UCF Scholars Program – National Hispanic Scholars
The UCF Scholars Program is dedicated to recruiting academically talented students who have been designated as National Merit (Benacquesto Scholars) and National Hispanic Scholars. National Hispanic Scholars are students recognized for their academic achievement by the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program. This designation is based upon the student’s PSAT/NMSQT scores and approximately 5,000 students earn this designation each year. The UCF Scholars Program provides personalized experiences to students via small group events, customized campus visits, and concierge-level service. It works closely with academic colleges and advising offices, as well as faculty to provide these students with comprehensive information about the university. The program has strong partnerships with the Burnett Honors College, LEAD Scholars Academy, Housing and Residence Life, and Student Financial Assistance to ensure students are provided with information on critical areas to their success. Between 30-40 National Hispanic Scholars join UCF each year. First semester GPAs, first year retention and 4-year graduation rates are higher for National Hispanic Scholars when compared with the general population.
Latinos in Action Conference
UCF intentionally SERVES Latino students by hosting the Latinos in Action one-day youth conference. One of the goals of the conference is to inspire Latino students and educate them on the higher education opportunities available to them. Over 20 workshops are held on topics such as “What Does it Mean to be First Generation”, “Find Your Perfect Match to a UCF Major”, “College Readiness 101”, and “Finding the Confidence to Lead”. Undergraduate Admissions conducts several workshops on the general college admission process, as well as the admission process specifically at UCF. UCF leadership across divisions and colleges coordinate the conference including staffing, volunteer management, and session development. The March 2019 and March 2020 conferences hosted over 1,000 Latino middle school and high school students at UCF.