Today, the 24-year-old is on the cusp of earning two graduate degrees simultaneously, having elevated ±«°ä¹ó’s reputation as a community and society changemaker along the way with the AI for Nonprofits course she helped develop. These milestones aren’t just personal. They’re also serving her biggest passion: helping others.

That’s the thing about opportunity. Sometimes all you need is a chance, a dash of inspiration and someone who believes in you.

Charting Her Own Path

Dones, who was born in Cuba, was just 2 years old when her family immigrated to Miami. Growing up, she viewed attending college as a somewhat unattainable goal.

“I remember discussions with my parents where they would say that college is for the wealthy, or that we’d cross that bridge when we get there,â€� she says. “I didn’t have anyone to rely on for mentorship because my parents didn’t know anyone that had been to college before, and all of our family was in Cuba.â€�

In high school, she joined the International Baccalaureate program and learned about financial aid opportunities such as Bright Futures scholarships. A teacher encouraged her to seek out more scholarship opportunities from Miami-based nonprofits and foundations. That’s when she realized college was within her reach.

“I thought, ‘If everyone around me is doing this, what’s stopping me?’â€� she says.

Dones connected with the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps students achieve their educational goals like the ones of her own. With assistance from the foundation and other nonprofits, Dones ended up receiving $20,000 in scholarships to attend Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½.

The support not only sparked her academic career; it also inspired a calling to give back to others.

She pulled up others with her along the way as an undergrad, serving as a mentor for local high school students and impressed upon them the importance of internships. She realized how much she loved positively impacting them.

That’s when her own mentor, Josefina Rosario — assistant director for access and student support at — suggested enrolling in the public administration and nonprofit management dual-degree graduate program next. It was a decision that would further fuel her passion for helping others.

Through the program, housed in , Dones has engaged in real-world experiences that simulate what it’s like to work in the nonprofit and public sectors. Through service-learning, she evaluated and helped develop a strategic fundraising plan for a local nonprofit. She’s also created budgets for the City of Orlando and analyzed how both the city and Orange County Sheriff’s Office use social media. She attended her first professional conference.

Perhaps some of the most invaluable experience she has gained involves the industry’s intersection with artificial intelligence.

Leveraging AI for Community Impact

Through the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Applied AI Innovation Initiative, Dones has been working with associate lecturer and initiative lead ’11±Ê³ó¶Ù in using generative AI tools to find innovative solutions for challenges in educational and behavioral interventions. During her time as a student fellow for the initiative, Dones has learned to harness the power of AI to create apps, websites, data dashboards, chat bots, online courses and even a board game that enhances financial management skills — all without having a technical background.

“I never thought I would be able to build an app, but now we can with the help of AI,â€� she says. “When I saw that I can do something like that or create a website with the help of AI, I wanted to continue doing it. Nonprofit organizations tend to get left behind when there’s new technology out there. I imagined how AI can help a nonprofit with time or resource constraints, and that’s how my passion for learning about it started.â€�

“I imagined how AI can help a nonprofit with time or resource constraints, and that’s how my passion for learning about it started.� — Ketty Dones ’23

Dones has played a significant role for the Applied AI Innovation Initiative in helping local nonprofits leverage AI to boost creativity and efficiency in advancing their missions. She contributed to creating an AI Impact Hub, an app that serves as a one-stop shop to connect nonprofits with resources and engage with other nonprofit leaders through a discussion forum. She’s also assisted in hosting workshops that explore how AI can be used as a tool to assist nonprofits with social media, fundraising, compliance and evaluation.

Most notably, Dones helped the team develop an in partnership with that covers topics ranging from grant writing, evaluation, storytelling and prompting with AI to ethical guardrails, accountability and security when using the technology, as well as best practices for integrating AI tools in day-to-day operations. The course is also used in the Innovation and Technical Assistance Program, which provides hands-on assistance to local nonprofits engaging with AI-powered tools to help strengthen their organizational capacity.

In fact, 26 Orange County nonprofits graduated from the program last month with an AI for Nonprofits certificate.

Full Circle and Ever Upward

If it helps bridge the gap between AI and nonprofit organizations, count Dones in.

“I always like to think of AI as a thought partner and ask how it can help elevate ideas, not create them,â€� Dones says. “That’s why I think it’s so important for the public and nonprofit sectors to leverage this technology. Continuing education in the nonprofit and public administration sectors is always important, but especially now with learning how to integrate AI tools.â€�

Although AI has served as her assistant in creating innovative solutions for others, it’s the combination of her grit and determination to succeed along with a passion for serving others that assists her in unlocking the potential not just within herself but also in the community.

“Ketty has impressed me since day one,â€� Concha says. “Between her contributions to the AI for Nonprofits course and developing impactful resources using AI and advanced prompting techniques, she is a prime example of a student without a technical background using AI for social good.”

For now, Dones will continue working with Concha and the Applied AI Innovation Initiative to further develop AI tools and solutions, working toward certifications and mentoring nonprofit partners along the way. Although she is considering pursuing a career in AI product management or sales down the road, it’s using her knowledge to set up nonprofits for success that she finds most rewarding.

After all, her accomplishments thus far and her bright future wouldn’t have been possible without some help from nonprofit organizations along the way.

“I always think about the Key Biscayne Community Foundation and other nonprofit organizations that helped me receive funding to go to school,� she says. “It’s kind of full circle for me now. I feel that I can give back to my local community in understanding not just the challenges nonprofits face but also how I can help them in the future.�

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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½,â€� 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 ±«°ä¹ó’s aerospace engineering graduate program, which advanced seven spots and now is among the top 40 in the nation.

Overall, 13 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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.

±«°ä¹ó’s emergency and crisis management program  ranks No. 1 in the nation, counselor education is No. 9 and nonprofit management is No. 15.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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.

“±«°ä¹ó’s rise in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings reflects our strategic commitment to becoming a national leader in engineering,â€� 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.â€�

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.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ graduates who are making substantial contributions to the company.

“Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ has invested a lot into its aerospace engineering program, and it has shown,â€� 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ graduates in the field.â€�

“Graduate school at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ was a challenge but rewarding. The course work was quite informative and helpful in understanding aerospace concepts at a deeper level.â€� — Nik Patel ’19MS, alum

Many Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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.

“Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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,â€� 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.â€�

“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.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ has also been recognized as a top 40 Best Education School, improving 30 spots in 5 years.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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.

“Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ equipped me with a robust foundation in emergency management and public administration, which I apply daily in my career,â€� Gros says. “I’d enthusiastically recommend Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ to anyone considering a career in emergency management.â€�

Other Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ ranks No. 42 in the nation for graduate physical therapy programs. The cohort graduating in 2024 had a 100% employment rate.

“It was clear Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ met all of those criteria,â€� 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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.â€�

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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ DPT program is highly ranked because of its exceptional faculty, rigorous curriculum, clinical focus and emphasis on research,â€� Schmidt says. “In my experience working with Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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.â€�

±«°ä¹ó’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 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ 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,â€� he says.  “The biggest thing that sets [±«°ä¹ó’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.â€�

In Spring 2024, 12 students in the undergraduate nonprofit management program housed at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Downtown influenced the distribution of $115,000 to philanthropic organizations around Central Florida. This was the main objective of Nonprofit Leadership Seminar, the program’s capstone course.

Stephanie Krick, senior lecturer of in the College of Community Innovation and Education, says the course teaches students how community foundations distribute donors’ money in responsible and meaningful ways.

“It’s a strategic philanthropy project where students learn the importance of investing in sustainable and reliable organizations,â€� Krick says. “This course is often the first opportunity students have to look at philanthropy from a donor’s perspective.â€�

To accomplish their goal, Krick’s students conducted grant research on behalf of the Central Florida Foundation. Established in 1994, the foundation drives social change through strategic investments and collaborative partnerships. Sandi Vidal, the foundation’s vice president of community strategies and initiatives, says its mission is to build community by building philanthropy.

“We focus on working with charitable investors to make a difference,� Vidal says. “We think about various problems in the community and how to apply capital to help solve them.�

Working closely with mentors, the students utilized community portfolios intended to fund various causes, such as animal welfare, senior care, Jewish services, support for medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s or lung diseases, and homeless services. After researching nonprofits related to these causes, the students chose three or four from each category.

Victor Suarez says his group took a top-down approach to choosing the most appropriate nonprofits.

“We looked at all local organizations in the portfolio and reached out to the ones that were aligned with the foundation’s goals of sustainability and long-term solutions,� Suarez says. “We contacted them and discussed their needs. If we felt they fit the essential specifications, we visited them and asked more questions.�

The students toured the select organizations and learned about projects in need of funding. Using this information, the students then identified which organizations aligned best with donor interests and presented their findings to the Central Florida Foundation board of directors.

“The students didn’t make the final decision, but they shared their research, answered questions and explained why they believed these were great organizations and projects for the foundation to invest in,� Krick says. “However, the board voted on the students’ recommendations and ultimately approved them all.�

Based on these recommendations, the Central Florida Foundation granted a total of $35,000 from the Jewish services and services to the poor portfolios. That included $9,000 to The Sharing Center for case management certifications, $7,500 to the Orlando Torah Academy for its ESL curriculum and supplies, and $18,500 to the Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando for its Pearlman Food Pantry project.

The foundation also allocated a total of $35,000 from the animal welfare portfolio to three related nonprofits. Little Ray Children’s Books received $5,000 for new computers, Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando received $10,000 for an animal transportation vehicle, and the Central Florida Zoo received $20,000 for its peccary habitat.

Additionally, the foundation distributed $35,000 from the seniors portfolio to caregiver center Share the Care for its behavioral health services.

Suarez says the project helped him understand the importance of examining nonprofits and showed him the many ways they can be organized.

“A lot of the bigger nonprofits knew exactly what they needed to move forward while other nonprofits were unsure of their needs,â€� Suarez says. “I think it’s important for nonprofits to analyze themselves to understand what they need to be successful.â€�

Looking ahead, Krick hopes to create more collaborative opportunities for her students by utilizing the downtown campus’ proximity to numerous community partners and nonprofit organizations.

“We’re seeking to develop partnerships that are beneficial to students, organizations and communities,â€� she says. “That’s what I’m looking for — any opportunity to have my students out in the field and learning from the people who are doing the work.â€�

Longman, a social worker by trade, also serves on the executive board of the David Posnack Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Davie, Florida. Through her work with the organization, she learned that federal funds were available for projects aimed at providing opportunities for individuals with cognitive impairment. Having just completed White-Jones’ grant writing class, she decided to take a chance.

“I knew that I had already created a grant application for the course, so the timing was perfect,� Longman says. “The window on the application was pretty short, so there wouldn’t have been time to write an application from scratch.�

Utilizing her professional experience and her professor’s expert guidance, Longman drafted a grant proposal for HireAbility, an initiative through the David Posnack JCC that would use a food truck as a vehicle — literally and figuratively — to provide adults with cognitive impairment an opportunity to learn marketable work skills in a community-facing environment.

“The beautiful thing about the food truck is that it’s mobile,� Longman says. “You’re not tied to a fixed location, so you can get these wonderful men and women out to locations where they can really feel like they’re a part of the community.�

Longman says the food truck would also serve as a recruiting tool for the participants, as people can see them practicing in-demand food service skills that might lead to long-term employment.

“For me, it’s personal,� Longman says. “I have a teenage daughter who is quickly approaching the age where she would benefit from a program like this. I’ve done the research, and I know that demand for a program like this exists from the community, these adults and their families.�

Longman’s hard work paid off, as she submitted her application through the David Posnack JCC and received $1.5 million in federal funding for the project.

“Missy’s passion and incredible work ethic helped secure funding our HireAbility program that will provide a work-life experience for so many adults with developmental challenges,� says Scott Ehrlich, CEO of the David Posnack JCC. “Missy continues to make incredible impact in the community through her desire to help others. We are so proud to have her as an executive board member.�

White-Jones says the success of Longman’s project is not only a success story but a reinforcement of the School of Public Administration’s experience-based learning philosophy.

“I’m so happy for Melissa,â€� White-Jones says. “To see her take an idea in this course and turn it into not only a fully formed and submitted grant proposal, but then to see it be funded in this capacity is why our experiential learning programs are second to none. It is nothing short of a privilege for me to assist our students with the opportunity to engage in real-world learning — assignments that not only strengthen them professionally but make a positive impact in communities.”

My kids and I moved closer to friends and family for support and into a more affordable place. But my employer had sent us home to work remotely for the year and I was nowhere near used to being home with them 24/7 — on top of completing coursework. And then right before the start of the fall semester, I fell ill with the COVID-19 virus.

Luckily, after three weeks, I made it off the couch and got back to my studies. Thinking I was in the clear, I began my full-time course load and started back at work. COVID-19, however, wasn’t done with me. I suffered from fatigue, brain fog, and to this day colas still taste like mold and anything lemon-flavored tastes like celery. I don’t know if my sense of smell will ever be as good as it once was.

 I had to adjust my expectations, and I had to keep going because I couldn’t allow myself to give up again.

By Fall 2020, I was at a point where I almost quit school. But instead, I decided to scale things back. I dropped two courses, which meant I would have to take two capstone courses for two different master’s programs in the spring — on top of a public finance course. I failed a midterm. I was convinced I wasn’t going to pull it off. Even with taking just one course, I was barely hanging on. But ultimately, I had to be realistic with myself and my situation at that time. I had to accept that dropping a couple courses didn’t mean “I can’t do this;� it simply meant “I can’t do all of this right here and now, but I can still do it.� I had to adjust my expectations, and I had to keep going because I couldn’t allow myself to give up again.

One of the biggest motivators for me going back to school at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ and sticking it out was my failed attempt at graduate school in 2014. I was a single mother of my first child, I had three jobs back then, and I couldn’t get financial aid. I borrowed money from a dear friend to pay off collections accounts so the government would allow me to take out loans. Then I began my first stab at graduate coursework with the Maryland Institute College of Art.

I put in a great amount of effort at first, but I couldn’t keep up. Back then, I was a victim of abuse. I allowed recent and dated traumas I had endured to define me and make me lose faith in myself and others. I grew up in a home where apologizing was a sign of weakness, and lived my life believing that asking for help meant I wasn’t strong enough. I dropped out of graduate school at the beginning of 2016, and I went back to thinking I just wasn’t capable.

In 2010, I was the first person in my family to graduate from college with my bachelor’s degree, and a dream of mine has always been to earn a doctorate degree. I wanted my children to see that perseverance and determination can take you anywhere you want to go. After the birth of my second child, I felt motivated to give graduate school another try. I didn’t want that first go at graduate school to be the end of my journey. I knew it would be harder the second time, as I now had a career and two kids, but I reminded myself that motherhood doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the things you want out of life. Motherhood just means you might have to try a little harder.

I knew it would be harder the second time, as I now had a career and two kids, but I reminded myself that motherhood doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the things you want out of life.

I enrolled in the nonprofit management and public administration graduate programs at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ in 2018. I chose these programs because they were fully online, and they aligned with my career goals to one day lead a nonprofit arts organization or to work in the public sector developing arts and cultural programs and policies. Art has always been a part of my life, and I want to ensure that everyone has access to the arts and can benefit from all that experiencing arts and culture has to offer. Art has been a way for me to cope with childhood and early adulthood traumas. Now, rather than make art, I want to give back to the arts some of what the arts gave to me.

As I prepare to graduate, I find that I’ve learned a lot more than what was on the pages of my textbooks. I have learned to ask for help when I need it, and I accept help when it is offered to me. I learned that failing a midterm isn’t the end of the world. I learned that setting realistic expectations for yourself is the key to achieving your goals, and I learned to take things one step at a time. I learned that a little extra effort can go a long way. I learned that honesty really is the best policy — don’t be embarrassed or think any less of yourself if you must ask your professor for extra time to meet deadlines due to personal reasons. Learning to be open with my professors about my struggles and to communicate with them as soon as possible when I knew I was falling behind was my saving grace on my graduate school journey. These are lessons that will stick with me for life, and without these lessons learned, I most likely wouldn’t be graduating.

I am graduating for that friend that loaned me the money to start graduate school back in 2014 — and for the chance to prove I didn’t fail her.

I am graduating for my professors who granted me understanding, extensions and the support that allowed me to make it through every course without fail.

I am graduating for my fellow Knights — without you, I wouldn’t have made it this far.

I am graduating for my family and friends who have encouraged me all along the way. I am graduating for my children so they can see first-hand how far perseverance can take us in life.

I am graduating for Josh, the old flame who by some blip in the universe recently came back into my life during my final semester and spent many nights watching over my kiddos, making dinner and putting them to bed, while I locked myself in the bedroom to write a paper or take an exam.

I am graduating for anyone over 30 who thinks it’s too late. I am graduating for all those who are thinking they could never pull it off, who think they aren’t enough, who think they will fail before they even try.

I am graduating especially for the working mothers who think they can’t — because I know you can.

I am graduating no longer defining myself as a victim. I am graduating with self-worth. I am graduating for me.

“The new rankings reflect our focus on student success and faculty excellence and puts us one step closer to reaching our goal of becoming a 21st-century university committed to fueling the talent, ideas and innovation that will drive our community and state forward.�

The list shows the university’s upward trajectory in the number of programs on the top 100 list; there were 18 programs ranked in 2017. The rankings measure the quality of 800 schools’ faculty, research and students, and are based on peer and expert opinions.

“From our growing academic reputation to our successful athletic programs, the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ has made impressive gains over the last decade,â€� says Elizabeth A. Dooley, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The new rankings reflect our focus on student success and faculty excellence and puts us one step closer to reaching our goal of becoming a 21st-century university committed to fueling the talent, ideas and innovation that will drive our community and state forward.â€�

±«°ä¹ó’s top-ranked program this year, Emergency and Crisis Management, tied for No. 7, above programs at Texas A&M University, American University and George Washington University. The program is under the direction of Associate Professor Claire Connolly Knox, who says the course builds on the strength of the faculty, advisory board and alumni who mentor students.

“Effective emergency and crisis management is vital for every community,� Knox says. “Since 2016, four hurricanes — Matthew, Irma, Maria and Michael — and three mass casualty events — Pulse nightclub, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School and Fort Lauderdale Airport — have greatly impacted Florida communities. There is an increasing need for emergency management specialists to expand their knowledge, skills and abilities through an advanced degree so they can more ethically manage emergencies and crises.�

The next highest Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ rankings are the Nonprofit Management at No. 8 (moving up from 12) and Counselor Education at No. 9 (moving up from 10).

Other programs ranked in the top 50 are: Optics and Photonics (No. 12), Elementary Education (No. 22), Public Administration (No. 23), Criminal Justice (No. 26), Industrial Engineering (No. 36) and Health Administration (No. 46).

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ programs with the biggest point-gain improvements this year were in nursing. ±«°ä¹ó’s master’s nursing school ranked No. 61 overall, moving up 26 points, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice ranked No. 72, improving by 29 points.

Other programs in the top 100 are:
Computer Engineering (No. 52)
Communication Sciences and Disorders (No. 53)
Electrical Engineering (No. 53)
Overall best public administration graduate school (No. 53)
Materials Science and Engineering (No. 57)
Physics (No. 61)
Environmental Engineering (No. 63)
Civil Engineering (No. 65)
Mechanical Engineering (No. 65)
Social Work (No. 70)
Overall best graduate engineering school (No. 75)
Overall best graduate education school (No. 78)
Computer Science (No. 82)
Overall medical research school (No. 88)
Part-time MBA (No. 89)

This was the first time in the top 100 for the part-time MBA, which includes both the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Evening MBA and the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Part-time Professional MBA.

Camarillo, who earned a degree in social work and is currently pursuing his  at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, started to provide consistent support and stability to the homeless community.

“I thought I would do all of these things when I graduated in order to have an impact on people, but why not do something now?� – Eric Camarillo ’16, SALT founder

“I thought I would do all of these things when I graduated in order to have an impact on people,� he says, “but why not do something now?�

Camarillo has used what he’s learned in the classroom to grow the organization and support the community.

According to a 2018 study by the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, more than 2,000 people are homeless in the region. Governmental and non-governmental organizations already play an important role in reducing homelessness but there is always a need for additional support.

Since its inception in 2011, SALT has expanded to provide outreach programs for youths, hospitals, homeless and faith-based organization. SALT runs programs through a network of 100 active volunteers, including more than 15 outreach leaders. It also has partnered with the YMCA to provide tutoring services to students at underserved elementary schools.

“We realized, oftentimes, schools that need the most help have the least volunteers, and we are looking to fill that void,� Camarillo says. Volunteers assist students for at least six months in science, math and reading.

What began as an organization providing meals to people in need blossomed into an organization that offers additional services that often are overlooked. The organization raised more than $4,000 to establish a clothing trailer called Change, which addresses the need for work-appropriate clothing for individuals seeking employment.

As a result, SALT has distributed more than 55,000 pounds of food and 3,000 articles of clothing to the community.

The clothing trailer highlighted another need in the community that led to SALT’s most recent project — a shower trailer.

“Clean clothing doesn’t mean much without a shower. Some individuals hadn’t showered in three months and were actively looking for a job,� Camarillo says.

“The energy we bring and the passion we have for making a difference has really fueled the organization.� – Eric Camarillo ’16, SALT founder

Based on this need, SALT raised more than $40,000 to debut the shower trailer in August. The trailer is parked at Orlando Central Seventh-day Adventist Church near Broadway Avenue and Colonial Drive, and is operated by SALT volunteers on the second Sunday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Patrons are also provided with hygiene-care packages, clothing, haircuts and a hot meal.

“Our goal in the next year is to raise enough funds to consistently run the program. We would like to operate on weekdays to better support those actively seeking work throughout the week,� Camarillo says.

SALT also is committed to its mission to support people wherever needed. Volunteers took the shower trailer to the Florida Panhandle last year to assist victims devastated by Hurricane Michael.

Camarillo attributes the success of SALT to the volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to these programs.

“Our organization is led by young adults — most of them in college or recent graduates. The energy we bring and the passion we have for making a difference has really fueled the organization.�

The transdisciplinary, global reach of the program will impact students at both universities, as well as the communities they serve.

“Our universities are now bound with a history-making program,â€� says Professor Thomas Bryer, the lead in development for the dual-degree agreement. “Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ students will build knowledge in global awareness and competency in public administration and governance. KTU students will build on their experience and professionalism to carry with them as future leaders in the nonprofit sector.â€�

Bryer has worked closely with KTU officials, students and professors since 2014. He was a Fulbright Scholar living for two months each fall from 2015-2017 in Lithuania to conduct research on citizen participation with municipal governments. Today, Bryer leads a research project at KTU, with funding from the Lithuanian Science Council, focusing on non-economic factors of emigration from the country.

Modern history of Lithuania includes its occupation during World War II by Germany, and following the war, by the Soviet Union. Soviet occupation lasted for 45 years, until Lithuania declared independence in 1990. Lithuania is part of the European Union and maintains a population of approximately 3 million people. Geographically, Lithuania neighbors Poland, Latvia and Belarus.

EglÄ— VaidelytÄ—, lead program designer and associate professor at KTU, says the agreement provides a unique opportunity for students to expand their studies.

“The dual degree program is a remarkable event in the academic history of both universities. The program focuses on key issues of governance and nonprofit leadership in a globalizing world. It allows students to acquire a thorough understanding of how public policies affect outcomes and citizens in a context of changing political and social settings.�

Before this program, the two universities signed another landmark agreement. Erasmus+ is a European-funded exchange program that supports students studying at partnering universities for up to one year and allows professors and staff to visit for teaching or professional development.

Under the new dual degree agreement, students obtain undergraduate degrees from both universities, expanding opportunities for international interaction and understanding. The first cohort will study together at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ in Spring 2022 and in Lithuania the following semester. New cohorts will study at both universities each spring and fall thereafter.

“In fifty years, I hope our successors remember this semester as the start of a long-lasting and globally recognized program built on a partnership that started with a simple idea. We can improve studies, research and lives by breaking down some walls and opening our doors,� says Bryer.

The Counselor Education program earned ±«°ä¹ó’s highest 2016 ranking at No. 10. The program prepares for careers as counselors and practitioners in schools, community mental health agencies, institutions, hospitals and private practice.

“We are extremely proud of the work being done by our faculty and staff in the area of Counselor Education, and pleased to acknowledge the recognition the program continues to receive on a national level,” said Grant Hayes, interim dean of the College of Education and Human Performance.

±«°ä¹ó’s College of Optics and Photonics ranked No. 14 in the top atomic, molecular and optical sciences programs, and the Nonprofit Management program in the College of Health and Public Affairs was listed at No. 25.

Two other programs in the College of Health and Public Affairs made the top 50 – Criminal Justice (26) and Healthcare Management (39) – and Industrial Engineering was ranked at 45th.

Others in the top 100 are: Electrical Engineering (52), Computer Engineering (58), Public Administration (59), ), Environmental Engineering (70), Communication Sciences and Disorders (73), Civil Engineering (74), College of Nursing (83), College of Education & Human Performance (83), College of Engineering & Computer Science (85), Physics (85), Social Work (89), Computer Science (90), Physical Therapy (99) and Mechanical Engineering (100).

The Best Graduate Schools 2016 edition will be available on newsstands April 7.

The program placed ninth in the nation in rankings released today, up two spots from last year. A second College of Education program – Special Education – ranked No. 16.

“It is gratifying to see our programs in Counselor Education and Special Education receive this recognition on a national stage,� said Dean Sandra L. Robinson of the College of Education. “Our faculty and staff bring passion and excellence to their work and that is reflected in the success of our students as well as our programs.�

Twenty-one Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ programs were ranked in U.S. News & World Report‘s top-100 list of Best Graduate Schools for 2014. Today’s rankings are available online at usnews.com/best-graduate-schools, and the Best Graduate Schools 2014 guidebook will be available on newsstands beginning April 9.

±«°ä¹ó’s College of Optics and Photonics ranked No. 13 among the nation’s atomic, molecular and optical sciences programs. The Nonprofit Management program in the College of Health and Public Affairs ranked No. 25.

Two other programs in the College of Health and Public Affairs also made the top 50 – Criminal Justice (26) and Healthcare Management (46) – along with the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s Industrial Engineering program, which moved up 13 places to No.35.

Others from Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ in the top 100 of their specific fields are: Electrical Engineering (55), Computer Engineering (58), Public Administration (59), Environmental Engineering (64), Materials Engineering (70), College of Engineering & Computer Science (72), Communication Sciences and Disorders (73), College of Nursing (79), Social Work (89), Civil Engineering (90), Computer Science (91), College of Education (91), Mechanical Engineering (93) and Physical Therapy (99).

More than 1,200 programs are reviewed nationwide for the magazine’s annual graduate-school guide. Scores are based on expert opinions about programs and statistical indicators that reflect the quality of faculty, researchers and students at each institution.

The ninth-ranked Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Counselor Education program is designed to educate and prepare individuals interested in working as counselors and practitioners in schools, community mental health settings, institutions, hospitals, and private practice.

“This was a pretty fast progression, especially since many of the other programs in the top 10 have been there a long time,� said program director Bryce Hagedorn. “Our curriculum is designed with a heavy emphasis on experiential and clinical work for master’s students, and teaching research and supervision for doctoral students.�