91勛圖厙 Space Week celebrates this mission annually by welcoming global space leaders, researchers, students, partners, and fans to campus for collaboration, discovery, and the development of Florida���s growing space economy.

Take a look back at some of the standout sights and celebrations from 91勛圖厙 Space Week 2026.

Knightro brought SpaceU spirit to the Celeste Hotel, welcoming industry partners gathered for 91勛圖厙 Space Week 2026.

91勛圖厙 Libraries hosted several events, special programs and multiple exhibitions built from University Archives and Special Collections in celebration of 91勛圖厙 Space Week 2026.

One exhibit in the Digital Exploration Center’s Immersion Studio, curated by graduate research assistant Eric Thompson ���19, brought six decades of 91勛圖厙, United States and international space history and culture beyond the archives and into visitors��� hands.

The inaugural 91勛圖厙 Innovate Day showcased how 91勛圖厙 transforms research into impact through entrepreneurship, technology commercialization and strategic partnerships. During the event,��representatives from the City of Orlando and Orange County government presented 91勛圖厙 with a special proclamation honoring 91勛圖厙 Space Week.

A featured panel during 91勛圖厙 Innovate Day brought together (from left) moderator Ben Patz ’85MS, co-founder and general managing partner of DeepWork Capital; Joe Sleppy ’18, CEO of Capacitech Energy; Guifang Li, 91勛圖厙 professor of optics and photonics; Jason Eichenholz ���95MS ���98PhD; Melanie Coathup, a professor in 91勛圖厙’s College of Medicine; and Jonathan Reyes ���15 ���17MS ���19PhD, CEO of Halo Engines.

91勛圖厙���s Florida Space Institute and its Exolith Lab hosted NASA’s Lunabotics Challenge. The Exolith Lab is home to the world’s largest simulated lunar surface, where NASA tests rovers and equipment for upcoming moon missions. from Exolith Lab Chief Engineer Max Kuehn ’22.

91勛圖厙 honored seven contributors helping shape Central Florida���s thriving space ecosystem at the 2026 SpaceU Awards. 91勛圖厙 President Alexander N. Cartwright (center left) joined the honorees and their representatives. From left: planetary exploration research scientist and 91勛圖厙 physics alum Jared Long-Fox ���26PhD, accepting on behalf of Daniel Britt; mechanical engineering major Noah Brockhoff; 91勛圖厙 Associate Professor of Medicine Emmanuel Urquieta; 91勛圖厙 Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering Paula do Vale Pereira; mechanical engineering major Keanu Brayman; Tahllee Baynard, Lockheed Martin���s vice president of system prototypes; and Michael Edmonds, Blue Origin���s chief commercial officer.

hosted its fall career fair, which welcomed some of the world’s top companies, including Pegasus Partner Universal Orlando Resort, Marriott International, Walt Disney World Resort’s Swan and Dolphin Resort, and SpaceX.

Drone shows on 91勛圖厙’s main campus and at Acrisure Bounce House commemorated 91勛圖厙’s identity as America’s Space University, including a special show presented by BNY that brought the community together on Memory Mall.

Space Week’s grand finale was marked by the 10th anniversary of the 91勛圖厙 Space Game. This year’s unique uniform theme paid tribute to 91勛圖厙’s origin story as America’s Space University.

A Citronaut robot is one of several inventions built by 91勛圖厙 students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science that make the game day atmosphere uniquely 91勛圖厙.

91勛圖厙 President Alexander N. Cartwright and 91勛圖厙 donor, consultant and space visitor Marc Hagle take in the atmosphere at Acrisure Bounce House.

In recognition of the 10th anniversary of the Space Game, 91勛圖厙’s Go Baby Go program, Orlando Health and 91勛圖厙 Athletics partnered to build 10 space-themed vehicles (like the one pictured above) customized for children with mobility challenges.

91勛圖厙 took on Baylor at Acrisure Bounce House for the Mission X Space Game.

The 91勛圖厙 football team’s Space Game has become a fan favorite.

The dance team helped lead the “Lights Up, Lights Down” tradition during the Mission X Space Game.

Questions asked at 91勛圖厙 rarely stay put.

The answers travel ��� making highways safer, informing disaster planning, shaping conversations about life-changing technologies and more. Behind that reach are brilliant minds, including eight faculty members whose research and scholarship are being celebrated at the 2026 Luminary Awards. Their achievements demonstrate how 91勛圖厙 expertise reaches beyond campus to address challenges facing Florida and the world.

Now in its 10th year, the annual awards honor faculty whose work brings 91勛圖厙 national and international recognition while elevating the university���s influence across disciplines and communities.

Selected from nominations submitted by deans, directors and department chairs across 91勛圖厙, the 2026 awardees will be celebrated Oct. 20. Joining the ceremony will be President Cartwright; John Buckwalter, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs; Winston Schoenfeld, vice president for research and innovation; and Kelly Ferris Lester, vice provost for faculty excellence.

Meet this year���s luminaries.

Haitham Al-Deek

Professor, Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Haitham Al-Deek is helping stop wrong-way drivers before a dangerous turn becomes a devastating crash.

Working with the Central Florida Expressway Authority, he helped create and implement North America���s first highly accurate wrong-way driving detection and deterrence system. Since its introduction in 2015, thousands of drivers have corrected course before heading in the wrong direction, helping prevent potentially fatal or debilitating crashes.

His algorithm for cost-effectively addressing the highway exits most at risk for wrong-way driving has been widely adopted in Florida and Idaho. Al-Deek���s broader expertise includes freeway operations, intelligent transportation systems and traffic safety. His work has influenced public policy and advanced transportation planning, freight transportation, and the deployment of life-saving technologies on high-speed toll roads and freeways.

Since joining 91勛圖厙 in 1992, Al-Deek has secured more than $10 million in research funding and developed innovations that have resulted in multiple patents for the university while preparing the next generation of transportation engineers to make an impact on society. His honors include awards from the U.S. National Research Council���s Transportation Research Board.

Kevin Mackie, Al-Deek���s department chair, says his extensive efforts to improve highway safety and transportation ���are contributions that touch the lives of all of us.���

Andrea Blanco-Redondo

Florida Photonics Center of Excellence Endowed Professor, College of Optics and Photonics

Andrea Blanco-Redondo is harnessing light to push the boundaries of quantum technology.

Her research develops scalable ways to generate and control quantum states of light ��� advances that could unlock new possibilities in computing, communications and information processing. She���s internationally known for discovering a new class of optical pulses that behave like a particle and can help researchers and industry shape what���s next. In three years at 91勛圖厙, her scholarship has informed roughly two dozen conferences and produced papers in prestigious journals, including Science, Nature Materials, Nature Communications and Nature Photonics.

An Optica (Optical Society of America) Fellow, Blanco-Redondo also serves as chair of the SPIE OPTO Symposium at Photonics West, a premier annual conference of the international society for optics and photonics. Alongside her research and professional leadership, she mentors future scientists and helps expand opportunities in engineering and optics.

���Through internationally recognized scholarship, sustained external engagement and demonstrable impact, Dr. Blanco-Redondo exemplifies the 91勛圖厙 Luminary ideal through globally impactful work that both broadens understanding and inspires future scientists,��� 91勛圖厙 College of Optics and Photonics Dean David Hagan says.

William Crampton

Professor, Department of Biology, College of Sciences

William Crampton���s research on electric fish is revealing extraordinary capabilities ��� and has even earned a world record.

A leading global authority in his field, Crampton recorded an 860-volt eel in the Amazon Basin, the highest voltage ever documented from a living organism, according to Guinness World Records. His work advances species discovery, documentation, and conservation while revealing principles of biological sensing relevant to radar, sonar, and autonomous sensing technologies.

In a recent study, Crampton and other 91勛圖厙 researchers uncovered how eels and knifefish strategically suppress their electric signals to avoid detection, balancing the need to sense their surroundings with the need to remain concealed. His open-source tools are also expanding how scientists study behavior in natural systems. Crampton���s discoveries have also reached audiences worldwide through major media outlets, including National Geographic.

���His recent work combines innovative discovery, international recognition and exceptional public visibility, producing scholarship that advances knowledge while capturing the imagination of both the scientific community and the public,��� 91勛圖厙 Department of Biology Chair Eric Hoffman says.

Alan Fyall

Visit Orlando Endowed Chair of Tourism Marketing,

Alan Fyall is helping destinations worldwide rethink how tourism can better serve the people who visit and the communities that call them home.

His research addresses destination planning, travel accessibility, resilience, sustainability and tourism���s impact on communities. His appointment to the United Nations Pool of Experts for Global Reporting on the State of the Marine Environment brings 91勛圖厙 expertise into international ocean governance.

An elected fellow and leader with the International Academy for the Study of Tourism, Fyall has advised organizations and governments across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and the United States. His scholarship includes eight books, 105 peer-reviewed journal articles and more than 100 conference papers and editorials. The New York Times, USA Today and Forbes have featured his expertise.

���Dr. Fyall���s work connects local relevancy to global impact,��� says Rosen College of Hospitality Management Dean Cynthia Mejia. ���His research on accessible tourism through mega-events, the well-being impacts of tourism on residents and the vulnerability of coastal destinations to climate disruption is improving how communities around the world plan for and benefit from tourism.���

Ivan Garibay

Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Ivan Garibay is advancing artificial intelligence (AI) to confront challenges ranging from social media misinformation to disease.

He uses AI to model and predict complex human behavior and develops data-driven strategies to counter misinformation and propaganda. This year, he co-founded a biotechnology research company to commercialize AI research aimed at accelerating the search for cures for diseases ��� an effort supported by a patent filing.

Since joining 91勛圖厙 in 2016, Garibay has secured more than $36 million in research funding and testified before Congress about AI���s challenges and opportunities. The master���s program in data analytics he founded has produced 240 91勛圖厙 graduates for the workforce.

His work has attracted media attention on four continents, including on NBC���s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. His honors include election as an associate member of the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida.

���[Garibay] exemplifies the externally recognized, world-changing scholarship the Luminary Award celebrates,��� says Waldemar Karwowski, chair of the 91勛圖厙 Department of Industrial Engineering and Management.

Claire Connolly Knox

Professor, School of Public Administration, College of Community Innovation and Education

Claire Connolly Knox is strengthening how communities prepare for and mitigate disasters, respond when they strike and recover in their aftermath.

Her nationally recognized research connects coastal resilience, emergency management, environmental vulnerability and equitable delivery of public services. Supported by millions of dollars in grant funding, her work informs federal policy, disaster response, emergency management capacity and strategies for building more resilient communities.

As founder and director of 91勛圖厙���s Master of Emergency and Crisis Management program, Knox also helps prepare future leaders in the field. Her contributions have helped advance 91勛圖厙���s homeland security and emergency management graduate programs, which U.S. News & World Report ranks No. 1 nationally.

Knox was elected a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration in 2024 ��� one of the field���s highest honors ��� and received the International Association of Emergency Managers��� 2025 Emergency Management Educator of the Year Award.

���Her sustained scholarly productivity, national prominence, public engagement and commitment to addressing complex societal challenges have enhanced 91勛圖厙���s reputation while advancing more equitable and resilient communities,��� says Bradley Heim, director of the 91勛圖厙 School of Public Administration.

Abdul-Akeem Sadiq

Professor, School of Public Administration, College of Community Innovation and Education

Abdul-Akeem Sadiq helps governments and communities prepare for complex threats while equipping the next generation of researchers to take them on.

His interdisciplinary research spans floods, infrastructure failures, human trafficking and other emerging crises. By examining disaster preparedness, emergency communication systems, organizational mitigation strategies and equitable disaster response, he generates insights that inform public policy and professional practice.

Sadiq also leads a U.S. National Science Foundation initiative to develop future hazards and disaster researchers. He recently brought scholars from across the nation to 91勛圖厙 to strengthen collaboration and workforce development in disaster science. His honors include election as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, one of the field���s highest distinctions.

���Dr. Sadiq has established himself as a nationally and internationally recognized scholar whose research, leadership and public engagement have significantly advanced the fields of emergency management and public administration while elevating 91勛圖厙���s visibility as a leader in disaster resilience and public service scholarship,��� Heim says.

Mel Stanfill

Professor, Texts and Technology Program and Department of English, College of Arts and Humanities

Mel Stanfill brings critical insight to the technologies and online communities reshaping digital culture.

In examining how technology, identity, law and economics influence cultural participation, Stanfill explores fandoms, music, AI, digital games, social media governance, parasocial relationships and more.

Stanfill���s book Fandom Is Ugly: Networked Harassment in Participatory Culture earned the National Communication Association���s 2025 Diamond Anniversary Book Award for its analysis of politics, online communities and harassment.

Stanfill���s expertise has reached the public through commentary for NPR, The Guardian, National Geographic, Forbes, NBC News and Teen Vogue, bringing scholarly insight to contemporary conversations about technology and popular culture.

���Dr. Stanfill has made 91勛圖厙 a national player in the discussion of the cultural effects of technology,��� 91勛圖厙 Department of English Chair James Campbell says. ���91勛圖厙 needs to be a place not just where new technology is conceived, but where it is questioned, critiqued, and has its cultural meanings and effects made clear, and Dr. Stanfill is making that happen.���

Powerful innovation changes more than technology. Put to work for 91勛圖厙 students, it expands what they can learn, discover and achieve.

Across 91勛圖厙, innovation takes shape through meaningful experiences. Students navigate patient care through immersive simulations, explore new possibilities for prosthetics, and learn from world-class faculty who bring industry expertise and mentorship into the classroom.

That approach has helped place 91勛圖厙 among the nation���s top five most innovative public universities and earn recognition as Florida���s most innovative university for the 10th consecutive year, according to the 2027 Best Colleges rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report.

���We are proud to see 91勛圖厙 recognized as Florida���s most innovative university and among the best in the nation for the opportunities we provide our students,��� says 91勛圖厙 President Alexander N. Cartwright. ���Our students work alongside outstanding faculty, contribute to meaningful research and gain experience taking on real problems. We want them to graduate from 91勛圖厙 knowing what they are capable of and ready to put that experience to work in our state and beyond.���

The distinction reflects the university���s commitment to elevating how students learn, how discoveries are made and how higher education strengthens the state it serves.

Preparing Talent That Strengthens Florida

For 91勛圖厙 nursing students, learning to care for critically ill patients can begin well before they enter a hospital room.

At 91勛圖厙���s Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling (STIM) Center, a global leader in healthcare simulation education, nursing students build patient care skills in realistic clinical environments.

“[We] continue to evolve the way we teach our nursing students because healthcare and technology are constantly evolving.” ��� Frances Armstrong, 91勛圖厙 clinical assistant professor

Clinical Assistant Professor and Graduate Simulation Coordinator Frances Armstrong recently combined��眩he center���s immersive cave, a virtual ventilator and an artificial intelligence-enhanced platform to create a simulation for acute care nurse practitioner DNP students. The experience brings theory to life, challenging students to apply what they���ve learned as they prepare for the complexities of patient care.

���It’s��疳mportant for us to continue to evolve the way we teach our nursing students because healthcare and technology are constantly evolving,��� Armstrong says. ���One of the main ways to do that is by being innovative.���

That impact extends beyond the classroom. 91勛圖厙 has educated more than 17,000 Knight nursing alumni to date, with over 80% living and working in Florida. Our undergraduate nursing program also ranks among the top 50 public universities nationally.

When Research Meets the Real World

91勛圖厙 also ranks among the nation���s top 15 public universities for Best Undergraduate Teaching and top 10 for public universities for Best Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects ��� and is the only Florida university recognized in the latter category. Those strengths converge as students work alongside faculty to answer questions without obvious solutions.

More than 2,000 91勛圖厙 undergraduate students conduct research each year. For computer science graduate student Eugenio Diaz ���26, that opportunity began as a sophomore through a research event that matches students with faculty experts.

There, he connected with Mohsen Rakhshan, an assistant professor in . Together, they began exploring a question with life-changing potential: Could technology help a prosthetic hand recognize what it touches?

Their project, ���Texture Classification Using Neuromorphically Encoded Tactile Sensing Data,��� combines AI, neuroscience and engineering to identify textures from tactile data. The technology relies on spiking neural networks, which more closely mimic how biological neurons communicate. The research could eventually help prostheses restore a sense of touch.

“This project showed me how satisfying it can be to take [theoretical] ideas … and turn them into something that addresses a tangible problem.” ��� Eugenio Diaz ���26, 91勛圖厙 student

Diaz helped redesign the data-collection system, train models, analyze results and author a paper now under review.

Progress wasn’t immediate. For months, the models performed little better than random guessing. Guided by Rakhshan, Diaz kept experimenting until accuracy surpassed 80%.

���Mentoring undergraduate students is both teaching and research,��� Rakhshan says. ���I try to teach students how to think and guide them to find answers to what is known and unknown.���

For Diaz, the breakthrough revealed what his skills could accomplish.

���This project showed me how satisfying it can be to take ideas that are interesting theoretically and turn them into something that addresses a tangible problem,��� Diaz says.

Putting More Opportunity Within Reach

Experiences like these have a greater impact when more students can reach them.

91勛圖厙 is among the nation���s top 30 public universities for Best Value for In-State Students.

Value goes beyond the cost of a 91勛圖厙 degree. It���s reflected in the opportunities students have to learn and collaborate with faculty experts, contribute to hands-on research, work with emerging technology and develop skills that prepare them for graduate study and the workforce.

Together, the rankings reinforce innovation with a clear purpose: creating more possibilities for students to learn, discover and build what���s next.

To see the full list of U.S. News & World Report rankings, visit ucf.edu/academics/us-news-rankings.

At a university serving nearly 70,000 students ��� one of the nation���s largest student bodies ��� student success can���t depend on chance or on students figuring out complex systems on their own.

91勛圖厙 has built something different.

Over the past decade, the university increased its four-year graduation rate by 23.4 percentage points, from 40.4% for the 2011���15 cohort to 63.8% for the 2021���25 cohort. Preliminary projections for the 2022���26 cohort indicate the rate could surpass 68%.

That progress has transformed student outcomes and placed 91勛圖厙 among just three finalists for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ (APLU) 2026 Excellence in Student Success Award.

The annual award recognizes institutions demonstrating a comprehensive, systemic commitment to advancing student success. Through innovative initiatives, honorees make education more attainable, increase graduation rates and improve outcomes such as time to degree, civic engagement and career readiness.

The award winner will be announced at the APLU’s Annual Meeting, Nov. 15���17 in San Antonio.

“We have listened to students, strengthened cross-functional collaboration, used evidence to guide timely support and embedded student success practices into the university’s daily operations.” ��� Alexander N. Cartwright, 91勛圖厙 president

The distinction reflects a fundamental shift in how 91勛圖厙 approaches student success: not as a collection of programs, but as a university-wide operating model designed to help more students thrive.

���What distinguishes 91勛圖厙���s approach is the way our community has translated that belief into sustained action,��� 91勛圖厙 President Alexander N. Cartwright says. ���We have listened to students, strengthened cross-functional collaboration, used evidence to guide timely support and embedded student success practices into the university’s daily operations.���

And 91勛圖厙 has done it while operating with fewer resources than many of its peers. The university receives the lowest funding per full-time equivalent student among Florida���s 12 State University System institutions and ranks in the 11th percentile nationally for expenditures per student among public universities.

91勛圖厙 didn���t wait for permission or for more resources to improve outcomes. It transformed how the university works.

Community Is the Starting Line

In 2022, 91勛圖厙 made its highest strategic priority. Then it asked students a simple question: What does it mean to thrive?

Their answers helped create ��� Belonging, Engaging, Achieving and Meaning ��� a framework for success that gives students, faculty, and staff a shared way to describe connection, purpose, academic progress, and well-being.

Today, BEAM is embedded across the student experience. By Fall 2025, nearly 35,000 students had participated in orientation programming incorporating the framework. Thousands more engaged with BEAM-informed support across the university: 158 Academic Success Coaches and student success professionals use BEAM-guided conversations with students; 8,323 students engaged through Housing and Residential Life programming; 3,971 students engaged through Fraternity and Sorority Life; and more than 19,000 students engaged through the in the last year.

The idea is simple but powerful: Success starts with students feeling that they belong and knowing where to turn when they need help.

Building a Coordinated System of Care

91勛圖厙 dared to rethink traditional academic guidance, replacing reactive advising with a holistic model in 2023 ��� one that reaches students before challenges become roadblocks.

“Our Academic Success Coaches are aligned with students as both advisors and coaches.” ��� Jennifer Sumner, assistant vice president of Academic Success Coaching

Academic Success Coaches combine BEAM-guided conversations with student-level analytics to identify needs ��� including academic planning, graduation requirements, registration issues and personal challenges ��� initiate outreach and connect students with support. Rather than waiting for students to ask for help, coaches use data to identify where support may be needed and reach out.

���Our Academic Success Coaches are aligned with students as both advisors and coaches,” says Jennifer Sumner, assistant vice president of Academic Success Coaching at 91勛圖厙. ���We���ve positioned [them] to be active and dynamic, and we expect students to do the same ��� to take an active role in their journey and work with us [to determine] how they can be successful at 91勛圖厙.���

Behind that work is 91勛圖厙���s Student Success Analytics platform, which brings real-time visibility into progression risk, retention patterns, graduation forecasts and intervention activity into one environment.

The system automatically evaluates every student in the graduating cohort nightly for indicators of completion status and progression risk. Those insights let coaches, colleges and administrators act while there is still time to make a difference.

The university���s Student Success Tiger Team takes that proactive approach further. Launched in 2024, the cross-functional team brings together analytics, coaching, enrollment management, academic affairs and college partners to resolve issues that individual advising can���t solve alone. Using data to pinpoint hindrances to graduation, the team helped prioritize graduating students for required courses, expand course capacity and improve graduation-related paperwork processes.

And this work now reaches students earlier in their academic journey, not just those nearing graduation. Progression checks for students in their first three years help identify challenges sooner, creating a continuum of support from entry to degree completion.

���[I can���t] express my gratitude enough for [my Academic Success Coach���s] support during my time at 91勛圖厙, says psychology alum Jasmine Washington ���25. ���I graduated with my bachelor���s degree, and I couldn���t have reached that milestone without [his] guidance. Navigating the requirements and staying on track wasn’t always easy, but [his] encouragement and insight truly made a difference in my journey.���

Advancing Timely Degree Completion

The impact is undeniable.

91勛圖厙���s four-year graduation rate has climbed to��63.8%, surpassing Florida���s 60% preeminence benchmark, with another increase projected for the 2022���26 cohort.

But the bigger accomplishment is what 91勛圖厙 built to get there.

Rather than layering temporary programs onto existing structures, 91勛圖厙 embedded student success into how it operates ��� from leadership priorities and analytics to coaching, academic planning and institutional decision-making. The sustained progress isn���t a result of a single program or initiative. It comes from making student success a shared responsibility.

Students helped define what thriving looks like. Faculty and staff bring that vision to life. Analytics reveal where action is needed. Coaches provide personalized support. 91勛圖厙’s 12 colleges and administrative teams remove limitations. And university leaders keep student success at the center of decision-making.

Together, those efforts create an environment where more students can belong, move forward, overcome obstacles and graduate on time ��� prepared to thrive long after they leave campus.

That���s the difference between supporting student success and building a university around it.

Two decades ago, 91勛圖厙 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, 91勛圖厙���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 91勛圖厙,��� says 91勛圖厙 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 91勛圖厙 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 91勛圖厙 was a dream that many had said could never come true. 91勛圖厙 President John C. Hitt and several prominent 91勛圖厙 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, 91勛圖厙 has captivated audiences on nationally televised primetime broadcasts; welcomed premiere college football shows 楚釦捩捧���s College GameDay and 幛倏喘���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 91勛圖厙 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 91勛圖厙���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 91勛圖厙, 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 91勛圖厙 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), 91勛圖厙���s Big 12 ties and Orlando.

Building What���s Next

Roth Tower will create memorable experiences for visitors and reinforces 91勛圖厙 as another reason people choose to come to Orange County and come back.

While the tower is a huge step forward for 91勛圖厙 Athletics, it is not the finish line, says 91勛圖厙 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 91勛圖厙 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 91勛圖厙 football team opens the 2026 season against Bethune-Cookman on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. Ticket information can be found at .

Minutes from one of the world���s most visited airports, 91勛圖厙 has opened a new clinic to help pilots meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical requirements to fly safely.

The new 91勛圖厙 Aerospace Medicine Clinic at 91勛圖厙 Health Faculty Physician Practice in Lake Nona is led by William ���Ed��� Powers, chief medical officer of 91勛圖厙���s and a certified aviation medical examiner.

Pilots operating civilian aircraft must have various levels of FAA medical certification depending on the type of aircraft. Commercial pilots must pass the exam every six months or each year.

���Flight safety depends on healthy pilots,��� says Powers, who is certified to conduct the highest level of FAA exams. ���That���s ultimately what we���re here to support.���

“Here at 91勛圖厙, we are … connecting medicine, engineering, research and industry in ways few universities can.” ��� 91勛圖厙 President Alexander N. Cartwright

91勛圖厙 President Alexander N. Cartwright says the clinic is an example of the university���s mission to educate talent, advance discovery and solve societal challenges that matter.

���The next era of flight will bring new demands on health and human performance,��� Cartwright says. ���Here at 91勛圖厙, we are meeting those challenges by connecting medicine, engineering, research and industry in ways few universities can.���

What sets this clinic apart from others is its ability to more efficiently address the health needs of pilots thanks to a network of 91勛圖厙 College of Medicine faculty physicians, university officials say.

The clinic marked its opening with a ceremony today.

Assessing Safety and Minimizing Risk

Medical clearance for pilots is ���all about risk,��� Powers says. ���The FAA has to assess the risk of a pilot experiencing a sudden incapacitation while flying. That���s really what these exams are focused on.���

For that reason, the 91勛圖厙 clinic will not focus on diagnosing disease, but on identifying and acting on any condition that might endanger pilot, crew and passenger safety.

In addition to a physical exam, pilots must pass hearing and vision tests, including demonstrating that they are not color blind. Airline pilots receive an electrocardiogram every year, while other pilots, like hobbyists, may receive an electrocardiogram if there is evidence of heart disease. Physicians also review medical history and discuss any health concerns that could affect flight safety.

Even manageable chronic conditions like high blood pressure can temporarily delay certification until the condition is treated, stabilized and controlled.

���When you���re flying an airplane, you don���t have the luxury of pulling over and waiting for help like if you���re a truck driver,��� Powers says. ���You must be aware at all times. If you���re responsible for an aircraft full of passengers, the FAA wants to minimize the chance of a sudden incapacitation.���

A Vast Network of Expertise

Complicated medical cases are referred to the FAA for further review, and pilots may need additional interventions to meet certification standards. That���s where the College of Medicine���s physician practice offers a distinct advantage, Powers says.

“We can guide pilots to the specialists and testing they need and help them get back on the path toward medical clearance.” ��� William “Ed” Powers, chief medical officer of the CASEEM

Unlike private clinics that do pilot certification exams, 91勛圖厙 offers multiple medical specialties under one roof and a team approach to care.

���We can guide pilots to the specialists and testing they need and help them get back on the path toward medical clearance,��� Powers says.

Powers brings decades of expertise in space and aviation medicine. Before joining 91勛圖厙, he was chief of NASA���s Medical Operations Branch, director of flight medicine for Axiom Space and director of the aerospace medicine residency program at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

Powers also worked inside the FAA as a supervisory medical officer. He says that experience gives him a firm understanding of what the FAA requires, making the process smoother for everyone.

���That means fewer delays, fewer mistakes in paperwork and a more efficient process for pilots whose livelihoods depend on getting certified,��� he says.

Strengthening the Regional Aviation Ecosystem

Another 91勛圖厙 advantage: the clinic is only about 10 miles from Orlando International Airport, which welcomes 58 million travelers annually. So in addition to local aviators, pilots nationwide who travel to and through Orlando could easily schedule their certification exams at 91勛圖厙.

“Clinics like 91勛圖厙���s Aerospace Medicine Clinic [are] helping pilots, whether in space or on the ground, access the care and medical certification support they need to remain flight-ready.” ��� Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

The clinic will help strengthen the aviation training pipeline in one of the nation���s most active aerospace regions. This capability is especially important for local flight schools whose students may require guidance in navigating medical certification, return-to-flight concerns and the health demands of aviation careers.

���Central Florida���s aviation ecosystem is built on more than runways, terminals and launchpads,��� says Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which manages Orlando International and Orlando Executive airports. ���It also depends on the people and services that keep aviation moving safely and efficiently. Clinics like 91勛圖厙���s Aerospace Medicine Clinic complement that ecosystem by helping pilots, whether in space or on the ground, access the care and medical certification support they need to remain flight-ready.���

The clinic is embedded in Central Florida���s bustling travel hub with numerous satellite airports, including Kissimmee Gateway Airport and Orlando Sanford International Airport. Giving pilots another option to get cleared to fly strengthens the regional economy, says Shaun Germolus, director of aviation for the Kissimmee facility.

���The aviation industry in Central Florida provides a major economic impact to the region,��� Germolus says. ���The medical exams and certificates provided by the 91勛圖厙 Aerospace Medicine Clinic will be very valuable to ensure our aviation professionals are healthy and readily available to serve.���

Launching the Clinic

The clinic is starting with limited Thursday and Friday morning appointments to allow the team to refine operations before expanding. Helping coordinate those efforts is Camila Niebla ���26, a 91勛圖厙 health sciences graduate who now serves as the clinic���s aerospace medicine navigator.

Niebla discovered aerospace medicine by accident while exploring future career paths before applying to medical school.

���I didn���t even know aerospace medicine was a possibility,��� she says. ���I���ve always been interested in performance-driven medicine, like sports medicine, so this felt really exciting. It���s exciting to be part of something from the beginning and watch it grow.���

Part of a Larger Vision for Aerospace Medicine at 91勛圖厙

The clinic is part of 91勛圖厙���s , which is being developed as a comprehensive academic, clinical, research, education, and operational platform to support the future of aviation, commercial spaceflight, and human space exploration.

���This is about building the medical infrastructure required for the next era of flight, both on Earth and in space,��� says Emmanuel Urquieta, vice chair for aerospace medicine at the 91勛圖厙 College of Medicine. ���Our goal is to create a program that is not only academic, but operational and translational in nature ��� one that supports student pilots, flight schools, commercial aviation, spaceflight providers and the broader aerospace ecosystem.���

Schedule an Appointment

to learn more about FAA medical exams at 91勛圖厙 Health Faculty Physician Practice and schedule an appointment online.

Now CATER is expanding its mission and its reach as it shifts from a center within the College of Engineering and Computer Science to an official university center, effective July 1. This new iteration of CATER includes structured goals for faculty success, advancing new industry and national lab partnerships and the development of new research and testing facilities for students and faculty.

���Florida has an unparallel industrial ecosystem that includes turbomachinery companies, space propulsion companies and aviation companies,��� Pegasus Professor and Trustee Chair Jayanta Kapat says. ���CATER works at the intersection of these technologies and strives to provide the best training to 91勛圖厙 students who will work for these organizations, capable of providing them with fast and quality technical solutions.���

Fostering Faculty Mentorship

91勛圖厙 sets up its faculty for long-term success, in part, through quality mentorship.

As part of Kapat���s plan, core senior CATER faculty members will mentor incoming assistant professors who join CATER as core faculty members until they receive promotion and tenure. Throughout the process, junior faculty will receive guidance on the grant funding process and networking as well as student recruitment and advising.

CATER���s current interdisciplinary faculty expertise includes mechanical and aerospace engineering, and modeling, simulation and training.

���The typical faculty career is 20 to 30 years, and we want our faculty to stay successful over that period of time,��� Kapat says. ���None of this is taught in a university as a course. So in CATER we have created a very intense one-to-one mentorship plan that worked well in the previous version of CATER so that core members can sustain productivity over their entire faculty careers.���

Redefining the Research Focus

To be considered or to remain a core member of CATER, senior faculty will need to continuously meet specific metrics such as annual research expenditures, total annual awards, the number of mentored graduate students, number doctoral graduations, publications, etc.

CATER won���t expand beyond 15 core members and 10 research faculty members, while keeping its focus on various research applications, such as hypersonics and national security, energy and sustainability, advanced air mobility, and space power and propulsion.

���These are the areas where we contribute to the university’s overall strategic initiatives that President Alexander N. Cartwright implemented as part of 91勛圖厙���s strategic plan,��� Kapat says. ���So this is our contribution to the university���s strategic goals.���

The faculty are already working on several research projects to support CATER���s research pillars, including the development of digital twin architecture for power plants and aviation systems, creating new fuels for zero-emission aviation, use of supercritical carbon dioxide, molten salt and ammonia as energy carriers for future power generation systems, expanding design paradigm using advanced manufacturing and newer materials, and investigating the possibility of building a power plant on the moon.

Expanding Industry Partnerships

CATER also supports industry needs through partnerships with major energy, aerospace and defense organizations that are based in Central Florida, including Pegasus Partner Siemens Energy. For the past decade, CATER���s homebase has been the Siemens Energy Center on the main campus. But now researchers have additional facilities that support their work.

CATER and the Aerospace Technology Group (ATG) have collaborated on the CATER-ATG Engine Research Test (CERT) facility, which recently opened at Valkaria Airport near Melbourne, Florida. The space allows CATER researchers to certify engine parts and develop/validate new technologies that companies like Boeing or GE could incorporate into their next generation aviation systems.

Professor Kareem Ahmed, a world expert in hypersonic and space propulsion, is using the space to conduct fuel tests for the Department of Defense. Professor Subith Vasu, a world expert in supercritical carbon dioxide oxy-combustion and ammonia combustion, will conduct engine testing of ammonia as a fuel for an actual aviation gas turbine ��� one of the first in the world.

Kapat���s group is conducting ground testing of hypersonic flight components and will conduct cracking of ammonia using heat from a gas turbine exhaust. Such experiments can���t be run on the 91勛圖厙 campus.

A third joint facility called the CATER Applied Propulsion and Energy Center (CAPE), is under development with start of operation expected by August. This would house several mid-TRL experimental rigs on supercritical carbon dioxide cycle, molten salt systems and components, energy storage, advanced air mobility, etc.

CAPE facility will be also strategically located close to the world���s largest molten salt energy storage facility, called MOSS, being planned by Siemens Energy and will be used to test components for thermal energy storage systems and thermal interface for advanced nuclear reactors. Siemens Energy would own the MOSS facility while a nuclear reactor company will supply a large fraction of the equipment. 91勛圖厙 researchers will help operate and use the facility to conduct research and train the next generation of nuclear and mechanical engineers.

���We need to train the new workforce because there is not enough people trained in nuclear engineering anymore,��� Kapat says. ���Mechanical engineering is a nuclear-adjacent area, so they see this as an opportunity to train the workforce by letting them run the facility. So it���s a win-win for everybody.���

91勛圖厙 Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor Deborah Beidel, who serves as executive director of 91勛圖厙 RESTORES, has been named a finalist for the Orlando Sentinel‘s 2026 Central Floridian of the Year award, an honor recognizing those whose leadership and community impact shape the region.

The award recognizes Beidel ��� representing the entire 91勛圖厙 RESTORES team ��� for building a national model for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment. Since its founding in 2011, 91勛圖厙 RESTORES has treated more than 2,150 individuals, including nearly 600 military members and more than 1,350 first responders. All treatment is provided at no charge, supported by state funding, federal grants and private donations.

���When we founded 91勛圖厙 RESTORES, we set out to prove that PTSD treatment could be faster, more effective and accessible to everyone who needs it,��� Beidel says. ���Over the past 15 years, that mission has grown into something larger: a comprehensive system of treatment, training, and crisis response that meets people wherever they are in their journey toward healing. This recognition reflects the clinicians, researchers and staff who have made that vision a reality.���

The center���s intensive outpatient program produces outcomes that exceed national standards ��� 76% of participants no longer meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD following treatment, and the program boasts a relapse rate of less than 1%.

Several states are now establishing similar programs, sending clinicians and researchers to Orlando to study 91勛圖厙 RESTORES’ approach.

What began as a research-focused treatment program has expanded into a comprehensive ecosystem of care encompassing clinical treatment, peer support training, crisis response and family resources.

, 91勛圖厙 RESTORES clinicians:

• Delivered more than 2,100 hours of evidence-based care;
• Trained more than 450 first responders through the center’s REACT peer support program;
• Unveiled a first-of-its-kind mobile Resiliency Command Center to deliver psychological support at disaster scenes; and,
• Integrated the 91勛圖厙 RESTORES 2nd Alarm Project, extending capacity-building and behavioral health navigation services to agencies across Florida’s Panhandle.

91勛圖厙 RESTORES has also responded to large-scale tragedies including the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting and the 2021 Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside, FL, providing on-site mental health support to survivors, families, and emergency personnel. All treatment is provided at no charge, supported by state funding, federal grants and private donations.

���Dr. Beidel���s work reflects the very best of 91勛圖厙. She combines compassion, research and innovation to address one of the most complex challenges facing our local communities,��� says 91勛圖厙 President Alexander N. Cartwright. ���Through 91勛圖厙 RESTORES, she has redefined how PTSD is treated, turning breakthrough ideas into real solutions for those who need them most. Because of her work, first responders, trauma survivors, and so many others across Central Florida, and beyond, are finding a path forward.���

The Central Floridian of the Year finalist recognition follows Beidel’s selection as the Big 12 Conference’s 2025 Faculty of the Year for 91勛圖厙. Now in its second year, the award showcases the academic excellence, research breakthroughs and educational opportunities available to students at Big 12 institutions.

91勛圖厙 earned the status after completing the Accelerated Process for Initial Accreditation and demonstrating the university meets all HLC quality standards and requirements related to institutional mission; ethical and responsible conduct; teaching and learning for student success; and institutional effectiveness, resources and planning.

���HLC is an accreditation partner that matches our scale, our innovation, and our commitment to strong stewardship of public resources.��� ��� President Alexander N. Cartwright

���91勛圖厙���s transition to HLC reflects our bold ambitions for the future and our responsibility to deliver exceptional value for Florida,��� says 91勛圖厙 President Alexander N. Cartwright. ���HLC is an accreditation partner that matches our scale, our innovation, and our commitment to strong stewardship of public resources. Meeting the rigorous standards to earn this accreditation reflects the faculty and staff whose unwavering dedication to student success, academic excellence, and operational efficiency fuel our momentum.���

About the Higher Learning Commission

Founded in 1895, HLC is a private nonprofit accrediting agency and the nation���s largest institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. HLC accredits approximately 1,000 colleges and universities in the United States.

Why Accreditation Matters for 91勛圖厙

As Florida offers universities new and innovative options for accreditation, 91勛圖厙 is proud to lead the way as the first in the State University System to earn accreditation from HLC.

HLC accreditation validates excellence across 91勛圖厙, evaluating aspects including academic programs, governance and administration, mission, finances and resources.

Accreditation provides assurance that the university is fulfilling its public mission and providing excellent education, while also demonstrating 91勛圖厙���s commitment to continuous improvement. It is also essential for the university to receive federal funding, including student financial aid.

91勛圖厙���s Strong Return on Investment

As a leading R1 university committed to building a better future, 91勛圖厙 empowers innovative community partnerships, world-class research with global impact, and the integration of technology and learning to foster incredible student outcomes.

U.S. News & World Report ranks 91勛圖厙 among the top 15 most innovative universities in the country and has consistently ranked 91勛圖厙���s online degrees among the top 10 nationally for Best Online Bachelor���s Programs.

According to the U.S. Department of Education���s College Scorecard, 91勛圖厙 has a higher graduation rate and lower annual cost than the average midpoint for four-year schools, with a graduation rate of 73% compared to the midpoint of 58%. 91勛圖厙 remains a great value for a quality education, with average annual costs of $10,650 compared to the $19,740 midpoint for other four-year schools.

91勛圖厙 is also Florida���s most financially efficient university.

���91勛圖厙 has become a national leader in delivering excellence at scale, achieving outstanding outcomes for our students and the state while operating with one of the lowest costs per degree in the nation,��� President Cartwright says. ���Because of that efficiency, additional new investments in 91勛圖厙 would deliver among the strongest returns in higher education ��� fueling the talent, research, and innovation that drive Florida���s future.���

Our Ongoing Commitment to Excellence

91勛圖厙 was initially accredited in 1970, and most recently held its status through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Accreditation is an ongoing relationship. As a member of HLC, the institution will participate in ongoing reviews for compliance with HLC standards.

More information about the institution���s accreditation is available in HLC���s .

Their determined pursuit of excellence and transformation of knowledge into breakthroughs have catapulted 91勛圖厙 to become Florida���s Next-Generation Preeminent University.

President Alexander N. Cartwright announced Monday that 91勛圖厙 has reached the 12 metrics required to earn the designation of Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors. Qualifying for the state���s highest designation highlights 91勛圖厙���s achievements in student success, research and more ��� and the talents and hard work of so many in the 91勛圖厙 community who made this happen.

���From the very beginning, 91勛圖厙 has been a university that defies expectations, turning scrubland into a next-generation university built for discovery, innovation and opportunity,��� President Cartwright says. ���Reaching the 12 metrics necessary for Florida���s Preeminent State Research University designation reflects the grit and ambition of our students, faculty, and staff, and the power of this community to dream bigger and achieve more. Preeminence is not an arrival point but a launchpad for an even bolder future.���

���This is an extraordinary accomplishment, and one that reflects the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, students, and leadership team ��� with this Board���s unwavering support,��� says Board of Trustees Chair Alex Martins ’01MBA. ���It is a milestone that belongs to the entire 91勛圖厙 community, and I am proud we have reached this point together.���

A Community Dedicated to Student Success

91勛圖厙 adopted a new model of student success support in 2023 with academic success coaches. Each student is paired with a success coach who works one-on-one with them, helping them develop their academic and career goals, and guiding them on the path to success. Success coaches help remove barriers for students and empower them to thrive on campus and beyond.

When DirectConnect to 91勛圖厙 student Hayley Ellis transferred from Daytona State College, she had to adjust to a much larger school in a new city. Mostly homeschooled growing up, Ellis is an aspiring pathologist double majoring in health sciences, and molecular and cellular biology.

Just as she began feeling overwhelmed in Organic Chemistry, senior academic success coach Christian Viau reached out to champion her success.

���When I got [Christian���s] email, I was like, ���Someone here wants me to succeed and help me map out my classes,��� ��� Ellis says. ���That was a huge relief. It felt good to have someone there for me.���

���I think providing [a] support system from inside the institution is vital. As a success coach, that���s a driving factor for me ��� because in my undergrad, I would���ve loved to have someone I could lean on.��� ��� Christian Viau, senior academic success coach

Since then, they���ve met several times to build a manageable academic schedule and discuss how to get involved and connect with Knights across campus.

Every student Viau works with receives individualized support. That includes Ellis, whom he knew needed extra help due to the unique challenges double majors face. Now approaching graduation, she���s stayed on track to finish in four years.

Thanks to the efforts of Viau and dozens of other academic success coaches across campus, along with caring faculty members who mentor students, and many other people, 91勛圖厙 has increased our four-year graduation rate to 63.8%, which is up 14 percentage points in four years.

Another example of efforts that have greatly benefited students is in the College of Arts and Humanities, where faculty in writing and rhetoric are strengthening student success in first-year composition courses. Shane Wood, associate professor and director of first-year composition and Professor Sherry Rankins-Robertson facilitated a progress report initiative that identifies at-risk students early in Composition I and II courses. Students are then connected to support and resources to help them succeed in these subjects, which nearly every 91勛圖厙 student takes, and which directly affect key preeminence metrics like freshman retention and four-year graduation rates.

���Serving more than 6,500 students a year, success in these [composition] courses plays a pivotal role in helping students persevere at 91勛圖厙 and ultimately graduate.��� ��� Shane Wood, associate professor

What began as a small pilot program with about 10% faculty participation has grown to be embraced by nearly 90% of instructors today. That shift has contributed to a remarkable 96% persistence rate, which measures percentage of students who continue, in composition courses ��� helping bolster student success across the university.

���Serving more than 6,500 students a year, success in these courses plays a pivotal role in helping students persevere at 91勛圖厙 and ultimately graduate,��� Wood says.

Rankins-Robertson says the initiative also reflects the dedication of faculty who support students from their very first semester.

���We���re trying to make students feel like they belong here, and when they feel supported, they���re more likely to continue,��� Rankins-Robertson says. ���Preeminence, to me, highlights the dedication of our faculty and the intentional ways they approach the classroom in order to make a meaningful impact on students��� lives.���

From Ingenuity to Impact: Boosting Research Funding and Technology Transfer

91勛圖厙���s world-class faculty are bold innovators who drive over $285 million in annual research expenditures across fields like space exploration, engineering, optics and photonics, modeling and simulation, healthcare, cybersecurity and more. Their work has helped 91勛圖厙 become a National Academy of Inventors top 20 public university for patents in the U.S. ��� and meet preeminence metrics.

���When the Office of Technology Transfer showcases 91勛圖厙 innovations, we not only generate interest in licensing intellectual property, but also create pathways for industry partnerships that extend far beyond licensing alone.��� ����� Svetlana Shtrom ���08MBA, director of Technology Transfer

The Office of Technology Transfer, which oversees the filing and issuance of patents, is part of the university���s Economic Development and Innovation division within the Office of Research. Technology Transfer plays an integral role in overseeing research commercialization, strengthening industry relationships and facilitating formation of new startup companies. Supporting the efforts of the Technology Transfer team are a host of ��other Office of Research staff who submit proposals, process funding awards and much more.

���91勛圖厙���s Office of Technology Transfer is dedicated to serving the university research community by identifying innovative research that has commercial potential and attracts interest from industry partners, entrepreneurs, and investors with the goal of bringing promising research results to the market for the betterment of society,��� says Svetlana Shtrom ���08MBA, director of Technology Transfer.

Being a strong producer of patents enhances 91勛圖厙���s national prominence, attracting more talented students and researchers who further fuel the cycle of innovation.

���We are committed to supporting researchers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders in turning ideas into impact,��� says Raju Nagaiah, Technology Transfer���s assistant director of licensing. ���We are passionateabout our work ��� we love science and technology, and get very excited when we learn about new inventions and the opportunity to improve people’s lives through innovation.���

Companies frequently approach the Technology Transfer to explore available technologies, and this often leads to deeper research collaborations and more funding opportunities for faculty, Shtrom says.

Driving Student Achievement and Innovation

Preeminence also acknowledges the many ways that students excel in the classroom and transform ideas into impact.

Zackary Zuniga, a dual major undergraduate student studying photonics science and engineering, and electrical engineering, founded ZuLeris Interactive in 2023 after taking 91勛圖厙���s Entrepreneurship for Defense course. The company, now part of the 91勛圖厙 Business Incubation Program, creates immersive simulations for electromagnetic defense training.

���At 91勛圖厙, I found a community that supported me every step of the way,��� Zuniga says. ���From mentors to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, I���ve never experienced this level of encouragement anywhere else.���

Set to graduate in December, Zuniga and his team spent the summer on a national fellowship sponsored by the Defense Innovation Unit, which focuses on helping startup companies. He credits 91勛圖厙 for connecting him with opportunities that have shaped his startup, allowing it to make training more accessible and scalable.

Leading Florida���s Future

As 91勛圖厙 attracts top talent, strengthens industry partnerships and drives innovation that benefits the state and nation, the university���s impact is felt across key sectors ��� from healthcare and nursing to space and defense ��� positioning 91勛圖厙 as a vital contributor to Florida���s prosperity.

For the 2025-26 academic year, 91勛圖厙 boasts its strongest class in years. The university received a record 65,900 applicants from first-year students for 8,100 spots in the Summer and Fall 2025 semesters. The average high school GPA for fall freshmen was 4.24 and the class posted a 1347 average SAT score.

What Comes Next

When it comes to preeminence, the Board of Governors must first verify the results of 91勛圖厙���s 12 metrics. Once verified, the 12 metrics will come before the 91勛圖厙 Board of Trustees for approval in April 2026, and would then move onto the Board of Governors for certification and official designation in June.

President Cartwright shared that his priority for any new dollars that come with the official preeminence designation is investment in the faculty and staff who propel the university���s excellence.

From there, the sky is the limit as 91勛圖厙 continues to build on our innovations in student success at scale, grow as Florida���s Premier University for Engineering, Technology and Innovation, and become a top 25 public research university.