The native Floridian dreamed of working in one someday and knew Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ — located next door to some of the world’s premiere theme parks with a solid pipeline to the industry — was her ticket to get there.

Never mind that at the time of her enrollment to the  in 2020, a global pandemic had quite literally closed the doors on the industry.

Nothing could derail her from her goal.

°Õ´Ç»å²¹²â,Ìý³Ù³ó±ðÌýhospitality management alum is a senior technical coordinator at  in Orlando, the division of  that designs, develops and produces immersive theme park attractions, resorts and experiences worldwide.

Making a Bold Move

As a junior in high school, Cortier got her first real glimpse of career options in hospitality when she attended an industry-focused summer camp that Rosen College hosted at the time. As a senior, she focused her AP capstone project on hydroponics in the theme park industry. She knew the project would help her make connections, because it required a professional mentor.

Cortier took the initiative to reach out to , dean of Rosen College, who at that time was interim chair of the college’s Department of Foodservice and Lodging Management.

Mejia appreciated Cortier’s interest in the industry and her courage in reaching out. She invited her for a campus tour and connected her to a local hydroponics expert. Cortier’s bold plan had worked.

“It is so rare to get a cold call from a high school student who, at such a young age, was so certain she wanted to build a career in hospitality leadership. You just do not see that kind of passion every day,â€� says Mejia, who continued to mentor Cortier throughout her time at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½. “Bella continuously challenges and pushes herself past her comfort zone, which is why she is so successful and a model for the students who come after her. I am so proud of her.â€�

Turning the Unexpected Into a Winning Situation

Cortier continued to demonstrate that dedication and initiative once she was a full-time student. She was part of a core group who attended nearly every virtual meet-and-greet with faculty and staff that the Rosen College organized.

“When the faculty and staff saw that I was showing up, and they understood the passion that I had to be there, they started inviting me to take part in different events,� says Cortier, who was invited to be a student representative on the Dean’s Advisory Council, provide college tours for industry leaders and be part of a project team to enhance the student experience post-pandemic.

Meanwhile she also joined the Rosen College Leadership Council, became a tour guide with Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½Â Undergraduate Admissions and joined the student chapter of the Future Theme Park Leaders Association. Cortier also joined the  as a member of the drum line, and that’s where she met her fiancé, Erik Solberg ’24.

Forging a Path and Finding Her Place

When her marching band responsibilities ended in fall 2020, Cortier landed her first part-time job in a local theme park, SeaWorld Orlando. She discovered her love of working in rides and attractions and parlayed that into two summer internships focused on hospitality leadership development at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania and another job at Universal Orlando Resort.

“I loved Universal right away, and I knew I wanted to ultimately end up there,� Cortier says.

During her last semester of school, Cortier became an intern on the Universal Orlando Resort Operations Safety & Compliance team, and she has been with the company ever since.

In 2023, she made the move from a front-line job to a backstage role with Universal Creative after attending an internal career fair to explore opportunities.

“I always loved attractions so much, and I didn’t think I’d ever want to leave, but I made the jump to explore something new, and I’m so glad I did,� says Cortier, who supports the engineering and safety team at Universal Creative, which helps bring new experiences to life.

Moving Forward, Giving Back

Cortier still values networking, and she has developed a passion for helping others find their way. She is involved with IAAPA, a global association for the attractions industry, and serves on its North American Education Committee and as chair of its Young Professionals Education Task Force.

“Rosen College gave me a foundation in hospitality, leadership, operations, teamwork and creating meaningful guest experiences.�
— Bella Cortier

“Rosen College gave me a foundation in hospitality, leadership, operations, teamwork and creating meaningful guest experiences,� Cortier says. “When I get calls to come back and speak or be part of an event at Rosen College, I always say yes. I had people feed into me, and that’s my way of giving back — sharing my experience and talking to students who are finding their path.�

Cortier shared her story at the announcementÌý´Ç´ÚÌý³Ù³ó±ð , a first-of-its-kind addition to the No. 1 hospitality college in the nation, backed by a $10 million investment from Universal Destinations and Experiences.

This new Pegasus Partnership is part of Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s  campaign, a bold mission for the future of the university.

The incoming directors are Tiffany Altizer ’90MST, Stuart Brown ’97, Todd Feintuch ’04, Ryan Kelley ’03 ’11MBA, Rhett Rosen ’05, Naveed Shujaat ’04 ’06MBA and Fabio Zacco.

The board also confirmed two new committee advisors: Heather Churchill ’95 ’96MBA, who will begin serving on the investment committee on July 1, and Mary Eberhardt ’89, who joined the finance and facilities committee on May 14.

“Our board members and advisors play a critical role in advancing Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s mission and ensuring we remain positioned to meet the opportunities ahead,â€� says Stuart Heaton, chair of the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Foundation Board of Directors. “We are excited to welcome these accomplished leaders whose perspectives, expertise and commitment to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ will help strengthen our impact and support future generations of Knights.â€�

About the Board

The Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Foundation Board of Directors oversees the stewardship and management of private philanthropic support for the university.

As Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ continues to advance its $3.5 billion Go For Launch campaign, Foundation Board members play a critical role in helping shape the university’s future.

Through its standing committees and strategic leadership, the board helps ensure resources are invested effectively to elevate student success, fuel discovery and innovation, advance future frontiers and drive competitive excellence.

The newly appointed directors and committee advisors bring experience across a wide range of industries and disciplines, adding valuable insight to the board’s governance, financial oversight and long-term planning efforts.

Their collective expertise helps ensure Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ remains positioned to meet emerging challenges, seize new opportunities and deliver meaningful impact across Florida and beyond.

“The strength of the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Foundation lies in the dedication and leadership of the individuals who choose to invest their time, talent and expertise in our mission,â€� says Rod Grabowski, senior vice president for advancement & partnerships and CEO of the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Foundation. “As we welcome these new directors and advisors, we are grateful for their willingness to serve and help guide Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s continued growth and momentum. Their leadership will be instrumental as we advance Go For Launch, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s ambitious campaign to expand opportunity, accelerate discovery and strengthen our impact for generations of students, faculty and communities to come.â€�

The board also recognized three directors whose second terms conclude June 30: Brian Butler, Cathy Engelman and Clint Bullock ’95.

“Brian, Cathy and Clint have each made meaningful contributions during their years of service,â€� Grabowski says. “Their leadership, advocacy and commitment to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ have helped strengthen the foundation and have advanced opportunities for our students, faculty and university community. We are deeply grateful for their service and lasting impact.â€�

Meet Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Foundation’s Newest Board Members

Tiffany Altizer ’90MST

Tiffany Altizer, managing shareholder of Keith Altizer and Company, P.A., is a respected CPA whose leadership includes service on the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Board of Trustees and the Limbitless Solutions Board of Directors. She brings exceptional financial expertise and deep governance experience to the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Foundation. Altizer earned her master’s degree in taxation from Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½.

Stuart Brown ’97

Stuart Brown, a partner at Guidehouse, leads global technology and innovation initiatives while maintaining a strong commitment to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ through mentoring, recruitment and volunteer leadership. He also advises the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Foundation’s philanthropy and donor engagement committee. Brown earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½.

Todd Feintuch ’04

Executive vice president and chief wealth officer at Seacoast Bank, Todd Feintuch brings more than two decades of wealth management and investment expertise. He previously served as an advisor to the Foundation’s investment committee. Feintuch earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½.

Ryan Kelley ’03 ’11MBA

Ryan Kelley, principal and chief operating officer of Atlas Benefits Finance, is an experienced investment executive and dedicated Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ supporter. He advises the Foundation’s investment committee and is an active philanthropic leader within the university community. Kelley earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and master of business administration from Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½.

Rhett Rosen ’05

CEO of Trader Vic’s Worldwide, Rhett Rosen oversees the global growth of the iconic hospitality brand. A proud alumnus, he also serves as cochair of Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½’s campaign advocate network committee. Rosen earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½.

Naveed Shujaat ’04 ’06MBA

Central Florida market president for Bank of America, Naveed Shujaat leads regional business and community engagement initiatives. A two-time Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ graduate, he brings strategic financial leadership and a deep commitment to community impact. Shujaat earned his bachelor’s degree in business and MBA from Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½.

Fabio Zacco

Fabio Zacco serves as senior director and chief of staff at BNY, which was named a Pegasus Partner in 2025 after years of mentoring students and strengthening industry relationships. He also serves on the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Capital Markets Advisory Board.

For 25 years, members of have shared a powerful belief: investing in Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ is ultimately an investment in students and the lives they’ll lead.

Through planned gifts such as bequests, estate plans and retirement assets, society members extend opportunity far beyond a single generation. Their support fuels scholarships, research and academic programs that prepare students to meet the evolving needs of industry and community.

In 2025 alone, planned gifts accounted for nearly one-third of all charitable support to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½.

The society is named for Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s founding president, Charles Millican, a visionary who built the university with the future firmly in mind. During his tenure, Millican transformed 1,227 acres of Central Florida scrubland into an institution designed to support the space race and prepare students for careers in engineering and computer science. He championed what would become the Central Florida Research Park and helped shape Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s enduring ambition to reach for the stars.

Today, that vision lives on through more than 500 members of The Charles Millican Legacy Society — and through the students whose futures are shaped by their generosity.

A World of Possibility

Thiago Maillo’s path to a bachelor’s degree wasn’t linear — but it was driven by something unwavering: the pursuit of greater opportunity.

After his first year studying medicine at the Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Maillo realized he wanted a different future. He saw higher education in the United States as the place to build it. Just three months after applying to Valencia College, he moved to Florida and later .

“Scholarships have made all the difference. They’ve made it possible for me to achieve my dreams.” — Thiago Maillo, biomedical sciences major

Today, he’s a Burnett Honors Scholar and biomedical sciences major on the neuroscience track, with a minor in psychology. He’s conducted research at the Applied Cognition and Technology Lab, completed an internship with ThinkNeuro and serves as an undergraduate teaching assistant in Genetics and Embryology. He’s also found community as president of the Argentinian Student Association.

“Being at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ was my goal from the start,â€� says Maillo, who plans to pursue a doctoral degree in cognitive neuroscience. “I love being a Knight. Scholarships have made all the difference. They’ve made it possible for me to achieve my dreams — and pave the way for my two siblings to follow in my footsteps.â€�

Reimagining What’s Possible

Shannon Hankinson didn’t follow the traditional path to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ — she created her own.

A Tampa native and single mother of two, Hankinson spent years leading teams at Target before realizing that success and fulfillment aren’t always the same. Determined to change course, she saved money, left her job, earned an associate degree at Eastern Florida State College and transferred to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, becoming the first in her family to pursue a four-year degree.

“Donors made it possible for me to build a future that reflects my values and supports my family.” — Shannon Hankinson, electrical engineering major

Now a senior electrical engineering major, she has seized several opportunities at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½. She completed two semesters in the , joined the Society of Women Engineers and works as a research assistant in Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s Radiation Effects Exploration Laboratory. There, she studies semiconductor reliability, hardware design and embedded systems under Assistant Professor Enxia Zhang. Through the Scalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement program, she also gained hands-on experience with the U.S. defense sector.

This spring, Hankinson will graduate debt-free — supported by scholarships, research funding and a fellowship that’ll carry her directly into a Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ master’s program. A doctorate is next.

“One of my goals was to show my children that it’s never too late to do what you want to do with your life,� Hankinson says. “Donors made it possible for me to build a future that reflects my values and supports my family.�

A Lasting Legacy

On May 2, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ celebrated the 25th anniversary of The Charles Millican Legacy Society. The milestone coincides with , which builds on the university’s commitment to accelerating student success, advancing research and driving societal impact.

On May 2, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Charles Millican Legacy Society. .

“This university was founded to serve the next great frontier — America’s space race — and it’s support from dedicated individuals like our Charles Millican Legacy Society members that continue to power our innovators, educators and researchers as they move that mission forward,â€� says Rod Grabowski, senior vice president of Advancement and Partnerships and CEO of the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Foundation. “From driving the latest advances in AI to creating next-level immersive experiences and sparking breakthrough medical research, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ is building a future others have only imagined — one that this society’s namesake would be proud to see.â€�

Maillo is forging new frontiers for his family. Hankinson is showing her children what’s possible when you start again.

They aren’t outliers. They’re what happens when students with extraordinary drive meet extraordinary support.

This is the true legacy of Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, of Millican and of the society members: students with the confidence to go further, supported by those who believe they can.

The university recognized employees who reached milestone years of service, along with those recently retired or about to be. Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ also presented a Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award and excellence awards in recognition of employees who made exceptional contributions to benefit the campus community.

“We celebrate your service, your dedication, and the impact you make across this university. But behind that recognition is something even more powerful: the daily commitment, the steady work, and the consistency that build momentum over time,â€� says Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ President Alexander N. Cartwright. “The future we talk about at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ is not something that begins someday. It is already taking shape in the work you do, in the systems you support, and in the experiences you create for our students. Thank you.â€�

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ this year brought a new category of Employee Leadership Excellence Awards, recognizing non-faculty administrative leadership at the director level and above. They joined the expanded Employee Excellence Awards, which highlighted the remarkable contributions of full-time employees up to an associate director level.

The employee event kicked off a Founders’ Day celebration that also included faculty and student celebrations. Combined, more than 900 honorees were recognized during the three ceremonies this year.

Here are the honorees from this year’s Employee Honors Celebration.

Excellence Awards

Employee Excellence Awards for Operational Excellence

Arijeta Kavaja, Public Safety

Cecily McCoy-Fisher, Office of Research

Anna Nye, Office of Risk and Safety

Cindy Prophitt, Facilities and Business Operations

Employee Excellence Awards for Student Success

Cynthia Almanzar, Student Success and Well-Being

Laura Czerkies, Burnett Honors College

Michael McKee, College of Optics and Photonics

Donna Mercado, College of Nursing

Employee Excellence Awards for Community Well-Being

Jodi Reinhart, College of Sciences

Lorna Rodriguez, College of Engineering and Computer Science

David Stoneburner, Office of Institutional Resources

Mykhael Walker, Analytics and Integrated Planning

Employee Excellence Awards for Service and Partnership

Drew Barnes, College of Graduate Studies

Faith DeLorenzo, Digital Learning

Lovelyn Findley, Advancement and Partnerships

Antoine Hart, University Strategic Communications

Employee Excellence Awards Nominees

Sadia Afrin

Cynthia Almanzar

Michelle Anchel

Otto Argibay

Anthony (Joey) Asti

Drew Barnes

Alexandra Barraza-Oliphant

Davalda “Dee� Bellot

Jim Bennett

Miryana Blesso

Monique Carter

Laura Czerkies

Faith DeLorenzo

Lovelyn Findley

Amanda Greaves

Antoine Hart

Christina Hussey

Alexis Hutchins

Erica Hutton

Kat Jones

Arijeta Kavaja

Marsha Kernica

Melina Kinsey

Keanna Machado

Jay Malcolm

Chuck Mannella

Samantha Mason

Cecily McCoy-Fisher

Michael McKee

Donna Mercado

Traci Mibuta

Anna Nye

Steven Pardo

Diana Perez

Anthony Piazza

Cindy Prophitt

Frances “Fran� Ragsdale

Matthew Rall

Jodi Reinhart

Lorna Rodriguez

Ashley Samson

William Self

Maricel Soto

Jennifer Stalzer

Emily Stettner

David Stoneburner

Jeremiah Taylor

Rebecca Underhill

Mykhael Walker

Denise Whiteside

Maria Williams

Employee Leadership Excellence Awards

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for Strategic Execution

Andre Watts, Analytics and Integrated Planning

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for People Leadership and Talent Stewardship

Andrea Withington, College of Community Innovation and Education

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for Advancing Collaboration and Partnership

Germayne Graham, Student Programs and Outreach

Employee Leadership Excellence Award for Innovation, Improvement, and Bold Action

Kim Smith, Office of Research

Employee Leadership Excellence Awards Nominees

Drew Andrews

Morgan Bauer

Austin Bott

Brian Boyd

David Canova

Megan Carrigan

Shafaq Chaudhry

Sherri Dixon

Madi Dogariu

Michael Duong

Amy Ellis

Gerard Flood

Steven Freund

Andrea Gandy

Delia Garcia

Germayne Graham

Stephanie Heron

Dana Juntunen

Kerlene King

Ashley Longoria

Ayanna Lopez

Carla McCabe

Rudy McDaniel

Amy Perry

Charlie Piper

Candida Richards

Elizabeth Richner

Cesar RiveraCruzado

Rex Roberts

Anastasia Salter

Wendy Sarubbi

Basma Selim

Kim Smith

Meghan Truhett

Suzzette Turner

Michael Wainstein

Tyler Walsh

Andre Watts

Danta White

Andrea Withington

Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award

Rosemarie Mendoza, Facilities and Business Operations

Emerita Status Awardee

Amy Giroux, College of Arts and Humanities

Employee Service Awards

45 Years of Service

Donna Hickson

35 Years of Service

Tina Maier

Michael Reed

Patricia Trovillion

30 Years of Service

Sharon Bady

Travis Cain

Adrianne Demetry

Francisco Dionisi

Joel Lavoie

Elizabeth Rivera

25 Years of Service

Herlinda Bedoya

Michael Bell

Abdulbaset Benwali

Terri Bigham

Bruce Boutwell

Olivia Bridges

Amy Buford

Cristina Caamano

Carlos Chardon

Keith Coelho

Janny Colon

Elizabeth Costello

Al Davis

Steven Dick

Rafael Durand

Sira Giron

Rebecca Hammond

Jonathan Hanie

Keith Honaker

Davina Hovanec

Latchmin Jaggernauth

Susan Jefferson

Georgia Kent

Michelle Matthews

Andrew O’Mara

Jennifer Opper

Naya Ramirez

Gail Raymond

Brenda Rodrigues

Timothy Ryan

Maria Santiago

Heather Simeon

Carl Truesdell

Meena Turner

Maria Williams

Dela Williams

Andrea Withington

20 Years of Service

Michael Aldarondo-Jeffries

Lindsay Archambault

Gloria Bastidas

Renee Bence

Eric Brewington

Daren Caine

Michael Callahan

Marc Cassidy

Robin Chan

Karen Cox

Kelley Dietrich

Matthew Dunn

Scott Eberle

Cecilia Elias

Samuel Ensenat

Marelis Figueredo Garcia

Matthew Fitzgerald

Scott Freeman

Glenn Gaborko

Tyniesia Gandy

Kelly Gill

Lindana Gomez

Brian Graham

Timothy Haduch

Jenny Hartman

Elizabeth Herrera

Sarah Hunt

Tamara Jomarron

Carreen Krapf

Ellaine Leodones

Marlene Lugo

Carlos Martinez

Deysi Mercedes

Heather Murphy

Uday Nair

Perla Ongy

Robert (Bob) Opdahl

Haresh Patel

Rachel Perry

Omesh Persaud

Sandy Pouliot

Christine Pugh

Luz Quintero

Maria Quintero

Christopher Rains

Tim Reid

Elizabeth Rodriguez

Terrance Rooth

Diana Santiago

Saul Santiago

Kathy Sapp

Basma Selim

Romeo Sibayan

Jeff Smith

George Taylor

Lynda Toussaint

Shreya Trivedi

Reina Vazquez

Tonya Walker

15 Years of Service

Marlene Agostini

Jose Arce

Lucy Bautista

Randy Beck

Aiza Beguez

Miryana Blesso

Carolyn Castro

Silvia Cerro

Lorinda Clark

Patricia Colyer

Theresa Davis

Dani Draper

Jennifer Elliott

Tamara Gabrus

Ernie Gemeinhart

Jessica Glaspie

James Grant

Lisa Haas

Allison Henderson

Maribel Herrera

Jason Kennedy

Ann Kershner

Usha Lal

Dora Laureano

Hank Lewis

Ujjwala Magdum

Jennifer Mark

Jessica Matos

Meghan McCollum

Amanda Miller

Tracey Morrison

Kimberly Nassoiy

Beth Nettles

Hoang Nguyen

Jorge Olmedo

Minh Phan

Rhett Proctor

Elida Prophete

Michael Pugh

Ligia Ramirez

Rebeca Richards

Maria Rodriguez

Daniel Sagendorf

Kimberly Sargent

Wendy Sarubbi

Nick Schenk

Dave Schreier

Lori Shuff

Jacob Skinner

Terri Smith

Suzanne Stalvey

Brian Strickland

Christy Tant

Freddie Tirado Jr.

Joanne Toole

Roger Tripp

Matthew Vaccaro

Tamara Vassallo Soto

Martha Wiggins

Wanda Wint

10 Years of Service

Danielle Adams

Terrell Alexander

Julissa Alicea

Lindsey Anderson

Nadine Arentz

Jose Ayala Torres

Morgan Bauer

Shaun Black

John Boehm

Kate Brinister

Danilo Canlas

Megan Carrigan

Melissa Choinski

Madhavi Chokshi

Lorine Cisch-Taylor

Lisa Clendenning

Shannon Colon

Robert Connors

John Cooke

Todd Coon

Richard Cortez-Satterlee

Joanna Couch

Brandon Couts

Meghan Crowther

Summer Davis

Katherine Del Cid

Vanessa Delgado

Gerald Dillon

Kerri Drylie

Mirvate El Jerdi

Shajira El Masri

Amy Ellis

Jerad Engel

Damian Fagan

Marites Falkenhausen

Sarah Farrell

Jessica Fasano

Ben Fauser

Melissa Fawcett

Janet Feliciano

Valentina Fernandez

Jason Francis

Neftali Garcia

Eileen Garner

Christopher Gase

Kristina Gomez

Agustin Gonzalez

Adriel Gonzalez Gutierrez

Ryan Goodwin

Liz Gordian Olmo

Walter Gordon

Rhonda Granger Gomez

Josh Haupt

George Hayner Jr.

Rita Higgins

Katherine Hoefer

Elizabeth Hughes

Erica Hutton

Renee Johnston

Nathanael Jones

Megan Kellogg

Brian Kelly

Mike Kilbride

Maureen Landgraf

Daniel Lee

Missy Lesnewski

Ian Levy

Sarojben Limbachia

George Lopez

Ricardo Lopez

Juan Lugo

Karemah Manselle

Kristy McAllister

Justin McGill

Pamela McGlinchey

Oliver McSurley

Rebecca Meadows

Nelson Mendez

Pamela Mills

Mike Minutelli

Eli Mizell

Angela Moreira

Rebecca Mowrer

Lauren Murray-Lemon

David Neese

Lucas Noboa

Loida Olivas

Jeffrey Panter

Steven Pardo

Juana Pasco

Laura Patterson

Deborah Pease

Miguel Pellot

Ryan Pendry

Karen Peterson

Wanda Pruett-Butler

Abner Ramos Piñero

Erica Recktenwald

Samantha Redlund

Elizabeth Richner

Carlos Rivera

Victor Rivera

Lisa Roberts

Jacob Scholtz

Skender Shehu

Mari Sievinen

Kiela Sims

Aaron Smart

Liza Smith

Casey Smith

Esperanza Soto

Calvin Soto

Tenley Sterkel

Timothy Sullivan

Jackson Thevenin

Danielle Traylor

Wanda Tummons

Anna Velocci

Brian Villar

Stephen Villiotis

Paul Werden

Jonathan White

Barbara Wilson

Dylan Yonts

5 Years of Service

Lidya Abdelmalak

Elna Andreeva

Dana Archer

Linnette Aviles

Jessica Banos

Arismir Barreiras Peralta

Kristy Beitler

Summer Bernini

Abby Bertrand

Mayra Bonilla Torres

Melissa Braillard

Drew Bryant

Barbara Busch

Jess Camacho

Alexander N. Cartwright

Maria Ceku

Gianna Cifredo

Wilfredo Cornelio

Mario De Vera

Franco Del Pino

Mark Durbin

David Edgar

Lori Fiandra

Steven Fournier

Amoy Fraser

Raquela Garcia-Valenzuela

Melissa Gilliland

Luis Gonzalez

Marisela Guillen

Kathleen Hawkins

Robert Herr

Donna Jackson

Chase Jicha

Justin Kardach

Jamie Kaynan

Scott Langdon

Sarah Lardizabal

Kristeena LaRoue

Angela Lehman

Lucy Leon

Lawrence Lipe

Alex Lucchi

Marc Maheu

Alli Maiorano

Martha Martin

Reyner Martinez

Kate Mascheri

Angelica Mateo

Stephanie Mederos

Christopher Miller

Sarah Moore

Mindy Mozena

Lisa Myles

Iris Neil

Veronica Pak

Evgenia Pamer

Neelam Patel

Tran Pham

Cat Puckett

Monica Quimbayo

Michael Rivera

Marvecia Robinson

Leslie Rogers

Mary Rush

Luis Sanchez Artavia

Kyle Sindelar

Monica Smith

Yulisney Sotolongo

Garrett Spurlin

Jennifer Stalzer

Kimberly Stangle

Kenneth Steele

Lorenzo Stefko

Shari-Ann Stewart

Jane Stump

Elizabeth Tammaro

Jason Taningco

Raquel Toro-Espinal

Pia Valenciano

Thaina Velez

Danta White

Roksana Zak

Recognition of Retirees

Rafael Abreu

Yousef Ayoub

Pam Barkman

Suzette Batka

Emily Bennett

Richard Berwanger

Jeanne Blank

Patrick Blount

Parri Bolinger

Marcus Bowan

Deborah Bradford

Roanne Brice

Gary Burkhart

Rose Carpenter

Rick Catasus

Edgar Chavez

Willis Chico

Eunice Choi

Diane Claudio

Theresa Collins

Debra Copertino

Laura Crouch

Carol Davella

Karen Dlhosh

Debbie Doyle

Carol Ann Dykes Logue

Larry Eflin

Joseph Finnigan

Perry Fraser

Catherine Gholson

Amy Giroux

Robert Goater

Mariela Gonzalez

Tracy Griffith

Mark Gumble

Tania Gutierrez-Catasus

Martha Hamann

MJ Herbert Fuerst

Bethsy Hernandez

Ana Hernandez

Cherie Herrin

Michael Herring

Cathy Hill

Jane Ingalls

Wayne Jackson

Larry Jaffe

Daniel Kidder

Lee Kirkpatrick

Phyllis Kornegay

Melinda Kramer

Donna Leavitt

Ruben Lopez

Dennis Maddox

Kelli Marini

Janice Matley

Marcia Maukonen

Oscar Mauricio

James “Jim� McCully

Carrie McDowell

Linda Milner

Bruce Mink

Michele Monteith

Abderrahim Mouhassin

Christine Mouton

Jesus Munoz

Chuck Nicholas

Stephen OConnell

Leonardo Pascua

Esther Pennepacker

Rosario Pizarro

Brenda Posey

Michele Pozdoll

Odus Radford

Frances Ragsdale

Cindy Rahrle

Robert Reed

Wayne Regilio

Stella Restrepo

Kayonne Riley

Iris Rios

Charles Roberts

Norma Robles

Aimara Rodriguez

James Roop

Rosalba Ruiz

Eileen Ryan

Judith Samuels

Nicolas Santos

James Schaus

Jeanette Schreiber

Susan Schroen

Alison Schultz

Elena Sequera

Kelly Shilton

Michael Shumack

Shela Siegrist

Liza Smith

Karen Smith

Kathleen Snoeblen

Terry Stein

Peter Stephens

Patty Stroupe

Timothy Sullivan

Randolph Sulter

Jeffrey Ulmer

Lisa Vaughn

Luis Velozo

Rebecca Vilsack

Vicki Vitale

Deborah Walker

Kerry Welch

Maria Jocelyn Wick

Scott Wiles

Elena Wilson

Robert Wong

To celebrate that rise, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Alumni has launched Ever Upward: Fastest-Growing Knight Businesses — a new annual awards program honoring Knight-owned or -led companies demonstrating significant revenue growth, innovation and leadership.

Ever Upward is about more than recognition. It honors how far ideas can travel, and reminds the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ community that ambition doesn’t end at graduation. For Knights in business, the direction has always been clear: ever upward.

“Ever Upward … shines a light on Knight-led businesses that are scaling with purpose.” — Rodney Grabowski, senior vice president for advancement and partnerships at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½

“Our alumni are building companies that are growing rapidly and making a real impact in their industries and communities,â€� says Rodney Grabowski, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s senior vice president for Advancement and Partnerships and CEO of the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Foundation. “Ever Upward recognizes success and the entrepreneurial drive behind it. This program shines a light on Knight-led businesses that are scaling with purpose.â€�

Honorees will be recognized at a signature awards event on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, bringing together alumni entrepreneurs, university leadership and business leaders to celebrate remarkable achievements and share insights.

Inspired by Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s unwavering charge to reach higher, Ever Upward acknowledges businesses whose growth reflects perseverance and vision. Recognition is based solely on verified financial performance over a three-year period — spotlighting companies that are truly rising.

Eligible businesses will be ranked by their cumulative percentage revenue growth across their 12-month reporting periods for 2022, 2023 and 2024. To ensure the highest levels of transparency and trust, all rankings will be independently tabulated, so recognition lands exactly where it’s earned.

Applications for the inaugural Ever Upward awards open Feb. 3 and close March 26.

Unlike traditional business awards that are driven by nominations or subjective criteria, Ever Upward is determined entirely by performance data. All financial information will be submitted directly to Carr, Riggs & Ingram — the program’s official tabulation partner and a nationally ranked accounting and advisory firm — ensuring confidentiality and independent verification throughout the process.

Applications for the inaugural Ever Upward awards will open Feb. 3. Eligible companies must have been in operation since at least January 2022, meet minimum revenue thresholds and be Knight-owned or led. 

“Our alumni don’t just represent Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, they extend it,â€� says Michael Harding, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ associate vice president for partnerships. “Ever Upward celebrates Knight-owned and Knight-led businesses whose leadership and momentum mirror the ambition of this university and uniquely position them to build powerful partnerships with Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½.â€�

The application deadline is Thursday, March 26, 2026. Finalists will be announced in early summer, with full rankings revealed at the August awards celebration.

For eligibility requirements and application details, visit the .

We encourage our Knights to consider Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ when participating in Giving Tuesday this year. Together, we can fund scholarships for deserving students, breakthroughs in research, and other initiatives that build a better future for our students and society.

Here are five things Knights should know about Giving Tuesday at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½:

1. Giving Tuesday is on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

But you can give to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ as early as today by visiting the .

You can support Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ for Giving Tuesday as early as today.

2. Last year, Knight Nation came together and raised more than $495,000 to support funds for Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ students.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ has participated in Giving Tuesday since 2013. Last year, you helped us unlock even more potential and inspire excellence across the university on Giving Tuesday. Nearly 700 donors from all over the nation rallied to raise $495,000 toward student success at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, funding scholarships, career services, Knights Pantry, academic support, athletics and more.

3. Every donor and every dollar count.

Every gift matters. Whether it’s $5, $10 or $50, it makes a collective impact. We have a strong, passionate community of alumni and friends. How much could we accomplish if we all came together as a force for good?

4. This Giving Tuesday, alumni and friends are encouraged to make an impact where it’s needed most by donating to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s Greatest Needs fund.

Gifts to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s Greatest Needs fund make possible some of the university’s most pressing initiatives. This can include fellowships, scholarships, faculty research, student experience programs, athletics, campus learning spaces, emergency relief and more.

When you give a Greatest Needs gift, you can feel good knowing it’s accomplishing something powerful. Wherever the need is most urgent, your donation provides immediate support.

5. All giving matters—whether it’s a donation, your time or your talent.

Here are some other ways to show your support:

• Volunteer with a
• Become a
• Knight Your Ride with a Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ license plate
• Cheer loud and proud at
• Hire a Knight

Most importantly, share your story. Tell everyone what it means to be a Knight and why you love Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½. Together, we can make this great university even greater tomorrow than it is today.

The donation is the first major programmatic gift to the AHSC since it was created in 2018 and will support the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Genius Innovation Challenge, a new initiative designed to promote synergy through interdisciplinary approaches and solutions.

Bringing together the College of Medicine, College of Nursing, and College of Health Professions and Sciences, and Student Health Services, the AHSC was conceptualized as a nexus of interdisciplinary education and training with the health-focused academic and clinical units within Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ in close physical proximity on the 50-acre Lake Nona campus. The campus is part of the Lake Nona Medical City developed by the Tavistock Group and includes Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s new teaching hospital, the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Lake Nona Hospital. Nemours Children’s Hospital and the VA Medical Center are nearby and, along with other facilities — both existing and planned — provide additional opportunities for collaboration.

The Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation was established in 1959 and supports the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park, Florida, along with educational and other non-profit organizations that work to improve the quality of life.

The Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Genius Innovation Challenge aligns with the foundation’s goals through its focus on an interprofessional approach, bringing together researchers, clinicians and students from various academic disciplines and professional fields to foster innovation and holistic healthcare.

All four were selected for their community leadership and professional expertise. The new members will guide the foundation by supporting fundraising efforts, acting as financial and investment advisors, managing the foundation’s real estate and governing the business affairs of the foundation.

The additions to the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Foundation Board of Directors are:

Ricardo Cardenas ’92 was named president and chief operating officer of Darden Restaurants in January 2021. In this role, he has responsibility for all restaurant operations as well as supply chain, development, franchising & international and consumer insights. Previously, Cardenas served as chief financial officer for Darden Restaurants. As CFO, Cardenas lead all financial functions for the company including finance and accounting, corporate reporting, corporate tax, treasury and investor relations. An accounting and finance graduate, Cardenas is a 2018 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ College of Business Hall of Fame recipient.

James Harhi ’97 is an entrepreneur and founder of JFH Technologies LLC, which specializes in family entertainment centers and consulting. Harhi founded and sold three other small businesses and is now a partner at ProParks Attraction Group, which specializes in the amusement industry by owning, operating, and consulting for domestic and international clients. He holds a degree in interdisciplinary studies and has volunteered as a Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ social media ambassador. His wife, Brooke (Bloodworth) Harhi ’00 ’02MA, holds both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English.

Stuart Heaton is the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Elevation Financial Group and is a key executive officer of its affiliated companies. He has served for more than two decades as a senior executive directing and managing a broad spectrum of operational, legal and capital-related activities for micro-to-large cap publicly traded companies. In addition, he is a licensed attorney who has practiced law in both the private sector and in-house for 30 years. He is a parent to two Knights — Geoffrey ’17 and Christopher, a current student.

Michael Hinn ’92 is the co-founder and CEO of Knight Agency, an Orlando-based brand consultancy founded in 1994. Hinn won the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Alumni’s Lifetime of Service Award in 2012 for his 18-plus years of contributions to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Alumni and Pegasus magazine. He is also an honorary inductee to the Nicholson School of Communication and Media Hall of Fame, a member of Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s President’s Circle, The Charles Millican Legacy Society and Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Athletics Shareholders Society. Hinn’s wife, Christine Summa Hinn ’90, is also a proud alumna with a degree in organizational communication.

When the pandemic came calling, the on-site engagement center went remote. Getting new software to keep information secure and allow calling from personal computers was the easy part. But with training and feedback being crucial to the student fundraisers’ success, this new format presented some challenges.

As is typical of Knights, they rose to the challenge and have excelled.

“[We] had to change up how we interact during shifts, since we aren’t together in person; it’s more difficult to ask a question or provide feedback,â€� says Alexander F. Pribil, engagement center manager at Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL), the organization that partners with The Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Fund in managing call center operations.

Although COVID-19 has changed some of the logistics of student calling, the focus remains the same: staying in touch.

“Our goal is to let [alumni] know we still care about them, wanting to know how they’re doing after graduating and letting them know about things going on at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½,â€� says student supervisor Ilyssa Appleman, an event management major who has worked at Knight Line for two years.

Now, the student fundraisers focus on ‘care calling,’ rather than on raising funds for university students and programs. Since the pandemic hit, callers have made about 16,000 care calls.

“When we got started with our care calling, we spent some time working on active listening, and taking cues from our alumni,� says Pribil.  “Most calls average around the three-minute mark but we have [had] some great conversations that went on for 25-30 minutes — the callers were really connecting with our alumni.�

Appleman agrees that everyone has adapted well off-site. She has found the transition to care calls very successful and says that most alumni seem to enjoy them.

“They feel appreciated that we called to check in during these challenging times. A lot of them like to talk because they have been cooped up inside.�

“[The alumni] feel appreciated that we called to check in during these challenging times. A lot of them like to talk because they have been cooped up inside.�

The student fundraisers also work hard to stay connected to each other remotely. “I believe that the callers have adapted to working off-site in a wonderful way,� says Tahlia Hutchinson, a political science major who has worked at Knight Line for more than a year. “We run games in our chatroom during shifts and even just talk about our days and update each other on what’s going on.�

But, regardless of the location — on-site or off-site — Knight Line makes an impact not only on the alumni who receive the calls, but also on the students who make the calls.

“The friendships and connections I have made at the Knight Line will always hold a special place in my heart,� says Appleman. “I’ve learned so much about the university while working here, and while it’s common to have a bad day at a job, I have never had a bad day here!�

Hutchinson agrees. “Working at the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Knight Line has offered me many different opportunities, from internships to networking,â€� she says. “The Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Knight Line pays in more ways than one.â€�

More than 80 donors who have included the university in their estate plans were honored at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and thanked for their commitment by Jeff Moore, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, and others.

Moore, who helped launch the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Celebrates the Arts festival four years ago, is also a member of the Millican Society. He and his wife established the Jeff and Mindy Moore Endowed Music Scholarship at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½. “My legacy gift is scholarship, in an area about which I am extremely passionate – music, and specifically percussion – at a place in which I believe: Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½,â€� he said.

Remembering the festival’s goal – to extend the arts and make an impact on the community – Moore expressed his appreciation for society donors who similarly “understand the importance of playing an active role in improving lives.�

The Charles Millican Legacy Society is named in honor of Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s founding president. Two years ago, which would have been Millican’s 100th birthday year, a goal was set to add 100 new members by the end of the IGNITE fundraising campaign.

Planned gifts are an important part of IGNITE, a multi-year fundraising effort to raise $500 million for the university by mid-2019. They currently make up $62 million of the campaign’s $365 million attainment.

If you’d like to speak to someone about making a planned gift, please contact Kathleen Hagerty, at Kathleen.Hagerty@ucf.edu or call 407.882.1237.