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Articles by Jenna Lee
Mission X: Honoring UCF’s Origin Story for 10th Annual Space Game
Landing humans on the moon was just a dream when UCF was founded in 1963. But we dared to believe — developing the talent and inventing the technologies to make it reality. That same spirit still drives us today. We are America’s Space University. And we celebrate UCF Space Week to honor our origin as we dare to build what’s next. Where Global Leaders Unite to Forge the Future of Space Since UCF first held classes on Oct.
“Wind Phones” Let People Say Things to Lost Loved Ones
Meeran Tariq was scrolling through Instagram this summer when he saw something about a new “wind phone” in Gaithersburg—a kiosk with a disconnected telephone in it where people can voice unsaid thoughts to loved ones who have died. Tariq immediately thought of his friend Sean King, who was hit and killed by a car in Falls Church in June. He and King had known each other for more than a decade and talked almost every day.
First Look: UCF 2026 Space Game Uniforms
Landing humans on the moon was just a dream when UCF was founded in 1963. But we dared to believe — developing the talent and inventing the technologies to make it reality. That same spirit still drives us today. We are America’s Space University. And we celebrate UCF Space Week to honor our origin as we dare to build what’s next. Where Global Leaders Unite to Forge the Future of Space Anniversaries remind us of everything we’ve achieved, and of everything still possible.
The Quietest Place on UCF’s Campus
Imagine standing in a room where the only sounds are the ones you make. There’s no rumble from cars in the distance, no murmurs of conversations from the hallway, no hum from the air conditioner. Even your own voice, footsteps and shifts are sharper, sans the usual reverberations that accompany them. Here, the sounds you make don’t reflect like they would in a normal room. Welcome to UCF’s anechoic chamber.
Tips for Registering for Classes at UCF
Whether you are new to registering for classes or are approaching your last semester, this guide shares important steps to register like a pro. Now is the time to plan your schedule. Preparing early will increase your chances of getting the courses and class times you want and help you stay on track for graduation. Know Your Enrollment Window You can view your enrollment window in myUCF. This information relays the earliest date and time you can register, so add it to your calendar.
Culture Corner | The Aggie
The Arts Desk’s weekly picks for music, movies and more By JENNA LEE — arts@theaggie.org Song: “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads (1977) “I can’t seem to face up to the facts / I’m tense and nervous, and I can’t relax,” sings David Byrne in the opening lines of “Psycho Killer,” immediately setting the tone for this unsettling yet danceable track. Off Talking Heads’ self-titled debut album, “Psycho Killer” is easily one of the band’s most defining songs.
The Heartfelt Story Behind UCF Alum’s Annual Mom Hugs Day
Content warning: This article touches on sensitive topics of mental health and suicide. Resources available for UCF students, faculty and staff are included. The fifth annual Mom Hugs Day, organized by Kelly Haskins ’91, will be held Thursday, Sept. 24, from noon until 2 p.m. at Ferrell Commons in partnership with UCF Wellness and Health Promotions Services (WHPS).
UCF Students Enhance Football Game Day Experience
In the atrium of the Engineering II building, a group of students gathers around an assortment of creations. A double-barreled T-shirt launcher that can fire shirts higher than the 60-foot walls of Acrisure Bounce House. A decked-out golf cart, rescued from its fate at the salvage yard and repurposed instead into Knightro’s preferred mode of transportation. A 3D-printed, robotic Citronaut piloting a spaceship that blasts AC/DC’s Thunderstruck through surround-sound speakers.
Inside UC Davis’ Russian department, where small class sizes fuel big conversations
Sproul Hall is home to the UC Davis Russian department. (Aggie File) Students discuss their experience in the Russian program By JENNA LEE — features@theaggie.org On the fourth floor of Sproul Hall, Mukhlisakhon Erkinova, a third-year Russian and biological sciences double major, sips chamomile tea from a white Styrofoam cup. Every month, Erkinova joins her fellow students for tea parties, where they practice their Russian conversation skills over tea and sweets.
Residence halls welcome new Aggies during annual Fall Moove-In
By JENNA LEE and ARMANDO PALOMARES — photo@theaggie.org Thousands of incoming first-year students officially settled into campus this week as UC Davis Student Housing and Dining Services concluded its annual Fall Moove-In operation. The three-day event, which ran from Sept. 15 through Sept. 17, saw campus residence halls reach capacity. Freshman and their families navigate Moove-In at the Tercero Residence Halls.
UCF Civics Expert Selected to Help Shape National Assessment
Stephen Masyada has been invited to serve on a 20-member framework committee for the civics portion of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for the 2032 assessment. Masyada is the longtime director of the Lou Frey Institute, which serves every school district in Florida as a leading provider of civic education instructional and professional development resources.
UCF Discovery on Immune Cells Could Illuminate Pathways to New Treatments
Newly published research by UCF College of Medicine assistant professor Hung Nguyen and his lab found that an understudied molecule within T cells may be a pathway to treatments for cancers, infections and autoimmune disorders. While the research is still in its early stages, Nguyen says that they have already identified ways to modify T cells to pinpoint and fight melanoma, colon cancer and lupus.
UCF Alum Named Finalist for Toyota Family Teacher of the Year Award
Nisha Phillip Malahoo ’21MEd ’24 EdD returned to school after she became a mother so she could learn how to help her children with their math homework — a subject she always struggled with in her primary education.
Lessons to Learn From the Odyssey as a UCF Student
With this summer’s release of Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster The Odyssey, Associate Lecturer Stacey L. DiLiberto ’03 ’11PhD is excited to see a renewed public interest in classic texts. A teacher of humanities in the Department of Philosophy, she says she believes the film acts as a lens for refocusing our view of mythology, philosophy, literature and the enduring influence of humanities fields on society.
25 of UCF’s Fastest-Growing Alumni-Led Companies
Entrepreneurship has no single blueprint — and the stories behind UCF’s inaugural Ever Upward honorees make that clear. The top three finalists from the new program, organized by UCF Alumni, are creating jobs, strengthening communities and introducing innovative approaches in industries ranging from health care and hospitality to technology, finance and motorsports. Their origin stories are shaped by education, family, friendships, unexpected career turns and the ability to adapt.
A Tribute to 20 Years of the Bounce House
UCF opens the 20th season of Acrisure Bounce House when the football team hosts Bethune-Cookman on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. Longtime UCF Athletics and university administrator David Hansen, who was responsible for executing the stadium operational plan to bring game day to life on campus for the first time in 2007, reflects on the impact of Acrisure Bounce House. The football stadium became an anchor for what has evolved into the university’s entertainment and retail district Kenneth G.
UCF Professor Paves the Way for the Promising Future of Special Education
Matthew Marino rises at 4:45 a.m. to begin a day he’s already thankful for. He chooses to not think about his vision problems or the surgeries (more than a dozen) his body has endured. Marino says he’s “happy” to work out, “blessed” to spend time with his daughter and son before they go to school, and “honored” to come to work as director of UCF’s Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute (TJEEI).
UCF’s Wayne Bowen Selected for Prestigious ACE Fellowship
A UCF educator and administrator will elevate his leadership capabilities while contributing to national expertise by joining one of the nation’s premier professional development programs in higher education. Wayne Bowen, UCF associate vice provost for undergraduate studies and professor of history, has been selected as a member of the 2026-27 cohort of the American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows Program.
Metrobus Wants Drivers to Tell Passengers the Fare. Drivers Say That’s Dangerous. Who’s Right?
Should Metrobus drivers announce the fare to passengers as they board? Or does so-called “quoting the fare” put drivers at unnecessary risk? These questions are at the center of an ongoing debate between WMATA and the union representing Metrobus drivers, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689.
UCF Celebrates Completion of the Roth Tower Project to Increase Premium Capacity, Expand Suite Offerings
Home » Home » UCF Celebrates Completion of the Roth Tower Project to Increase Premium Capacity, Expand Suite Offerings UCF Celebrates Completion of the Roth Tower Project to Increase Premium Capacity, Expand Suite Offerings Made Possible by $90 Million Commitment of Orange County Tourist Development Tax Revenues Orange County leaders joined UCF President Alexander N.
UCF’s Roth Tower 2.0 Is Here, and You’ve Got To See It
UCF celebrated the completion of the Roth Tower project, made possible by a $90 million commitment of Tourist Development Tax revenues from Orange County. The tower increases premium capacity, expands suite offerings and provides unique event opportunities year-round, attracting more fans, visitors and events to the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village beyond game days.
UCF’s Football Stadium Gains 2, Alumni-Made Murals
When droves of fans step inside the gates of the new and improved Roth Tower at Acrisure Bounce House, they’ll be greeted with two one-of-a-kind, alumni-made murals and a welcome message that’s 100% UCF: “It’s a perfect day to bounce in Orange County, Florida.” The Roth Tower project, made possible by a $90 million commitment of Tourist Development Tax revenues from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, represents a pivotal addition to the Kenneth G.
A New Horror and Sci-Fi Bookstore Is Coming to Alexandria
Long Dark House, 1510 King St. While many kids grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons and Disney movies, some of Chanthal Harris’ fondest childhood memories are watching Chucky, Tales from the Crypt and The Twilight Zone with her parents. “I truly from an early age always really loved horror, and I guess I have my parents to blame for that,” she says. Harris is combining her love of horror and reading into Long Dark House, an independent bookstore in Alexandria.
DC Just Adopted Ranked-Choice Voting. The DNC May Undermine It.
Ranked-choice voting made its DC debut this summer, when voters used the system in June’s primary elections to select party nominees for mayor and DC Council members. DC residents had overwhelmingly voted to implement the system in the November 2024 election.
Guide to Social Activities, Belonging at UCF
Earning your degree is just one, albeit important, part of the college experience. Just as significant are the connections you make, the communities you join and the experiences that shape your time as a Knight. This guide is a resource to help you develop a sense of belonging, find community and build lifelong friendships while studying at UCF. Every year, students vie for special-edition rubber ducks at the Homecoming Week tradition, Spirit Splash.
Several Smithsonians Closed Due to “Mechanical Issue”
News & Politics It is unclear what the issue is, and why it is affecting only certain museums. Smithsonian Institution Building, "The Castle." Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian Institution announced that several of their museums on the National Mall would be closed Thursday due to a “mechanical issue,” but did not provide further details.
Viral Goat Lil Bob: What to Know
A man and his goat became the talk of the town over the weekend after a video went viral of Metro Transit Police Officers taking the man into custody in Navy Yard. Speculation online immediately started brewing, generating outrage that a man would be arrested for just having a goat. That man’s name is Kyrie Givens, and he and his goat Lil Bob have been Southeast DC residents for months, with Givens documenting their escapades on his Instagram and Tiktok (@kynobap).
Pirro Gave Up on Other Reflecting Pool Prosecutions, Too
The DC US Attorney’s Office led by Jeanine Pirro moved to drop vandalism charges against the canoeist David Hearn Friday. It also dropped cases against three additional people it had claimed damaged the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, according to court filings from Pirro.
New UCF Grad Spreads the Value of Financial Literacy
During her journey at UCF, accounting alum Natalie Otero ’26 gained industry experience by completing an internship with the Lockheed Martin College Workforce Experience Program and two more with Deloitte. This summer, Otero is again interning with Deloitte before pursuing a master’s in accounting at the University of North Carolina — setting her up for a successful career as an accountant.
Why 600,000 Mosquitoes Are Being Released in DC This Summer
Sometimes, you have to fight fire with fire. At least, that’s the mindset Bee Safe Mosquito Control is taking in their approach of releasing 600,000 mosquitoes across DC this summer. The male mosquitoes are infected with Wolbachia bacteria, which works to sterilize female mosquitoes. The good news for DC residents is that the male mosquitoes do not bite humans, and once they mate with females, the bacteria they carry prevents future eggs from hatching.
UCF’s Summer 2026 Commencement Set for July 31-Aug 1
UCF will award more than 4,900 degrees during this summer’s ceremonies, continuing its record-setting momentum in preparing highly skilled graduates for in-demand fields, including engineering, computer science, business, nursing, and digital and emerging media. Worth noting among this graduating class: Roughly 30% of the undergraduate students receiving their degrees are the first in their families to earn their diploma. More than 25% of this term’s degrees are tied to STEM majors.
UCF Engineering Students’ Excellence Celebrated With 2026 Astronaut Scholarship
For 2026, three UCF engineering students, who are Burnett Honors Scholars, have received Astronaut Scholarships, a national award that helps maintain U.S. leadership in science and technology. Two recipients, Keanu Brayman and Kyle Coutray also earned the honor in 2025. Joshua Taggart, who dreams of working in the space industry, has received the honor for the first time this year.
Meet the Prince George’s County Hairstylist Behind Zendaya’s “The Odyssey” Looks
Before Coree Moreno was channeling the Greek goddess Athena on the red carpet to create Zendaya’s hairstyles for The Odyssey press tour, he was styling his younger sister’s hair every morning before school at his home in Prince George’s County. That started when he was 11.
Pediatric Opioid Prescribing at Discharge by Surgical Subspecialty
In the last decade, opioid stewardship has become a pillar of surgical care and a key metric in hospital ranking,1,2 resulting in a decline in postoperative opioid prescribing.3 However, receiving an opioid prescription after surgery remains the most common way opioids enter a child’s home, where unused medications4 could contribute to nonmedical use and other high-risk behaviors.5 In 2023, the American College of Surgeons’ (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric...
Temporary Military Monument Coming to National Mall
Updated Tue, July 21, 2026 at 4:02 PM UTC A new monument honoring America’s military service members is set to be installed this month in front of the Lincoln Memorial, and will consist of two screens displaying the names of more than 41 million people who have served this country. The monument, sponsored by the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) and timed to honor America’s 250th birthday, will stand between the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool from July 28 through August 23.
Temporary Military Monument Coming to National Mall
A new monument honoring America’s military service members is set to be installed this month in front of the Lincoln Memorial, and will consist of two screens displaying the names of more than 41 million people who have served this country. The monument, sponsored by the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) and timed to honor America’s 250th birthday, will stand between the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool from July 28 through August 23.
Temporary Military Monument Coming to National Mall
A new monument honoring America’s military service members is set to be installed this month in front of the Lincoln Memorial, and will consist of two screens displaying the names of more than 41 million people who have served this country. The monument, sponsored by the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) and timed to honor America’s 250th birthday, will stand between the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool from July 28 through August 23.
2 Engineering Professors, 1 Alum Inducted Into Florida Inventors Hall of Fame
The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame is a state-wide initiative dedicated to honoring and celebrating Florida inventors whose achievements have significantly advanced the quality of life for all Americans. Professor Reza Abdolvand was named an inductee for his contributions to the field of micro-electromechanical systems, which has significant applications in telecommunications, bioengineering and sensor technology.
What to Know About the 2026 Mubadala DC Open
The Mubadala DC Open returns to the William HG FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park from July 25 to August 2 with a stacked lineup of athletes. In addition to the gameplay, this year’s tournament features a new outdoor fan zone, Michelin-starred chefs, and single-day VIP passes. Here’s what to know about the 2026 DC Open: The Players The tournament brings together some of the world’s top players and multiple Grand Slam winners.
Hospitality Alumna Forges Her Own Path While Giving Back to Others
When it came to deciding her career path, there was only ever Plan A for Bella Cortier ’22: theme parks The native Floridian dreamed of working in one someday and knew UCF — located next door to some of the world’s premiere theme parks with a solid pipeline to the industry — was her ticket to get there. Never mind that at the time of her enrollment to the Rosen College of Hospitality Management in 2020, a global pandemic had quite literally closed the doors on the industry.
UCF Sport Business Students Stand Out in Competitive U.S. Golf Internship Program Original
Knights affiliated with the UCF DeVos sport business management program are landing some of the most sought-after opportunities for professional experience on the biggest of stages. Alums Erica Carnegie ’26MSBM ’26MBA, Aliya Everett ’26MSBM ’26MBA and current graduate student Zuri Sims represented UCF in the United States Golf Association’s (USGA) 2026 Pathways Discover Program during this summer’s 126th U.S. Open Championship.
Olympian Charged With Vandalizing Reflecting Pool Pleads Not Guilty
David Hearn, the former Olympian indicted on charges of felony destruction of property for allegedly vandalizing the Reflecting Pool, pleaded not guilty in court Thursday.
UCF Grad’s Career Pivot Leads to Historic NBA Championship Experience
It’s been about three weeks since the New York Knicks won their first NBA championship title in 53 years, and Olivia White ’16 is just now nearly recovered from the euphoric chaos that has been her daily life for months. In September, one month before the Knicks tipped off their 2025-26 season, White was promoted to manager of event presentation at Madison Square Garden.
Court Denies Trump’s Attempt to Reinstall His Name on Kennedy Center
The US Court of Appeals for DC ruled today that President Donald Trump cannot put his name back on the Kennedy Center during ongoing litigation stemming from a lawsuit filed by Representative Joyce Beatty. US District Judge Christopher Cooper—in response to Beatty’s lawsuit—ordered in May that the center remove Trump’s name from its facade. After some last-minute appeal attempts, the administration complied and the name came down, but the change remains obscured from public view by a tarp.
UCF Elementary Education Alum Turns Chronic Illness into Platform for Education, Community
Mondeson Mondesir ’17 has navigated several challenges in his personal life — the death of a parent, extreme weight loss to better his health and a chronic illness diagnosis that derailed his chosen profession — but they’ve all led him to his path today. The elementary education grad started his podcast, The Chronic Brew, to explore topics of chronic illness with patients, caregivers and medical professionals to deepen public understanding and build community among those affected.
Legal Experts Agree: The Reflecting Pool Felony Case Faces Long Odds
In the latest wrinkle in the Reflecting Pool saga, US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro announced in a press conference last Thursday that former Olympic canoeist David Hearn was indicted in DC Superior Court on felony destruction of property charges for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool.
CATER Named an Official University Research Center
At the Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research (CATER), the mission is simple: CATER to the energy needs of society. For 20 years, researchers affiliated with the center have worked on groundbreaking projects in power generation, space propulsion and aviation that have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in power generation, air travel and spaceflight.
New UCF Study Links Microgravity, Space Radiation to Accelerated Aging
What happens to the human body in space may help scientists create new anti-aging therapies. UCF Professor Michal Masternak and his team have identified molecular changes in the liver that happen when space travers experience radiation and microgravity. These changes – that resemble accelerated aging – provide new insight into how prolonged space missions may increase health risks for astronauts and reveal potential targets for therapies that could combat age-related diseases on Earth.
UCF Alum Finds Calling in Giving Voice to Heroes of Public Service
In times of crisis, the community needs people who can convey urgent safety information in a clear, efficient manner: In other words, someone to be the voice for the heroes. That’s where School of Public Administration alum Joshua Holder ’19 has found his purpose. A public relations outreach specialist for Osceola County Fire Rescue and EMS (Emergency Medical Services), Holder serves as the communication bridge between the community and those who work to protect them every day.
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