Mariana Espinoza

UCF Teacher Education Alumna Dreams Big, Launches Career in Social Studies Education

A lifelong love of teaching coupled with her experience at UCF has led Mariana Espinosa ’24 to a newly minted career in education...
UCF Knight statue outside Fairwinds Alumni Center

13 Knights Recognized Among OBJ’s 40 Under 40 for 2024

The 13 Knights recognized by Orlando Business Journal are making an impact in their respective industries across Orlando...
Doug Muldoon receiving his award

Retired Police Chief, Public Administration Alum Models Community Engagement

After retiring from more than 38 years in law enforcement, former police chief Doug Muldoon ‘91 now helps build community partnerships...
Nisha Phillip-Malahoo with UCF President Alexander Cartwright and Provost Michael Johnson

Order of Pegasus Winner Strives for Excellence to Give Back to Her Students

Nisha Phillip-Malahoo, a Noyce Fellow, says the reward she feels from being a teacher empowers her every day...
Ron Hawks

UCF Emergency Management Program Paves the Way for Alum’s Lockheed Martin Career

Fueled by a lifelong drive to help people, Ron Hawks ’12 recalls his journey from campus to corporate leadership...
Venerina Costanza

UCF Student Graduates at 18 with Plans to Become a Doctor

School of Global Health Management and Informatics student Venerina Costanza has always desired to help people, and she’s already started her own nonprofit to do so...
Fulbright award

A Year of Fulbright Honors for UCF

These recent UCF graduates are landing in big cities and rural areas around the world to open cultural doors through the U.S. government’s most prestigious academic exchange program...
Crime scene tape

Crime Scene Confidential: UCF Alum Finds Her Purpose Through This First-of-its-kind Investigative TV Show

Alina Burroughs ’00 ’02MS uses forensics and raw evidence to shed new light on cases long overdue for justice...
Nina Yon smiles as she is interviewed at The Sharing Center.

UCF Alumna, Local Nonprofit Leader Pursuing Doctorate in Public Affairs

Nina Yon ’90 ’16MNM, president and CEO of The Sharing Center, hopes her doctoral studies will bridge the academic-practitioner gap to the benefit of the community she serves...
Rhen Myers looks back at the camera and smiles, with a graduation stole perched on her shoulder.

Ahead of the Curve: Criminal Justice Student Graduates at 18

Years ahead of her peers, Rhen Myers ’23 is getting a head start on pursuing her goal of working in public service...
Shalece Kohnke smiles in front of the Reflecting Pond wearing her graduation regalia.

UCF Doctoral Graduate Aims to Support Exceptional Education Teachers, Students with STEM Education Accessibility

Fueled by her own experience, Shalece Kohnke is determined to help close the achievement gap between students with and without learning disabilities...
Carlos Aleman laughs while playing magnetic building blocks during a session at PedsAcademy.

UCF Early Childhood Development Alum, Former PedsAcademy Intern Pursues Career as Child Life Specialist

A pediatric cancer survivor himself, Carlos Aleman ’23 has gone from PedsAcademy intern to child life gaming and technology specialist at Nemours Children’s Hospital...
Chief Smith

UCF Alum Sworn in as New Orlando Police Chief

Eric Smith ’93 graduated with a degree in criminal justice and has worked at the Orlando Police Department for nearly three decades...
Maria Vazquez

UCF Alumna Named First Hispanic Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools

Maria Vazquez ’95MEd ’10EdD has served as the district’s deputy superintendent since 2018...
David Smith

UCF Alum Named Assistant Director of U.S. Secret Service Office of Investigations

David Smith ’98 ’00MPA has held numerous roles with the U.S. Secret Service over his nearly 21-year career...