UCF in the News

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) is an engineering organization that targets the Hispanic community, and its chapter at UCF is helping the 30 percent of Hispanic or Latino undergraduate engineering students feel at home. SHPE has over 300 members and focuses on helping students obtain mentorships, internships or jobs, as well as creating a family in the large UCF community. This year, it also launched a scholarship committee for students who struggle financially.

UCF RESTORES is making strides in its mission to make virtual reality treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder more available. The program is now looking to cut down the length of treatment from 15 days to 10 days and using new VR technology developed at the university. With it, treatment can be more personalized for veterans and first responders, and anyone who has experience trauma.

UCF’s classic “Knighthead” logo has received a facelift as the athletics department begins to prepare for bigger stages and brighter lights in the Big 12 Conference. The new logo, which serves as a secondary to UCF’s primary “stacked” logo, provides a more modern look at the Knighthead. The logo was designed in-house, and makes references to the university’s connections to the space program by featuring a Polaris star in the center chest, while remaining true to its original mascot with iconic Knight characteristics.

Cyndia Morales Muñiz, director of UCF’s Hispanic Serving Institution Culture and Partnerships, is a Don Quxjote Awards finalist for Professional of the Year. Dr. Luis Martinez-Fernandez, a professor of history at UCF, also is a finalist for the Excellence Award. The Don Quixote Awards are a flagship event in Central Florida that recognizes businesses and individuals committed to the excellence and development of Central Florida’s Hispanic community. The award ceremony will be on Dec. 11.

The parents of UCF football players are holding a toy drive called “Operation Christmas Knight” to help local kids and families in need this holiday season. The donations will go to kids at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and others living in motels.

If you’ve purchased almost anything lately, you’ve likely noticed higher prices. According to the US Labor Department inflation of commonly used goods is the highest it’s been since 1990. WMFE spoke with UCF sociology professor Amy Donley about how the rising cost of items such as food, clothing and even energy and shelter could affect Central Floridians this winter.

University of Central Florida recently unveiled its new state-of-the-art microgrid control lab on campus. The lab is a partnership with Florida Power Light and General Electric.

Orlando Business Journal's 2021 Central Florida Power Players recognizes 50 business leaders and executives who are helping grow and innovate the way business is done throughout the region. Winners were chosen in five categories: Industry Giants, Disruptors, Deal Makers, Connectors and Heavy Hitters. The 11 businesspeople who were chosen in the Deal Makers category are those driving major transactions, policies, initiatives and/or projects, spearheading partnerships and relationships that generate new local business activity. They include Wendy Brandon, CEO, UCF Lake Nona Medical Center; Carol Ann Logue, director of programs & operations, UCF Innovations Districts & Incubation Program; and Rob Panepinto, president of Florentine Strategies; director of partnerships and strategy for UCF Business Incubation System & Innovation Districts.

The University of Central Florida’s Recreation and Wellness Center has a sports officiating class that pours people into the Central Florida community to officiate at all level of sport competition. The program is unique because the college and professional referees who come through often return to help train the next generation of whistle-blowers.