The School of Modeling, Simulation and Training (SMST) has joined UCF’s College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS), expanding both the college’s academic offerings and faculty. The school, which was previously part of the Institute for Simulation and Training, will be led by Professor Ghaith Rabadi.
“SMST faculty and staff are looking forward to working with the leadership and faculty at the College of Engineering and Computer Science and advancing its mission,” Rabadi says. “SMST is open to new and exciting opportunities for expanding our interdisciplinary research and graduate programs, and attracting top talent of faculty and students from the departments in the college and across UCF.”
The goal of the move is to further enhance the university’s reputation in modeling and simulation, and to increase the interdisciplinary research and partnerships between SMST and CECS.
“It is a well-known fact that the best research discoveries involve expertise from multiple disciplines and the SMST’s stronger involvement with CECS will expand CECS’s research portfolio and SMST’s research portfolio” says Michael Georgiopoulos, the dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “Furthermore, SMST’s educational mission enhances the college’s educational pursuits towards a student population with unique interests in a location that is known for its excellence in modeling and simulation. It is my strong belief that this closer collaboration of CECS and SMST will enhance the pursuit of their respective missions for the better being of the institution and its students.”
Since its founding in 2018, SMST has awarded more than 550 graduate degrees. Academically, SMST offers a master’s in modeling and simulation, a doctorate in modeling and simulation, and a graduate certificate in modeling and simulation of behavioral cybersecurity. Students who are currently enrolled in those programs will graduate under CECS. Additionally, eight faculty members, including Rabadi, have joined CECS under SMST:
- Professor Roger Azevedo
- Assistant Professor Yao Li
- Assistant Professor Sean Mondesire
- Assistant Professor Soheil Sabri
- Assistant Professor Mengjie Li
- Assistant Professor Veeraraghava Raju Hasti
- Assistant Professor Vishnu Prabhu
Mengjie Li, Hasti and Prabhu joined UCF this semester. SMST’s academic advisor, Tonya Walker, has also transitioned to CECS.
Professor Grace Bochenek ’98PhD, former director of SMST, will continue to lead IST, which will rebrand as the Pegasus Research Institute under the Office of Research.
