The Center for Research and Education in Arts, Technology, and Entertainment (CREATE) continues to advance initiatives that merge creativity, technology, and community impact.
CREATE welcomed Tiffany Marin as its new Program Coordinator. Marin earned her MFA in Animation from the University of Central Florida and specializes in 2D animation.
As a recipient of a 2025–26 Pabst Steinmetz Creative Futures Award, CREATE collaborated with UCF’s School of Modeling, Simulation and Training and the Nicholson School of Communication and Media to complete the project “Immerse, Rehearse, Perform.” Collaborators included Eileen Smith, Michael Carney, and Scott Malo from IST, along with Maria Harrington from NSCM, who led the research study. The initiative used immersive virtual reality technology to help students overcome stage fright and performance anxiety by simulating classroom environments where users can practice public speaking and presentation skills. Using MetaHuman models, CREATE’s 3D animator and adjunct instructor, Ron Hargrove, developed a realistic virtual classroom and characters for the experience. Designed to be accessible and scalable, the project supports confidence-building through immersive practice opportunities. CREATE staff presented the project at UCF Celebrates the Arts 2026 and to Toastmasters of Central Florida and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida. Also at UCF Celebrates the Arts, CREATE introduced a virtual reality adaptation of Starbursts, an orchestral composition by Stella Sung, created by UCF animation graduate student Genesis Laboy.
CREATE’s Pre-College Animation Intensives once again experienced record demand, reaching full capacity for Summer 2026 almost immediately after registration opened. Students from Orlando, across Florida, throughout the United States, and around the world are taught by faculty from UCF’s School of Visual Arts and Design and CREATE. The intensives continue to prepare students for UCF’s Emerging Media programs, including the Character Animation and Animation & Visualization tracks. This year, a new cohort of CREATE students began their undergraduate studies at UCF, including a former Intensive student who matriculated into the highly competitive Character Animation track.
CREATE’s after-school College Prep Animation Program also continued to support high school students throughout the academic year, providing in-person learning opportunities that strengthen and expand their animation skills.
Looking ahead, CREATE remains focused on integrating technology and the arts across all areas of programming. From virtual reality development to digital animation, CREATE is committed to nurturing student talent, fostering interdisciplinary partnerships, and providing inclusive, high-quality educational experiences year-round.
The UCF community is invited to join CREATE as it continues to create, innovate, and reach for the stars!