The College of Sciences Spring 2025 commencement ceremony featured a special guest speaker, alumna Yvette Kanouff, who received one of the highest honors bestowed by UCF, an honorary doctoral degree. Kanouff earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from UCF and has remained engaged with UCF in the subsequent years, currently serving on the College of Sciences Dean’s Advisory Board.
“I am so humbled by this honor,” Kanouff says. “When I received my master’s degree, Dr. Ahmed Zayed — my ‘thesis father’ and mentor — told me that my work in math was worthy of a doctorate. However, I was not in a position to pursue that level of education at the time. I am so grateful, proud and honored to stand here now and receive this degree from UCF.”
Her continued commitment to the university has made an impact on students, faculty and staff.
“It’s a rare opportunity for students to interact and learn from a person as passionate and successful as Yvette — yet she took the time from her busy schedule this spring to teach a calculus class while she was visiting campus for meetings,” says Anthony Pomonis, executive director of advancement at the College of Sciences. “She is truly devoted to the people around her and makes an incredible difference through her professional contributions and her volunteer leadership.”
Kanouff is a partner in JC2 Ventures, a venture capital firm reimagining the power of investment. Through this work, she helps address challenges around the globe, encouraging startups that can drive economic growth, job creation and innovation through digital technologies.
She drew on this experience in her commencement speech, inspiring the graduating students.
“We are in an era of innovation and transformation in technology and in how we work, play and live. I am fortunate to have started my career during times of great innovation, and you have such an opportunity today,” Kanouff said during the ceremony.
Kanouff offered lessons from life to the students, speaking of the power of bringing “drive and grit” to work and the importance of giving back.
She previously received a Lifetime Achievement Emmy in Engineering and Technology, the National Cable and Television Association’s Vanguard Award for Leadership in Science and Technology, and was named one of the most influential people in the television industry.
Kanouff has left a legacy in a number of industries, helping to create on demand video, contributing to everyday technologies and spearheading the technology behind the streaming services that most people utilize and enjoy today. However, she came from humble beginnings, working to pay her tuition while going to school
“I had to put myself through college and am proud of having done that for my undergraduate and graduate degrees,” Kanouff says. “I worked while going to school and consistently focused on innovation, and disruptive technology and mathematics.”
In her commencement remarks, she expressed appreciation to her family and friends and spoke to the power of mentorship in her life, encouraging graduates to give back, especially to their alma mater.
“It’s up to you to create something more and to help future students and others accomplish what you have accomplished today,” Kanouff said to graduates. “UCF has always welcomed me, as well as other alumni, and that’s a relationship that will continue [for you] after this [ceremony] — continue to be a part of this special place wherever life takes you.”
