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UNIVERSITYOFCENTRALFLORIDAI N S C IE N C E , TE C HN OLOGY, ENGI NEERI NG AND MATHEMAT IC SENROLLMENT IS LIMITED. Apply early at excel.ucf.edu.
A Message from theProgram DirectorDEAR PROSPECTIVE STUDENT,At UCF, ensuring that Science,Technology, Engineering andMathematics (STEM) majors achievesuccess is a top priority. The fastpaced nature and technical curriculaof the STEM majors are challengingbut EXCEL, with its comprehensiveand well-planned support structure,prepares students to succeed,starting with the most critical firsttwo years of college.The EXCEL program is structuredto build strong math skills. Onceyou possess a strong mathematicsbackground, science and engineeringsubjects are easier to master.The program offers support andmentoring for all required coursescommon to engineering, science andmath majors.We want you to expect success. Andwe can help you along the way.Sincerely,WHAT ISEXCEL?THE EXCEL PROGRAM helps you understand mathematicaland scientific concepts. An EXCEL advisor designs an academicplan for you and closely follows your progress. Graduatestudent mentors help you in math and science courses. Onehour seminars assist you in transitioning to the STEM collegeenvironment and introduce you to the concepts of research.The program increases student achievements in first-year andsecond-year math and science courses, the cornerstone ofsuccess in STEM disciplines. EXCEL brings students togetherto learn and build connections among students and faculty.During your second year, you have the opportunity toparticipate in an undergraduate research experience.The first two years of college go by quickly. As a STEM major,EXCEL can help make those years successful.Melissa A. DagleyExecutive Director, Initiatives in STEMEXCEL GETS RESULTSSince its inception in 2006, the EXCEL program has recruitedmore than 2,400 students. EXCEL has increased their success,defined by staying in a STEM major, by 42 percent comparedto UCF STEM students who have not been part of the EXCELprogram.Every year (spring of a student’s second year), more than 40students participate in research experiences with a UCF STEMprofessor, becoming a part of the professor’s research team andgetting a taste of research.Students who participate in second-year research experienceshave an excellent chance of continuing their research in theirthird and fourth years, through established fellowship programsat UCF, such as Research and Mentoring Program (RAMP),McNair Scholars and Camp-Young Entrepreneur and Scholar(CAMP-YES).
EXCELIS FORYOU IFYOU: Are admitted to UCFwith the intent to majorin Science, Technology,Engineering or MathematicsEXCEL STARSANTHONY SEABERT was accepted into the Young Entrepreneurand Scholar (YES) program upon completion of his EXCELundergraduate research experience and presented at the YES annualspring symposium his junior and senior years. Anthony completedboth a B.S. in mechanical engineering and an M.S. in engineering management atUCF before going to work in launch operations at Firefly Aerospace.“EXCEL has been such a greatexperience for me becausewithin this large school you havea community of support and a Have taken a minimum ofAlgebra II and Trigonometryor a minimum of Precalculusgroup of students who share Scored at least a 610 MathSATcommon goals and interests.” Want to make friends andconnections with studentsin other STEM disciplinesKimberly TrimbleBiomedical Sciences Enjoy study groups andstructured programs Want to have a rewardingcollege experience thatleads to a successfulSTEM careerKEON VEREEN took advantage of all EXCEL had to offer. Afterparticipating in the EXCEL undergraduate research experience, hewas chosen as a McNair Scholar to continue his research work. Upongraduation with a B.S. in aerospace engineering he was awarded theRAMP Master’s Fellowship. Keon began his next journey when he was awarded theNational Science Foundation’s Graduate Fellowship and moved to the University ofWashington to pursue a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering.DANIELLA BADAL graduated with a B.S. in biomedical sciences,but chose to do her EXCEL undergraduate research in engineeringtechnology. She served EXCEL as a Girls EXCELling in Math andScience (GEMS) mentor for two years, performed as an EXCELWelcome Party team leader and assisted in the coordination of several EXCELvolunteer and social activities including serving as a judge for Science Olympiad.While completing her Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Florida’s pharmacyschool at Lake Nona, Daniella received the Jerry Elaine Klimetz Memorial Scholarshipfor academic achievement and leadership.WHITNEY KEITH won the prestigious Astronaut Scholarship,awarded only to a handful of exceptional students around the U.S., forthe research work she conducted with the Mathematics Department.This scholarship is provided to students who exhibit motivation,imagination and exceptional performance in the science or engineering field of theirmajor. Whitney served as a GEMS mentor her senior year. Upon completion of herB.S. in electrical engineering, Whitney went to work with the Ford Motor Company.WHYEXCEL? EXCEL students who areawarded housing contractscan apply to reside in thesame block. Each student builds acarefully planned, codeveloped educationalschedule with their EXCELacademic advisor. EXCEL students interactwith our community ofundergraduate and graduatestudents, faculty and staffone-on-one or in smallgroup settings. EXCEL students areguaranteed seats in firstyear math classes to learnwith people they know. EXCEL courses are taughtby outstanding faculty. EXCEL helps second-yearstudents get involved inresearch experiences.
THEEXCELCENTERThe EXCEL Center offers servicesand activities such as tutoring andadvising. Free tutoring by graduatestudents is available in CollegeAlgebra, Pre-calculus, Calculus,Differential Equations, Biology,Chemistry and Physics.A computer lab and study areaprovide places for students to studyand interact.Both EXCEL and college advisorsare available to all EXCEL studentsduring advising days and byappointment.“After being a part ofthe program, I can saywithout hesitation thatthe EXCEL programwas a catalyst towardmy career aspirations. Ifyou want to be a leaderthat tackles some of thechallenges that we facein the 21st century, thenthe EXCEL programwill offer you enormousresources toward yourfuture endeavors.”Keon VereenAerospace EngineeringWHERE CANI START ACAREER?Through its carefully planned educational activities,EXCEL will prepare students for rewarding careersin any of the following disciplines:Aerospace Engineering, Biology, Biotechnology,Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering,Computer Science, Construction Engineering, ElectricalEngineering, Environmental Engineering, ForensicScience, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering,Mathematics, Photonics, Physics and Statistics.
PATHWAYS TO STEMEXCEL FIRST YEAREXCEL first-year mathematics faculty determine astudent’s Pathway of Study based upon their mathplacement test results.Students meet with an advisor at the beginning ofthe semester to ensure that they have the right mixof classes.EXCEL students who take College Algebra, Precalculus, Calculus I and Calculus II classes participate inunique recitation sessions. These sessions enhance andreinforce students’ understanding of math concepts.EXCEL students are continuously mentored and arerequired early in each term to visit the EXCEL Centerfor tutoring and to meet with their graduate studentmentor.Special classes called STEM Seminar I and II are alsotaken. These courses encourage community building,and provide information and tools necessary forstudent transition and academic success. Seminar Iintroduces students to concepts aimed at helping themto be strong, competitive students in STEM disciplines.Seminar II focuses on exposing the EXCEL studentsto STEM faculty and researchers. These classes areoffered only to EXCEL students.COURSES ANDUNDERGRADUATERESEARCHEXPERIENCES (URE)UNDERGRADUATERESEARCH ANDENTREPRENEURSHIPEXPERIENCESEXCEL SECOND YEAREXCEL THIRD AND FOURTH YEARSAfter completing required math and science classesduring the first year, EXCEL students have theopportunity to continue with EXCEL math courses,through Calculus III, in their second year. Additionally,eligible (3.0 GPA) EXCEL students have the option oftaking part in an undergraduate research experience.The goal of the undergraduate research experience isfor students to see and experience research firsthand.The EXCEL research experience prepares studentsfor additional opportunities in their later college years.In the fall semester of the second year, EXCEL studentspair with UCF STEM faculty mentors and participate inresearch preparatory workshops. In the spring, studentsand faculty team up according to their researchinterests.Eligible EXCEL students have the opportunity towork with a UCF STEM professor or an industrymentor to better prepare them for graduate schoolor a career in industry.Paid undergraduate experiences (research orentrepreneurship) establish learning communities,which offer enhanced educational experiences andconnections with faculty, graduate students andindustry professionals.More than 40 EXCEL sophomore students participatein the research of a UCF STEM professor every year.EXCEL students involved in undergraduate researchexperiences are well prepared for future, paid researchexperiences at UCF.“The EXCEL program provides an“EXCEL has been one of the greatestopportunity for freshman and upper-levelresources that I have had the privilege ofresearch faculty to interact in a learningusing throughout my college experience.environment that fosters questions andNot only did I meet a group of amazing,inquiry. The students get to know facultyhard-working, goal-oriented friends, Ithat they wouldn’t otherwise see for twowas able to succeed in both of my mathyears, know a bit of what they do forclasses due in large part to the help ofresearch and how it will apply to theirthe graduate students and to the EXCELeducation.”teachers, who made it their goal that theirCherie YestrebskyProfessor of Chemistrystudents achieve academic success.”Ashleigh GuinnBiomedical Sciences
“Not only has the EXCEL programhelped and motivated me to studyengineering, but it has also helpedme to connect with fellow classmatesand teachers who have similarinterests. These are the people whoyou want to be with throughout yourcollege career.”Kenzo MendozaElectrical Engineering“EXCEL has offered me manyopportunities. The one that I enjoyedthe most is being able to apply whatI’ve learned in class to the real world.From applications of Calculus I andthe YES program, to being a partof the Machine Learning Lab, I havemade great friends that share myWOMEN’S MENTORSHIP NETWORK“The WISE mentoring programchanged my life Because ofmy mentor’s guidance, I learnedhow to effectively talk torecruiters at job fairs and howTo meet the goal of increasing underrepresented graduates in the STEMworkforce, EXCEL established a women’s mentorship network. Thisnetwork provides for peer mentors in the first year and industry mentorsin subsequent years. These relationships provide personal support earlyin the student’s transition to the university, academic support in thechosen field, and career support through setting goals, defining a careerpath, and performing as a role model for the mentees.GIRLS EXCELLING IN MATH AND SCIENCE (GEMS)internships and received offersFirst-year EXCEL students are assigned an upperclass GEMS mentor.These mentors are hand-picked from EXCEL alumni and trained bythe EXCEL staff. Students receive communications during the summerbefore arriving at UCF as well as GEMS-sponsored industry and facultynetworking events and socials throughout the first year of college.from all three.”WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (WISE) @ UCFto have a successful interview.I applied for three differentLeah D’AgostiniComputer ScienceSecond and third-year EXCEL students have the opportunity to be pairedwith a STEM industry professional for a six-month mentoring program.In addition to meeting with the WISE mentees, the industry mentorsprovide access to industry partners for internships.passion for engineering.”Giselle BorreroComputer Engineering“Being in EXCEL has opened aplethora of opportunities. Throughthis experience I have had access tovarious resources such as living withfellow students in my major, tutoringfor my math and science courses, anda chance at undergraduate research.”Stacy GlassElectrical Engineering
Non-profitU.S. PostagePAIDPermit No. 3575Orlando, FLUNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDAEXCEL ProgramP.O. Box 162993Orlando, Florida 32816-2993EXCEL is directed by the Center for Initiatives in STEM and is a program in the Division of Teaching and Learning.1807EXL124HOW DO I APPLY TO THEEXCEL PROGRAM?After you apply to UCF as a declared STEM major, youcan apply to the program at excel.ucf.edu.APPLY EARLY.ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED.Download an applicationat excel.ucf.edu.Questions? Contact:EXCEL Coordinatorexcel@ucf.edu407.823.6230
both a B.S. in mechanical engineering and an M.S. in engineering management at UCF before going to work in launch operations at Firefly Aerospace. KEON VEREEN took advantage of all EXCEL had to offer. After participating in the EXCEL undergraduate research experience, he was chose
