As Brooke Taylor crosses the stage at UCF’s commencement ceremony on Aug. 2, she will graduate with a degree in entertainment management from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management. She will also have one of the highest honors in the media industry already to her name: a Sports Emmy Award.
While still a student, Taylor interned as a social media coordinator with NBC Sports during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, contributing to the network’s real-time digital coverage seen by millions across NBC and Peacock platforms. Her work helped earn NBC Sports the 2025 Sports Emmy Award for outstanding interactive experience, and her name appears as a credited producer on the award-winning team.
“It was surreal,” she said. “I grew up watching the Olympics, thinking it was a world away. Suddenly, I was behind the scenes, helping bring those stories to life.”
Taylor’s role during the Olympics placed her at the center of one of the largest media events in the world. Each day, she reviewed competition schedules, identified storylines, drafted captions and helped push out live content to a global audience. She worked closely with other interns and full-time staff, often coordinating across time zones to publish posts within minutes of medal ceremonies or record-breaking moments.
“We had to move fast,” she recalled. “During one of the biggest swimming finals, we had seconds to create and post. The adrenaline was high, but our team delivered.”
Originally from Florida, Taylor was immersed in theme park and event culture from an early age. But it was the emotional power of storytelling, especially through social media, that drew her toward a career in entertainment. She discovered the entertainment management degree at Rosen College while searching for a program that blended creativity, business and hands-on learning.
“Once I visited the campus, I knew it was where I belonged,” she said. “It offered the perfect combination of industry access, supportive faculty and real-world experience.”
She credits her success at NBC Sports to the foundation she built in Rosen classrooms. Courses in digital marketing, branding and live event operations gave her the tools to think strategically and communicate effectively in high-pressure situations. “Rosen gave me the confidence to work under pressure and understand both the creative and business sides of the industry,” she said.
One of her most memorable moments came when a post she helped produce went viral and was even featured on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. For Taylor, it was a defining moment that validated her instincts, training and ability to connect with a global audience.
The experience also helped her realize something deeper about herself: she thrives in fast-paced, collaborative environments where storytelling has real impact. “I learned that my voice belongs in rooms where big ideas are happening,” she said. “And I love being part of a team working toward something bigger than ourselves.”
As she looks ahead to the next chapter, Taylor encourages students who dream of working in global entertainment to embrace the unknown. “Start small, say yes to opportunities that scare you, and don’t wait until you feel ready,” she said. “Every project, internship or post is a step toward the big stage.”
Taylor’s journey, from a student to an Emmy-winning producer, illustrates the power of hospitality education and the doors it can open in entertainment, media and beyond.
Ready to create your own story in the world of entertainment and hospitality? Learn more about the entertainment management degree at Rosen College and take the first step today.
*Photos by Brooke Morris