Public Administration Archives | Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ News Central Florida Research, Arts, Technology, Student Life and College News, Stories and More Tue, 24 Feb 2026 19:09:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2019/05/cropped-logo-150x150.png Public Administration Archives | Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ News 32 32 First-Generation Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Grad Leverages AI to Boost Nonprofits’ Impact /news/first-generation-ucf-grad-leverages-ai-to-boost-nonprofits-impact/ Mon, 08 Dec 2025 14:36:38 +0000 /news/?p=150198 Ketty Dones ’23, who is graduating with dual master’s degrees in public administration and nonprofit management, works with the Applied AI Innovation Initiative at Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ to provide local nonprofit organizations with technical assistance for AI-integrated solutions that help drive their missions.

]]>
There was once a time when Ketty Dones ’23 believed college was an unattainable reality.

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,†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?’†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 Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«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.

Woman in white blazer and traditional black grad cap stands in front of mural that reads "If you want to go far, go together."
More than 25 Orange County nonprofits graduated last month from the AI for Nonprofits course that Dones helped develop. (Photo by Antoine Hart)

Leveraging AI for Community Impact

Through the Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«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,†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.

Ketty Dones and Maritza Concha, wearing traditional commencement robes, embrace in front of gold wall
Thanks to the Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Applied AI Innovation Initiative, Ketty Dones and associate lecturer and initiative lead Maritza Concha ’11±Ê³ó¶Ù have made a community impact and formed a lasting bond. (Photo by Antoine Hart)

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,†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,†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.â€

]]>
ucf-downtown-ai-dones-grad More than 25 Orange County nonprofits graduated last month from the AI for Nonprofits course that Dones helped develop. (Photo by Antoine Hart) Ketty Dones and Maritza Concha Thanks to the Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Applied AI Innovation Initiative, Ketty Dones and associate lecturer and initiative lead Maritza Concha ’11±Ê³ó¶Ù have made a community impact and formed a lasting bond.
Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Emergency Management Professor Inducted as National Academy of Public Administration Fellow /news/ucf-emergency-management-professor-inducted-as-national-academy-of-public-administration-fellow/ Thu, 14 Nov 2024 15:00:36 +0000 /news/?p=143884 Claire Connolly Knox is the fifth School of Public Administration faculty member to be honored as an academy fellow.

]]>
Each year, the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) inducts a new cohort of academic and industry professionals in the public administration field to serve as academy fellows. The 2024 cohort comprises 42 inductees — and , professor of emergency and crisis management, is one of them.

NAPA fellows are tapped to provide insight and experience to address current and emerging issues in government, from overseeing academy projects and lending expertise to providing guidance and contribution to discourse on government.

“The 2024 class of academy fellows reflects a wide range of professional experience, including dedicated civil servants and accomplished academics,†says Terry Gerton, president and CEO of NAPA. “These 42 leaders will be an enormous asset to the academy in the years ahead, and we look forward to working with all of them to help create a bright future for our country.â€

Fellows are selected based on a rigorous review of an individual’s contributions to the field of public administration and policy. The Fellows Nominating Committee makes its recommendations to nearly 1,000 existing fellows, who then vote on which candidates to induct. Those currently serving in the academy include former cabinet officers, members of Congress, governors, mayors, state legislators, prominent scholars, executives, nonprofit leaders and more. A new cohort of academy fellows is inducted annually during NAPA’s fall meeting.

Knox is one of only 24 NAPA fellows in Florida — a distinction she says she finds both rewarding and humbling. As a first-generation college student hailing from coastal Louisiana, Knox says she doesn’t take any of her educational or research-based accomplishments for granted. Knox, who also serves as the academic program coordinator for ±«°ä¹ó’s emergency and crisis management master’s program, is the fifth professor in the to be named a NAPA fellow. Her induction to the academy follows those of in 2015,  in 2020, Pegasus Professor  in 2021 and in 2023.

“To have this amazing honor is extremely humbling, and I could not have done this without the support of friends, family, mentors and colleagues who have guided me on the path that got me to where I am now,†she says. “So much of my research and mentorship approach has been focused on lifting up the next generation. … This academy allows us the opportunity to work with the elite of public administration — from all levels of government and academia — to tackle wicked problems by pushing for good governance through the study and practice of public administration.â€

Knox says that one of the greatest responsibilities that comes with being a fellow is providing recommendations for consideration by federal government.

Grant Hayes, dean of the Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ College of Community Innovation and Education, says Knox’s expertise in emergency management will be a valuable contribution to the NAPA fellowship.

“I am pleased that Dr. Knox has been invited to join an elite group of academy and industry professionals in public administration, reflecting her dedication to conducting impactful research and informed advocacy,†Hayes says. “This strong commitment to engaging in transformative research aligns well with our college’s central mission of collaborating with community stakeholders to create innovative solutions to complex … issues.â€

]]>
Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Student Secures $1.5 Million For Local Nonprofit With Grant Application From Class /news/ucf-student-secures-1-5-million-for-local-nonprofit-with-grant-application-from-class/ Tue, 14 Feb 2023 13:34:59 +0000 /news/?p=133752 Melissa Longman’s project as part of her nonprofit management coursework minted tangible results far beyond her initial expectations.

]]>
When Melissa Longman enrolled in ’ grant writing course as part of her , she expected that what she learned would help her in her professional pursuits — just maybe not quite so quickly.

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.â€

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.â€

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.â€

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.â€

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,†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.”

]]>
Alumna at the Ready to Help Orlando Airports in Emergencies /news/alumna-at-the-ready-to-help-orlando-airports-in-emergencies/ Wed, 06 May 2020 17:21:04 +0000 /news/?p=109217 Public administration graduate assists aviation authority to earn ‘gold seal’ in preparedness and crisis management.

]]>
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority received a “gold seal†in January to become  the first airport operation to earn full accreditation by the Emergency Management Accreditation Program.

“Emergency management is essential in the aviation world,†says Keila Walker-Denis ’07, assistant director of airport operations in emergency management for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which oversees Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport. “We demonstrated that we have a sound foundation for an emergency-management program.â€

Walker-Denis, whose background is in emergency management, says the process was an opportunity to take the airport where it needed to be, especially now in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This event has further highlighted the importance of communication, cooperation, coordination and collaboration,†she says. The accreditation program used 64 industry standards to determine the top rating.

Her industry contacts — such as Osceola County Emergency Management, Orlando Health, Florida’s State Medical Response Team, the Central Florida Intelligence Exchange, and the Incident Management Team for Central Florida — have proven valuable in her current role.

‘We may not be the experts in any one area, but we know a lot about everything and where to get resources.’ — Keila Walker-Denis

“We may not be the experts in any one area, but we know a lot about everything and where to get resources,†Walker-Denis says.

The airport authority’s emergency management team has been assigned with tasks such as collecting and analyzing information related to COVID-19; ensuring personal protective equipment is provided to necessary employees; supporting local, state and federal executive orders; and a host of other responsibilities to maintain the safety, health and wellbeing of employees and passengers, Walker-Denis says.

Beyond the coronavirus, her role always includes a lot of planning and preparing, ensuring all teams and decision-makers at the airports work together effectively and communicate the same message.

“Once we identify what hazards we are prone to, the goal first is to try and prevent them. And if we can’t prevent them, the next step is to identify how to mitigate or lessen the impact to our operations,†Walker-Denis says. “Of course, our ultimate goal is to keep flying.â€

Before her career in emergency management, Walker-Denis started at Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ in the business program but switched to major in public administration because she was intrigued by the process that went into decision making during emergencies, such as for hurricanes when she was a child in Miami.

During an internship with the Osceola County Emergency Management Department, she participated in emergency operations during tropical storm Ernesto in 2006. Witnessing the controlled chaos of agencies, community stakeholders and departments coming together “ignited that passion, that flame,†she says.

“It all opened my eyes and ignited the fire I had back then to do what I do today. It’s truly a passion. It’s the best thing. It’s a very rewarding career field, mentally and emotionally, knowing that you’re able to make a change.â€

Walker-Denis also serves on ±«°ä¹ó’s emergency-management advisory board, which helps ensure Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ courses teach up-to-date content and expose students to the realities of the emergency management world beyond the classroom.

“Someone did it for me when I was in college, as far as that internship,†says Walker-Denis. “It opened my eyes, and I want to do the same. It feels right to do the same, to pay that forward.â€

]]>
Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Grad Lands Emergency Management Job After Hurricane Experiences /news/ucf-grad-lands-emergency-management-job-after-hurricane-experiences/ Thu, 01 Aug 2019 12:50:15 +0000 /news/?p=101428 After working with the local and state government to manage crises, the soon-to-be alum will use her expertise to help with hospital operations.

]]>
In times of crisis, most people typically run away from problems — but senior public administration major Rachel Reid plans to spend her future trying to solve them.

On Aug. 3 she’ll end her undergraduate career at commencement and two days later she’ll take the next step in her professional life as an emergency management preparedness specialist for Orlando Health.

“I think it’s going to be an extremely great opportunity to learn, especially in a hospital because that is such a fast-pace environment. So I’m excited to see where my future goes with Orlando Health,†Reid says.

Community Involvement

Reid has always had a strong desire to help those in her community. Starting in high school she became a lifeguard for her home city of Winter Garden. In September 2017 she was called into work one day but told she wouldn’t need her swimsuit and whistle. Instead, she’d be making sandbags and distributing them to residents who would need them to prepare for Hurricane Irma’s impact.

“It was exhausting but extremely rewarding,†Reid says. “There was so much organization, everyone knew their role and it was great to see the community coming together. I immediately became interested in how processes like this worked and wanted to learn more.â€

 “It was really helpful to do things at work and come into class and learn about them.â€

Shortly thereafter, she added an emergency-management minor to her studies and began looking for internships through ±«°ä¹ó’s advising offices. She received a few offers but reached out for guidance from Claire Connolly Knox, an associate professor and director for ±«°ä¹ó’s emergency management and homeland security program. Reid ultimately accepted a position with Seminole County at the start of 2018.

“I don’t know what I would have done if I did another internship instead because I was able to gain so much experience with Seminole County,†Reid says. “They don’t treat you like an intern whatsoever.â€

Within her first month she met with department heads and fire chiefs, organized emergency exercises and updated major operations plans. As she completed her six-month internship, her studies in the classroom reinforced her experiential learning.

“It was really helpful to do things at work and come into class and learn about it, like ‘Oh, this is why I’m doing that,’†Reid says. “It also allowed me to help a lot of my peers who didn’t have my experience. Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ really helped me tie all of the ends and figure out this is what I want to do.â€

Assisting with Hurricane Michael

Since she’s completed her internship, Reid has worked as a paid employee with Seminole County and has continued to add to her background. One of her biggest learning experiences took place in Tallahassee, where she spent three weeks working in the capital’s emergency management center and with displaced citizens affected by Hurricane Michael in October 2018. She and team members spoke with people in critical need at every nearby shelter to determine how they could help the storm victims find permanent housing.

“It was then I realized emergency management specialists are the people that have to fix these major issues, and if you’re freaking out nothing is going to get fixed,†Reid says. “So you have to take a deep breath and realize that what you do here matters.â€

“You have to take a deep breath and realize that what you do here matters.â€

But before she was even deployed to Tallahassee, Reid had to manage a smaller, personal issue in Orlando — getting extensions on her schoolwork while she was gone. Once again she reached out to Knox, this time to see if the professor could make some adjustments for her. Knox offered her support and acknowledged this opportunity would be more influential than any classroom assignment. She even contacted Reid’s other professors and insisted they provide her extra time as well.

“I don’t think I would have been able to do it without Dr. Knox supporting me on my educational side,†Reid says.

Soon she will take her state and local government experiences to the medical field as she works with Orlando Health’s hospitals and regulatory agencies, like the Department of Health, to develop emergency plans and system-wide solutions.

“To me, emergency management is filling in those missing puzzle pieces,†Reid says. “It’s figuring out how everyone can work together in a time of crisis — when it really matters.

]]>
27 Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Graduate Programs Ranked Among the Top 100 in the Nation /news/27-ucf-graduate-programs-ranked-among-the-top-100-in-the-nation/ Tue, 12 Mar 2019 15:04:52 +0000 /news/?p=95247 Emergency management, nonprofit management and counselor education among the top programs included in U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 guide to the Best Graduate Schools.

]]>
Twenty-seven Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ programs were nationally ranked today in the top 100 of their fields by U.S. News & World Report, and 35 graduate programs total were included in the publication’s 2020 Best Graduate Schools edition. This is a record number of programs ranked for the university.

“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€

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 Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ has made impressive gains over the last decade,†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.â€

The next highest Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«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).

Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«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 Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Evening MBA and the Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Part-time Professional MBA.

]]>
U.S. News Lists 20 of Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½’s Graduate Programs Among Best in Nation /news/u-s-news-lists-20-ucfs-graduate-programs-among-best-nation/ Thu, 17 Mar 2016 12:30:56 +0000 /news/?p=71258 Twenty Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ programs were ranked Tuesday among the top 100 in their fields by U.S. News & World Report in its Best Graduate Schools 2017 guidebook. The survey reviewed more than 800 public and private institutions with graduate schools.

Repeating from last year, the Counselor Education program earned ±«°ä¹ó’s highest ranking, moving up a notch to No. 9 nationally. The program prepares students for careers as counselors and practitioners in schools, community mental health agencies, hospitals, institutions and private practice.

“This ranking exemplifies the hard work of our Counselor Education faculty and staff and the progress we have achieved,†said Pamela S. Carroll, dean of the College of Education and Human Performance. “What an honor to be listed in the top 10 in the nation in this field.â€

The next highest Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ rankings were No. 14 for the atomic, molecular and optical sciences programs in the College of Optics & Photonics, and No. 17 for the Nonprofit Management program in the College of Health and Public Affairs, a jump of eight places.

Two more programs in the College of Health and Public Affairs were ranked in the top 50 – Criminal Justice (26) and Healthcare Management (38) – and Industrial Engineering was ranked at No. 39.

Others in the top 100 were: Communication Sciences and Disorders (53), Public Administration (63), Computer Engineering (64), Materials Science and Engineering (65), Electrical Engineering (66), Civil Engineering (75), Environmental Engineering (75), Social Work (78), College of Engineering & Computer Science (82), Physics (85), Medical Research (88), Computer Science (90), College of Education & Human Performance (91), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (100).

The Best Graduate Schools 2017 edition will be available on newsstands April 5.

The U.S. News rankings were announced one day after The Princeton Review and PC Gamer magazine named ±«°ä¹ó’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy the best video game graduate school in North America.

]]>
U.S. News Ranks 20 Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Programs Among Nation’s Best /news/u-s-news-ranks-19-ucf-programs-among-nations-best/ Tue, 10 Mar 2015 21:41:25 +0000 /news/?p=64859 U.S. News & World Report on Tuesday released its Best Graduate Schools 2016 guidebook, listing 20 Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ programs among the top 100 in their fields. More than 800 institutions with graduate schools were assessed for the annual rankings.

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.

 

]]>
U.S. News Ranks 21 Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ Graduate Programs in Top 100 /news/no-9-counselor-education-tops-ucf-graduate-programs-ranked-by-u-s-news/ /news/no-9-counselor-education-tops-ucf-graduate-programs-ranked-by-u-s-news/#comments Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:01:29 +0000 /news/?p=46814 The Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½â€™s Counselor Education program has earned a top-10 ranking in the U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools guide.

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.â€

Twenty-one Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«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 Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«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 Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«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.â€

]]>
/news/no-9-counselor-education-tops-ucf-graduate-programs-ranked-by-u-s-news/feed/ 2
C-USA Academic Medals Awarded to Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½’s Best and Brightest /news/c-usa-academic-medals-awarded-to-ucfs-best-and-brightest/ Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:02:48 +0000 /news/?p=34357 Thirty-two Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ student-athletes were recognized Wednesday with the prestigious Conference USA Academic Medal. Medals are awarded to student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.75 or better.

Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½’s medal winners represent ten sports programs. The women’s rowing team led the way with six student-athletes, followed closely by the women’s soccer and softball teams with five each.

At least 32 Knights have earned medals during three of the last four years.

“Achieving a GPA of 3.75 or higher is a tremendous accomplishment for our student-athletes, who work hard in their classes while balancing the rigorous demands of their sports,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Todd Stansbury. “The fact that so many of our student-athletes have earned academic recognitions from Conference USA is a testament to their determination and the support of our dedicated faculty members, coaches and academic advisors.”

C-USA announced its academic honor roll (3.0 GPA or better) Tuesday, and 221 Knights were on the list. That total ranked second among all C-USA schools and first among the league’s public institutions.

Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½’s student-athletes have collectively achieved a GPA of at least 3.0 for each of the last eight semesters.

In October, Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½ posted a program-best 83 percent Graduation Success Rate, which tied with the University of Florida for the top rating among Florida’s public universities.

Âé¶¹Ó³»­´«Ã½’s academic medal winners are listed below in alphabetical order by sport:

Football: Jacob Bundy (Business Economics) and  (Social Science Education master’s program)

Men’s Golf: Ìý(µþ³Ü²õ¾±²Ô±ð²õ²õ-±è±ð²Ô»å¾±²Ô²µ)

Women’s Rowing: Jesse Baldwin (Communication Science and Disorders), (Finance), (Elementary Education with a Coaching minor), Kelsey McCreary (Cinema Studies), Beatriz Merino (Pre-Clinical Allied Health with a Spanish minor) and  (Sport and Exercise Science/Psychology)

Men’s Soccer: Augusto Braccialli (Civil Engineering), (Psychology), (Molecular and Microbiology) and Ìý(±Ê²õ²â³¦³ó´Ç±ô´Ç²µ²â)

Women’s Soccer: (Biomedical Sciences), (Public Administration/Nonprofit Management), (Psychology), (Biology) and  (Communication Sciences and Disorders)

Softball: (Early Childhood Education), (Hospitality Management), (Elementary Education), (µþ¾±´Ç±ô´Ç²µ²â)Ìý²¹²Ô»å  (Mathematics Education)

Men’s Tennis: (Finance-pending) and  (Interdisciplinary Studies with a Math minor)

Women’s Tennis:  (Communication Sciences and Disorders)

Track and Field: (Undeclared), (Athletic Training), (Elementary Education) and Ìý(±Ê³ó¾±±ô´Ç²õ´Ç±è³ó²â)

Volleyball: (Marketing) and  (Molecular Biology and Microbology)

]]>