UCF Downtown: Connecting Education, Industry, and Community
For more than 60 years, the University of Central Florida has played a role in Orlando’s story. With the opening of the UCF Downtown campus [KA1] six years ago, that connection took on a new form, placing students, faculty, and programs directly alongside the industries and institutions shaping the city each day.
In a relatively short time, the UCF Downtown campus has become a thriving academic community serving thousands of students across programs in business, healthcare, communications, public service, and digital media. Each discipline is intentionally aligned with downtown Orlando’s professional landscape, creating real-world learning opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom.
“In that short time, we’ve established strong partnerships with industry and community,” says Dr. Ross Wolf, Interim Dean of the College of Community Innovation and Education. “Students in our UCF Downtown programs have a distinct advantage of being able to work with our industries here in downtown Orlando.”
That proximity gives the UCF Downtown campus students a distinct advantage. From legal studies to public administration and communications, students can work directly with organizations, agencies, and employers located just steps from campus. Internships, applied projects, and professional partnerships are built into the experience, helping students graduate with both academic knowledge and practical skills. “Here at UCF, the city really is our classroom,” Wolf explains.
The UCF Downtown campus also reflects a broader vision for higher education as an active participant in the city itself. By embedding academic programs within downtown Orlando, the university supports workforce development, strengthens local partnerships, and helps ensure that education remains closely connected to community needs.
As downtown Orlando continues to grow as a center for innovation, public service, and creative industries, the UCF Downtown campus plays a key role in preparing the next generation of leaders to contribute to that momentum. Through collaboration, access, and intentional alignment with the city, UCF is helping students learn not just about Orlando, but within it.
Hear from Dr. Ross Wolf on how the UCF Downtown campus is shaping student success through industry and community partnerships here.