The nationwide initiative encourages interdisciplinary teams to develop new AI models and research workflows capable of addressing national challenges across fields such as advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, energy and quantum information.

鈥淭he Genesis Mission harnesses the collective strengths of the nation鈥檚 leading institutions across academia, industry, and government to accelerate the pace of discovery,鈥� says Winston Schoenfeld, 性视界传媒 vice president for research and innovation. 鈥溞允咏绱解�檚 participation reflects听the expertise of our researchers听and talented students, whose contributions will help shape AI-enabled scientific workflows and transform technological advances into real-world solutions that fuel American competitiveness.鈥�

A New Approach to Creating Fuels and Chemicals

As interdisciplinary scientific challenges become increasingly data-intensive, applying human ingenuity to advanced technologies creates possibilities to solve long-standing industry issues.

Ling鈥檚 contribution to the Genesis Mission will aim to address problems with biomanufacturing by developing an AI digital twin (virtual replication). This digital twin predicts and optimizes bioprocess performance, enabling improved process monitoring, decision-making, and scale-up.

The project will also provide opportunities for 性视界传媒 researchers at different stages of their careers to contribute to the work. Pinzhen Lin, who will begin a doctoral degree at 性视界传媒鈥檚 College of Optics and Photonics in Fall 2026, will join Ling鈥檚 research group and lead development of the project鈥檚 real-time sensor, including its characterization and performance benchmarking. Jirui Fu 鈥�24PhD, a 性视界传媒 mechanical engineering doctoral graduate and postdoctoral scholar in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, will also assist with the project.

鈥淭he challenge is that conventionally scaling up biomanufacturing is slow and prone to failure, creating a need for smarter tools to accelerate development,鈥� Ling says. 鈥淚f successful, this project could significantly accelerate the development and deployment of sustainable biomanufacturing for fuels and chemicals, making the process faster, cheaper and less risky.鈥�

With industry-academic collaboration at the core of the Genesis Mission, Ling is working on the project with Kansas State University Assistant Professor Yian Chen, as well as the National Laboratory of the Rockies researchers Ajinkya Pal, Jason DesVeaux and Evan Komp.

A Mission With Many Benefits

Although the Genesis Mission is focused on accelerating scientific discovery, Ling believes the work has the potential to create benefits that extend beyond the research community.

鈥淭he AI digital twin framework developed here has strong potential as a commercial platform that can be adopted across a wide range of industries, from energy to materials,鈥� Ling says. 鈥淢ore broadly, it could lower the barriers for industrial partners to adopt bio-based processes, helping drive the transition toward a more sustainable economy.鈥�

For Ling, the research also represents an opportunity to see emerging technologies applied to real-world challenges.

鈥淎s an early-career researcher, I feel very fortunate to lead and participate in a mission of this scale,鈥� Ling says. 鈥淲hat excites me most is the opportunity to apply this technology to solve real-world problems, and to see how it can be integrated with the rapidly advancing field of AI.鈥�

This project will be supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science through the Genesis Mission, a Transforming Science and Energy with AI initiative.

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.

性视界传媒 researchers are known worldwide for their innovative studies, groundbreaking discoveries and contributions to patented technologies that have impacted society and influenced other leaders in the field.

Two College of Engineering and Computer Science professors and a three-time 性视界传媒 alum-turned-courtesy faculty appointee are now being recognized for their achievements that have advanced the quality of life for the state of 性视界传媒 and the nation.

Professors Reza Abdolvand and Ni-bin Chang and Lockheed Martin Fellow Clara Rivero Baleine 鈥�01 鈥�03MS 鈥�05PhD have been named 2026 inductees of the 性视界传媒 Inventors Hall of Fame (FIHF). This initiative celebrates pioneering inventors and empowers future problem-solvers and changemakers.

This initiative celebrates pioneering inventors and empowers future problem-solvers and changemakers.

This year, 10 inventors from 性视界传媒 will be inducted during a formal ceremony in Tampa on Nov. 6. Since FIHF was founded in 2013, five faculty inventors from 性视界传媒 have been recognized with the distinction.

鈥淚nduction into the 性视界传媒 Inventors Hall of Fame represents the ultimate validation of a lifelong commitment to translating academic research into industry practice,鈥� Chang says. 鈥淏eing inducted into the Hall of Fame, which includes over 90 inventors in different fields is also a testament to the thriving 性视界传媒 innovation ecosystem and the power of continuous, groundbreaking discovery.鈥�

A Career in Environmental Innovation

Chang was selected for induction based on his groundbreaking invention of green sorption media (GSM) and sustainable water treatment technologies that improve water quality.

GSM is a cost-effective and sustainable type of filtration media that uses recycled byproducts and natural minerals to treat stormwater runoff, wastewater effluent, groundwater flow and agricultural discharge.

There are a variety of patented GSM blends that can filter heavy metals, pathogens and contaminants from water systems. This process not only restores aquatic ecosystems but halts the transmission of waterborne diseases, and eliminates cyanotoxins and 鈥渇orever chemicals鈥� from water that can harm both humans and animals.

鈥淩emoving these diverse contaminants from water matrices provides profound, cascading benefits for both human health and aquatic ecosystems,鈥� Chang says. 鈥淏y eliminating the risk pathways associated with both acute exposure and chronic bioaccumulation, these GSM-based treatment technologies support fundamental ecological balance and public well-being.鈥�

GSM blends are already used at more than 300 water treatment sites across the U.S.

The Inventor of Advanced Electronics

Abdolvand, the chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was named an inductee for his contributions to the field of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) 鈥� incredibly small devices that have mighty power. Specifically, he is the inventor of a class of microelectronics called Thin-Film Piezoelectric-on-Substrate (TPoS) devices, which improve the reliability and efficiency of a wide range of electronics, including cell phones.

鈥淏y improving the efficiency and reliability of the components that make up these systems, the impact, while often invisible to the end user, is very real,鈥� Abdolvand says. 鈥淏etter performance, lower power consumption, and more reliable devices are the kinds of improvements that quietly make everyday technology work better for everyone.鈥�

Abdolvand鈥檚 interest in innovation stems from his natural sense of curiosity. He says his tendency to connect the dots between seemingly unrelated events or systems has served him well throughout his career in research and academia.

鈥淭he moment it all clicked was during my Ph.D., when I was first given the opportunity to work on genuinely hard technical problems,鈥� Abdolvand says. 鈥淚 realized I could come up with solutions that simply did not exist yet. That realization was a turning point.鈥�

As his career progresses, Abdolvand hopes to leave behind a legacy that is less about devices and innovation and more about people. His passion for educating, inspiring and creating opportunities for students means more than the impacts of his inventions.

鈥淲hat excites me most is seeing students take the seed ideas developed at the university and carry them forward into their own companies, their own inventions, their own contributions to society,鈥� Abdolvand says. 鈥淭hat chain of innovation 鈥� from a research lab to a startup to a product that improves people’s lives 鈥� is what I find truly meaningful. If I can play even a small role in setting that chain in motion for as many students as possible, that is the legacy I would be interested to leave behind.鈥�

On the Cutting Edge of听Infrared听Materials and Optics

Driven by a desire to protect people and advance technologies that matter, Rivero Baleine joined Lockheed Martin, a 性视界传媒 Pegasus Partner, in 2005 after completing three degrees in six years at 性视界传媒.

Rivero Baleine now serves as a Lockheed Martin fellow, contributing to cutting鈥慹dge innovation in infrared materials and optics.

Rivero-Baleine鈥檚 gradient refractive index optical materials and metamaterial coatings transformed infrared sensing systems for defense and advanced photonics applications.

鈥淚 am profoundly proud and deeply humbled to be welcomed into such an extraordinary community of inventors and innovators,鈥� Rivero-Baleine says. 鈥淲hat inspires me most is knowing that these听innovations will听become part of systems that protect service members, strengthen national security and expand the capabilities of the platforms we rely on. That sense of purpose continues to听drive听my work every day.鈥�

Rivero Baleine continues to maintain strong ties with 性视界传媒 through a courtesy faculty appointment at CREOL and serves on the CREOL Dean Advisory Board and the 性视界传媒 Material Science Industrial Advisory board.

Rivero Baleine is a Burnett Honors Scholar and earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in physics, and a 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 and a doctorate in optics.

For scientists working on NASA鈥檚 proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory, that question is no longer purely philosophical. It is increasingly becoming an engineering problem.

Researchers at 性视界传媒鈥檚 are helping develop technology designed to help future space telescopes detect potentially habitable planets orbiting distant stars.

The NASA-funded project, known as PEEPSS (Photonics-Enabled Exoplanet Spectroscopic System), aims to help astronomers directly observe planets hidden within the overwhelming brightness of their parent stars.

鈥淚f they鈥檙e in the habitable zone, that means they are orbiting close to their host star, and that host star is typically going to be 10 billion times brighter than the planet,鈥� says Professor Stephen Eikenberry, principal investigator on the project.

To explain the difficulty, Eikenberry compares the task to trying to spot 鈥渁 tiny blinking light while someone is shining a spotlight directly in your face.鈥�

The work supports the long-term goals of NASA鈥檚 proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), a future flagship space telescope intended to search for Earth-like planets beyond our solar system and analyze their atmospheres for signs of life.

Solving One of Astronomy鈥檚 Hardest Problems

Astronomers already know planets are common throughout the universe. The challenge now is identifying Earth-like planets that are extraordinarily faint compared to the stars they orbit.

Astronomers use instruments called coronagraphs to block a star鈥檚 glare while allowing faint planetary signals to reach a telescope鈥檚 detectors.

Even then, however, microscopic imperfections in a telescope鈥檚 optics can allow enormous amounts of starlight to leak through the system.

鈥淎nd you can say, 鈥榃ell, that鈥檚 only a part in a million,鈥� 鈥� Eikenberry says. 鈥淕uess what? A part in a million means it鈥檚 still 10,000 times brighter than your exoplanet. You鈥檙e doomed.鈥�

The system performs an advanced form of wavefront sensing that detects and corrects tiny distortions in incoming light before they overwhelm planetary signals.

Unlike many existing systems that monitor light earlier in the optical process, PEEPSS performs wavefront sensing directly at the telescope鈥檚 focal plane, the same location where scientific imaging occurs.

That distinction is important because it allows researchers to detect and correct optical errors that emerge after light passes through a telescope鈥檚 coronagraph. Scientists refer to these distortions as 鈥渘on-common-path aberrations.鈥�

To explain the concept, Eikenberry compares the system to trying to monitor a room you cannot fully see.

鈥淚magine you鈥檙e in a house and you want the entire house to be perfectly clean,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou can see people walking into the bedroom, but you can鈥檛 actually see inside the bedroom itself. That鈥檚 the non-common path.鈥�

By monitoring the complete optical pathway all the way through to the focal plane, researchers hope PEEPSS can help future observatories achieve the extraordinary precision necessary to detect habitable worlds.

A New Approach Using Photonic Lanterns

At the center of the project is an emerging technology known as a photonic lantern.

The device separates complex incoming light into individual optical channels, allowing researchers to recover not only brightness information, but also phase information carried by light waves, data that conventional imaging systems typically discard.

鈥淭raditional detectors wipe that information out,鈥� Eikenberry says. 鈥淧hotonic lanterns allow us to recover it.鈥�

That additional information enables what researchers describe as 鈥渜uantum-inspired imaging,鈥� an emerging technique that uses light behavior to improve image resolution and filter out the remaining starlight.

Researchers at CREOL have become major contributors to the rapidly growing field of astrophotonics, which combines astronomy, fiber optics and advanced photonic technologies.

鈥淭here are really only two major centers doing cutting-edge work on photonic lanterns,鈥� Eikenberry says. 鈥淯s and the University of Sydney in Australia.鈥�

The project brings together collaborators from 性视界传媒, University of California, Santa Cruz, the University of Sydney, and the Space Telescope Science Institute. At 性视界传媒, Eikenberry works alongside graduate student Genevieve Markees and researchers including Rodrigo Amezcua Correa, Miguel Bandres and Jose-Enrique Antonio-Lopez, whose expertise in fiber optics and photonics helped establish the collaboration.

Looking Toward Habitable Worlds

The current PEEPSS project is structured as a three-year effort focused on building and testing prototype photonic lantern systems in laboratory and telescope environments.

Some versions of the technology have already undergone testing on telescopes in Hawaii through collaborations with the Air Force Research Laboratory and international research partners.

Ultimately, researchers hope the technology could become part of the future NASA missions searching for habitable planets around distant stars.

鈥淚f we can identify habitable worlds around other stars and show they possess conditions where Earth-like life could survive, that鈥檚 already revolutionary,鈥� Eikenberry says. 鈥淚f we discover actual evidence of life, then we鈥檙e talking about one of the greatest scientific discoveries in human history.鈥�

For Eikenberry, humanity may now be approaching a historic turning point.

鈥淲e are one mission away,鈥� he says.

And if future observations succeed, humanity may no longer simply wonder whether life exists elsewhere in the universe. For researchers involved in the project, that possibility is what makes the work so compelling.

鈥淲e鈥檒l look up and know.鈥�

The PEEPSS project is supported by NASA through award No. 80NSSC26K0577 and brings together researchers from 性视界传媒, the University of Sydney and the University of California, Santa Cruz to develop advanced photonic technologies for future exoplanet imaging and spectroscopy missions, including NASA鈥檚 proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory. The initial PEEPSS concept development was supported by the University of Central 性视界传媒 through its SPICE Academic Excellence Program.

性视界传媒 is the leading producer of talent among 性视界传媒鈥檚 universities, awarding nearly 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 six esteemed speakers whose leadership and impact span some of Central 性视界传媒鈥檚 most influential industries:

• Barry Miller 鈥�95, president of Voloridge Investment Management
• Brian Adams 鈥�04MBA, president and CEO of AdventHealth Central 性视界传媒 Division
• Gloria Caulfield, vice president of strategic alliances, Tavistock Development Company
• Barbara Gellman-Danley, president of Higher Learning Commission
• Maj. Gen. James Smith, commander, space training and readiness command at Patrick Space Force Base
• Peter Lee, president of Microsoft Science

Commencement Festivities

Held in the Addition Financial Arena, spring commencement will take place over six ceremonies spanning Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9.

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 livestreamed .

Commencement Photo-ops Across 性视界传媒

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

Grad Walk

On Thursday, May 7, 2:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.), spring 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 are required to .

Commencement Schedule

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

Friday, May 8

9 a.m.

College of Business

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

2 p.m.

College of Health Professions and Sciences

College of Medicine

College of Nursing

7 p.m.

College of Arts and Humanities

Nicholson School of Communication and Media

Saturday, May 9

9 a.m.

College of Community Innovation and Education

2 p.m.

College of Sciences (excluding Nicholson School of Communication and Media)

7 p.m.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

College of Graduate Studies

College of Optics and Photonics

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

Commencement Speakers

Barry Miller 鈥�95

President of Voloridge Investment Management

Barry Miller 鈥�95 serves as president of Voloridge Investment Management, quantitative hedge fund manager, and Voloridge Health, a data science-based health tech company, both 性视界传媒 based.

Miller, who graduated with honors from 性视界传媒 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in finance, recently made a transformational $50 million gift this spring to establish the Barry S. Miller College of Business at 性视界传媒. The largest single philanthropic investment in 性视界传媒 history, the gift will accelerate a bold new model of business education designed for a world where technology, data and decision-making are inseparable.

Miller, also a member of the 性视界传媒 College of Business Hall of Fame, brings years of executive experience, having previously served as CEO of LASAS Technologies, a finance and insurance company that he co-founded in 1998. His career experience includes financial analysis, capital raising, financial markets, actuarial experience, software development and in-depth company infrastructure formation.

After gaining valuable experience as an entrepreneur and chief executive officer, Miller鈥檚 ambition led him to join and invest in Voloridge Investment Management and then Voloridge Health. For both companies, he is responsible for many facets of leadership, including trading, back-office operations, compliance, sales and marketing, vendor relationships and strategic planning.

Brian Adams 鈥�04MBA

President and CEO of AdventHealth Central 性视界传媒 Division

Brian Adams is president and CEO of AdventHealth鈥檚 Central 性视界传媒 Division, one of the nation鈥檚 largest faith-based health systems, whose 37,000 dedicated team members provide care for more than 3 million patients.

Known for building high-performing teams and ensuring the organization grows to meet the care needs of the community, Adams has led efforts to expand access to care, elevate quality and bring innovative solutions to rapidly growing communities. His leadership has continued to position AdventHealth as a trusted and innovative partner in Central 性视界传媒.

As a part of AdventHealth for more than 24 years, Adams has held senior leadership roles across the organization, including CEO positions in Tampa and Polk County, where he oversaw major expansions, facility investments and quality improvements.

He earned his 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 of business administration from the University of Central 性视界传媒 and a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Union College in Nebraska. Originally from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, Adams and his wife have two teenage sons.

Gloria Caulfield

Vice president of strategic alliances, Tavistock Development Company

In her multifaceted role as vice president of strategic alliances at Tavistock, Gloria Caulfield manages business development and corporate partnerships, collaborates with national and global stakeholders to advance health innovation, and leads the development of cutting-edge strategies for the Lake Nona community.

She is the chief architect and creative force behind the Lake Nona Impact Forum. The revered global health innovation summit brings together many of the world鈥檚 most preeminent thought leaders and serves as a signature event of the Tavistock Group.

Caulfield serves on boards that reflect her passion for advancing the future of human health, including the StartUp Health Impact Board, which focuses on mobilizing entrepreneurs to solve the biggest health challenges of our time, and the LFE Capital Advisory Board, which supports female founders and impactful, wellness-oriented companies.

Prior to joining Tavistock, she had a distinguished career at AdventHealth. As senior executive director for community development, she provided strategic leadership for corporate partnerships and spearheaded critical community initiatives across Central 性视界传媒. Caulfield is an alumna of the University of Arizona and brings visionary leadership to every aspect of her work.

Barbara Gellman-Danley

President of Higher Learning Commission

Barbara Gellman-Danley is president of the Higher Learning Commission, which accredits colleges and universities to ensure they meet high-quality standards and continuously improve.

Prior to beginning this role in 2014, she was president of the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College in Ohio. She previously served as vice chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, president of Antioch University McGregor, vice president at Monroe Community College and vice chancellor at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Gellman-Danley sits on the boards of Credential Engine, which she chairs, and GlobalMindED. Her career includes previous board and commission memberships with the Association of Governing Boards Council of Presidents, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, the American Council on Education鈥檚 Education and Attainment group and the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning.

Gellman-Danley holds degrees from Syracuse University, Simmons University, Oklahoma City University and the University of Oklahoma. She did post-graduate work at New York University, Cornell, Harvard, the University of Chicago and MIT.

An honorary member of Phi Theta Kappa, she is a professional certified coach, certified executive coach and certified life coach. She holds certifications in change management, Agile and Lean Six Sigma, a professional credential validating expertise in data-driven process improvement aimed at reducing waste and defects.

Maj. Gen. James Smith

Commander, space training and readiness command at Patrick Space Force Base

As commander, Maj. Gen. James E. Smith is responsible for preparing the U.S. Space Force and more than 14,000 military and civilian guardians to prevail in competition and conflict through innovative education, training, doctrine and test activities.

Originally from Boise, Idaho, Maj. Gen. Smith commissioned in 1997 as the top graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. His career spans numerous space operations and acquisition positions, including command at the squadron, group, wing, garrison and Field Command levels.

Maj. Gen. Smith has deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and to the U.S. Embassy in Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Prior to his current position, Maj. Gen. Smith served as the vice director, Joint Force Development, J-7, the Joint Staff, Arlington, Virginia.

Peter Lee

President of Microsoft Science

Peter Lee is president of Microsoft Science, where his responsibility is to accelerate the pace of discovery in the physical, biological and medical sciences through the use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Previously, he led the world laboratories of Microsoft Research. Before joining Microsoft in 2010, he established a new technology office at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency within the U.S. Department of Defense, creating operational capabilities in machine learning, data science and computational social science.

From 1987 to 2010, Lee was a professor and the head of the computer science department at Carnegie Mellon University. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and serves on the boards of several institutions in AI and medicine, including the board of trustees of the Mayo Clinic and the board of directors of the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine. He served on President Obama鈥檚 Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity and has testified before both U.S. House and Senate committees.

He is the co-author of the book, The AI Revolution in Medicine: GPT-4 and Beyond. In 2024, Lee was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in health and life sciences.

鈥淪ome boats make it around the pond, some spin around in little circles and some sink 鈥� designing, building and racing an autonomous (self-guided) vessel is quite difficult,鈥� says Jacqueline Sullivan 鈥�87 鈥�91MS, instructor of the Introduction to Engineering course that culminates with this final project.

Beyond a passing grade, a coveted grand prize is up for grabs for the team of the fastest vessel: a four-year McGraw book, e-book and software scholarship for each team member.

The race, in its 29th year, has all the components for innovation and potential for a mess. The classes of budding engineers have grown to nearly 2,000 students who form hundreds of teams. They鈥檙e using advanced technology and more components.

With this in mind, perhaps the most amazing aspect of the event is that it has become more orderly than ever, with races starting every 10 minutes for nine straight hours. There is no waste, in terms of time or materials.

鈥淪ustainable engineering,鈥� Sullivan calls it, before admitting, 鈥渂ut it wasn鈥檛 my idea. Race day used to be a bit chaotic until Mason [Clewis] came along.鈥�

It鈥檚 been only two years since Clewis, a senior photonic science and engineering student, recognized an opportunity to create a perfectly tuned e-waste recycling system, a timeline even he can hardly believe.

鈥淭he students are doing at this level what SpaceX and NASA are doing at the highest level 鈥� reusing and recycling.鈥� 鈥� Jacqueline Sullivan, instructor

鈥淎t first, I thought I鈥檇 run a recycling booth by myself and maybe reuse the boat parts or sell them on eBay,鈥� he says. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 grown beyond me, to multiple departments and a network of volunteers. It鈥檚 all happened fast and naturally.鈥�

The magic begins as each race ends. Participants who don鈥檛 advance to the final rounds take their boats to a tent where students disassemble each craft with the speed of NASCAR pit crews. They pull out batteries, computer chips and servomotors. Stainless steel screws and hardware are also collected. Whatever is left of the hulls is crushed and deposited into recycle bins.

The oranges are saved for other races.

As the day progresses through dozens of races, the lawn around the Reflecting Pond never changes from its original condition: a green carpet, in perfect spring form.

鈥淭he students are doing at this level what SpaceX and NASA are doing at the highest level 鈥� reusing and recycling,鈥� Sullivan says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I say Mason is my hero.鈥�

A Village Beyond the Tent

Clewis watched his first GNOR as a curious freshman. He鈥檇 been working on his own capstone project 鈥� developing a temperature-controlled fan. During the races, a few of his internal wheels started turning when he noticed boat carnage spilling from trash cans and onto the lawn.

鈥淪ome of the parts on the boats were the same parts I needed for my own project,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 know plenty of students like me who don鈥檛 want to shell out $100 for the same perfectly good batteries, chips and sensors that are being thrown away. Plus, I鈥檓 interested in entrepreneurship and keeping the environment clean. So, I took the basic idea for a recycling booth to Miss Sullivan.鈥�

“That鈥檚 the most rewarding aspect for me: the lasting impact 鈥� a positive, mutually beneficial impact. The campus looks better. Students can access free parts for their projects. Everyone has fun. There is no downside.鈥� 鈥� Mason Clewis, student

The power of organic growth took root when Sullivan put Clewis and his project partner, Chris Lesniak, in touch with Jim Essad, manager of the machine shop sciences program. When students from 性视界传媒鈥檚 Robotics Club found out, they offered to disassemble boats on race day and organize parts for future reuse. Word then spread to College of Engineering and Computer Sciences Facilities Operations Manager Pete Alfieris, who offered recycle containers and golf carts. Don Harper 鈥�88, manager of the Texas Instruments Innovation Lab, said he鈥檇 gladly take the discarded wood and barely-used hardware for the next cohorts to access for free.

鈥淚 never thought so many people would want to be involved,鈥� Clewis says, 鈥渂ut we鈥檙e helping others and there鈥檚 something inherently attractive about that.鈥�

Students want to be involved. Faculty and staff want to be involved. In the past 24 months, the savings in money and materials has been incalculable. The cycle feeds itself with the rare combination of sustainability and scale.

鈥淢ason started doing the right thing about a need when no one was looking,鈥� Sullivan says. 鈥淣ow everyone is looking.鈥�

E-Cycling into the Future

Clewis was in the recycling booth again for this year鈥檚 GNOR, but with a slightly different purpose: Teaching freshmen how to run the show.

鈥淚 won鈥檛 be here in a couple of years, but someone else will keep it going,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the most rewarding aspect for me: the lasting impact 鈥� a positive, mutually beneficial impact. The campus looks better. Students can access free parts for their projects. Everyone has fun. There is no downside.鈥�

Over the course of nearly a full academic year, peers, departmental and college leadership, and the university promotion and tenure committee engaged in a rigorous, multi-stage review to ensure candidates met 性视界传媒鈥檚 high standards in teaching, research, and service. Ultimately, they recommended 100 faculty members for promotion, including 23 for tenure.

Following the review process, the president and provost make final decisions on promotions, while the 性视界传媒 Board of Trustees provides final approval for tenure candidates. These decisions directly advance 性视界传媒鈥檚 strategic plan and its focus on recruiting and retaining highly qualified faculty 鈥� especially those who elevate student success, accelerate discovery and research, and strengthen the talent pipeline that drives innovation and economics for the state of 性视界传媒.

鈥淎t 性视界传媒, promotion and tenure reflects a thoughtful, rigorous review process and the high standards we set as an institution and state,鈥� says John Buckwalter, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a significant moment for these faculty, not just for the years of hard work it recognizes, but for what promotion and tenure represents: a sustained commitment to excellence, a deep dedication to student success, research that boldly improves lives, and the future we鈥檙e building together.鈥�

Promotions and tenure conferrals annually take effect on Aug. 8.

The faculty members recognized below represent the continued strength and momentum of 性视界传媒.

Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure

• John Gardiner, College of Arts and Humanities
• Tadashi Ishikawa, College of Arts and Humanities
• Sara Raffel, College of Arts and Humanities
• Jeffery Redding, College of Arts and Humanities
• John Bush, College of Business
• Seongho An, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Cynthia Williams, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Jiannan Chen, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Chinwendu Enyioha, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Ozlem Garibay, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Yao Li, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Miguel Bandres, College of Optics and Photonics
• Robert Fitak, College of Sciences
• Shyam Kattel, College of Sciences
• Kelsey Larsen, College of Sciences
• Kangsang Lee, College of Sciences
• Xialing Lin, College of Sciences
• Emily Zavodny, College of Sciences
• Kayode Aleshinloye, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• Carissa Baker, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• YunYing Zhong, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Promotion to Associate Professor of Medicine with Tenure

• Taj Azarian, College of Medicine
• Thomas Kean, College of Medicine

Promotion to Professor (Tenured)

• Thaddeus Anderson, College of Arts and Humanities
• Ann Gleig, College of Arts and Humanities
• Lanlan Kuang, College of Arts and Humanities
• Sandra Sousa, College of Arts and Humanities
• Mel Stanfill, College of Arts and Humanities
• Melanie Guldi, College of Business
• Xin He, College of Business
• Laurie Campbell, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Eric Merriam, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Woo Hyoung Lee, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Thomas Wahl, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Yang Yang, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Jacqueline Towson, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Romain Gaume, College of Optics and Photonics
• Jacopo Baggio, College of Sciences
• Matthieu Baudelet, College of Sciences
• Karin Chumbimuni Torres, College of Sciences
• Geoffrey Cook, College of Sciences
• Amy Donley, College of Sciences
• Hsin鈥慔siung Huang, College of Sciences
• Brigitte Kovacevich, College of Sciences
• Arkadiy Lyakh, College of Sciences
• Peter Smith, College of Sciences
• Xiaohu Xia, College of Sciences

Promotion to Associate Professor of Medicine

• Maria Farooq, College of Medicine

Promotion to Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine

• Naziha Slimani, College of Medicine
• Sharon Wasserstrom, College of Medicine

Promotion to Clinical Professor of Medicine

• Mariana Dangiolo, College of Medicine

Promotion to Research Associate Professor

• Crystal Maraj, Office of Research

Promotion to Associate Lecturer

• Jonathan Barker, College of Arts and Humanities
• Sara Willox, College of Business
• Elizabeth Yost, College of Business
• Michael Gilbrook, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Alison Redd, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Michael Redd, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Michael Chetta, College of Sciences
• Heather Edwards, College of Sciences
• Seongchun Kwon, College of Sciences
• Adam Parrish, College of Sciences
• Jamie Vega, College of Sciences
• Tong Wan, College of Sciences
• Rong Zhou, College of Sciences

Promotion to Senior Lecturer

• Christy Flanagan鈥慒eddon, College of Arts and Humanities
• David Head, College of Arts and Humanities
• Deborah Leitch, College of Arts and Humanities
• Amanda Snyder, College of Arts and Humanities
• Jeanine Viau, College of Arts and Humanities
• Constance Goodman, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Daniel Stephens, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Shane Trenta, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Marino Nader, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Sudeshna Pal, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Rachid Ait Maalem Lahcen, College of Sciences
• Cynthia Bayer, College of Sciences
• Martha Hubertz, College of Sciences
• Tamra Legron鈥慠odriguez, College of Sciences
• Hyung Park, College of Sciences
• Widaad Zaman, College of Sciences

Promotion to Associate Instructor

• Meeghan Faulconer, College of Arts and Humanities
• Yukari Nakamura, College of Arts and Humanities
• Carolina Salazar, College of Arts and Humanities
• Punam Desormes, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Jorri Bright, College of Sciences
• Richard Hall, College of Sciences
• Nicholas Zuccarello, College of Sciences

Promotion to Senior Instructor

• Rita De Luca Guerriero, College of Arts and Humanities
• Steven Ton, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Todd Fix, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Julie Matura, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Lance Speere, College of Sciences
• Abigail Ferreira, 性视界传媒 Global

Promotion to Associate Instructional Designer

• Rebecca McNulty, Division of Digital Learning

Promotion to Senior Instructional Designer

• Amy Sugar, Division of Digital Learning

Promotion to Associate Librarian

• Renee Montgomery, 性视界传媒 Libraries

Promotion to University Librarian

• Sai Deng, 性视界传媒 Libraries
• Sarah Norris, 性视界传媒 Libraries
• Andrew Todd, 性视界传媒 Libraries

Presented by the SCHOTT Group and the Ernst Abbe Fund, the award recognizes outstanding contributions to research and technology in glass, glass-ceramics and advanced materials. Richardson shares this year鈥檚 honor with Iowa State University researcher Steve Martin.

Together, their work reflects how advances in material structure can translate into real-world applications across industries including healthcare, energy, electronics and advanced technologies.

A Career of Innovation

Over the course of her career, Richardson has focused on advancing the science of optical materials, helping to expand how glass can be used in increasingly complex and demanding environments.

Her work has contributed to the development of materials that can be precisely engineered for performance, supporting innovations in imaging, sensing and optical systems.

鈥淭his award recognizes a lifetime of investment in know-how, specialized facilities creation and professional development of skilled personnel, which has resulted in unique prototype materials and technology development,鈥� Richardson says. 鈥淭hese efforts have resulted in products that have gone on to be licensed to partners in this critical application space. I am truly honored to be recognized by one of the global leaders in advanced optical materials for our team鈥檚 sustained work in IR materials.鈥�

Advancing Optical Materials

Richardson is recognized for her contributions to the development of optical glasses and infrared materials 鈥� specialized materials that control how light is transmitted and detected.

Her research focuses on designing glass compositions at the atomic level to achieve precise optical properties, enabling high-performance systems for infrared imaging, sensing technologies and advanced optics.

鈥淒r. Richardson鈥檚 sustained career has driven significant advancement in infrared material technologies, laying the foundation for next-generation sensing capabilities,鈥� says Winston Schoenfeld, vice president for research and innovation at 性视界传媒. 鈥淗er relentless pursuit of discovery in optical and infrared materials illuminates 性视界传媒鈥檚 expanding impact on the frontiers of advanced technologies that continue to shape the future.鈥�

From Fundamental Science to Application

The Otto Schott Research Award highlights the critical connection between fundamental research and industrial application, a hallmark of Richardson鈥檚 work. By advancing how glass materials are engineered and processed, her research helps expand the performance limits of existing materials while opening the door to entirely new classes of optical systems.

These innovations include glasses with improved infrared transmission and tailored properties that support emerging technologies in fields including aerospace, electronics, energy production and medical technologies.听 Her work has benefited from diverse support ranging from government to industry (local and international) as well as state funding from 性视界传媒鈥檚 High Technology Corridor (FHTC) which has provided extensive matching funds that have leveraged state funds to support education and training of several dozen graduate and undergraduate students from the Richardson group, over her career.

Why Infrared Materials Matter

Infrared materials play a critical role in technologies that rely on detecting and transmitting light beyond the visible spectrum. These systems are used in applications ranging from medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring to advanced imaging and sensing technologies.

Unlike conventional optical materials, infrared (IR) glasses must be carefully engineered to maintain transparency and performance under demanding conditions, including extreme temperatures and radiation.听听 Their chemistry is difficult requiring specialized facilities unique to 性视界传媒, present in the University鈥檚 Optical Material Laboratory, which houses the Glass Processing and Characterization Laboratory (GPCL). 听As a result, workforce training in such novel optical material science benefits not only local industry, a stronghold in IR optical materials manufacturing and systems, but government agencies as well.

Richardson鈥檚 work focuses on developing glass compositions that meet these challenges while offering greater flexibility than traditional crystalline materials, which are often more expensive and difficult to manufacture.

By enabling more adaptable and scalable materials, her research supports continued advances in imaging systems, sensing technologies and other applications that rely on precise optical performance.

A Global Recognition

The award, endowed with about $29,000, was presented April 13 during the annual meeting at the International Commission on Glass in Lyon, France.

鈥淭he research of Steve Martin and Kathleen Richardson clearly shows how essential a deep understanding of material structures is for technological progress,鈥� says Matthias M眉ller, head of research and development at SCHOTT. 鈥淭hese insights form the basis for developing new glass solutions that perform reliably in real-world applications and expand the boundaries of what is possible.鈥�

Awarded every two years, the Otto Schott Research Award recognizes scientists whose work bridges scientific discovery and practical innovation.

About the Awardee

Richardson is a 性视界传媒 trustee chair and Pegasus Professor of optics and materials science and engineering in CREOL. She is also Director of 性视界传媒鈥檚 Glass Processing and Characterization Laboratory (GPCL).

She earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in ceramic engineering and her 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in glass science from Alfred University. Richardson has spent more than two decades at 性视界传媒, following earlier work at Clemson University.

Justin Press 鈥�24, a 性视界传媒 photonic science and engineering major, may have developed a solution that benefits both employers and applicants. His brainchild, Hire Match AI, is an analytics layer that integrates with existing applicant tracking systems to better analyze and interpret hiring data.

鈥淲e reparse resumes, structure candidate data more accurately and use statistics to identify which combinations of skills and experiences tend to stay longer and perform better in a company over time,鈥� Press says. 鈥淭hat helps teams look past what I call 鈥榗hecklist champion鈥� resumes, where a candidate appears perfect on paper but is really just optimized for a filter.鈥�

Press says what sets his digital tool apart is its focus on analytics, fit and compliance.

From Frustration to Framework

He developed the idea as head of professional development for the Engineering Leadership and Innovation Institute 鈥� part of 性视界传媒鈥檚 College of Engineering and Computer Science 鈥� where students develop professional skills through a certificate program, specialized courses, maker spaces and mentorship. In that role, he helped students optimize their resumes for job listings and quickly realized the process wasn鈥檛 as straightforward as it seemed.

鈥淎t 性视界传媒, I was going through hundreds of applications and postings each year, and it became obvious how much of the process was turning into a game,鈥� Press says. 鈥淭hat gave me a firsthand look at how inefficient and frustrating the process was for both applicants and the people trying to help them.鈥�

Launching What Hiring Lacks

From that frustration came Hire Match AI. Press brought the idea to the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, where he received guidance on turning the concept into a business. Now, as he prepares for launch, several businesses have already expressed interest in using the platform to analyze their hiring data more deeply. Press says the goal is to make data analytics more accessible, no matter which ATS a company uses.

“The bigger vision is to make hiring more data-driven, more transparent and less dependent on surface-level filtering.”

鈥淲e want Hire Match AI to plug into every major ATS so companies can get better visibility into candidate fit, hiring patterns and compliance risk without having to switch the systems they already rely on,鈥� he says. 鈥淒own the line, that means expanding into larger platforms like Workday and other major enterprise systems. The bigger vision is to make hiring more data-driven, more transparent and less dependent on surface-level filtering.鈥�

Engineering with Purpose

Press says he was drawn to the field of photonic science and engineering by a desire to create technology that improves people鈥檚 lives. His advice to students with similar ambitions: focus on what makes their idea unique.

鈥淔or engineering students especially, having a wide range of experiences is a huge advantage,鈥� Press says. 鈥淎 lot of the best ideas come from [understanding] how technical problems connect to business problems, user behavior or broken systems in the real world. That matters even more now, with tools like large language models making it easier to build quickly.鈥�

Companies interested in using Hire Match AI can or sign up for early access.

That鈥檚 because every dollar ripples far beyond a single day. Every gift opens doors: for students to chase a dream, create unforgettable memories, boldly invent the future and be recognized for their hard work. And every donor does more than give 鈥� they ignite potential, spark inspiration and elevate Knights for generations.

With 性视界传媒 Day of Giving 2026 right around the corner 鈥� Thursday, April 9 鈥� we鈥檙e reflecting on the transformational effects and personal stories of triumph that emerged from last year鈥檚 show of support, knowing that shortly, our collective contributions will set another wave of Black & Gold breakthroughs, successes and discoveries into motion.

Prioritizing Unique Opportunities

Area of Support: College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean鈥檚 Excellence Fund
Amount Raised: $67,421
Impact: Learning experiences

Growing up in rural Ohio, Jordan Hires, an aerospace engineering major and Burnett Honors College Scholar, often gazed at the boundless night sky, inspired by the astronauts from her home state of Ohio. Moving 1,000 miles away for college was daunting, but manageable. With her sights set on becoming a chief engineer for deep space flights, 性视界传媒 offered two key benefits: a renowned aerospace engineering program and proximity to NASA.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the best decision I鈥檝e made,鈥� she says.

Since becoming a Knight, she鈥檚 done backstage tours at NASA, met with industry leaders from Mitsubishi, Siemens Energy and Lockheed Martin, and even talked to a former astronaut at an awards ceremony. This past summer, she worked alongside Professor Kareem Ahmed in the Propulsion and Energy Research Lab as a U.S. National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) fellow, testing a solution to remove heat from engines 鈥� research that could make hypersonic aircraft safer and cheaper. It was her second research experience as an undergrad.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know if it鈥檚 every little girl鈥檚 dream to work on classified projects with military and civilian applications, but it definitely was this little girl鈥檚 dream,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hanks to 性视界传媒, I鈥檝e had experiences that most students don鈥檛 get until graduate school.鈥�

Many of those opportunities are made possible by the College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean鈥檚 Excellence Fund, which supports hands-on learning, cutting-edge research equipment and innovative initiatives.

Supporting Lasting Memories

Area of Support: Marching Knights Scholarship Fund
Amount Raised: $14,067
Impact: Multiple scholarships for band members

For 性视界传媒 Marching Knights President Zoie Taverna, two moments define her 性视界传媒 experience: the rush of running onto the field for her first game and the bittersweet joy of singing the alma mater song alongside her best friend for their final game before graduation.

鈥淔or three whole years, we stood next to each other in the stands, screaming, feeding off each other鈥檚 energy,鈥� Taverna says. 鈥淔or her last game, we went all out. We couldn鈥檛 even talk by the end of it. We cried while singing the alma mater.鈥�

Taverna is among the Marching Knights whose experiences at 性视界传媒 are bolstered by the Branen Band Endowed Scholarship, which helps cover essentials like textbooks, meals and rent that her Bright Futures scholarship does not. As a mechanical engineering major, band leader and corresponding secretary for the national chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, she packs her days with coursework, practice and student engagement.

During the summers, she works full-time at a summer camp for kids, and she spends her weekends and evenings at Panera Bread to save up enough to cover the expenses to allow her to stay focused while in school.

鈥淲ithout scholarships, I wouldn鈥檛 have the time to do extracurriculars, such as Marching Knights, where I get to represent 性视界传媒 in Central 性视界传媒 and around the world,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd I wouldn鈥檛 get to spend every Saturday in the Bounce House with all of my friends, immersed in the band life we love.鈥�

Illuminating Pathways

Area of Support: College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL)
Amount Raised: $54,880
Impact: $4,880 Went Toward Supporting 19 scholarships for attendees

This summer, high school student Chloe Phung left the bright lights of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to spend a week immersed in the study of light on 性视界传媒鈥檚 campus. As part of the third Laser and Photonics Summer Camp hosted by CREOL, she joined more than 50 high school students from across Central 性视界传媒 鈥� and around the world.

鈥淚 had the chance to learn many things, to learn more about optics, lenses and lasers,鈥� Phung says.

In addition to learning opportunities, the camp shines a light on the photonics industry, where more than 10,000 jobs open each year in the U.S., despite only 80 to 100 students in the nation graduating with bachelor鈥檚 degrees in photonics annually. A third of those graduates come from CREOL.

Paying it Forward

Area of Support: Dr. Michelle R. Dusseau Communication and Community Impact Endowed Scholarship Fund
Amount Raised: $1,780
Impact: $1,500 scholarship for one communication major, awarded annually

Beatrix Alerte transferred to 性视界传媒 in Spring 2024 with a plan: build community on campus, explore a career in media, stay active in service and say yes to every opportunity.

The first three goals came naturally. She enrolled in classes, mentored two freshmen as part of the 性视界传媒 chapter of Big Sister Little Sister mentoring program and served as a trip coordinator for the Alternative Spring Break Program. Alerte also gained work experience as a marketing ambassador for Project BEST, a Student Support Services project that supports first generation students, and as an intern with 性视界传媒 Athletics.

Her final goal was made easier this summer when Alerte was named the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Michelle R. Dusseau Communication and Community Impact Endowed Scholarship, created this past year by longtime the College of Science‘s Nicholson School of Communication and Media faculty member Michelle Dusseau.

鈥淭his scholarship has given me the freedom to say yes to career-building opportunities, many of which are unpaid, while worrying less about covering

personal living expenses,鈥� Alerte says. 鈥淭hat support makes all the difference.鈥�

This 性视界传媒 Day of Giving, we鈥檙e launching Knights to new heights! Save the date to on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Check out the to maximize your impact. And get ready to join your Knight Nation family as we Bounce, Stomp, Splash and Cheer our way to more impact than ever before.