GAINESVILLE, Fla. — As Osceola County continues positioning itself as one of Florida’s fastest-growing semiconductor and advanced manufacturing hubs through the expansion of NeoCity, the University of Florida is recognizing one of the educators helping build the future workforce behind that industry.
Florida’s Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Roseanne Perez, Ed.D., of the Florida Semiconductor Institute has received the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering’s Staff Innovation Award for her work creating and leading statewide semiconductor education and workforce development initiatives aimed at K-12 students.
Perez serves as Workforce Development Program Specialist for the Florida Semiconductor Institute, which also operates a presence at NeoCity in Osceola County. The university credited Perez with developing programs like the “Chip in Florida Challenge,” a semiconductor education initiative that engaged more than 12,000 students, 172 teachers, and 29 school districts during its inaugural year in 2025.
The award comes at a time when Osceola County leaders continue accelerating efforts to grow NeoCity into a nationally recognized semiconductor and technology corridor.
Recently, Osceola County approved a major agreement with South Korea-based semiconductor company ELSPES that could bring a $470 million investment and more than 600 high-wage jobs to NeoCity over the coming years. The project would establish ELSPES’ U.S. headquarters and advanced manufacturing facilities within the county’s expanding technology district.
County officials have described the ELSPES agreement as one of the largest economic development projects in Osceola County history, further strengthening NeoCity’s growing reputation as a center for semiconductor research, manufacturing, workforce development, and international investment.
The continued collaboration between education institutions like the University of Florida and economic development efforts in Osceola County highlights why workforce development has become a major focus for NeoCity’s future.
According to the University of Florida, Perez’s programs are designed to introduce students to semiconductors, microelectronics, and advanced manufacturing careers at an early age through hands-on learning opportunities and extracurricular activities.
University officials noted that expanding awareness and training opportunities in semiconductor technology is critical as Florida continues competing for major investments and high-tech jobs tied to national supply chain growth and domestic chip manufacturing.
NeoCity, located in Osceola County near Kissimmee, was created to attract semiconductor, photonics, and advanced manufacturing companies while helping connect industry, research institutions, and workforce development programs in one centralized innovation district.
Universidad de Florida Reconoce a Líder en Educación de Semiconductores Mientras NeoCity Continúa Creciendo en Osceola
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Mientras el Condado Osceola continúa fortaleciendo el crecimiento de NeoCity como un centro de tecnología y manufactura avanzada, la Universidad de Florida reconoció a Roseanne Perez, Ed.D., del Florida Semiconductor Institute, por su trabajo innovador en educación y desarrollo de la futura fuerza laboral de semiconductores.
Perez recibió el premio Staff Innovation Award del Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering por liderar programas educativos enfocados en estudiantes de K-12, incluyendo el “Chip in Florida Challenge,” que involucró a más de 12,000 estudiantes y 172 maestros en todo el estado.
El reconocimiento llega mientras Osceola County continúa impulsando importantes proyectos tecnológicos en NeoCity, incluyendo la reciente inversión propuesta de $470 millones por parte de la empresa surcoreana ELSPES para establecer su sede y operaciones de manufactura avanzada en el distrito tecnológico.
Funcionarios locales consideran que proyectos como ELSPES y los programas educativos del Florida Semiconductor Institute son clave para preparar a la próxima generación de trabajadores en la industria de semiconductores y fortalecer el crecimiento económico de la región.
