UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science Drives Unprecedented Growth and Opportunity
With a growing student population of more than 15,500 students and a steady increase in the number of academic programs offered, the UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) continues to enhance the University of Central Florida’s reputation as the premier engineering and technology university in Florida. To accommodate this growth, CECS has expanded its faculty at an unprecedented rate, with a goal to hire 100 faculty over a span of three years.
This past fall, the college hired a total of 17 faculty members with 11 more joining the college in spring 2025. This is in addition to the 30 faculty members the college hired during the 2023-24 academic year and the 36 hires expected for 2025.
“We are thrilled to welcome 28 new faculty members to our college plus another 36 next year. Their diverse expertise and innovative approaches will undoubtedly drive our institution forward, fostering a vibrant academic environment,” says Michael Georgiopoulos, the dean of CECS. “These additions will enhance our research capabilities, enrich our curriculum, and inspire our students to reach new heights. Together, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and making significant contributions to our fields.”
Focusing on Student Success
The expansion of the college’s faculty and research capabilities means more opportunities for student engagement, mentorship and hands-on learning. This ensures that students are well-prepared for their careers and ready to become future leaders and innovators in across a wide range of engineering and computer science fields.
Through collaboration among faculty, students and industry partners, UCF’s College of Engineering and Computer Science delivers innovative solutions and groundbreaking research in addition to providing unique educational experiences to foster creativity and future career opportunities for students.
Some students’ successes to highlight this year include:
- Nathan Kurelo Wilk, a master’s student in fintech, secured a position at Microsoft as a software engineer where he will focus on artificial intelligence (AI innovation)
- Nicole Parker, an electrical engineering graduate, will join Siemens to work on sustainable power systems
- Ten UCF students were awarded the prestigious DoD SMART scholarships, which include paid tuition, annual stipends, and guaranteed employment after graduation
Additionally, College of Engineering and Computer Science students continue to represent UCF on the national stage in racing cars, robotics, solar energy, aeronautics, and more. This includes another national title for the Cybersecurity Collegiate Competition Team and the Programming team moving on to the North America Competition in May.
“It is amazing to see the accomplishments that our students achieved this year. We have a talented and dedicated group of students backed by an accomplished team of faculty and staff that are committed to providing opportunities for hands-on experience and professional growth,” says Ali Gordon, the CECS associate dean of graduate affairs. “I look forward to the year ahead as we add another 36 faculty to our team. This is a significant step towards enhancing the support and resources available to our students.”
Celebrating Milestones
This year has been packed with groundbreaking research achievements. The CECS faculty’s innovative work, together with its students, brings hypersonic speeds allowing travelers to fly from Orlando to Los Angeles in under 15 minutes, safer roads with predictive crash detection, digital twins for semiconductor manufacturing, computer vision algorithms that can address health concerns, hydrogen combustion engines for commercial trucks and ultraviolet lights that eliminate viruses and much more.
As the College of Engineering and Computer Science continues to grow, its faculty and students continue to excel in education and research, setting the stage for a successful year ahead.
If you’re ready to unleash your potential with a fast-growing research institution focused on developing innovative solutions for engineering and technology, apply to one of the faculty positions or visit jobs to search for open listings.