The UCF Alumni Association was proud to host its inaugural 30 under 30 awards dinner Friday, Nov. 20, honoring the outstanding achievements of 30 successful Knights.

Young alumni currently make up one-third of UCF’s alumni population, making them the university’s largest constituent base. The 30 under 30 awards program allows the UCF community to celebrate the achievements of these young alumni and the impact they’ve made in the areas of business, research, leadership, arts, community, education or philanthropy.

Awardees were chosen based on nominations submitted by fellow Knights, friends, families and co-workers.

Many of this year’s recipients — most of whom traveled back to campus from locations across the country — were also recognized on the field during the UCF vs. ECU football game Thursday night, alongside the UCF Alumni Association’s 2015 Distinguished Student Award winner, Yudeysis Cores, and 2015 Michelle Akers Award winner, UCF’s Limbitless Solutions.

The following evening, alumni, families and friends, as well as members of university administration, advancement staff, and academic and volunteer leadership, and the evening’s host, UCF alumnus Todd Woodard, ’95, gathered for the awards celebration, held in the Grand Ballroom of the UCF FAIRWINDS Alumni Center.

This year’s 30 under 30 inaugural class included:

  • Joshua A. Andone, Esq., ’11
  • Attorney, Hale, Hale & Jacobson
  • College of Business Administration
  • Stephanie C. Bolyard, MSENVE12
  • Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant, UCF
  • College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Keith Brawner, ’08, MSCPE10, PhD13
  • Adaptive Tutoring Scientist, United States Army Research Laboratory
  • College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Naomi Brownstein, ’08
  • Assistant Professor, Florida State University College of Medicine
  • The Burnett Honors College & College of Sciences
  • Janelle N. Burrowes, ’13
  • Service Director, Boys & Girls Club
  • College of Arts and Humanities
  • Shelby J. Campbell, ’08
  • Doctor of Audiology, My Family ENT
  • College of Health and Public Affairs
  • Amanda N. Castro, ’12
  • Anchor/Reporter, 41NBC/WMGT
  • College of Sciences
  • Chris Castro, ’10
  • Program Manager, Office of Sustainability & Energy/Senior Energy Advisor to Mayor Buddy Dyer, City of Orlando
  • College of Undergraduate Studies
  • Brett R. Chiavari, ’07
  • Owner & President, BC Restaurant Group
  • College of Business Administration
  • Aaron Dietz, MA13, PhD14
  • Research Associate, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  • College of Sciences
  • Reshad D. Favors, Esq., ’10
  • Attorney & Fellow, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation/United States Congress
  • College of Business Administration
  • Julie Frost, ’12
  • Performer, Comfort Crew for Military Kids
  • The Burnett Honors College & College of Arts and Humanities & College of Sciences
  • Christopher R. Frye, ’13
  • Physics Ph.D. Candidate, Harvard University
  • The Burnett Honors College & College of Sciences
  • Andre Garcia, ’08
  • Human Factors Engineer, Northrop Grumman Corporation
  • College of Sciences
  • Lindsay C. Gartrell, ’10
  • Corporate Training Manager, The Kessler Collection Inaugural Class
  • Rosen College of Hospitality Management
  • Adam J. Giery, ’08, MA11
  • Principal, Strategos Group
  • College of Education and Human Performance
  • Jen Glantz, ’10
  • Founder and CEO, Bridesmaid for Hire
  • College of Arts and Humanities & College of Sciences
  • Kristin Harris, ’11
  • Associate Celebrity Editor & Talent Relations, Buzzfeed
  • College of Sciences
  • Jake Junot, MBA11
  • Vice President of Global Accounts, C3Research
  • College of Business Administration
  • Bridget D. Keefe, ’09, MPA11
  • Executive Director, Downtown Orlando Partnership
  • Rosen College of Hospitality Management & College of Health and Public Affairs
  • Jamile M. Kitnurse, ’08, MBA10, MSBM11
  • Regional Marketing Manager, Diamond Resorts International
  • College of Business Administration
  • Stephanie Ann Koszalka, MSW12
  • Director of Human Trafficking Victim Services, Florida Abolitionist Inc.
  • College of Health and Public Affairs
  • Albert C. Manero, ’12, MSAE14
  • Lab Director, The Limbitless Project
  • The Burnett Honors College & College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Lauren Niederhiser, ’12
  • Assistant Project Manager, Walt Disney Imagineering
  • The Burnett Honors College & College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Gregory A. Pearlman Jr., ’08
  • Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual
  • College of Business Administration
  • Leigha Audrey Proctor, ’10
  • Director of Business Development, Transperfect Translations
  • College of Sciences
  • Aubree A. Rider, ’10
  • Co-founder & Owner, The Heroes Group
  • College of Business Administration
  • Danny A. Rivera, ’12, MPA14
  • Special Assistant to Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orange County Government
  • College of Health and Public Affairs
  • Colton J. Tapoler, ’12
  • Instructional Lead, Florida Virtual School
  • College of Arts and Humanities & College of Education and Human Performance
  • Victoria Vighetto, ’10, MNM13
  • Executive Director, March of Dimes Central Florida Division
  • College of Health and Public Affairs

    • Read more stories about alumni at ucfalumni.com.