{"id":1543,"date":"2026-06-05T20:15:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T20:15:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/partnerships\/?page_id=1543"},"modified":"2026-06-08T15:05:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T15:05:08","slug":"universal","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/partnerships\/universal\/","title":{"rendered":"UDX – Partnerships Page"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n 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. <\/p>\n

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Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation<\/span><\/p>\n

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Building a First-of-its-Kind School<\/h2>\n

Fueled through a $10 million investment in 2026, Universal and UCF have joined forces to establish the Universal School of Experience Leadership and Innovation<\/strong> \u2014 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. <\/p>\n

Anchored in Orlando \u2014 the entertainment and theme park capital of the world \u2014 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. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n \"UCF\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
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\n No. 1<\/span><\/p>\n

College for hospitality, education and research in the nation
\n ( ShanghaiRanking )<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n 13<\/span><\/p>\n

Universal leaders serving on UCF academic advisory boards.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n “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\u2019s leaders who will help to deliver these meaningful experiences to guests and fans around the world.”<\/p>\n

\u2014 Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences
\n <\/cite>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Career Pathways<\/span><\/p>\n

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Creating Career Pathways and Sparking Growth Trajectories<\/h2>\n

UCF and Universal have forged one of the industry\u2019s most active \u2014 and reciprocal \u2014 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. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n 200+<\/span><\/p>\n

Internship and job opportunities at Universal posted for UCF students and alumni each year.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n 15,000+ alumni<\/span><\/p>\n

Universal \u2014 making it the No. 2 employer of Rosen College graduates.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n \u201cUCF was built to power what\u2019s 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
\n \u2014 Alexander N. Cartwright, UCF President<\/cite>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Innovation<\/span><\/p>\n

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Driving Innovation in the Entertainment Industry<\/h2>\n

The Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation is built on a shared culture of relentless innovation \u2014 cultivating talent who can move fluidly across creative engineering and design, operational execution and guest experience leadership. <\/p>\n

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 \u2014 Universal\u2019s decades long legacy of storytelling and game-changing technology, and UCF\u2019s longstanding commitment to future-forward education and industry-defining research. <\/p>\n

\n
\n \"Technology\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n Top 10<\/span><\/p>\n

Most innovative public university in the nation. (U.S. News & World Report)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n 2025<\/span><\/p>\n

UCF received the Innovative Institution Award from EAB.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\n TIME<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Universal Epic Universe named among TIME\u2019s<\/em> 2026 World\u2019s Greatest Places.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n \u201cRosen 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.\u201d
\n \u2014 Cynthia Mejia, dean of UCF\u2019s Rosen College of Hospitality Management<\/cite>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Student Support<\/span><\/p>\n

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Investing in the Next Generation of Industry Leaders<\/h2>\n

Universal\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

These scholarships remove financial barriers for high-potential students \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \"UCF\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n \u201cOur longstanding partnership with UCF creates meaningful opportunities for students and our industry, and this next evolution builds significantly on that strong foundation. Together, we\u2019re creating a distinctive academic home that will help prepare future leaders and expand pathways into careers across themed entertainment and hospitality.\u201d
\n \u2014 John Sprouls, Chief Administrative Officer of Universal Destinations and Experiences<\/cite>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Regional Impact<\/span><\/p>\n

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Together, We\u2019re Driving Central Florida\u2019s Future Prosperity<\/h2>\n

As UCF\u2019s first entertainment sector Pegasus Partner, Universal is expanding investments that will serve as a powerful catalyst for the region\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n

UCF will develop programs tailored to Universal\u2019s evolving workforce needs, equipping employees with the skills and capabilities to lead in a rapidly changing industry. <\/p>\n

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

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Pegasus Partners<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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About the Pegasus Partners Program<\/h2>\n

UCF\u2019s Pegasus Partners Program is where transformative ideas take flight. It is the launchpad for UCF\u2019s most intentional, high-impact collaborations \u2014 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. <\/p>\n

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\n \"addition\n <\/div>\n
\n \"Advent\n <\/div>\n
\n \"BNY\n <\/div>\n
\n \"Lockheed<\/a>
\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n \"Nemours\n <\/div>\n
\n \"Orlando\n <\/div>\n
\n \"Siemens
\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n \"UDX\"
\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n Learn more about becoming a partner<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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With more than 69,000 students and four campuses anchoring industry clusters, we fuel Orlando\u2019s $194 billion economy<\/a> and inspire impactful discoveries to better the world.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

TM & \u00a9 2026 Universal Studios<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":8693,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-fullscreen.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-1543","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nUDX - Partnerships Page - UCF PARTNERSHIPS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/partnerships\/universal\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"UDX - Partnerships Page\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/partnerships\/universal\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"UCF PARTNERSHIPS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-08T15:05:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/wwwtest.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/5\/files\/2026\/05\/155A5699-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ucf.edu\\\/partnerships\\\/universal\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ucf.edu\\\/partnerships\\\/universal\\\/\",\"name\":\"UDX - 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