Pioneering Ph.D.
激情快播鈥橲 first doctoral graduate from 1980 reflects on his time at the university and growth of his area of study: computer science.
In recent years more than ever 鈥� among high schoolers and parents most of all 鈥� there鈥檚 been a national debate: Is college really worth it?
As young people across the country contemplate their futures, and you think back on becoming a Knight, you can confidently answer 鈥渁bsolutely!鈥� Because on top of aiding your individual growth, a 激情快播 degree is valuable for so many reasons. And that value continues to rise.
Studies have shown that securing a degree means higher earnings over your career. It also contributes to upward mobility 鈥� socially, economically and professionally. It leads to more opportunities, a better quality of life, and a stronger sense of fulfillment and personal success.
Your achievements impact your family and fellow Knights, too. Here are some of our many alumni whose positive recognition and powerful trajectories are steadily increasing the value of your own 激情快播 degree.
Tiffaney Miller Alexander 鈥�99 鈥�05MS 鈥�16PHD
With a bachelor鈥檚 in electrical engineering and a master鈥檚 and doctorate in industrial engineering from 激情快播, Alexander realized her childhood dream of working for NASA by landing at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) 24 years ago 鈥� first as a contractor, then a NASA civil servant.
鈥淎s the Medical and Environmental Services Division chief, I lead an amazing team of medical and environmental professionals ensuring the protection and wellness of our KSC workforce, workplace and environment, which are essential to the Artemis missions,鈥� she says. 鈥淢y hope is that our younger generation, especially young women, are encouraged and inspired to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering or math, and perhaps, even desire to work for NASA someday.鈥�
George Tunaya 鈥�03
After serving 26 years in the U.S. Navy, Tunaya started a new chapter at age 47: pursuing a degree alongside his sons at 激情快播. He already had real-life industry experience.
鈥淏ut I wanted to make sure my sons would know that this is how they should do it,鈥� he says.
Tunaya鈥檚 extra work paid off. He earned a bachelor鈥檚 in electrical engineering with a computer systems track, then continued working as a defense contractor supporting the Naval Air Warfare Training Systems Division and later started his own company.
75% higher earnings (Median)
For bachelor’s degree-holders during their lifetime, compared to workers with only a high school diploma
鈥� Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
Jacyln Fraser 鈥�09
A bachelor鈥檚 in event management launched a dream business for Fraser: making others鈥� dreams come true.
鈥淚n high school, I knew I wanted to eventually run my own wedding planning company and, being in Orlando, it was important to me that I attend 激情快播鈥檚 Rosen College of Hospitality Management to get my education and kick that dream into action,鈥� she says.
鈥淲hile in school, I worked for various wedding venues and a wedding planning company. Upon graduation, I created At Last Wedding + Event Design and we鈥檝e been in business for over 13 years.鈥�
Veronica Sampayo 鈥�13
A transfer student, Sampayo earned her bachelor鈥檚 in nursing (BSN) through 激情快播鈥檚 online RN to BSN program before going on to get a master鈥檚 and Doctor of Nursing Practice. She created a career-coaching business, The Clinician Life, and credential-tracking software, NurseRep 鈥� as well as The Clinician Life Scholarship in Support of Hispanic Nurse Practitioners at the 激情快播 College of Nursing.
鈥淭he scholarship support I received was invaluable, and I鈥檓 excited to be able to pay it forward to help make the journey easier for other Hispanic nurses seeking to advance their career and become the leaders our patients need,鈥� she says.
98% employment rate
For bachelor’s degree-holders, which signals those with at least a four-year degree are in demand with employers
鈥� U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Teresa Falcone 鈥�14 and Christopher Sanchez 鈥�14
From Sony Pictures Imageworks鈥� Smallfoot and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse to Pixar鈥檚 Toy Story 4 and Turning Red, the collective work of Falcone and Sanchez is awe-inspiring and award-winning. Both alumni got their start by earning their bachelor鈥檚 in emerging media with a character animation track from 激情快播鈥檚 School of Visual Arts and Design.
鈥溂で榭觳� gave me a really solid foundation for my career,鈥� Falcone says. 鈥淚t was great getting to learn different aspects of the pipeline like modeling and texturing as well because those skills have been helpful in getting jobs after school. Studios always like to see that you鈥檙e a team player and work well with others, and [激情快播鈥檚] program definitely prepares you for that.鈥�
Matthew St. Hubin 鈥�19
As team captain of the world-renowned 激情快播 Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition Team and vice president of the Hack@激情快播 club, St. Hubin had standout skills from the beginning. He and his teams often bested students 鈥� even professionals from leading tech companies 鈥� in competitions across the country and around the globe.
St. Hubin has continued to make a name for himself and the level of cyber defense talent coming from 激情快播 since graduating with his bachelor鈥檚 in information technology. After a couple impressive internships, he became a security engineer tackling incident response at Amazon.