UCF Instructor Named to Obama's Transition Team

By Zenaida Gonzalez Kotala Dec. 4, 2008

Photo: Courtesy of the College of Health and Public Affairs

David Ross is an Executive in Residence in the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies.

Full Photo

University of Central Florida Executive in Residence and Instructor David Gray Ross has just been named to President–elect Barack Obama's transition team. 

The former circuit judge will serve on Obama’s Health and Human Services team. He will help analyze the current state of affairs in health and human services and advise new secretary Tom Daschle.  He and three other experts will review in particular child welfare, Head Start and child support.

Ross served as deputy director in the Office of Child Support Enforcement under President Bill Clinton, and he has a long history as a child advocate. He served 15 years as a circuit judge in Prince George’s County, Md. He also served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1970-1978 and as a juvenile court judge. He was named "Family Court Judge of the Nation" in 1989 by the National Child Support Enforcement Association.

"I am so excited and honored to be called to serve," Ross said Thursday from Washington, D.C. "It is such an important time in history."

UCF Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Chair Robert Langworthy said the incoming president couldn’t have picked a better champion for children. He described Ross as a "wonderful asset" to the Criminal Justice program at UCF.

"I consider him on loan, and I want him back," Langworthy joked.

Ross, who will return to UCF after his temporary assignment, has advised the UCF Criminal Justice department since 2001, when he retired to Florida. During his tenure here, he has often taught courses related to juvenile justice.

"I love UCF," Ross said. "I enjoy the people and the spirit of the place. The students are fantastic. I always taught while I was a judge in Maryland, so when I came to Florida, it was what I wanted to do. And it has been a wonderful experience."

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