UCF’s Best Buddies chapter poses for a photo at the Friendship Walk on April 18 at Lake Eola Park. The race gathered donations of more than $100,000 for the Central Florida Campaign and the chapter itself.
Courtesy of Best Buddies
A student organization that focuses on creating connections has been experiencing rapid growth since 2023, expanding its membership by nearly 1,140%, despite what student leaders describe as “limited institutional support.”
Best Buddies is an international nonprofit with chapters in more than 1,500 schools across the United States, focused on fostering friendships between individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its goal is to create opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living and family support.
The UCF chapter is friendship-focused, partnering up members in one-to-one friendships that extend beyond campus.
Since 2023, the organization has increased its membership of students with disabilities by 374%, growing from three members to 14 in 2026, according to Best Buddies UCF Chapter President Melanie Gyorke.
The chapter also grew its associate, or members without disabilities, and peer memberships from two to 48 students since 2023.
Retention has also improved compared to previous years, signaling a strengthening sense of community within the group.
Gyorke, senior health sciences major, said progress has come with challenges.
“We have to fight for our voices to be heard, and we have to speak about these issues and events,” Gyorke said. “We want to make ourselves known.”
Yet Gyorke said awareness on campus remains low.
“I always use this metaphor where I am in this boat, and water is pouring in, and I only have a Dixie cup to scoop it out,” she said. “Sometimes, it feels really defeating; it feels like we’re not accomplishing much because our voice gets lost.”
Gyorke has made it a priority to change that perception and educate students about the capabilities of people with disabilities.
“People think that individuals with disabilities can’t get jobs, they can’t drive, or they can’t do this or that,” Gyorke said. “That is not true.”
Sheri Waddill, student specialist counselor at UCF, emphasized the importance of organizations like Best Buddies, particularly for students with autism.
“Anytime a group comes together to help an autistic person develop their skills independently, that’s a beautiful thing,” Waddill said. “These organizations help them improve their social skills.”
Best Buddies member William Breneman, senior hospitality major, said the connections he’s made in the club have made a significant impact on his life.
“I feel happier around people. I like meeting people a lot, I feel more confident,” Breneman said.
Best Buddies member and senior hospitality major Will Breneman (left) poses with Isabella Ferr, Best Buddies social media manager and senior kinesiology major, at Northland Church for the Best Buddies Friendship Ball on March 7.
Courtesy of Best Buddies
Breneman was paired with Isabella Ferr, senior kinesiology major, who is the chapter’s social media manager.
Their friendship, built through the organization’s events, extends beyond meetings to shared activities like dinners and basketball games.
“Best Buddies makes me view the world differently, it has made me more accepting,” Ferr said. “It’s also changed how I see my future. I’d much rather spend time with my buddy at any event.”
The organization hosts events in collaboration with various registered student organizations, giving members opportunities to build friendships and create an inclusive campus environment.
The chapter is beginning to gain more recognition on campus. Leaders recently connected with Dr. Andrea Guzman, UCF’s vice president of access and community engagement. The board has also started applying for student government funding to expand its programming.
Partnerships with organizations like Knights Exemplar have also helped promote disability awareness and inclusion across campus. Both organizations were able to collaborate this last spring semester in events like their spring banquet and talent show.
Autism Awareness Month in April was full of activities for the Best Buddies chapter at UCF, including its Friendship Ball, talent show and the 2026 Friendship Walk — a fundraiser that reached over $100,000 in donations.
Gyorke’s goal is to expose the Best Buddies chapter to the UCF community, showing that people with disabilities are capable of many things.
“Many can hold jobs, get a license, drive and become leaders or advocates,” Gyorke said. “My goal with this club is to prove that.”