University of Central Florida
10/31/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/31/2024 07:48
UCF Earns National Recognition, Top 10 Rankings for Hispanic Student Success
Focused on fueling Florida's talent pipeline as the nation's leading provider of diverse talent, UCF awards more than 5,000 degrees annually to Hispanic students.
UCF ranks No. 5 in the nation for awarding bachelor's degrees to Hispanic students, No. 5 for engineering degrees awarded to Hispanic students and No. 7 for computer science degrees awarded, according to rankings released by Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine.
Collectively, these rankings demonstrate how UCF is empowering students to unleash their potential in high-impact, high-demand careers, providing Florida's critical industries with the talent they urgently need to be competitive and innovative.
Another national recognition - the Seal of Excelencia - was granted again to UCF, recognizing the university's effective and intentional institutional practices that serve Latino students; positive momentum for Latino students' progress; and a dedication to transform the institution into an environment where Latino students can thrive. UCF first earned the certification in 2021.
UCF also received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT into Diversity magazine for nine years in a row. This continued recognition is a testament to how UCF is a richly diverse institution fully committed to creating an inclusive educational environment for students of all backgrounds.
UCF, now in its fifth year as a designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), proudly champions the success and wellbeing of its vibrant Hispanic/Latino/a/e/x students. Students graduate from UCF well-prepared and eager to make a strong impact in their careers and communities.
The Hispanic Outlook rankings consider degrees awarded in the 2022-23 academic year. UCF is ranked No. 4 for degrees in visual and performing arts awarded to Hispanic students, No. 5 for English language and literature, No. 9 for legal professions and studies and No. 22 for awarding master's degrees to Hispanics.
In 2022-23, UCF awarded 4,331 bachelor's degrees and 592 master's degrees to Hispanic students.
Increasing Opportunities for Excellence
UCF is helping lead the new Florida HSI Consortium, which includes 16 institutions committed to strengthening social mobility for its students and accelerating progress in meeting the state's economic development goals. The university is co-leading the effort with Miami Dade College.
"We are taking our HSI initiatives to the next level through sustainable strategies at scale that resonate with our students and their communities," Cyndia Morales Muñiz '13EdD, senior director for HSI Initiatives at UCF, and originator and co-founder of the consortium says. "Partnerships are Key for continued momentum in Latino student success and all the students we serve ."
Fostering Hispanic students' involvement in academic opportunities that help them connect with their cultural backgrounds is a university commitment. This includes funding students' involvement with the HSI Battle of the Brains - a week-long networking event that matches students at HSIs to opportunities in the industry and includes a 24-hour hackathon/business plan competition. This year, UCF won the national championship title at the competition - marking the second time in the event's four-year history that Knights took first place.
UCF is in the second year of two, five-year U.S. Department of Education grants totaling $5.7 million. Both are institutional capacity building grants meant to expand educational opportunities for, and improve the attainment of, Hispanic students earning undergraduate and graduate degrees, while enhancing academic offerings across the university.
"We are paying close attention to national trends and have been thoughtful in our approach to provide meaningful experiences for our students," Morales Muñiz says. "They will soon lead the way for all of our benefit."