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August 2026

UCF employees having a discussion outside

Register Now: Civility at Work

According to a 2018 survey, 69% of respondents cited incivility as a major problem in American society, with 29% reporting that they have experienced uncivil behavior at work. In this workshop, participants will explore what civility at work means; identify the costs and impacts of uncivil behavior; discuss the benefits of a civil workplace; and explore strategies for personal development.

Register Online: Civility at Work –  August 11 @ 10:00 a.m.

National Financial Awareness Day August 14

Level Up Your Financial Literacy

August 14 is National Financial Awareness Day – a reminder of the importance of understanding and improving your financial health. While the official day is just once a year, financial wellness matters all the time!

This August, take charge of your financial future by exploring the Florida Retirement System’s (FRS) on-demand financial wellness webinars. Available topics include Investment Planning, Taking Control of Your Finances, Social Security and Your Retirement, and many more designed to help you make informed financial decisions at every stage of your career.

To view the full library of on-demand presentations, visit the FRS Financial Planning Workshops page of the MyFRS website.

Back to School Tax Holiday

Save During Florida’s Back-to-School Tax Holiday

The 2026 Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins Monday, July 20 and runs through Thursday, August 20, giving families an opportunity to save on qualifying school supplies and other eligible items.

Whether you’re stocking up on notebooks, backpacks, pens, pencils, or other classroom essentials, this tax holiday can help stretch your back-to-school budget a little further. For a complete list of eligible items and additional information, visit the Florida Department of Revenue’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday webpage.

Get ready for a successful school year while taking advantage of these valuable savings opportunities!

Preventative Care

Take Advantage of Your Preventive Care Benefits

As part of your commitment to wellness, make time each year for preventive care. Routine wellness exams, recommended screenings, and immunizations can help detect potential health concerns early and keep you feeling your best.

If you are enrolled in health insurance through the State Group Health Insurance Program, most preventive services are covered when you use in-network providers. Before scheduling your appointment, review your plan’s preventive care benefits and talk with your healthcare provider about the screenings and vaccines that are right for you.

If you haven’t scheduled your annual wellness visit yet, August is a great time to make your health a priority!

Additional Resources:

UCF Victim Services logo

Support Starts with Community: UCF Victim Services

Social and community wellness includes knowing where to turn in times of need and supporting others in doing the same. UCF Victim Services offers confidential 24/7 support to all employees through their hotline (407) 823-1200, text line (407) 823-6868, and now a confidential chat feature on the UCF Victim Services website available during business hours. Their site also includes a wide range of local, regional, and national resources.

Want to expand your department’s awareness? Victim Services offers trainings on topics like domestic violence, consent, stalking, crisis response, and more. To request a presentation, email: askanadvocate@ucf.edu or learn more on the UCF Victim Services website.

UCF employee typing

Webinar: Finding Balance in a Digitally Driven World

From work to school to socializing, technology plays a huge role in our daily lives. It can feel like we never have the option to unplug, but finding a healthy balance with technology is important for our mental health and overall well-being.

Join Health Advocate’s upcoming webinar to explore strategies for using technology in ways that support your well-being and help prevent digital burnout.

Topics to be covered:

  • Understanding digital distractions
  • Looking at statistics and examples of digital overuse
  • Exploring the impact of digital distractions on health

Date: Thursday, August 20th
Registration Links: 10:00 a.m. EDT  |  4:00 p.m. EDT

National Grief Awareness Day

National Grief Awareness Day – August 30

August 30 is National Grief Awareness Day, a reminder that grief is a personal journey and everyone experiences it differently. Whether you’re mourning the loss of a loved one, a beloved pet, or adjusting to a significant life change, it’s important to give yourself grace and remember that healing takes time. Check in with yourself and those around you, and don’t hesitate to seek support when you need it.

If you or a family member could benefit from additional support, UCF’s confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP), provided through Health Advocate for all active UCF employees (excluding OPS student employees), offers professional counseling and resources at no cost to eligible employees and their families.

To get started, contact Health Advocate at any of the resources below:

Phone: (877) 240-6863 (Available 24/7)
Website: HealthAdvocate.com/members (Registration Code: BLMXAEJ)

Travel Well, Connect More

Planning a trip? UCF employees can now enroll for TSA PreCheck® right on campus at The SPOT! Whether you’re traveling for a conference, research, or a well-deserved vacation, this convenient on-campus enrollment option helps you prepare for travel without leaving campus. Plus, most TSA PreCheck® travelers move through airport security in under 10 minutes, giving you more time to focus on the journey ahead and the people you’re traveling to see.

Learn more and schedule your appointment: TSA PreCheck Enrollment at UCF

July 2026

MetLife logo

Benefits Spotlight: Additional Services Through MetLife

If you are enrolled in life insurance through the State of Florida Group Insurance Program, you have access to valuable MetLife Advantages benefits at no additional cost. These resources can help you plan for the future, navigate life transitions, and support your loved ones when they need it most.

Available benefits include:

  • Estate planning services, including will preparation and access to attorneys
  • Travel assistance services when traveling more than 100 miles from home
  • Financial guidance and transition support during major life events
  • Grief counseling and funeral assistance services
  • Beneficiary support, including claims assistance and estate resolution services
  • Empathy services to help beneficiaries manage grief, settle estates, and handle important post-loss tasks

Take a few minutes to explore these often overlooked benefits, and make sure you are getting the most value from your life insurance coverage!

Learn More: MetLife Life Insurance – More than Life Insurance Protection

UCF Arboretum

Explore the UCF Arboretum

Looking for a meaningful way to connect with nature and your UCF community? The UCF Arboretum offers a peaceful retreat right on campus, with opportunities to explore diverse plant life, enjoy guided nature walks, volunteer in the community garden, or simply take a mindful break outdoors. Whether you’re looking to learn, relax, or engage with others, the Arboretum is a great space to discover the natural beauty that surrounds us!

Learn More: UCF Arboretum

Closeup of tree blooms

Benefits Spotlight: Eldercare Support with Health Advocate

Caring for an aging loved one can be rewarding, but also emotionally overwhelming. Through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with Health Advocate, all UCF employees (excluding OPS students) have access to Eldercare Services that can help ease the stress. Whether you need help finding long-term care resources, understanding Medicare, or navigating caregiver challenges, Health Advocate provides expert guidance and compassionate support. Prioritize your emotional and mental well-being – you’re not alone in this journey.

Learn More: Health Advocate EAP Eldercare Resources

UCF water tower

Webinar: Strategies to Manage Stress and Uncertainty

Modern life means living in challenging times, which makes it more important than ever to learn to cope with uncertainty, unpredictability, and stress. Making sound decisions can also be overwhelming, especially when it’s unknown what tomorrow will bring, let alone next week or next month. This webinar explores techniques to help relieve stress so participants can make decisions they feel comfortable with, which are critical elements to managing these feelings now and in the future.

Register Now: July 1 @ 1pm – Strategies to Manage Stress and Uncertainty

Charging Knight

Register Now: GROWTH Mindset

Unlock your potential by developing a growth mindset – the belief that skills, abilities, and intelligence can be strengthened through effort, learning, and persistence. In this interactive course, you’ll discover how to recognize fixed mindset habits, build resilience, embrace challenges as opportunities, and develop strategies for continuous personal and professional growth. Gain practical tools to help you adapt, learn, and thrive in an ever-changing workplace.

Register Now: July 14 @ 1:30pm – GROWTH Mindset

Man pointing at a group of people with their hands raised to ask a question.

Upcoming Financial Wellness Presentations: Register Now!

Your financial wellbeing matters. Take control of your financial future with our upcoming expert-led sessions focused on planning for retirement and estate planning. Don’t miss out – sign up today to secure your spot!

July is AV safety awareness month

July is UV Safety Awareness Month – Protect Your Skin This Summer!

July is UV Safety Awareness Month. It’s summertime, and you’re probably ready to get outside and soak up the sun – but wait! Before you start catching rays by the pool or taking part in other outdoor activities, make sure you know how to protect yourself from harmful UV light.

For tips on integrating sun safety into your daily routine, check out the American Cancer Society Sun Safety Guide or review recommendations from the American Academy of Dermatology.

June 2026

Total Rewards - Employee benefits

Unlock the Value of Your Benefits with the Total Rewards Calculator

Did you know your total compensation includes much more than just your paycheck? UCF provides employees with a wide range of competitive benefits that are a part of your total compensation.

To help employees understand the full value of their total compensation, we invite you to explore the Total Rewards Calculator to help you gain a clearer picture of your total compensation, highlighting the many components that contribute to your overall rewards as a UCF employee.

Environmental Health & Safety

Benefit Spotlight: Environmental Health & Safety Trainings

June is National Safety Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about safety and preventing injuries in the workplace, at home, and in the community.

Did You Know? The UCF Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) department offers a variety of training programs for the UCF community, with a special focus on laboratory safety for researchers handling chemical, biological, and radiation materials. Beyond laboratory safety, they also provide valuable courses that are applicable to everyone; including CPR, First Aid, and Concepts of Safety, helping the UCF community stay prepared and protected.

Enroll now through the EHS Training Calendar

Blood Drive

World Blood Donor Day is on June 14: Give the Gift of Life

June 14 marks World Blood Donor Day, a global reminder of how one simple act – donating blood – can save lives and strengthen the health of our entire community. This year, let’s come together as a workplace and support social and community well-being by rolling up our sleeves and giving back. Blood drives are regularly hosted on UCF campus in partnership with OneBlood. Whether you’re a first-time donor or a regular, your contribution makes a difference. Let’s show the power of our community – one donation at a time!

Visit the Student Health Blood Drives website to find a blood drive near you and schedule your appointment.

Additional Resources:

PTSD Awareness Month

June is PTSD Awareness Month

June is PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder and its impact on mental health. PTSD is a mental health condition that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or traumatic event. At UCF, we are dedicated to supporting all employees, including those who may be experiencing the effects of trauma.

Learn more online at the National Center for PTSD.

Did You Know? UCF employees also have access to resources through UCF RESTORES–a nationally recognized leader in evidence-based trauma treatment and mental health training. UCF RESTORES provides innovative, research-backed care and support for individuals impacted by trauma, including PTSD, stress, and other trauma-related concerns. Services include trauma-informed treatment approaches, mental wellness resources, and educational programs designed to promote healing, resilience, and recovery.

Woman taking notes while other women are in a discussion during a meeting

Individual Development Planning (IDP): A Roadmap for Career Growth

An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a powerful tool for career growth and performance success. In this interactive session, participants will explore best practices for creating meaningful IDPs that align with personal strengths, career aspirations, and organizational goals. Using insights from leading performance management frameworks, attendees will learn how to set SMART goals, identify skill gaps, and develop actionable learning strategies.

Register Online