Welcome

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CGS Friends,

Looking back on the past academic year, we recognize it was a period of transition and achievement for the College of Graduate Studies. Under the guidance of former Vice Provost and Dean Elizabeth Klonoff, Ph.D., our organization reached key milestones and laid a strong foundation for the future. We thank her for her dedication and leadership, which have positioned us well for continued success.

Stepping into this role, I am honored to continue this legacy and collaborate with our incredible CGS team and partners to build upon last year’s successes. This report presents the results for 2023-2024 and offers a glimpse into the opportunities ahead.

In 2023, monthly campus tours led by graduate student ambassadors were introduced, attracting prospective students and strengthening recruitment efforts. Our admissions team processed 13,729 applications and admitted 8,173 candidates, resulting in 4,993 new graduate students.

We awarded nearly 200 graduate students competitive fellowships that included a stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance, and 57 students also received one-year Graduate Dean’s fellowships as supplements to their graduate assistantship funding. Additionally, 559 graduate students received $277,524 in Graduate Presentation Fellowship funding for sharing their research at a professional meeting or conference. Furthermore, we reviewed and approved 3,249 assistantship agreements for over 1,880 full-time graduate students, providing students with financial support and valuable work experience.

To increase efficiency, our Student Services team streamlined eForm processing, reducing processing time and allowing a focus on student success. This change enabled early completion of academic progress reviews and thesis and dissertation committee nominations, ensuring timely enrollment and graduation.

The College supported thesis and dissertation students with format reviews, final submissions, and one-on-one formatting appointments. We also launched a new formatting template, designed to meet UCF’s digital accessibility standards.

We supported our postdoctoral scholars by providing workshops, networking, and professional development opportunities and connecting them to valuable resources. In 2024, we increased postdoctoral salaries and covered academic poster printing costs, demonstrating our commitment to excellence in graduate education. Our P3 and STePS programs have successfully increased the number of postdoctoral scholars at UCF to over 200, bringing the university closer to gaining pre-eminent status.

A key focus of our college is ensuring our graduate students enjoy their university experience and leave our hands prepared to embark on successful career and life journeys. This year, the Office of Graduate Student Life hosted over 90 events attended by more than 3,000 students, enhancing community building, professional growth, and career exploration.

UCF’s College of Graduate Studies continues to excel in efficiency, support, and providing a community, positively impacting graduate education and fostering a vibrant academic environment. Though we recognize the ongoing need to improve the support of our graduate students, we remain committed to ensuring the welfare and success of our graduate community.

John F. Weishampel, PhD
Interim Dean
UCF College of Graduate Studies

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Annual Report Table of Contents

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS