We’re Building Tomorrow, Starting With You
We’re excited to welcome new Knights with a structured and engaging introduction to UCF’s vibrant culture, core values, and essential resources. Our onboarding experience is designed to ensure a smooth transition, equip employees with the tools they need to succeed, and foster a strong sense of belonging from day one. Talent Development provides a variety of resources to help new hires transition to UCF.
Explore our Onboarding Experiences
Inventing the Future Starts Before Day One
Even before your first day, you’re already part of something bold.
Your pre-onboarding journey begins once you’ve accepted your offer and your status changes to “Ready for Hire,” typically within 30 days of your start date. During this stage, you’ll get early access to helpful resources, key updates, and important announcements designed to help you feel ready, connected, and inspired.
A week before your start date, you’ll gain full access to the Onboarding Center, where your next chapter officially begins, and where you’ll step confidently into the future we’re building together.
The In-Person Experience
New Employee Orientation offers a dynamic introduction to UCF’s mission, values, and workplace culture. During these sessions, new employees receive an overview of the university’s history and strategic priorities, gain insights into UCF’s commitment to collaboration and innovation. Learn about key policies and campus resources. Orientation also provides opportunities to connect with fellow new hires and ask questions.
How it Works
New (line) hires must enroll in a New Employee Orientation (NEO) session on their first day of work. New Employee Orientation is provided face-to-face in the Center for Distributed Learning, 12351 Research Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32826. A parking permit is required at all UCF locations. New hires are eligible for a two-week parking pass from Parking Services by visiting the Visitor and Parking Information Center and providing a note from their supervisor on UCF letterhead with their name and start date. Alternatively, a virtual daily permit can be purchased online.
Orientation is held every payday Friday with additional dates in August to accommodate new faculty hiring. Each face-to-face session runs from 8:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m. Participants may arrive between 8:00 and 8:30 if they would like to have their UCF ID Card photo taken. Please note: If you attend New Employee Orientation on your hire date, your UCF badge photo cannot be taken during the session, as your information will not yet be in the system. You will need to obtain your UCF badge at a later time, once your information has been processed.
Orientation Agenda
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. (Optional)
- Come early and get your UCF ID card
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- Welcome to UCF
- Stories That Shape Us
- History and Mission
- Strategic Plan
- Trivia
- Living The Knight Life
- Campus Resources
10:30 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.
- Break
10:40 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Payroll
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Campus Tour & Sustainability Initiatives
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Lunch
12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
- Return from lunch
12:45 p.m.- 12:55 p.m.
- Break
12:55 p.m. – 1:35 p.m.
- Benefits overview
1:35 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
- Orientation wrap-up
1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Optional)
- Benefits Q&A
Building Your Future Starts Here
Everything you need to start strong, stay connected, and feel at home.
The Onboarding Center is an online hub of information designed to support new employees as they start their roles at UCF. The Onboarding Center is accessible online at any time, and its content is designed to complement the onboarding activities provided by individual departments as a coordinated and comprehensive experience. The Onboarding Center has a wide range of resources and is available to help employees learn about university policies, systems, and support services. Additionally, employees can find helpful information such as campus maps, parking guidelines, and details about available discounts to enhance their experience on campus. Together, these resources ensure that every new Knight starts their journey at UCF with clarity, confidence, and connection.
Important Information
If you meet the State of Florida Group Insurance Program eligibility for insurance coverage, you will receive a Workday notification that you have been enrolled in the virtual New Employee Benefits Orientation course, which is designed to provide you with an overview of the comprehensive benefits package available to UCF employees.
Important: New employees have a 60-day window from their hire date to enroll in benefits. If you miss this deadline, you generally must wait until the next Open Enrollment period (or a Qualifying Status Change event) to enroll. We encourage you to complete the course without delay to facilitate your timely and well-informed enrollment in the benefits available to you by your enrollment deadline.
If you have any questions or comments about the course, please contact the Human Resources Benefits unit at Benefits@ucf.edu. If you need any technical support with Workday, reach out to knext@ucf.edu.
New Employee Orientation provides an overview of UCF’s culture and mission, as well as information on payroll and benefits. Important policies and procedures are discussed, and various support resources available to UCF employees are presented.
Mandatory Training for All New Employees
New employees (regardless of job classification) are required to successfully complete seven online courses. On their first day of work, new employees will receive a Workday notification with instructions for enrolling in and completing the training.
The courses listed below must be completed within the first week of the employee’s start date.
- Nondiscrimination and Accommodations Compliance
- UCF Employee Code of Conduct/Speak Up! Whistleblower Training
- Fraud Awareness
- FERPA
The following courses must be completed within the first thirty (30) days of the employee’s start date.
- Information Security Awareness
- Potential Conflicts – Florida Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees
- Supporting Students in Distress
Participation in the direct deposit program is a mandatory condition of employment. If an employee fails to participate, or fails to obtain an approved exemption from participation, then employee has not met a condition of his/her employment, and may be subject to progressive action up to, and including, termination. If you do not have a bank account established and are interested in information regarding accounts through Bank of America, SunTrust Bank, Fairwinds Federal Credit Union and/or Addition Financial, their contact information is as follows:
|
Bank of America |
11800 Research Parkway Orlando, FL 32826 (407) 208-0380 |
|
Truist |
1751 N. Alafaya Trail Orlando, FL 32826 (407) 867-6599 |
|
Fairwinds FCU (campus) |
Across From UCF Bookstore, John T. Washington Center Orlando, FL 32816 (407) 823-1020 |
|
Addition Financial (campus) |
Across From UCF Bookstore, John T. Washington Center Orlando, FL 32816 (407) 896-9411 |
Assuming that all required new hire paperwork is submitted by the established deadlines, employees will be paid in accordance with the biweekly payroll check dates.
Social Security Number
Orlando Economic Partnership publishes a helpful website for people relocating to the area which includes neighborhood and school information and a cost-of-living comparison tool. Orlando Relocation Magazine’s ebook has valuable information on communities, house-hunting, reference guides and more.
New Faculty Orientation – In addition to the New Employee Orientation provided by HR, new faculty are required to attend New Faculty Orientation (NFO). NFO is held on the Orlando campus. New faculty receive an invitation via email to attend with all relevant information. It’s held twice a year, in August and January, hosted by the Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning (FCTL). For any questions, please email fctl@ucf.edu.