Alexander Cartwright

President, University of Central Florida

Alexander Cartwright was selected as UCF’s sixth president by the UCF Board of
Trustees on March 20, 2020 following a nationwide search. Under Dr. Cartwright’s leadership, UCF is determined to become the university for the future — one that unleashes the potential within every individual; enriches the human experience through inclusion, discovery, and innovation; and propels broad-based prosperity for the many communities the university serves. To achieve this vision, UCF is focused on increasing academic, operational, and inclusive excellence.

As a first generation college student whose journey to higher education was not
traditional, Dr. Cartwright understands and prioritizes the need to build successful
outcomes for students from all backgrounds. He is an internationally recognized
researcher and scholar in the area of optical sensors, a fellow of the American
Association for the Advancement of Science, SPIE, and the National Academy
of Inventors. Dr. Cartwright is a prior winner of both the National Science
Foundation CAREER Award and the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator
Award. In addition, he earned the 2002 SUNY Chancellor’s award for excellence
in teaching.