Karina Castro, a first-year health sciences student, has taken a step forward in her academic career at UCF and has been selected as a Knight of Distinction.
The Knights of Distinction program, sponsored by the Division of Teaching & Learning through the Office of First Year Experience, is designed to help students bridge their classroom experiences with their overall college and community experiences.
For Castro, this program opened multiple doors for Castro at UCF and introduced her to the rich and unique opportunities available to students.
“There’s an insane amount of resources,” she said. “There are constant communications about events being send to students pertaining to their major. The opportunities are there; you just have to apply.”
Currently, Castro is working alongside Michael Rovito, assistant professor in health sciences, conducting research on men’s health and public health. Castro was intrigued by Rovito’s research after he spoke in her Introduction to Health Sciences course.
“She’s very dedicated to the task and thorough,” Rovito said. “That’s a great skillset to have. Considering she’s an underclassman makes it that much more impressive.”
When Rovito heard the call for Knights of Distinction applications, he encouraged her to apply.
“I thought she would be a fantastic addition to the group,” he said. “I felt she would be able to offer some very valuable insight. She has a ton of talent and is definitely going places in her career.”
Castro was very excited and honored when she received her congratulations email from Knights of Distinction.
“The email congratulated me laid out an organized, detailed plan of everything we would do throughout the semester as part of this program,” she said. “That was a great sign that I had entered a very good program.”
She also encourages other students, both current and perspective, to keep pushing forward toward their goals and their dreams.
“Obstacles will come your way,” Castro said. “But if you are persistent and resilient against all odds, you will achieve your goals.”
