The UCF College of Community Innovation and Education brings together academic programs, centers and institutes focused on building stronger communities and elevating the human experience. The college is home to a wide variety of disciplines, including counselor education and school psychology, criminal justice, educational leadership and higher education, learning sciences and educational research, health management and informatics, legal studies, public administration, and teacher education. Our established public and private partnerships allow UCF researchers to partner with leaders in the industry, creating countless opportunities for students and faculty to work on innovative solutions to complex social issues that affect communities throughout Central Florida and beyond.

Our teaching, service and research aim to improve society starting with the lives of individuals within our communities.

As the anchor college to UCF Downtown, select academic programs are housed in downtown Orlando. This location offers students numerous opportunities to engage in community-based experiences, including internships, practicums and research — all in the heart of downtown Orlando.

National Rankings

The U.S. News & World Report ranked several of the UCF College of Community Innovation and Education's graduate programs among the top 50 in the nation.

2024 Best Graduate Programs

2024 Best Online Graduate Programs

Charging Boldly into the Future

Leadership

Meet the Dean

Dean Grant HayesGrant Hayes, Ph.D., dean of the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE), is an experienced academic leader passionate about cultivating transdisciplinary partnerships and academic excellence. A professor of counselor education, Hayes also holds the Mildred W. Coyle Endowed Professor and Eminent Scholar title. He was appointed as the second dean of CCIE on August 1, 2022.

As dean, Hayes is focused on shaping the future of the college by elevating high-impact interdisciplinary research, fostering innovative instructional experiences, and supporting meaningful community partnerships in lockstep with the college’s 340+ faculty and staff.

Read more about Hayes’s vision for CCIE and how you can be part of the journey.

What drives you in your role as dean?
Leading a college with a heart for service at its core alongside people who also value the role of education and research in elevating the human experience is a privilege. I am particularly passionate about my role in collaborating with members of our college, community partners, alumni and donors to positively impact our community.

How has mentorship influenced your career?
When I reflect on my career, many people and mentors have opened doors and provided different opportunities for me to develop and grow. Their mentorship helped me discover a leadership quality within myself. I knew I was organized and task-oriented, but they also saw that I could handle conflict and challenges while maintaining open lines of communication. I am grateful for those who saw something in me that I might not have initially seen in myself. Similarly, one of my goals for the college is to provide world-class educational experiences — driven by high-impact practices like mentorship — that help our students to unleash their full potential.

What advice do you offer CCIE students for maximizing their college experience and impacting their fields?
Success boils down to work ethic and taking advantage of the resources available to you. Very early on, my mother instilled in myself and my brothers the value in pursuing a good education. I really took that to heart. As a first-generation student myself, I also gained a deep understanding of how important it is to put in the hard work and take advantage of any opportunities that came my way. At CCIE, we aim to open doors to opportunities. Our students should get involved in internships and field experiences, actively engage with peers through our student organizations, and confidently seek support from mentors and advisors who can help them accomplish their goals.

Read Dean Hayes’ Full Bio

 

College Leadership

 

Dean's Advisory Board

The Dean’s Advisory Board for the College of Community Innovation and Education, made up of selected alumni and friends, offers Dean Grant Hayes input and guidance on the future direction of the college. As experts in their fields, members consider complex challenges, help set priorities and garner additional resources necessary to further the college’s current and future capabilities.

Locations & Parking

The UCF College of Community Innovation and Education’s academic programs, administrative units, centers and institutes are located at the UCF main campus and at UCF Downtown.  Visitor parking permits are required to park in UCF lots and garages and parking spaces are designated by permit type. See the Campus Map for parking garage and lot locations.

location buildings