UCF announced the winners of its fifth annual 30 Under 30 Awards on March 7. Among the 30 recipients are mental health counselors, marketing and communications specialists, attorneys, psychologists, scientists, engineers, nurses, business owners, a Broadway performer, and other accomplished professionals.

“Our 2019 30 Under 30 recipients are extraordinary examples of what it means to represent UCF with pride,” says Jazmine Rodriguez ’10, chair of UCF’s Young Alumni Council. “The impact this group has made in the world — through both their professional and personal lives — is an inspiration for all Knights to continue to reach for success. To think that these 30 individuals are just getting started is truly exciting. On behalf of the Young Alumni Council, I extend my sincerest congratulations on this well-deserved accomplishment. We are truly grateful to share an alma mater with such incredible individuals.”

Open-nominations for the 2019 class were accepted on  UCFAlumni.com  from Jan. 7 through Feb. 7. Nominations were reviewed and scored by UCF Alumni staff and previous 30 Under 30 recipients, and winners were selected by the  UCF Young Alumni Council. The finalists were then confirmed by the  UCF Alumni Board  based on the following criteria:

  • Must be a graduate of the University of Central Florida (undergraduate or graduate degree).
  • Must be age 29 or younger on April 13, 2019.
  • Nominees for 30 Under 30 must demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a lifelong relationship with Knights and strive to uphold UCF Young Alumni values.

    • The winners will be recognized in a formal ceremony on campus at the Morgridge international Reading Center on April 13. Below is the complete slate of honorees, listed in alphabetical order by last name.

    Shainna  Ali ’10 ’12MA ’16PhD

    B.A. Anthropology

    M.A. Counselor Education

    Ph.D. Education

    Burnett Honors Scholar

     

    Chelsea Ball ’12

    B.A. Interpersonal/organizational communication

     

    Andrea  Bejarano ’12 

    B.A. Interpersonal/organizational communication

     

    Kate  Champnella ’14

    B.S. Psychology

     

    Victoria Claypoole ’15MS ’18PhD

    M.S. Modeling and Simulation

    Ph.D. Psychology

     

    Tyler Egbert ’11

    B.S. Legal Studies

     

    Kacie Escobar ’13 

    B.A. Advertising/Public Relations

    Burnett Honors Scholar

     

    Chris Garcia ’12 ’13MBA

    B.S. Finance

    Master of Business Administration

     

    Sarah Gates ’14 

    B.S. Event Management

     

    Danielle Gelfand ’13 

    B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies

     

    Jean-Pierre Gilbert ’11 

    B.S. Business Economics

     

    Fawn Goldstein ’14 ’17MA 

    B.S. Psychology

    M.A. Counselor Education

     

    Meyonka Gray ’13 

    B.S. Industrial Engineering

     

    Jamie Gregor ’13 

    B.A. Advertising/Public Relations

    B.S. Marketing

    Burnett Honors Scholar

     

    Abby Jaros ’14

    B.F.A. Theatre

     

    Ali Kurnaz ’13 

    B.A. Political Science

     

    Darius Lana ’11 

    B.A. Advertising/Public Relations

     

    Amanda Leyva ’18 

    B.S. Nursing

    Burnett Honors Scholar

     

    Jonathon Little ’11 

    B.A. Political Science

     

    Valerie Moses ’13 ’19MBA

    B.A. Advertising/Public Relations

    Master of Business Administration

    Burnett Honors Scholar

     

    Selina Mullenax ’12 

    B.S. Event Management

     

    Jenny Nguyen ’16PhD 

    Ph.D. Sociology

     

    Lee  Perry ’18 

    B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies

     

    Trevor  Persaud ’14 

    B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies

     

    Dominic Piscitello ’12 

    B.A. Political Science

     

    Danielle Price ’14 

    B.A. Political Science

     

    Ashley Rogan ’10 

    B.A. Political Science

     

    Nicholas Simons ’14 

    B.S. Economics

    Burnett Honors Scholar

     

    Alyssa Tanaka ’12 ’13MS ’15PhD 

    B.S. Psychology

    M.S. Modeling and Simulation

    Ph.D. Modeling and Simulation

     

    Alvaro Velasquez ’14 ’16MS ’18PhD 

    B.S. Computer Science

    M.S. Computer Science

    Ph.D. Computer Science

    Burnett Honors Scholar