UCF in the News

On May 22, Universal Studios will welcome guests into its Epic Universe theme park for the first time, the first new major theme park to open in central Florida in over 25 years. Given the growing excitement and early ticket sales, it seems certain to be a hit for Universal, but it’s also going to be a big boost for the state of Florida. Epic Universe, the upcoming central Florida theme park, will generate $2 billion for the state in its first year, according to calculations from the director of UCF’s Institute for Economic Forecasting. The Universal Orlando attraction is the first major theme park opening in the area is over 25 years. It’s expected to have a trickle-down effect for all theme parks in the area. The park is expected to generate $2 billion for the state in its first year and create more than 17,500 jobs in year one, according to calculations by Dr. Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting. Snaith’s calculations, which were provided by Universal, estimate the Universal Orlando parks have generated an economic impact of $44 billion since 2019—and the company’s investment in building Epic Universe has had a nationwide economic impact of $11 billion so far.

The University of Central Florida is increasing security and offering extra resources for mental health support following Thursday's mass shooting on the campus of Florida State University. UCF issued a message in response to the violence and notified students, faculty and staff about the increased support. “We stand in solidarity with the FSU community during this impossibly difficult time, sending our strength and support as they navigate the aftermath of this tragedy,” the message stated. “We know that this news may feel especially personal for many in our community -- please know that you are not alone. We are here to listen and to help you feel safe, cared for, and supported.” On Friday, UCF opened a space for reflection and support from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. in the Magnolia Room of the Live Oak Event Center. Sophomore Noemi Tilky said it was reassuring to see the space was made available to the entire UCF community. “They can have someone to talk to and having that person to talk to, I think, is a very good thing to have,” Tilky said. UCF’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) also offers crisis support and mental health services through appointments, walk-ins, and a 24/7 crisis hotline at 407-823-2811.

Jenna Koo, a final-year nursing student at the University of Central Florida, never anticipated that her college experience would equip her with the skills to save lives. As she approaches graduation, Koo is acutely aware of the looming nursing shortage in Florida, projected to reach nearly 60,000 by 2035, according to the Florida Hospital Association. Mary Lou Sole, Dean of the UCF College of Nursing, noted that the growing population in Central Florida exacerbates the nursing shortage. The college is set to move into a new facility in Lake Nona this August, which will allow them to educate an additional 150 graduates annually who are eligible for licensure. "Those nurses tend to stay in Central Florida and the state,” Sole told News 6. Koo, who is set to graduate this spring, has already secured a position as an emergency department nurse. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledged the demanding nature of the job but also the rewarding moments, stating, “The best is when a patient comes to you and says thank you for the care that you have given me.”

On Episode 156 of This Week In Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik welcome Dr. Phil Metzger from the University of Central Florida to discuss the dangerous realities of rocket plumes when landing spacecraft on the Moon and Mars. Before diving into the main topic, the hosts talk about Jared Isaacman's NASA administrator confirmation hearing, Katy Perry's upcoming Blue Origin spaceflight, and a newly discovered comet.

The final weekend of an annual UCF arts event is taking over the Doctor Phillips Center for the Performing Arts with an array of artistic offerings, from visual arts installations to a full production of the classic Fiddler on the Roof to a tech-driven surprise: an improv-style show featuring actors and AI. UCF Celebrates the Arts is a two-week festival that aims to share UCF’s artistic talents with the wider community in world-class facilities. Along with theater, dance, and music performances, students present their work in disciplines like drawing, painting, character animation, and technical design, among others. Jeff Moore is the Dean of UCF’s College of Arts and Humanities, and the event’s founder. He pointed to the surprising ways the world of tech and the world of art overlap.

The University of Central Florida (UCF) is celebrating its newest rankings out this week in U.S. News and World Report. The respected publication rated 13 of UCF’s graduate programs in the Top 50 nationally, the school announced. “Across our academic enterprise, we are investing in exceptional faculty, expanding research capabilities and deepening industry partnerships — all with the goal of preparing our students to excel in high-impact careers and to help address the world’s most pressing challenges,” UCF Provost Michael Johnson said in a statement. Nine UCF graduate programs in engineering and computer science ranked in the Top 50 among all public universities, the school said.