UDX - Partnerships Page - Partner with UCF

For three decades, UCF and Universal Destinations & Experiences have joined forces to align education with real-world experience, creating direct pathways into careers and shaping environments, programs and innovations. As both organizations expand their relationship as Pegasus Partners, UCF celebrates our shared commitment to preparing the next generation of leaders in hospitality, tourism and entertainment.

Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation

Building a First-of-its-Kind School

Fueled through a $10 million investment in 2026, Universal and UCF have joined forces to establish the Universal School of Experience Leadership and Innovation — a global hub for talent and innovation, shaping the future of themed attractions, immersive experiences, live events and destination innovation. Set to launch in Fall 2026, it stands as the only school in the nation where Universal leaders work directly alongside faculty to co-create curriculum, lead experiential projects and mentor the next generation of industry professionals.

Anchored in Orlando — the entertainment and theme park capital of the world — the school connects Universal to a deep talent pool of undergraduate and graduate students immersed in themed entertainment, events management, design thinking, storytelling, operational excellence and emerging technologies.

UCF Rosen College students or campus environment

No. 1

College for hospitality, education and research in the nation
( ShanghaiRanking )

Universal leaders serving on UCF academic advisory boards.

“Our industry is entering a new era of opportunity defined by real-world experiences that create meaningful connection and memories with those who matter most. At the center of the Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation is a simple idea: to unite the creativity, technology and innovation, and the real-world application of business, marketing, and guest service in one place to prepare and develop tomorrow’s leaders who will help to deliver these meaningful experiences to guests and fans around the world.”

— Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences

Career Pathways

Creating Career Pathways and Sparking Growth Trajectories

UCF and Universal have forged one of the industry’s most active — and reciprocal — talent pipelines. As the second-largest employer of UCF students, Universal hosts anywhere from 50 to 100 students each semester in roles across the organization. Since 2022, Universal Day has formalized that connection through an annual networking event that connects students and alumni from Rosen College of Hospitality Management with company leaders through panel discussions, tabling and on-the-spot interviews.

The investment is mutually beneficial: With the creation of the Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation, current Universal employees will now be able to elect into degree programs at Rosen, to continue their own professional development as well.

The partnership reaches beyond the parks and into the broader media landscape. Through NBCU Academy, UCF journalism and media students gain scholarships, hands-on training and direct pathways to careers at Comcast NBCUniversal, with internship opportunities nationwide.

200+

Internship and job opportunities at Universal posted for UCF students and alumni each year.

15,000+ alumni

Universal — making it the No. 2 employer of Rosen College graduates.

“UCF was built to power what’s next for our students, for industry and for the State of Florida. By partnering with a global leader like Universal Destinations and Experiences, we are creating opportunities at scale and preparing talent to innovate in one of the most dynamic sectors of our economy
— Alexander N. Cartwright, UCF President

Innovation

Driving Innovation in the Entertainment Industry

The Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation is built on a shared culture of relentless innovation — cultivating talent who can move fluidly across creative engineering and design, operational execution and guest experience leadership.

At its core is the Hospitality Technology Lab, a state-of-the-art creative and experimental space featuring augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence, simulation, service robotics and advanced production technologies. The lab functions as a sandbox where students, faculty and Universal professionals collaborate, test bold ideas and prototype next generation experiences. It reflects the best of both partners — Universal’s decades long legacy of storytelling and game-changing technology, and UCF’s longstanding commitment to future-forward education and industry-defining research.

Technology and immersive experience lab at UCF

Top 10

Most innovative public university in the nation. (U.S. News & World Report)

2025

UCF received the Innovative Institution Award from EAB.

TIME

Universal Epic Universe named among TIME’s 2026 World’s Greatest Places.

“Rosen College has long been the global leader in hospitality education, and this next step reflects how our industry is evolving. By strengthening our relationship with our longtime partners at Universal Destinations & Experiences, we are creating a first-of-its-kind two-school model that blends creativity, technology and leadership, preparing students to lead the future of guest experiences.”
— Cynthia Mejia, dean of UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Student Support

Investing in the Next Generation of Industry Leaders

Universal’s commitment to developing exceptional talent runs deeper than programs and partnerships. Through more than $2.6 million in scholarships and funds that enhance the student experience, Universal has made a lasting investment in the students who will define the future of the global experience and entertainment industry.

These scholarships remove financial barriers for high-potential students — ensuring that the next generation of creative minds, operators and innovators can access a world-class education and step confidently into careers at the forefront of the industry.

UCF students supported through scholarships and industry partnerships

“Our longstanding partnership with UCF creates meaningful opportunities for students and our industry, and this next evolution builds significantly on that strong foundation. Together, we’re creating a distinctive academic home that will help prepare future leaders and expand pathways into careers across themed entertainment and hospitality.”
— John Sprouls, Chief Administrative Officer of Universal Destinations and Experiences

Regional Impact

Together, We’re Driving Central Florida’s Future Prosperity

As UCF’s first entertainment sector Pegasus Partner, Universal is expanding investments that will serve as a powerful catalyst for the region’s workforce, strengthening industry-academic collaboration and supporting the next generation of global experience leaders. This includes scholarship opportunities for local and out-of-state students.

UCF will develop programs tailored to Universal’s evolving workforce needs, equipping employees with the skills and capabilities to lead in a rapidly changing industry.

Both organizations will work together to co-develop curriculum, advance applied research and shape a talent pipeline built for the future.

Pegasus Partners

About the Pegasus Partners Program

UCF’s Pegasus Partners Program is where transformative ideas take flight. It is the launchpad for UCF’s most intentional, high-impact collaborations — partnerships where shared vision becomes shared action, and bold ambitions become enduring realities. This elite group of partners represent some of the most meaningful and consequential relations UCF has forged to date.

Learn more about becoming a partner