UCF Alumni Announces 2019 30 Under 30 Awards

On March 7, UCF Alumni announced the winners of its fifth annual 30 Under 30 Awards. Amongst the 30 recipients are mental health counselors, marketing and communications specialists, attorneys, psychologists, scientists, engineers, nurses, business owners, a Broadway performer, and other accomplished professionals.

“Our 2019 30 Under 30 recipients are extraordinary examples of what it means to represent UCF with pride,” says Jazmine Rodriguez ’10 ’12 , chair of UCF’s Young Alumni Council. “The impact this group has made in the world — through both their professional and personal lives — is an inspiration for all Knights to continue to reach for success. To think that these 30 individuals are just getting started is truly exciting. On behalf of the Young Alumni Council, I extend my sincerest congratulations on this well-deserved accomplishment. We are truly grateful to share an alma mater with such incredible individuals.”

Open-nominations for the 2019 class were accepted on UCFAlumni.com from Jan. 7 through Feb. 7. Nominations were reviewed and scored by UCF Alumni staff and previous 30 Under 30 recipients, and winners were selected by the UCF Young Alumni Council. The finalists were then confirmed by the UCF Alumni Board based on the following criteria:

- Must be a graduate of the University of Central Florida (undergraduate or graduate degree).

- Must be age 29 or under on April 13, 2019.

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

The winners will be recognized in a formal ceremony on campus at the UCF Morgridge International Reading Center on April 13. Below is the complete slate of honorees, listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Shainna Ali ’10 ’12MA ’16PhD
College of Sciences
College of Community Innovation and Education
Burnett Honors College

Chelsea Ball ’12
College of Sciences

Andrea Bejarano ’12
College of Sciences

Kate Champnella ’14
College of Sciences

Victoria Claypoole ’15MS ’18PhD
College of Sciences

Tyler Egbert ’11
College of Community Innovation and Education

Kacie Escobar ’13
College of Sciences
Burnett Honors College

Chris Garcia ’12 ’13MBA
College of Business

Sarah Gates ’14
Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Danielle Gelfand ’13
College of Undergraduate Studies

Jean-Pierre Gilbert ’11
College of Business

Fawn Goldstein ’14 ’17MA
College of Sciences
College of Community Innovation and Education

Meyonka Gray ’13
College of Engineering and Computer Science

Jamie Gregor ’13
College of Sciences
College of Business
Burnett Honors College

Abby Jaros ’14
College of Arts and Humanities

Ali Kurnaz ’13
College of Sciences

Darius Lana ’11
College of Sciences

Amanda Leyva ’18
College of Nursing
Burnett Honors College

Jonathon Little ’11
College of Sciences

Valerie Moses ’13 ’19MBA
College of Sciences
College of Business
Burnett Honors College

Selina Mullenax ’12
Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Jenny Nguyen ’ 16PhD
College of Sciences

Lee Perry ’18
College of Undergraduate Studies

Trevor Persaud ’14
College of Undergraduate Studies

Dominic Piscitello ’12
College of Sciences

Danielle Price ’14
College of Sciences

Ashley Rogan ’10
College of Sciences

Nicholas Simons ’14
College of Business
Burnett Honors College

Alyssa Tanaka ’12 ’13MS ’15PhD
College of Sciences
College of Engineering and Computer Science

Alvaro Velasquez ’14 ’16MS ’18PhD
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Burnett Honors College