UCF Alumni has announced its annual 30 Under 30 Award winners. They are inventors, entrepreneurs, engineers, athletes, academics, teachers and nurses on the frontlines of the pandemic, and more. Each member of the 2022 class has demonstrated great professional success, a commitment to helping others, and a track record of giving back to UCF and their local communities.
Three Varsity Knights - Diego Bacellar (Men's Soccer), Kaye-Alese Green (Volleyball), and McKenzie Milton (Football) - were among this year's honorees.
"This year's recipients are shining examples of what it means to keep charging on and never stop reaching for the stars," says Heather Junod '98, associate vice president of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving. "They are the epitome of the UCF Young Alumni Council's values: bold, scholarly, trailblazing, generous and resilient. On behalf of UCF Alumni, I am excited to celebrate their accomplishments and congratulate them on this well-deserved honor. They represent the very best of Knight Nation."
Nominations for the awards were accepted online from Oct. 15, 2021 until Dec. 5, 2021. Nominations were reviewed and scored by UCF staff, previous award recipients, and the UCF Young Alumni Council. The finalists were then confirmed by the UCF Alumni Board based on the following criteria:
- Must be a graduate of UCF (undergraduate or graduate degree)
- Must be age 29 or younger on June 1, 2022
- Must demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a lifelong relationship with UCF and strive to uphold UCF Young Alumni values
The 2022 award recipients are scheduled to be honored in a celebratory event on May 21. Past recipients can be found on the UCF Alumni website.
Diego Bacellar '18
B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies
Kaye-Alese Green '13 '15MA
B.S. Psychology
M.A. Interdisciplinary Studies
Burnett Honors Scholar
McKenzie Milton '19