Dr. Alexander Cartwright is the President of the University of Central Florida. 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. 

A native of the Bahamas, Dr. Cartwright holds a doctorate in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Iowa.