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30 Under 30

The 30 Under 30 awards program recognizes outstanding young alumni who continue to “Reach for the Stars” in their professional and personal lives since graduating from the University of Central Florida. Young alumni currently account for one third of our alumni population, making them our largest constituent base. The 30 Under 30 awards program seeks to connect young alumni to the UCF community. This spring, the UCF community will celebrate the achievements of these individuals and the impact they have made in their profession, community, and the university post commencement.

Award Winners

2015 Inaugural Class Winners
  • 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, ’09 | 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
    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 Business Administration
  • 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

2025 Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a graduate of the University of Central Florida (undergraduate or graduate degree).
  • Must be age 29 or under on June 1, 2025.
  • Nominees for 30 Under 30 must demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a lifelong relationship with Knights and strive to uphold UCF Young Alumni values.
  • Must be willing to submit a professional headshot that can be published by UCF Alumni and other UCF entities, as deemed appropriate.
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted.
UCF Young Alumni Values:
  • “Scholarship, Bold, Trailblazing, Generous, Resilient”

Timeline

  • Sept. 22, 2024 | Nominations open
  • Nov. 11, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST | Nominations close
  • February 2025 | Class of 2025 30 under 30 honorees notified
  • May 17, 2025 | Spring event for winner recognition
Nominate a knight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 30 Under 30?

30 Under 30 is an awards program that recognizes outstanding young UCF alumni who have continued to reach for the stars in their professional and personal lives since graduating from the University of Central Florida.

Young alumni currently account for one third of our alumni population making them the largest constituent base. The 30 Under 30 awards program seeks to connect young alumni to the UCF community.

This spring, the UCF community will celebrate the achievements of these individuals and the impact they have made in their profession, community, and the university post commencement.

Who is eligible for the 2025 Class of 30 Under 30?

To be eligible, the nominee must be age 29 or younger on June 1, 2025.

What are the requirements for 30 Under 30?

Nominees for 30 Under 30 must demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a lifelong relationship with knights and strive to uphold UCF Young Alumni values.

UCF Young Alumni Values:

“Scholarship, Bold, Trailblazing, Generous, Resilient”

30 Under 30 nominations should speak to the achievements of the individual. Candidates will be considered based on exceptional achievement in one or more of the following:

  • professional success
  • community involvement
  • university impact
  • philanthropic support to UCF
Who can submit a nomination?

An individual, civic or service group or corporation may submit a nomination. Self-nominations will not be accepted.

Who selects the winners?

Winners are selected by a committee comprised of UCF Young Alumni Council Ambassadors, past 30 Under 30 Winners, and UCF Alumni staff.

When are nominations due?

Nomination applications are due by Monday, Nov. 11, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

When will award winners be selected?

Winners be selected and all nominees notified in February 2025.

How will award winners be recognized?

30 Under 30 award winners will receive recognition at a spring event in 2025. Winners will also be recognized in print and online publications.

Where do I send a nomination or ask questions?

For more information or to submit a nomination, please email us at YoungAlumni@ucfalumni.com or call 407.882.0561.

* Student organizations are not eligible for charitable giving through the UCF Foundation, Inc.
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