CHPS Faculty and Staff Honored at Founders' Day

Collage of headshots of people smiling with text in the middle that reads, Founders' Day A Celebration of Excellence, April 1st 2026

On April 1 UCF held its annual Founders’ Day Celebration, recognizing faculty and staff across the University for academic excellence and dedicated service. Each Founder’s Day, UCF honors those who recently reached significant milestone years, faculty who have been granted emeritus or emerita status, and those retired or retiring faculty members.

This year’s CHPS honorees include:

Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award

Suha Saleh, Dean’s Office, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Success

Employee Excellence Award

Lovelyn Findley, Advancement and Partnerships, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement

Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

Katia Ferdowsi, School of Health Sciences, Associate Lecturer

Danielle Webster, School of Health Sciences, Senior Lecturer

Excellence in Research

Matt Stock, School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Professor

Excellence in Graduate Teaching

Kim Anderson, School of Social Work, Professor

Years of Service

5 Years

Melissa Gilliland, Technical Assistance and Training Systems, Regional Facilitator

10 Years

Joanna Couch, Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, Autism Disorders Specialist

Lisa Roberts, Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, Autism Disorders Specialist

Liza Smith, Technical Assistance and Training Systems, Regional Facilitator

20 Years

Olga Molina, School of Social Work, Associate Professor

Anna Valdes, School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Senior Lecturer

25 Years

Bari Hoffman, Dean’s Office, Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and Healthcare Innovation, Professor

Gail Raymond, Academic Success Coaching, Senior Academic Success Coach

Amy Buford, Academic Success Coaching, Senior Academic Success Coach

Retired Faculty

Olga Molina, School of Social Work

James Whitworth, School of Social Work

Martine Vanryckeghem, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Therese Coleman, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Retired Emerita

Robin Kohn, School of Social Work

Additionally, we are proud to recognize nine members of our faculty who received Research Incentive Awards (RIA) and Teaching Incentive Program Awards (TIP).

The Research Incentive Awards program rewards excellence in research and creative activity and aligns with UCF’s strategic plan, Unleashing Potential, particularly in Discovery and Exploration and Community and Culture.

Here are this year’s RIA recipients:

Kimberly Gryglewicz, School of Social Work, Professor

Matt Stock, School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Professor

Adam Wells, School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Associate Professor

The Teaching Incentive Program rewards excellence in instructional activities and aligns with UCF’s strategic plan, Unleashing Potential, particularly in the areas of Student Success and Well-Being as well as Community and Culture.

Here are this year’s TIP recipients:

Carey Rothschild, School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Clinical Associate Professor

Jennifer Tucker, School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Clinical Associate Professor

Susanny Beltran, School of Social Work, Associate Professor

Carlos Gual, School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Professor