Youndy C. Cook joined the University of Central Florida Office of the General Counsel in April 2002, and became the Vice President and General Counsel in December 2020. Prior to joining the University, she practiced labor and employment litigation in Tampa, Florida. Ms. Cook works across the University and its direct support organizations on a wide variety of issues, including governance, employment matters, litigation, student affairs, public records, compliance, policies, regulations, and contracts. Ms. Cook received her B.A., summa cum laude, from Vanderbilt University and her J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law. Ms. Cook has maintained Florida Bar certification as a Specialist in Education Law since 2012. When Ms. Cook joined UCF’s Office of the General Counsel in 2002, she also joined NACUA and has been an active member since then, serving on various committees over the years. Ms. Cook is a member of the Board of Directors of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Inc. She is also active in the Florida Bar, where she has served on the Education Law Committee and has joined the Corporate Counsel Committee.