Celebrating Excellence in Research, Teaching and Service

Last week, the University of Central Florida recognized graduate faculty and students for excellence in research, teaching, leadership, and service.

These awardees are some of UCF’s top scholars and educators. They advance research, support student success, and contribute to their fields and community. Many have mentored students, led projects, and participated in service beyond campus.

Two of UCF’s top awards were presented: the Order of Pegasus and the Graduate Awards for Excellence. The Order of Pegasus honors achievement in academics, leadership, research, and service. The Graduate Awards for Excellence recognize outstanding contributions in teaching, research, and creative work.

These awards highlight the dedication and talent of UCF’s faculty and graduate students. Their achievements advance their fields and support the university’s mission of innovation, discovery, and service.

Order of Pegasus Graduate Student Inductees

• Stacie Becker ’23, College of Arts and Humanities
• Akash Hari Bharath ’25MS, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Swati Bhargava ’25MS, College of Optics and Photonics
• Griffon Binkowski ’24, College of Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Lindsey Hildebrand, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Ariana Johnson, College of Medicine
• Sanjan Kumar ’23, College of Medicine
• Kworweinski Lafontant, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Ilana Logvinov, College of Nursing
• Pritha Sarkar ’24, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Graduate Student Awards

Outstanding Dissertation

• Jessica Moon ’25PhD, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Michael Pierro ’20 ’23MS ’25PhD, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Outstanding Master’s Thesis

• Madeline Grohowski ’25MA, College of Arts and Humanities
• Reeshoon Sayera ’25MS, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Outstanding Creative Work

• Jordan Alexander ’23, College of Arts and Humanities

Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching

• Yu-Shan Huang, College of Business

Excellence by a Graduate Teaching Assistant

• Brent Pappas ‘21, ’25MS, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Excellence in Graduate Teaching

College Awardees

Shaurya Agarwal, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Kim Anderson, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Christopher Blackwell, College of Nursing

Shannon Carter, College of Sciences

Sasan Fathpour, College of Optics and Photonics

Murat Hancer, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Dana Joseph, College of Business

Magdalena Pasarica, College of Medicine

Mel Stanfill, College of Arts and Humanities

Vassiliki Zygouris-Coe, College of Community Innovation and Education

University Winner

Christopher Blackwell, College of Nursing

University Award for Excellence in Mentoring Doctoral Students

Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences

Subith Vasu, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Social Science, Humanities, Education, Business, Art, and Health

David Boote, College of Community Innovation and Education

University Award for Excellence in Mentoring Postdoctoral Scholars

Kausik Mukhopadhyay, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Thomas Wahl, College of Engineering and Computer Science