UCF Health Sciences

SIX of our CHPS alumni have been recognized in the 2026 Class of 30 Under 30! 😎 Congratulations to:

⭐Cassandra Allen ’18 from the Department of Health Sciences

⭐Chloe Artrip ’19 ’23DPT from the School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences

⭐Brenden Brown ’20 ’23MHA from the Department of Health Sciences

⭐Michele Guillard ’20 from the Department of Health Sciences

⭐Jaquesha Jefferson ’22 from the Department of Health Sciences

⭐Jillian Pirozzi ’22 ’25MHA from the Department of Health Sciences

The 30 Under 30 Awards highlight 30 alumni with remarkable professional achievements and contributions to the community. Read more about these outstanding alumni here:
https://ucfalumni.exposure.co/30-under-30-class-of-2026

Set to graduate in Summer 2026, Emma Coffman is a health sciences major on the preclinical track with a minor in leadership studies. Adopted from China and raised in Clermont, Florida, she grew up alongside her sister, a fellow UCF Health Sciences alumna.

Coffman discovered her passion for healthcare early through dual enrollment courses, shadowing opportunities and volunteer work — experiences that sparked her interest in dentistry. After earning her associate degree at Lake-Sumter State College, she transferred to UCF and embraced the transition to a larger campus community. By getting involved early, she found connection and encouragement, something she now recommends to other students navigating their own college journeys.

One of the most impactful parts of her UCF experience was participating in the LEAD Scholars Academy, where she developed as both a leader and mentor. Serving as a senior peer mentor strengthened her communication skills, confidence and ability to guide others — qualities she hopes to carry into a future career in dentistry while continuing to mentor and inspire others.

As graduation approaches, Coffman’s advice is simple: “Talk to people, find mentors, start early and focus on experiences that matter to you. You don’t have to stress so much … just enjoy the journey.”

Congratulations to Savannah Adams who successfully defended her thesis “Investigating the Association Between Polycystic O***y Syndrome and Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.” She earned her master’s degree in health promotion and behavioral science and crossed the commencement stage earlier this month.

What’s next for this talented grad? She has accepted a role with the Orange County Department of Health.

She is pictured here (center) with members of her thesis committee: Assistant Professor Joy Scheidell and Associate Professor Michael Rovito. Not pictured is Assistant Professor Qianxia Jiang, who also served as a committee member.

Congratulation to Brian Sukhu who successfully defended his thesis, “Association of Social Support Patterns on Health-related Quality of Life Among Hispanic/Latina Breast Cancer Survivors.”

He crossed the commencement stage last week, earning his master’s degree in health promotion and behavioral science. What's next? This aspiring physician scientist will pursue an MD Ph.D. program.

Sukhu is pictured with his thesis committee members, from left to right: Associate Professor Eunkyung “Muriel” Lee, Lecturer Cheryl Cavaliere and Associate Professor Humberto Lopez Castillo.

Congratulations to Isabelle Lynch, who successfully defended her thesis, “Social Support as an Effect Modifier of the Association Between Drug-Use Stigma and History of Substance Use During Pregnancy Among Women Who Use Unprescribed Opioids in New York: A Cross-Sectional Study.”

Lynch crossed the commencement stage last week, earning her master’s degree in health promotion and behavioral science. Her next step? Earning her Ph.D. in health education and behaviors at the University of Florida.

She is pictured from left to right with thesis committee members: Assistant Professor Jacob Bleasdale, Lynch, Assistant Professor Yen-Han Lee and Assistant Professor Joy Scheidell.

Congratulations to the latest graduates of our Master’s in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science! We’re so proud of their accomplishments and excited to watch the bright futures of these scientists and health leaders unfold.

Pictured here from left to right are:
Brian Sukhu and Jillian Weathington (both of whom will be pursuing an MD PhD program), Savannah Adams (who has accepted a role with Orange County Department of Health), and Isabelle Lynch (who will be enrolled in the Health Education and Behavior Ph.D. at UF).

Not pictured is Tina Glatz (who is also pursuing a Ph.D. program post graduation) and Loura Garcia (who is serving as a clinical research coordinator with a major hospital).

Charge On!

Congratulations to our graduating students who earned honors! 🎓 Charge On! 💛🖤

Jillian Weathington has earned a Master of Science in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science and plans to one day work as a physician-scientist, bringing laboratory findings into new treatments to improve patient care. 🎓

Her advice? “Try Everything. You will never know what opportunities will arise or what journey it will lead you on until you put yourself out there.”

Congratulations, Jillian! ⭐🖤

Briana Petrozzino is graduating this week with a bachelor's degree in health sciences. 🎓

"If I could talk to my freshman-year self, I would tell her that all the uncertainty, hard work, and growth would be worth it. She would find an amazing community at UCF, meet professors and mentors who truly believed in her and stood in her corner, become involved in meaningful service, and grow into someone ready to pursue dentistry at her dream school!" Petrozzino says.

Congratulations, Briana! ⭐🖤

Zuriel Corporan is graduating this week with a bachelor's degree in health sciences. 🎓

“If I could talk to my freshman-year self, I would tell her to not lean into her own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6), and to have faith that this path is what she is called to do. I would love to tell her of all the opportunities we have been blessed with that the women in our family could have only ever dreamed of having,” Corporan says.

Congratulations, Zuriel! ⭐🖤