Revisit 2025’s most memorable moments from students reaching for the stars to launching a bright future with the opening of the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion in Lake Nona.
It was a defining year for UCF’s College of Nursing. These 25 images help tell the story, powerfully capturing the people and moments making an impact.
Shining bright in the classroom, at the bedside and on stage. Jenna Koo ’25BSN, recipient of the 2025 Order of Pegasus — UCF’s highest student honor — showcases her talent and second passion in the arts as a violinist.
Nursing is an art and science, and these students are balancing both. Nursing majors and dance minors Mika, Victoria and Jayla took center stage at UCF Celebrates the Arts. Victoria Trautwein ’25BSN also choreographed a performance entitled, “Healing Hands,” inspired by the healing hands of healthcare workers.
Advancing #3DHope. UCF nursing student Abrianna Lalle combined her passion for research with her calling to care for others as a Limbitless Solutions Scholar, gaining hands-on experience and presenting at state and national conferences.
The ultimate Mother’s Day gift. At the Spring 2025 commencement, Stacie Scarborough ’13BSN ’25MSN shared the stage with her twin daughters, Ellie (left) and Hannah (right), who graduated from UCF’s bachelor’s in nursing program.
Making a global impact together. Over spring break, UCF College of Nursing students traveled to Chiapas, Mexico, where they partnered with local nursing schools, medical schools and community organizations to provide health education and care to communities.
Dawn of a new day. The sun shines through the future entrance of the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion as construction crews work to complete the new home of UCF’s College of Nursing.
Reflecting the impact of nurses and spirit of UCF. After a year of design and creation by artist Brian W. Brush, “Vitality” — a public art installation — begins to bring energy to the entrance of the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion.
A milestone moment. A new Knight nurse celebrates at the summer Class of 2025 commencement where UCF awarded 338 nursing degrees from the bachelor’s to the doctorate.
A longstanding symbol of what can be achieved through the power of community partnerships. After breaking ground in January 2024, the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion is ready to open. The new home of UCF’s College of Nursing was generously supported by the State of Florida and private donors.
Opening doors to usher in a bright and healthy future. UCF, together with state officials and community partners, ceremoniously cut the ribbon to officially celebrate the opening of the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion.
Preparing to provide care. Two future Knight nurses demonstrate clinical skills during the opening celebrations of the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, which will enable UCF to graduate an additional 150 newly licensed eligible nurses annually.
From virtual to reality. An undergraduate nursing student demonstrates immersive technologies used to prepare students for clinical practice during the opening celebration of the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion.
Charge On future Knight nurses. Knightro is ready to help launch the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, which opened on the first day of classes for Fall 2025.
Standing tall, “The Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion represents the very best of UCF: bold ambition, deep community ties, and a commitment to meaningful impact that moves Florida forward,” says Alex Martins, chair of the UCF Board of Trustees.
First look says it all. A future Knight nurse beams with pride and excitement as part of the inaugural cohort of students at the brand-new Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion.
The home for future Knight healthcare providers. UCF nursing students begin the Fall 2025 semester on the Academic Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona next door to UCF’s College of Medicine as seen reflected in the glass panes.
A talent pipeline of future nurses. New cohorts of nursing students tour the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion during orientation, ready to embark on their journey to become Knight nurses.
Immersed in joy and awe. UCF nursing students experience the Dr. Colleen Conway-Welch Virtual Reality Learning Studio inside the Helene Fuld Health Trust STIM Center, the first simulation center in Florida to earn a third global accolade for excellence.
Creating a real-world clinical environment. A UCF staff member in a simulation operations control room looks into a learning lab in the Helene Fuld Health Trust STIM Center where students gain hands-on skills.
A legacy leads to a new era. Professor Emerita Mary Lou Sole (right), who as the previous College of Nursing dean led the efforts to advocate and raise funds for the new building, and new Dean Sharon Tucker welcome guests to the much-anticipated opening of the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion.
Empowering older adults. Chippy Banarjee, a graduate research assistant in UCF’s Healthy Aging Lab, conducts a fall risk assessment at a community event in Central Florida.
Protecting waterways to protect health. A member of the interdisciplinary research team at UCF’s Human Health Outcomes of Exposure to Environmental Toxins (HHOT) Lab gathers water samples in Stuart, Florida, as part of a research study to understand health impacts of algal blooms.
Increasing access to care. Family nurse practitioner doctoral student Mimi Alliance ’22BSN is among an interdisciplinary team of providers and students learning and providing care on UCF’s Mobile Health Clinic.
A final fist-bump. Knightro celebrates with some of the more than 200 nursing students who received degrees at fall commencement, the final graduating cohort in the Class of 2025.
Article by Julie Harper ’01
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