Our Shared Vision
As we close another successful academic year at UCF, we have a new goal worthy of our skills and passion: To become the world’s leading public metropolitan research university and a top 50 public research university in the nation.
Together, we will achieve this vision by focusing on student success and innovative teaching, research and scholarship. This will require all of us to work together — both internally and with community partners — to advance our mission.
Continuing to build on the university’s 58 years of growth, we must:
- build an inclusive environment with a culture of compassion at its core,
- become exceptional in our operations and serve as trustworthy stewards of taxpayer, donor and tuition dollars,
- focus on academic excellence and provide the resources for our people to succeed, and
- partner internally and externally to serve and positively impact our community.
UCF is our university, and our future is driven by you: Your ideas. Your research. Your dreams.
Below, you will find only some of your accomplishments over the past year that make Knight Nation proud.
Our leadership team and I are here to support you, and I have complete confidence that together, we will reach this goal — in a way that is uniquely UCF.
Go Knights! Charge On!
Our People
World-Renowned Faculty
A global pandemic couldn’t keep our faculty from teaching or researching this year. They continued the high-level of coursework they’re known for, advanced knowledge in their fields, and found creative ways to celebrate the arts and foster STEM fields — all while advancing research initiatives, impacting society and garnering national recognition.
5
- National Science Foundation CAREER Award recipients
2
- Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida inductees
- Fulbright Researchers
- National Academy of Kinesiology Fellows
- National Academy of Nursing Fellows
1
- American Council on Education Fellow
- Florida Academy of Sciences Medalist
- Healthcare Simulation Educator of the Year
- Microsoft Investigator Fellow
- National Academy of Engineering Fellow
- National Academy of Inventors Fellow
- National Academy of Public Administration Fellow
- National Center for Simulation Hall of Fame inductee
- National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellow
- National Institutes of Health Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award recipient
- National Strength and Conditioning Association Fellow
- U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Director’s Fellow
All stats are based on 2020 and 2021.
Outstanding Alumni
From leading the research and development of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine to preserving America’s history, our graduates continue to make the university proud not only through what they achieve in their careers but also the work they do to positively impact their communities, the nation and the world.
Successful Students
Knights are known for their grit, compassion and triumphs. UCF students have embodied all three this past year, not only navigating the disruption and disappointment brought about by a global pandemic but also flourishing academically, personally and professionally. Their perseverance and growth speak to their potential as future leaders.
82
New National Merit Scholars
16
NSF Graduate Research Fellows
12
Fulbright awards
4
Goldwater Scholars
2
Astronaut Scholars
2
Patti Grace Smith Fellows
1
Boren Scholar
Top-Notch Student-Athletes
UCF student-athletes continue to gain incredible momentum and have a strong foundation for success, including a culture of innovation and winning with integrity. Our talented coaches and athletics staff share our commitment to our student-athletes’ success in the classroom and preparing them well for careers after they graduate.
27
Consecutive semesters student-athletes have posted a 3.0 GPA or better
9
Student-athletes who advanced to the pros
5
AAC Conference Championship Titles
National Recognition
#1
Supplier of graduates to the aerospace and defense industries — and No. 2 preferred supplier
Aviation Week Network
#1
Cyberdefense team in the nation
National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition
#1
Graduate video game design program in the nation
The Princeton Review and PC Gamer
#1
Hospitality and tourism programs in the nation — and No. 2 in the world
ShanghaiRanking
#2
For social mobility impact in the nation
Education Reform Now
#5
Bachelor degree-awarding institution for Hispanic students in the nation
#5
Transportation science and technology programs in the nation
ShanghaiRanking
Top 5
Hospitality school in the world
CEOWorld magazine
#9
Kinesiology program in the nation
National Academy of Kinesiology
#8
Best undergraduate online programs in the nation
U.S. News & World Report
#20
Most innovative university in the nation
U.S. News & World Report
#24
Peace Corps-producing university in the nation
#25
America’s Best Employers for DiversityForbes
21
Graduate programs among the Top 100 in the nation
U.S. News & World Report
Top 30
Cybersecurity programs in the nation
Cyberdegreesedu.org
#40
Best public education institution
Washington Monthly
Consistently Raising the Bar
Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, we have continued to set new benchmarks this year as one of the top public research universities. Achievements were not just in the quality of students choosing UCF but also in the work our faculty and staff do every day to support, encourage and challenge them to succeed.
Academic Excellence
4.19
Average GPA of incoming FTICs*
1320
Average SAT score*
28.7
Average ACT score*
92%
Overall first-year retention rate*
17,917
Degrees awarded in 2020
$204.5 Million
Research funding received in 2020
992
U.S. patents secured through 2020
289
Faculty promoted across all disciplines in 2020 and 2021
8
National Academy memberships through April 2021
*Based on Fall 2020 stats
Inclusive Excellence
Hispanic Serving Institution
48%
Diverse students
92%
Student success rates* for Black and Hispanic students
13,629
First-time in college students✝
23,143
Pell Grant-eligible students enrolled✝
*Combined retention and graduate rates
✝Based on Fall 2020 data
Operational Excellence
Endowment
Amount awarded in scholarships
New graduate programs, tracks and certificates created in 2020 and 2021
