About
The Student Success Conference is a unique opportunity designed for select incoming UCF students.
Our theme, Own the Journey – Navigate with Confidence to Grow and Succeed invites you to take charge of your academic and personal path with clarity, courage, and intention.
Through engaging sessions, interactive workshops, and valuable networking opportunities, students will explore and learn to maximize the wealth of resources and services available at UCF, while forming meaningful connections with peers, faculty, staff, and university leaders.
View the Program BookletOur Goals
Our goals are to Empower, Equip, and Support meaningful connections and student success. We want every student to seize opportunities that:
- Empower students to articulate short- and long-term academic and career goals, identify key milestones, and create actionable steps to stay on track throughout their college journey.
- Equip students with practical strategies to adapt to new environments and navigate challenges to build confidence in decision-making, problem-solving, and leadership abilities.
- Support students in developing essential career competencies such as communication, professionalism, and networking, preparing them to successfully transition into internships, graduate school, and the workforce.
Photo Gallery
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Conference Schedule
Friday Schedule
Check-in and Registration
3–4:30PM
Located at the front desk and Sebastian J.
Welcome Session
5:30–6:30PM
The Student Success Conference kicks off in Sebastian J with remarks from Dr. Edwanna Andrews and Student Government, music by Knights of the Turntable’s DJ Salvatore , performances by UCF Dancers and UCF Cheerleaders, an appearance by Knightro, and closing words from The Central Florida Pledge.
Dinner
6:30-8PM
Dinner will be served at Cafe Osceola and students will be dismissed by the color of their dinner ticket.
Saturday Schedule
Breakfast and Keynote
8–9:45AM
Breakfast will be served in Sebastian J with a welcome video from President Cartwright and a keynote presented by Dr. L. Trenton S. Marsh.
Breakout Sessions I and II
10AM–12:10PM
(Breakout Session I runs from 10–11AM and Breakout Session II runs from 11:10AM–12:10PM)
Located in Sebastian I1, I2, I3, I4, and Panzacola H3.
Breakout Sessions:
- Own Your Writing: Expert Tutors Share Tips for Success – Panzacola H3
- Passport to Possibility: How Study Abroad Changed My Life – Sebastian I1
- Build Your Own Adventure: Reverse Engineering Your UCF Path to Achieve Your Goals – Sebastian I2
- Find Your Spark: Using Your Interests to Explore Majors & Careers – Sebastian I3
- What’s Next, and What’s Yours: A Purposeful Path to Graduate School – Sebastian I4
Lunch and TikTalks
12:20–1:50PM
Lunch will be served in Sebastian J with TikTalks featuring UCF Knights hosted by Edgar Acosta.
Breakout Sessions III and IV
2–4:10PM
(Breakout Session III runs from 2–3PM and Breakout Session IV runs from 3:10–4:10PM)
Located in Sebastian F, I1, I2, I3, I4 and Panzacola H3.
Breakout Sessions:
- Elevate your Impact: Recognizing Yourself as a Leader – Panzacola H3
- Say Yes to the Right Things: Spotting Opportunities That Shape Your Story – Sebastian I1
- Mindfulness in Motion: Managing Stress, Finding Balance – Sebastian I2
- Stand for Something: Building Your Brand with Purpose – Sebastian I3
- Leveraging your Community for Scholarships – Sebastian I4
TikTalks+
4:30-5:30PM
Final round of TikTalks featuring UCF Knights located in Sebastian J.
Dinner
6-8PM
Dinner will be served at Cafe Osceola and students will be dismissed by the color of their dinner ticket.
Sunday Schedule
Closing Breakfast and Keynote
8–9:30AM
Breakfast will be served in Sebastian J with a welcome from Dr. Andrea I. Guzmán and a keynote presented by Dr. Adrienne Frame.
Breakout Sessions V and VI
9:45AM–12PM
(Breakout Session V runs from 10–11AM and Breakout Session VI runs from 11:10AM–12:10PM)
Located in Sebastian J, I1, I2, I3, I4.
Breakout Sessions:
- The Strengths Advantage – Sebastian J
- AI & You: Navigating the Future of Learning – Sebastian I1
- Grow with Guidance – Sebastian I2
- Design Your Semester: Coaching for Confidence, Clarity, and Course Planning – Sebastian I3
- Legacy Over Resume: Leading with Purpose in College and Beyond – Sebastian I4
Lunch Conference Reflection
12–2PM
Lunch will be served in Sebastian J along with a conference reflection with Dr. Haley Winston.
Load Buses and Departure
2–3:50PM
Participants will retrieve luggage, load buses, and depart to UCF main campus.
Breakout Sessions
Saturday – Sessions I and II
Located in Panzacola H3
Join Matt Ryan, Associate Director of Study Abroad, and Beatrix Alerte, a Project B.E.S.T. alum, for an inspiring, interactive session that blends real stories, myth-busting quizzes, and practical tips to launch your own international adventure. Discover how study abroad can change your life and start planning your journey today!
Located in Sebastian I1
Located in Sebastian I2
Let Dani Hernandez and Josiah Leach, Career Services graduate assistants, along with Brian Creel, Associate Director of Career Services, guide you through the RIASEC interest areas and how they connect to real careers and UCF majors. Discover how your interests can lead to purpose, satisfaction, and success—with tools to help you take the next step!
Located in Sebastian I3
Join a passionate peer mentor, Salome Ramirez, from Academic Advancement Programs for a reflective, story-driven session that helps you connect your values, goals, and curiosity to graduate school possibilities. You’ll leave with a personalized “Why Map,” practical next steps, and a powerful reminder: You belong in spaces of knowledge, power, and purpose.
Located in Sebastian I4
Saturday – Sessions III and IV
Located in Sebastian J
Located in Panzacola H3
Join Austin Wilson, Manager of Public Affairs, for an inspiring, interactive session on saying “yes” with purpose. Try out real-world scenarios, explore leadership pathways, and leave with your own “opportunity filter” to help you choose what matters most.
Located in Sebastian I1
Join Ashley Allette, M.S., Mental Health Professional at UCF CAPS, for a calming, interactive session that blends storytelling, reflection, and guided mindfulness practices. Learn simple tools to manage stress, find balance, and build a daily routine that supports your mental well-being—all in a space designed to help you breathe, connect, and reset.
Located in Sebastian I2
Join Ms. D’Bria A. Bradshaw, Esq., MBA for a powerful, purpose-driven session where you’ll define your personal brand, explore leadership opportunities, and learn how to show up with confidence and clarity. Leave with a plan—and a bold affirmation: “My voice is my power. My brand is my story.”
Located in Sebastian I3
Located in Sebastian I4
Sunday – Sessions V and VI
💡 Discover how your unique strengths can shape a purposeful college experience and career.
In this exclusive 2-hour workshop, Gary Cahan guides participants through the Gallup Strengths framework to uncover their natural talents, build confidence, and lead with impact. This session is designed to help you move beyond the resume and toward a legacy of leadership, belonging, and purpose.
Located in Sebastian J
Join Dr. Kevin Yee, UCF’s AI Coordinator and Faculty Center expert, for a dynamic session that explores how students can use generative AI ethically and effectively. Discover how emerging tech can support—not shortcut—your academic and career goals and leave with practical tips to become AI-fluent in a rapidly evolving world.
Located in Sebastian I1
Join our amazing SOAR peer mentors for an interactive session on how to find—and become—the right mentor. Learn how to clarify your goals, build meaningful connections, and use the Mentor Toolkit to support your journey with confidence and purpose.
Located in Sebastian I2
Join Academic Success Coaching for a hands-on session that helps you reflect, plan, and prepare for a successful semester. Through storytelling, peer sharing, and personalized tools, you’ll leave with a clear academic goal, a strategy to tackle challenges, and the confidence to move forward with purpose.
Located in Sebastian I3
Join Esteban Baez Sola and Nyauni Crowelle-Feggins for a powerful, story-driven session that helps you define your values, map your impact, and explore leadership opportunities at UCF. Through reflection, discussion, and affirmation, you’ll leave ready to lead with purpose and build a legacy that lasts.
Located in Sebastian I4
Keynote Speakers
Dr. L. Trenton S. Marsh
L. Trenton S. Marsh, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Learning Sciences and Educational Research department at the University of Central Florida. His interdisciplinary work focuses on understanding the experiences of historically marginalized students and confronting disproportionality in education. He works alongside youth and their communities to reimagine and inform both practices and policies.
Dr. Marsh received the “Spirit of Innovation” award at the UCF/Valencia Downtown campus and most recently was named New York University’s 2025 Spirit of Steinhardt Ascending Champion, the second highest award given out at Steinhardt. Dr. Marsh is also the recipient of the 2025 Volunteer of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida for creating the Healing Oasis for Peace and Empowerment® (H.O.P.E.) Circle. In partnership with the Levy-Hughes Club in the historic Parramore community, H.O.P.E. amplifies the concerns of young people and fosters a space to work alongside young people to discover
transformative solutions.
Dr. Marsh’s research has been funded by the National Science Foundation-Civic Innovation Challenge, the American Physical Society, the American Psychological Association (Division 15- Educational Psychology), UCF Downtown, and the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation. He has published his interdisciplinary research widely, some include Teachers College Record, Urban Review, Education Week, Progress in Disaster Science, American Association of Physics Teachers, and Urban Education. Before his academic career, Dr. Marsh was a Managing Business Consultant at IBM Corporation for nearly a decade. He is inspired daily by his wife of 12 years and his three sons; and thankful to his Lord and Savior Jesus for the gift of life
Dr. Adrienne Frame
Dr. Adrienne Frame serves as the Vice President for Student Success and Well-Being at the University of Central Florida. In this role, Dr. Frame has oversight and supervision for Student Life, Community Support, Student Rights and Responsibilities, Wellness, Housing and Residence Life, and First Year Transition.
As a dedicated, passionate, and inclusive student-centered educator, Dr. Frame has a distinguished record of more than 29 years of service to the field of Student Affairs. She has been active in regional and national organizations, including service as the President of the Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO) and as a faculty member for the Jim Grimm National Housing Traning Institute (NHTI) and for SEAHO’s Regional Entry Level Institute (RELI). She has authored a book chapter on lessons learned from crisis response, has presented at conferences at the regional and national level, and has delivered several invited keynote addresses.
Dr. Frame is energized by opportunities to work with students toward the achievement of their goals and in building coalitions of faculty, staff, and student leaders at all levels of the academy to imagine and realize collective objectives and favorable outcomes.
Resources
Need some guidance for the Student Success Conference? Check out our resources below. For questions or inquires about the event, please email Dr. Pierre Louis at pierrelouis@ucf.edu.
Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Form Rosen Shingle Creek Google Maps Map of Rosen Shingle Creek Resort Map of Rosen Shingle Creek Conference Level Guide for Professional and Business AttireFAQs
No. Due to liability, the University will provide transportation from the UCF main campus to the Rosen Shingle Creek, as well as transportation back to the main campus at the end of the conference.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided during the conference, but should you feel the need to bring extra cash, the hotel has a convenience store located on the first floor.
Professional and business casual. Bring casual clothes for after the conference hours to relax in. Refer to the video Professional vs Business Casual Attire as a guide.
Please email Dr. Pierre Louis at pierrelouis@ucf.edu to receive documentation for attending the conference.
Orders cancelled before July 26, 2025 will receive a refund for tickets purchased. Orders placed after July 26, 2025 will not be eligible for refunds.