Engineering Leadership & Innovation Institute at UCF

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Engineering Leadership & Innovation Institute at UCF

Welcome to the Official page of the Engineering Leadership and Innovation Institute (eli2)! We need engineering leaders.

The world faces many challenges, and technology and engineered systems can provide solutions to these challenges. Studies identify the competitiveness gap of the United States in bringing innovations to the market. A common theme across these studies is the need to build worldly, leadership, and professional skills within the engineering profession. We need to produce the leaders who can deliver s

ustainable solutions to the world’s biggest challenges. Here at UCF, eli2 intends to provide the environment and experience to learn these skills.

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LEADERSHIP SEMINAR SERIES

The intent of the leadership seminar series is to provide practical professional development and career advice to CECS students. The objectives of the series are to:

- Expose CECS students to prominent professionals in leadership roles, and
- Facilitate the development and demonstration of leadership traits and skills in CECS students. Sign up for this valuable zero-credit hour course! FREE to students signed up for other credit classes:
Fall = EGS 3030- Leadership in Engineering I
Spring = EGS 3031 - Leadership in Engineering II

Videos of past seminar series guest speakers may be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL80FD2183AE7C836A

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MINOR PROGRAM

The intent of the minor program is to provide a knowledge base in technical leadership and management principles and practices in a technical environment. This program is designed to enhance the student’s marketability, preparation and career viability as they enter the engineering and computer science professions. UCF College Catalog:http://catalog.ucf.edu/content/documents/programs/Engineering_Leadership_Minor.pdf

05/04/2026

End-of-year banquet to celebrate and recognize all the incredible work that eli² members have accomplished throughout the year. This special event was a chance to reflect on the dedication, growth, and impact each member has contributed, while also bringing everyone together to appreciate the strong community we’ve built. It’s not just about looking back on achievements, but also about celebrating the friendships, memories, and hard work that made it all possible. We’re so grateful for everything you’ve done this year and can’t wait to see you all again in the fall!

04/10/2026

As we wrap up this semester’s Leaders Up Close seminar series hosted by eli², we’d like to extend our sincere thanks to Diala Gammoh, Vice President of AI Modeling & Strategy at Versant Media, for sharing her insights and experiences.

She emphasized that career growth is a continuous journey, guided by three key pillars: performance, exposure, and visibility. Just as importantly, she highlighted the power of self-awareness, understanding your strengths, areas for growth, and how you show up, as a critical driver of long-term success.

We’re grateful for her time and perspective as we close out an inspiring semester of speakers. Stay tuned for fall semester for our new line up of speakers! ✨

03/29/2026

eli² hosted a Lockheed Martin Alumni Panel, bringing back former College of Engineering and Computer Science graduates to share their professional journeys, insights, and advice with current students. The panelists spoke about their transitions from college to industry and the skills that helped them succeed.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions, gain real-world perspective, and learn practical tips on internships, networking, and career growth. The event created a valuable space for meaningful connections, allowing attendees to engage directly with alumni who were once in their shoes. Overall, the panel was both inspiring and informative, helping students feel more prepared and confident as they take the next steps in their careers! 📚📝

02/24/2026

We have 2 more events going on this week!! ⚡️

Come out tonight to our Fluid Simulation Workshop 💻
On thursday, we’re heading to Pop Parlour to celebrate their last week on campus🍦

02/01/2026

eli² had the pleasure of touring the Siemens Energy Innovation Center!
Here we were able to get an inside look at the cutting-edge technologies and processes that drive innovation forward. Experiencing these systems firsthand gave us a deeper appreciation for the work happening behind the scenes to turn ideas into real-world solutions. From advanced engineering to sustainable energy technologies, the visit highlighted how collaboration, creativity, and technical expertise come together to shape the future of the energy sector. ⚡️🌎

01/22/2026

📢 Our Spring Speaker Lineup Is Here!

We’re excited to announce that our speaker lineup has officially dropped! Join us for inspiring talks, valuable insights, and great conversations. Don’t forget to bring a notebook!

📍 Location: ENG 2, Room 102
🕒 Time: Fridays from 11:30–12:20

11/21/2025

eli² welcomed Michael Daleo from Formawin for an inspiring talk on navigating a career as an engineering student. Thank you for sharing your experiences, encouragement, and practical tips — they truly resonated with everyone.

11/17/2025

Last weekend, we hosted our annual eli2 Alumni Weekend to commemorate Space U, and to welcome back some familiar faces! On Friday, we had our Alumni Brunch and Space U Tailgate, and on Saturday, we went bowling for our Alumni Mixer. We loved getting the chance to engage with the eli2 community, and reconnect with eli2 alumni! Thank you to all who came out, we had a great weekend 🙌

10/25/2025

eli² x Siemens Energy: Executive Leaders Session at UCF ⭐️

On October 22nd, eli² had the privilege of hosting 12 Product Integrity leaders from Siemens Energy for an engaging “Ask Me Anything” session with our UCF engineering students!
The discussion covered a wide range of topics—from technical challenges and field operations to risk management and product safety.
It was a meaningful exchange of ideas and experiences that inspired our students.
Opportunities like this remind us how valuable collaboration between industry and academia truly is, and how essential it is to connect current leaders with those who will shape the future.
A special thank-you to Petya Fernlund (Siemens Energy) and Dr. Tim Kotnour (UCF) for making this incredible event possible!

10/07/2025

Last Friday, we got the chance to hear from Angel Price and get a peek into her work as Director of Global Projects and Development at Disney Experiences.

Hearing about her career journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way was truly inspiring. We’re so grateful for the time, stories, and wisdom she shared with us! ✨ 🎢

Address

4000 Central Florida Boulevard
Orlando, FL
32816

Telephone

+14078235645

Website

http://eli2.cecs.ucf.edu/

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