Hosted by the twice a year in the fall and spring semesters, the largest job fair on campus features 250+ companies across a variety of industries from diverse fields including technology, finance, healthcare, engineering and more.

This career fair is open to all 麻豆映画传媒 students and alumni. It is your gateway to explore a wide range of career options, gain insider advice from industry experts, and stay ahead of the curve in today鈥檚 evolving job market.

It鈥檚 also a great opportunity to practice your networking skills and leave a lasting impression on potential employers.

This guide shares logistical information about the Internship and Career Expo itself, as well as tips and resources ahead of the event so you can make your best impression.

Internship and Career Expo

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Time: 12:30 p.m. 鈥� 4:30 p.m.

• Fast Pass Entry at 12:30 p.m. (more below on ways to score a fast pass)
• General Entrance begins at 1 p.m.
• Doors close at 4 p.m.

Location: Addition Financial Arena (12777 Gemini Blvd N, Orlando, FL 32816)

Attire: Business casual attire encouraged; Pants or skirts paired with a dress shirt or blouse and dress shoes with socks or appropriate hosiery. Please avoid bringing large bags.

Security Check: The Addition Financial Arena is implementing enhanced security measures. Security procedures include, but are not limited to, performing body wand and bag checks at all arena entrances. before arriving. Guest should allow additional time to enter the gate, as these measures may delay entrance into the event.

Register: This career fair is open to all 麻豆映画传媒 students and alumni. Reserve your spot on .

Ways and Resources to Prepare

• Virtual Career Guidance

麻豆映画传媒 partners with , a 24/7 virtual career assistant, to help students create a powerful resume and practice their interview skills. VMock leverages technologies like data science, machine learning and natural language processing to provide instant personalized feedback on resumes, cover letters, elevator pitches and interview responses based on criteria gathered from employers and global best practices. Visit .

• Where to Print Your Resume

Students seeking to print copies of their resume or cover letter can do so for a small charge on main campus at the or in the John T. Washington Center (adjacent to the library).

If you are printing your resume or cover letter for a job or career fair, we recommend having at least one copy for each job/employer you are interested in, plus additional copies for unexpected opportunities or to replace damaged or lost copies.

• Professional Clothing Glow Up

鈥� In Person at the Florida Mall
Feb. 21, 11 a.m. 鈥� 2 p.m.

An exclusive in store shopping event for career apparel with exclusive discounts not available to the public. Students and alumni will be required to swipe their ID cards or provide their PID and check in via Handshake at the JCPenney Florida Mall location in order to receive their coupon.

This event is eligible for an EXPO Fast Pass which will grant early entry to the Spring 2026 Internship & Career EXPO. Pick up your Fast Pass Voucher at the check-in table.

鈥� In Person at Waterford Lakes
Feb. 28, noon 鈥� 2 p.m.

Students and alumni can enjoy a 30% discount on business and business casual attire during the shopping event. Students will be required to swipe their ID cards or provide their 麻豆映画传媒 ID and check in via Handshake at Style Encore Waterford Lakes location the day of the event.

This event is eligible for an EXPO Fast Pass which will grant early entry to the Spring 2026 Internship & Career EXPO. Pick up your Fast Pass Voucher at the check-in table.

Knights Helping Knights Pantry 鈥� Main Campus
Drop in, 10 a.m. 鈥� 6 p.m.

A limited professional clothing section is available to all 麻豆映画传媒 students, with valid 麻豆映画传媒 ID, on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• Career Prep Events (Virtual and In-Person)

鈥� In Person at the Kenneth G. Dixon Career Development Center
Tuesdays, 2 鈥� 4 p.m. and Wednesdays, noon 鈥� 2 p.m.

Need fast feedback on your resume, cover letter or LinkedIn profile? Just drop-in to Career Services 鈥� no appointment required. If you鈥檙e unable to meet at these times, you can schedule an appointment on Handshake.

– Virtual
Fridays, 11 a.m. 鈥� 1 p.m.

Join Career Services virtually without appointment for career questions and support. Simply go to go.ucf.edu/CSpopin for the zoom registration. We will accept you into the Zoom once we have an available Career Counselor to assist you with your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, or quick career questions.

鈥� In Person at KSC Visitor Complex
Feb. 21, 9 a.m.鈥�4 p.m.

Registration closes Feb. 20. Attendees will have opportunities to network one-on-one with employees of major aerospace and tech companies. They will be able to discover internships, apprenticeships, and professional roles, and gain insights from professionals working at the forefront of science, manufacturing, and innovation. Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend professional development workshops on networking mastery and becoming the ideal job candidate.

鈥� In Person
Feb. 24, 12:30 鈥� 1:30 p.m.

Take this time to learn about what to expect and ease your nerves by preparing your Elevator Pitch, Get ready to talk with Employers, and learn some tips to make your time at the event a success. Preference to attendees that register in advance as the room can only fit up to 60 people.

This event is eligible for an EXPO Fast Pass, which will grant early entry to the Spring 2026 Internship and Career EXPO. Limited quantities available. You must check in on time and attend the entire presentation.

鈥� In Person
Feb. 25, 10 a.m. 鈥� 2 p.m.

Registration via handshake is required to attend this event. Employer representatives will be on site to assist with one-on-one resume reviews and interview preparation sessions. Please bring an updated copy of your resume for recruiters to review. The session will be conducted on a first-come, first-served drop-in basis. As employer representatives become available, students will be paired one-to-one to conduct a 15-20-minute session of their choice and may leave after the session is complete.

This event is eligible for an EXPO Fast Pass, which will grant early entry to the Spring 2026 Internship and Career EXPO. Pick up your voucher on the way out of the session. Limited quantities available.

鈥� In Person & Virtual
Feb. 25, 2鈥�3 p.m.

Explore strategies for communicating your goals, setting boundaries and handling pressure or disagreements in healthy ways. Learn more at bit.ly/麻豆映画传媒handshake.

鈥� In Person
Feb. 26, 10 a.m. 鈥� 2 p.m.

Registration via handshake is required to attend this event. Employer representatives will be on site to assist with one-on-one resume reviews and interview preparation sessions. Please bring an updated copy of your resume for recruiters to review. The session will be conducted on a first-come, first-served drop-in basis. As employer representatives become available, students will be paired one-to-one to conduct a 15-20-minute session of their choice and may leave after the session is complete.

This event is eligible for an EXPO Fast Pass, which will grant early entry to the Spring 2026 Internship and Career EXPO. Pick up your voucher on the way out of the session. Limited quantities available.

鈥� In Person
March 3, 10 a.m. 鈥� 2 p.m.

Registration via handshake is required to attend this event. Employer representatives will be on site to assist with one-on-one resume reviews and interview preparation sessions. Please bring an updated copy of your resume for recruiters to review. The session will be conducted on a first-come, first-served drop-in basis. As employer representatives become available, students will be paired one-to-one to conduct a 15-20-minute session of their choice and may leave after the session is complete.

This event is eligible for an EXPO Fast Pass, which will grant early entry to the Spring 2026 Internship and Career EXPO. Pick up your voucher on the way out of the session. Limited quantities available.

– In Person
March 4, 9 a.m. 鈥� noon and 1 鈥� 4 p.m.

Registration via handshake is required to attend this event. Employer representatives will be on site to assist with one-on-one resume reviews and interview preparation sessions. Please bring an updated copy of your resume for recruiters to review. The session will be conducted on a first-come, first-served drop-in basis. As employer representatives become available, students will be paired one-to-one to conduct a 15-20-minute session of their choice and may leave after the session is complete.

This event is eligible for an EXPO Fast Pass, which will grant early entry to the Spring 2026 Internship and Career EXPO. Pick up your voucher on the way out of the session. Limited quantities available.

鈥� In Person
March 4, 10:30 a.m. 鈥� 1:30 p.m.

This event is for Rosen College of Hospitality Management students only. A leadership workshop will be held from 10:30-11:45 a.m. in the Darden Auditorium, followed by opportunities to meet with recruiters from noon 鈥� 1:30 p.m. in the Rosen Courtyard. Registration for the leadership workshop is required.

– Virtual
March 5, 10 a.m. 鈥� 2 p.m.

Registration via handshake is required to attend this event. Employer representatives will be available to assist with one-on-one resume reviews and interview preparation sessions. Please bring an updated copy of your resume for recruiters to review. The session will be conducted on a first-come, first-served drop-in basis. As employer representatives become available, students will be paired one-to-one to conduct a 15-20-minute session of their choice and may leave after the session is complete.

This event is eligible for an EXPO Fast Pass, which will grant early entry to the Spring 2026 Internship and Career EXPO. Information regarding pick-up will be sent to attendees at the conclusion of the virtual session. Limited quantities available.

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

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

Beswick shares these three tips for navigating the holidays:

Self-Care

• Find connection.

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

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

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

• Be curious and trust your inner voice.

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

• Be aware of roadblocks.

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

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

Mental Health Resources

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

It鈥檚 important to prioritize taking care of your mental health. Take advantage of these resources at 麻豆映画传媒 and locally to help you:

Students

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

Faculty and Staff

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

Safety

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

Food Resources

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

Free Holiday Fun

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

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

Additional Support for Students

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

With Thanksgiving behind us and final exams and the holidays quickly approaching, this time of year often comes with increased anxiety and unease.

Breathe 鈥� you鈥檝e got this! Make a plan for preparation, schedule time for study and for self-care, do one thing at a time and check things off the list as you go. You will reach the finish line.

To help you balance your schoolwork with opportunities to refresh and recharge, I am sharing the many 麻豆映画传媒 resources available to support your success and well-being.

Academic Support

If you are looking for some additional support with particular classes, check out now through Dec. 5. Before and during final exam week, the will host multiple in-person and virtual final exam review sessions spanning a variety of academic subjects.

helps you navigate state and university policies related to academic record changes, curriculum file management, degree audits and graduation requirements. For more information about any of these services, you can visit us in Millican Hall in Room 161.

Mental Health Resources

It’s important to prioritize taking care of your mental health. Take advantage of these resources here at 麻豆映画传媒 to help you:

• : CAPS offers free mental health walk-ins, and their 24/7 crisis hotline can be reached by calling 407-823-2811 and pressing 5.
• : TAO is a self-guided interactive program that aids with managing anxiety, depression and other concerns.
• : Togetherall is a peer-to-peer space to connect with others experiencing similar feelings in a supportive environment, with trained professionals on hand 24/7.

Well-being Services

If you are facing unexpected challenges, reach out to 聽for wrap-around care and support. The office can be reached by calling 407-823-5607, emailing caremanager@ucf.edu聽and by submitting a聽聽for yourself or a fellow Knight.

聽offers wellness coaching to assist with your health goals and help you make lifestyle changes to optimize your well-being. Staff can help with nutrition, physical activity, stress management and more. Call聽407-823-5841聽to make an appointment.

Other 麻豆映画传媒 Resources

麻豆映画传媒 has an abundance of additional resources available to you. Whether you need them now or down the road, please do not hesitate to reach out.

• : available for Knights who need support with items such as food, clothing and toiletries.
• : offers free legal advice, consultation and court representation in select areas of law that students encounter most often, including lease agreements and assistance.
• Emergency Funding: for those who are facing financial insecurity, contact Student Care Services for an application to be considered for emergency funds.
• : provides all members of the university community with an independent, confidential and neutral place to share concerns and seek resolution.
• : use this website as a guide to report an incident or concern.

We wish you every success on final exams and a happy, safe holiday season.

The three-year project saw its final phase of renovations completed just in time for campus to welcome back students for the fall semester. Expanding dining options now include a full-service Starbucks on the second floor 鈥� the coffee shop on Memory Mall isn鈥檛 going anywhere 鈥� and additional seating and square footage.

The boardwalks, which have been closed due to construction on the building, will open again to allow for pedestrian traffic between the Union and Memory Mall.

鈥淲e hope to set up an environment that allows for students to still enjoy our facilities while staying safe,鈥� says Rick Falco 鈥�98 鈥�01MA, director of the Student Union.

As such, in accordance with university guidelines, face coverings are required inside the building.

Read more below about the Student Union鈥檚 new guidelines, modifications and practices for its most-used spaces and resources as 麻豆映画传媒 continues to work to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The desk will be operational during the Union鈥檚 regular business hours. Plexiglass screens, social distancing signage, including floor stickers, have been added as safety measures.

Seats will be set in small clusters of 1-4 seats to allow for small group study and conversation. Clusters will be a minimum of 6-feet apart in all spaces, with no space having more than 50 percent capacity.

Guidelines are still being finalized and details will be shared soon.

Due to the lab鈥檚 single-entry point and small walkways, which make physical distancing a challenge, the lab is closed until further notice.

The 麻豆映画传媒 Bike Repair Service will resume normal operations, however it is implementing reduced employee schedules to allow for physical distancing.

This space has been repurposed into a lounge area for the time being.

A maximum of four individuals will be able to use this non-denominational meditation and prayer space at once. Floor markings will be used to encourage physical distancing.

The ticketing center will be reopening Tuesday, Sept. 8. It鈥檒l be open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. .

• @麻豆映画传媒SU on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

The Student Union oversees both locations at Knights Plaza and Ferrell Commons, which will reopen Monday, Aug. 24, seven days a week with reduced hours to allow for overnight sanitation.

These hours may be adjusted as needed:

• Monday 鈥� Thursday: 7 a.m. until 2 a.m.
• Friday: 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.
• Saturday: 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.
• Sunday: 11 a.m. until 2 a.m.

Public-use computers in these facilities will be reduced to 50 percent capacity to encourage physical distancing, with staff sanitizing workstations once an hour as well as having sanitizing wipes available for students.

Group study rooms will be closed.

To help protect event participants and the campus community, the Student Union strongly suggests events occur following a virtual or hybrid model.

In order to host an in-person event, facial coverings and social distancing measures are required for both indoor and outdoor spaces. All event spaces will have fixed setups with limited modifications. In keeping with state guidelines, gatherings are limited to no more than 50 people.

Clients will be fully responsible for enforcement and must submit a safety plan at least two weeks prior to the event. Sanitation of the event spaces will take place between events.

All in-person events must be ticketed or RSVP with guest list maintained for 60 days after the event.

Wednesday Market Days as well as other non-university events will not be held for the fall semester.

Virtual Studios will be available to support both live and pre-recorded virtual events.

The main campus food pantry for students started as a closet in the Student Union more than 10 years ago. Although it now has its own space in Ferrell Commons, it still is supervised by Student Union staff.

All students are welcome to use the pantry鈥檚 services. The pantry is open Monday through Friday on the main campus from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note, the pantry will be closed Aug. 10鈥�14 for inventory and reorganizing but will resume operations Aug. 17.

It currently offers curbside pickup of food items, and starting Aug. 24 will offer in-store shopping by appointment only for clothing and miscellaneous items. No food items will be available during an in-store shopping appointment.

In-store appointments and curbside pickup will both be arranged in advance via an online form. More details about the process are forthcoming.

While the pantry is still accepting food donations, pantry staff kindly requests no clothing donations at this time. Contactless drop-off of food items can be donated at the two bins located outside of the pantry鈥檚 entrance and it is highly encouraged to donate during our hours of operation so on-site staff can process the items quickly and efficiently.

For the latest information about returning to campus, visit 麻豆映画传媒鈥檚聽coronavirus听补苍诲听Returning to 麻豆映画传媒聽websites. Students, faculty, staff and visitors will be required to complete the聽COVID Self-Checker聽鈥� available via the聽聽or online 鈥� each day before arriving to campus.

So when COVID-19 forced 麻豆映画传媒 to transition to remote learning in the spring, the pantry innovated its operations to keep serving 麻豆映画传媒鈥檚 students.

By pivoting to curbside pickup, the pantry distributed 11,193 pounds of food in to-go bags to 1,599 students from March 16 to July 31. As the fall semester kicked off this week, the pantry remains steadfast in its mission while staying committed to practices that protect the health and well-being of the university community.

鈥淭he past few months have been a learning curve on how we can effectively manage our resources to maximize the impact of helping our students while also establishing practices that make the process safer for everyone,鈥� says pantry manager Eli Valentin. 鈥淲e鈥檙e looking forward to continuing to serve our students.”

Although all food distribution will still be handled through curbside pickup for the fall 2020 semester, the pantry is now offering in-store appointments to allow shopping for clothing, toiletries, appliances and other miscellaneous items. Time slots will be staggered in 15-minute intervals, and one shopper will be allowed entry per appointment. The pantry staff plans to clean the shop between appointments.

Although the blazer rental program is suspended at this time, professional attire and other clothing are available at no cost, subject to availability.

All 麻豆映画传媒 students 鈥� including 麻豆映画传媒 Online 鈥� with a valid student ID are welcome to use the pantry鈥檚 services. The pantry, located at Ferrell Commons on the main campus, is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are both arranged in advance via an online form on the .

Students can receive a bag once a week that includes up to 20 food items of pre-selected staples such as bread, pasta, tomato sauce, peanut butter and canned soups. Additionally, students can request frozen meats and produce to be included subject to availability.

While the pantry is still accepting food donations, pantry staff requests no clothing donations at this time. Contactless drop-off of food items can be donated at two bins outside the pantry鈥檚 entrance, and it is strongly encouraged to donate during hours of operation so on-site staff can process the items quickly and efficiently.

At age 7, Dixon, her sister and her mother emigrated from Jamaica to Port St. Lucie, Florida, after her father died. In pursuit of a fresh start and more economic opportunities, the Dixon family felt a move was in their best interests. The journey wasn鈥檛 easy, though.

鈥淢y mom was a single mother of two. We looked into government food stamps, local food banks, and other resources around the community, like after-school programs for me and my sister so my mom could work,鈥� says Dixon.

Her mother eventually landed a job in the nursing field after taking time to study and pass the certified nursing assistant test. After more time, she was able to buy a house. But without those community resources to help in the interim, she says the family would have struggled.

Dixon was faced with food insecurity once again when she moved to Orlando to study at 麻豆映画传媒. She was fortunate to have landed enough scholarship money to cover her tuition and most of her room and board, but had little to no extra money for anything else. That鈥檚 when Dixon turned to a food pantry again 鈥� this time, the Knights Helping Knights Pantry on 麻豆映画传媒鈥檚 main campus.

鈥淔ood was a low priority for me, in terms of what I could spend my money on. The pantry became a great source of food at the time.鈥� 鈥� Naseeka Dixon

鈥淔ood was a low priority for me, in terms of what I could spend my money on. The pantry became a great source of food at the time,鈥� she says.

The Knights Helping Knights Pantry started as a grassroots initiative by a group of students more than 10 years ago to help fellow students have access to free food during times of hardship. The pantry began in a closet in the Student Union, and now resides in a 1,867-square-foot suite because of the growing demand. In 2019 alone, students visited the pantry more than 42,400 times and more than 70,000 pounds of food were distributed. Students are allowed to take up to five food items daily, plus clothing or toiletry items with no questions asked.

Food insecurity on college campuses has grown into a national concern during the years, with a 2018 study finding that 36 percent of students surveyed from 66 colleges and universities do not get enough to eat.

Dixon, who will graduate May 2 with undergraduate degrees in legal studies and political science and a minor in nonprofit management, felt the work to combat food insecurity was so impactful that she went from being a client of the pantry to its paid manager in May 2018. She earned her spot through work with Volunteer 麻豆映画传媒, a student organization dedicated to promoting community-service opportunities, and through part-time work at the Student Union, which oversees the pantry.

In just two years, Dixon has helped the pantry evolve to more than just an emergency food pantry, but to a resource that helps meet more needs of students, even before they鈥檙e in dire situations.

鈥淲e want students to know you don鈥檛 have to be on the verge of starving to benefit from the pantry,鈥� says Jeannie Kiriwas, associate director of event services at the Student Union. 鈥淣aseeka has helped change the perception of the pantry. For years we鈥檝e been hearing from students they don鈥檛 come to the pantry because they still have a little bit of money left. We want them to know they don鈥檛 have to spend their last dollar on food 鈥� we鈥檙e here to help.鈥�

鈥淣aseeka has helped change the perception of the pantry. For years we鈥檝e been hearing from students they don鈥檛 come to the pantry because they still have a little bit of money left. We want them to know they don鈥檛 have to spend their last dollar on food 鈥� we鈥檙e here to help.鈥� 鈥� jeannie Kiriwas, 麻豆映画传媒 associate director of event services

Under Dixon鈥檚 leadership, new partnerships have been established and existing ones have expanded. For instance, Walmart now donates household items, and through Student Government, gently used blazers are available for rent at the pantry for presentations or job interviews. Dixon also established a partnership with Bread for the World, an organization that helps spread awareness of how wealth gaps impact food insecurity. An existing partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, the pantry鈥檚 biggest provider, expanded to also offer frozen-food items to students.

In her final weeks at the pantry, Dixon has been helping organize, pack and distribute to-go bags with food and toiletry items for students in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 700 bags have been given to students for free through a curbside pickup.

After graduation, Dixon will work with Straight Street, a nonprofit that helps care for the poor and homeless in Orlando. She intends on applying for graduate school, either in nonprofit management or law school to study immigration law.

鈥淣aseeka knows the impact this work has on people, and how this is a resource made by people,鈥� says Kiriwas. 鈥淪he set that as the tone for the pantry and how it operates, and I know she鈥檒l continue to set that as her first priority in all she does.鈥�

For as long as schools remain closed, the Creative School for Children will distribute meals and snacks, as available, each weekday from 11 a.m. to noon to help support families whose children typically receive one of their daily meals at school.

鈥淲e understand this is a very difficult time for the families in our community, and we want to do our part to help.鈥� 鈥� Suzette Turner

鈥淲e understand this is a very difficult time for the families in our community, and we want to do our part to help,鈥� said Suzette Turner, director of the Creative School for Children.

The Creative School is an on-campus child care center and pre-kindergarten that enrolls children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. Most are children of 麻豆映画传媒 students and employees. With 110 children currently enrolled, the Creative School wants to do its part in making sure its students receive the nutrition they need during this difficult time. The service is also open to the community at large.

The Creative School regularly serves as a food distribution site for Second Harvest, particularly over summer breaks when children are out of school and in-need families may struggle to provide enough food. They also provide food to children in aftercare during the school year, as needed.

The safety and wellbeing of the community is the top priority at this time. Like all campus and community operations, the Creative School鈥檚 food distribution service will continually be evaluated and may change in the weeks ahead. Any operational changes will be communicated with the community at large.

The new pantry is housed within a 19-square-foot space inside of the foyer of Rosen鈥檚 Darden Auditorium. It will be open to students on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well as by appointment, via email at PineapplePantry@ucf.edu. The pantry will offer non-perishable food items and basic hygiene goods, resources that the 麻豆映画传媒 staff members who have been leading this effort say will make a difference for students.

鈥淲e want to build an environment where students feel comfortable coming to us with their needs. 鈥� 鈥� Wendy McKnight, 麻豆映画传媒 staff member

鈥淪imply knowing that these goods are here for them will make a major impact in how our students perform in classes and how they go about their everyday lives here at 麻豆映画传媒,鈥� says Wendy McKnight, a 麻豆映画传媒 staff member who has been spearheading the effort to open a pantry on the campus in the heart of the tourism industry for a number of years. 鈥淲e want to build an environment where students feel comfortable coming to us with their needs. This is our latest step in building that environment.鈥�

Witnessing how a series of hurricanes in 2016 left many Rosen students temporarily food insecure, McKnight presented the idea of an additional pantry right on campus to Rosen鈥檚 administration, reached out to staff members at the main campus鈥檚 pantry to learn their day-to-day operations, and worked closely with officials in 麻豆映画传媒 Facilities Operations to secure the best space.

For now, McKnight will conduct the operations for the food pantry in addition to her regular duties in the Office of Student Services. Efforts are currently in progress to recruit student volunteers to perform the day-to-day work of the pantry under McKnight鈥檚 supervision.

鈥淔rom the beginning, the university viewed the concept of a food pantry on Rosen鈥檚 campus as significant for our students to realize their fullest potential at 麻豆映画传媒,鈥� says Genyth Travis 鈥�17MS, a senior assistant director for Undergraduate Admissions and graduate of 麻豆映画传媒鈥檚 master鈥檚 in hospitality and tourism management. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e a student, and you鈥檙e hungry, and you鈥檙e stressed out about where your next meal is coming from, how can we expect you to be academically successful?鈥�

Working closely with McKnight, Travis played an integral role in shepherding the food pantry to fruition, and the two will continue their partnership to shape its vision for the future.

鈥淔or many of our students, especially those without vehicles, making their way to the main campus鈥檚 pantry is simply not a practical option鈥� says Travis. 鈥淭he fact that these resources will be right down the hall will play a major difference in our student鈥檚 lives.鈥�

鈥淭he fact that these resources will be right down the hall will play a major difference in our student鈥檚 lives.鈥� – Genyth Travis 鈥�17MS,听麻豆映画传媒 staff member

In addition to conducting its own donation efforts, the Rosen Pantry will share resources with the main campus鈥檚 Knights Helping Knights Pantry, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year. Located in Ferrell Commons, the pantry was established by a group of LEAD Scholars as a class project during the Great Recession. A member of the College and University Food Bank Alliance, the pantry started with a simple mission: Make sure students never have to choose between paying for food or paying for an education.

In 2019 alone, the main campus鈥檚 pantry saw more than 42,000 visits by 麻豆映画传媒 students and more than 70,000 lbs of food were distributed. Since 2013 鈥� the pantry鈥檚 earliest recorded data 鈥� there have been nearly 145,000 visits by students. Last year, 麻豆映画传媒 student workers logged more than 5,000 volunteer hours.

The Knights Helping Knights Pantry receives contributions from a wide range of university partners, including fresh produce from the 麻豆映画传媒 Arboretum and Volunteer 麻豆映画传媒, which funnels student staffers into the pantry. Additionally, the pantry has established donation partnerships with local entities, including Mercy Ministries, Publix Super Market at Town Park, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Walmart.

鈥淔or more than a decade, the Knights Helping Knights Pantry has worked to provide much needed sustenance and household necessities for students who happen to have fallen onto hard times. The growth of the pantry has been a university-wide effort that speaks to the best of what 麻豆映画传媒 represents,鈥� says Jeannie Kiriwas 鈥�05 鈥�07MA, an associate director at the 麻豆映画传媒 Student Union, who has overseen operations for Knights Helping Knights since 2015. 鈥淲e look forward to a strong partnership with the Rosen pantry, sharing our ideas and resources for the benefit of 麻豆映画传媒鈥檚 student body.鈥�

While the struggle can be very real when you鈥檙e on a college budget, 麻豆映画传媒 has resources on campus聽to help. is a free clothing closet and food pantry on campus that allows students to take five items of their choosing during the week. can also provide micro-loans for students in need.

Whether you’re using items from Knights Pantry or ones you purchased while grocery shopping, Robb Seltzer, instructor and director of food and beverage operations at Rosen College of Hospitality Management, has some tips for creating tasty meals on a budget.

Which pieces of kitchen equipment are most useful to have?
You can do more with a knife than anything else. Don鈥檛 buy a grocery store knife for $5, invest some money in a good one because it will go a long way. This is something you may want to ask for for your birthday or Christmas.

You should also get some good pots. Don鈥檛 get the real thin stuff. Get something with a little weight on the bottom so things don鈥檛 burn.
What are some tips for cooking on a budget?
I have a saying, 鈥淐ook once, eat twice 鈥� or three times if you can.鈥� So try to make dishes or cook things that you can use to make other dishes. Typically the most expensive part of a meal is animal protein, so one of the best ways to save money is to shop vegetarian or vegan.

Another way to save money is to consider store brands instead of national brands. I鈥檓 a big fan of store brands because I was in the distribution business for a long time and know what goes into them. It鈥檚 not just a matter of a store slapping their name on a can and selling it. They actually have quality control and specification that oftentimes require higher qualification than national brands.

One of the most popular dishes with students on a budget is ramen. It鈥檚 really versatile and there are ways we can make it into multiple meals, whether it鈥檚 a soup, you use just the noodles, use leftover ramen for new dishes, or take leftovers and use them with ramen to make a new meal as well.

The best thing you can do is read your labels, read the ingredient labels so you know what is in the food and read the nutrition labels. Pay attention to the order of ingredients when reading ingredient labels because these lists are written in descending order of amount. So, if the first thing on an ingredient list is water then you鈥檙e buying something that is mostly water.
What are some ingredients you should have in the pantry?
When you cook you really need to keep in mind the flavors you want to use or create and those are based on taste.

There are four major tastes that most people are familiar with: sweet, sour, salty and bitter. There is also umami, which relates to savory flavors, and also capsicum, which can be in the form of cayenne pepper, hot sauce or other spicy things.

I try to have items that embody each one of those in the kitchen. Salt and pepper are good starts. For sweet you need things such as white or brown sugar and honey. On the bitter side, I look for mustard. Acids such as vinegars or something fresh like limes provide that sour flavor. You create that umami flavor in the pan as you cook [meats], but foods like mushrooms have that flavor as well.

Once you learn to work with those and master some basic techniques, then you can pretty much create anything.

More than 20 of our students are from the Bahamas, and our hearts go out to them, their families and their communities. In addition, many of our faculty and staff have connections to these islands.

There are a those hurt by Hurricane Dorian, and I encourage you to support the Bahamas the way that seems best to you. You also can reach out to 麻豆映画传媒 Global or Student Government to learn more about local relief efforts. Other efforts are underway for any affected students and will be shared soon.

麻豆映画传媒 was fortunately spared the worst of Hurricane Dorian. Our experience preparing for the storm made me very proud of our university鈥檚 response.

Katie and I applaud the professionalism of our emergency management and public safety teams. They prepared our campuses this past week and ensured everything is up and running today. We also saw firsthand the compassion of those from Housing and Residence Life .

麻豆映画传媒鈥檚 financial aid, student account services and finance and accounting teams worked throughout the closure, as well, to complete disbursements and refunds this week.

Our medical students volunteered in Seminole County shelters to care for people who had to leave their homes. There鈥檚 no better way to give back than when it鈥檚 needed most.

The Knights Helping Knights Pantry, which reopens today, provides free clothing, food, toiletries and other items to students, no questions asked.

If you purchased more food than needed to prepare for the storm, consider donating those items to Knights Pantry. You can drop off items at the pantry in Ferrell Commons, at the President鈥檚 Office in Millican Hall or in donation bins set up across campus, which can be found under 鈥淢aps鈥� in the .

Storm closures are never easy, but I encourage our faculty to be flexible with students who heeded early warnings and chose to evacuate. Equally important, any student who has difficulty returning in time for Friday classes should contact their faculty member directly.

Times like these remind me of the many reasons why 麻豆映画传媒 is so special 鈥� and why our campus community truly is a family.

Charge On!