Leah Freeman Posted Monday, May 19, 2025 @ 11:33 AM Orlando, FL (May 19, 2025) – The University of Central Florida’s Recreation and Wellness Center is proud to announce that Aliyah Valdez, Assistant Director of Fitness, has been awarded the Innovator Award at the 2025 Student Success & Well-Being Ampersand Awards. Valdez has led numerous facility improvement initiatives within the Fitness program, most notably overseeing the modernization of the machine weight and cardio floors. Her work has resulted in the installation of state-of-the-art equipment that significantly enhances the fitness experience for UCF students. In addition, she spearheaded the integration of CloudFit technology, launching RWC’s custom functional training class, KnightFit, which offers a personalized and tech-forward approach to group exercise. “At the RWC, we take pride in having team members like Aliyah who consistently demonstrate a commitment to innovation and student wellness,” said Jim Wilkening, Executive Director of the Recreation and Wellness Center. “Her work is a true reflection of our mission to support student success through well-being.” Back