John C. Hitt
John C. Hitt became the fourth president of the University of Central Florida in 1992, after nineteen years of administrative experience. His distinguished academic career includes posts at Tulane, Texas Christian University, Bradley University and the University of Maine.
Under President Hitt’s leadership, enrollment at UCF has more than doubled, the number of doctoral degrees awarded each year has increased sevenfold, and research funding has increased from $6.2 million to $121 million a year. One of President Hitt’s greatest achievements occurred when the Florida Board of Governors’ approved the UCF College of Medicine, and the Lake Nona Medical City was founded. This multi-billion dollar development includes new facilities for medical education, hospital care, and biomedical research.
Hitt holds a B.A. in psychology from Austin College and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in physiological psychology from Tulane University.