Inspired by desire to give back, this summer, Alvarez and Wysolmierski will teach art classes to prisoners in the Florida Prison Education Project (FPEP), a UCF initiative founded in 2017 that seeks to offer a high-quality undergraduate education to people incarcerated in Central Florida. From October 2022 to September 2023, 香港六合彩开奖结果 faculty volunteers for FPEP taught 12 face-to-face classes in three prisons to 180 incarcerated students.

“FPEP is thrilled to have Alex and Jim join the team,鈥� says Keri Watson, executive director of the Florida Prison Education Project and assistant director of UCF鈥檚 School of Visual Arts and Design. 鈥淥ur incarcerated students are eager for more classes and are always excited to learn more about visual art.”

For Alvarez, beginning his new role as FPEP program coordinator is an incredible opportunity to work with and help incarcerated people. Growing up in Springfield, Massachusetts, he witnessed and experienced the injustices that impact impoverished communities, such as police brutality, the drug epidemic and systemic racism.

As a troubled youth, he was in and out of the juvenile justice system. At 17, he eventually spent three months in an adult correctional center, which he says 鈥渟cared [him] straight.鈥�

鈥淲hen I was arrested and ultimately locked up for a short amount of time, that definitely broadened my perspective on how your rights can be taken away in a second,鈥� Alvarez says. 鈥淭he dark side of people鈥檚 personalities is escalated when you鈥檙e in there and are treated the way that you are. It鈥檚 a life-changing experience.鈥�

Changing Life for the Better

After incarceration, Alvarez was focused on changing his life鈥檚 trajectory for the better. He would later become a truck driver for 21 years, traveling across the lower 48 states and seeing various inner cities like the one he grew up in. As a kid, Alvarez always drew and read comic books such as X-Men, Spawn and the Fantastic Four. Now an adult, Alvarez wanted to use art to share his story and use it as a vehicle to start conversations and create change within his community and ones like his.

In 2019, Alvarez started enrolled at UCF. There were multiple options for schools to attend, but he wanted somewhere completely new to have a fresh start. UCF鈥檚 campus and the people there were appealing, but it was the quality of the work created in the art program that attracted him the most.鈥淸When I saw] all the student work 鈥� in the hallways when I took the tour, I was like 鈥榃ow, this is pretty awesome here,鈥� 鈥� Alvarez says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what drew me to Orlando and UCF in general. Compared to everywhere else that I went, UCF really stuck out.鈥�

During his time at UCF, Alvarez has created works with a theme of redemption. The Best Things in Life Aren鈥檛 for Me is a work featuring a body bag filled with tar pigment and trash gathered from gun violence sites. Another work, Head Space, contains a series of sculpted heads and painted boxes with a sculpture of a mother鈥檚 head and a rosary in the middle. The work is representative of the impact Alvarez鈥檚 mom had on him as he aspired for a better life.

鈥淚 like to have the mother figure as the hub that grounds you within this whole world of chaos and disorder,鈥� Alvarez says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the guiding light.鈥�

At UCF, Alvarez found guiding influences for his future as an artist through former FPEP program coordinator Jason Fronczek 鈥�16 and Watson. Seeing the impact Fronczek and Watson made through FPEP, sparked Alvarez鈥檚 interest to get involved with the community more. While Alvarez was still guarded about his personal story, reading more about FPEP and encouragement from Watson has led him to join the project鈥檚 team to help incarcerated people.

A Story of Transformation

Wysolmierski鈥檚 journey to UCF began in the Sunshine State, where he was living in Gainesville as part of a punk band that toured the world. Through his time in the band, he developed acute alcoholism and was hospitalized on multiple occasions. He was incarcerated a few times for alcohol-related offenses, with his longest sentence being six months. At one point, Wysolmierski was even living behind a Taco Bell dumpster. It was at that point 聽he wanted to change his life and started turning things around.

He entered Alcoholics Anonymous, and in 2020 he earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in studio art from USF, furthering an art background that used in making T-shirts and record covers for the band. When he looked at schools for his master鈥檚 degree, he says he wanted to stay close to his parents, as he was taking care of his mother with dementia and his father with cancer. Caring for his parents was the beginning of Wysolmierski鈥檚 desire to use adverse situations as a chance to give back, he says.

Transformation is a key theme in Wysolmierski鈥檚 art, whether it鈥檚 transforming materials to represent a theme or showing the story of someone transforming from negative experiences to making a positive impact. An example is a piece featuring a blanket made from hospital and club wristbands.

Another artwork is a pile of HVAC tubes filled with material representing bile and corrosive material. The work symbolizes alcohol鈥檚 effect on the intestines, and was inspired by Hurricane Ian, which damaged the HVAC units in Wysolmierski鈥檚 Orlando apartment complex and forced Wysolmierski to evacuate in 2022.

鈥淲hen I was able to move back into my apartment, a work crew was installing new units and removing the temporary ones. In this process, there were piles and piles of AC ducts all over the place. I thought, 鈥楾hose look like intestines. That reminds me of what I did to my body,鈥� 鈥� Wysolmierski says. 鈥淚 also thought of the temporary comfort that the units were providing, and I thought of the temporary comfort that alcohol used to provide me. There was a connection between the pain of my alcoholism and the adversity of being displaced from my complex. It all tied together for me, and I really, I’m happy with that work.鈥�

It was during that time that faculty and staff at UCF impacted Wysolmierski outside of the classroom, with those in the art program providing a place for him to stay.

鈥淚 felt this sense of family and that was the biggest positive experience that UCF gave me,鈥� Wysolmierski says. 鈥淚t was a sense of community that everybody was there for me as I am for them.鈥�

Wysolmierski has also given back at UCF through teaching, first as a graduate teaching assistant and then as a graduate teaching associate. As he came upon the last final of his beginning sculpture and 3D-design class last week, he thought about the students and what he gets out of teaching.

鈥淚 get this bond and being able to see them grow throughout the semester is so cool,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 love it when I’m like, 鈥楾hey get it.鈥� I just think that to myself, 鈥楲ook at what they did in the first day to what they’ve done now.鈥� It’s amazing.”

The Possibility of Change

As Wysolmierski prepares to teach at FPEP, he says he hopes the students there get some sort of release. In his thesis work, he wrote about how sometimes verbal depictions don’t come across as well as making art about it. As an artist, it’s easier for Wysolmierski to express himself through sculpture, and he wants to help other artists in the program to express themselves through their mediums.

Alvarez says he wants to inspire those he teaches in the program to find purpose and use art as a vehicle to teach them the possibility of change, fostering within them the passion to pursue a better life. He also wants to use his experience to provide perspective and inspire.

鈥淚 definitely want to encourage the prisoners to change their mindset,鈥� Alvarez says. 鈥淚 know that right now they’re confined physically, but mentally, you can open your whole world up to all kinds of possibilities. I really want to encourage them to create their own world, talk about their own culture, situation, identity, to help inspire others as well.鈥�

However, Stefani鈥檚 sister had a remarkable experience when two UCF classes, including the concert band, joined forces to create a concert that aims to break through these barriers and make live music enjoyable for everyone, regardless of disabilities or differences.

鈥淚 could see them from where I was sitting, and she was having a lot of fun with the glow sticks, moving around freely. She could wiggle and laugh if something was funny,鈥� says Stefani, a biology major. 鈥淚 was able to see how happy she was being able to enjoy a concert without feeling uncomfortable, especially because I know she loves music.鈥�

At the Inclusive Knights concert, those on the autism spectrum could freely express themselves through vocalization and movement and the Deaf community could sense the music鈥檚 rhythm through the vibrations of a balloon.

Inclusive Knights: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles marked the second time UCF Celebrates the Arts featured an inclusive event, with about 400 attendees 鈥� many of whom cannot attend other concerts.

For Stefani, seeing her sister鈥檚 joy at the concert emphasized the importance of inclusive spaces in the arts.

鈥淧eople on the autism spectrum and others who may have sensory issues still enjoy music and participating in community events like this one,鈥� Stefani says. 鈥淗aving a concert series like this allows them to enjoy the music however they want. Whether that is covering their ears due to loudness or moving around, it is completely acceptable.鈥�

Christine Lapka, UCF associate professor of music education, explained that this concert offers a unique approach to sensory-friendly events, tailored not only for individuals on the autism spectrum but for a broader audience. They coined it 鈥渋nclusive鈥� to cater to anyone who may struggle to engage with concerts adhering strictly to traditional etiquette.

The performance showcased the UCF Concert Band, under the direction of UCF Assistant Director of Bands Dave Schreier 鈥�02 鈥�10MA, alongside Lapka鈥檚 class, Music and Students with Special Needs. As the band played, the music education students presented a performance filled with costumes, props and much more.

Logan Grzybowski, a sophomore music education student, took part in this year鈥檚 concert as the main narrator. Portraying the train conductor, he guided the audience through the concert experience. He explained that their objective when crafting the skits was to integrate the music performed by the band and ensure a welcoming and interactive experience for all audiences.

鈥淲e did an acting portion for them while the concert band played a piece called Traffic, and we created a scene of famous characters such as Barbie, Lightning McQueen and other well-known characters from children鈥檚 movies,鈥� Grzybowski says. 鈥淲e even had a scene where the Ferrari was speeding and the cop was trying to stop him, which the audience seemed to enjoy.鈥�

Miriam Soto, a freshman music education student, also participated in this year鈥檚 concert. Her primary role was to instruct the audience in a rhythm section of a piece that made its debut performance and was composed by student Cameron Cummins, who majors in music performance with a track in composition. Under Soto鈥檚 guidance, the audience clapped and tapped along, forming a 400-person ensemble.

鈥淎t one point the room was split off from right to left and they were in charge of their part, forming a call and response,鈥� Soto says. 鈥淎nd it was so special because the audience was taking part in the performance.鈥�

For both Grzybowski and Soto, this concert presented an opportunity to learn and grow as future educators.

鈥淭his shows how important it is to create a space for inclusivity, and it provided me the skills to put a concert like this together in the future as a teacher,鈥� Soto says.

Schreier says that from the band鈥檚 perspective, they don鈥檛 change how they perform the music for this concert. Instead, they help the audience cope and prepare them for what to expect ahead of time.

American Sign Language interpreters and the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) were used as alternative forms of communication. Balloons were provided for the Deaf community to sense music vibrations, and glowsticks were distributed for audience members to conduct along with the music. Attendees were encouraged to bring fidget toys, cushions, or other items to enhance their concert experience.

Lapka, Schreier and the participating students say they were thrilled with the results and the turnout of the concert, and are excited about the positive impact Inclusive Knights had on the community.

鈥淜nights, it鈥檚 no wonder that since the beginning, NASA has relied on UCF to help in our moonshots,鈥� Nelson told engineering, computer science and optics graduates during his commencement address. 鈥淎nd Knights, it鈥檚 no wonder that it鈥檚 going to be a member of your generation who leaves their footprints on the red sands of Mars. So, to the Class of 鈥�24: you have moonshots in your DNA.

鈥淢oonshots are big things. They鈥檙e bigger than any one of us. They鈥檙e bigger than all of us. Like Pegasus, you now have to reach for the skies鈥� and now you can carry thunder and lightning with you.

鈥淎nd you know how to aim for the moon鈥攂ecause this is America鈥檚 Space University. There鈥檚 no moonshot beyond your reach. So, decide what your moonshot will be 鈥� and then your launch, your liftoff, will happen right when you walk out those doors.鈥�

香港六合彩开奖结果 President Alexander N. Cartwright told Nelson, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e absolutely right. Our students are incredible, and they can all achieve any moonshot they set their minds to.鈥�

UCF was founded in 1963 鈥� and offered its first classes in 1968 鈥� to help fuel talent to support the nearby space industry, and the university has partnered with NASA ever since, with 香港六合彩开奖结果 faculty and students working on about 700 NASA projects.

Many UCF space researchers and alumni are involved in the Artemis program. Planetary scientists Kerri Donaldson Hanna and Addie Dove are leading a $35 million NASA mission to land a robotic spacecraft on the moon in 2027 to explore never-before-visited volcanic domes and help inform future exploration. UCF researchers also are studying rocket propulsion, protecting astronauts and their equipment from harmful space dust, and the health impacts of space travel on astronauts.

Twenty-nine percent of Kennedy Space Center employees are UCF alumni. And UCF repeatedly ranks as the No. 1 provider of graduates to the aerospace and defense industry, according to Aviation Week Network.

鈥淚n 1968, as Apollo 7 propelled Americans into space 鈥� and later, through Apollo 11, to land on the Moon 鈥� UCF began to educate and inspire a new generation of leaders: the Apollo generation,鈥� Nelson said. 鈥淎nd I ask you today to give your imagination to help us achieve another dream 鈥� now to return humanity to the moon and then to look onward to Mars and beyond.鈥�

Nelson has served as NASA鈥檚 14^th administrator for three years. A fifth-generation Floridian, he previously represented the state as a U.S. senator for 18 years and a congressman for 12 years. UCF awarded Nelson the Exemplary Public Service Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, recognizing his longtime service in government.

鈥淚 have the honor of serving a storied organization that makes history 鈥� that makes the impossible possible,鈥� Nelson told graduates, citing the James Webb Space Telescope a million miles away, always on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun. 鈥淎t NASA, we know a thing or two about moonshots. Because we’re going back (to the moon) after a half-century. This time, we鈥檙e going to learn to live, to experiment on the lunar surface 鈥� to invent, to create in order for us not just to go the moon, but to go further 鈥� to go to Mars and beyond.

鈥淲e’re expanding upon the vision of President John Kennedy that he laid forth in 1961 鈥� He challenged our country to unite behind a bold endeavor, once thought impossible. He made America believe in moonshots. And today, moonshots are not confined to the cosmos. Moonshots are imagined, developed and achieved here on Earth 鈥� by people like you.鈥�

In 1986, Nelson trained and flew with the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia for mission STS-61C, the 24th flight of the Space Shuttle. While orbiting Earth 98 times over six days, Nelson conducted 12 medical experiments, including the first American stress test in space on a treadmill and a cancer research experiment sponsored by university researchers.

鈥淜ennedy didn鈥檛 have all the answers when he dared America to go to the moon, but he had the courage to dream,鈥� Nelson said. 鈥淪o, graduates, you don鈥檛 need all the answers on this special day. What you need today is to have the confidence and trust to decide what is your moonshot. Confidence that you will do what is hard and trust that what you can achieve is great. Confidence and trust that you will be a part of something larger than any one person. So, what’s your moonshot?鈥�

UCF awarded about 9,800 degrees this weekend, including nearly 3,000 in STEM fields and about 1,400 in engineering and computer science.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is estimated to be highly active. Projections suggest 24 named storms, with 11 anticipated to become hurricanes, according to The Weather Channel and Atmospheric G2. Six hurricanes are forecasted to become Category 3 or higher, presenting substantial threats to coastal and inland regions.

University and Personal Planning

At UCF, teams plan and train for hurricane season year-round. UCF鈥檚 Emergency Management team works hard to prevent, prepare for, manage and recover from a variety of threats to UCF, including severe weather.

UCF is a designated StormReady university through the National Weather Service.

In addition to the work being done at the central level, led by the Department of Emergency Management, we encourage all departments to evaluate their own hurricane procedures and staffing plans at this time, in advance of an imminent storm.

When tropical weather systems are threatening, Emergency Management is in communication with our local National Weather Service office in Melbourne, NOAA and the National Hurricane Center. If a serious storm or hurricane threatens our region, Governor Ron DeSantis and 香港六合彩开奖结果 President Alexander N. Cartwright have the authority to cancel classes or close campuses. UCF often does so in consultation with other area colleges, school districts and government officials.

We encourage students and UCF employees to put together their own hurricane safety kits and to create a plan with their families and loved ones should a storm impact Central Florida.

Prepping a Hurricane Kit

Knights should assemble a hurricane kit, which should provide enough essentials to survive at least three days. Kits should include:

• Water
• Nonperishable food
• Weather radio
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Batteries
• Can opener
• Cash
• Cell phone charge
• Identification cards
• Any necessary prescription medications

This year鈥檚 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday extends June 1-14. This two-week tax holiday allows Floridians to prepare for hurricane season while saving money on essential disaster preparedness items.

How to Stay Informed

The UCF Alert text and email message system will be used to keep the university community notified of severe weather threats. All students and employees automatically are signed up to receive these messages, and settings can be updated via . A parent, spouse or other secondary contact鈥檚 email address also can be added, allowing them to receive the updates.

In addition to UCF Alert messages, details about any class cancelations, impact to services or campus closures will be shared on the UCF homepage, and @UCF and @UCFPolice on social media. Faculty members also are encouraged to post any changes to class assignments due to campus closures on Webcourses.

UCF has been impacted by hurricanes before, and we have been able to weather those storms while maintaining our strong commitment to academic excellence and student success.

While we hope for a hurricane-free season, it is always best to prepare and educate yourself in advance of a storm, especially in time such as now that requires extra considerations and flexibility.

Let鈥檚 each do our part by staying aware and prepared, and together, we鈥檒l make UCF a safer place for all of us.

The new committee members are Cecile Bertot, a devoted philanthropist and community volunteer; Jeremy Sloane, founding partner of Watson Sloane PLLC; Scott Fagan 鈥�94 鈥�03MPA, chief financial officer of Orlando Economic Partnership; Steve Curley 鈥�07惭叠础聽, founder/chief investment strategist of 55 North Private Wealth and co-founder/host of The Investors First Podcast; and Treva Marshall, owner of TJM Communications.

The UCF Foundation Board of Directors has six permanent standing committees. Bertot and Marshall have been appointed to the Donor Engagement & Stewardship Committee, Sloane and Fagan to the Finance & Facilities Committee, and Curley to the Investment Committee. As the university continues to evolve and grow, these members, via their respective committees, will provide vital insight to the foundation鈥檚 financial practices, investment strategies, and donor engagement and stewardship activities.

鈥淚 am thrilled to welcome these talented individuals as committee advisors,鈥� says Brian Butler, UCF Foundation鈥檚 board chair and president/CEO of JCB Construction. 鈥淭heir consummate leadership and deep understanding of their industries and passion for UCF will support the board in its fiduciary responsibilities and commitment to advancing its mission.鈥�

The focus areas and priorities of the committees align with UCF鈥檚 five-year strategic plan to achieve a top 50 ranking in the nation and a preeminence designation, which will elevate the university鈥檚 national profile and fuel the local economy by attracting global talent.

鈥淲ith our goal to become the leading enterprise for research innovation and student success, the need is greater than ever for strategic input from our committees,鈥� says Rod Grabowski, senior vice president for Advancement and Partnerships and CEO of the UCF Foundation.鈥�淲e are excited to have these new members on board and look forward to maximizing their expertise to unleash the potential of people and ideas to positively change the world.鈥�

Briefs on New UCF Foundation Committee Members

Bertot has shown a passion for university-wide impact initiatives, especially food insecurity. A dedicated philanthropist, she has supported the Burnett Honor鈥檚 College and the Bertot Family First Generation Endowed Scholarship Fund, both of which provide access and opportunity to students with the drive and talent to succeed. She is the proud parent of three UCF alumni 鈥� graduates from 2017, 2019 and 2023 鈥� and most recently served as chair of the Parent and Family Philanthropy Council, a leadership board of parent volunteers who engage with the university and community to enhance the UCF experience for all Knights.

Sloane is a corporate and tax attorney and a founding partner of the firm Watson Sloane.鈥疭loane serves as outside general counsel to a variety of businesses.鈥疕e also advises domestic and international clients on U.S. corporate, partnership, international, income and other tax-related matters. Before founding the firm, Sloane practiced in-house with a Fortune 50 corporation, in the tax group at DLA Piper and in the corporate group at Akerman. Sloane earned a bachelor鈥檚 in business administration from the University of Florida Warrington College of Business Administration, a juris doctor from the University of Florida and an LLM in taxation from the University of Miami.

Fagan is an accounting and financial professional with nearly 30 years of progressive leadership experience in the Central Florida community. He has served as the chief financial officer for the Orlando Economic Partnership since July 2000. Previously, Fagan was the senior vice president and chief financial officer at Clearpoint, and also held positions at Orlando Magazine, Consumer Credit Counseling Service/ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions and Heart of Florida United Way. He received 聽bachelor鈥檚 degrees in finance and accounting from UCF, as well as his master鈥檚 in public administration. He is currently chair of the Center for Innovative Arts & Education Dean鈥檚 Advisor Committee.

Curley recently founded 55 North Private Wealth, a private wealth management firm, and serves as a strategic advisor in the wealth management technology space. He is also co-founder and the host of The Investors First Podcast, a national award-winning podcast, in which he interviews CEOs, founders and thought leaders in finance with a goal of educating investors, advisors and consultants. Previously, Curley was a principal and chief investment officer of WaterOak Advisors. His wealth management expertise and media savvy have received recognition by Forbes (Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, 2017-19), Orlando Business Journal (Top 40 Under 40, 2019), Barron鈥檚 (Top 1200 Financial Advisors, 2020-21), and UCF鈥檚 College of Business (Hall of Fame Honorable Knight, 2022). An active volunteer in his community, he serves on UCF鈥檚 College of Business Finance Advisory Board and is a board member of CFA Society Orlando as well as a CFA charter holder. Curley earned an MBA from UCF in 2007. Additionally, in 2014, he established the Freddy Armfield Curley Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund to honor his grandmother.

Marshall is the president of her own communications company, TJM Communications, starting her firm over 20 years ago. It is coined as a lifestyle public relations firm specializing in travel, food and wine. Marshal attended Florida State University and received a bachelor鈥檚 in communications. TJM has received numerous honors from Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International and recognition from PR Daily and the Florida Public Relations Association. Other personal awards include Orlando Business Journal鈥檚 2015 Business Owner of the Year. Marshall is a member of the College of Arts and Humanities Dean鈥檚 Executive Council, board chair of the College of Arts and Humanities Opera, and board member of Center for Innovative Arts and Education Advisor Committee.

鈥淲e鈥檙e both excited and proud to welcome these two fine young men to the public safety family,鈥� 香港六合彩开奖结果 Police Chief Carl Metzger 鈥�03MS says. 鈥淎 lot is required of a law enforcement officer, and they have the courage and the fortitude to choose this career. There aren鈥檛 many professions where you put your life on the line to protect and defend a perfect stranger.鈥�

The new officers will be assigned to the patrol division upon completion of their field-training program, where they will spend several weeks paired with senior officers to gain hands-on experience in the field before graduating to solo patrol.

Meet the Officers

• Originally from Key Largo, Florida, Gabe Rubiales 鈥�23聽is a former 香港六合彩开奖结果 Police intern who was sponsored by the agency to attend the law enforcement academy. A UCF alum with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Rubiales is looking forward to engaging with the community and having positive interactions with students. When he鈥檚 not working, he鈥檚 an avid outdoorsman who loves spending time on the water or in the woods.
• Soon-to-be UCF grad Ethan Temperato previously worked as a substitute teacher before making the switch to law enforcement. He chose the 香港六合彩开奖结果 Police Department because of the opportunities available to officers and the ability to interact with a diverse community. Fun fact: Ethan is a competitive bodybuilder and has even taken home a few trophies.

A live stream of the swearing-in ceremony can be viewed .

Moore was first diagnosed with testicular cancer in January 2003, just two weeks before his wedding. He was examining himself in the shower when he noticed a lump on his testicle. Soon after his discovery, Moore visited his primary care physician and a urologist who identified and confirmed the diagnosis 鈥� testicular cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, testicular cancer is rare, but is the most common malignancy in men ages 15 to 39. If caught early, it is highly treatable and curable.

Moore successfully completed treatment and spent the next five years under surveillance comprised of frequent monitoring, doctor check-ups and self-examinations.

Following his experience, Moore became active in the cancer community, working to encourage men to take ownership of their health and to practice routine self-examinations. He joined with the Livestrong Foundation to lobby elected officials for increased funding to the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute. In 2013, he joined the National Speakers Bureau for Testicular Cancer Foundation where he speaks to local groups about testicular cancer and how men can play an active role in their health.

鈥淎s men, we were always taught to just tough it out, and as a result, we don鈥檛 make our health a priority.鈥�

鈥淎s men, we were always taught to just tough it out, and as a result, we don鈥檛 make our health a priority,鈥� Moore says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about learning your body and learning what鈥檚 normal and what鈥檚 not.鈥�

It was while serving as a speaker one day at UCF that Moore had the opportunity to meet Associate Professor Michael Rovito in the Department of Health Sciences. Rovito鈥檚 research investigates testicular self-examination, testicular cancer, male health behavioral change, intervention and instrumentation design and health communication. Rovito is also the founder and chairman of Male Wellness Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting healthy behaviors among men while advancing the academic and scientific fields of men鈥檚 health.

鈥淎s I got to know Dr. Rovito and talk with him more, I learned about the things he does through the male wellness collective organization he started and his focus on male wellness as a whole,鈥� Moore says. 鈥淚t seemed like a natural fit to create a fund with the college.鈥�

In February 2018, Moore experienced a sudden onset of pain in his upper right abdomen while at a professional networking event.

鈥淚 thought to myself, 鈥極K, Mason. You speak to groups about the importance of men making their health a priority. What do you need to do in this case?鈥� And so, I did something that I鈥檇 never done before in my life,鈥� Moore says.

With the pain only becoming more severe, he drove himself to the emergency room.

At the hospital, doctors identified a nodule on Moore鈥檚 right lung. It was originally diagnosed as lung cancer, requiring surgical removal of the middle lobe of his right lung. Unfortunately, during follow-up surveillance less than a year later, a new nodule was discovered. After further testing, it was determined that this, along with the previous recurrence, was related to the testicular cancer he originally had in 2003 鈥� a recurrence 15 years later, something highly unheard of with testicular cancer.

Moore completed a successful chemotherapy treatment along with additional lung surgery in May 2019.

April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, and 2024 will be Moore鈥檚 five-year mark of being cancer-free.

April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, and 2024 will be Moore鈥檚 five-year mark of being cancer-free. Moore hopes his fund will support research and awareness programs on testicular cancer at the college as well as bring more focus to the mental health aspects of the disease.

鈥淭here鈥檚 been very little discussion, if any at all, around the mental and emotional stress that鈥檚 created by going through something like this,鈥� Moore says. 鈥淣ot just when you hear the diagnosis or when you go through treatment, but post-life as a survivor, and the fears and anxiety that goes along with that. That鈥檚 an area of specific focus for me as I continue to advocate.鈥�

Moore has served on the UCF Alumni Board and the Advisory Board for Nicholson School of Communication and Media since 2020, and this year was appointed to the Dean鈥檚 Advocacy Board in the College of Health Professions and Sciences.

Like many awareness movements, the autism awareness movement was initiated by parents and professionals with only the best of intentions. At the time, the prevalence of autism (now called autism spectrum disorder, or ASD) was about one in 90 individuals. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated the prevalence to be about one in 36. Today we are likely to know someone who has a family member with autism or have a family member on the spectrum ourselves.

And while awareness was great in 2007, it鈥檚 no longer good enough in 2021.

A meme I saw recently (reportedly created by someone on the spectrum) goes like this: Autism awareness means you know I鈥檓 here. Autism acceptance means you are happy to see me.

For the 22,000 individuals with autism spectrum disorders that my colleagues and I at the work to support, autism acceptance is the goal.

I say this as an outsider 鈥� an 鈥渁llistic鈥� or 鈥渘eurotypical鈥� to people on the spectrum. I am just a helper. I have no ASD diagnosis or direct experience to draw from, so I am sure there will be some who say I have no right to comment on this. But those of us who work with and for people with ASD every day agree we need more than awareness.

What that looks like depends on who you talk to. Autism occurs along a spectrum, with features that affect social communication, interests and behaviors, and sensory processing in different ways in different people. The community is diverse, even within itself.

Some individuals are proud and 鈥渙ut鈥� and others are not willing to share their diagnosis for fear of stereotyping that may restrict their opportunities. Some wear blue to promote awareness, and others wear red for autistic pride. Some love the puzzle symbol, and others feel that it promotes a view that they are incomplete or missing something. Some prefer the person-first language that we as professional helpers have been taught to use for years 鈥� others prefer identity first.

We need to speak to many individuals with ASD to inform our actions toward acceptance, but here are some tips that should help.

We need to speak to many individuals with ASD to inform our actions toward acceptance, but here are some tips that should help.

If we are to have acceptance, we must say the word.

Recent trends toward using more generic terms like 鈥渟ensory-friendly鈥� and “neurodiverse” instead of using autism perpetuate the stigma that autism is something to be hidden. So let鈥檚 say it proud and loud! It鈥檚 fine that others benefit from the work the autism community has done to change opportunities for people on the spectrum, but let鈥檚 not let autism get lost in the mix.

Become part of the autism-friendly movement. What does that mean? Do a self-assessment to see what you have in place to welcome people with ASD into your life 鈥� be it in your business, neighborhood or among your family members 鈥� and then seek out consultation and training in best practices to support people with ASD.

In our work at CARD, we help organizations, businesses and communities create atmospheres that are autism-friendly. Sometimes there are environmental steps that improve the experience for people with ASD, and sometimes there are interaction supports that can be learned. These let families of children with ASD and adults with ASD know that they don鈥檛 have to hold their breath or worry about being judged when they go places.

We see this when an autistic member of the faith congregation bellows out a few noises at top volume during the service, and the leader smiles and thanks him for his participation, or when a having a meltdown because the Spider-Man ride broke down. Recognize the parent at a grocery store standing over a child who is covering his ears and screaming may be dealing with a difficult moment for a child with ASD. Instead of looking away or giving an unforgiving stare, ask if there is anything you can do to help, or even just give a reassuring smile.

A child with ASD may not talk, but that does not mean they don鈥檛 think or feel or communicate. Acceptance means celebrating their strengths instead of focusing on challenges. Make sure that classmates with ASD are included in birthday parties. Use books like Crow Boy by Taro Yashima to teach the value in unique abilities.

They may not ace that interview. They may have some quirky traits. But give them a chance to shine. They often have a keen eye for detail and excel at following routines. They are reliable and loyal. Over the years, we have helped connect over a dozen adults with employment in our communities. Some employers who were initially skeptical have become huge champions for hiring people with ASD. The current statistics of one in 36 children means one in 36 will grow up into our workforce, and they need jobs. if you are ready to hire 鈥� we just may have someone we know who meets your needs.

Autism is not a disease, and therefore it doesn鈥檛 need to be cured or eliminated. While many parents and some people on the spectrum wish they could eliminate certain traits or tendencies, or quickly develop skills to help fit into the typical mold, trying to fit square pegs into round holes only damages the pegs. ASD is a complex, neurologically-based difference in how someone sees the world, and it can be stressful to the individual as well as those around him or her.

There are things that can be done to help a person with ASD thrive. At UCF CARD, we provide nearly 750 parent education seminars, social groups, support groups and outings each year. We collaborate with entertainment venues, employers, schools, after-school enrichment programs and sports leagues to foster community inclusion. We provide support that ranges from helping design potty training plans and providing sensitivity building sessions that prevent bullying and help children understand what ASD is, all the way to linking employers to adults with ASD seeking employment and promoting adulting skills.

Help us help our children and adults with ASD by demonstrating acceptance in every way you can.

Our community will be a better place for it.

Terri Daly has served as the director of the UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities since 1998. She has more than 25 years of experience serving individuals with autism spectrum disorders and presents locally, nationally and internationally on topics related to ASD, incidental teaching and early intervention in ASD.聽

鈥淏oth the scientific findings and, more importantly, the feedback from the families of children using AAC and their service-providers, have shown us the incredible power assistive technology can hold for children with significant speech impairments when combined with customized language therapy,鈥� says Jennifer Kent-Walsh, founder of UCF鈥檚 Assistive Technology Center and a Pegasus Professor in the College of Health Professions and Sciences. 鈥淭his new round of NIH funding means we can expand our work to provide clinicians with more evidence-based assessment and intervention options to help children develop language skills through use of AAC technologies.鈥�

The NIH can clearly see from data that children with significant speech impairments and genetic conditions like Down syndrome and cerebral palsy are communicating at higher levels. They can also look at the flurry of activity and engagement among the children, families, service providers, UCF students, community clinicians, caregivers and researchers at the center. Thousands of people have come for workshops, individualized training and therapy, and to borrow assistive technologies to help those struggling with language development, communication and a wide range of other needs.

鈥淲e are fortunate to have had support at UCF to align the critical stakeholder groups required to simultaneously advance science and practice 鈥� community, clinical, academic, research, industry, and the next generation of speech-language pathologists and related service-providers,鈥� Kent-Walsh says. 鈥淭wo key aspects of the study this new funding will support relate to the critical need to design interventions that are implementable in real-life contexts for clinicians and accessible to as many children as possible for sustained periods of time in community settings.鈥�

Kent-Walsh argues that engineering great technologies and even designing effective interventions can still miss the mark of meaningful scientific advancement in healthcare without implementation. This new funding will allow Kent-Walsh鈥檚 team to focus on validating interventions that are designed with and for clinicians supporting children using assistive technology to communicate. 聽The fact that the NIH is funding this work is a sign of the significant and practical progress that鈥檚 been two decades in the making.

Kent-Walsh is the cornerstone of this classic from-the-ground-up story. She came to UCF as an assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders in 2003. As a teacher and speech-language pathologist in Canada and England, she had witnessed first-hand the life setbacks that speech and language disorders can cause for children. At UCF, she would have the freedom to explore meaningful solutions, including technology-based ideas, to address these challenges. 鈥淭he university always had an openness for innovation 鈥� particularly in areas relating to engineering and technology,鈥� she says. 鈥淔or me, it was exciting to have the opportunity to develop a program of assistive technology research in an environment already primed for technology development and with an emerging focus on health and wellness.鈥�

鈥淐ommunication is a basic human right which can, and must, be supported for all.鈥�

During her time at UCF, Kent-Walsh has secured millions of dollars in funding from local, state and federal sources to expand research and optimize assistive technology service-delivery. In 2023, after being named a Pegasus Professor, Kent-Walsh saw a banner hung in her honor with the words that have driven her from day one:

鈥淐ommunication is a basic human right which can, and must, be supported for all,鈥� Kent-Walsh says.

When any of this is brought up 鈥� the research, the scientific findings and the successes 鈥� Kent-Walsh shifts the focus to the power of people working together.

鈥淲e have been able to learn and accomplish as much as we have to this point through true team science,鈥� she says.

Cathy Binger at the University of New Mexico (UNM) has been Kent-Walsh鈥檚 primary research collaborator for the past two decades and she serves as the other principal investigator for this new grant. Their decades long partnership has afforded invaluable cross-institutional learning and funded training experiences for both UCF and UNM students through clinical trial investigations like this one. Professor John Heilman, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, recently joined the research team as a language measurement expert. Other key team members include Professor Debbie Hahs-Vaughn from UCF鈥檚 College of Community Innovation and Education, who serves as biostatistician for the project, and associate clinical instructor Nancy Harrington who serves as project director for this multi-site clinical trial investigation. 聽And then there is the project team 鈥� with additional clinical and academic connections for the project facilitated by the broader village of collaborators in the FAAST Center and AAC Lab, including associate clinical instructor Carolyn Buchanan and clinical instructor Punam Desormes.

鈥淲hen we involve students and our community at large, the network of advocates expands to ensure that any child can gain access to assistive technology services,鈥� Kent-Walsh says. 鈥淭hey know, and NIH knows, that there is a growing body of findings indicating that the use of AAC technologies, combined with tailored language intervention, is where the magic happens.鈥�

The team鈥檚 overall goal is to reach as many children as possible in as many healthcare settings as possible, and ultimately, to improve lives.

On Thursday, Smith and the Orlando Police Foundation (501c3) announced a new endowed scholarship program funded by the foundation to help UCF criminal justice and legal studies students achieve their dreams 鈥� and succeed in those high-demand fields.

“Providing scholarships opens the door of opportunity for students to have a bright future,鈥� Smith. 鈥淭his will undoubtedly help students succeed. It will also help agencies like OPD hire the best to join our agency.”

The Orlando Police Department Endowed Scholars of Excellence Fund established a $75,000 endowment that will award two undergraduate students annually with $1,500 scholarships. Eligible UCF students can apply for the new endowed scholarship via the Office of Student Financial Assistance beginning in Spring 2025.

The new endowment was announced on a day dedicated to engaging alumni, faculty, staff, parents, students, fans and the community in playing a part in the success of the university. Gifts made throughout the day support UCF academic programs, faculty excellence, student success, athletics and more.

鈥淭he generosity of chief Smith and the Orlando Police Foundation will benefit our students and our community for generations to come,鈥� says Rod Grabowski, senior vice president for Advancement and Partnerships and CEO of the UCF Foundation. 鈥淧hilanthropy is so important to the future of our university. It strengthens our academic programs, fuels life-changing student scholarships and helps faculty conduct groundbreaking research. We appreciate all of our donors who have stepped up to support UCF during our Day of Giving.鈥�

UCF鈥檚 criminal justice program is a leading talent pipeline to many area law enforcement agencies, including OPD, which employs many UCF alumni in sworn and civilian roles. Many graduates also serve with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Secret Service, 香港六合彩开奖结果 Police Department, and sheriff鈥檚 offices across Orange, Seminole and Brevard counties, among other agencies.

Criminal justice graduates are in high demand in many sectors, including in the courts, corrections, advocacy, juvenile justice and cybersecurity.

UCF鈥檚 legal studies program is located at UCF Downtown, close to the Orange County Courthouse, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and many other job and internship opportunities. Students can develop professional skills through participating on highly successful mediation and moot court teams and an undergraduate law journal. Many students go on to law school and then successful careers with law firms throughout Florida and beyond. Students also can be hired as paralegals after they earn their bachelor鈥檚 degree.

鈥淥ur students learn from outstanding faculty members and partners with strong backgrounds in the criminal justice and legal studies fields, and they graduate well-prepared to thrive in their careers,鈥� says B. Grant Hayes, dean of the College of Community Innovation and Education. 鈥淏y investing in the success of our students, chief Smith and the Orlando Police Department Foundation will help them grow their talents, identify and pursue their ideal careers, and go onto serve and protect their communities.鈥�

Smith graduated from UCF in 1993 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in criminal justice. After working for OPD for 28 years, Smith became chief in 2022.

He initially moved to Orlando to play football at UCF. As a student, he completed an internship with what is now Homeland Security Investigations. He says the contacts he made proved invaluable for allowing him to step into his career.

The Orlando Police Foundation was formed in July 2020 as a support organization for the men and women of OPD.

鈥淲e wanted to create a foundation to help provide financial assistance to members of law enforcement in their times of need,鈥� says Joe Nunziata, president of the Orlando Police Foundation and CEO of FBC Mortgage LLC. 鈥淲e like to say that we are there to protect the protectors.鈥�