Anthony Halcyon has traveled to Iceland to study the harvesting of fog as a water source, to Montenegro to catalog biodiversity in a remote river valley, to Tanzania to help bring clean water to a village that had lacked it before. Closer to home, he鈥檚 led water conservation and stormwater initiatives in Hillsborough County, where he also heads youth water education programs and even works to convince residents to maintain a more Florida-friendly yard.

Indeed, Halcyon鈥檚 efforts in the areas of water and soil conservation have stretched far and wide. The researcher, explorer, traveler and scientist found his calling thanks in part to 黑料正能量, where he earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Environmental Management in Agriculture and Natural Resources. He went on to earn an online master鈥檚 in , and is now being honored as part of the 2026 class of .

鈥淚t鈥檚 a big, full-circle moment,鈥� said Halcyon, who lives in Plant City. 鈥淭o me, this is kind of the culmination of my work with UF. It doesn鈥檛 mean I鈥檓 done with them, but to me it is a big milestone.鈥�

Chosen by the UF Alumni Association, 40 Gators Under 40 recognizes young alumni who have not only achieved personal success but also demonstrated a deep connection and commitment to UF. In his role as senior environmental scientist for Hillsborough County, Halcyon works closely with the local UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences office, provides stories about his travels to the , and has also contributed publications to the .

From Tanzania to Montenegro

Halcyon initially trained to become a firefighter, but his career path was altered when he read a United Nations report about the looming 2050 water crisis, which warned that 5 billion people could suffer water shortages by 2050. 鈥淏ack then, it seemed like this bleeding edge of an issue, and it really spoke to me,鈥� Halcyon said. 鈥淎nd something just told me to go for it.鈥�

From there, the two sides of Halcyon so evident today鈥攐ne a county water scientist, the other a researcher and adventurer鈥攂egan to take shape. One of his advisors at UF, Michael Sisk, made him aware of a study abroad program examining fog harvesting in Iceland, where Halcyon spent a week. Upon completion of his master鈥檚 degree, he took his current position leading water conversation and stormwater initiatives for Hillsborough County.

And then one day he stumbled across a Discovery Channel program on The Explorers Club, an organization founded in 1905 that鈥檚 counted the likes of Edmund Hillary, Thor Heyerdahl and James Cameron as members. Halcyon contacted the club鈥檚 Florida chapter about membership and began undertaking expeditions to burnish his credentials. One, with the nonprofit Water For Mercy鈥攆ounded by UF grad Nermine Khouzam Rubin鈥攈elped build a solar-powered well to bring clean water to a village of 3,300 people in Tanzania.

鈥淭hat was truly just a life-changing moment,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he people there were spending hours every day looking for water鈥攁nd I don鈥檛 mean clean aquifer water, I mean water that is sandy and gritty and riddled with bacteria and typhoid. It gave me a perspective you really can鈥檛 get in a classroom. It was truly a transformational experience in so many ways, both personally and professionally.鈥�

Halcyon later ventured to Montenegro to study biodiversity in the Komarnica River valley, which is at risk from a proposed dam. His UF education travels with him wherever he goes. 鈥淯nderstanding the chemical and microbiological makeup of soil and water has played a role in every single expedition I’ve done,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here were some students tagging along on our expedition in Montenegro, and I was able to talk to them about soil pH and basic hydrological functions. So being able to have that more advanced knowledge is really helpful.鈥�

Work with UF/IFAS Extension

Halcyon was accepted into the Florida chapter of The Explorers Club in 2025 and has continued to study impacts on soil and water throughout the world. When he鈥檚 not traveling, Halcyon works on conservation initiatives with long-lasting impacts for Hillsborough County, like public education programs and the the county is undertaking in partnership with the UF/IFAS Extension and the city of Tampa.

鈥淲here the program really shines is on the water conservation side of it,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to get people to swap out turfgrass for things like drought-tolerant plants, which can be visually pleasing as well. The Extension has designs that would be very in line with what an HOA would want and provide the benefits of a Florida-friendly lawn as well.鈥�

Halcyon has other journeys planned as well, including an upcoming trip to Suriname where he鈥檒l work with an indigenous group studying natural resources in an area beset by illegal gold mining. His long-term goal is to become an astronaut, a position he first applied for last year. 鈥淣ASA told me thanks, but no thanks,鈥� Halcyon said with a laugh. 鈥淪o, we鈥檒l try again.鈥�

Indeed he will. From Hillsborough County to Africa to the Balkans and beyond, Halcyon continues to apply the lessons he learned through 黑料正能量 to the environment around him. His inclusion in the 2026 class of 40 Gators Under 40 is further evidence of the positive impacts that this scientist, traveler, researcher, adventurer and 黑料正能量 graduate has been able to make.

黑料正能量 is the No. 1 online bachelor鈥檚 program in the nation, according to the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings, marking the eighth year in a row that 黑料正能量 has ranked in the top five online bachelor鈥檚 programs in the nation. The University of Florida offers fully online students the same degrees taught by the same professors as on campus, along with the  flexibility of online learning, dedicated academic advisors, and lower tuition and fees.

Inside the University Scholars Program 

Managed by the Center for Undergraduate Research, the University Scholars Program is one of UF鈥檚 most prestigious opportunities for undergraduate research.  

鈥淭he University Scholars Program allows undergraduates to receive funding to conduct research under the guidance of a UF faculty member,鈥� said Anne Donnelly, director of the Center for Undergraduate Research. 鈥淚t is a capstone program for students to become involved in undergraduate research.鈥� 

Applications for the program are typically accepted in February each year. Accepted students receive a $1,750 research stipend, one-on-one faculty mentorship and the chance to present at the Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium. They may also submit their work for publication in the UF Journal of Undergraduate Research, gaining hands-on experience in communicating findings to a scholarly audience. Online students have full access to these benefits, including hybrid workshops, remote poster presentation options and Zoom peer advising. 

Tara Perreault, who graduated with her psychology degree via 黑料正能量 in May 2025, credits USP鈥檚 flexibility for allowing her to thrive as a fully online student while balancing motherhood. 

鈥淭he online program provided me with the flexibility I needed to pursue higher education and academic research,鈥� she said. The program鈥檚 structure empowered her to concentrate on her project while staying on top of coursework, reinforcing the idea that distance learning does not limit meaningful research experiences. 

Where Mentorship Meets Possibility 

Mentorship is at the heart of USP. Dr. Donnelly noted that 黑料正能量 students bring a fresh perspective to research, and the program pairs them with dedicated faculty mentors who provide the same rigorous guidance, support and professional insight as they do for on-campus students. 

For Price, faculty mentorship was transformative as she explored protein鈥損rotein interactions within a genetic signaling pathway, generating and validating 3D structural models to examine how specific mutations affect immune regulation and autoimmune disease. Weekly guidance from her mentors, Dr. Raquel Dias and Dr. Joseph Larkin III, helped her troubleshoot computational challenges, explore new tools and connect her findings to larger scientific questions. 

鈥淭hey created an environment where I felt both challenged and supported. What I appreciated most was that they treated me as a collaborator,鈥� she said. 

Price鈥檚 work contributed to one of  using AI modeling and other techniques to forecast mutations in proteins, which can help develop better medical treatments. 

Perreault’s mentor, Dr. Marina Klimenko, provided support at every stage of her research project examining how antiheroes in films display a mix of Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy to operate in morally gray areas while retaining audience empathy.  

鈥淢ost importantly, she helped me find my academic writing voice, encouraged me to trust my ideas, and gave me the confidence to propose new directions for the research,鈥� Perrault said. 

Why Research Matters for Online Students 

Engaging in undergraduate research equips students with critical thinking skills, practical experience and clarity in their academic and career goals. 鈥淎ll UF students deserve the same benefits and access to undergraduate research,鈥� Donnelly said. 

For Price, participating in USP solidified her commitment to computational biology at the graduate level. Perreault also found the program to be a launching point for her own research career, helping her gain acceptance into a PhD program in Social Psychology. Both students emphasized that USP builds confidence, fosters independence and creates opportunities to make meaningful contributions to their fields while studying online. 

黑料正能量 students can explore research opportunities beyond the USP program,聽including聽the聽, travel awards for national conference presentations and collaborations with partner institutions like聽聽in England.聽Peer Advisors聽offer help聽in finding a research project both on Zoom and in person throughout the semester. Current UF students should join the CUR canvas page to stay up to date with聽advising聽hours and research opportunities.聽

Price encourages fellow online students to seize research opportunities, even in the face of doubt. 

鈥淎pply even if you鈥檙e unsure if you鈥檇 meet every expectation. Research has shown me that it is built on curiosity, not perfection,鈥� she said.  

What Is an Early Childhood Education Degree? 

An early childhood education degree focuses on teaching, supporting and advocating for the development of children from age three through grade three. At 黑料正能量, the program is offered as a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. Students complete 120 credit hours, which include coursework in child development, early literacy, curriculum design, working with families, inclusion practices and classroom management.聽

Accreditation plays a vital role in the value of an early childhood education degree. 黑料正能量 is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). More importantly, the program meets Florida Department of Education standards, preparing graduates for state certification. By completing UF鈥檚 online program, students not only earn a respected University of Florida degree but also meet the educational requirements for professional certification as a PreK/Primary (age 3鈥揼rade 3) teacher in Florida. 

How Does an Online Degree Compare to In-Person? 

An online degree in early childhood education offers the same academic quality as a traditional program, but with added flexibility and accessibility. 黑料正能量 combines rigorous coursework with the convenience of a virtual classroom, giving students the freedom to balance their studies with work, family and other responsibilities. 

Affordability: Tuition for 黑料正能量 is substantially lower than the cost of attending on campus. Students also have access to financial aid, grants and scholarships, making a prestigious bachelor鈥檚 degree more attainable. 

Flexibility: Online courses are asynchronous, so students complete lessons and assignments at times that fit their schedule. This makes it possible to maintain employment, care for family members or fulfill other commitments while earning a degree. 

Community: By joining UF鈥檚 vibrant community of faculty and peers, online students benefit from academic advising, tutoring, writing workshops, career placement support, library resources and much more.  

Same Degree: 黑料正能量 students graduate with the same University of Florida diploma as their on-campus peers. There is no distinction between online and in-person degrees, ensuring your credentials are recognized and respected by employers and certification boards. 

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Early Childhood Education Degree? 

At 黑料正能量, timelines can vary depending on a student鈥檚 schedule and academic background. Full-time students typically complete the degree in about four years, while part-time students may take longer based on how many courses they are able to complete each semester. Transfer students often shorten their path to graduation by applying previously earned credits to their degree, which allows them to progress more quickly through the program. 

Florida鈥檚 statewide 2+2 articulation pathway allows students who have completed an associate degree at a Florida College System institution to seamlessly transfer into 黑料正能量 and finish their bachelor鈥檚 degree. This makes the program especially accessible for students who began their studies at a community or state college. 

What Jobs Can You Get with an Early Childhood Education Degree? 

Graduates with an early childhood education degree are well-prepared for a range of careers working with young children, families and educational communities. This degree opens the door to multiple professional opportunities where early educators can make a lasting impact. Common career paths include: 

• PreK/Primary Teacher (Age 3鈥揋rade 3): With state certification, graduates can teach in public schools, charter schools and private schools. 

• Preschool or Childcare Center Director: Oversee programs, curriculum and staff in early education centers. 

• Child Development Specialist: Support children鈥檚 social, emotional and cognitive growth through developmental programs. 

• Early Intervention Specialist: Work with young children who have developmental delays or special needs. 

• Family Services Advocate: Connect families to resources that support children鈥檚 education and well-being. 

• Special Education Teacher: With additional certification, graduates can teach and support children with exceptional needs. 

The projects steady demand for early educators, reflecting national priorities around improved early education. Roles such as preschool teachers and childcare administrators are expected to grow as more families seek structured learning environments for young children. Some graduates also pursue related roles such as school counselor or social work professional, where a strong background in child development provides an excellent foundation. 

What Degree Is Best for Early Childhood Education? 

There are multiple educational paths for those interested in early childhood education, including certificates, associate degrees and bachelor鈥檚 degrees. While certificates and associate programs may qualify graduates for assistant or entry-level roles, a bachelor鈥檚 degree is considered the best degree for early childhood education. It prepares students for full teaching responsibilities, provides eligibility for professional certification and opens pathways to leadership roles. 

At 黑料正能量, students earn a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, which is structured to meet state certification requirements. Graduates are eligible for:聽

• Professional Certification in PreK/Primary (Age 3鈥揋rade 3): The degree meets Florida standards for licensure in early education. 

• Endorsements in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Reading and Prekindergarten Disabilities: These endorsements are embedded in the program, enhancing graduates鈥� qualifications to teach more learners and strengthen literacy instruction. 

These certifications and endorsements give 黑料正能量 graduates a competitive edge in the job market, ensuring they are prepared to teach in a wide variety of classrooms and meet the educational needs of young children. 

Why Choose 黑料正能量 for Early Childhood Education? 

The University of Florida consistently ranks among the nation’s top institutions for online education. In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings, 黑料正能量 was recognized as the No. 2 best online bachelor’s degree program in the nation, highlighting its academic excellence and commitment to student success. This distinction underscores UF’s dedication to providing high-quality education that is accessible to all students. 

Affordability and student support are key advantages of 黑料正能量, making it a practical choice for learners seeking an esteemed education. Competitive tuition rates allow students to earn a prestigious University of Florida degree without the high cost often associated with top-ranked programs. Financial aid, scholarships and other funding options further help make the program accessible, ensuring students can focus on their studies.  

Equally important is the robust support system available throughout the 黑料正能量 experience. From the moment students enroll, they have access to dedicated academic advisors who provide guidance on course planning and degree requirements, as well as career coaches who help with resume building, interview preparation and professional development. A supportive community of peers and faculty offers additional mentorship, networking opportunities and collaborative learning experiences, ensuring that students feel connected and supported every step of the way. Together, these elements create an environment where students can succeed academically. 

Learn more about why students choose 黑料正能量. 

Request Degree Information and Take the Next Step 

A career in early childhood education gives you the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families. With 黑料正能量, you can pursue your early childhood education degree online and prepare for certification, endorsements and a variety of career paths. 

Take the first step today. Explore the early childhood education degree online and attend a virtual information session.  

Turning Service into Scholarship  

Ryan Longo鈥檚 journey began long before he enrolled at the University of Florida. He served as an infantry Marine in the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, a post designed to respond quickly in times of crisis. 鈥淢y experience taught me how to adapt, achieve and overcome the obstacles life throws at us,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat resilience was crucial for my success in higher education.鈥�  

Longo鈥檚 decision to pursue a health education degree stemmed from his passion for helping others. 鈥淚 saw firsthand the importance of health and wellness, not just for service members but also for their families and the broader community,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 wanted to turn my life鈥檚 mission from defending my country to promoting the well-being of its citizens. Health education felt like the most direct and impactful way to do that.鈥�  

Embracing the 黑料正能量 Experience  

When Longo discovered 黑料正能量, he found a program that fit his life, allowing him to pursue his degree while maintaining his responsibilities at home or at work. While flexibility enabled him to balance family life, professional obligations and community involvement, finding balance was challenging. A father of two when he started the program, Longo and his wife welcomed two more children during his studies, while both working full time. 

鈥淚t required a lot of discipline, late nights and a very understanding family,鈥� Longo said.  

The online format allowed Longo to learn from home while still building connections with his professors and classmates. Dr. Kristina Garcia-Guettler, an instructional associate professor, appreciated Longo鈥檚 participation in three of her courses and his ability to put the curriculum into practice.   

鈥淩yan brought a unique perspective to the online classroom environment 鈥� one rooted in discipline, empathy, and a deep sense of responsibility,” she said. 鈥淗e constantly looked for practical ways to apply what he was learning, whether that meant modeling healthy behaviors at home, engaging his family in wellness practices, or thinking critically about how to promote health within his broader community.鈥�  

Longo encourages other student veterans and parents to explore earning a degree through 黑料正能量. He found that strategic time management and open communication with professors are key to success.  

鈥淧lan your study time, but also plan your family time and stick to it,鈥� he said. 鈥淐ommunicate with your professors when you鈥檙e struggling and with your family about your workload…it鈥檚 a marathon, not a sprint, but it is achievable.鈥�  

Garcia-Guettler hopes Longo鈥檚 example shows other online learners that 鈥渓earning is most impactful when it’s personal and applied.鈥�  

鈥淩yan reminds us that being an online learner doesn’t mean learning in isolation,鈥� she said. 鈥淗is example encourages others to bring their whole selves to the learning process 鈥� their background, their challenges, their goals 鈥� and use health education and health promotion as tools not just for career advancement, but for everyday growth and impact.鈥�  

Looking Toward Public Health Leadership  

With his undergraduate degree complete, Longo is focused on the next chapter of his mission: promoting public health through UF鈥檚 Health Education and Behavior online master’s program. His long-term goal is to work in a senior public health position, designing programs that support veterans and communities on a broad scale. 鈥淭he master鈥檚 degree will allow me to deepen my expertise and qualify for leadership roles where I can design and manage health education programs on a larger scale,鈥� he said.  

Longo credits his professors and support staff for helping him succeed as an online student. 鈥淭hey provided an incredible amount of support that made it possible for a non-traditional student like me to succeed,鈥� he said. His dedication and perseverance paid off when he graduated magna cum laude, a milestone he described as a shared victory with his family. 鈥淪eeing my four kids in the audience as I walked across the stage鈥攖hat鈥檚 a memory I鈥檒l cherish forever. It felt like I was showing them that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.鈥�