominent publication Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice.

Beltran, an assistant professor in the School of Social Work and a co-director of the Center for Behavioral Health Research and Training is committed to fostering interdisciplinary education and research in social change and development. Her expertise is in gerontological social work and her research concentrates on end-of-life care, advance care planning and challenges that may come with working in hospice and nursing home settings. Beltran aims to enhance collaborative practice in the care of older adults and improve access and navigation of end-of-life care for older adults while preparing social workers for effective practice in interdisciplinary settings.

The NAP Academies also include dentistry, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, psychology, respiratory care and veterinary medicine.

These faculty members join four CHPS faculty previously inducted into the NAP. In 2023, �����Ի���, and in 2024, Clinical Associate Professors Laurie Neely and Jennifer Tucker ’23 were inducted in physical therapy.

“Each year, I look forward to honoring our newest class of 30 Under 30 Alumni,” says Heather Junod ’98, associate vice president of alumni engagement and annual giving. “And each year, my pride only grows as we celebrate these bold, visionary, trailblazing, and resilient alumni. Their achievements inspire us all, but even more remarkable is their commitment to uplifting their communities and alma mater. I invite all of Knight Nation to join me in recognizing these outstanding Knights — not only for their individual successes but also for the lasting impact they are making on the world.”

Hundreds of nominations were accepted online from Sept. 22, 2024, until Nov. 11, 2024. The submissions were reviewed and scored by previous award recipients, �鶹ӳ����ý Young Alumni Ambassadors, and �鶹ӳ����ý staff. The finalists were then confirmed by the �鶹ӳ����ý Alumni Board based on the following criteria:

• Must be a graduate of �鶹ӳ����ý (undergraduate or graduate degree)
• Must be age 29 or younger on June 1, 2025
• Must demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a lifelong relationship with �鶹ӳ����ý and striving to uphold �鶹ӳ����ý Young Alumni values

“Big congratulations to the �鶹ӳ����ý Alumni 30 Under 30 Class of 2025!” says Jessica Malberti ’16, chair of the �鶹ӳ����ý Young Alumni Community. “Knight Nation and the �鶹ӳ����ý Young Alumni Community are incredibly fortunate to be shaped by these extraordinary individuals, whose remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to �鶹ӳ����ý continue to inspire. What is especially meaningful to me is the common bond they share: a powerful commitment to excellence that uplifts their communities and fellow Knights.”

�鶹ӳ����ý Alumni will celebrate the 2025 award recipients at a special event on Saturday, May 17 at Addition Financial Arena. Below is a complete list of the winners, listed alphabetically by last name. Past recipients can be found on the .

The 2025 honorees are:

Gillian Anderson ’21
Bachelor’s in communication sciences and disorders
Burnett Honors College

Savannah Ashley ’18 ’22MBA
Bachelor’s in marketing
Master’s in business administration

Jacob Ballard ’19 ’22MS
Bachelor’s in political science
Master’s in urban planning

Amelia Mills Bender ’17
Bachelor’s in finance

Kyle Benkel ’20 ’24MD
Bachelor’s in biomedical sciences
Doctorate in medicine
Burnett Honors College

Jordan Bubar ’20
Bachelor’s in marketing

Robert F. Burke ’19 ’20MS ’22PhD
Bachelor’s in aerospace engineering
Master’s in aerospace engineering
Doctorate in aerospace engineering
Burnett Honors College

Andrew Caputo ’22MS
Master’s in optics and photonics

Béthanie Derice ’20
Bachelor’s in kinesiology — sport and exercise science

Aly Derksen ’19 ’21MA
Bachelor’s in psychology
Master’s in educational leadership

Dashiell Desravines ’20
Bachelor’s in biology

Megan Driggers ’19 ’22MS
Bachelor’s in electrical engineering
Master’s in electrical engineering

Matthew Durrant ’17
Bachelor’s in finance

Leah Freeman ’22
Bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies

Padmavathi Ganduri ’21
Bachelor’s in integrated business
Burnett Honors College

Paul Gill ’18
Bachelor’s in political science
Burnett Honors College

Annalisa Gobin ’20
Bachelor’s in legal studies

Frank Hamedl ’18
Bachelor’s in hospitality management

Josh Kaplan ’21
Bachelor’s in event management

Dallas Keeney ’18
Bachelor’s in marketing

Brianna Laurenceau ’18
Bachelor’s in health science — pre-clinical

Angelina Leary ’19 ’21MS
Bachelor’s in psychology
Master’s in clinical psychology
Burnett Honors College

Vladimir Louissaint ’21
Bachelor’s in finance

Holton Mills ’20
Bachelor’s in integrative general studies

Miten Patel ’17 ’21MS
Bachelor’s in public administration
Master’s in urban and regional planning

Alexandria Pelton ’19 ’21MEd
Bachelor’s in exceptional student education
Master’s in exceptional student education

Katy Sullivan ’16 ’19MA
Bachelor’s in political science
Master’s in political science

BJ Taylor ’18
Bachelor’s in integrated business

Rossana Woodford ’18 ’20MNM ’20MPA
Bachelor’s in psychology
Master’s in nonprofit management and public administration

Tamar Yishay ’20 ’21MS
Bachelor’s in biology
Master’s in nanotechnology
Burnett Honors College

“Stuttering isn’t a bad word,” Vanryckeghem says. “We need to talk about it and reduce the stigma instead of pretending it doesn’t exist. This is a global issue that impacts millions of people.”

The people include Marc Anthony, Joe Biden, Steve Harvey, Bo Jackson, Nicole Kidman, Kendrick Lamar, Shaquille O’Neal, Ed Sheeran, John Stossel and Tiger Woods. The list goes on and on.

“And so many children,” Vanryckeghem says. “They usually suffer alone.”

Vanryckeghem’s research and her clinical therapy start with a simple yet overlooked concept: listening — really listening. Not just to the bumpy words, but to the struggle.

“I call it ‘the view from within,’ ” she says. “Think of stuttering like an iceberg. Only 10% of an iceberg is visible. The other 90% is under the surface. The only way to know what’s going on with someone who stutters is to ask questions and to listen to them talk about their own speech. If we listen, we’ll realize there’s much more to the stutterer than the stuttering.”

As Vanryckeghem prepares to retire in the spring, she wants to leave a path for �鶹ӳ����ý students to carry forward the crucial research she and her late husband, Gene Brutten, began. So, she’s establishing the Martine Vanryckeghem and Gene Brutten Endowed Scholarship, set up to be funded into perpetuity. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a graduate student in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders who demonstrates a passion to contribute to the needs of people who struggle with fluency.

“Because of my background, it would be nice for an international student to be considered for the scholarship,” says Vanryckeghem, referring to the fact she moved to the U.S. from Belgium to pursue her master’s and doctoral degrees. Mostly, however, she came across the ocean to begin a partnership in marriage and in research with Gene.

When asked what goes through her mind when she hears “the Martine Vanryckeghem and Gene Brutten Endowed Scholarship” spoken out loud, the expert on fluency is at a loss for words. She’d rather allow their unlikely story to tell us everything we need to know.

Gene and Martine did not meet as curious colleagues or as mentor and protege. They met as a traveler and a tour guide. Gene, a professor at Southern Illinois University, was already regarded as a leading researcher on stuttering. He’d written a seminal book, The Modification of Stuttering, and was coming to Martine’s hometown of Ghent to lead a workshop on the subject.

“I was hired to show him around the city,” says Vanryckeghem, who worked fulltime in a clinical practice with children who had developmental delays.

Privately, she felt intimidated at the prospect of meeting Brutten. But when the author/professor/researcher arrived, he introduced himself simply as “Gene.”

“He immediately took the edge off,” Vanryckeghem says. “We had the best time going to castles, cathedrals, and dinners. I remember walking into a pub for a glass of wine and seeing how easily Gene spoke with people he’d never met. It left an impression.”

For the next several years, the two of them exchanged letters and cards. Gene would include articles, which piqued Vanryckeghem’s interest in the complexities of stuttering. In 1989, she moved to the U.S. and married Gene. She also joined him in his research, which took off.

“Our work has benefited a lot of people because we inspired each other,” she says. “We never discussed fluency disorders when we were on vacation, but other than that we talked about it all the time.”

Talking about it became the heart of their message.

“Parents feel uncomfortable talking about stuttering because they love their children so much,” Vanryckeghem says. “They’re often told to tell them, ‘Slow down and take a deep breath,’ but these suggestions don’t address the root issues. The child knows he or she is stuttering. It’s OK to ask, ‘What just happened there?’ We need to encourage conversations so kids don’t feel like they have to hide from them.”

With this in mind, she and Gene created a Communication Attitude Test for Preschoolers and Kindergartners (KiddyCAT) so clients as young as preschoolers can express the potential negative thoughts they have about their own speech. Fluency disorder specialists then use the feedback to come up with personal strategies to help the child. It’s still the only test of its kind worldwide.

The two of them also developed the Behavior Assessment Battery (BAB) to discover the words or situations that cause anxiety and/or speech disruption for each client. They often heard adults admit they never applied for certain jobs, never dated, never attended parties and never talked on the phone. Small steps changed their lives. For example, to help clients overcome anxiety on the phone, they would converse with them face to face while holding phones to their ears without turning them on. Next, they’d talk with the phones on. Then they’d carry on conversations from different rooms, and eventually the client would call Best Buy and ask for the price of a laptop. Other BAB subtests investigate behaviors someone might use to avoid stuttering and explore the way a person who stutters might think about his or her speech and communication”.

At last count, the BAB has been translated, culturally adapted and researched in 33 countries.

The international influence of Vanryckeghem’s research is one reason colleagues at �鶹ӳ����ý nominated her for the prestigious Pegasus Professor honor, which included a monetary gift. She’s using the financial award to help seed the scholarship.

“The end goal is to improve the quality of life for people with fluency disorders,” she says. “I’ve seen what happens when we have open conversations.”

Vanryckeghem often receives phone calls from grateful parents of children she’s worked with, and from adults whose lives have been changed. Recently, she heard from a former �鶹ӳ����ý student she assessed and treated ten years ago.

“Do you remember me?” he asked.

“Yes, I do,” Vanryckeghem said.

“My career is going well and I’m up for a possible promotion,” the former student said. “But it involves more presentations in front of people. Can I come for therapy?”

“Of course. Come talk with me.”

This is something that won’t change for Vanryckeghem in retirement. She’ll make herself available. She’ll ask questions. She’ll listen and discover a view from within. And she’ll continue to set an example for the next generation of fluency disorder specialists to give people the lives they’ve always wanted.