UCF has been ranked as one of the nation’s most innovative universities. To meet the current and future needs of UCF’s students and faculty, the Division of Digital Learning launched the Pegasus Innovation Lab (iLab).
Our Mission
As UCF’s Pegasus Innovation Lab (iLab), we serve as the university’s launchpad for digital learning innovation. We collaborate with faculty, academic leaders, and external partners to strategically plan, manage, and promote a dynamic portfolio of transformative digital projects. Through ideation, implementation, outreach, and community-building events, we drive scalable innovations in online learning, advancing access, quality, affordability, and student success.
Our Vision
We envision a future where ideation and collaboration lead to recognition.
We aspire to create an environment where curiosity fuels exploration and experimentation in digital learning. Through forward-thinking problem-solving, proactive planning, and an ongoing commitment to supporting faculty, we enhance innovation to spark new ways to teach, learn, and grow.
Collaboration is at the heart of our approach, uniting visionary faculty, industry leaders, and educational partners with digital learning support services to co-create solutions or innovations that address the challenges of tomorrow’s global learners.
By transforming ideas into meaningful progress, we position our community for global recognition as a driving force in shaping the future of innovation and education.
Why work with the Pegasus Innovation Lab?
When you work with the iLab on potential Digital Learning initiatives and projects, we provide a support structure for moving forward. We do this by helping our partners focus on their areas of expertise through offloading specific tasks such as planning, managing, and reporting.
Our skillsets lie in both project management and communications. We help with organizing timelines, facilitating meetings, and managing expectations. Additionally, we also distribute information via email communications, promotional materials, and webpage updates.
Innovation: From Ideation to Implementation
When you bring your ideas to us, we’ll work together to map out a strategic plan and bring your vision to fruition.
During our time-bound partnership, you’ll be given a support structure including CDL Subject Matter Experts and/or Projects Leads to help scaffold project progression from the development stage to achieving collective impact at scale.
Services Include
- Strategic Planning
- Program Management
- Cultivation of Partnerships
- Coordination and Planning of Events
- Promotion and Outreach
Work with Us
For more information about who we are and the work we do, please contact us at iLab@ucf.edu or give us a call at 407.823.1545.
Meet the Team
Dr. Wendy Howard
Director
Wendy Howard, EdD joined the Center for Distributed Learning in July 2011 with a diverse background in both corporate training and higher education. In addition to her Doctor of Education degree in Instructional Design & Technology from UCF, Wendy has also earned a BA in Mathematics and Secondary Education and an MA in Corporate Communication & Technology from Rollins College. Her current research is focused on faculty development, digital learning in STEM, collaborative online learning and internationalizing the curriculum through technology. She also provides a practitioner’s perspective based on over twenty years of experience in both design and instruction.
As the director of UCF’s iLab, Dr. Howard’s primary focus is to strategically align, promote, and provide project management support for initiatives that contribute to the lab’s mission to serve as an incubator for the next generation of digital learning by supporting faculty and staff in piloting, refining, and evaluating innovations that positively impact student success at scale.
Nicole Stahl
Project Coordinator II
Nicole Stahl, MA received her Master’s in Instructional Design & Technology at the University of Central Florida, as well as a BA in English Literature. In 2013 she joined the Webcourses@UCF Support team at the Center for Distributed Learning as a technical support assistant. After six years, she transitioned to the iLab to serve as the project coordinator. Nicole’s primary focus is to support the iLab’s strategic initiatives through transferring and maintaining data collection; communicating with faculty, staff, and outside partnerships; and coordinating plans and details for projects and events.
Samantha Richardson
Communications Manager
Samantha Richardson received her B.A. in English Literature from the University of Florida. With a background in event management, human resources, technical writing, and education, she brings a diverse realm of experience in writing and extensive people skills. When she isn’t reading books or baking, she can be found perusing all things Harry Potter and Disney. She freelances in copywriting and currently serves as the communications specialist for the iLab.
Rocco Fazzalari
Project Coordinator I
Rocco Fazzalari, MA received his Master’s in English – Technical Communication from the University of Central Florida, where he also received his B.A. in English Literature. He brings to the team a diverse background in office administration, sales and marketing, and academics. As the iLab’s project coordinator, Rocco’s focus is to provide administrative support for project teams, initiative workgroups, event planning, committees, and communications. When he isn’t working, he can be found cooking or watching his favorite shows.
Dr. Amanda Major
Assistant Program Director
Amanda Major, EdD, CPTD, PMP specializes in organizational development, project management, and quality in the field of online learning in higher education. Actively contributing, she has presented at national and international conferences and has professional and peer-reviewed publications. She has earned certifications as well as a doctorate in Educational Leadership, Policy and Law as well as administrative certificates from the Online Learning Consortium and Quality Matters. As an alumna of the internationally recognized Online Learning Consortium’s Institute for Emerging Leadership in Online Learning (IELOL), she served as a co-director in 2019-2020 and as a faculty in 2019-present. With years of experience delivering results in a variety of learner-focused and client-oriented settings, Dr. Major most enjoys strategically aligning, facilitating, and improving innovative efforts in higher education digital learning.