Mentor Biography

My name is Cody Perez-Gilbert and I am an Information Technology major, better known as IT. Fall 2025 will be the start of my second year and fourth semester at UCF. I lived in Miami, Florida for many years and graduated from Barbara Goleman Senior High School; although recently, my family moved to a city in Broward County, FL. So far, my favorite classes at UCF have been Fundamentals of Information Technology (CIS 3003), Introduction to Programming in C (COP 3223C) and Concepts in Computer Science (COP 2500C). I enjoy Fundamentals of IT because I love computer technology in every sense, so it’s been rewarding to learn and solidify knowledge; as well as begin to think about the career I may pursue. I would recommend this class to all computer technology majors, and especially anyone who may be considering IT if given the chance to take it. Intro to Programming in C and Concepts in Computer Science introduced me to my favorite professor so far at UCF, though, Kyle Dencker. Professor Dencker’s courses gave me the positive introduction to computer programming that I specifically waited until college for, and confirmed my career in the field as a whole. That being said, I got involved in COMPASS as a mentee in Fall 2024 because I wanted the responsibility of succeeding in a course and program to help me decide between two majors (IT and Computer Science) as soon as possible. I expect to contribute my understanding of the technology fields and resources in other STEM disciplines to my COMPASS mentees this semester. My words of advice for you would be to take advantage of not just this program’s opportunities, but every opportunity you come across. Get involved in a club your first semester and don’t be afraid to apply to things even if you don’t think you’ll get them. Finally, outside of school I like hanging out with my friends, listening to music, cooking, driving, and watching animated media and YouTube.