Introducing KAPM and its Board!

Knights Association of Project Management (KAPM) is a University of Central Florida (UCF) Registered Student Organization (RSO). KAPM’s goal is to prepare students for a career in project management by providing opportunities to learn, gain experience, and network with project management professionals. KAPM is open to all majors.

KAPM members will have the opportunity to participate in university and college events, host guest speaker sessions, organize training and development sessions and workshops, and assist with special projects to practice their project management skills.

Our Fall 2023 plans include speakers from the Navy, Universal, Burns & Mac, Bohemia Interactive Solutions, Dignitas Technologies, and more! We’re also offering a study group for students interested in earning their Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) credential. KAPM members may also take part in organizing or leading several high school competition events hosted by Integrated Business (IB) in UCF’s College of Business. This year, KAPM members may also join our special project to develop and implement an inventory management system and promotional campaign for ‘Creeky’s Closet,’ an IB initiative launched by Dr. Carole Ann Creque to provide students the opportunity to borrow free and accessible business professional clothing for on-campus and off-campus presentations and interviews. This special project will provide students the opportunity to apply their project management, operations management, and marketing skill sets, as well as their ability to lead, collaborate, and communicate with others while integrating technology solutions for organizations.

If you have any questions about KAPM, please feel free to reach out to the KAPM President Sophia Walteros at KAPM.President@gmail.com or Faculty Advisor, Jen Morin, at jennifer.morin@ucf.edu.

If you are interested in joining KAPM, please visit our KnightConnect page https://ucf.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/knightsassociationofprojectmanagement

Connect with Us:

Instagram: ucf_kapm https://www.instagram.com/ucf_kapm/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kapmucf

The KAPM Board

Sophia Walteros, President

My name is Sophia Walteros, and I’m an Integrated Business major with a minor in Marketing. I will be graduating in the Summer of 2024. I am the President of KAPM, and I currently work as an Account Coordinator for Dyverse, a digital media marketing company. I joined KAPM because I love project management and critical thinking, and analyzing things is fun to me. I hope to become a project manager once I graduate and work in the Marketing industry. I joined KAPM because the numerous speakers they host gives me and others the chance to see what project management careers are offered in the workforce.

Maleia Dhanoolal, Vice President

Hi, I’m Maleia, and I’m majoring in Integrated Business with a focus in marketing and I graduate in Spring 2025. I currently work for the Office of Professional Development here at UCF as a Front Desk Representative. I am the Marketing Director for the Alternative Break Program, and I am the Vice President of the Knights Association of Project Management. I joined KAPM because I wanted to learn how project management is done in various verticals. In this club, I’ve had the opportunity to network with several project managers from different companies, and I think it’s a great way for students to socialize. I am so excited for the school year, and I can’t wait for you guys to see what speakers will be presenting this semester!!!

(Jean) Christophe Lang, Secretary and Interim Treasurer

I am a non-traditional business management major and former chef. As a German citizen with Haitian heritage, I am fluent in German, French, and Creole. Business Owner/Entrepreneur; Hotel and Restaurant Management Professional with international customer service and sales, promotion, event marketing and a background in planning and execution of brand development projects, implementing advertising strategies, and creation of profitable solutions in Haiti’s hospitality and tourism sector since 2003.

Some of my interests in project management are in sustainable energy and real estate development. Having lived in Haiti, I am also very interested in the international development side of project management, especially why it seems that some projects fall so short of yielding a sustainable and desirable impact for local stakeholders. I joined KAPM because of the opportunity it provides to meet and exchange with industry professionals and because I think that our Club is a great platform to connect with other students interested in the field of project management.

Xin Hu, Director of Marketing

I’m pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Finance at the University of Central Florida, set to graduate in December 2023. Serving as KAPM’s Marketing Director has provided practical experience in event promotion and social media representation, refining my organizational and self-presentation skills.

Joining KAPM is exciting because it complements my finance major, enhancing my communication and presentation abilities crucial for my future in financial analysis. This experience aligns with my academic pursuits and equips me with valuable practical skills essential for my professional journey.

Looking ahead, I aspire to excel in financial analysis and corporate finance, utilizing my analytical skills to offer strategic insights that drive informed decisions and contribute to organizational success.

Sergio Alcala, CAPM, Director of Professional Development & Special Projects

Hello everyone! My name is Sergio Alcala, and I’m an IB major here at UCF with a minor in marketing. I will be graduating in the spring of 2024. I am currently interning as a digital project manager in web development at Universal Orlando Resort, where I hope to be working full-time after my internship ends in the fall! I am KAPM’s Director of Special Projects and a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), and I will also be leading the CAPM study group sponsored by KAPM. I joined KAPM to facilitate awesome projects/events.

Jennifer Morin, Faculty Advisor

Ms. Morin is an Integrated Business Faculty teaching primarily Project Management and a Faculty Advisor for the Knights Association of Project Management. She will graduate with her Ph.D. in UCF’s Texts in Technology program in 2024 and also holds an MBA from FIT as well as certifications as both a project management professional (PMP and certified scrummaster (CSM). In her 20+ years in higher education, Ms. Morin has taught for over 14 years, managed multi-million-dollar online learning business programs including projects and operations, managed assessment and accreditation projects for an entire academic college, and served as an academic consultant for industry leaders and institutions to develop curriculum, courses, and content for educational and training programs in a wide variety of business disciplines in addition to serving as an account analyst and technician for educational and non-profit organizations. Her volunteer work includes consulting to improve business operations and projects through the Florida Small Business Development Center, serving as a leader and cello player for a local non-profit organization, Melbourne Community Orchestra, and supporting her children’s schools.

Ms. Morin has a true passion for education but also a rare talent for successfully managing projects and leading people – she is a champion of student success. She enjoys mentoring and encouraging KAPM leaders and members to pursue their interests in project management knowledge, careers, networking opportunities, certifications and gain leadership and team skills through applied project experiences.