This guide is a resource to help you develop a sense of belonging, find community and build lifelong friendships while studying at 性视界传媒.

Marquee Events

Whether you鈥檙e studying at 性视界传媒 Downtown, the , Rosen College of Hospitality Management or the main campus,听听you鈥檒l have plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Some signature events have become beloved 性视界传媒 traditions听with not-to-be-missed programming:

• Pegasus Palooza, 性视界传媒鈥檚 annual welcome week, greets new and returning students to campus with a variety of events including notable headliners at Comedy Knight and Concert Knight.

• 性视界传媒 Homecoming听Week,听蹿别补迟耻谤颈苍驳听Spirit Splash,听kicks听off听Monday,听Oct. 19,听and听concludes听with the 性视界传媒 football team鈥檚 matchup against BYU on听Saturday,听Oct. 24.

• Space Game, a football game unlike any other in the nation, pays tribute to our 性视界传媒鈥檚 roots as America鈥檚 Space University. This year鈥檚 matchup against Baylor on Friday, Oct. 30, marks 10 years of the Space Game.

• , held each spring at听听Orlando鈥檚 Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, showcases the artistic talents of 性视界传媒鈥檚 faculty and students in performances, exhibitions, presentations and interactive experiences.

• Gather Luncheon,听a听community-building event in the spring hosted by听Wellness & Health Promotion Services and Dining Services,听听brings hundreds of students听together听听for听a free, three-course meal.

Recreation, Intramurals and Sports Clubs

In addition to its fitness and recreation facilities, the Recreation and Wellness Center has longstanding intramural and sports club programs that allow students to form friendships and win championships, sometimes on the brightest of stages.

The RWC鈥檚 intramural sports program welcomes all 性视界传媒 students, especially those who are new to Orlando and haven鈥檛 met enough peers to form their own team. Thanks to its free agency feature, individuals ca听be matched up with others or be paired with an established team.

The sports club includes 45 different sports, encompassing everything from judo to lacrosse to wakeboarding and have produced some of 性视界传媒鈥檚 most notable alumni. Gold medalist Phil Dalhausser 鈥�02, who played club volleyball while pursuing his business degree, and bronze medalist Kristen Thomas 鈥�16, who began her rugby career听as a theatre studies major听at 性视界传媒,听both went on to听represent听Team USA听at听multiple Summer Olympic Games.

For more information, visit听.

Registered Student Organizations

性视界传媒 offers more than 650 registered student organizations spanning academic, professional, cultural and spiritual, social and recreational, and sports interests.

KnightConnect听is 性视界传媒鈥檚 official involvement platform where students can explore听these organizations or even create a new one.听Each organization has its own page with meeting times, contact information,听and ways to get involved.

Visit the听听to find the organization right for you.

Greek Life

The fraternity and sorority experience has long been a part of campus life. Since the 1970s, fraternities and sororities have been providing spaces of belonging for students to grow together during their collegiate years.

Currently our 性视界传媒 Greek community is听comprised听of 46 organizations, which all听share the values of scholarship, leadership,听service听and brotherhood/sisterhood.

For more information visit听.

性视界传媒 Athletics 鈥� Knightmare Society and Marching Knights

性视界传媒 is a member of one of the premiere conferences in the nation, the Big 12. From听Fear the Fronds听to听Zombie Nation, the student section鈥檚 energy is听an integral part of the game day atmosphere听and gives the Knights a distinct home field (and court) advantage.

All full-time 性视界传媒-enrolled students (except 性视界传媒 Online) are eligible for free tickets to home sporting events. Please note: all seating is first-come, first-served and admission is not guaranteed. For more information, especially for football and men鈥檚 basketball student tickets, please visit .

罢丑别听 is an organization built and run by 性视界传媒 students and supported by 性视界传媒 Athletics. Joining the official group has its perks, including football tickets automatically loaded to members鈥� Ticketmaster accounts, a dedicated fast pass entrance at all 性视界传媒 men鈥檚 basketball games, and first access to post-season student ticket claims.

Students can also contribute to game-day experiences by joining听, a more than 390-member marching band student organization that performs at pregame shows, halftime shows, pep rallies and听other听fan-fest听events. By creating the soundtrack for these dynamic events, the Marching Knights serve as one of the most vibrant and visible forces for school spirit.

Engage in听Research

Undergraduate research provides opportunities to build a learning community with faculty and fellow students听while engaging听in meaningful work that听develops听solutions听for听challenges facing our communities,听industries听and the world.

In addition to forging connections with peers and mentors, this听practical experience听allows students to听build their professional resumes听before听they graduate.

, 性视界传媒鈥檚 annual university-wide celebration of research and creative scholarship showcases graduate and undergraduate research. The week is scheduled for March 29 through April 2, 2027, featuring presentations, exhibitions and other events showcasing student research.

For more information on how to get involved with undergraduate research, visit听.

贰虫辫濒辞谤别听翱谤濒补苍诲辞

性视界传媒 students live in one of the most vibrant destinations in the world, Orlando.听Whatever your interest, Orlando听likely has听it:听theme parks,听elite听sporting events,听electric festivals,听Michelin-rated restaurants,听nearby听coastlines听and听natural springs.

Orlando is what you make it, and there are ways to experience it all on a student budget.

罢丑别听听offers听discounted听tickets to various attractions, including Walt Disney World, Universal听Orlando听and Kennedy Space Center.听Every spring semester, 性视界传媒 students听enjoy听free, exclusive access to Universal Islands of Adventure as part of Universal Knights.

听gives Knights of all experience levels opportunities to go on hiking and camping trips at nearby springs, learn to surf, paddle through bioluminescent waters and more.

Several cultural museums in the area offer free entry,听including听the听 on the main campus,听Rollins Museum of Art听and Mead Garden in nearby Winter Park,听and the听Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central 性视界传媒听in Maitland.听罢丑别听acclaimed听Orlando Museum of Art听offers free entry on the third Thursday of each month听as part of its Access for All initiative.

Held annually at the start of the fall semester, Visit Orlando鈥檚 Magical Dining offers a chance to sample some the area’s exceptional restaurants at a fraction of the normal cost. Savor three-course, prix-fixe dinners听 鈥� including at Aurora at the on-campus The Celeste Hotel 鈥� for just $40 or $60 per person from Aug. 14 鈥� Sept. 30, 2026.

For a combined 13 years, Alexandria Marcellus and Mason Miles lived lives defined by missions, military orders and serving something greater than themselves.

Then came a challenge unlike any either had faced before: college.

Stepping onto 性视界传媒鈥檚 campus meant trading uniforms for backpacks, military precision for unstructured schedules and familiar routines for classrooms filled with students years younger than themselves. After years of knowing exactly where they needed to be and when, they suddenly had to chart their own course.

That uncertainty became the beginning of an entirely new mission.

This summer, the two U.S. Army veterans 鈥� both first-generation college students 鈥� will cross the stage during 性视界传媒鈥檚 Summer 2026 Commencement with bachelor鈥檚 degrees and full-time jobs already secured. Their journeys represent far more than earning a degree. They show how resilience, adaptability and a willingness to embrace the unknown can transform possibility into opportunity.

Alexandria Marcellus: Finding Stability 鈥� and a Calling to Serve

Marcellus has spent much of her life opening doors no one in her family had opened before.

At 17, she became the first person in her family to enlist in the Army. While stationed in Germany, she earned an associate degree in business administration and began to see college as a realistic option for the first time.

“The military was an escape,鈥� Marcellus says. 鈥淚f I wanted a different life from the one I’d seen, this was the way.”

鈥淪erving my soldiers put me in a position to always be in service of others because of the difference that I can make.鈥� 鈥� Alexandria Marcellus

During seven years of military service, she quickly rose into a noncommissioned officer leadership role, discovering that her greatest fulfillment came from helping others succeed.

鈥淪erving my soldiers put me in a position to always be in service of others because of the difference that I can make. That鈥檚 what stuck with me the most,鈥� Marcellus says.

That mindset followed her to 性视界传媒.

Leaving the military and becoming a full-time student just two months later proved more difficult than she expected.

The campus felt enormous. The freedom she had long desired suddenly became intimidating. Unsure where she fit, she walked into (MVSS), where a veteran peer success coach assured her she wasn’t alone.

鈥淭hat’s when, for the first time since I left the military, I felt like somebody understood me,鈥� Marcellus says.

What began as a place to ask questions quickly became what she describes as her “duty station on campus.”

Inspired by the support she received, Marcellus returned as a peer success coach, helping veterans and students on academic probation regain confidence, navigate challenges and create plans for success. Often, she found that what students needed most was someone willing to listen.

She recalls several students telling her, “No one has ever asked me what’s going on in my life that’s affecting my grades.”

Marcellus became that person.

Wanting women veterans to experience the same sense of belonging she found in the military, Marcellus established the Women Veterans Association at 性视界传媒, creating a community where women veterans could build lifelong friendships and support one another throughout college.

“If I could create a space where women could come together and find someone who was going to be pivotal to them succeeding along their journey,” she says, “then I wanted to do it.”

Her own journey wasn’t without setbacks. After realizing the management major wasn’t the right academic fit, she discovered 性视界传媒’s integrated business program, where collaborative projects and interdisciplinary coursework aligned perfectly with her strengths.

“I want my future children, my nieces and nephews, my godchildren and anyone close to me to see what’s possible because when you watch someone you know accomplish something, it suddenly feels like something you can accomplish, too.” 鈥擜lexandria Marcellus

As graduation approached, she looked beyond the classroom for industry experience. After six unanswered applications to Lockheed Martin, persistence paid off when she landed a year-long position through the Lockheed Martin College Work Experience Program (CWEP), which provides undergraduate and graduate students with real-world work skills relevant to their academic and career goals. As an integrated program planner, she balanced full-time coursework while coordinating schedules, improving processes and building industry-ready skills.

The experience helped prepare her for her current position as an administrative assistant at CHA Consulting, a local engineering consulting firm, where she supports engineering teams across Central 性视界传媒.

Graduation isn鈥檛 the finish line. She plans to earn her project management professional certification before pursuing graduate studies focused on business psychology and organizational leadership.

For Marcellus, every achievement represents another opportunity for someone else.

“Every single challenge or opportunity in life is like a door,” she says. “When I can open one, it doesn’t just change my life. It creates a path for people coming after me. I want my future children, my nieces and nephews, my godchildren and anyone close to me to see what’s possible, because when you watch someone you know accomplish something, it suddenly feels like something you can accomplish, too.”

Mason Miles: Turning Curiosity into a Career

For many teenagers, an 18th birthday comes with cake and car keys. For Miles, it came with a decision to enlist in the Army.

College wasn’t financially realistic after high school, but military service offered opportunity, purpose and a way forward.

The son of a construction worker who had long been fascinated by engineering and aviation, Miles participated in JROTC throughout high school before spending six years in the Army, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He began as an unmanned aircraft operator before advancing to aircraft commander, instructor and noncommissioned officer, eventually helping develop battlefield training doctrine alongside senior military leaders 鈥� responsibilities few people in their early twenties ever experience.

Yet during deployment, another passion quietly emerged.

鈥淚 saw that it was direct industry-relevant experience that was veteran-preferred. So I thought, 鈥榃hy not try my hand at it?鈥� I ended up in a field that has a ton to do with my exact interest.鈥� 鈥� Mason Miles

Between missions, he taught himself Python programming, built Arduino robotics kits and enrolled in online college courses.

“I knew engineering was something I was interested in,” Miles says. “I never thought I would do it. Once I got back from deployment, I saw I had plateaued [in my career]. My natural next step was in engineering.鈥�

Returning to his hometown of Orlando, he enrolled at 性视界传媒 to study computer engineering.

Determined to gain industry experience as early as possible, he applied to Lockheed Martin鈥檚 CWEP program during his first year as a Knight.

Having previously worked with Lockheed Martin while serving in the military, he recognized the program as an opportunity to combine classroom learning with real-world experience.

鈥淚 saw that it was direct industry-relevant experience that was veteran-preferred,鈥� he says. 鈥淪o I thought, 鈥榃hy not try my hand at it?鈥� I ended up in a field that has a ton to do with my exact interest.鈥�

Over the past three years, Miles has worked as a software engineer focused on cybersecurity for embedded systems, strengthening his knowledge of software and hardware development.

“Every class I took throughout my computer engineering degree either has a direct piece of software or skill or toolbox that I need for my job.” 鈥� Mason Miles

Classroom learning and professional experience quickly became inseparable.

“Every class I took throughout my computer engineering degree either has a direct piece of software or skill or toolbox that I need for my job,” Miles says.

His proudest accomplishment came during Senior Design, a capstone course for engineering and computer science disciplines at 性视界传媒. He helped create a biometric sleep-tracking device that mimics a bedside lamp 鈥� an invention he hopes to patent while continuing his accelerated bachelor鈥檚-to-master鈥檚 degree in computer engineering.

Miles has already accepted a full-time position as a cyber software engineer with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando.

Where Their Stories Go From Here

For Marcellus, graduation represents another door opened for her and for the generations of family members and fellow veterans who鈥檒l follow.

For Miles, it marks the moment when years of military service give way to a career solving tomorrow鈥檚 greatest cybersecurity challenges.

As they graduate with careers already underway, they embody what military service has always been about: using your skills to make a difference wherever you鈥檙e called next.

Natalie Otero 鈥�26 may have missed her graduation ceremony this spring, but she had a good excuse. She鈥檇 just landed in Japan for a long-awaited vacation that was three years in the making. She says the trip 鈥� where she discovered new interests (sword-making), traversed a mountain and bonded with friends 鈥� symbolized her 性视界传媒 experience.

鈥淏uilding knowledge and strengthening friendships,鈥� Otero says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 my story at 性视界传媒.鈥�

Those relationships led her to pivot from pre-med to accounting and opened her up to learn new skills like coding. Friends fueled her drive, brought her joy and encouraged internships, all of which she credits for her induction into the Order of Pegasus, the highest honor for 性视界传媒 students.

鈥淲hen I started at 性视界传媒, I didn鈥檛 know anyone,鈥� says the Jacksonville, 性视界传媒, native. 鈥淓verything changed quickly.鈥�

Discovering Her Own Calling

Otero didn鈥檛 really want to be a doctor. She just heard she was supposed to be a doctor.

鈥淲hen you do well in high school, people say, 鈥極h, be a doctor and cure cancer.鈥� That鈥檚 where my mind was when I arrived as a freshman,鈥� says Otero, who began her 性视界传媒 journey studying biomedical sciences.

Then an elective class, Principles of Financial Accounting, intervened.

鈥淭he professor, Jeff Reinking 鈥�13PhD, broke the mold of what it means to be an accountant,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he concepts made such perfect sense that I switched my major to accounting and saw a clear path ahead. For a freshman, that鈥檚 exciting.鈥�

That same year, Otero鈥檚 friends introduced her to KnightHacks, a student organization that hosts 性视界传媒鈥檚 biggest software-building marathon annually for hundreds of students from throughout the nation.

鈥淚 said I鈥檇 go for fun. Only one girl in our group was a computer science major, but we were able to use basic coding theories to build a program from scratch in 36 hours,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 need to win. Learning and becoming closer, those were our awards.鈥�

A Powerful Cycle for Success

Otero needed no push but says her friends at 性视界传媒 became like iron sharpening iron. They鈥檇 talk about work experiences, which made Otero feel as if she needed to catch up. As a sophomore, she applied for the (CWEP), a year-long paid opportunity that enables undergraduate and graduate students to gain real-world work skills and abilities relevant to their academic and career goals.

鈥淚 guess they sensed something genuine because they offered the position to me,鈥� she says.

A few months later, she was chosen for another internship, this one with Deloitte. By the time she started her junior year, she had experience with two corporations, had become a hackathon regular and developed a hunger for accounting coursework.

鈥淚t all comes full circle. The instructors bring business experiences to the lessons, and we take lessons into businesses,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檇 leave [Associate Professor] Sean Dennis鈥檚 class and think auditing must be the most exciting subject ever. All along, my friends and I kept encouraging each other.鈥�

Her True Inspiration

Word about Otero鈥檚 accounting skills spread until people began asking her to help with their taxes. She routinely gives her time and skillset to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, where she serves people limited by income, language and disabilities.

鈥淢y dad walked me through financial knowledge, and with VITA I have the privilege of doing the same for others,鈥� she says.

Otero has drawn more than financial knowledge from her family. Her paternal grandparents came to the U.S. from Cuba at young ages as part of Opera莽ion Pedro Pan, an agreement of cooperation between the U.S. State Department and Catholic Charities of Miami in the 1960s that saw more than 14,000 unaccompanied children sent by their parents to Miami, away from the growing communist regime in Cuba.

鈥淭his has been so much better than I imagined when I came to 性视界传媒 and didn鈥檛 know anyone.鈥� 鈥� Natalie Otero ’26

鈥淚t was hard, but my grandparents talk about how happy they were to be in the U.S., even with limited resources and not knowing when they鈥檇 see their parents again,鈥� Otero says. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e always been optimistic because they know the value of opportunities and they worked hard to make the most of them.鈥�

Otero鈥檚 own optimism engages friends, and her work ethic has led to the Order of Pegasus award, another internship with Deloitte this summer and graduate school in the fall at UNC Chapel Hill.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to believe,鈥� Otero says. 鈥淭his has been so much better than I imagined when I came to 性视界传媒 and didn鈥檛 know anyone. Everything is more rewarding, too, because of all the people who have made it possible.鈥�

Worth noting among this graduating class:

• Roughly 30% of the undergraduate students receiving their degrees are the first in their families to earn their diploma.
• More than 25% of this term’s degrees are tied to STEM majors.
• About 30% of the undergraduate graduating class are Pell Grant recipients.

性视界传媒 is the leading producer of talent among 性视界传媒鈥檚 universities, awarding roughly 19,000 degrees annually to Knights who go on to work in high-demand industries. About 85% of our alumni stay in 性视界传媒 because of the ample opportunity to thrive as part of our state鈥檚 workforce.

Graduates will hear from听three听esteemed speakers听鈥� all 性视界传媒 graduates 鈥斕齱hose leadership and impact听have听benefited听our region:

• Psychology alum听Allen Johnson听鈥�81,听chief听venue听officer for听City听for听Orlando Venues
• Journalism alum Tanya (Easterling) Hill 鈥�97, market president for Central 性视界传媒 for 性视界传媒 Blue
• 颁谤颈尘颈苍补濒听箩耻蝉迟颈肠别听补濒耻尘听Fred Kittinger 鈥�80, 性视界传媒鈥檚 former听senior associate vice president for government and community relations

Commencement Festivities

Held in the Addition Financial Arena, summer commencement will take place over three ceremonies spanning Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1.

All guests, including children and infants,鈥痭eed a ticket for admission. All graduates who have filed an intent to graduate will receive five commencement ceremony tickets when they pick up their regalia packet.

Guests who do not have tickets may watch the鈥痩ive ceremony via a simulcast viewing鈥痠n the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be .

Commencement Photo-ops Across 性视界传媒

Graduating Knights are unable to take photos at the Acrisure Bounce House football stadium this semester due to ongoing construction.

Grad Walk

On Thursday,听July听30,听4:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.),听summer听graduates are invited to a photo-op 鈥� Grad Walk 鈥� within the Addition Financial Arena. This will be a first-come, first-served occasion for graduates and up to 10 of their well-wishers to take photos and videos on the ceremony stage.鈥疓raduates听are required to听register at听.

Commencement Schedule

Graduates and guests can review the below commencement ceremony schedule, listing colleges, ceremony听dates听and streaming links:

贵谤颈诲补测,听闯耻濒测听31

6听辫.尘.

College of Arts and Humanities

College of Community Innovation and Education

College of Graduate Studies

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Saturday,听Aug. 1

9 a.m.

Barry S. Miller听College of Business

College of Health Professions and Sciences

College of Medicine

College of Nursing

2:30听辫.尘.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

College of Optics and Photonics

College of Sciences

For more details and FAQs about听Summer听2026 commencement celebrations, visit听ucf.edu/graduation.

Commencement Speakers

Allen Johnson 鈥�81

Chief Venues Officer, City of Orlando Venues

Allen Johnson 鈥�81 has served as chief venues officer of Orlando Venues since 2004, overseeing the City of Orlando’s diverse portfolio of Kia Center, Camping World Stadium, Tinker Field, Leu Gardens and the Mennello Museum of American Art.

Johnson brings decades of venue management experience from leadership roles across 性视界传媒. Under Johnson’s leadership, Orlando Venues has evolved into a premier, globally recognized destination for sports, entertainment and culture, welcoming millions of guests each year while strengthening Central 性视界传媒’s reputation as a world-class destination.

A proud 性视界传媒 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, he has earned numerous honors, including the 2025 International Association of Venue Managers Foundation Legacy Award, the SPORTYS Executive of the Year Award and the Downtowner of the Year Award.

He remains active in the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), serving as past chairman and trustee of the foundation board, while also contributing to organizations that include the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, 性视界传媒 Citrus Sports, Victim Service Center and the .

Tanya (Easterling) Hill 鈥�97

Market President for Central 性视界传媒, 性视界传媒 Blue

Tanya Hill 鈥�97听is 性视界传媒 Blue鈥檚 market president for Central 性视界传媒,听responsible for听regional business and community engagement in a 9-county region.

Throughout her more than 25-year career, she has worked with reputable brands including Chick-fil-A, Target and Walt Disney World to drive business results through strategic partnerships.

Hill is passionate about investing time in the community and has been involved with听numerous听community and civic organizations. She currently serves on the board of directors for the听African American Chamber of Commerce of Central 性视界传媒, 4Roots Foundation, Orlando Economic听Partnership听and the Winter Park Health Foundation.

Hill holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in journalism from 性视界传媒.

Fred Kittinger 鈥�80

Former Senior Associate Vice President for Government and Community Relations, 性视界传媒

A native of central 性视界传媒, Fred Kittinger 鈥�80 recently retired as senior associate vice president for government and community relations at 性视界传媒, where he served for more than 22 years.

He worked alongside local and state leaders to help foster some of 性视界传媒’s most transformative achievements, including the approval of 性视界传媒鈥檚 College of Medicine, the creation of the world-class 性视界传媒 Interactive Entertainment Academy, the development of 性视界传媒 Downtown, the expansion of the 性视界传媒 Business Incubation Program and investments that enhanced the student experience and advanced regional impact.

Prior to his career at 性视界传媒, Kittinger served as chief of staff to Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood and previously as vice president of government relations for the Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce. He began his career as a legislative aide to state Senator George Stuart of Orlando.

Reflecting his commitment to the community, Kittinger currently serves on the board of directors for Junior Achievement of Central 性视界传媒 (past chair), Central 性视界传媒 Council for Scouting America and Legacy Pointe at 性视界传媒.

Kittinger graduated from 性视界传媒鈥檚 criminal justice program and earned his master’s degree in public administration from 性视界传媒 State University.

This year鈥檚 tournament will be the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by three nations 鈥� United States, Canada and Mexico 鈥� and the first to include an expanded field of 48 teams from across the globe. Eleven U.S. cities will host 78 matches June 11 鈥� July 19, including the championship match in New York and third place playoff in Miami.

This historic event coincides with the United States鈥� 250th anniversary听and marks the first time since 1994 the country has hosted the men鈥檚 World Cup.

Here鈥檚听a look at some of the Knights bringing this event to life.

Izzy Angel 鈥�23

Bachelor鈥檚听in听human听communication

Role:听Media听operations听and听services
FIFA location: Atlanta

I will be supporting media logistics, guiding photographers and press to designated areas, and facilitating press conferences and interviews. One of the biggest ways 性视界传媒 prepared me for this opportunity was through its emphasis on networking, collaboration and real-world experience. That mindset opened doors to internships, jobs and experiences that helped me gain confidence in putting myself out there and connecting with people.

It鈥檚 been really fulfilling to meet people with completely different backgrounds and life experiences who are all coming together over a shared passion. Being part of something on such a global scale and feeling that sense of community has been incredibly special.

Brendon Boseja 鈥�25

Bachelor鈥檚 in听integrated听business

Role:听Senior听coordinator,听Client Group Management听Accreditation
FIFA site: Miami

At 性视界传媒, I learned to network and make many connections in the industry and to continue these relationships. This has especially helped me throughout FIFA, especially since my main job is to communicate with every stadium involved in the tournament. Working for a sports organization as big as FIFA has been a dream of mine, and to be involved with an event like the World Cup is surreal to think about.

Taylor Culver 鈥�23 鈥�26MSBM 鈥�26MBA

Bachelor鈥檚 in kinesiology
Master鈥檚听in听sport听business听management
Master鈥檚 in business administration

Role:听Event听executive, FIFA Fan Festival
FIFA site: Houston

鈥淏ecause of the connections, mentorship and opportunities I gained through 性视界传媒, these experiences expanded my confidence and showed me that I truly belong in this industry.鈥�

My role is to help create and execute large-scale fan experiences that bring the energy of the World Cup to life outside of the stadium. Being able to contribute to an event of this magnitude is both humbling and motivating, and I know it will be one of the most impactful experiences of my career. 性视界传媒 prepared me for this opportunity by putting me in real-world sports environments early and constantly challenging me to grow as a leader. Through the program and my experience as a recruiting assistant for 性视界传媒 Athletics with the football team, I learned how to operate in fast-paced environments where organization, communication and adaptability are critical. Because of the connections, mentorship and opportunities I gained through 性视界传媒, these experiences expanded my confidence and showed me that I truly belong in this industry.

Daniel Garzon 鈥�23 鈥�24MSBM 鈥�24MBA

Bachelor鈥檚听in听elementary听education
Master鈥檚听in听sport听business听management
Master鈥檚 in business听administration

Role:听Workforce听integration听senior听coordinator,听Tournament Operation Center Services
FIFA site:听Miami

I started my journey at FIFA as an intern with the volunteer management team shortly after graduating from the DeVos Sport Business Management program in 2024. As a recruitment coordinator, I spearheaded communications and recruitment strategy while sourcing and scheduling thousands of candidates. Now in my new role, I will be in the heartbeat of the headquarters of the tournament, fulfilling operational needs for all departments while manipulating data to make informed decisions for all the venues during the World Cup.

Risako Karasawa 鈥�21

Bachelor鈥檚 in entertainment management
Graduate student majoring in sport business management

Role: VIP Tour Coordinator/Translator
FIFA site:听Dallas

I serve as the primary point of contact for a VIP delegation from Japan. My responsibilities include coordinating transportation and logistics, providing interpretation and translation support, and ensuring a seamless experience throughout the visit. Combining my passions for sports, entertainment and hospitality, this opportunity feels like the perfect intersection of everything I love. Through both the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and the DeVos Sport Business Management Program, I have gained practical experience through hands-on opportunities working with professionals across the industries in event planning, guest experience, sponsorship and stakeholder management that prepared me for this incredibly exciting opportunity.

William Mendez 鈥�26MSBM 鈥�26MBA

Master鈥檚听in听sport听business听management
Master鈥檚 in business听administration

Role: Team protocol liaison officer
FIFA site:听Miami

I will provide operational support as a main point of contact for the teams鈥� protocol representatives, managing VIP/VVIP seating, ticket distribution and logistics. I鈥檓 truly excited to be part of an event of this magnitude because FIFA 鈥�26 goes beyond sports by bringing people together across cultures from all over the world.鈥疶he DeVos Sport Business Management program at 性视界传媒 has played a major role in preparing me for this moment, giving me the hands-on experience and confidence I need to contribute to an event of this scale.

Colin O鈥橳oole 鈥�26MSBM 鈥�26MBA

Master鈥檚听in听sport听business听management
Master鈥檚听in business听administration

Role: Accreditation center coordinator
FIFA site:听Boston

I grew up watching the World Cup and always dreamed of being part of the most watched sporting event in the world. My experience in the soccer industry through both professional and volunteer roles gave me a strong foundation, and the DeVos program broadened my perspective. It exposed me to the business side of the industry, while simultaneously connecting me with incredible mentors and peers, ultimately giving me the confidence and network to land this opportunity with FIFA.

Connor Pank 鈥�17

Bachelor鈥檚 in听management

Role:听Team听services听venue听officer
FIFA site: Tampa, 性视界传媒

The sport business management minor at 性视界传媒 offered plenty of opportunities to gain practical experience in the industry. My junior year, I was fortunate enough to land a season-long internship at Orlando City Soccer Club in the game day operations department, which then turned into a full-time position with seven amazing seasons of constant growth and experiences that I am forever grateful鈥痜or.

Being involved in a FIFA World Cup has been a personal goal of mine since my early days with Orlando City SC, when we hosted a U.S. Soccer vs.听Panama World Cup Qualifier听ahead of the听2018 FIFA World Cup.听Every team听participating听in the World Cup chooses a designated home base,听which includes the team hotel, training听site听and other operational support facilities as needed. My role is centered around acting as FIFA鈥檚 primary operational lead on-site for Cabo Verde鈥檚 home base in Tampa to ensure a seamless, world-class experience.

Annie Quaile 鈥�06

Bachelor鈥檚听in听marketing

Role:听Venue听manager,听FIFA Fan Festival
FIFA site: Atlanta

I act as the bridge between FIFA, Atlanta and the commercial and operational partners delivering the Fan Festival experience. My role focuses on coordinating event听logistics, operations, guest experience, VIP and talent management, and partner integration while ensuring FIFA brand standards are upheld throughout the event.

One of the biggest takeaways from my experience at 性视界传媒 was learning how to balance creativity,听leadership听and problem-solving under pressure, which is听essentially the听foundation of live event and operational management.听The FIFA World Cup is one of the few truly global experiences that brings together people from every background,听culture听and country around a shared passion.听All of听the planning, coordination and operational work happens behind the scenes for months, so finally seeing people from around the world听gathering together, celebrating and creating memories is incredibly rewarding.

Andres Sifontes 鈥�24

Bachelor鈥檚 in communication

Role:听Coordinator, Accreditation Documentation and Training Operations
FIFA site: Houston

I joined the FIFA team in September 2024, supporting preparations for both Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 2026. In my role now, I oversee Accreditation Center operations in Houston, assist volunteers, and ensure that key stakeholders 鈥� including partners like Coca-Cola, Adidas and Visa 鈥� receive proper credentials. 性视界传媒鈥檚 communication program, and especially my听Communication Research Methods听Professor , equipped me with the tools I continue to apply every day in my role at FIFA by teaching me how to communicate effectively, carry myself professionally, and think strategically.

Since graduating, my goal has been to contribute to the growth of soccer in the United States. This passion has always been part of who I am, and 性视界传媒 helped me build the foundation to pursue it professionally. After graduation, I worked with Inter Miami CF, and now with FIFA, I鈥檝e been fortunate to play a role in supporting the continued development of the sport. I truly believe we are about to witness unprecedented growth for the game in this country. I hope that at the end of my career, I can look back and say I contributed to that growth 鈥� and that it all started at 性视界传媒.

Dennis Sprenkle 鈥�01

Bachelor鈥檚听in听political听science

Role:听Director of听workforce听and听human听resources
FIFA site:听Miami

My team oversees the employee journey from recruitment to offboarding across the three host countries (Canada, Mexico and the U.S.) and 16 host cities. We are responsible for everything from workforce planning, training, visa management, benefits, payroll, employee uniforms and just about every other aspect of human resources.

I have always had a keen interest in global political and business affairs, which is why I studied political science with an emphasis on international relations at 性视界传媒. Working for a governing body like FIFA in many respects is akin to working for the United Nations. 鈥� In order to be a successful leader in a global organization like FIFA, it is critical to have an open mind to effectively collaborate, plan and execute the largest sporting event in human history. My education and experience at 性视界传媒 as a leader in Student Government certainly laid the foundation and has helped prepare me for this opportunity.

Ryan Taheri 鈥�24

Bachelor鈥檚听in听finance

Role:听Workforce听operations听manager
FIFA site: Dallas

I grew up watching the World Cup with my family. Now, I occasionally stop for a second and realize how special it all is to be working behind the scenes on the operational side of the tournament. A big part of what I do in my role is coordinate with different functional areas like transportation, catering, accommodations, uniforms and venue operations to ensure the workforce is supported and operations run smoothly.

鈥溞允咏绱� pushed me into leadership opportunities early and taught me how to work in fast-paced environments with a lot of moving parts.鈥�

A lot of the role comes down to staying organized, communicating clearly and solving problems quickly. 性视界传媒 pushed me into leadership opportunities early and taught me how to work in fast-paced environments with a lot of moving parts. Looking back now, I don鈥檛 think I realized at the time how much of my experience at 性视界传媒 directly prepared me for working on something as large and complex as a鈥疐IFA 鈥�26.

Alejandro Tarazona 鈥�22

Bachelor鈥檚 in integrated business

Role:听Manager,听Training听Site听Venue听Transport
FIFA site: Miami

I鈥痮versee transportation operations and鈥痩ogistics鈥痑t all 75 training sites across U.S., Canada and Mexico 鈥� including shuttles, loading zones, team busses and their fleets, and parking lots for media, volunteers and guests. I grew up in Lake Nona and had an opportunity to play collegiate soccer at a Division II school in 性视界传媒, but financially, it just didn鈥檛 make sense for my family and me. Instead I enrolled at Valencia College and earned my degree through the .

性视界传媒 gave me the technical skills I needed for my managerial position now, like creating financial analysis for labor rates across 16 stadiums that鈥痺e鈥檒l鈥痓e using in U.S., Canada and Mexico. As a former soccer player and as someone鈥痺ho is鈥痮bsessed with the sport, working for one of the biggest and best sports organization in the world has been a lifelong goal.鈥疶his experience has taught me to consider redefining what鈥檚 possible and keep setting goals.

Tomas Upegui 鈥�22

Bachelor鈥檚听in听integrated听business

Role:听Fleet听operations听analyst
FIFA site: Miami

Growing up playing soccer, being involved with FIFA in any capacity is something I never imagined would become reality, especially this early in my career. I am supporting transportation and depot operations across all 16 host cities, contributing to transportation operations involving VIPs and trophy movements. Studying business taught me how to work efficiently in fast-paced environments and quickly adapt while balancing multiple responsibilities at once, which directly translates to my role.

One of the most exciting parts of this experience has been realizing the true scale of the FIFA World Cup and seeing firsthand how much coordination happens behind the scenes to make an event of this magnitude successful.

At 16, he opened his first brokerage account听in 2008, with his grandmother鈥檚 help, during the Great Recession because he saw a market that had no place to go but up.

When cloud accounting platforms were just starting to become viable in the early 2010s, he was an early adopter, eventually building a firm that served clients remotely.

Now as听artificial intelligence (AI)听reshapes听the business landscape, Hubenthal decided to embrace this听latest inflection point by enrolling in 性视界传媒鈥檚听.

鈥溞允咏绱� is ready for every Knight who dares to lean in.鈥�

鈥溞允咏绱教齞oesn鈥檛听just educate you. It finds you. It amplifies who you are and prepares you to make a difference,鈥� says Hubenthal, who is from Elon, North Carolina. 鈥淪ometimes听I鈥檓听amazed that this small-town kid has ended up consulting with business leaders in boardrooms across the globe. Somewhere out there, another teenager is watching the world shift and feeling that pull. 性视界传媒 is ready for every Knight who dares to lean in.鈥�

Leading With a Spirit of Innovation

It鈥檚 Knights like Hubenthal who inspired Barry S. Miller 鈥�95 to invest a transformational $50 million gift into the College of Business to further strengthen 性视界传媒鈥檚 reputation as a global leader in fintech, AI and business innovation.

A graduate of 性视界传媒鈥檚听听program in the听,听Hubenthal听initially came to 性视界传媒 to study听听and听engineering. But听after听witnessing听the impact of the听Great Recession听on听families, including his own,听he听switched听to business and finance.

鈥淚听made it my mission to听understand what happened, why it happened and how to help prevent it,鈥澨鼿ubenthal says.

Early听in his career,听Hubenthal听worked in corporate听finance,听gaining听hands-on experience听and听learning听how established organizations manage their financial infrastructure.

In 2015,听just two years after听earning his bachelor鈥檚 degree,听he听co-founded听a data analytics firm with fellow 性视界传媒 graduates,听bringing听enterprise-grade听big听data and听analytics听services听to local businesses at an accessible price point.听That听venture earned Hubenthal听recognition听as part of听Business听North Carolina听magazine鈥檚听cover story听on听innovation听in听2016.

Building on Success

He听has since founded firms rooted in data analytics, accounting and finance 鈥� including his firm Bookscaping 鈥� started a financial literacy podcast to share his expertise with small businesses, and published a book, The Simple Fiscal Method: 17 Financial Lessons for Every Small Business Owner to Succeed in Life.

In 2022, he signed on as vice president of finance for ryco.io, an educational startup where he built and still leads the company鈥檚 financial strategy and operations.

He is currently beta听testing听an automated system for the company, which almost fully manages its payable function with safeguards, audit trails and authorizations built in. He envisions this empowering ryco.io to scale its financial operations.

Hubenthal wanted to fully immerse himself in this new era of business and tech, so he is turning to 性视界传媒鈥檚 fintech program to prepare him for what鈥檚 ahead.

鈥淔or me, the real world is the lab. And thanks to 性视界传媒, I鈥檓 just getting started.鈥�

鈥淭he program put me in a room with nearly 30 students from four continents who felt like family within the first month,鈥澨鼿ubenthal听says. 鈥淛ust weeks ago,听I built a portfolio optimization tool for my own retirement account 鈥斕�1听million simulated market days听and听almost听4,000听years of data, solved by a听supercomputer听in under three seconds 鈥� using what I learned in this program.

鈥淔or me,听the real world is the lab,鈥� he continues.听鈥淎nd thanks to 性视界传媒,听I鈥檓听just getting started.鈥�

What was your vision for the College of Business听when you arrived in 2012?

When I arrived, 性视界传媒听had experienced听tremendous growth, particularly coming out of the recession. But that growth made the college feel transactional. Faculty were stretched听thin,听technology had replaced听in-person听interaction听and there听wasn鈥檛听a strong sense听of community.

What struck me most was that while we had excellent individual scholars, we听didn鈥檛听yet have a true community of scholars. People听didn鈥檛听know each other well, and without that,听it鈥檚听very difficult听to build a shared vision.

So,听I听started by听listening. I met one-on-one with every听faculty听and staff member and asked three simple questions: What do you think about 性视界传媒? What would you do if you were me? And what is your role here?

What听emerged听was powerful. Many of our faculty were first-generation college graduates, just like our students, just like Barry and just like me. They听are听here because they wanted to听help build something different. That became the foundation for our vision: creating a culture of engagement that would transform the听college听experience听for everyone.

Faculty,听students听and staff here are expected to interact with each other and with people in industry and the community at large.听This has helped make听us fiercely听practical. Faculty learn what is going on at the forefront of business. The college has a relevant curriculum with hands-on听experiences听for students.听This helps听students discover their path, develop听professionally听and fully engage with their future.

How would you describe the college鈥檚 culture today?

Today, that culture of engagement defines us.

There鈥檚听a quote听from听English听philosopher Herbert Spencer听we often reference:听鈥�The great aim of higher education isn鈥檛 knowledge, it鈥檚 action.鈥澨齀t鈥檚听not enough for students to learn concepts;听they need to know how to apply them.

You see that in the building itself.听It鈥檚听full. Students are here, working together, interacting with faculty, and engaging with corporate partners and alumni. That connection to the real world has become part of the fabric of the college, and听it鈥檚听what makes the experience more meaningful听and more transformative.

Changing culture is one of the hardest things a leader can do. It requires people to see a future they听haven鈥檛听experienced yet. But over time, our faculty,听staff听and students have seen the value of what听we鈥檝e听built together,听and听that鈥檚听what makes it sustainable.

How听does听the听Barry听Miller听investment听accelerate that future?

鈥淕reat universities win by attracting great people (faculty and students) and creating the conditions for them to succeed. This gift helps us do exactly that.鈥�

This investment allows us to recruit leading scholars at the intersection of business and technology听鈥斕齠aculty who are working on the most pressing challenges facing industry and society.

They鈥檒l help us tackle critical questions around trust in technology, cybersecurity, the concentration of power and how humans and intelligent systems interact. They鈥檒l also help prepare our students to lead in that environment.

At the end of the day, great universities win by attracting great people听(faculty and students)听and creating听the conditions听for them to succeed. This gift helps us do听exactly that.

What will听distinguish听the college over the next decade?

Our differentiation will come from听deepening our engagement with industry听and technology.

We want to be known as a place where innovation happens first,听where companies come for talent and insight, and where students gain access to real opportunities.

Ultimately, it鈥檚听about outcomes. If we do this right, our graduates will be exceptionally well-prepared for high-impact, high-growth careers. That return on investment will set us apart.

What gives you optimism about the future?

I grew up during the听Space听Race,听and听at the time, the race to the moon was a sign of hope for people.听Technology was seen as the path to a greater future. With the recent Artemis II launch, I would like听to see听us听instill in our students, and in our leaders, a return to that kind of optimism around what technology听can do. I think those flights are the definition of how technology can enhance the human experience, rather than replace it.

鈥淚 want students to come to 性视界传媒 knowing they can participate in an industry that鈥檚 about to take off, no matter what field they鈥檙e interested in. This is the place to launch the next stage of your career.鈥� 鈥� Greg Autry, 听性视界传媒’s associate provost for space commercialization

A national leader in online education, and the top supplier of talent to the nation鈥檚 aerospace and defense industries, 性视界传媒 launched a in Spring 2026. It aims to meet the expanding needs of the booming industry on 性视界传媒鈥檚 Space Coast and around the world. Graduates will emerge ready to shape a fast-growing, high-impact global industry, applying their skills across aerospace, commercial space, government, startups and emerging tech.

鈥淲e have world-class researchers, direct connections to the space industry and the very best location,鈥� says Greg Autry, creator of the pioneering program and associate provost for space commercialization and strategy at 性视界传媒. 听鈥淚 want students to come to 性视界传媒 knowing they can participate in an industry that鈥檚 about to take off, no matter what field they鈥檙e interested in. This is the place to launch the next stage of your career.鈥�

The space MBA merges the university鈥檚 excellence in both space and online education to develop forward-thinking leaders ready to shape the future of the space sector. This part-time, fully online graduate business program spans 24 months and blends core MBA courses with four specialized electives in space entrepreneurship, governmental and commercial space finance, space leadership and the global space domain. With its flexible, asynchronous format, students can learn from anywhere on Earth 鈥� or even in orbit.

At the forefront of this future-ready pathway is Zaheer Ali, a new instructor in the College of Business, and program director of 性视界传媒鈥檚 space commercialization and strategy initiative. He spent more than a decade at NASA and previously led space efforts across the defense and national security enterprise.

“The space industry isn鈥檛 the future. It鈥檚 happening now. Our new space MBA will put talent at the center of that movement.鈥濃�� Paul Jarley, 性视界传媒 College of Business dean

Ali is ready to guide the next generation of space business leaders at SpaceU 鈥� and he鈥檚 hoping to recruit students from every major to find their place in space.鈥淚鈥檓 here helping build what I think is the greatest program in the world for space

business,鈥� Ali says. 鈥淥ur students are 鈥� given direct access to leaders in every aspect of space, creating a space network for them that will be unmatched by graduates of any other program.鈥�

Through more than 25 years of providing highly ranked online degrees, 性视界传媒 is a trusted source for innovative academic programs and pathways, and is recognized among the nation鈥檚 leaders in online education. Courses across more than 130 fully online degree programs are led by world-class faculty with extensive industry and academic experience, equipped to prepare students to succeed in their

careers and advance their fields. 鈥淭he space industry isn鈥檛 the future. It鈥檚 happening now. Our new space MBA will put talent at the center of that movement,鈥� says Paul Jarley, dean of the College of Business, which houses the program. As the business school at 性视界传媒鈥檚 Technological University, our goal is not just to fuel the talent pipeline, but to help shape the market 鈥� even if it鈥檚 in space.

As Preston Strenth prepares to cross the stage at commencement, he finds himself flashing back to the moment his journey to this milestone started in 2023 with the South Carolina National Guard.

Strenth was on deployment in Kuwait with his unit. Among his fellow infantrymen was 20-year-old Jayson Haven. Haven had been accepted to his dream school, the University of Michigan, and was fulfilling the final two months of his year-long assignment before shipping off to college. He was tragically killed in a non-combat vehicle rollover accident.

鈥淚 think all of us who were on that deployment understood you鈥檙e here and somebody else isn鈥檛. What are you going to do with your life?鈥� Strenth says.

鈥淚 think all of us who were on that deployment understood you鈥檙e here and somebody else isn鈥檛. What are you going to do with your life?鈥�

Seven months later, Strenth envisioned that life and voiced his goals to his wife, Kriselle. He proposed a two-year timeline to earn a college degree in computer science and start a new career path.

鈥淚 feel like everything in my life now is all clicking together,鈥� says Strenth, who landed three job offers before graduating and is in the process of purchasing his first home. 鈥淚 have achieved the American dream in a sense.鈥�

The Right Place

A Central 性视界传媒 native, Strenth moved to South Carolina at 17 and joined the National Guard two years later. He extended his contract twice 鈥� his current contract ends in 2027 鈥� as he pursued a degree in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina.

He took advantage of the educational benefits the U.S. Army offers and obtained a certification in computer programming, which introduced him to coding software.

After that fateful deployment in Kuwait, he and his wife set their sights on Orlando and 性视界传媒, where Strenth knew of the university鈥檚 reputation as one of the nation鈥檚 top military friendly schools, its strength in computer science and our many industry partnerships.

Learn more about Preston Stenth’s journey from his .

鈥淲ithout a doubt, coming to 性视界传媒 is the best thing I ever did,鈥� he says.

His credits from the University of South Carolina transferred over to help keep him on track for his two-year timeline. He thrived, in part, because of his willingness to take advantage of the many resources offered through the .

His experience here also tested him in ways that led to great growth and confidence.

In his second semester, while taking Computer Science I, he was stuck on his first programming assignment. Every time he willed the coding to work, he was met with the same result: fail.

His frustration turned to tears as he voiced his doubts to his wife. What if he just screwed up his life? What if he couldn鈥檛 do this?

She encouraged him while leveling with him at the same time 鈥� he wasn鈥檛 the first to attempt this class or this degree. If he wanted to be here, he was going to figure it out.

She was right.

鈥淚 think that is kind of the point 鈥� they will make you go to that line and ask yourself, 鈥楧o you want to be here?鈥� 鈥� Strenth says. 鈥淏ecause it鈥檚 a program that can lead you to a financially stable future. I have offers that no one in my family has ever had in front of them before. But you鈥檝e got to work for them.鈥�

Opportunity Calls with BNY

He applied that same grindstone mentality to maximizing opportunities outside of the classroom 鈥� all the while driving to South Carolina once a month to fulfill his National Guard duties.

鈥淚 have offers that no one in my family has ever had in front of them before.鈥�

In Spring 2024, he attended a lunch and learn with BNY, which was organized by the Office of Military and Veteran Student Success. The leading global financial services company announced a formal partnership with 性视界传媒 that establishes a co-located educational innovation hub on 性视界传媒鈥檚 main campus 鈥� the first-of-its-kind in 性视界传媒.

Strenth turned the connection he made with the BNY recruiter into a summer internship as a software engineer and vowed to himself to secure a job offer.

He wasn鈥檛 deterred by the fact that many of his fellow interns had started programming as middle-schoolers while he, at 24, had just learned the basics a year prior.

He committed to being the first one in the door and one of the last to leave. He reached out to fellow veterans he found in an interdepartmental staff directory to seek advice about integrating into the company. He emailed a weekly recap to his supervisor that listed how his accomplishments that week aligned with BNY鈥檚 core values.

鈥淚 was trying to showcase that I wanted to be here, and I wanted this job offer more than anything,鈥� Strenth says.

When the internship ended, he stayed connected, even as he lined up another software engineering internship with Hatalom Corporation, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business.

Strenth had three job offers lined up before graduation day with BNY, Hatalom and Northrop Grumman. BNY鈥檚 career growth potential, military leave policy and proximity to his home were too good to pass up.

鈥淏NY has a future leaders program that I鈥檝e already expressed interest in even though I鈥檓 not eligible for another two years. But I鈥檓 already telling them, 鈥楾his is something I want to do. How can I?鈥� 鈥� he says.

He draws upon that memory of his conversation with his wife from years ago 鈥� in his story, he refers to it as 鈥渢he gamble鈥� 鈥� as he sits here today, once again, betting on himself.

鈥淣ow two years later, I鈥檓 like, 鈥榃e won. We did it,鈥� 鈥� he says. 鈥淐elebrating this moment at graduation is a testament to the sacrifices that my wife has made, my family has made, and the countless other people who have supported me to get to this point.鈥�

Miller was impressed by our reputation as an early leader in technology and STEM fields, our connection to the space program and our success expanding into other areas. In fact, 性视界传媒 boasted one of the highest certified public accountant (CPA) pass rates of any public university 鈥� impressive to an aspiring accountant.

So Miller applied, was accepted and committed to 性视界传媒 sight unseen. It was the beginning of a journey that would change his family鈥檚 trajectory, along with the university鈥檚.

Today, he committed a transformational $50 million gift 鈥� the largest single philanthropic investment in the university鈥檚 history 鈥� to position 性视界传媒 as a global leader in fintech, artificial intelligence (AI) and business innovation by establishing the Barry S. Miller College of Business.

First-Generation Student

Miller is president and co-founder of both Voloridge Investment Management and Voloridge Health. He also founded and sold another successful business in his entrepreneurial career.

But back when Miller was attending 性视界传媒, he was paving the way as the first in his family to go to college. His dad, a self-taught contractor and developer and a single father, saw the value of higher education for his son.

鈥淢y father had a deeply ingrained work ethic that he passed on to me,鈥� Miller says. 鈥淚n the summer, he would get me out of bed early and have me carrying lumber and working on roofs. I learned to work hard, but I also learned that [it] was a tough job to do for 50 years. I wanted to try a different path.鈥�

Once he started on that path, there was no stopping him.

Building Foundations

At 性视界传媒, Miller became a star student. He excelled in accounting, learned numerical analysis and had a knack for understanding financial markets. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in finance.

鈥淚 learned how to really study and apply myself academically at 性视界传媒. Essentially, I was learning strategy and project management as I made my way through school,鈥� Miller says. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know how impactful those habits would be until later in life. I realize now that everything I learned at 性视界传媒 has been foundational to my success.鈥�

“I realize now that everything I learned at 性视界传媒 has been foundational to my success.鈥�

Outside of class, Miller became a student-athlete, playing football when he initially came to 性视界传媒. That鈥檚 where he met then-quarterback Darin Hinshaw 鈥�90 鈥�94MBA, who encouraged him to join his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE), and became his big brother.

鈥淚nitially, I wasn鈥檛 interested in joining a fraternity. I had this idea that fraternities weren鈥檛 serious about school or life, and I was,鈥� Miller says. 鈥淏ut my experience in PIKE ended up being formative. It鈥檚 where I learned about being a gentleman, dressing for success, networking and more.鈥�

鈥淭o this day, so many of my friends are former fraternity brothers, including one of my best friends, Sean Hayes 鈥�95, who has also been my business partner for nearly 30 years,鈥� Miller continues. 鈥淎s I look back, everything in my life has a connection to 性视界传媒 鈥� my friends, my business partners, my career and even my wife Rosie 鈥�95, since we met in college.鈥�

Leaving a Legacy

As he built his career and found success in the business and financial world, Miller wanted to give back to 性视界传媒. Over time, he has invested in first-generation and STEM student scholarships, 性视界传媒 Athletics鈥� Knights Leadership Academy, the John T. Washington Center mural and more.

Each gift has been based on a personal connection or conviction.

鈥淏eing a first-generation student myself, having that opportunity to support students who are the first in their families to go to college is personal to me,鈥� Miller says.

As his capacity to give grew, Miller wanted to make a transformative gift that would have an impact today and for generations to come. That led to conversations with university leaders about the opportunity to establish as a global leader in fintech, AI and business innovation.

To help bring that vision to life 鈥� and to build early momentum for , 性视界传媒鈥檚 comprehensive campaign to fuel bold ideas and build its future 鈥� Miller has committed to a $50 million gift, establishing the Barry S. Miller College of Business.

The investment will accelerate an innovative new model of business education听designed for a world听where technology, data and decision-making are inseparable, and it will prepare听students with the skills the marketplace demands.

鈥淲e are at a seminal moment in business, and AI and new technologies are creating fundamental shifts at a dramatically faster speed than ever before,鈥� says Miller, who was inducted into the 性视界传媒 College of Business Hall of Fame in 2022. 鈥淚 want 性视界传媒 to become the leader in business education, paving the way for everyone else.鈥�

Inspiring Others

鈥淔inding a way to have an impact is one of the most gratifying things you can do with your time and money.鈥�

Until recently, Miller has made most of his gifts to 性视界传媒 anonymously. But as 性视界传媒 unveiled Go For Launch, he saw a powerful opportunity to step forward and encourage others to do the same. By sharing his commitment more openly, Miller hopes to help build momentum and invite broader participation in 性视界传媒鈥檚 vision.

鈥淚 hope this gift inspires people to be part of 性视界传媒鈥檚 mission to create a bold new future and give at whatever level they can. Maybe it鈥檚 $10, $100 or $1,000 鈥� it all makes a difference,鈥� Miller says.

鈥淚 want to tell people this: If it鈥檚 not your time to make a gift today, maybe it will be a year from now, or five years from now,鈥� he continues. 鈥淔inding a way to have an impact is one of the most gratifying things you can do with your time and money.鈥�