Special Academic Programs

Center for Applied Human Factors in Aviation (CAHFA)

Director and Chief Scientist: Dr. Mustapha Mouloua, (407) 823-2216

The Center for Applied Human Factors in Aviation (CAHFA) has as its mission the enhancement of safety in the nation's airspace system through applied human factors research, systems design, and training strategies. Chartered in 1990, CAHFA is a research consortium established between UCF and Charter partner Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida. CAHFA's professional staff maintains offices on both campuses. The complimentary strengths of the two universities are combined to create a research resource that is without peer for solving aeronautical human factors problems. CAHFA research initiatives are targeted to significantly reduce human factors related accidents and incidents by determining the efficacy of and by developing strategies for achieving improvements in human performance.

Experiential Learning

Director: Dr. Sheri Dressler, HPH 208, (407) 823-2667
Web address: www.coop.ucf.edu/

The office of Experiential Learning develops and supports experiential learning opportunities to provide real-world work experience for UCF students. This usually takes the form of Cooperative Education experiences, internships and service-learning. Cooperative Education (Co-op) is an academic program that allows students to apply classroom theory in practical work settings and gain personal, academic and work skills over multiple semesters. The mission of the program is: 1) to assure that all UCF students have quality experiential learning opportunities before they graduate; and 2) to create meaningful and productive educational partnerships with academic departments and employers locally, nationally, and internationally.

Co-op students participate for multiple terms in structured, progressively responsible, paid work assignments in an industry that is structured for learning and directly related to their major or career goal. They alternate periods of work and study, either by alternating full-time semesters of work and school, or working part time while studying full time. Co-op provides a means for students to test career goals, improve academic performance, apply classroom content in real-world settings, develop discipline-related personal and professional skills, generate income, and increase prospects for full-time employment upon graduation.

Experiential Learning also supports internships in collaboration with academic departments. Internships are major-related work experiences that provide similar benefits to co-op opportunities, but generally are one term in length and occur toward the end of a student's academic program.

Service-Learning is a teaching method that uses community involvement to apply theories or skills being taught in a course. Service-learning furthers the learning objectives of the academic course, addresses the needs of the community, and requires students to reflect on their activity in order to gain an appreciation for the relationship between civics and academics.

Center for Economic Education

Director: Dr. Robert L. Pennington, BA2-303B, (407) 823-2640
Web address: www.bus.ucf.edu/cee/

The Center for Economic Education strives to increase public knowledge of economic principles and their applications in daily life. Researchers at the Center develop, collect, and distribute economic educational materials. They also consult with and provide instruction to area schools (K-12), community colleges, and community organizations. Instruction focuses on the principles of economics and their use in making rational economic decisions. Affiliated with the National Council on Economic Education, the Center also conducts research in economic education.

Dick Pope, Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies

Director: Dr. Abraham Pizam, RCH 231H, (407) 903-8010

The mission of the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies is to improve the quality of the tourism product and increase the benefits of tourism for the industry, the state, and the local community. The Institute is involved in a variety of research and public awareness projects and educational programs.

The Institute's research includes the collection, development, and dissemination of information relevant to the tourism and hospitality industry in the areas of marketing, consumer behavior and visitor satisfaction, feasibility, economic, motivation, and forecasting. Some of the Institute's patrons include tourism promotion agencies at the state and local levels; tourism development commissions; professional associations; and private enterprises such as attractions, hotels, motels, food-service establishments, ground and air transportation companies, travel agencies and tour operators, and other related businesses. The Institute devotes significant efforts to educating the public about the tourism industry in Florida and internationally, and about the industry's contribution to the social and economic welfare of the general public.

Division of Continuing Education

Assistant Vice President and Director: Dr. J. Patrick Wagner, University Tech Center, Suite 390
(407) 882-0260 or toll free (866) 232-5834
Web address: www.ce.ucf.edu

The Division of Continuing Education at UCF is the unit within Academic Affairs that coordinates, in collaboration with the colleges, all UCF continuing education activity. Programs include non credit courses and programs including conferences, institutes, short courses, workshops, seminars, and camps. Many of these programs are awarded Continuing Education Units (CEUs), when managed through the Division.

Off-Campus Credit Programs

(407) 882-0260
Web address: www.ce.ucf.edu/sacs/occp.asp

This unit of the Division of Continuing Education provides support for UCF's colleges and academic departments that schedule courses and degree programs off campus at various area businesses and governmental agencies. Registration may be conducted on-site or via the web for convenience of the participants. Registration for off-campus or open enrollment courses does not constitute admission to the university. Students interested in applying for such courses as credit toward graduate certificate or degree programs must complete application for admission to the university as a nondegree (postbaccalaureate) or regular, degree-seeking student. These applications are available online at www.graduate.ucf.edu/gradonlineapp/.

Center for Multilingual Multicultural Studies

Director: Myrna Creasman, Bldg 81, (407) 823-5515
Web address: www.cmms.ucf.edu/news.php

Using contemporary teaching methodology and computer-assisted instruction, the Center for Multilingual Multicultural Studies provides English language instruction for international students. Four levels of instruction are offered, ranging from beginning to advanced, and special attention is given to preparing students for academic course work in their specialized fields of study. Full-time students enrolled at the advanced level may elect to take courses as non-degree-seeking students while enrolled in the Intensive English program. Students are required to take an entry placement test to determine their level of proficiency. Student (F-1) visas are extended to qualified applicants. The Center also offers English for Special Purposes for international business personnel.

The Center for Multilingual Multicultural Studies at UCF is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) and agrees to uphold the standards for English Language Programs.

Executive Development Center

Director: Dr. Jai Ganesh, (407) 823-3153

The University of Central Florida College of Business Administration is proud to serve as a partner in executive education to the local, state, national, and international business communities. The Executive Development Center was established to provide leading executive education programs to both individuals and organizations.

The Center helps professionals from all industries become more dynamic leaders, more effective managers, and more valuable team members. Corporations benefit from participating in executive education programs by developing more productive and resourceful workforces that can meet the challenges of today's changing marketplace and tomorrow's opportunities.

The Center serves as a valuable resource in executive training and development by offering programs that address critical issues for managers and business leaders. These programs are offered in a variety of formats suitable for any individual or corporation through:

• Conference services
• Customized corporate programs
• Executive MBA Program
• Professional MBA Program
• Public enrollment programs
• International seminars and exchange programs

The UCF Executive Development Center has a strong commitment to the business community. Both small and large organizations find our programs to be contemporary, challenging, and effective.

Florida Institute of Government at the University of Central Florida

Director: Marilyn Crotty, (407) 317-7745

The Institute of Government, an affiliate of the Florida Institute of Government, is part of the College of Health and Public Affairs and provides training and technical assistance to state and local government, governmental associations, and non-profit organizations. Training workshops, certification programs, conferences, seminars, applied research projects, citizen surveys, strategic planning, and organizational development programs are among the services offered by the Institute.

Florida Space Institute (FSI)

Acting Director: Dr. Jaydeep Mukherjee, FSI, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899, (321) 452-4301
E-mail: fsiccas@mail.ucf.edu
Web address: http://fsi.ucf.edu

The Florida Space Institute (FSI) offers a unique approach to space education and research. Recognizing the substantial investment in launch facilities and human resources in central Florida, the institute merges industry, education, and research in a real-world environment. Created by a formal agreement among Brevard Community College, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Institute of Technology, NASA-sponsored Florida Space Grant Consortium, Florida Space Authority (FSA), and the University of Central Florida, FSI brings a permanent academic presence to the space center. As the "gateway to the universe" FSI provides space education and research to undergraduate and graduate students at the USAF Cape Canaveral Air Station.

FSI research involves undergraduate and graduate students in real space problems within the existing space industry environment of the space center. This environment permits students and faculty to interact with space center engineers and to use the facilities of the space center. FSI research projects are primarily conducted in its facilities at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Other facilities at Kennedy Space Center are used as needed. Research projects conducted by the FSI university/college partners on their respective campuses are considered "normal" proprietary projects of that particular university/college even though the project may be space related.

Institute of Statistics and Data Mining

Associate Director: Nizam Uddin, (407) 823-2692
Web address: http://statistics.cos.ucf.edu/consultingnew.htm

The Institute of Statistics and Data Mining provides statistical consulting support to graduate students, staff and faculty members in all stages of their research projects. The Institute's services include, but are not limited to, design of experiments and surveys, determination of sample sizes, formulation of hypotheses, selection of appropriate analysis using a variety of software packages, interpretation and evaluation of statistical results, preparation of statistical reports, and writing statistical methods and data analyses sections of research grant proposals as well as data management through the data mining lab. The Institute's faculty members are available to work as co-investigators or statistical consultants into clients' grant proposals. The Institute also provides statistical support to various government agencies and private organizations. Visit the website for a brief description of consulting activities of the Institute and research expertise of faculty members. The Institute offers one free consulting session to Ph.D. graduate students. The consulting service is available to faculty members working on funded projects for a modest fee.

Institute for Technical Documentation

Director: Karla Saari Kitalong, CNH 307E, (407) 823-6257

The Institute for Technical Documentation offers a variety of services for client companies, including developing original technical documentation, translating documentation written in other languages, and providing seminars to assist clients in writing their own documentation. The Institute also provides seminars on writing more effective e-mail, memos, letters, policies and procedures, manuals, and reports. Experienced faculty, established facilities, and strong rapport with local industry enable the Institute to assist in a wide variety of documentation projects and services.

Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)

President and ORAU Councilor for University of Central Florida: John C. Hitt
ORAU Corporate Secretary: Monnie E. Champion, (865) 579-3306
Web address: www.orau.org

Since 1989, students and faculty of the University of Central Florida have benefited from its membership in Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU). ORAU is a consortium of 91 colleges and universities and a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. ORAU works with its member institutions to help their students and faculty gain access to federal research facilities throughout the country; to keep its members informed about opportunities for fellowship, scholarship, and research appointments; and to organize research alliances among its members.

Throughout the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), the DOE facility that ORAU operates, undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates, as well as faculty enjoy access to a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Students can participate in programs covering a wide variety of disciplines including business, earth sciences, epidemiology, engineering, physics, geological sciences, pharmacology, ocean sciences, biomedical sciences, nuclear chemistry, and mathematics. Appointment and program length range from one month to four years. Many of these programs are especially designed to increase the numbers of underrepresented minority students pursuing degrees in science- and engineering-related disciplines. A comprehensive listing of these programs and other opportunities, their disciplines, and details on locations and benefits can be found in the ORISE Catalog of Education and Training Programs, which is available at http://www.orau.gov/orise/educ.htm.

ORAU's Office of Partnership Development seeks opportunities for partnerships and alliances among ORAU's members, private industry, and major federal facilities. Activities include faculty development programs, such as the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards, the Visiting Industrial Scholars Program, consortium research funding initiatives, faculty research and support programs as well as services to chief research officers.

Office of International Studies

Assistant Vice President for International and Interdisciplinary Studies: Dr. Diane Z. Chase, Research Pavilion, Suite 395, (407) 882-2300
Web address: www.international.ucf.edu

The Office of International Studies (OIS) is a University level office that serves as a clearinghouse for all international programs and coordinates such programs within the University. The mission of the OIS is to create an environment that facilitates the identification, development, promotion, coordination, and support of high quality international activities related to the academic mission of UCF. The on-going development of the international dimension at UCF will be realized through the implementation of goals and objectives related to the curriculum, faculty development, policies and planning, academic support, students, the community, funding, and external agencies.

Central to the global mission at UCF is an ongoing program of international grants and development projects. The OIS secures, through external funding agencies, the resources necessary for faculty and curriculum development, joint research projects, and partnership programs.

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Interim Director: Eunice Choi, 315 E. Robinson St. Suite 100, (407) 420-4850

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is part of a statewide organization designed to promote economic development by responding to the needs of the small business community. The SBDC, as part of the College of Business Administration at the University of Central Florida, is responsible for a geographic area including Orange, Osceola, Lake, Citrus, Volusia, Flagler, and Sumter counties. Regional centers located at Daytona Beach Community College, Brevard Community College, and Seminole Community College assist small business in those areas. Assistance is provided through workshops and individual counseling in the following areas:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Marketing
• Operations
• New Venture Planning
• Technical Assistance

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