University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public research university located near Orlando, Florida. It is one of the largest universities in the United States, with many students. UCF is known for its strong programs in science, technology, engineering, and math, and it helps with space research.

UCF was founded in 1963 and began classes in 1968 as Florida Technological University. It was created to support the U.S. space program at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. As the university grew, it was renamed the University of Central Florida in 1978. Today, UCF offers many different degrees through 13 colleges.

Students can study at several locations, including the main campus east of downtown Orlando, a health sciences campus at Lake Nona Medical City, and a hospitality management college in south Orlando. UCF’s sports teams, called the UCF Knights, compete in NCAA Division I, and the university’s colors are black and gold.

History

Founding

After President John F. Kennedy talked about sending people to the Moon in 1962, Central Florida became an important place for space work because it is near Cape Canaveral. Local leaders wanted more chances for students to go to college, so they asked the Florida State Legislature to help. With support from leaders like William A. Shands and Beth Johnson, the legislature approved creating a new state university in 1963. The university started in 1968 with almost 2,000 students.

The university’s first leader, Charles Millican, helped choose the school’s name, colors, and symbol. He also designed the campus layout with circles, inspired by ideas from Walt Disney. The school’s first class graduated in 1970.

Expansion

The university’s second leader, Trevor Colbourn, helped the school grow in many areas beyond just science and technology. He started new programs in business, education, and the arts. He also helped build a research park and began the school’s football team in 1979.

Hitt presidency

John C. Hitt became the leader in 1992. Under his guidance, the university grew much larger and improved its programs. New buildings, housing, and colleges were added, and the school became known for its research.

Cartwright presidency

Alexander Cartwright is the current president, taking office in 2020.

Campuses

Main campus

The University of Central Florida’s main campus is in a special area called a census-designated place, along Alafaya Trail east of Orlando, Florida.

The campus is made for walking, with roads in circles. The biggest circle is Gemini Blvd, the main road for cars. Inside that are smaller circles named Apollo, Mercury, and Pegasus. Pegasus Circle has the student union and the John C. Hitt Library just south of it. All classrooms and offices are inside Gemini Blvd, split into sections for different subjects. Because there are not many roads inside, many deliveries happen at night.

Student housing is around the edge of the campus. North of the campus is Knights Plaza, which has shops and restaurants. The east side has a garden area and buildings for engineering. The south side has places for students to relax and play, like a pool and a park. Just south of the main campus is Central Florida Research Park, a big place where many companies work and study.

Regional campuses

Besides the main campus in Orlando, UCF has other campuses to serve the Central Florida area.

In downtown Orlando, there is another campus called the UCF Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona. There is also Rosen College of Hospitality Management close to Universal Studios and Disney Parks.

Downtown Campus

In 2019, a new campus opened in Downtown Orlando. It includes buildings like the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons and the UCF Center for Emerging Media.

Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona

The UCF Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona includes the UCF College of Medicine and the Burnett Biomedical Sciences Building. It also has important medical research centers and hospitals. This campus will also be home to the UCF College of Nursing and the new UCF College of Dental Medicine. When finished, it will have space for 5,000 students and teachers in health-related programs.

Administration

See also: List of presidents of the University of Central Florida and List of University of Central Florida faculty and administrators

The University of Central Florida is part of the State University System of Florida and is overseen by the Florida Board of Governors. It is managed by a board of trustees with 13 members. These members are chosen by the Florida Board of Governors for five-year terms. The Student Government president and the faculty chair also join this board for one year.

The president leads the university and is chosen by the board of trustees with approval from the Florida Board of Governors. The president's office is in Millican Hall on the main campus. The university has had budget cuts but has managed with careful planning and extra funds.

Academics

Admissions

The University of Central Florida (UCF) has become more selective over time. In 2005, about 61% of students were accepted. By 2020, this dropped to 42%. Of those accepted, 34% were in the top 10% of their high school class, and 72% were in the top quarter. Students entering in 2020 had average scores of 1320 on the SAT and 28.7 on the ACT. Most students receive financial help, and many get scholarships through a special Florida program.

Classification

UCF is recognized as a large university with strong research programs. It follows a semester schedule, with classes usually running from August to December and January to May. UCF also offers summer classes in different sessions.

Rankings

In 2025, UCF was ranked tied for 117th among all national universities and tied for 57th among public schools. It was also named the 15th most innovative school and the 9th best for online bachelor's programs in the country.

Colleges

UCF has 13 different colleges offering many programs, including sciences, business, and health professions. The three largest for undergraduate students are the College of Sciences, the College of Business Administration, and Health Professions and Sciences.

The Burnett Honors College

Main article: The Burnett Honors College

The Honors College offers special opportunities for top students, including smaller classes and research projects with teachers.

College of Medicine

The College of Medicine started in 2006 to help train more doctors in Florida. It opened in 2009 with its first class of 41 students.

The college plans to become a center for medical research, working with nearby hospitals and research centers.

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Main article: Rosen College of Hospitality Management

This college is located near a large convention center and feels like a resort. It offers special housing and many student groups for those studying hospitality.

Limited access programs

Some programs at UCF are very popular and have limited space, so students must apply separately. These include programs in communication, music, theater, dance, and medical laboratory sciences.

Libraries

UCF Libraries have millions of books, electronic journals, and other resources. The main library, named after John C. Hitt, is open seven days a week. There are also many other libraries across UCF's campuses.

Research

The University of Central Florida helps with research in its thirteen colleges and schools. It works with big companies like Lockheed Martin, Disney, Boeing, L3Harris, Siemens, SpaceX, and Universal. UCF has a campus in Cocoa, FL, close to Kennedy Space Center, and is part of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The university is known for its work in aerospace, optics, modeling and simulation, digital media, engineering, computer science, business, education, and hospitality management.

UCF is a top research university. The university and its research park help create jobs and support the local economy. UCF has many research centers, such as the Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers, Florida Solar Energy Center, Institute for Simulation and Training, and Institute for Economic Competitiveness.

Space Institute

UCF started the Florida Space Institute with partners like NASA. UCF researchers have made important discoveries, including naming a planet in 2012. The university also helps manage the U.S. National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center. UCF helps supply engineers to aerospace and defense industries.

Student life

UCF has students from all over Florida and the world. Students can join many different groups, teams, and clubs. The university has special traditions, like Spirit Splash, where students celebrate by splashing in a pond.

Students can live in different types of housing on or near campus. There are also places for students to play sports and stay active, like a big recreation center with many activities. The student government helps make sure students’ voices are heard and supports many student groups. UCF also has a student newspaper and a radio station. There are many groups for students with shared interests, including groups for students from different backgrounds and cultures.

Athletics

Main article: UCF Knights

The University of Central Florida has many sports teams called the "UCF Knights". These teams compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and mostly in the Big 12 Conference.

UCF has teams for both men and women. Men can play baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, and tennis. Women can play basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. These teams have won many titles over the years. The cheerleading team has also won national titles several times.

The sports teams started in 1969, and since then, UCF has built special places for them to play, including a big football stadium and a basketball arena. The football and basketball teams have had many successful seasons. The Knights' biggest rival is the University of South Florida Bulls, and their games are called the "War on I-4".

Notable alumni

Main article: List of University of Central Florida alumni

The University of Central Florida has many successful graduates living in every U.S. state and over 150 countries. Some have done great things, such as becoming astronauts for NASA, leaders in government, and important figures in businesses and sports.

Notable alumni include:

• Robert P. Burke
  Former U.S. Navy four-star admiral and 58th chief of Naval Personnel

• Fernando Caldeiro
  NASA astronaut

• Alan Eustace
  Former Google vice president and holder of a world-record space dive

• Cheryl Hines
  Emmy award-nominated actress

• Sean Johnson
  U.S. national team and MLS goalkeeper

• Scott F. Large
  Former director of National Reconnaissance Office

• Tom Lawlor
  Professional wrestler and former UFC fighter, MLW World Heavyweight Champion

• Brandon Marshall
  Former NFL wide receiver

• Julia Pierson
  First female director of the United States Secret Service

• Lesa Roe
  Former NASA deputy administrator

• Nicole Stott
  NASA astronaut

• Daniel Tosh
  Comedian and host of Tosh.0

Notable faculty

Main article: List of University of Central Florida faculty and administrators

The University of Central Florida has many important teachers and leaders. Some were ambassadors for the United States, like Harriet Elam-Thomas and Ulric Haynes. Others were members of the U.S. Congress, such as Louis Frey Jr.. There is also a former leader from Walt Disney Creative Entertainment named Ron Logan, and a past tennis player for the Davis Cup, Kareem Al Allaf. Some faculty have won big awards like the Pulitzer Prize. Thanks to the work of these professors and the Florida Space Institute, UCF will be the first university in Florida to lead a mission for NASA.^[when?]