News Summary
The University of Central Florida (UCF) has reached ‘preeminent’ status as a state research university, joining a select group in Florida. This designation follows UCF’s successful attainment of required performance metrics, including a graduation rate exceeding 63.8%. With this status comes increased funding and recognition, supporting UCF’s mission to enhance educational opportunities. President Alexander Cartwright highlights the collaborative effort behind this achievement, which is expected to benefit nearly 70,000 students and improve faculty resources.
Orlando – The University of Central Florida (UCF) has officially achieved “preeminent” status as a state research university, marking a significant milestone in its academic journey. This advancement places UCF in a select group of universities within Florida that includes the University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of South Florida, and Florida International University. The announcement was made by UCF President Alexander Cartwright during a recent meeting of the UCF Board of Trustees.
UCF had been designated as an “emerging preeminent” institution since 2016 and first reached preeminent status in 2022 by meeting three-fourths of the required metrics. The formal recognition arrives as UCF surpassed one of the final benchmarks, achieving a four-year graduation rate of 63.8%, exceeding the minimum requirement of 60%.
The criteria for achieving this preeminent status involve meeting at least 12 out of 13 predefined metrics that gauge academic performance and capabilities. These metrics include graduation rates, faculty credentials, the number of doctoral degrees awarded, and patents granted. This recognition is not only an accolade for the university but also brings additional funding opportunities, with the Florida legislature agreeing to allocate $40 million in 2025, following a previous allocation of $100 million in the last year.
The official certification of UCF’s preeminent status is anticipated in June, pending verification from the Florida Board of Governors. The designation boosts UCF’s potential for promoting itself, enhancing its ability to attract students and faculty alike.
President Cartwright noted that the journey to preeminent status has been a collaborative effort involving faculty, staff, and students throughout the university community. UCF currently has nearly 70,000 students, making this accomplishment particularly noteworthy given its large scale.
Following the increase in funding, UCF plans to channel its resources into improving faculty and staff salaries, expanding scholarship offerings, and enhancing experiential learning opportunities for students. Historically, UCF has had a student-to-faculty ratio of 28.3 to 1, which has presented challenges regarding graduation rates. However, the university has continued to improve these rates despite the high ratio.
This achievement comes during a busy academic year for UCF, which includes the introduction of a new nursing school facility and ongoing legal matters concerning faculty rights. The attainment of preeminent status has been a key goal for President Cartwright since he began his tenure at UCF in 2020. UCF’s growth and progress underline its commitment to academic excellence and research, solidifying its position among the top universities in the state and beyond.
The achievement of preeminent status is an important milestone for UCF, ensuring increased recognition, funding, and opportunities for its students, faculty, and the larger academic community.
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Additional Resources
- Click Orlando: UCF on Path to Preeminent Status
- Wikipedia: University of Central Florida
- Florida Politics: UCF Achieves Preeminent Status
- Google Search: UCF Preeminent Status
- Orlando Sentinel: UCF Earns Preeminent Status
- Google Scholar: UCF Preeminent Status
- Around Osceola: UCF Path to Preeminent Status
- Encyclopedia Britannica: University of Central Florida
- WFTV: UCF Excels in Research and Student Success
- Google News: UCF Research Student Success
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
