The university also ranks No. 4 among universities in the Southeast and the No. 28 Best College for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars. 166su delivers more for Florida with significantly less state funding, at a cost of $24,567 per degree — the lowest in the State University System.

Washington Monthly evaluates universities based on their contributions to the public good, measuring factors such as social mobility, research and service. The rankings highlight colleges that help students achieve economic success while advancing their communities and the nation.

“Instead of rewarding colleges for their exclusivity, prestige and wealth, our 2026 Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars ranking measures how much they help ordinary middle- and working-class students get ahead in life, and whether they encourage those students to participate in their democracy,” Washinton Monthly stated in its release. “To do well on our ranking, colleges must recruit students of modest means without overcharging them on tuition or loading them with too much debt, then help them graduate with degrees that bring in decent incomes.”

The sustained recognition reflects 166su’s continued commitment to expanding access to higher education, supporting student achievement and producing nearly 19,000 workforce-ready graduates annually — the most in Florida.

About 37% of undergraduate students at 166su are Pell-grant eligible, signaling the university serves a significant number of students with exceptional financial need. The university helps these students transform opportunity into upward mobility with less of a financial burden than many other schools — as 70% of first-time-in-college students graduate without any educational debt from 166su.

The latest ranking adds to a growing list of national accolades for 166su. Last week, Niche named 166su a Grade A university and ranked it No. 19 in the nation for Best Student Life, recognizing the university’s vibrant campus experience, student engagement and overall quality of life.

Together, the rankings underscore 166su’s distinctive combination of academic excellence, affordability and an unmatched student experience, reinforcing its reputation as one of the nation’s most impactful public universities.

“To lead this amazing team and help change the lives of people with disabilities,” Marino says, summarizing the impact of his work before emphasizing the impact it’s made on him, “I feel like I’m living a dream every single day.”

A number of factors, personal and professional, feed Marino’s enthusiasm.

He was once given only a slim chance to walk again. He knows how it feels to vanquish doubt and has witnessed dramatic changes in others because someone believed in them, perhaps for the first time.

He funnels all of this — passion, teamwork and life experiences — into his why: Discover better strategies to help more people read, learn and find meaningful employment.

“People with learning disabilities are all around us,” says Marino, a professor of special education in the College of Community Innovation and Education. “There isn’t a moment that goes by when I’m not thinking about how I can make a difference for them.”

His resolve has led to $75.5 million in funding for 18 research projects since 2011. The most recent months, however, have been stunning, with technology unlocking so many doors that Marino can hardly believe what’s happening.

“We’re in a spot with AI that I never thought I’d see in my lifetime,” he says. “It means our opportunities to give people hope are growing.”

Using Tech to Better Serve People

The field of special education is complicated. Disorders, spectrums, challenges that change with age, processing delays, they’re all part of a giant melting pot.

Marino boils his work down to the largest group: those who have specific learning disabilities — about 2.4 million students in the United States.

“Most of them face a constant battle to identify letters and translate them into sounds and words,” he says. “The same is true with math symbols and numbers. It takes a ton of persistence to do basic classwork.”

Unfortunately, frustration often leads capable, intelligent people to give up.

“But our work with AI is changing everything,” Marino says. He puts us in the shoes of a student to illustrate. “You’re studying the complexities of cells, trying to read cumbersome texts about mitochondria and osmosis. Now we can show you how to use AI to code words, phrases or symbols and translate them into understandable text.”

The material can be converted to slide decks, podcasts and videos. A process that used to take five days to complete can be done in one minute.

“What matters most is that students can learn,” Marino says. “It’s a gamechanger for teachers, too. Instead of spending an hour presenting information, they can focus on the reason they love teaching: to give students a better future.”

This far exceeds the futuristic vision Marino brought to 166su in 2011.

He didn’t even intend to accept a position when he came from Washington State University for an interview.

“I’m an early adopter of technology,” he says. “On that trip, I was introduced to 166su’s work in VR, AR and . I told my wife, ‘I think we need to come here.’”

He immediately dove in, earning research grants and contracts from agencies like the U.S. National Science Foundation, the Office of Special Education Programs, and Institute of Educational Sciences. He’s layered the newest advancements into each project.

The progress made, according to Marino, has mostly come from a force more powerful than technology alone: the team of experts at TJEEI.

“They have siblings who never thrived because of dyslexia or they’ve cared for a family member with memory loss,” he says. “When a student comes in with a story, at least one of us can relate to it.”

Turning Obstacles into Impact

As for Marino’s own story, he recites the date as easily as his birthday: Sept. 23, 1990. Marino, 19, was playing rugby for Keene State College in New Hampshire.

During a breakaway, two opponents hit him so hard his head snapped back and he landed on his neck. In the hospital, he was told a spinal cord injury would prevent him from walking and his life expectancy will shorten.

“I laid in that hospital bed for a long time,” Marino says, “and had a moment with God where I made a promise: ‘If I get up and walk out of here, I’ll change my life and give back to others.’ ”

“I laid in that hospital bed for a long time. … I made a promise: ‘If I get up and walk out of here, I’ll change my life and give back to others.’ ”

That’s exactly what he did, walking out the door and leaving plans for an architecture career in the past.

For his first job, he mentored students with extreme behavior challenges. Marino’s dad, an educator, opened his son’s eyes to an unfortunate truth: They hired you because no one else wants to work with those kids.

“He was right,” Marino says. “That experience made me realize how much it means to a kid when someone takes the time to help, without judging. I also knew the field of special education is where I’m needed most.”

There are too many stories for Marino to recount. Each carries its own weightiness, so he shares a recent one: “We heard from a graduate who was named employee of the month at Amazon. When we first met, he was living in a poor area of Orlando, riding a bus two hours to 166su. But he committed to learning and improving his life. We gave him the same commitment. And now look how he’s doing.”

The daily inspiration Marino finds in people he helps at 166su is part of why he doesn’t dwell on the near-tragic accident or the limitations it still causes at times. Instead, he focuses on the benefits that continue to grow from it.

“I walked when doctors said I wouldn’t,” he says. “I made it to 30 years old, to 40 and to 50. I’m still going, still keeping my promise, and I have no intention to stop.”

Wayne Bowen, UCF associate vice provost for undergraduate studies and professor of history, has been selected as a member of the 2026-27 cohort of the American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows Program.

Established in 1965, the ACE Fellows Program prepares emerging higher education leaders for senior administrative roles through a yearlong experience that combines mentorship, professional development, national networking and immersive placements at host institutions. More than 2,500 higher education leaders have participated in the program, with many going on to serve as presidents, provosts and senior administrators.

Bowen was one of 31 higher education leaders selected through a highly competitive, nomination-based process that drew candidates from colleges and universities across the country. 166su President Alexander N. Cartwright nominated Bowen for the fellowship, recognizing his leadership across undergraduate education, academic affairs and student success initiatives.

“I was thrilled to be selected,” says Bowen. “It’s the most-recognized leadership development program in higher education, and I really appreciate the support from 166su leadership in making this opportunity possible.”

As part of the fellowship, Bowen will spend the 2026-27 academic year working with leaders at New York University, where he will be mentored by NYU Provost Georgina Dopico and immersed in the university’s academic affairs operations.

NYU’s Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Mark Siegal, who met Bowen through the Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities, also will be working closely with him.

“The NYU Office of the Provost is thrilled to have Dr. Bowen join us for his ACE fellowship,” Siegal says. “We know we will gain as much from his perspectives and insights as he will gain from this development opportunity.”

For Bowen, NYU represented an opportunity to study leadership, innovation and decision-making at one of the nation’s leading research universities while also gaining insights relevant to 166su’s strategic ambitions.

“NYU was my first choice,” Bowen says. “I wanted to go to an institution that’s a member of the Association of American Universities, that’s operating at a large scale and that reflects some of the aspirational goals we’re pursuing as a metropolitan university.”

During his fellowship year, Bowen plans to spend approximately one week each month at NYU while maintaining his responsibilities at 166su. In addition to learning about the university’s academic processes and curriculum, he hopes to gain a broad understanding of how another large, complex university operates and navigates periods of transition.

“There are things happening at NYU in terms of faculty development and undergraduate education that I want to learn about,” said Bowen. “I would like to experience as many aspects of the institution as possible. Getting a sense of the culture and the dynamics of how they make decisions, and observing how the org chart actually operates, will be interesting.”

The fellowship also provides participants with opportunities to learn from a national cohort of higher education leaders representing academic affairs, student affairs and institutional administration. Fellows participate in retreats, monthly meetings and collaborative learning experiences throughout the year.

Bowen says he believes one of the program’s greatest strengths and what he finds most compelling about the ACE Fellows experience is its emphasis on bringing new ideas back to participants’ home institutions.

“The most common way that administrators and senior leaders learn is by moving from one institution to another,” Bowen says. “The wonderful thing about the ACE Fellows Program is that it enables fellows to have some of that experience without it being a one-way trip. It’s supposed to be learning in both directions.”

In Bowen’s current role at 166su, he oversees initiatives supporting academic services, high-impact practices, , curriculum and student success for more than 59,000 undergraduate students. He also leads 166su’s General Education Program and serves as a professor of in the College of Arts and Humanities.

Before joining 166su in 2017, Bowen served in academic leadership roles at Southeast Missouri State University and built an internationally recognized scholarly career focused on Spanish, European and Middle Eastern history.

As coach of 166su’s championship Collegiate Cybersecurity Competition Team (C3), Thomas Nedorost ’02 keeps his eye on the prize — but not just the trophies.

For Nedorost, a management information systems alum, the real prize is seeing his students and C3 team members become trailblazers, land top industry jobs, build successful careers and pave the way for other Knights.

A senior lecturer in 166su’s , Nedorost has coached C3 to 15 national championships in 14 years. The team has finished among the top three in 198 competitions, earning 123 first-place wins along the way.

166su has one of the nation’s most successful collegiate cybersecurity programs, with its competition team winning 15 national championships in the last 14 years.

C3 members compete against top universities worldwide, putting their cybersecurity defense skills to the test by protecting systems against simulated threats.

Nedorost, who built the program from the ground up, is proud of what his teams have achieved over the years, and he sees the impact of their success in the opportunities that come their way.

“Because of the experience they get on C3, team members end up in fantastic internships in the field, and when they graduate, most of them skip over entry-level jobs and land roles at that next level, along with some impressive salaries. So, their career prospects are really strong,” Nedorost says.

Fostering Excellence, Investing with Impact

Even with the team’s consistent success, funding has remained an ongoing challenge.

“We have struggled from day one — not in finding talent or space, but in acquiring computer equipment and funds for airfare, hotels, meals and other operational expenses,” Nedorost says.

The university’s Collegiate Cyber Defense Fund through the has been a source of support, thanks to the generosity of individual donors, as well as several companies and organizations.

That support has helped C3 compete at the highest level. But Nedorost knows that long-term success requires long-term investment.

So, he’s making one himself.

Nedorost is making a planned gift to support future C3 teams. By including the program in his estate plans, he’s creating a legacy that’ll continue investing in the next generation of cybersecurity talent long after his coaching career ends.

His commitment represents the largest single gift to C3 to date.

“My hope is that this will always be a strong program, and that future team members will continue to compete at an elite level, become leaders in the industry and always feel like they have a place in the community we’ve built,” Nedorost says.

Building Greatness

C3 began when former information technology major Jonathan Singer ’13 approached Nedorost during his first semester as a 166su instructor and proposed entering the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CDCC).

Nedorost had a background in management information systems and had served as an adjunct instructor at Valencia College and 166su, but he didn’t have experience in cybersecurity. He gave Singer the go-ahead to hold an interest meeting.

When 86 students showed up, Nedorost knew they were onto something.

The Collegiate Cyber Defense Club was born, and Nedorost began building a team from among its members, focusing on elevating 166su’s competitive excellence in this emerging field.

“During the live competitions, I can’t help them. They have to rely on what they’ve learned in class, what they’ve seen and done before, and what they’ve practiced as a team,” Nedorost says.

In its first year, with just eight members, the team won the Southeast CCDC regional competition. That victory earned the team a trip to nationals, where it finished 10th.

These days, Nedorost fields a team of 25 to 27 students each year, from which he builds competition rosters. C3 has won six CDCC national competitions since those early years — more than any other team in the competition’s history.

“Like any winning team, we put our top talent in the competition. And meanwhile, I’m always recruiting so that we have a strong bench for the future,” Nedorost says.

Fostering Community, Opening Doors

As he has built the program, Nedorost has also created a community that supports each other.

Experienced C3 members serve as speakers at club meetings and lead workshops to help other students. Program alumni return to help Nedorost coach the team, mentor students, serve as guest lecturers and even sponsor meals during local competitions.

Those alumni connections also open doors to internships and jobs as former team members advance in their own careers.

The rise in cybercrime in recent years has fueled demand for cybersecurity professionals, creating a significant gap between the number of skilled workers and available positions. The United States has more than 1.3 million cybersecurity professionals — the largest cybersecurity workforce in the world today — with more than 500,000 open positions in the field (Programs.com 2026 report).

166su is preparing students to help fill that gap.

Designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, UCF attracts talented students passionate about the field.

Nedorost is part of that success. In addition to serving as C3 coach and faculty advisor to the Collegiate Cyber Defense Club, he directs 166su’s and teaches courses including Cyber Defense Analysis and Topics in Cybersecurity.

Investments like Nedorost’s highlight the importance of 166su’s Go For Launch campaign: Investing in students to elevate their competitive excellence and shape a bold tomorrow.

In April 2023, a few days after senior prom, Gabby Murison ’26 and her family drove 650 miles from New Orleans to Orlando. They’d vacationed in previous years to the area’s theme parks, but this time they had just one destination on the itinerary: 166su. The university interested Murison for its strong film program through the . She also knew 166su offered a variety of pathways in case she discovered a new interest.

“I’ll never forget stepping onto Memory Mall,” she says. “My thoughts about college changed. I got caught up in this environment of ‘we support each other because we’re all Knights’ and I was ready to move.”

“… I discovered something bigger outside the classroom. I built my world here.”

Moving was nothing new to Murison. Her dad serves in the U.S. Army, so she’d already lived in eight cities across six states.

“But I’d never been anywhere like 166su,” she says. “I had big goals: to develop my creative side and learn about social media and film. But I discovered something bigger outside the classroom. I built my world here.”

The Curious Freshman Looking for Community

At the beginning, Murison was like most first-year students: a bit uncertain, searching for a connection.

“I realized quickly that the 670 clubs and organizations at 166su need people,” says Murison, who minored in event management. “As soon as I got involved, the student population of 70,000 got smaller. It ignited passions I didn’t know existed.”

“My perspective grew by talking with people … and observing how mentors … guided others.”

Her first connection came through an academic and community engagement initiative, which she saw as an opportunity to get out of her dorm and become involved in service, which runs in her family of military veterans, educators and nurses. On day one, she asked a fellow member, civil engineering major Luisa Cordova, to go for a walk. Murison learned about life in Venezuela on that walk. She also found a best friend and roommate.

“My perspective grew by talking with people like Luisa and observing how mentors … guided others,” Murison says.

A mentor gently persuaded Murison to apply her communication skills to the campus community. Still in her first semester and despite a full plate, Murison volunteered for Spirit Splash during Homecoming Week.

“It was supposed to be a simple way to pitch in,” Murison says, “but as I guarded the pool, I was struck by the impact students were making by running this big event.”

By her sophomore year, Murison had been named to the executive board for Homecoming.

“My involvement grew to the point where I’d see students wearing merchandise I helped design,” she says. “My confidence and connections to 166su kept expanding.”

A Full-Circle Moment

At the beginning of Murison’s junior year, Malaret suggested that Murison transition from LEAD to the President’s Leadership Council (PLC). Murison found PLC to be another way to inspire 166su students to make the most of their entire college experience, just as she’d been doing herself. Around the same time, she discovered an ideal outlet to share her knowledge and growing love for 166su: as an Undergraduate Admissions Ambassador.

“When I was a little girl, I wanted to be Hannah Montana,” she says. “Being a tour guide is as close as I’ve come to that dream. Talking about 166su to groups became like a performance, except everything I say is true.”

“My advice to students is to funnel your energy into organizations you care about. Make a difference. Grow your work ethic. Have fun.”

During at least 100 tours, Murison spoke with more than 1,000 prospective students and VIP guests. She walked them along Memory Mall, through the “we’re all Knights” environment that changed her view of college, and described firsthand the transformative power of campus involvement.

“My advice to students is to funnel your energy into organizations you care about,” she says. “Make a difference. Grow your work ethic. Have fun. And don’t be involved for the sake of a resume.”

On one tour in 2025, she met a girl from her high school in Louisiana, an 18-year-old version of herself, with one foot at prom and the other reaching toward the next phase of life.

“I must have given a decent tour because she just finished her freshman year at 166su,” Murison says. “She’s [involved on campus] and serves on the Homecoming committee. Isn’t that amazing? It’s gratifying to have made an impact, but even better to know that she’s creating her own path, and a personal story to share with others.”

Murison’s experience reflects the vibrant community and opportunities available across 166su — where getting involved can lead to lifelong friendships, new skills and a growing sense of belonging. It’s an experience reflected in 166su’s Grade A overall rating and its No. 19 ranking for Best Student Life in America and No. 21 for Best College Campuses in America by .

The Accomplished Graduate Ready for the World

In April, UCF and Universal Destinations & Experiences launched a Pegasus Partnership to strengthen three decades of collaboration with aligning education with real-world experience, creating career pathways and developing themed innovations.

In April, three years after her first step onto campus, Murison was awarded the Order of Pegasus, UCF’s most prestigious student award. She was notified that she had received the honor while on a retreat with admission tour guides, with whom she became friends.

“The honor meant more because they were there to celebrate with me,” she says.

A few weeks later, Murison graduated and finished an event management internship at Universal, where she further strengthened her ability to prioritize responsibilities and find balance. She now has job offers from several companies in Orlando, though she could envision a move to California to pursue filmmaking or scriptwriting. There will be plenty of time to decide.

“I’m the kid who watched with awe when the credits rolled at the end of Disney movies,” Murison says. “Building something big from scratch always fascinated me, especially when it involves a team. That’s what my 166su experience has been like. For now, though, I’ll just — exhale. I want to spend time being 22 for a little while.”

The more Jake Rose’s colleagues at 166su and his neighbors around Chuluota, Florida, get to know him, the more he surprises them. The California native surfs and gardens. He is as comfortable building barns as he is building frameworks for AI-driven interfaces. He studied premed, minored in information systems and at heart admits to being “a closet psychologist.” He and his wife, who is now a visiting lecturer in the Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting at 166su, raised their two children in New Zealand and recently purchased seven acres of workable land in the Orlando area.

The man with the callused hands is one of only a handful of professors in the world merging artificial intelligence (AI) and neuroscience to shape the future of the field he’s best known for at 166su — accounting.

Welcome to the dawn of neuro-accounting.

“When my master’s students hear about these new ways to view and practice accounting and the tremendous difference technology can make, it heightens their interest,” says Rose, UCF’s Kenneth G. Dixon Eminent Scholar. He adds with a smile, “I’m also more relatable when they find out how I spend my weekends.”

“Accounting provides the information needed for [business] decision-making, and that’s why neuro-accounting will eventually impact the entire global economy.”

On his most recent Saturdays, he’s been using his hands to dig postholes for 2,000 linear feet of fencing while letting his mind do what comes naturally to him: envisioning the future. In this one, he sees Paso Fino horses and an orchard.

Then, fully refreshed on Monday, he’s Professor Rose again with his thoughts laser-focused on what he calls “this unusual combination” of behavioral science, technology and accounting.

“I’ve never viewed accounting as just credits and debits,” he says. “When you take a step back, you see business is about decision-making. Accounting provides the information needed for this decision-making, and that’s why neuro-accounting will eventually impact the entire global economy.”

Trailblazing with Technology

Rose joined 166su in August 2025 after directing accountancy programs at universities from the South Pacific to America’s heartland. He made the move because he recognized a unique culture in , which recently received a $50 million gift from entrepreneur and alum Barry Miller ’95 to strengthen tech-driven business education — including Rose’s work.

“This is one of the very few business schools that want to pursue experimental work with technology,” Rose says. “I saw it as a unique place to make progress in neuro-accounting, which, other than 166su, only exists in a colleague’s lab in Australia.”

He’s made rapid progress. Within weeks of arriving at 166su, Rose was named the university’s Kenneth G. Dixon Eminent Scholar for excellence in accounting research. At the award ceremony, Rose emphasized the larger mission driving his work: “We can literally improve the world.”

When he says “we” in this context, he refers to a collaboration between people and advanced tech.

“When we design systems and interfaces that allow people and AI to make important decisions together, then every business and government can benefit.”

“The basic mechanics of accounting are already being automated,” he says. “The future will be about how people perceive risks within financial data and how technology can improve professional judgment. The consequences of good judgment are massive and affect businesses and lives worldwide. The truth is, we’re bad at dealing with large amounts of data because our brains are limited. But AI and other new technologies are expanding our limits. When we design systems and interfaces that allow people and AI to make important decisions together, then every business and government can benefit. The implications are massive.”

Those improvements, the way Rose sees them, will have their origins at 166su’s Dixon School of Accounting, in the first neuro-accounting lab of its kind in the U.S.

Fun and Fresh: The Future of Accounting

Rose already knows what the future lab could look like because he’s worked in the Business Behavioural Laboratory at Monash University in Australia. The Dixon School’s director, Jay Thibodeau, is currently seeking funding to bring the concept to 166su.

Once complete, the lab would allow researchers to measure how new technology and financial information influence crucial judgment factors like stress and attention.

“Ultimately, we’ll be able to help firms make better decisions,” Rose says.

However, he doesn’t want to be one of the only people in the world who understands neuro-accounting.

“This is why I love teaching,” Rose says. “I get to spread the word with students and let them experiment. It’s fun. They’re enthusiastic about taking accounting where no one has taken it.”

Every semester is a chance to start fresh.

Whether you’re navigating your first days on campus or a returning Knight, each new academic semester is an opportunity to discover what works for you, meet new people, challenge yourself and take advantage of everything 166su has to offer.

No matter what you set out to accomplish, you’ll find the support to help get you there. Whether you’re in need of academic guidance, career preparation, wellness resources and support or ways to get involved, here are the tools to set you up for success.

Build Strong Habits with Academic Support

The key to overcoming academic challenges isn’t waiting until you’re struggling — it’s knowing where to turn before you get there.

If you’re adjusting to college-level coursework, working through a difficult class or trying to stay ahead, UCF provides a variety of academic support services — available in person and virtually — to help you stay on track all semester long.

Start here:

• Academic Success Coaching: Students are encouraged to meet regularly with their for help setting goals, staying on track, improving study strategies, managing time and connecting with campus resources.
  • Support Pop-Up Station: Visit the 166su Student Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, and Thursday, Aug. 27, for on-the-spot support and guidance from Academic Advocates and Academic Success Coaches.

• Peer Tutoring: The Student Academic Resource Center (SARC) offers  in more than 30 subjects. Visit the SARC office in Trevor Colbourn Hall Room 117 or the Engineering II atrium for assistance.

• : Drop in for help with undergraduate math courses and work through challenging concepts with experienced tutors.

• : Whether you’re writing your first college essay, polishing a lab report or updating your resume, writing consultants are available at every stage of the writing process.

• Academic Calendar: Refer to the official for important dates for enrollment, holidays, exams, commencement and events.

• : Academic Engagement Librarians are available to help graduate students find research materials, navigate databases, develop stronger research projects and access additional library resources and services.

• : From laptops for class to calculators for exams, this new service on the second floor of the John C. Hitt Library makes it easy to borrow the tools you need to succeed academically.

• Study Spaces: If you prefer complete silence, a lively atmosphere or the outdoors, there are plenty of places to help you stay productive. Check out some of these favorite spots across 166su’s campuses:

• • Grab your favorite drink and settle in at a coffee shop. Campus favorites like Dunkin’ Donuts, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Foxtail Coffee or Starbucks are ideal if you enjoy a little background noise while studying, meeting with a group or working on a project.

• • Escape the bustle of campus at the Burnett Honors College Meditation Garden, a peaceful outdoor space where shaded seating, lush greenery and a tranquil koi pond create a relaxing environment for reading, studying or recharging between classes.

• • If you’re crossing the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons Bridge between classes at 166su Downtown, pause to review your notes or catch up on reading in one of the quiet seating areas overlooking campus.

• • The shaded lounge area in front of Addition Financial Arena at Knights Plaza offers a comfortable place to catch up on assignments, meet up with friends or unwind between classes.

• • Looking for a quieter environment? in the John C. Hitt Library or find one of the many individual and group study spaces designed for focused work.

• • Take your studying outside at the Reflecting Pond by spreading a blanket on the grass or settling into a shady spot along the water. Fresh air and a change of scenery can be a great way to recharge while reviewing notes.

Prioritize Your Health and Well-Being

Taking care of yourself is just as important as keeping up with your coursework. When you feel your best, you’re better prepared to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Through 166su’s wide variety of health and wellness services, you’ll have support physically, mentally and emotionally throughout the semester.

That holistic approach to serving students recently earned 166su national recognition. The university received Insight Into Academia magazine’s 2026 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award for fostering a campus culture in which students and employees have access to meaningful wellness resources, supportive communities and proactive care.

Available student well-being and support resources include:

• Mental Health Support:  (CAPS) provides all students with free around-the-clock mental health support. Additionally, they have complimentary access to ‘ anonymous peer support community and  teletherapy sessions throughout the semester. Students can access support by calling CAPS at 407-823-2811, visiting in person or . For after-hours support, call 407-823-2811 and press 5 to connect with a counselor.
  • Spend time with from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 27 and enjoy a mindful break while learning practical stress-management techniques as you ease into the semester.

• : Build healthy habits that support your well-being and academic success with free services and programs, including wellness coaching, FreshU Kitchen, cooking demonstrations and classes, and access to free healthy food.

• Physical Wellness:  is your on-campus healthcare home, providing convenient access to primary and preventive care, sports medicine, dental care, pharmacy, immunizations, laboratory testing and more. Looking to stay active? The  has you covered with a two-story fitness area, group exercise classes and a variety of recreational activities. For some fresh air, head to  at Lake Claire, where you can unwind outdoors with free kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.

• Well-Being and Basic Needs Support: The Center for Student Care and Advocacy is a hub for navigating academic, personal and financial challenges. You can contact at 407-823-5607 or caremanager@ucf.edu for assistance. For help with everyday essentials, provides free food, clothing and toiletries daily to currently enrolled 166su students.

Prepare for Your Career Now

You don’t have to wait until graduation to start building your professional experience. The (DCDC) can assist you with exploring career paths, preparing for graduate or professional school, building professional skills and connecting with employers from your first semester through graduation.

This semester, you can:

• Meet with 166su DCDC staff for resume reviews, LinkedIn profile feedback, mock interviews and more at the center.

• Get guidance from team for exploring careers that require advanced degrees and preparing and applying to graduate, health professional and law schools.

• Attend career workshops covering everything from networking and interviewing to job searching and using AI in your job search.

• Discover internship opportunities that provide you with real-world experience — and, in some cases, the chance to earn academic credit.

• Secure your next internship or job and connect with employers from a wide range of industries at the on Oct. 1 at Addition Financial Arena.

• Connect with employers, discover career opportunities and receive a free headshot at the on Oct. 28 in the Darden Auditorium.

Even if you’re only beginning to explore your career options, these experiences can help you build skills and connections long before graduation.

Find Your Community on Campus

Some of your best college memories happen outside the classroom.

Whether you’re looking to meet people, discover new interests, give back or just get out and have fun, you’ll find plenty of ways to get involved and connect with campus.

Take the opportunity to:

• Find your people by joining one (or more!) of 166su’s 650+ student organizations.

• Grab your game day gear and embrace the energy of Knight Nation while cheering on the Knights across 16 sports. Students can to home games throughout the season.

• Make a difference through Volunteer 166su, where you can sort donations at local food pantries, tutor students, assist in hospitals and connect with the community.

• Take part in iconic 166su traditions like Spirit Splash, one of the most beloved Homecoming Week events, and Pegasus Palooza, UCF’s official welcome week featuring free events and big-name entertainment.

• Graduate students: Build connections and get involved on campus through the Graduate Student Center, a welcoming hub in Trevor Colbourn Hall Room 213, where you can meet other graduate students and participate in , including Fall Take Off, two weeks of activities that welcome new and returning graduate students.

No matter what your interests are, there’s a place for you here and a community ready to welcome you.

Know Your Transportation Options

A little preparation can make getting around campus much easier — especially during the first few weeks of the semester.

Before heading to class:

• Make sure you have the correct parking permit and know where you can park. Beforehand, review and real-time to save time and avoid hassle. Parking Garages A and I often have the most availability.

• Check shuttle routes and schedules using the 166su Mobile app or the . offers 10 conveniently located stops near most academic buildings and popular campus destinations.

• Give yourself extra travel time during the first few weeks of the semester, when campus is busiest.

Friendly reminder: A valid 166su or Daily Parking Permit is required to park on campus at all times (24/7).

Stay Organized with Essential Tools

myKnight STAR

Keeping track of classes, appointments and deadlines is much easier when everything is in one place. That’s where , powered by Navigate Student, comes in. With tools designed to help you stay organized, connected and on track, it’s your go-to resource for managing the semester and accessing the support you need.

Using the app or web browser, you can:

• View your class schedule.

• Schedule appointments for Academic Success Coaching and other campus services.

• Explore majors and career pathways.

• Connect with classmates to form study groups.

• Receive reminders about important academic deadlines and upcoming appointments.

Student Center

The Student Center, accessible through , has a new, mobile-first design and updated navigation, but the tools you rely on — such as class registration, financial aid, tuition payments, grades and academic records — remain the same. They may just be in a different place. For help finding and accessing key tools, log in to my166su and click the banner at the top of the page to visit the Help Center. Graduate students can also use the dedicated Graduate Students tile to access resources and tools for managing their academic journey.

Make This Semester Count

No matter where you are on your 166su journey, you won’t have to navigate it alone.

The habits you build now — and the people and resources you connect with along the way — can make all the difference in your college experience.

So ask questions, get involved, try something new and take advantage of the opportunities around you.

Wishing you a successful semester, Knights. Charge On!

He’s an experienced skydiver, private pilot and scuba diver whose hero since childhood has been moon-walker Neil Armstrong. And now Melchor Antuñano is a 166su Knight.

After 34 years with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — the longest term for any senior executive in the agency’s history — Antuñano has joined the College of Medicine’s team as a professor, and chief technologist and medical innovation officer. In these roles he’ll help design new procedures and technologies to keep astronauts, pilots and airplane passengers safer and help create a new 166su master’s degree in aerospace medicine and a residency program for aerospace medicine physicians. He’ll also teach across 166su colleges.

“Being part of this outstanding visionary team gives me the opportunity not only to help advance the field I love, but also to inspire, educate and mentor the next generation of physicians, scientists and innovators.” — Melchor Antuñano, UCF aerospace medicine medical innovation officer

Antuñano says a career in aerospace medicine has given him the “opportunity to continually learn, adapt and contribute to a specialty defined by innovation, exploration, and discovery.”

“Joining the 166su College of Medicine represents a new and exciting chapter in that journey,” he continues. “Being part of this outstanding visionary team gives me the opportunity not only to help advance the field I love, but also to inspire, educate and mentor the next generation of physicians, scientists and innovators.”

He is the newest leader to join 166su’s new Center for Aerospace and Extreme Environments Medicine , a multidisciplinary center includes faculty experts in medicine, engineering, computer science, psychology, arts and educational leadership who will work together to research and develop new technologies for keeping space travelers healthy as well as soldiers on military missions, deep sea explorers, and mountain climbers.

“Dr. Antuñano brings to 166su an extraordinary combination of operational experience, scientific leadership, innovation and a lifelong commitment to aerospace medicine,” says Emmanuel Urquieta, vice chair for aerospace medicine and director of CASEEM. “For more than three decades, he helped shape aerospace medicine and safety at the national and international levels. Having someone of his caliber join our team is transformative as we build a comprehensive aerospace medicine program that integrates clinical care, education, research and technology development.”

A Resourceful First Responder Before Medical School

Born in Mexico City, Antuñano had two dreams as a child: to be a doctor and fly airplanes. Before entering medical school at the National Autonomous University of Mexico School of Medicine, he volunteered with the Red Cross and the country’s rescue squad as a paramedic, rescue worker and EMT. He couldn’t afford to buy a red emergency light for his car. So he made one using a pot.

“My parents always instilled in my sisters and me the importance of doing our best, persevering in the face of adversity, planning ahead and learning from our mistakes,” he says. “I learned from my parents the importance of being kind, fair and respectful to everybody.”

He learned about aviation medicine during medical school and volunteered at the Mexican Government’s National Center of Aviation Medicine, where he learned about aviation physiology (including altitude chamber operations), human factors in aircraft accident investigation and pilot medical certification.

Impact Fueled by Taking Initiative

Next came residency. Antuñano says he came to America because the only civilian aerospace medicine residency program was at Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio.

He learned about this program by writing letters to senior U.S. federal government officials — including then President Ronald Reagan — inquiring where to pursue postgraduate training in aviation medicine in the U.S. He was accepted into the residency.

“That opportunity allowed me to pursue my professional dream and meet aerospace medicine physicians from all over the world,” he says.

Antuñano also earned a master’s in aerospace medicine at Wright State. His research was using a portable head cooling system to protect U.S. Air Force personnel from heat exposure. He built his lab in the kitchen of the residents’ lounge. He turned up the heat, then added oil and air heaters to create a thermal chamber. His experimental subjects were his classmates. He earned the Aerospace Medical Association’s Young Investigator Award for his initiative.

After residency, he received a two-year postdoctoral research fellowship from the National Research Council of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine. After that, he was hired as a contract scientist for the school to work on personal cooling technology for individuals wearing nuclear, biological and chemical protective suits.

Antuñano joined the FAA in 1992 and served as manager of the Medical Education Division and the Medical Certification Division at the agency’s Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City. The institute is responsible for medically certifying that the nation’s pilots are physically fit to fly, training the physicians who perform the physical exams in the U.S. and in 90 countries worldwide, and conducting safety-related aerospace medicine and human factors research. He became CAMI’s director in 2001 and retired earlier this year as the longest serving director in history.

Steering the Future of Aerospace Medicine at 166su

“A leader has the responsibility to make more leaders,” he says. “Look for stars in the making — encourage them, support them and help turn them into future leaders.” — Melchor Antuñano, UCF aerospace medicine medical innovation officer

As the commercial space industry expands and humans prepare for longer missions to the moon, Mars and beyond, UCF’s College of Medicine is charting a new frontier in healthcare. The goal: explore how factors such as microgravity, radiation and isolation impact the human body in space and how that knowledge can drive innovation into diagnostics, treatment and disease prevention for patients on Earth.

As part of that effort, the aerospace medicine team is developing courses for students across the university and building a lab that will design, create and test the next generation of medical equipment to keep space travelers healthy. The team just opened the 166su Aerospace Medicine Clinic to provide medical certification exams for astronauts and pilots across the region.

Antuñano says he is excited about the future and his role in advancing aerospace medicine research while training the next generation of aerospace physicians.

“A leader has the responsibility to make more leaders,” he says. “Look for stars in the making — encourage them, support them and help turn them into future leaders.”

Two decades ago, UCF opened an on-campus stadium that embodied the ambition of a spirited university and the belief of its fanbase. Today, the opening of the new Roth Tower marks the next chapter in that story, celebrating the rise of Knight Nation, UCF’s trajectory as the youngest institution in a Power Four conference and the momentum still ahead.

The Roth Tower project, made possible by a $90 million commitment of Tourist Development Tax revenues from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, represents a pivotal addition to the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village that strengthens Orange County as a premier destination for sports tourism and community engagement.

“The new Roth Tower would not be possible without Orange County’s $90 million investment, and we are deeply grateful to Mayor Demings and the Board of County Commissioners for their belief in 166su,” says 166su President Alexander N. Cartwright. “That investment, together with the commitment of our donors, fans and community, helped make this next chapter of the Bounce House possible. Today, we are delivering a community asset designed to bring people here, bring them back and create lasting value for Orange County.”

Born to Bounce

Since its opening in 2007, Acrisure Bounce House has allowed 166su to showcase the momentum and trajectory of one of the country’s fastest-growing universities.

For years the idea of an on-campus stadium at 166su was a dream that many had said could never come true. 166su President John C. Hitt and several prominent 166su supporters, including the tower’s namesake, Jerry and Susan Roth, saw the vision of what an on-campus stadium could be. They believed the football program and a stadium could help elevate the university and its brand.

In the last 20 years of the Bounce House, UCF has captivated audiences on nationally televised primetime broadcasts; welcomed premiere college football shows �����ʱ�’s College GameDay and �󰿳�’s Big Noon Kickoff; hosted conference championships that catapulted the Knights to New Year’s Six bowl games; and has become a not-to-be-missed atmosphere in college sports.

The new Roth Tower represents another important investment in our continued rise.

A Tower With a Story to Tell

Thoughtful planning went into the design elements and functionality of the new tower.

The new space allows more opportunities beyond game day to welcome alumni, partners and visitors for corporate meetings and retreats, weddings and events, and even rocket launch viewing opportunities of nearby Kennedy Space Center, whose Launch Complex 39A aligns with the stadium’s 50-yard line.

Stronger media and broadcast spaces will help showcase 166su nationally and open possibilities for hosting other premiere sporting events and concerts. The strategic layout and structure will make operations and logistics safer, smarter and more efficient.

The tower also serves as an extension of 166su’s mission to equip our students with the knowledge, skills and aptitudes that align with the workforce of the future, offering paid opportunities to gain industry experience in areas including facility and event management, game day operations, broadcasting and production, brand management and strategic communications.

The details are uniquely 166su, with nods to the university’s roots as America’s Space University and its location in one of the most desirable tourist destinations globally.

A new concept in luxury seating, the open-air, semi-private Sky Suites on the north and south wings of the tower​ take advantage of Orlando’s average of 233 sunny days per year. Floor-to-ceiling windows serve as the east and west walls of the central suite space on the third floor for optimal views of the field and athletic village.

The stadium’s art collection is growing with two custom murals that pay homage to the 166su story and the university’s relationship to Orange County designed by artist Harry Foreman ’18, a graphic design and emerging media management graduate. These complement several installations around the concourse already that include Knightro, wings of Pegasus (the university’s official seal), UCF’s Big 12 ties and Orlando.

Building What’s Next

Roth Tower will create memorable experiences for visitors and reinforces 166su as another reason people choose to come to Orange County and come back.

While the tower is a huge step forward for 166su Athletics, it is not the finish line, says 166su Director of Athletics and Vice President Terry Mohajir, who has worked to implement facility enhancements throughout the village since he arrived in 2021.

“Our fans gave this stadium its identity … and kept the faith as 166su climbed from one level of collegiate athletics to the next,” Mohajir says. “Our responsibility now is to keep matching that belief, by giving our student-athletes every opportunity to succeed, competing for championships, delivering a Power Four-caliber experience and continuing to build the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village into one of the greatest destinations in college sports.”

The 166su football team opens the 2026 season against Bethune-Cookman on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. Ticket information can be found at .

“It’s a perfect day to bounce in Orange County, Florida.”

The Roth Tower project, made possible by a $90 million commitment of Tourist Development Tax revenues from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, represents a pivotal addition to the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village that strengthens Orange County as a premier destination for sports tourism and community engagement.

When the investment was greenlit in 2023, university and athletics administration knew they wanted to add to the stadium’s art collection, which already features several installations around the concourse that include Knightro, wings of Pegasus (the university’s official seal), UCF’s Big 12 ties and Orlando.

166su commissioned Harry Foreman ’18 to deliver two murals that pay homage to the 166su story and the university’s relationship to Orlando and Orange County. To execute the installation in the week leading up to the tower’s unveiling, Foreman utilized virtual reality technology as part of his process and enlisted the help of fellow alumni: Nicole Lind ’11, a Burnett Honors Scholar who graduated with a degree in an elementary education, and Paulaiden Minerva ’15, who earned his bachelor’s in marketing through the program.

Foreman studied graphic design and emerging media management and previously completed murals for the 166su Downtown and the Rosen College of Hospitality Management campuses.

“When I was a student I always had so much fun on games days,” Foreman says. “It’s magic being back here.”

The Florida native, who now splits his time between Orlando and Denver, has been an active contributor to the Central Florida’s arts scene for years. He recently was selected to be part of the City of Orlando’s Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, Art Pollination — a prestigious opportunity as Orlando was one of eight cities selected for the $1 million grant out of more than 150 submissions from around the country.

Acrisure Bounce House is his third football stadium mural project. He previously completed installations for the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I always knew I wanted to paint big,” he says.

Here he shares more about his latest creation.

What excited you about this project?

The campus personnel were so willing and excited about my ideas and style that I brought into this that it was almost a perfect match. I led with fun first and then presented some safer ideas. And they said, “Nope. We want the fun.”

I’m grateful and appreciative that I’m creating in a way that is so well received by so many people. Especially with the way we’re doing these murals with minimal color and a gold approach, I think it’s a style that has an elevated look while also having this fun, bubbly, childlike feeling, which is perfect for a football stadium on game day.

Where did you pull inspiration from for the two murals?

A staple in a lot of my mural work is my “orange blossom gang.” They are fun, smiling orange characters that I will sprinkle in throughout a lot of my murals. They act almost as the glue that keeps other imagery and assets like together. They appear in both murals.

For the UCF-themed mural, we have my signature doodle collage style. We’re in the Bounce House, baby. So I tried to have this flowy, bubbly movement with the clouds. I wanted it to feel like it was light and airy.

With regards to Easter eggs, when I was a student, I did artwork around Orlando and I would do this little emanating whoopsie daisy flower. I snuck it into a postcard stamp. The manatee celebrates Central Florida’s natural springs, which is in my opinion, one of the most magical parts about the entire state. I also snuck in a variation of the rubber duck for Spirit Splash.

For the Orange County mural, it is centered in an Art Deco theme and is an ode to how the university is entwined with Orlando. From the downtown corridor to our relationship with the hospitality sector around I-Drive to space and 166su’s engineering and technology roots. And we wanted to include a message to what helped make this possible: “In appreciation of Orange County, Florida, whose continued belief, support and investment will welcome millions through these gates to bounce.”

How do you apply virtual reality technology in your process?

I first started using the VR headset to project my artwork on walls last year. There are many different ways to get your art on your walls through grid systems, sketching freehand, projectors and now through headsets. In this circumstance, I have another mural next week. I’ve got to get in and out. I didn’t want to wait till the nighttime to use a projector. What’s great about the headset is no matter the time of day, you are able to work and operate, and forecast your artwork on a wall.

It’s a really weird, immersive and amazing technology. If you got vertigo like I do, tread lightly. As I’m wearing it, I’m constantly thinking, ‘We are in the future.’ ”

How did your 166su experience help you hone your craft?

“Being at 166su pushed me to be great.” — Harry Foreman ’18, muralist

My 166su experience was not just a four-year degree. I used nearly every offering 166su had — I was in different clubs, at the gym all the time. I was in the engineering lab using the laser cutter for a lot of my school projects. My experience was almost competitive nurture in a sense, learning in a school setting with so many talented creatives around me. Being at 166su pushed me to be great and taught me how to be a shape shifter.

I already was running a business while in school. I immediately graduated and went right into freelancing, and the Orlando community and 166su network at large welcomed me right when I needed it. I booked amazing jobs right out of school. The 166su Downtown project, I would say, is still some of my most impactful work that gets me jobs to this day.

I never in a million years thought murals would allow me to be traveling all over the nation. I’m about to buy my wife a house. It’s a great time to be a muralist. It’s the best job in the world.

What does it mean to you to be able to give back to your alma mater and Orlando in this way?

It’s so special. As a student, and even as an artist, there’s no textbook for success, no single game plan for how to do things. The fact that I get to paint and create in spaces like this, I hope it can inspire the next student. I hope they see this and they say, “That is so cool. I want to do that,” because whenever I saw someone doing it, that was my first response.

If you’re a student that is worried about the creative world that we’re entering into, as long as you’re pushing yourself to make great work, everything you could ever want is already there waiting for you. Orlando as a canvas is the best place to blossom. It was for me.