UCF will award more than 4,460 degrees during three commencement ceremonies at Addition Financial Arena Aug. 2-3, sending a talented group of highly skilled graduates into careers in high-demand fields across our region and throughout Florida.

This year’s graduates will also hear from three well-respected Knights — Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs Administrator Vicki Landon ’05 ’08MA, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s Chief of Staff Heather Fagan ’02, and marketing consultant and entrepreneur Carey Sobel ’09 — who are improving communities, transforming lives and making industry breakthroughs with their work.

Of the degrees UCF expects to award, 3,518 are bachelor’s, 641 are master’s, 186 are doctoral and 1 is a specialist degree. UCF will also award 117 graduate certificates.

Overall, UCF anticipates awarding nearly 1,000 degrees in STEM fields — including 451 in engineering and computer science — as well as 670 in business-related fields, 369 in nursing, 201 in hospitality-related fields, 108 in biomedical sciences, and 45 in digital and emerging media.

About 40% of the bachelor’s degree recipients are eligible for Pell Grants, which total 1,773 graduates — showcasing the university’s commitment to social mobility. Additionally, 809 bachelor’s degrees will be awarded to first-generation students who will be the first in their families to graduate from college.

Commencement Festivities

Held in Addition Financial Arena, the spring commencement will take place Aug. 2-3.

All guests, including children and infants, need a ticket for admission. All graduates who have filed an intent to graduate will receive five commencement ceremony tickets when they pick up their regalia packet.

Guests who do not have tickets may watch the live ceremony via a simulcast viewing in the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be livestreamed on UCF’s YouTube channel.

Commencement Photo-ops Across UCF

Main Campus

Three different photo-ops on UCF’s main campus are available for students to celebrate their accomplishments.

The Reflecting Pond is one of the most iconic spots on campus for grad photos. Strike a pose and make memories through Aug. 4.

Graduating Knights will also be able to take photos in FBC Mortgage Stadium from 10 a.m. to 4p.m., July 31 to Aug. 1. Please enter through Gate 17 to access the stadium. Taking photos on the field is prohibited.

On Thursday, Aug. 1, 2:30-7 p.m., spring graduates will be offered a photo-op — Grad Walk — within Addition Financial Arena. This will be a first-come, first-served occasion for graduates and up to 10 of their well-wishers to take photos and videos on the ceremony stage. Graduates are required to register here.

UCF Downtown

UCF Downtown offers several great locations for unforgettable graduation photos. Here are our top picks of the best spots to memorialize your academic achievement.

Celebrate your college journey by honoring your support system at the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons West Lobby donor wall. Use the iconic phrase, “If you want to go far, go together,” on the donor wall as a backdrop to pay homage to those who helped you along the way.

The Seneff Plaza, located between the East and West Wings of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, is where so many campus events and gatherings take place. The towering columns and reflective glass of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons capture the modern campus where you worked so hard to earn your degree.

Enhance your graduation photos by venturing beyond campus into the surrounding Orlando area. You barely have to step off campus to encounter the iconic Orlando sign located at Luminary Green Park. The 2.3-acre park features a large, welcoming lawn that leads up to the oversized “Orlando” letters at the end of the park, creating the ideal environment to mark your time in The City Beautiful.

Commencement Schedule

Graduates and guests can review the below commencement ceremony schedule, listing colleges, ceremony dates and streaming links:

Aug. 2, 6 p.m.
College of Arts and Humanities
College of Sciences
College of Undergraduate Studies

Aug. 3, 9 a.m.
College of Business
College of Engineering and Computer Science
College of Optics and Photonics
Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Aug. 3, 2:30 p.m.
College of Community Innovation and Education
College of Graduate Studies
College of Health Professions and Sciences
College of Medicine
College of Nursing

Commencement Speakers

Vicki Landon ’05 ’08MA

Aug. 2, 6 p.m.

Landon has dedicated her career to the nonprofit arts and cultural sector, achieving success in fundraising, excelling in arts administration and acting as a mentor and resource.

In her role as the arts and cultural affairs administrator for Orange County Government, Landon guides committees and advisory councils to steward the County’s $15 million-plus annual investment in arts and culture.

Landon has extensive experience in arts administration, having previously served as the vice president of development and external affairs for Central Florida Community Arts, the senior director of development at Orlando Family Stage, director of development for the Orlando Opera Company, and as an instructor at the Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Rollins College.

Landon has been named one of Orlando Family Magazine’s Super Women of Orlando, a 40 Under 40 honoree by the Orlando Business Journal and an Association of Fundraising Professionals Emerging Leader. While she holds certificates from multiple institutions (Leadership Orlando, Mayor’s City Academy, Edyth Bush Institute), she is most proud of her time at Theatre UCF. She earned a bachelor’s in theatre studies and master’s in theatre from UCF.

Carey Sobel ’09

Aug. 3, 9 a.m.

Sobel is a local entrepreneur with strong marketing and business development expertise as an owner, investor and consultant across multiple industries.

For the past 12 years, he served as chief strategy officer for his award-winning marketing agency that he sold earlier this year. He is an owner of Boss Group International, a mergers and acquisitions firm that helps people buy and sell businesses. He also serves as chief marketing officer for Coastal Investment Company, a private equity firm that has raised more than $300 million in its first 36 months in business.

The Business Brokers of Florida consistently recognize Sobel as one of the state’s top brokers. Sobel’s professional honors include the Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award as a rising star in business and UCF’s 30 Under 30 Alumni Award. He also received the inaugural Young Alumni Award at UCF’s Shining Knights Ceremony and the Entrepreneurial Alumni Award during the UCF College of Business Hall of Fame event. After years of service as chair of the College of Business Alumni Board, Sobel has joined the UCF Alumni Board.

A native of Philadelphia, Sobel lives in Orlando with his wife, fellow alum Lauren Sobel ’12 ’17DPT, and his children, Marley, Sloane and Lennon. He earned a bachelor’s in management from UCF.

Heather Fagan ’02

Aug. 3, 2:30 p.m.

Fagan is chief of staff for Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. As chief of staff, Fagan serves as a strategic advisor, people manager and project organizer to ensure the advancement of Dyer’s priorities.  Additionally, she is responsible for directing the staff of the City’s Executive Offices on implementation of major policy initiatives and for ensuring the vision and goals for the city correspond with those of residents and community partners.

With the City of Orlando since 2006, Fagan has led communication efforts for a variety of community projects including the approval and construction of Kia Center, and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and Camping World Stadium renovation; securing a Major League Soccer team, the installation of See Art Orlando. Following the Pulse Nightclub shooting, Fagan led the City of Orlando’s communication response.

Fagan has been recognized as 2019 Public Relations Professional of the Year, Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and Orange Appeal’s Women of the Year.  She is an advertising/public relations alumna of UCF.

Story from UCF Hosts Summer 2024 Commencement Aug. 2-3 by Nicole Dudenhoefer ’17 for UCF Today