Affiliation with the University of Central Florida

“I promise fulfillment through world-class dining, outstanding entertainment and unique travel opportunities.”

Youcheng Wang, Ph.D., is dean at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management. His teaching area includes destination marketing and management, information system management, technology and e-commerce strategy, and research methods in hospitality and tourism. The author of three books and more than 100 scientific publications, Dr. Wang is co-editor of the Journal of Destination Marketing and Management and is also on the editorial board of nine international academic journals in the domain of hospitality and tourism marketing and management.

He is a frequent speaker at international conferences and industry forums and has received awards for his research contributions, including The Haworth Press Best Paper Award (2003). Dr. Wang earned his master’s degree from Purdue University and his doctorate from the University of Illinois.

“I promise to enrich your journey in healthy aging with compassionate, cutting-edge care.”

Mary Lou Sole, Ph.D., RN, CCNS, CML, FAAN, FCCM, is dean of the College of Nursing and the Orlando Health Endowed Chair in Nursing. Her current research is funded by a $2.3 million grant from the NIH and focuses on airway management of mechanically ventilated patients to prevent complications, such as ventilator-associated pneumonia. She also studies the application of simulation and technology and physiological monitoring in the clinical setting and classroom, and process improvement and outcome of critical illness, including infection prevention.

Dr. Sole holds an appointment as a clinical scientist in the Center for Nursing Research at Orlando Health and is certified as a critical care nurse specialist (CCNS). She has more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and is on the editorial board of American Journal of Critical Care and several other scientific journals.

“I promise a more enjoyable life by providing a higher level of hospitality.”

Abraham Pizam, Ph.D., is dean emeritus, founding dean, and Linda Chapin Eminent Scholar Chair in Tourism Management at Rosen College of Hospitality Management. He enjoys creating new programs, new degrees, hiring new faculty and doing innovative research, and is leading the program for a new bachelor’s degree in senior living management.

Professor Pizam is widely known in the field of hospitality and tourism management and has conducted research projects, lectured and served as a consultant in more than 30 countries. He has published 10 books and more than 160 scientific publications. He serves as editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Hospitality Management and on the editorial boards of 20 academic journals. Professor Pizam has conducted consulting and research projects for a variety of international, national and regional tourism organizations. He received his doctorate at Cornell University, and his M.P.A. at New York University.

“I promise to pique your interests by hosting a variety of intellectual Happy Hours.”

Pamela “Sissi” S. Carroll, Ed.D., is dean at the College of Community Innovation and Education. She joined UCF in 2015, following her role as dean and director of professional education and the Anderson Endowed Professor of Education at Oklahoma State University.

Dr. Carroll was a faculty member, department chair, school head and associate dean in the College of Education at Florida State University, where she specialized in English education, adolescent literature and literacy, and teacher education. She is an at-large executive board member for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. She is an elected member of the executive boards of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the Council of Academic Deans of Research in Education Institutions, where she represents UCF alongside national leaders as they consider issues that have an impact on educational policies and practices. Dr. Carroll received her doctorate in education from Auburn University.

“I promise to enrich your mind and soul with exceptional cultural and creative activities.”

Jeff Moore, M.M., D.M., is dean of the College of Arts and Humanities and a professor of music (percussion). Prior to his role as dean, he served as the founding director of the School of Performing Arts and chair of the music department. Receiving his appointment to the music faculty in 1994, Professor Moore’s instructional duties include teaching applied percussion majors, the Percussion Ensemble, and the Marimba Band. He’s performed with several major symphony orchestras and is a frequent performer of chamber music. He also performs on drum set and is an international clinician, lecturer and soloist.

“I promise to keep you engaged by providing mentoring and lecturing opportunities.”

Paul Jarley, Ph.D., joined UCF as dean of the College of Business in July 2012. He was formerly dean and professor of management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Professor Jarley is widely published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, including Industrial Relations Journal, British Journal of Industrial Relations, Journal of Labor Research and the Academy of Management Journal and is currently on the editorial board at the Journal of Labor Research. He hosts a podcast called “Is This Really a Thing?” where, with the help of local experts and enthusiasts, he discusses whether up-and-coming concepts and ideas have the potential to reshape the business landscape.

Sheila Amin Gutiérrez de Piñeres, Ph.D., is dean of the Burnett Honors College and professor of public administration. She joined UCF in 2018 following her role as executive vice president for academic affairs and special initiatives and dean of faculty at Austin College in Sherman, Texas.

Previously, she served as dean of undergraduate education and professor of economics at the University of Texas at Dallas. She is a founding member of the University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers. Her research focuses on economic development and political stability in developing countries. Dr. Piñeres received her Ph.D. in economics from Duke University and her M.A. from the University of Chicago.

Bahaa E. A. Saleh is dean of the College of Optics and Photonics. A faculty member in the department of electrical and computer engineering at Boston University from 1994-2008, he served as chair of that department from 1994-2007. He also served as deputy director of the Gordon Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems, an NSF Engineering Research Center, from 2000-2008.

Dr. Saleh’s research contributions cover a broad spectrum of topics in optics and photonics, including statistical and quantum optics, optical communication and signal processing, nonlinear optics, image processing and vision. He has published three books as well as more than 600 papers in technical journals and conference proceedings. He is the recipient of many awards, including the 1999 OSA Esther Hoffman Beller Award for outstanding contributions to optical science and engineering education, and the 2013 C. E. K. Mees Medal for lifelong multidisciplinary contributions to statistical optics, quantum optics and image science. Dr. Saleh was awarded his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

“I promise to help you stay connected by offering technology training for seniors.”

Dr. Michael Georgiopoulos is dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, one of the nation’s largest engineering colleges. His research area is machine learning with special emphasis on neural network algorithms. His research portfolio includes approximately $17 million as principal investigator or collaborator, and he has advised the research of more than 100 students of all degree levels.

He has published and presented his research findings in more than 250 papers in various professional journals, book chapters and international conferences. In addition, he has served as associate editor of Neural Networks and IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks.

In 2010, he was named a Pegasus Professor — the university’s most prestigious faculty award — recognizing extraordinary contributions to the UCF community through teaching, research and service. Dr. Georgiopoulos received his master’s and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Connecticut.