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Student and Alumni Blog

Year by Year: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020
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Experience the Power of Innovation

By: Julen Arriaga, Innovation Academy Student

Julen Arriaga (he/him) is a junior pursuing a major in Information Systems through the Warrington College of Business and a minor in Innovation. He is currently an Innovation Academy ambassador and interns at an engineering startup in Gainesville, FL.


You Deserve a Seat at the Table

By: Matthew Drayer, Innovation Academy Student

Matthew is a senior studying Information Systems at the Warrington College of Business and minoring in Innovation. Matthew held positions as Vice President of Gator Sports Management Organization and Director of Outreach for UF Club Pickleball. Outside of UF, Matthew interned at NBC Sports Next on the GolfNow Sales Operations team where he worked with Salesforce developers and administrators. Most recently, Matthew finished his IRTS fellowship in NYC where he learned from an extensive list of media professionals at companies such as HBO, Fox Sports, and NBCUniversal. After college, Matthew hopes to secure a full-time role as an analyst or on an operations team.


When Innovation Meets Opportunity

By: Hayden Hawes, Innovation Academy Student

My name is Hayden Hawes, and I am an upcoming sophomore studying Agricultural Education and Communication with a specialization in Communications and Leadership Development (AEC-CLD). I find myself where I am today thanks to a particular mindset I will expand upon further in this blog. This mindset is one I will sincerely encourage you to adopt.


Dive Headfirst Into Your Growth

By: Abigail Nedved, Innovation Academy Student

Hi! My name is Abigail Nedved. I am a sophomore majoring in advertising through the Innovation Academy here at the University of Florida.


Learning About Yourself as Much as What You Study

By: David DeVore, Innovation Academy Student

My name is David DeVore. I am a senior computer science major in the Innovation Academy here at UF!


Use Your Resources, and Do Not Give Up

By: Monica Schiller, Innovation Academy Student

Monica Schiller (she/her) is currently a senior in the Innovation Academy at the University of Florida. She majors in marketing and has a passion for business, entrepreneurship, technology and beauty.


The Power of Resilience: Finishing What You Started

By: Leonardo Mills, Innovation Academy Student

Leonardo-Francisco Mills-Lara (he/him) is a driven entrepreneur and senior at the UF Innovation Academy. With a passion for business and innovation, Leonardo has founded multiple online ventures while managing a full-time academic schedule.


Choose the Path That Brings You Joy

By: Sydney Mandell, Innovation Academy Student

Sydney Mandell (she/her) is currently a sophomore in the Innovation Academy at the University of Florida. She majors in Psychology and has a passion for business and entrepreneurship. Along with her sister, she co-founded the Florida Sea Turtle Company.


You Are Your Strongest Asset

By: Jaden Nosse, Innovation Academy Student

Jaden Nosse (he/him) is a current sophomore in the Innovation Academy. He is passionate about real estate and entrepreneurship. To decompress and slow down, he enjoys surfing, hiking, camping, and free diving in the springs.


Setbacks—Expect Them, Failures—Redirect Them

By: Amayah Foster, Innovation Academy Student

My name is Amayah Foster (she/her), and I am a second-year marketing major from Daytona Beach. I currently serve as Vice President of the UF Innovation Academy Ambassadors and President of Innovative Maker Society. In my free time, I enjoy learning about natural hair and the versatility that it offers.