Tuesday, May 5, 2026
By: Kyle Niblett
A total of 328 students earned degrees from the University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning (DCP) following the Spring 2026 semester. The graduating class was celebrated publicly this past week with various commencement ceremonies on the UF campus.
“This graduating class reflects the kind of forward-thinking leadership our world needs: individuals who are ready to tackle complex challenges and help shape stronger, more sustainable communities,” said DCP Dean Chimay Anumba. “Their accomplishments speak to their commitment and creativity, as well as the collaborative environment that defines our college. We look forward to seeing how they carry that momentum into their careers.”
Four students had their Doctor of Philosophy degree conferred by UF Thursday morning. An additional 89 Gators obtained their master’s degree from the college, while a whopping 235 students received their bachelor’s degree in seven different disciplines (construction management, urban and regional planning, fire and emergency services, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and sustainability and the built environment).
In addition, DCP recognized two student award winners. Department of Landscape Architecture graduating senior Madeline LaMont took home the Undergraduate Student Leadership and Service Award, while Department of Interior Design graduating senior Isabella Zumpano received the Undergraduate Student Academic Achievement Award.
LaMont received the award after distinguishing herself as an exceptional leader in the DCP and UF community. She just finished serving as the president of the UF student chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, while also working for Phi Mu Sorority’s Executive Cabinet and Florida Blue Key Speech and Debate.
“In three years of knowing Madeline across several distinct roles, I have watched her grow into a leader that her peers trust and our faculty respect,” Landscape Architecture Assistant Professor Nicholas Serrano said. “She is exactly the kind of student this award is meant to honor.”
Zumpano garnered honors after graduating with a pristine 4.0 GPA, working three outstanding internships, and selflessly volunteering at multiple organizations.
“Isabella is a talented, detailed, holistic designer that has consistently demonstrated academic excellence, high emotional intelligence, and professional soft-skills that will make her invaluable at any firm,” Interior Design Instructional Assistant Professor Genesis Okken said. “Her portfolio illustrates her diverse abilities and thoughtful problem-solving skills that consider multiple scales of the human experience. She is not only the top graduating interior design student from our program this year, but also one of the strongest in the 2026 graduating class across the country.”
