During the April 2 Founders’ Day event, Jenna Koo will receive the Order of Pegasus Award and Victoria Trautwein will receive a Founders’ Day Student Award.
This week, during the 2025 Founders’ Day celebration, UCF recognized student excellence with Order of Pegasus and student awards. Two senior undergraduate nursing students were honored among this year’s awardees, Jenna Koo and Victoria Trautwein.
Jenna Koo, Order of Pegasus Award
Jenna Koo, a Traditional BSN student who has lived in Orlando, Florida, most of her life, was among 37 students across the university to receive the Order of Pegasus — UCF’s highest student honor that recognizes exceptional academic excellence, leadership and service.
During her time at UCF, Koo has made the President’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List, and served as legislative coordinator in the Students Nurses’ Association at UCF Orlando.
In that role, Koo co-authored and helped pass a legislative resolution at the 2024 Florida Nursing Students Association conference titled, “In Support of Nurses Serving in Underserved Countries to Address Nursing Shortages and Care Quality.”
“Jenna’s achievements demonstrate her dedication to both personal and professional growth, and her unwavering commitment to serving others,” says Brian Peach, nursing assistant professor and Student Nurses’ Association faculty co-advisor.
Last year, Koo had the opportunity to gain hands-on learning in global health during a study abroad trip to Mexico. During the trip, Koo and other UCF nursing students collaborated with local medical students to provide care to communities.
“My experiences in Mexico were nothing short of incredible,” says Koo.
Koo also has a passion for the arts, which she shares with the Central Florida community. She plays the violin in the Maitland Symphony Orchestra and has participated in an event that brought music to elderly residents in a local nursing home.
In addition to her leadership and service commitments, Koo has balanced work with the rigorous nursing program. Since January 2024, Koo has worked at AdventHealth Winter Park, initially as a float pool nurse tech and currently in the emergency department, gaining valuable hands-on experience caring for patients.
“I strong believe that I would not be in the place I am today in my education without UCF’s College of Nursing,” says Koo.
“They have prepared me to not only succeed in the classroom and beyond with clinical skills, but to connect and advocate for patients – how to be the kind of nurse that always puts the patient first,” she adds.
After graduating this spring, Koo has received a job at AdventHealth Winter Park as an emergency department nurse. She also plans to continue her work overseas through disaster response and mission healthcare opportunities.
Victoria Trautwein, College Founders’ Award
Victoria Trautwein is among 11 undergraduate UCF students who were honored with a College Founders’ Day Award.
“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor, and I am extremely grateful to be recognized by the dean and faculty,” says Trautwein.
This isn’t the first award for the senior nursing student as she’s received multiple scholarships to support her studies.
“The scholarships have been instrumental in helping me pursue my academic and professional goals without worry of financial strain, and I am incredibly grateful,” she says.
Trautwein, a senior undergraduate student at UCF Orlando, has achieved a 3.97 GPA in the rigorous program while balancing a minor in dance, serving as president of the Students Nurses’ Association chapter, and conducting research for an Honors Undergraduate Thesis.
Under her leadership, the Students Nurses’ Association at UCF Orlando has earned the state’s top honor for the fourth consecutive year and the top honor at the national convention for the second time in a row.
“These experiences have deepened my understanding of how nursing students can emerge as future leaders in the profession,” says Trautwein.
At UCF, balance has taken on a new meaning for the long-time dancer. She credits time management and meticulous planning to stay ahead in coursework to her success. In addition to her other commitments, Trautwein has participated in UCF Celebrates the Arts annually.
“In many ways, I believe dance and nursing complement each other,” she says. “Both demand dedication, passion, and discipline, and they share a unique blend of art and science that requires focus, precision, and creativity.”
Trautwein combined her two passions, nursing and dance, for her Honors Undergraduate Thesis titled, “Dance Movement Therapy for Pediatric Oncology Patients and Its Effect on Cancer Therapy-Related Symptoms.”
“I have always believed in the healing power of the arts and dance for both the mind and body,” she says. “Furthermore, my aspiration to provide care for critically ill children and their families, motivated me to explore this topic.”
After graduating in May, Trautwein’s goal is to continue to make an impact with pediatric patients and families by working in a pediatric intensive care unit. Long term, after gaining experience as a nurse, she plans to return to UCF to pursue a doctorate degree and become a Family Nurse Practitioner.
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