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UCF Graduate Programs Reach New Heights in U.S. News Rankings Through Research Excellence, Impactful Community Engagement

Making Memories: UCF Downtown’s Most Iconic Graduation Photo Spots

By: Jamie Giller As graduation day approaches, you may already be feeling nostalgic about your time on campus. But don’t worry, you can capture those…

Celebrating Employee Excellence on Founders’ Day 2024

Meet UCF’s 2024 Pegasus Professors Who Make a Global Impact

UCF’s FIEA Ranks as World’s No. 1 Graduate Game Design Program for 4th Time in 5 Years

Emergency Management Master’s Student Funds Endowment to Grow the Program

53 Faculty Scholars Honored at 4th Biennial Faculty Authors’ Celebration

FIEA and Florida Polytechnic Students Win FIEA’s First Game Jam

UCF Research Team Moves to Build Mobile Resilience Hubs for Local Neighborhoods

UCF Earns 2024 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification

UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy to Graduate its 1,000th Student

Behind the Scenes

Fun and Games

UCF’s hospitality management, transportation science and public administration programs rank among the nation’s best

UCF Downtown Book Character Parade Promotes Early Literacy, Community Engagement

2 UCF Downtown Faculty Honored at 2023 Luminary Awards

Two UCF Downtown faculty members were celebrated for their leadership and the impact they are making in communities, the nation and in the world during…

UCF Center for Community Schools Welcomes $3.9M Funding Increase

UCF Researcher Among 2 Nationwide Selected for Prestigious CDC Fellowship This Year

UCF is Highest Ranked in Florida for Innovation by U.S. News, Rise to No. 14 Driven by Research and Student Success Outcomes

UCF Rises to No. 36 Best National Universities Ranking by Washington Monthly for 2023

UCF Cares: You Are Not Alone

UCF Sees Success With Efforts to Increase Local Student Recruitment Through Community Engagement

UCF Student Film Receives Suncoast Regional Student Production Awards

New UCF Study Examines Insurance Barriers to Access Opioid Addiction Medication

UCF Professor Honored as Fellow of Gerontological Society of America

Valencia, UCF Receive $1.3 M from Helios to Increase Graduates Through Student Stipends and Support

Celebrating 60 Years of UCF: A Legacy of Excellence, A Future of Possibilities

Stella Sung’s Piece “Starbursts” Makes World Premiere

Downtown Faculty and Staff Recognized for Outstanding Performance

By: Jamie Giller May 19, 2023 On Thursday, May 4, 2023, more than 120 faculty and staff gathered to watch eight UCF Downtown and Valencia…

UCF Celebrates the Arts Wins Golden Brick Award for Impact on Downtown Orlando

Florida Ranks No. 1 for Higher Education by U.S. News & World Report for 7th Year

Digital Twin: The New Era of Simulation

UCF Graduate Programs Climb in U.S. News Rankings, Highlighting Research Excellence and Community Impact

Orlando Magic Youth Foundation Awards UCF $50,000 to Support Local Young Readers

UCF Video Game Design Programs Among the Best in the World for 2023

2022 Public Safety Awards Ceremony Recognizes Several Outstanding Department Members

UCF’s John C. Hitt Leaves a Legacy of Partnerships and Transforming Lives

Early Outreach Furthers UCF Downtown’s Commitment to Community

UCF’s 30 Best Photos of 2022

UCF Podcast: Reflecting on a Lifetime of Service to Students, Space and Community

Orlando Again Ranked No. 1 Best College City in Florida, No. 3 in Nation

UCF Professor Travels to Israel for Fulbright Specialist Award

Electronic Arts Awards Scholarships to UCF Students to Increase Diversity in Gaming Industry

UCF Researchers Awarded NSF Grant to Establish Local Resiliency Hubs

UCF Podcast: Combining Art and Technology

UCF Recognizes 6 Top Scholars as 2022 Luminary Award Winners

UCF Recognized Nationally for Efforts to Support Hispanic Students’ Education and Excellence

19+ Events UCF is Hosting for Homecoming 2022

Supporting Our Community After Hurricane Ian

UCF Receives 8th Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award

Washington Monthly Ranks UCF Among Best National Universities for 2022

UCF Earns Highest Public School U.S. News & World Report Ranking in University History

College of Community Innovation and Education’s New Dean Shares Excitement for Return to UCF

UCF Health Leaders Academy Helps Teens Chart Path to Medicine

Knights at Work Downtown: All Work and Lots of Play

By: Jamie Giller Connecting students to real world experiences at companies throughout downtown Orlando is one of the major benefits of attending UCF Downtown. For…

UCF Alum Named Assistant Director of U.S. Secret Service Office of Investigations

CannonDesign Receives ACUI 2022 Outstanding Facility Design Award for UnionWest at Creative Village

The Association of College Unions International (ACUI) has recognized the University of Central Florida and Valencia College’s collaborative UnionWest at Creative Village for a 2022…

Knights at Work Downtown: Service to Community Inspires Communication Alumna to Continue Education

By: Stephanie Rodriguez ’20 and Jamie Giller Built with the vision of increasing access for students into high-demand career fields, minutes from their classrooms, UCF…

Dean Named for the College of Community Innovation and Education

Helios Education Foundation and UCF Invest $3.25 Million in New Downtown Scholars Initiative

PHOTOS: First Ever Black and Gold Takeover Day at Jones High School

On March 2, 2022, UCF, in collaboration with the Parramore Education and Innovation District, held its first Black and Gold Takeover Day at Jones High…

UCF Threepeats as World’s Best Graduate Game Design Program

Ross Wolf Named Fellow of the American Council on Education

Alum, Local Artist Creates New ‘Elevation’ Mural for UCF Downtown

UCF Expert on Emergency Management: It’s All About Helping People

UCF Joins Program to Strengthen Data-based Research at Minority-serving Institutions

PHOTOS: UCF Earns 30th LEED Certification for Downtown Building

Downtown Celebration Dedicates Campus to the Community

UCF Alum Founds Nonprofit to Assist Homeless LGBTQ+ Youth

Associate Provost for UCF Downtown Named

Ross Wolf ’88 ’91MPA ’98EdD will play a key role in shaping the future of UCF’s urban campus of more than 7,500 students.

Lithuania Honors UCF Professor with National Award for Global Leadership

UCF’s 33 Best Photos of 2021

Opera Orlando to Premiere ‘The Secret River’ Composed by UCF Professor Stella Sung

The Best On Campus Study Spaces

Posted Dec. 3, 2021. As you wrap up the semester and finals are about to begin, we know how hard it can be to find…

Orlando Recognized as Best College City in Florida, No. 4 in Nation

Ranked No. 1 by WalletHub among midsize cities and No. 4 overall, the City Beautiful is garnering attention as a top place to live and…

Snapshots of UCF 2021 Homecoming Week

A rainy but spirited Spirit Splash, celebrating graduates and a UCF football win — this year’s Homecoming had it all.

Ahead of the Game

The story behind how UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy grew into an industry game changer.

UCF Public Administration Pegasus Professor Selected to Join the National Academy of Public Administration

Naim Kapucu will be inducted as a 2021 fellow in early November.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Cooking Hispanic Inspired Dishes

Posted Oct. 15, 2021. UCF Downtown Student Ambassadors Alondra and Genesis cook three Hispanic inspired dishes – tostones, tacos, and flan – influenced by their…

Celebrating Family Weekend in downtown Orlando

On Sunday, October 10, 2021, First Year Programs hosted the inaugural It Happens Downtown Immersive Experiences event as part of UCF Family Weekend. This program allowed UCF…

Knights at Work Downtown: From Puerto Rico to Downtown Orlando

Posted Oct. 8, 2021 For many Knights, Florida has always been home, and moving to Orlando to attend UCF is an easy adjustment. But for…

UCF Downtown Launches Community-Engaged Scholarship Impact Assessment Grant

Leaders of funded or unfunded research projects often lack the resources to follow-up with the end-users of research outputs to assess impact for an organization,…

UCF Downtown Seeks Student Project Assistants

Posted Sept. 27, 2021 The University of Central Florida seeks to fill positions for its two project assistants at UCF Downtown. UCF Downtown Project Assistant,…

UCF Recognized as Leader in Innovation and Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges’ Rankings

UCF Researcher Identifies Models For Healthy Aging

Knights at Work Downtown: Legal Studies Students Share Insights from Internships

Posted: July 7, 2021. UCF Downtown was created with the mission of connecting students to opportunities through networking, internships and jobs. The proximity of the…

Endowed Scholarship Further Cements UCF’s Leadership Role in Gaming Industry

Knights Do That Podcast with Claire Connolly Knox

14 Tips to Help You Prepare for Hurricane Season

Downtown Student Receives RWC Employee of Year Award

Posted May 13, 2021. The Recreation and Wellness Center Employee of the Year is selected annually from a small and elite group of leaders…

Summer 2021: What’s Open at UCF Downtown

Due to COVID-19, campus services will be offered in both virtual and in-person formats. Posted: May 10, 2021. Updated May 11, 2021. Keep yourself and…

UCF Department of Health Management and Informatics Expands to School

Senior Overcomes Difficult Past to Reach Graduation at 64

Knights at Work Downtown: Intern Pursuit, Inc.

Posted: April 29, 2021 By: Stephanie Rodriguez ’20 and Jamie Giller Whether you’re graduating this spring or in a few years from now, there is…

UCF Lecturer Takes on Diversity and Inclusion

UCF Graduate Video Game Design Named No. 1 — for Third Time

UCF Student Seeks to Shine a Light on the Pandemic’s Effects on Nonprofits

UCF and Gordon Family Giving Foundation Announce $300,000 Donation for {CodeOrlando}

UCF Legal Studies Students Help State Attorney Educate Youth on Effects of Underage Drinking

Spring 2021: What’s Open at UCF Downtown

UCF Downtown will resume classes for the spring 2021 semester on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Due to COVID-19, campus services will be offered in both…

From the Classroom to the Emergency Operations Center

Knights at Work in Downtown Orlando

Posted: Dec 1st 2020 By: Stephanie Rodriguez ’20 One of the reasons UCF Downtown was created is to connect students taking classes right in the…

First-Gen Student Perseveres Through Family Struggles, Hopes to Provide Financially

UCF Downtown Maker Space Reconfigures Layout to Reopen for Projects

UCF Pays Tribute to Parramore Community with New Custom Glass Artwork at Downtown Campus

UCF Counseling Center Offers Virtual Mental Health Services to Local Community

UCF Faculty Member Receives Volunteer Florida Grant

New Study: Face-Covering Use Up, More People Are Taking COVID-19 Threats Seriously

Championing a More Walkable Central Florida

Finding a Sense of Belonging in an Orlando Community

UCF Downtown Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary

UCF Offers Free Nature-themed VR and AR Applications to Help Students and Those Isolated Because of COVID-19

UCF Receives Award for Positive Impact of Downtown Campus

RWC@Downtown is Back on Aug. 21

Posted: Aug. 19, 2020. Updated: Oct. 5, 2020. RWC@Downtown is happy to be reopening at UCF Downtown on Friday, Aug. 21. Before planning your next…

Fall 2020: What’s Open at UCF Downtown

UCF Downtown will resume classes for the fall 2020 semester on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. Due to COVID-19, campus services will be offered in both…

UCF Faculty Member Appointed to Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals

New Project Will Explore Telehealth Effectiveness on Veterans During Pandemic

UCF Music Professor, Opera Orlando Win Grant to Create New Opera

Public Administration Alum Helps Orange County Fight COVID-19

Face Coverings Now Available for Pick Up at UCF Downtown

This story was updated on Jan. 12, 2021. This story was originally published on July 9, 2020. Do your part to keep yourself and other…

UCF Faculty Collecting COVID-19 Data for World Health Organization

PHOTOS: New UCF Campus Safety Upgrades to Reduce COVID-19 Impact

Nicholson School of Communication and Media Falls Fully Under College of Sciences On July 1

UCF College of Business to Offer Executive and Professional Graduate Programs at UCF Downtown

Beginning in Fall 2020, the UCF College of Business’ executive and professional graduate programs will be permanently located at UCF Downtown. Programs offered downtown will…

UCF Health Management and Informatics Faculty Member Awarded Fulbright

Epic Games, Maker of Fortnite, Awards UCF Professor Grant to Enhance AR and VR Technology

Leading Virtual Reality

Rowing Her Way to Success

Into the Heart of a Crisis

From Intern to Emergency Team Leader for Seminole County

New Legal Studies Certificate to Begin This Fall

New Certificate Explores Social Justice Issues in Public Service

18 Video Games to Play During Coronavirus

The Servant’s Heart

From Central Florida to Harvard Law

UCF Master’s Programs in Emergency Management, Nonprofit Management Rank Among Top 5 in the Nation

5K Race Training Leads to Fun and Friendship in Downtown Orlando

By Stephanie Rodriguez, UCF senior, human communication major For some people, running a 5K seems like an impossible goal. But for runners at UCF Downtown,…

2020 Spring Break Guide

UCF’s 2020 Spring Break takes place from Monday, March 9 through Saturday, March 14. Campus offices will remain open, but no classes take place. Here’s…

Student Researcher Developing VR to Help Students Tour Graduate Schools

UCF Named No. 1 Graduate School for Video Game Design

Meet UCF Downtown’s New Police Commander

Rebuilding Orlando One Homeowner at a Time

UCF Downtown Seeks Student Ambassadors

The University of Central Florida seeks to fill positions for its new student ambassador team at UCF Downtown. Ambassadors will represent the university to the…

New Study Offers Clues to Origin of Laws

Preserving the Past: Professor Archives Photos of Orlando’s African-American Community

Class Project: A Gender Change Petition

Culinary Resident Bites into All UnionWest Has to Offer

A Guide to Your First Week at UCF Downtown

Updated: August 18, 2022 Originally Published: August 2019 By Stephanie Rodriguez, ’20 Welcome to your new campus! Before you start this new chapter in your…

Ross Wolf Moves To Full-time In Interim Leadership Role With UCF Downtown

The following message was sent via email from Provost Elizabeth A. Dooley on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. I am pleased to announce Dr. Ross Wolf…

Fall in Love with These Top 5 Festivities in Downtown Orlando

By Stephanie Rodriguez, UCF junior, human communication major It’s officially fall here in Orlando! In order to get in the right spirit, we made a…

Neighbors, Candy and Costumes

6 Places Every UCF Downtown Student Should Visit

Best Places to Celebrate Fall and Halloween in Central Florida

UCF Adds 1st Public Policy Graduate Program in State University System

Electronic Arts’ Relocation to Boost Job Pipeline for UCF Game-Design Students

Best On Campus Study Spots

By Kristina Lawrence, UCF senior, communication and conflict major Classes are in full swing at UCF Downtown with quizzes and research projects lying ahead. With…

Microsoft Congratulates UCF Downtown on Opening

In recognition of its opening day on Monday, Aug. 26, Microsoft’s Vice President of Education Anthony Salcito recorded a video welcoming students to UCF Downtown,…

Parramore Education and Innovation District Initiative Receives $2 Million

Get to Know the Grad Behind UCF Downtown’s New Mural

UCF Downtown Students Begin Move Into UnionWest

UCF Police Department Opens Downtown Station

Photos: A Sneak Peek of UCF Downtown

Taco Tuesday: UCF Downtown Edition

By Kristina Lawrence, UCF senior, majoring in communication and conflict If you’re anything like me, then you crave the satisfaction of a good meal at…

UCF Camp for High School Students Inspires Future Legal Professionals

Hit the Books in Style with These 5 Downtown Study Spots

By Kristina Lawrence, UCF senior, majoring in communication and conflict Finals week for Summer B is here, and it’s time to hit the books. While…

Downtown Orlando’s Most Instagram-Worthy Murals

By Stephanie Rodriguez, UCF Junior, Human Communication Major Beyond the City Beautiful’s tall buildings and great food are many Instagrammable murals all over downtown Orlando.…

Children’s Stories Come to Life at UCF-led Summer Animation Camp

Vera Asian Leases Space at UnionWest at Creative Village

Ustler Development, Inc. and Development Ventures Group, Inc. announced today that Vera Asian has signed a lease at UnionWest at Creative Village in downtown Orlando.…

Ross Wolf named Interim Assistant Provost of UCF Downtown

In less than 150 days, UCF Downtown will hold classes at its 21st-century campus, connecting students to a thriving urban district full of opportunity with…

UCFPD Adds ‘Blue’ to Downtown Campus Safety Team

Get On Board With Your Downtown Campus Pass

Students, faculty and staff at UCF Downtown and Valencia College Downtown will now be able to ride SunRail for free in August and September 2019…

UnionWest at Creative Village Opens Preview Center in Downtown Orlando

Students interested in living at UCF Downtown and Valencia College Downtown now have a preview center in downtown Orlando where they can see a model…

Restaurant and Retail Tenants Coming to Orlando’s Downtown Campus at Creative Village

In August 2019, students, faculty and staff living, learning and working at the UCF Downtown and Valencia College Downtown campus and residents of Creative Village…

UCF Receives Grant from Florida Blue to Improve Health in Parramore

UCF Downtown to Host Open House for Current Students

UCF Downtown, in partnership with the College of Community Innovation and Education and Nicholson School of Communication and Media, will host an Open House on…

UCF Downtown Seeks Student Ambassadors

The University of Central Florida seeks to fill positions for its new student ambassador team at UCF Downtown for the Spring 2019 semester. Ambassadors will represent the…

December Downtown Update

Meet the Police Commander Who Will Lead UCF Downtown Safety Efforts

13 UCF Alums Honored at OBJ’s 2018 40 Under 40 Awards

UnionWest at Creative Village now accepting applications

UnionWest at Creative Village, the new 15-story student housing and student services building at Creative Village in downtown Orlando, is now accepting applications for UCF…

UCF Collaborates with Microsoft to Enhance Research, Learning and Student Success

UCF Alumna Brings Passion for Community to Career at City Hall

By: Jamie Giller Published: Sept. 18, 2018 It’s no secret that Orlando is growing exponentially. Recently, the metro area’s population surpassed 2.5 million for the…

UCF Ranks Among the Nation’s 10 Most Innovative Universities

What UCF Downtown Will Look Like in August 2019

Matchmaking for Brands and Bloggers

UCF Downtown places NASPAA accredited programs in the heart of the city

Downtown Orlando public service and nonprofit sectors will soon have an influx of high-quality talent as UCF’s nonprofit management program is slated to move to…

UCF receives funding to archive Jones High collections

Valencia College and University of Central Florida Select Director of Community Engagement for Downtown Campus

We are proud to introduce Elizabeth Thompson as the director of downtown community engagement for UCF Downtown and Valencia College Downtown. In this role, Elizabeth…

June Downtown Update

Hitt Legacy Honored with Scholarships from Dr. Phillips Charities

UnionWest at Creative Village Offers Students Downtown Living and Learning

A new 15-story, mixed-use building will be home for UCF and Valencia College students living at the downtown campus that opens in fall 2019. Ustler…

April-May Downtown Update

UCF Receives $100,000 Grant from Disney for New Literacy Programs

Hitt and UCF Downtown Recognized at Golden Bricks Awards

On Friday, March 30, UCF President John C. Hitt was honored as the Downtowner of the Year at the Golden Bricks Awards. Hosted by the…

March Downtown Update

UCF’s Academic Realignment Continues with New Names for Colleges, School

UCF Downtown Parking Garage Approved

Today, the Creative Village Development Review Committee approved the UCF parking garage for the downtown campus. The four-story garage has 580 spaces and will cost…

UCF Downtown to Boost Interdisciplinary Studies

January-February Downtown Update

A Case for Internships: Legal Studies Student Joins FAMU Law Clinic

Anacia Brooks sits in an Orange County courtroom watching as the judge hears case after case. Some of the defendants have a private attorney, and…

Provost’s Update: New Colleges, Schools Will Chart Bold Future for UCF

December Downtown Update

UCF alumnus, author aims to inspire ACE book club students

Author Matthew Laurence ‘07 (center, in blue) with librarian Kelly Delaney ’02 (center, with scarf), ACE book club students and representatives from the Florida Interactive…

October – November Downtown Update

UCF, Canvs Expand Partnership to Support Downtown Entrepreneurs

A new partnership between UCF and the non-profit organization Canvs will help build a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in downtown Orlando, where students and home-grown businesses…

September Downtown Update

UCF Downtown Establishes ‘Trailblazers’ Team

The Trailblazers gather at UCF Downtown. This summer, UCF Downtown established a new team called the “Trailblazers.” Charged with investigating opportunities specific to the programs…

UCF, FAMU Students Studying Social Justice Together Downtown

Just five blocks from UCF Downtown is the Orange County Courthouse, a proximity that has Cynthia Schmidt filled with anticipation of holding classes in the…

Message from Lt. Gigicos Regarding Center for Emerging Media Security Updates

This message was sent as an email from UCF Police Department Lieutenant Christine Gigicos to students, faculty and staff at the Center for Emerging Media…

UCF Community School Model in Wall Street Journal

Earlier this month, Orange County Public School’s Academic Center for Excellence community school opened in Parramore across the street from UCF Downtown. UCF is proud to be…

August Downtown Update

Canvs Opens Coworking Pilot at UCF Downtown

Canvs, a downtown-Orlando nonprofit coworking space for startup entrepreneurs, celebrated its grand opening for a pilot coworking space and educational programs to support local entrepreneurs in Parramore.…

Forbes Features UCF, Creative Village

UCF and Creative Village are examples of a new urban campus model that’s driving innovation districts around the country. “The great new American university is…

July Downtown Update

Valencia Names New Downtown Dean

A Message from Falecia Williams, President, West and Downtown Campuses: Please join me in welcoming Eugene Jones, who will be the new executive dean of…

Public Outreach Meeting on June 27

Subcontractors interested in working on the first phase of UCF Downtown will have an opportunity to connect with the construction project managers during a public meeting…

Campus Groundbreaking Signals New Day for Community, Downtown Orlando

Children from the Parramore community helped Central Florida leaders sink shovels into the dirt today at a groundbreaking ceremony ushering in a transformative campus that…

Central Florida Celebrates Downtown Campus Groundbreaking Thursday

Leaders from across Central Florida are expected at the highly anticipated groundbreaking ceremony for the UCF Downtown campus from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Thursday, May…

Community Update: Construction Opportunities

City of Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill and UCF are hosting a community update on construction opportunities for the downtown campus on Tuesday, March 28, at…

New UCF Downtown Academic Building Gets Its Name

University of Central Florida leaders will vote this week to name the academic building at the downtown campus after one of the region’s leading philanthropic…

Downtown Groundbreaking Scheduled for May 11

UCF and Valencia College will host a ceremonial groundbreaking on May 11 at the site of the downtown campus, across the street from the UCF…

UCF Names New Facilities Director for Downtown

The University of Central Florida has named Allen Bottorff as the director of facilities for its new downtown campus. Bottorff will begin his new role…

UCF Downtown Secures $20M in Community Support

Before a crowd of nearly 600 top donors, the University of Central Florida celebrated the public launch of a $500 million fundraising campaign Friday night,…

UCF Signs Design and Build Contracts for Downtown Campus

The University of Central Florida’s downtown campus is one step closer to construction as officials this week signed contracts with the team selected to design…

UCF Selects Finalists for Downtown Parking Garage

The University of Central Florida today released its short list of companies vying to construct the parking garage in downtown Orlando that will be part…

UCF Picks Team to Design and Build Downtown Campus

A three-way partnership of experienced architecture and construction firms known for their exceptional work on college campuses will design and build UCF’s new campus in…

UCF Selects Finalists for Designing, Building Downtown Campus

The University of Central Florida today released its short list of companies vying to develop the new campus in downtown Orlando. The five teams, which…

Exclusive Video Interview with New Vice Provost

Thad Seymour, recently named the new Vice Provost for UCF Downtown, sat down with News 13 this week to talk about the vision and plan…

New Vice Provost Named for UCF Downtown

Provost Whittaker sent the following message to the campus community. For nearly two years, we planned for a campus in downtown Orlando. Now that these…

UCF Downtown Receives $1 Million from BB&T

The University of Central Florida today received a $1 million gift from BB&T Corporation for its downtown campus, the first major contribution since Florida Gov.…

Arts Festival Connects UCF, Downtown Orlando

UCF Celebrates the Arts 2016 – a free festival of music, performances and visual displays – combines an abundance of arts and talent that would…

UCF Downtown Information Session for Architects on April 5

UCF will host a pre-proposal meeting for firms interested in learning more about the project and selection process for the design of the new academic…

President Hitt: ‘A Proud Day for UCF’

In the 24 years since I became UCF president, few moments have been as important to our university as the one that occurred today. Earlier…

Statement about UCF Downtown: Gov. Scott Green Lights State Funding

Gov. Rick Scott earlier today authorized $20 million in state funding toward the construction of the new academic building at UCF Downtown. The following is…

UCF’s Video Game School Ranks No. 1 in North America

The best video game graduate school in North America is the University of Central Florida’s in downtown Orlando, according to The Princeton Review and PC…

Legislature Includes UCF Downtown in Budget

Florida lawmakers included $20 million for UCF Downtown in the budget the Legislature released Sunday night. The insertion into the budget comes less than a…

Board of Governors Approves Plan for UCF Downtown

[social-share-buttons] The Florida Board of Governors on Wednesday approved UCF’s plans for a new downtown Orlando campus, with the board’s chairman saying the project “will…

Dr. Phillips Charities Contribute $3 Million to UCF Downtown

Dr. Phillips Charities today made the largest private gift to UCF Downtown, investing $3 million in the campus project. The gift will help fund construction…

Community Partners Unite and Contribute $2.5 Million to UCF Downtown

The University of Central Florida’s plans for a downtown campus gained more momentum today with the announcement of $2.5 million in new gifts from community…

Florida Hospital Contributes $1.5 Million to UCF Downtown

Florida Hospital announced its commitment to UCF’s planned downtown campus on Monday, pledging $1.5 million toward the project. Florida Hospital’s gift will help fund construction…

UCF to Present Downtown Plans to Board of Governors

The University of Central Florida will present its plan for a downtown Orlando campus to the Florida Board of Governors on March 2. The meeting…

Orlando Mayor: ‘Why We’re Supporting’ Downtown Campus

In a blog post, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer laid out his reasons for why the UCF Downtown campus, shared with Valencia College, will be so…

Orlando Sentinel Editorial Supports UCF Downtown

The Orlando Sentinel this week endorsed UCF’s plans to create a campus in downtown Orlando that would serve about 7,700 students – saying the campus…

UCF Leaders’ Personal Contributions to UCF Downtown Exceed $1 Million

Led by President John C. Hitt and trustee Alex Martins, University of Central Florida leaders have made personal contributions totaling more than $1 million for…

UCF Board of Trustees Approves Agreement with Governor’s Office for Downtown Project

The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees today approved a memorandum of understanding with Governor Rick Scott’s office concerning details about the university’s proposed…

CFE Federal Credit Union Pledge $1.5M to UCF Downtown

CFE Federal Credit Union announced its commitment to UCF Downtown on Monday, becoming the second community partner to pledge $1.5 million toward the project. The…

Orlando Magic Contribute $1.5 Million for UCF Downtown Campus

The Orlando Magic are the first to answer UCF President John C. Hitt’s call for philanthropic gifts to help secure a new downtown campus. The…

President Hitt calls on community support for UCF Downtown

During this week’s Focus on Excellence breakfast in downtown Orlando, UCF President John Hitt spoke with community leaders about the UCF Downtown campus, urging them…

Update on UCF Downtown

This morning, UCF announced it would present its plans on the downtown campus at a future Board of Governors’ meeting. “UCF remains committed to developing…

Orange County Commits $3M to UCF Downtown

Orange County Commissioners praised the UCF Downtown project Tuesday and unanimously committed $3 million toward the campus. “I think it’d be great for downtown. I…

Valencia to Contribute $2M to UCF Downtown

Valencia College will contribute $2 million to the University of Central Florida’s proposed downtown campus, according to plans outlined at the Oct. 21 Valencia College…

Dyer: ‘We won’t rest until this becomes a reality’

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer delivered his annual State of the Downtown address to hundreds of downtown residents, business owners and community leaders, highlighting UCF Downtown…

Updates to UCF Downtown Plan Approved

UCF Board of Trustees members today unanimously approved several updates to the university’s plans for developing a campus in downtown Orlando that it would share…

Orlando’s budding tech future

Growing Orlando’s high-tech sector is critical for the city’s long-term future, Mayor Buddy Dyer told Central Florida News 13 this week. Here’s an excerpt from…

UCF students study traffic pollution, asthma rates in Parramore

UCF students worked alongside city and local planning professionals in a health impact assessment of the Parramore Heritage community. Together, the group wanted to determine…

Provost’s Update: The Future of UCF Downtown

Earlier today, Florida Governor Rick Scott vetoed nearly $500 million from the state budget. Included in those vetoes were funds for several UCF projects, including…

UCF Downtown Allocated $15 Million in State Budget

UCF, Valencia College and the City of Orlando appreciate the support of the Florida Legislature, which has earmarked $15 million toward the downtown Orlando campus…

UCF at Center of Downtown Orlando’s booming game industry

UCF and its No. 2-ranked graduate video gaming school in North America, the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, are featured in a BloombergBusiness article about Orlando’s…

Orlando leaders travel to ASU downtown campus

Orlando business, community and education leaders traveled to Phoenix this month to learn about best practices and innovative approaches to regionalism that will help them…

Downtown Leadership Team Approves Academic Programs

The UCF Downtown Leadership Team unanimously approved the list of UCF academic programs that are slated to relocate during the multi-year creation of a campus…

Project DTO Presents New Vision for Downtown

From City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s blog: An Awesome Outdoor City Highly Connected Neighborhoods and Districts The Best Education in Florida A Great Place…

UCF, Orange County Public Schools Plan Parramore Community School

As part of the new K-8 school in Parramore scheduled to open in Fall 2017 in downtown Orlando, UCF is working with Orange County Public…

Provost’s Update: Academic Programs at UCF Downtown

There has been tremendous work this semester on our planned downtown campus to advance students’ learning in an urban environment and provide many in our…

Universities will ‘transform your city’s downtown’

According to urbanSCALE.com, “downtown campuses can be a win-win for universities and for a city’s downtown.” The blog says, “Major universities are often landlocked, and…

Parents, Community Invited to Learn About UCF’s New Intellectual Disabilities Program

A new UCF program to provide an immersive college experience for students with intellectual disabilities is gearing up to start this fall, and the first public…

UCF’s Downtown Video Gaming School No. 2 in North America

For the second consecutive year, the University of Central Florida’s video game graduate school ranks No. 2 in North America, according to The Princeton Review…

UCF Students, Faculty Spend Saturdays Teaching in Parramore

University of Central Florida students are helping improve lives in Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood – one of the region’s most critically underserved communities – while also…

Valencia Highlights Downtown Campus at Spring Convocation

Originally Published on Valencia News on March 17, 2015: Valencia students, faculty and staff were given a preview of the plans for a new UCF-Valencia…

100 Percent of ‘Health Leaders’ Head to College

This post is part of a series featuring UCF’s community engagement and partnerships with the downtown Orlando and Parramore communities: Three years ago, Ashley Williams,…

UCF Downtown Open Forums: March 18, March 24

Learn more about UCF’s plans to build a campus in downtown Orlando and ask questions about the project during two open forums the week after…

Florida Board of Governors Adds UCF Downtown Campus to Key List

The Florida Board of Governors on Thursday added UCF’s proposed downtown campus to a list it sends to the Florida Legislature, a critical step in…

New Game a ‘Hit’ for Downtown FIEA Ventures

When eight video game developers published their deceptive, cartoonish shooter game, “Hit,” on Feb. 10, they made history as the first FIEA Ventures entrepreneurs to…

Tech companies flock to downtown Orlando

Downtown Orlando’s historic Church Street Station – once a tourist attraction that fell dormant – is now home to more than 70 tech-related companies and…

UCF Downtown Planning Moves Ahead

Excited about the opportunities that an expanded University of Central Florida downtown presence would offer students, UCF Board of Trustees members unanimously approved the downtown…

UCF Med School Offers Scholarships to Successful Parramore Grads

High school graduates from the Parramore community who wish to become doctors will be able to attend the University of Central Florida College of Medicine…

Provost’s Update: UCF Downtown

Since the fall, you’ve heard about our university’s plans to establish a campus in downtown Orlando that would provide our students a valuable new learning…

Orlando Sentinel supports UCF Downtown project

An Orlando Sentinel editorial Tuesday lauded the benefits of a UCF downtown campus as an economic driver and pathway for employment. “Building and running the…

A Closer Look at Parramore

We know that being in a community is more than just building a campus. It’s about creating relationships that can lead to partnerships and engaging…

UCF Downtown Campus Will ‘Transform Lives’

UCF, city and community leaders discussed partnerships and increased educational access for students in the area surrounding UCF’s new downtown campus this week with Florida…

How RTP, NC Universities Are Remaking Themselves in the City

The American Tobacco Campus in downtown Durham, N.C., has transformed several blocks of century-old factories into an entrepreneurial playground of offices, apartments, restaurants, retail stores…

Rethinking college for students with intellectual disabilities

This week, more than 40 members from the UCF Downtown committees discussed how a new program could make college fully accessible for students with intellectual…

UCF selects master planning consultant for downtown campus

UCF has selected CannonDesign as its master planning consultant for the downtown campus. The firm will work closely with UCF and its partners to help…

The New York Times: Young College Grads Want to Live in ‘Heart of City’

Young people continue to spurn the suburbs for urban centers, choosing to live instead in the “very heart of cities,” an article from The New York…

Provost’s Update: UCF Downtown and My First 100 Days

As I approach my 100 days on the job at UCF, I am amazed at all we have accomplished in this short time — and…

Project DTO Vision Video Touts ‘Best Education in Florida’

Project DTO – Advancing Downtown Orlando released its vision video during Mayor Buddy Dyer’s State of Downtown 2014 address, laying out themes from the city-…

Mayor Dyer: Downtown is ‘a destination for lifelong learning’

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer included the “huge announcement” about UCF Downtown in his State of Downtown 2014 address, which was given this year at the…

Consultant CannonDesign concept report explores downtown opportunities

UCF hired CannonDesign to explore the possibility of establishing a downtown Orlando campus. After several months of meeting with more than 30 representatives from UCF…

Forbes: How universities can renew America’s cities

Forbes commentary from Bruce Katz describes how universities and colleges can spur metropolitan growth by relocating graduate programs and research institutions into the core of cities.…

President Hitt announces UCF Downtown

The University of Central Florida will move forward with plans for an expanded downtown campus to enhance educational opportunities for students and stimulate downtown Orlando,…