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.  

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�  

Building a Leadership Foundation from Teenager to Manager 

Arroyo鈥檚 journey in retail started at 16 when he accepted a temporary summer job at Walmart. By the time he was 18, he had earned a promotion to support manager, making him one of the youngest leaders in his store鈥檚 history. While many of his classmates were still figuring out their career paths, Arroyo was already managing second-shift operations as a high school student.  

Arroyo credits his mentors in Walmart operations and management for helping him navigate the challenges of managing teams at a young age. With their guidance, he developed a leadership style grounded in ownership and empathy, which he continues to apply today.  

鈥淥ne lesson I鈥檝e learned and try to live by is that ownership is everything,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen you take ownership, whether in your academics or in the workplace, others feel it. It changes the culture and drives results.鈥� 

As Arroyo鈥檚 career advanced, so did his leadership responsibilities. He took on progressively demanding roles at Walmart, such as overseeing HR operations for more than 300 associates and leading retention efforts that reduced turnover at his store by 60%. Most recently, he embraced a new challenge: managing a Walmart Vision Center. “I was able to learn quickly and lead effectively, helping turn the business trajectory around within 90 days,” he said. 

From the Sales Floor to the 黑料正能量 Classroom 

After years of advancing in retail leadership, Arroyo knew it was time to earn a degree that matched his evolving role and responsibilities. He chose the University of Florida鈥檚 online business degree program for its academic reputation, industry-aligned curriculum, and flexibility so he could continue working full-time.  

黑料正能量鈥檚 structure allowed Arroyo to pursue his degree without stepping away from his full-time role at Walmart. 鈥淏alancing full-time leadership with academic studies required discipline, structure, and unwavering commitment. 黑料正能量’s adaptable format made it possible for me to learn at my own pace, even as my weekly work schedule shifted constantly,鈥� he said. Having a strong support system throughout his studies, including his girlfriend, parents, brothers, family and friends, also kept him motivated and grounded as he worked toward his goals. 

Beyond business education, 黑料正能量 helped Arroyo deepen his commitment to service and mentorship. 鈥淩etail isn鈥檛 just a job鈥攊t鈥檚 a platform for purpose,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e witnessed how it can transform lives, build communities, and develop future leaders. 黑料正能量 has fundamentally shaped how I approach leadership. The academic foundation strengthened my analytical skills, sharpened my financial acumen, and enhanced my ability to drive results through data-informed decisions.鈥� 

Recognition and Growth through the NRF Foundation鈥檚 CVS Health Scholarship 

Arroyo earned national recognition and a $10,000 scholarship in 2024 for his dedication and leadership. The NRF Foundation, the charitable arm of the world’s biggest retail trade association, awarded him the CVS Health Scholarship, spotlighting him as a rising retail star. The application process was rigorous, requiring a written essay, a video submission, and a clear articulation of his vision for the future of retail. 鈥淏eing selected as a 2024 recipient was an incredible honor,鈥� Arroyo said. 鈥淚t was deeply rewarding to have my leadership recognized at a national level among peers and executives who shared my passion for shaping the future of retail.鈥� 

As part of the award, Arroyo attended Retail鈥檚 Big Show in New York City, one of the industry鈥檚 top events. He met with executives, thought leaders, and other scholarship recipients to talk about innovation, sustainability, and the future of retail leadership. 

鈥淐areer paths in retail are rarely linear鈥攁daptability and continuous learning are critical,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a key takeaway from the Big Show, and it鈥檚 something I try to carry with me every day.鈥� 

Attending the event also deepened his ties to UF. He met fellow UF students and alumni who were also using their education to drive progress in their fields. 鈥淲e were united by a shared commitment to leading retail into the future,鈥� he said. 鈥淔ollowing the event, I felt even more connected to the Gator Nation, especially after building a relationship with Christina Norton, who has continued to be a supportive figure in my journey.鈥� Norton, a lecturer for UF鈥檚 Warrington College of Business and director of the David F. Miller Retail Center, plays a key role in supporting and mentoring students like Arroyo as they pursue impactful careers in retail. 

Looking ahead, Arroyo hopes to build a brighter future in retail. 鈥淟ong-term, I want to leave a legacy of empowerment and service,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 aim to continue advancing within retail leadership, stepping into more complex roles where I can influence broader strategies and mentor future leaders.鈥� 

Investing in His Career Change

Before enrolling in 黑料正能量, Carter had built a successful career in the food industry, working with major companies like Chick-fil-A and Disney. He took an entrepreneurial leap, launching his own catering and private chef business. Despite his culinary accomplishments, he recognized that his true passions lay in mathematics, problem-solving, and continuous learning.  

鈥淚 prefer to find an environment where I am constantly challenged to try and learn something new rather than demonstrate mastery over a single skill,鈥� he said. 

Carter decided to pursue a computer science career and started searching for a bachelor’s degree program that aligned with his goals. As he explored options, he prioritized outcomes and value. “I conducted my research, and 黑料正能量 had the highest post-graduate success rate in terms of job placement and starting salary compared to other similar programs offered by UCF, FSU, and USF,” he said. “It was also the most affordable at the time.” 

Carter knew that fully committing to his career shift required temporary sacrifices for lasting fulfillment. 鈥淚 needed to prioritize my academic success to maximize my long-term salary potential,鈥� he said. Carter dedicated himself fully to his studies and achieved the highest GPA of his life with 黑料正能量. With the flexibility to occasionally work part-time at a bakery or host private dinners for extra income, Carter鈥檚 main focus remained on academic excellence, ensuring that he set himself up for a brighter future. 

CyberGator: Building Connections and Breaking Ground in Cybersecurity 

One of Carter鈥檚 favorite aspects of 黑料正能量 is the strong community of like-minded, non-traditional students he found and collaborated with in his courses. 鈥淢y peers and I share knowledge of how challenging the world can be and how crucial it is to achieve success in our degrees so that we can lead more balanced and healthy lives,鈥� he said. That sense of shared purpose and collaboration extended into his course work鈥攎ost notably through a groundbreaking research project that brought his classroom learning to life. 

As part of his senior design course, Carter participated in a research project called CyberGator, which was originally developed during the Cyber Resiliency and Measurement (CRAM) Challenge sponsored by the United States Naval Surface Warfare Center (NAVSEA) Dahlgren in Virginia. The challenge tasked student teams with designing an application capable of assessing the cyber resiliency of cyber-physical systems using artificial intelligence and advanced algorithms. 

鈥淥ur research focused on developing a tool that integrated three major methods: Bayesian networks, finite state machines, and fuzzy logic,鈥� Carter said. These approaches allowed the team to simulate and score how well a system could withstand, recover from, and adapt to cyberattacks and environmental stressors. 

Carter led project planning and contributed to the Graphical User Interface (GUI) design, working with classmates across Florida, Brazil, and his home in New Hampshire. 鈥淚 am pretty proud of the way we found ways to collaborate remotely to create something spectacular and useful,鈥� he said. Carter鈥檚 highlight of the project was presenting their work to the U.S. Navy and fielding questions about scoring algorithms and data modeling. 鈥淚t was fun and intriguing to consider how our work could immediately impact national security,鈥� he said. The experience helped fuel his confidence in mission-driven software development and opened doors to job interviews and career opportunities. 

Coding His Future in Computer Science 

Studying computer science demands self-discipline and independent learning, a shift from the collaborative, fast-paced environment Carter was used to. “In the past, in kitchens, I would be surrounded by folks who would mentor and pressure me to absorb the material,鈥� he said. 鈥淗owever, as I now work alone at my desk, I have had to learn to structure and manage my time effectively without supervision. This has made me more balanced and productive, enabling me to complete tasks early and without stress.鈥� 

Carter encourages future students to approach the online computer science program with curiosity and a willingness to learn from others. 鈥淟earn so that you can leave a better impression on code in the future, something that is more organized and user-friendly,鈥� he said. He recommends setting aside time to carefully read documentation, understand how information is structured, and consistently practice writing code. The effort is well worth it, as these habits help students build a deeper understanding of the material and produce cleaner, more efficient code. 

Looking ahead, Carter is eager to apply the knowledge and work ethic he developed during the program to his new career after graduating in Spring 2025. 鈥淢y goal is to secure a position as an associate project manager with a technology company in or around the Greater Boston area,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 am at my best when I am problem-solving with a group and leading a team, organizing protocols so that shareholders can remain confident in the work my team is capable of delivering.鈥� 

With graduation on the horizon and job applications in motion, Carter proved that it is never too late to change careers and invest in a future that you鈥檝e always envisioned. His journey shows determination, adaptability, and the pursuit of balance and growth that all Gators can achieve.