Ellia Mytsa

University Administration reporter

Ellia Mytsa is a second-year Journalism major at the University of Florida and the Fall 2026 University Administration reporter. In her free time, you can find her singing karaoke, spending time with friends, at a farmer's market, or laying in the sun.

Adelaide, Santa Fe Teaching Zoo’s tree kangaroo, crawls around in her enclosure, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Bayden Armstrong

University

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo’s lone tree kangaroo leaves Gainesville after 7 years

By Ellia Mytsa | Oct. 4

With a canopy of branches dangling above her and the familiar faces of her caretakers below, a tranquil tree kangaroo can be seen traversing her enclosure, climbing from the branches to her favorite resting spots. Adelaide, the petite, furry, tree-climbing marsupial has called the zoo home for the last seven years. But on Sunday, she embarked on a new chapter.

UF College Republicans gather on Hub on 3rd’s rooftop lounge for their first meeting after being disbanded, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 in Gainesville, Fla.

Juleidi Machuca

University

UF College Republicans’ return to campus sparks mixed reactions

By Ellia Mytsa | Sep. 25

Julia Chernobelsky chose to attend UF because of its heavy on-campus Jewish presence. Now a junior, the 20-year-old philosophy, politics, economics and law student directs women’s programs at UF Chabad. When UF College Republicans was reinstated as a UF organization Sept. 14 six months after it was banned for an antisemitic gesture, Chernobelsky said she was afraid the club would bring similar controversies to campus.

President of UF College Republicans Michael Andre speaks about recent events, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Gainesville, Fla.

Michael Mendoza

University

UF College Republicans announces return to campus after 6-month ban

By Ellia Mytsa | Sep. 14

UF College Republicans announced its return to campus Monday, exactly six months after the university administration banned the organization in March. In an Instagram post, the club called its comeback a “total and complete victory,” thanking members who stuck around during the monthslong absence.

A firefighter carries an American thin red line flag while walking stairs in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the 9/11 climb, Friday Sept. 11, 2026, in Gainesville Fla.

Michael Angee

University

‘It’s so important to remember’: Officials, residents gather to celebrate the first responders lost 25 years ago

By Ellia Mytsa | Sep. 12

First responders, UF students and Gainesville community members climbed the stairs of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Friday morning in remembrance of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Jennifer Friend at the Charlie Kirk memorial hosted by UF's College Republicans on Plaza of the Americas, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Juleidi Machuca

University

Conflicted crowds gathered at UF Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk anniversary vigil

By Ellia Mytsa and Christian Haas | Sep. 11

UF’s chapter of Turning Point USA organized a one-year anniversary vigil for conservative political activist and TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk. The vigil drew in a crowd of about 150 supporters, opponents and neutrals.

Jay Kalogiros-Pepper, a Wildlife Ecology and Conservation junior at UF, holds up a sign that reads “Stop AI Surveillance” during the “Deflock UF” protest at Turlington Plaza, Sept. 9, 2026 in Gainesville, Fla.

Michael Angee

University

As states shut off cameras, student protesters call for UF to ‘Deflock’ campus

By Ellia Mytsa | Sep. 10

About 20 students led chants of phrases like “Big brother, we don’t want you” on Turlington Plaza Wednesday to protest the use of Flock Safety cameras on campus and around Gainesville. The protest follows a Sept. 1 decision by the Florida Department of Transportation to ban automated license plate readers, including Flock Safety cameras, from all state roads and highways.

Century Tower at 375 Newell Dr, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sonaiya Brown

News

UF ranked top 4 public university in Time magazine list

By Ellia Mytsa | Aug. 25

Time magazine named UF the fourth best public university and 16th overall in its America’s Best Colleges of 2026-2027 list. Released Tuesday, the ranking placed UF highest among Florida universities, surpassing Florida State University at No. 53 and the University of Central Florida at No. 195.