The new faculty are part of a larger hiring initiative for the college.
The UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science has witnessed unprecedented faculty growth over the past few years and the spring 2025 semester is no exception.
Eleven additional faculty members, including one with a joint appointment, will join the college this semester, after 17 new hires in fall 2024. The increase in faculty is part of an initiative to hire 100 new faculty over three years. Close to 30 new faculty joined the college during the previous academic year and 18 new positions have already been posted for the 2025-26 academic year.
“We are thrilled to welcome 28 new faculty members to our college plus another 36 next year. Their diverse expertise and innovative approaches will undoubtedly drive our institution forward, fostering a vibrant academic environment,” says Michael Georgiopoulos, the dean of CECS. “These additions will enhance our research capabilities, enrich our curriculum, and inspire our students to reach new heights. Together, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and making significant contributions to our fields.”
The UCF Department of Computer Science has three new faculty this semester:
Awrad Mohammed Ali
Lecturer
For Ali ‘14MS ‘19PhD, joining UCF is a homecoming for the alum. She earned her doctoral and master’s degrees from computer science and computer engineering, respectively, from UCF. Her passion for academia brought her back to her alma mater, where she says she’s committed to fostering innovation and inspiring the next generation of computer scientists through teaching and mentoring. After graduation, she worked as a data scientist, applying her expertise to solve complex problems in real-world settings. Her research focuses on machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Edward Amoruso
Lecturer
Amoruso has spent much of his career in the industry, working with Fortune 500 companies to enhance their information technology infrastructure. He earned his doctoral degree in computer engineering from UCF. His research focuses on cyber artificial intelligence, in-depth malware analysis and comprehensive digital forensics.
Yancy Paredes
Lecturer
Paredes earned his doctoral degree in computer science from Arizona State University, where he developed a technology-driven framework designed to introduce innovative learning activities in the classroom. His research focuses on the intersection of educational assessments, adaptive learning systems and learning analytics, with an emphasis on enhancing computer science education through artificial intelligence. His work has resulted in multiple interdisciplinary publications in collaboration with research labs dedicated to advancing the science of learning.
Story by Marisa Ramiccio