{"id":133147,"date":"2023-01-05T12:18:03","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T17:18:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=133147"},"modified":"2025-04-15T12:56:19","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T16:56:19","slug":"early-outreach-furthers-ucf-downtowns-commitment-to-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/early-outreach-furthers-ucf-downtowns-commitment-to-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Early Outreach Furthers UCF Downtown\u2019s Commitment to Community"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>On an October day in 2022, Mindy Mozena, director for Enrollment Services at UCF Downtown, came to work dressed as Pete the Cat. It\u2019s an unusual outfit choice for the professional who is usually wearing a blazer and high heels. But today is the campus\u2019s second Book Character Parade and Mozena is laser focused on her customers \u2014 kindergartener and first graders from the Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) Academic Center for Excellence (ACE).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s so fun to see the kids all dressed up in their costumes and so many smiling faces on campus, but there is a deeper goal than handing out candy,\u201d Mozena says. \u201cToday is just one of many touch points we hope to have with these students to show them that college is something that\u2019s within their reach \u2014 and expose them to the opportunities right in their backyard.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In late 2014, UCF announced its plans to build a campus in downtown Orlando. At the center of its plan was a commitment to serve not only students, but the immediate surrounding community of Parramore. Mozena, along with a team of others from UCF, Valencia College and OCPS ACE, are in the first year of an engagement plan with the elementary school, designed to educate, engage, and excite OCPS ACE students about UCF, Valencia College, and post-secondary education in general. Mozena serves as co-chair of the committee along with <strong>DeShawn Chapman &#8217;11MEd &#8217;16EdD<\/strong>, education programs manager for the Parramore Education and Innovation District.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_133149\" style=\"max-width: 1200px;\" class=\"figure float-left\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img img-fluid w-100 wp-image-133149 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022.jpg\" alt srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022-360x240.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img img-fluid w-100 wp-image-133149 size-full lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022-360x240.jpg 360w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">OCPS ACE students complete an assignment during the &#8220;A Day on Campus&#8221; event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cSome students in historically deficient communities may not have the frequency and quality of college exposure experiences that are necessary to make informed decisions and develop actions plans for applying to and enrolling in college,\u201d Chapman says. \u201cThis plan is important because it prioritizes early, frequent and quality postsecondary exposure experiences. It also positions the new campus and a partner in education within this established community.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Studies show that graduation from college not only improves job opportunities for individuals, but it also helps people secure better-paying jobs and increases positive health outcomes. A college degree is also likely to result in more economic security. \u201cThe average graduate with a bachelor\u2019s degree will earn double what the average individual without a degree will make in their lifetime,\u201d according to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hamiltonproject.org\/papers\/major_decisions_what_graduates_earn_over_their_lifetimes\">Hamilton Project study<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSome students have challenges in completing the application and submitting all the required information to UCF and often times give up during the application process,\u201d Mozena says. \u201cWe want to change that thought process completely to show these students that they can succeed and we\u2019re here to help them unleash their potential. None of us got to where we are without others help.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_133150\" style=\"max-width: 258px;\" class=\"figure float-left\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"667\" class=\"figure-img  img-fluid w-100 wp-image-133150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/Student-Coloring-ACE-Coloring-Book.jpg\" alt srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/Student-Coloring-ACE-Coloring-Book.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/Student-Coloring-ACE-Coloring-Book-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/Student-Coloring-ACE-Coloring-Book-384x512.jpg 384w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/Student-Coloring-ACE-Coloring-Book-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/Student-Coloring-ACE-Coloring-Book-270x360.jpg 270w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"667\" class=\"figure-img  img-fluid w-100 wp-image-133150 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20500%20667%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20500%20667%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/Student-Coloring-ACE-Coloring-Book.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/Student-Coloring-ACE-Coloring-Book-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/Student-Coloring-ACE-Coloring-Book-384x512.jpg 384w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/Student-Coloring-ACE-Coloring-Book-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/Student-Coloring-ACE-Coloring-Book-270x360.jpg 270w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/Student-Coloring-ACE-Coloring-Book.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">A OCPS ACE student completes a coloring page in the &#8220;Going to College&#8221; activity book.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In addition to fun activities like book character parade, the engagement plan includes the creation of a custom \u201cGoing to College\u201d activity book, containing games, word searches and coloring pages featuring the three school\u2019s mascots, Knightro, Purcy and the ACE Lion cub. ACE students in grades voluntary pre-kindergarten through second grade were gifted the activity books earlier in the Fall 2022 semester.<\/p>\n<p>There was also a \u201cDay on Campus\u201d visit for fifth grade students in October 2022 where they received instruction&nbsp;from their own teachers, along with lessons from Valencia\u2019s general education&nbsp;faculty members and enjoyed lunch.&nbsp;The day allowed students to experience the downtown campus, interact with college professors, administrators and staff.&nbsp;Future plans will host eighth graders in January and the rest of fifth grade in March.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was so beautiful to see the students light up as they got to walk the halls of college and get candy,\u201d says Shannan Outler, ACE school social worker. \u201cWhat an amazing collaboration the Book Character Parade was, and I look forward to more events in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Data also supports that an individual\u2019s enrollment and completion of higher education is influenced by their family. Students whose parents have completed college benefit from their knowledge and prior experiences to help their children navigate the complexities of enrollment and encouragement throughout their college experience. For first-generation college students, that first-hand experience simply isn\u2019t available at home. This is exactly why the engagement plan includes participation in select parent night events at the ACE school.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_133153\" style=\"max-width: 1200px;\" class=\"figure float-left\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img img-fluid w-100 wp-image-133153 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022_2.jpg\" alt srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022_2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022_2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022_2-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022_2-360x240.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img img-fluid w-100 wp-image-133153 size-full lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022_2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022_2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022_2-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022_2-360x240.jpg 360w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2023\/01\/OCPS-ACE-A-Day-on-Campus-2022_2.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">A Valencia College Professor of Chemistry Chuck Davis speaks with an OCPS ACE class during the &#8220;A Day on Campus&#8221; event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cParent nights are an opportunity to build authentic relationships with students and families,\u201d says Chapman. \u201cWith a foundation of familiarity and trust, parents and students are more receptive to connecting with postsecondary resources and opportunities. Additionally, UCF staff can increase their understanding of what it truly means to be a part of the community in which they work.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Although hurdles to higher education remain, Mozena, Chapman and their team are hard at work to provide access to higher education for anyone whose dream it is to earn a degree.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe ultimate goal for this initiative is to strengthen our relationship with the community and contribute to the educational ecosystem from pre-K to Ph.D.,\u201d says Mozena. \u201cWe will know we have succeeded when students feel confident and comfortable interacting with the downtown campus and when students see going to college as part of their academic journey.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An engagement plan with an urban K-8 school helps students feel welcome and see themselves as future college students.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":133148,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"lazy_load_responsive_images_disabled":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[18104,18219,12851],"tu_author":[],"class_list":["post-133147","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-academic-excellence","tag-community-impact","tag-ucf-downtown"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.3 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Early Outreach Furthers UCF Downtown\u2019s Commitment to Community | University of Central Florida News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"An engagement plan with an urban K-8 school helps students feel welcome and see themselves 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