UCF has given Rob Kantor ’97, ‘04MS, ‘09MBA three degrees and more than three decade’s worth of memories as a Knight. Now he’s giving back to his alma mater as chair of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems’ advisory board.
Kantor, the vice president of Business Analytics and Industrial Engineering for Universal Destinations and Experiences, stepped into the role of chair this past year after serving as a board member for nearly a decade. He says his relationship with UCF motivated him to take on this leadership position.
“My inspiration for taking on the role of chair for this advisory board stems from my long-standing connection with this department, dating back nearly 30 years as a student and a three-time graduate of UCF,” Kantor says. “Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of hiring more than 50 co-ops at Universal and hosting over a dozen Senior Design teams. My goal is to help shape the curriculum for future graduates and give back to the IEMS department in any way I can.”
Kantor earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the department, in addition to an MBA from the College of Business Administration. He started working for Universal Orlando full time in 1998, supporting the technical services department before expanding into revenue management. In his current role, he leads several initiatives to increase efficiency, improve guest service and increase profits. Kantor has been involved with projects that span all aspects of the parks, including resort operations, attraction design and simulation, and most recently, Epic Universe.
He’s helped bring many UCF industrial engineering alums to the Universal Orlando staff, and says his experience with Universal has shaped his perspective as an advisory board member.
“This experience has given me a unique insight into the skills and training that students bring to our organization, as well as the evolving requirements and developments in fields such as industrial engineering, data science and artificial intelligence,” Kantor says. “By understanding these trends, I can help align the board’s initiatives with the needs of the industry, ensuring that we drive a successful future for both Universal Orlando and the department.”
During his tenure as advisory board chair, Kantor has made several contributions to the department, including the recruitment of board members from a variety of sectors such as healthcare, travel and leisure, and manufacturing.
“These additions have enriched our board’s expertise and broadened our impact,” he says. “We are also in the process of planning for our upcoming ABET certification, which is a crucial step for the department’s future.”
Looking ahead, Kantor has several goals that he’d like to achieve as the advisory board leader, including supporting the department through the reaccreditation process. He also aims to find new ways for the board to give back to the department, such as establishing scholarships or providing resources that can enhance the educational experience of industrial engineering students. In addition, he hopes to improve the relationship between the industry experts on the advisory board and the next generation of industrial engineers.
“I aim to foster more interactions and support between the board, students and faculty,” Kantor says. “This includes creating opportunities for mentorship, collaboration and engagement that will benefit everyone involved.”