MOSAIC 2019
THE ANNUAL MAGAZINE OF THE
University of South Florida HONORS COLLEGE
HONORS COLLEGE 1
Mosaic CONTENTS
2 4 5
6 8 9 10 12 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 44 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56
2019
Dean’s Letter
New Phi Beta Kappa Chapter Affiliated Programs: Provost’s Scholars Program and Jenkins Scholarship Costa Rica Trip with Holcombe Scholars Donor Spotlight – Claudia McCorkle Bulls 4 Kids Event Faculty Spotlights Faculty Research Map Spotlight on Dan Ruth
Dr. Wilkins’ State University System Award Student Research Focus
Office of Undergraduate Research Conference Advising Spotlight Dr. Davidson’s Last Lecture Spotlight on Dr. Davidson’s class International Day Internships and Experiential Learning International Photo Competition Study Abroad Study Away – St. Augustine
Office of National Scholarships Overview Office of National Scholarships Display Fulbright Day
Record Number of Gilman Scholars Goldwater Scholarship Winner Students Study at Oxford Dean’s Circle of Merit Alumni Giving Back – Davis and Casanas Alumni Spotlight – Brian Fender Alumni Events Alumni Updates
A message from the
DEAN
W
ELCOME TO MOSAIC, the annual magazine of the USF Honors College! 2018 was an exciting year in the Honors College, with new faces, new courses, new programs, and big plans for the future. Reading through the stories for this edition, I was reminded over and over that the future is, in fact, why I find my work as Dean of the College so rewarding. The present generation of students faces formidable challenges in the decades ahead. Big and complex problems loom: environmental degradation, resource sustainability, food security, wealth inequities, health disparities, and more. But working alongside the students, faculty, advisors, alumni, and friends of the Honors College, it is difficult to feel anything but hopeful about the future. As the following stories indicate, the Honors College community is concerned about these matters, and engaged in efforts to address them. Consider, for instance, Misha Fini, a young researcher whose passion to find a solution to the riddle of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has earned her a prestigious Goldwater Scholarship, ranking her among the brightest young scientists in the nation. Or our ongoing medical support program in the Dominican Republic, led by Honors College faculty member Dr. Lindy Davidson, in which successive groups of our students learn about inequities in health care delivery first-hand, thus learning to ask critical questions about health care worldwide. Or Dr. Catherine Wilkins’ “study away” program to St. Augustine, where students take an in-depth look at a place where the links between past and present, land and people, ecology and economy are on daily display, and where their bearing on the future is cause for immediate concern. Scientific research, international community development, and Florida seacoast ecology: these among many other topics engage our faculty, students, and advisers every day. Their widely varied passions and interests, like the individual stones in a mosaic, combine to form a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. As diverse as they may appear when viewed individually, our people, courses, and programs are bound together by their common goal: to imagine a better world, and to create it. Charles Adams, Dean Honors College University of South Florida
2 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA
“
As diverse as they may appear when viewed individually, our people, courses, and programs are bound together by their common goal: to imagine a better world, and to create it.”
ABOVE - From left, Honors College Dean Charles Adams and USF Provost Ralph Wilcox lead USF’s annual Honors Convocation. COVER PHOTO - More than 600 students walk from the Honors College to the Marshall Student Center in the annual Honors Convocation.
HONORS COLLEGE 3
USF Awarded Chapter of Prestigious
PHI BETA KAPPA HONOR SOCIETY
J
UST WEEKS AFTER BEING FORMALLY designated a “Preeminent State Research University,” USF was again recognized for its achievements as a nationally competitive institution. On Aug.3, 2018, the university was awarded a chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society (PBK), the oldest and most prestigious national honor organization in America. PBK, founded in 1776, only awards a small handful of new chapters every three years. The three-year application process, led by Dean Adams and a USF committee of PBK faculty, was a rigorous, multi-step review of the university’s students, faculty, academics, campus life, financial stability, administration, and governance. The average founding date of PBK institutions is 1860, about a century before USF’s 1956 formation.“Being home to a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa validates USF’s growing national reputation. It gives our students and faculty access to a prestigious network of peers across the country,which will serve them now and well into the future,” said USF President Judy Genshaft. PBK members include 17 U.S. Presidents, 40 Supreme Court Justices, and more than 140 Nobel Laureates. The new chapter at USF will have a formal installation ceremony and begin inducting in high-achieving students from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of The Arts in 2019.“The awarding of this chapter is recognition of USF’s strong foundation in the liberal arts and the studentfocused philosophy practiced throughout our campus,” says USF Provost and Executive Vice President, Ralph Wilcox.
4 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA
“It is indeed a testament to the hard work and values that drive innovation, creativity and curiosity in all areas of this university.” The PBK chapter at USF will offer inductees (called key holders) opportunities for merit-based scholarships and access to a network of distinguished professionals. Each year, PBK will send prestigious guest lecturers to campus through its Visiting Scholars Program.
According to the Society’s website, the PBK Committee on Qualifications considers how well an applicant institution: • Recruits and retains good students and prepares some for graduate study • Makes appropriate academic demands on those enrolled in its classes, including opportunities for honors studies for those who are especially capable • Develops and maintains a faculty whose preparation and scholarly activity give evidence that they are able to establish and assess those demands • Maintains sufficient financial resources to support the institution’s academic programs • Takes due precautions to prevent issues of governance, athletics, religion or politics from subverting the integrity of the institution’s dedication to liberal education.
PUBLIX AND USF
Jenkins Scholarship helps students overcome adversity
F
OR MORE THAN TWO DECADES, Publix Super Markets Charities has funded the George W. Jenkins Scholars Program at USF. Housed within the Honors College, this university-wide program offers support for highly-motivated students with financial need who have overcome adversity. Recipients of this award receive up to the full cost of attendance, including tuition, books, room and board. The scholarship creates a community where students are supported with specialized advising, community engagement and leadership programming, and even study abroad opportunities. “It’s not just a scholarship, it’s an opportunity to create a positive and diverse future,” says Casey Semos, a Jenkins Scholar and senior. “The Jenkins Scholarship didn’t ask me to
PROVOST’S SCHOLARS Program accelerates student success
fit a mold, it gave me the support and encouragement to pursue my dreams.” In December, several Jenkins Scholars joined President Genshaft, Honors Dean Dr. Charles Adams, and leadership from Publix Super Markets Charities at the ribbon cutting and opening of the new Publix store on USF’s campus. The students, faculty, and staff were excited to see the new store become part of the USF community. Since the inception of the Jenkins Scholarship in 1994, it has been awarded to well over a hundred USF students, totaling nearly $6 million in financial support and allowing talented scholars to pursue their dreams.
H
OUSED WITHIN THE HONORS COLLEGE, the Provost’s Scholars Program (PSP) is a university-wide accelerated professional and personal development opportunity for students to graduate from USF one year early. In the Fall, USF opened the first PSP Living Learning Community (LLC) in Juniper-Poplar hall. The LLC complements the students’ academic experiences with in-house mentoring by a resident faculty member and program advisers. Moreover, the students live in ‘pods’ – a small group of rooms around a central shared space – which fosters a sense of community and connection. Regular reflection activities led by faculty and program leaders enhance their in-class learning. “Our Provost’s Scholars are from diverse backgrounds and majors,” says Ramon Borunda, PSP Director. “The goal of the LLC is to create a shared community space where they can collaborate, build friendships, and grow together.” In addition to community building, the PSP program also focuses on service, leadership, research, and global citizenship. In 2018, the PSP students worked together to raise money for the American Cancer Society through Relay for Life. They also started a holiday food drive to collect donations for those in need. “We really saw these students come together to find ways to expand their service and leadership this year,” says Borunda. “It is great to see them building their own community, and then using that strength to help others.” HONORS COLLEGE 5
HOLCOMBE SCHOLARS
Generous donors support service learning in Costa Rica IN DECEMBER OF 2018 USF ALUMNI AND DONORS Brad and Terry Holcombe led their scholarship recipients (all of whom are the first in their families to attend college) on a week-long life-changing study abroad excursion to Costa Rica. Twelve Holcombe Scholars, accompanied also by Honors College Dean Charles Adams, were invited by the Holcombes to participate in a review of proposals by ten Costa Rican communities for funding to construct multi-purpose facilities to serve as community centers, youth recreational facilities, worship halls, schools, and event spaces. The Holcombes told the students that they would fund the proposals that the students recommended after examining the sites, interviewing community leaders, and 6 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA
weighing the feasibility of each proposal. The students were challenged to apply critical thinking skills to real life problems, and make tough decisions about the best use of limited resources to help the most people. Along the way, the students visited cultural sites, toured local schools, and explored the beautiful beaches and rainforests of Costa Rica. As a bonus, the Holcombes treated the Scholars to a day of zip-lining through the tree canopy at Parque Aventura San Luis. The students sailed above the rain forest, learning about the wildlife and enjoying breathtaking views. On the last day of their trip, the Scholars gave a presentation to the Holcombes about their experiences and ranked all of the projects that they had toured. They were asked to recommend which sites should receive financial support from the Holcombes. The students were surprised when, once the presentations were complete, the Holcombes announced that they would be funding all of the projects, much to the students’ delight. “We are honored to have such generous donors,” says Adams. “This experience was transformative for our students and left a lasting impression of the challenges and rewards of global citizenship. The Holcombes also taught them by example about the joy of giving, a lesson that will influence their actions for the rest of their lives.”
PHOTOS - Holcombe Scholarship recipients on a study abroad trip to Costa Rica. Holcombe scholars are all the first in their families to attend college.
HONORS COLLEGE 7
Support for Honors
SCHOLARS
W
HEN CLAUDIA MCCORKLE and her late husband Jack saw a news report about a bright young girl who was accepted at a prestigious college, but could not attend because of financial factors, they felt called to help others with similar needs. The Pinellas County residents contacted their lawyer and asked about ideas to set up funds for bright students with financial challenges. They were referred to the University of South Florida. Although neither had a previous connection to the university, McCorkle remembers instantly feeling at home on the campus. “There is an energy at USF that you don’t find elsewhere,” she says. “It’s truly a magnet for attracting people who you know are going to make a difference in this world – you can just feel it.” The McCorkles set up two scholarships within the College, one academic scholarship, and one study abroad scholarship. The study abroad scholarship combined two very important things for the McCorkles, education and cultural exchange. The couple enjoyed travel and learning about other cultures. In addition, Mrs. McCorkle was a secondary education major, and Mr. McCorkle’s mother was a teacher, so education was a strong value that they shared. To date, numerous Honors College students have studied abroad across the globe thanks to the McCorkle international scholarship. Each year the recipients gather together to share their experiences with Mrs. McCorkle. “It’s wonderful to hear what these students have been able to experience abroad,” she says. “Some have helped to build both educational and medical
8 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS
facilities in Central America and the Caribbean, shadowed neurosurgeons performing brain surgery in Switzerland - it’s amazing. I leave those meetings walking on air because I am delighted to see their happy faces and hear about their life-changing experiences.” The scholarship recipients come from all majors, and each express their appreciation for the potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “I specifically remember one student describing ‘the spirit of the Andes Mountains,’ and talking about how inspiring it was to be around the people and culture,” says McCorkle, “and I thought yes - that’s exactly the feeling I had while there!” Similar to the study abroad award, the McCorkle academic scholarship also supports high-achieving and driven students. Each year it is awarded to an Honors College student with financial need. “I remember meeting the first recipient of the academic scholarship, Hiram Rios,” says McCorkle. “As soon as I talked to him, I knew he was a rising star.” Rios has since gone on to complete graduate school at Harvard and become a Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. Department of State in Shanghai, China. “To have a recipient of this scholarship become such a fabulous ambassador for our country is inspiring,” says McCorkle, who takes pride in each of her award recipients. “I feel proud partnering with the USF Honors College,” she says, “because I know that I am making a difference for students who are not only bright, but who are genuine and committed to making the world better for others.”
TOP - Students fundraise for patients at Shriners Hospital for Children. BOTTOM - Honors students Tayler Manarino and Quentin Waid reveal the grand total Bulls for Kids raised for Shriners Hospital for Children. OPPOSITE PAGE - Claudia McCorkle poses with her dog, Beau.
Bulls for
L
KIDS
AST YEAR, MORE THAN 1,000 students gathered in the Marshall Student Center to participate in the 2018 Dance Marathon. Together, they raised a record-breaking $175,000 for Shriners Hospital for Children, and leading the charge was Honors College student, Tayler Mannarino. Mannarino was President of Bulls For Kids (BFK), the student organization that plans USF’s Dance Marathon. Although BFK has been active on campus since 2004, this is their first year working with Shriners. Mannarino initiated the involvement with Shriners, which is conveniently located just steps from campus. “A lot of students, staff, and organizations are impacted by Shriners in one way or another,” says Mannarino. “So when they heard we would be supporting them too, there was a lot of excitement.” Additionally, Shriners was able to support Bulls For Kids’ mission to provide volunteer opportunities and meaningful patient interactions. Many Honors College students eagerly signed up to participate in these experiences and demonstrate their dedication to community service. “Shriners was really happy to be partnered with us,” says Mannarino. “They did everything they could to support our organization as much as we supported theirs. They provided us with promo items and volunteer opportunities, and allowed patients to speak at our events. All of those factors really created support from the community.”
Mannarino and her team used that momentum to involve younger students. With the hospital change, they were able to add three more schools to their Mini Dance Marathon project, a program that helps high schools plan a dance marathon of their own. Those extra schools helped expand awareness, and raised an additional $20,000 over previous years. With all of the support from the community, Bulls For Kids broke their previous fundraising record by $45,000. “The hundreds of hours of hard work and stress paid off in the end,” says Mannarino. “I’ve learned so much from it. I received a staff assistant position at the Morsani College of Medicine, in addition to an internship at Shriners because of everything I’ve learned.” Mannarino and her team were honored at a Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game for all of their hard work and positive community impact. She looks forward to more Honors students getting involved in Bulls For Kids in future years. “Community service is one of our values here in the Honors College,” says Dean Adams. “We couldn’t be more proud of the hard work and commitment displayed by our students.”
HONORS COLLEGE 9
MEET THE
HONORS
COLLEGE
Faculty
Dr. Alan Bush
Dr. Greg Lankenau
Dr. Holly Donahue Singh
PhD Community and Regional Planning, University of Texas at Austin MS Sustainable Systems, University of Michigan BA Global Politics and Economics, Pomona College
PhD in Geography and PhD in Women’s Studies, Pennsylvania State University MS in Systems Science, Portland State University BS in Mathematics and BS in Computer Science, Colorado State University
PhD and MA, Anthropology, University of Virginia BA Religious Studies, Kenyon College
As an educator, researcher and facilitator, Dr. Alan Bush is committed to supporting students, organizations and cities develop the capacity to make sense of complex conditions & thrive amid uncertainty. His focus is immersive, project-based courses that allow students to stretch their ambiguity tolerance within a safe-yet-edgy environment. Prior to USF, Dr. Bush’s work spanned four continents on projects fostering community resilience.
Dr. Lankenau teaches courses with an emphasis in environmental studies. He is centrally concerned with sustainability – the possibility that human and other life can flourish on this planet indefinitely – and how it involves who we are and who we want to become, both personally and collectively. Through his teaching, Dr. Lankenau invites students to examine, challenge, and transform personal and societal values associated with (un)sustainability, and to act as informed, engaged global citizens.
Dr. Michael Cross PhD Applied Physics, USF BS Computer Science, University of Texas at San Antonio Dr. Cross leads the Office of Undergraduate Research at USF to engage students–from admission to graduation–in the high-impact practice of undergraduate research. Concurrently he serves as a faculty member in the Honors College where he designs and teaches courses focused on the philosophy, practice, and process of research, innovation, and creativity. He lives on campus at the Village in Summit Hall as a faculty-in-residence with his spouse and two children.
Dr. Lindy Davidson PhD Communication, USF MDiv Divinity, Reformed Theological Seminary BA Communication Arts, Belmont University Dr. Davidson teaches courses in medical humanities and is the Honors College Coordinator of Experiential Learning. She facilitates internships for students and incorporates research, service, and international partnerships into her courses. She has taught the Honors College service-learning course and subsequent trip to the Dominican Republic and is taking students to Panama in the Spring of 2019. She will lead the Honors Semester in Exeter in the Spring of 2020.
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UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA
Professor Atsuko Sakai MArch Architecture, University of New Mexico BA Environmental Design, Kyoto City University of Arts Professor Sakai teaches courses designed to study the world around us and the ways we live through the lens of art, design, and architecture. Her classes include: Mandala - the art and science of composition; Home - designing where we live; Design Formula – human/ nature/objects/ideas; and Illumination Installation - playing with light and shadow. She also teaches Acquisition of Knowledge and leads an education abroad program to Japan in conjunction with her Geographical Perspectives course.
Dr. Ulluminair Salim PhD Sociology, University of California San Francisco MPH Public Health, Johns Hopkins University BA Social Welfare, University of California Berkeley Dr. Salim examines representational politics as a window into the social imaginary. By inviting students to question and challenge oppressive ideologies, she aspires to create more inclusive, compassionate, and emancipatory social institutions. Signature courses Social Autopsy and Narrative Cartography leverage the study and practice of art to cultivate self-awareness and social responsibility, and emerging courses Survival and Imagination and Compassionate Cities instill an ethic of care and blur the boundaries between self and society.
Dr. Donahue Singh leads courses such as Fertility and the Future and Histories of Healing in South Asia. Her long-term research in northern India grounds her scholarly work in the broad areas of culture and health. Dr. Donahue Singh regularly draws on global and applied perspectives from social science, literature, and music to help students explore the variety of contemporary and historical human experience.
Dr. Catherine Wilkins PhD Interdisciplinary History, Tulane University MA Art History, Tulane University MA Library Science, USF BA Humanities, USF Dr. Wilkins is currently serving as Interim Assistant Dean of the Honors College, where she teaches Arts & Humanities and community-engaged Capstone courses. She is also the Director of the Medical Humanities Curriculum for the Morsani College of Medicine. In all her classes, Dr. Wilkins demonstrates how the arts reflected and shaped cultures in the past, but also how creativity and innovation are ways in which students can make a positive impact on society today.
Dr. Benjamin Young PhD Philosophy, USF BA Psychology and Philosophy, Eckerd College Dr. Young aims to encourage student research that explores those aspects of our lives that are closest to us—emotions, desires, memories, anticipations & imaginings, perceptions, habits, cognition, etc.—and how all these can be shaped though understanding; especially when such inquiry is guided by questions concerning the good, the beautiful, and the true. Ultimately, both his research and teaching are guided by a concern for cultivating the good life—for individuals and communities.
Bush
Cross
Lankenau
Davidson
Singh Sakai
Salim
Wilkins
Young
HONORS COLLEGE 11
HONORS COLLEGE
FACULTY
& STAFF RESEARCH & LEADERSHIP The Honors College faculty and staff had a very productive 2018. Team members presented their work across the globe and added to their collective list of publications throughout the year. Here is a sampling of their impressive work outside the classroom.
Domestic Presentations Monticello, Illinois: Faculty member, Dr. Alan Bush presented “Scenario Planning for Sea Level Rise via Markov Decision Processes” at the 2018 Allerton Conference on Communication, Control, and Computing Boston, MA: Faculty member, Atsuko Sakai presented “Studio: Transformative Environments for Learning in Action” at the 2018 National Collegiate Honors Council Annual Conference Boston, MA: Assistant Dean, Dr. Catherine Wilkins, presented “Weird(ing) Nature: Exploring Ecological Entanglements in a Humanities Classroom” at the 2018 National Collegiate Honors Council Annual Conference Birmingham, AL: Assistant Dean, Dr. Catherine Wilkins, presented “Collaborating toward Community Engagement: Inventive Partnerships between Museums and Institutions of Higher Education” at the 2018 Southeastern College Art Conference Philadelphia, PA: Assistant Dean, Dr. Catherine Wilkins, presented “Foreign Domestic: Identification, Differentiation, and Related Strategies in Social Documentary Practice” at the 2018 Society of Photographic Education National Conference
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St. Petersburg Beach, FL: Assistant Dean, Dr. Catherine Wilkins, presented “Full STEAM Ahead: Using Science & the Arts to Explore Great Human Questions in a TeamTaught Course” at the 2018 Sunshine State Teaching and Learning Conference Denton, Texas: Faculty member Dr. Holly Donahue Singh presented virtually “Globalization and Reproduction: A Case Study of South Asia-Based Transnational Surrogacy” at the University of North Texas Macon, Georgia: Faculty member Dr. Holly Donahue Singh presented “Obscuring Infertility in the Global South: A Discussion” at Mercer University Meadville, PA: Faculty member Dr. Holly Donahue Singh presented “Reproductive Inequalities and Everyday life: Local and Global Contexts of Infertility in India” at Allegheny College Salt Lake City, Utah: Faculty member Dr. Lindy Davidson presented “Spirituality and Parental Decision-making in Pediatric Palliative Care” at the 2018 National Communication Association Annual Convention
Publications Dr. Alan Bush et al “First Person Action Research in Complex Social Systems: three stories of praxis” in International Journal of Action Research Dr. Catherine Wilkins “Connections: Building Partnerships with Museums to Promote Intergenerational Service Learning and Alzheimer’s Care” in Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education
Dr. Ulluminair Salim “Representational Politics and the Moral Economy of (Im)Mobility in the Developing World: A Situational Analysis” in Ann Arbor: ProQuest Cayla Lanier “A Degree is Not Enough: What Maternal Pedagogies Can Offer to the Notion of Student Success” in Journal of Mother Studies
Dr. Greg Lankenau “Fostering connectedness to nature in higher education” in Environmental Education Research
Cayla Lanier “Is it Really Helping? A Review of Women’s ‘Self-Help’ Literature” in Advancing Women in Leadership
Dr. Holly Donahue Singh “Surrogacy and Gendered Contexts of Infertility Management in India” in International Handbook on Gender and Demographic Processes
Dr. Amanda Cutchens et al “Style Leadership through a Critical Lens” in Leadership theory: A facilitator’s guide for cultivating critical perspectives
Dr. Lindy Davidson “Defining communication with Legos: Building an Understanding of the Constructivist Approach” in Communication in the Classroom: A Collection of G.I.F.T.S.
Dr. Amanda Cutchens “Understanding the Relationship between Informal Interactional Diversity and Males’ Engagement in the Undergraduate Experience” in Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Dr. Lindy Davidson et al “Previvors’ Uncertainty Management Strategies for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer” in Health communication
Dr. Michael Cross “U.S. Patent Application No. 15/576,102” (Akintewe, O. O., Cross, M. C., Dupont, S. J., Gallant, N. D., & Toomey, R. G.)
Tampa, FL: Faculty member Dr. Lindy Davidson presented “Good Grief: Keeping on the Sunny Side of (the end of) Life” as part of The Last Lecture series at USF Philadelphia, PA: Faculty member Dr. Ulluminair Salim presented “The Gift Must Always Move: Circulation of Capital in the Humanitarian Mobility Arena” at the 2018 Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP) Annual Meeting
International Presentations
Myrtle Beach, SC: Advisor Arnie Mejias presented “Utilization of Health Information Technology (HIT) Applications and Immunization Decision-Making among Young Adult Caretakers” at the 2018 American Association for Adult and Continuing Education Conference
Kobe, Japan: Faculty member, Atsuko Sakai presented “Human Interface: Perception and Expression through the Eye of Architecture and Design” at the 2018 Asian Conference on Cultural Studies
Seattle, WA: Advisor Arnie Mejias presented “HIT or Miss: Health Information Resources Use and Immunization Decision-Making among Caretakers of Children” at the 2018 Academy Health Annual Research Meeting Rutgers, NJ: Director of Advising, Cayla Lanier. Presented “Stories of Success: Can we Achieve Organizational Change by Listening to Students?” at the 2018 Organizational Communication Mini-Conference Boston, MA: Advisor, Dr. Amanda Cutchens, and staff members, Stephanie Lindeman and Mark Perkins presented “Supporting Mental Health and Academic Success in Honors” at the 2018 National Collegiate Honors Council Annual Conference
Sendai, Japan: Faculty member, Atsuko Sakai presented “K-12 Design Workshops” at the Sendai City Rokugo and Tachimachi Elementary Schools Kobe, Japan: Dr. Benjamin Young presented “Practical Wisdom, Technology, & The Pedagogy of Self-Interpreting Animals in the Twenty-First Century” at the 2018 Asian Conference on Cultural Studies
Hyderabad, India: Faculty member Dr. Holly Donahue Singh presented “Constituting Reproductive Bodies and Time through Ethnography: Beyond Universals” at the Indian Institute of Technology Athens, Greece: Faculty member Dr. Ulluminair Salim presented “Explorers, Pioneers, and Prosthetists: Brave New Worlds in the Humanitarian Mobility Arena” at the 2018 Annual International Conference on Global Studies
HONORS COLLEGE 13
Spotlight on
DAN RUTH
“
I
F YOU LEAVE HERE PREPARED to be successful doctors, artists, engineers, businesspeople, etc., yet are not responsible citizens, then we’ve failed you.” Those are the words of Honors College Visiting Professor of Professional Practice, Daniel Ruth, to his students. As a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist with more than four decades of experience in his craft, Ruth teaches multiple courses in the College. “It is one of the great joys of being in the Honors College to be able to teach such motivated, intelligent, and interesting young people,” says Ruth. Yet when he first began teaching at USF (after appearing as a guest speaker in a class taught by former Dean Stuart Silverman) Ruth realized that while his students were very intelligent, they often were not up to speed on current events. This prompted him to work with Silverman and create a civic literacy and current events course. That course, which he’s taught now for 13 years, does not require a textbook, but students must read the newspaper each day. Ruth then leads the class in discussions about important topics including immigration, the environment, local and state politics, and global relations. The experience tends to make avid newspaper readers out of some students. “Each semester,” says Ruth, “I have students who come up to me at the end of the class and say ‘I really like reading the newspaper now. It makes me feel informed when I’m discussing issues with friends and classmates.’” Ruth’s experience teaching this course in the Honors College led him to create a Geographical Perspectives class which delves into the relationship of key historical events since World War II to the growth of television. “The topics of the class span my entire lifetime,” says Ruth, who was born just a few years after the end of the war. “We discuss the McCarthy era, the Kennedy/Nixon debates, the evolution of television journalism, and much more,” he says. “It’s really fun.” In addition to leading his own courses, Ruth also serves as a guest speaker in Acquisition of Knowledge, a course required of all first-year Honors College students. In the fall, he led a section on public discourse for close to 600 students in 37 sections. These students benefited from his insights on journalism and the news media, as well as current events, and many decided to sign up for his classes after hearing him speak. “I very much appreciate the academic freedom here in the Honors College,” says Ruth. “I was able to create and structure my courses myself thanks to the wonderful support and encouragement of Dr. Silverman and the current Dean, Dr. Charles Adams.” Ruth also serves on the Office of National Scholarships’ Prestigious Awards Committee and reviews nominations for the Rhodes, Marshall, Gates-Cambridge,and Mitchell Scholarships. “I am constantly impressed by the intelligence and drive of the students here at USF,” he says. In his free time, Ruth enjoys playing golf and cooking. “I like to find new and diverse recipes and try to make them myself,” he says. “And, as a former film critic, I also like to go to the movies with my wife, Angela.” In addition to his work as a reporter and film critic, Ruth has also served as a television critic, columnist, and editorial writer in his career. “I think that I bring a new perspective,” he says. His diverse life experiences help add spice to the wonderful recipe for success that is the College’s very talented faculty.
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Quick Facts About Dan • Master’s degree in Mass Communications from USF • Undergraduate degree in Political Science from Gannon University in Erie, PA • 2013 Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing • Recipient of the Pinellas County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union Irene Miller Vigilance in Journalism Award • Honored with the Clearwater Bar Association’s Liberty Bell Award • Recipient of the Green Eyeshade First Place Award for journalistic commentary • Experience as a reporter, film critic, television critic, columnist and editorial writer • Father of two grown sons and grandfather of one “adorable baby boy“
Wilkins SUS
AWARD
T
HE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA is committed to student success and partnerships in the Tampa Bay community. Honors College faculty and staff embody these commitments on a daily basis. In 2018, our interim Assistant Dean, Dr. Catherine Wilkins, was recognized for her work using service learning to provide valuable assistance to community partners while teaching students practical, project-based skills – a win/ win for students and community alike. Every year Florida Campus Compact (FL | CC), a network of colleges and universities that fosters leadership and citizenship through community service, hosts an awards gala where they recognize outstanding faculty members. At the 2018 FL | CC awards gala, Dr. Wilkins was presented with the Engaged Scholarship Faculty Award. This award honors one faculty member each year from Florida’s university system for excellence in service-learning research and teaching. Dr. Wilkins leads an Honors course entitled “How to Make History” that integrates experiential learning and community service. This class is a collaboration with St. Petersburg Beach Public Library (SPBPL) and the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum (GBHM). She was inspired to develop this course when she learned about roof damage and flooding GBHM suffered during Hurricane Irma. To help preserve highly vulnerable historical documents, Dr. Wilkins designed a class in which students learned how history is recorded, stored, and shared. She supervised students as they produced documen-
tary photography and digitized visual and print artifacts to build an online historical archive. To date, students have digitized more than 150 artifacts. Students also designed and installed their own exhibit at the GBHM that focused on the untold stories of the working men and women of the Don Cesar, a local landmark luxury hotel constructed in 1928. Dr. Wilkins and her students received a commendation for this work from Al Johnson, the mayor of St. Petersburg Beach, who noted the benefits of How to Make History for the nearly 1 million residents of Pinellas County. In addition to “How to Make History,” Dr. Wilkins teaches “Connections” and “Tampa in Transformation.” Connections is a joint program of the Honors College and Tampa Museum of Art (TMOA), where students learn about mental health cognitive disorders and the way art can help alleviate symptoms. In the class, students are trained in methods of art exploration that help people living with dementia, depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder express memories and relieve stress. The trained students are then able to volunteer with the Connections program at TMOA to lead patient groups from the community on museum tours using the therapeutic methods they learn in class. Tampa in Transformation is a class created through USF’s Community Sustainability Partnership Program to evaluate the risk that climate change-related sea level rise poses to the City of Dunedin, and to propose resilient solutions that can be effectively communicated to the public. In this course, which Dr. Wilkins team-taught with Honors College faculty member Dr. Alan Bush, the students developed and presented to the Dunedin City Commission a report that analyzed various strategies of response to issues like street flooding, infrastructure, housing crises, and business migration. The report also discussed the most effective practices for communicating with residents to increase community involvement and raise awareness about sea-level rise. The Honors College is proud of Dr. Wilkins and her continued dedication to student success and collaboration with our Tampa Bay community! LEFT - Dr. Catherine Wilkins poses with her Honors Connections students at the Tampa Museum of Art. (Top row from left to right) Tri Huynh, Jillian Tauran, Cassandra Ly, Rylee Wagner, Onyeka Acholonu, Stryker Ebanks, Sarah Robinson, Joshua Daya, Krista Landers, Himesh Patel, and Felix Hernandez Perez. (Bottom row from left to right) Pooja Patel, Anne Chacko, Nicole Topp, Brianna Leone, Shannon Meara, Victoria Conroy, and Dr. Catherine Wilkins.
HONORS COLLEGE 15
HOW TO MAKE
HISTORY Honors students get “hands-on” experience while partnering with community to preserve history
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URING BOTH THE SPRING AND FALL SEMESTERS of 2018, Honors College students were able to make a difference in the Tampa Bay community through their work in Dr. Catherine Wilkins’ class “How to Make History.” Wilkins, Honors College faculty member and Interim Assistant Dean, partnered with the St. Petersburg Beach Public Library, the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, and the Pinellas Memory Project to help preserve local history. Students in the class had the opportunity to record oral histories, produce documentary photography, digitize visual and print artifacts, catalogue and create a historical archive, and develop a museum exhibition. Wilkins led the class with an emphasis on the process by which history is made, and the role that individuals play – as students, researchers, and practitioners – in making history. By the end of 2018, the students had digitized more than 140 artifacts from the collection of the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, including a diary written by an early female pioneer in 1911, hand-tinted postcards from the 1890s, and original oil paintings produced during World War II. They then made these artifacts available online and free of charge for others to explore through the Pinellas Memory Project. “This course was different from any other that I have taken at USF,” said one of the students. “I could tell the immediate effect that it had on the community. There is clearly a difference between learning about the world in a classroom and actually going out into the community to get hands-on experience.” The students also worked in teams to conduct investigative research into more recent issues of interest to the local community. They wrote compelling narratives and supported their work with multimedia evidence before sharing it with the public through a website of their own creation. They and Wilkins received a commendation from the mayor of St. Pete Beach, who noted the impact “How to Make History” represented for the nearly 1 million residents of Pinellas County. The course was also selected as one of three national winners for the Sirsi-Dynix Power of Libraries award, which recognizes unique and inspiring projects implemented at local libraries.
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2018 Honors College Student Publications The Honors College values research and encourages students to become involved with opportunities across campus early in their academic careers. This list is a representative sampling of student work published in 2018. We are very proud of their hard work and accomplishments! • Collins, J.M., R. Ersing, A. Polen, M. Saunders, and J. Senkbeil, 2018. The Effects of Social Connections on Evacuation Decision Making during Hurricane Irma. Weather, Climate and Society, 10 (3), 459–469. https://doi. org/10.1175/WCAS-D-17-0119.1 • Collins, J.M., R.L. Ersing, and A. Polen, 2017. Evacuation Decision Making during Hurricane Matthew: An Assessment of the Effects of Social Connections. AMS Weather, Climate and Society, 9 (4), 769-776. DOI: 10.1175/ WCAS-D-17-0047.1. • CV Borlongan, H Nguyen, T Lippert, E Russo, J Tuazon, K Xu, JY Lee, P Sanberg, Y Kaneko and E Napoli. 2018. May the force be with you: Transfer of healthy mitochondria from stem cells to stroke cells. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab, ePub ahead of print. • E Napoli, T Lippert and CV Borlongan. 2018. Stem cell therapy: repurposing cell-based regenerative medicine beyond cell replacement. Cell Biology and Translational Medicine, Volume 1. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1079; 87-91. • E Russo, H Nguyen, T Lippert, J Tuazon, CV Borlongan and E Napoli. 2018. Mitochondrial targeting as a novel therapy for stroke. Brain Circ, 4(3); 84-94.
• E Russo, T Lippert, J Tuazon and CV Borlongan. 2018. Advancing stem cells: New therapeutic strategies for treating central nervous system disorders. Brain Circ 4(3); 81-83. • EG Neal, MG Liska, T Lippert, R Lin, M Gonzalez, E Russo, K Xu, X Ji, F Vale, H Van Loveren and CV Borlongan. 2018. An update on intracerebral stem cell grafts. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 18(7); 557-572. • Gatto, A., Powell, S.E., Walters, E.F., Zamani, S., Sales, L.B., and DeBate, R. 2018. A Mixed-Methods Assessment of a Peer-Enforced Tobacco- and SmokeFree Policy at a Large Urban University. Journal of Community Health. 1-12.
ABOVE - Honors College student Trenton Lippert published nine research papers in 2018.
• JY Lee, R Lin, H Nguyen, MG Liska, T Lippert, Y Kaneko and CV Borlongan. 2018. Histopathological and Behavioral Assessments of Aging Effects on Stem Cell Transplants in an Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury. Methods in Molecular Biology; 1-12.
• T Lippert, L Gelineau, E Napoli and CV Borlongan. 2018. Harnessing neural stem cells from treating psychiatric symptoms associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and epilepsy. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psych, 80; 10-22.
• M Grant Liska, T Lippert, E Russo, N Nieves and CV Borlongan. 2018. A dual role for hyperbaric oxygen in stroke neuroprotection: preconditioning of the brain and stem cells. Conditioning Medicine; 1(4); 151-166.
• T Lippert, MG Crowley, M Grant Liska and CV Borlongan. 2018. Stem cellmediated biobridge: Crossing the Great Divide between bench and clinical in transplanting cell therapy for stroke. Molecular, Genetic, and Cellular Advances in Cerebrovascular Diseases; 285-307.
• Roscoe, Lori A. & Barrison, Philip (2018) Dilemmas Adult Children Face in Discussing End-of-Life Care Preferences with Their Parents, Health Communication, DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2018.1536946 • Spandana Boddu, Christine M. Walko, Stephanie Bienasz, Marilyn M. Bui, Evita Henderson-Jackson, Arash O. Naghavi, John E. Mullinax, David M. Joyce, Odion Binitie, G. Douglas Letson, Ricardo J. Gonzalez, Damon R. Reed, Mihaela Druta, and Andrew S. Brohl, 2018. Clinical Utility of Genomic Profiling in the Treatment of Advanced Sarcomas: A Single-Center Experience.
• Zhang, Zhe & Wang, Heng & Shi, Junjuan & Xu, Yaping & Wang, Lei & Shihadeh, Sammy & Zhao, Fu-Jie & Hao, Xin-Qi & Wang, Pingshan & Liu, Changlin & Wang, Ming & Li, Xiaopeng. (2018). Stepwise Self-Assembly and Dynamic Exchange of Supramolecular Nanocages Based on Terpridine Building Blocks. Macromolecular Rapid Communications. 39. 1800404. 10.1002/marc.201800404.
HONORS COLLEGE 17
OUR
CONFERENCE Honors students excel at USF Undergraduate Research Conference
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F THE 567 STUDENTS PRESENTING their research at the 2018 USF Undergraduate Research Conference, 203 were from the Honors College. The conference, hosted by the university’s Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), allows students to present their work from any discipline in poster, oral, or performing arts formats, and receive feedback from research mentors and peers. “This event puts a spotlight on the incredible experiences available to all undergraduates at USF,” says Honors College faculty member and Director of OUR, Dr. Michael Cross. “In addition, it underscores the tangible benefits and outcomes for undergraduate students engaged in research including achieving higher grades, having a deeper understanding of their chosen discipline, and being more competitive for jobs, national awards, and admission to graduate and professional schools.” The Honors College student presenters were mentored by faculty members from within the college and across USF’s campus. Each student was required to submit an application for
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consideration and was notified once their proposal was accepted. “It’s great that Honors College students made up more than a third of all conference presenters,” says Honors College Dean, Dr. Charles Adams. “Research is a vital piece of the curriculum in our college and this event offers students the opportunity to gain vital experience by presenting their work to a diverse audience.” Honors College students are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research early and often at USF. Each student must also complete a thesis or capstone project prior to graduation. “These activities help prepare our students for their next step, whether that’s graduate school, the pursuit of a national scholarship, or entry into the workforce,” says Adams. “The skills they learn through performing and presenting research – expanding their knowledge, creating cross-discipline partnerships, fine-tuning communication skills, benefiting from faculty mentorship – all add to the collective undergraduate trajectory toward success.”
ADVISING Spotlight
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ONORS COLLEGE STUDENTS typically have a lot on their minds, including academic, personal, and career goals, and sometimes struggle with how to fit all of their ambitions together into a clear and achievable plan. That’s where our team of eight Honors College advisors can help. They are trained across a variety of academic major and policy areas, and are skilled at working with high-ability students to create personalized pathways toward their goals. Through individual advising sessions, interactions outside of the office, and ongoing conversations, our advisors meet with students to understand their unique situations and work with them to move forward. This is done in a variety of ways, from hosting workshops based on a variety of timely topics to reviewing resumes and personal statements for graduate school applications; from hosting mock interviews for medical school to providing general emotional support. Our Honors advisors love celebrating their students’ successes and are quick to cheer and offer hugs when they share good news. The advising team helps students process emotions and find alternate options when things don’t go according to plan. Advisors are a core part of the Honors College experience, and we are proud to be part of our students’ academic journeys. Over the past year, our advising team has developed an assessment model to keep tabs on how we’re doing. We have defined our core values (building relationships, problem solving and planning for the future, teaching to empower student decision making, continuous learning, and having fun) and linked them to measurable practices to hold ourselves accountable for our work. Over the past year, advisors have lived these values in many ways:
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Amanda finished her dissertation, and graduated with her PhD. Congratulations, Dr. Cutchens! Megan and Carter led study abroad programs to Argentina and Germany.
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Arnie and Cayla presented scholarly work at academic conferences. Megan and Amanda led a study away program for new freshmen to Asheville, North Carolina. Arnie, Reggie, Krysta, and Cayla are enrolled in PhD programs, while Danielle and Megan took courses to brush up on their foreign language fluency. Carter attended the Tampa Museum of Art student capstone presentations. Reggie supervised and mentored 8 student workers who manage our student database. Cayla hosted an etiquette session for business dinners. All of our advisors have socialized with students at college picnics, while walking around campus, at LLC program events, during a faculty, student, staff trivia night, and many other activities.
In the coming year we will implement a few new survey tools to assess our efforts to achieve our mission to help students develop their individual pathways while staying on track for a timely graduation. A recent collaboration with USF IT will help us along the way. In June 2018, Cayla Lanier, Honors College Director of Advising, partnered with USF IT to develop a data analysis tool that combines data from a variety of sources to help our academic advisors track students’ progress. With this new tool, advisors have even more ability to identify and reach out to students who need assistance in charting their path.
ABOVE - The 2018 Honors advising team: Left to right, Cayla Lanier, Danielle Sanford, Krysta Banke, Carter Harbert, Arnie Mejias, Megan Braunstein, Dr. Amanda Cutchens, Reggie Lucien, and Michelle Meek.
First ‘Peer GA’ a helpful resource for Honors students In the fall of 2018, Stephanie Lindeman Cox was hired as the first Honors College Student Academic Success Graduate Assistant. Under the direction of Honors College advisors, Stephanie (who holds a Master’s in biomedical sciences and is pursuing a second Master’s in mental health and rehabilitation) works with Honors students to offer resources to improve mental health. Through workshops and other activities, she helps students address issues including time management, stress, anxiety, homesickness, depression, and other obstacles to success.
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LEFT - Left to right, Patty Tidwell, Levi Davidson, and Dr. Lindy Davidson at her Last Lecture event. BELOW - Dr. Davidson lectures in front of a childhood photo of herself and her sister, Shannan Gabe.
Last Lecture
SERIES O
NE EVENING LAST APRIL, students gathered into the Marshall Student Center Oval Theater to hear Dr. Lindy Davidson deliver the annual USF Last Lecture. Based on the book The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, the series asks the lecturers to consider what is most important to them and what they would want to talk about if it were their last chance to give a lecture. Though some might find it morose, the occasion was a perfect fit for Dr. Davidson, who researches pediatric palliative care, health communication in end-of-life care, global disability, and health disparity. Dr. Davidson’s interest in these topics started shortly after earning her Master of Divinity degree and the birth of her first child. Her son was born with multiple serious health complications that kept him in the hospital for the first several months of his life. Through this challenging experience her academic and research interests began to fall into place. “I was in the hospital surrounded by other parents with desperately ill children,” Davidson recalls. “They were scraping around, questioning God and wrestling with faith, but many issues could’ve been easily addressed with proper communication. Everything in an Intensive Care Unit is foreign unless you work there. I realized that because my experience in Theology helped me through my experiences, getting a Ph.D. in Health Communication was a logical next step.”
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Beginning with that explanation, Dr. Davidson’s lecture moved on to argue that our perceptions of end-of-life experiences and palliative care can conflict with society’s expectations of us. Grief can conflict with the social ‘command of perfection,’ as she describes it, that tells us that anger is acceptable but sorrow is supposed to stay hidden. Given her naturally cheerful disposition, Dr. Davidson went on to say that she doesn’t like being sad any more than the next person. “But I realize that it’s important to be sad sometimes because it’s a real part of life. When someone dies, when there’s some injustice you can’t do anything about, sadness is right; anger can only get you so far. And if you don’t know why it’s okay to be sad, how will you ever know why you should be happy?” Dr. Davidson’s full lecture is available on the USF Honors College YouTube page.
GLOBAL HEALTH CONFERENCE Students present work at the Global Health Catalyst Summit at Harvard Medical School
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N THE SPRING SEMESTER, HONORS College faculty member, Dr. Lindy Davidson, teaches a Geographical Perspectives class called “Cultural Constructions of Disability.” Throughout this service-learning course, students explore ways that culture impacts our understanding of disability, while considering the experiences of individuals with disabilities and the challenges of disabled bodies in an able-bodied world. Davidson facilitates class explorations of disability research in Latin America, Asia, Africa and other regions in response to student interest. Over the past three years, Davidson has developed a partnership with the African Renaissance Ambassador Corp. (ARACorp). Students in the class and members of the ARA-Corp have co-produced epilepsy education and awareness materials for use in Cameroon and other locations on the African continent.
Each spring, Davidson has selected a few of her students to present their work at the Global Health Catalyst Summit held at Harvard Medical School. In 2018, Brittany Bennett, Erin Schmucker, Sydney Seabaugh, and Dhalia Bumbaca presented on behalf of their class. “This conference included leaders from all over the world talking about global health,” says Seabaugh, a recent Honors College alumna. “We were able to present our individual research as well as the class service project.” The students at the summit attended an impressive lineup of workshops led by influential African leaders and focused on current health issues in various African regions. They also served as volunteers at the conference. As a volunteer, Bumbaca had the opportunity to interview Orlando Magic player Bismack Biyombo for Afrikana News. Bumbaca talked with Biyombo about the award he received for his philanthropic work in sports, education, and health in the Congo, and his views on giving back to his community. “This type of experiential learning is exactly what makes our Honors College special,” says the Dean, Dr. Charles Adams. “The students in this class are able to learn from Dr. Davidson about challenges facing specific global communities, and then take action on a project to help improve the quality of life for those they’ve researched. I am very proud of the students working on these projects, and I’m delighted that they have had the opportunity to present their work on an international stage at the Global Health Catalyst Summit.” BELOW - Left to Right, Honors College students, Brittany Bennett, Erin Schmucker, Sydney Seabaugh, and Dhalia Bumbaca presented their work from Dr. Davidson’s course on Global Constructions of Disability at the Global Health Catalyst Summit at Harvard Medical School.
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International Day TOP LEFT - Flags of some of the countries represented at International Day. TOP RIGHT - Ahmad Harb presents about his home country of Lebanon to Karina Rao. MIDDLE RIGHT - Zachary Robinson and Doni Rafikjonov view a student’s presentation. BOTTOM RIGHT - Hannah Box and Zoe Greco-Musters dance to their choreographed number to demonstrate what they learned during their semester studying dance in France. BOTTOM LEFT - Awa Ndiaye presents on her home country, Senegal.
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ITH A FOCUS ON GLOBAL awareness, the Honors College hosts numerous events yearround to expose students to different cultures and communities across the globe. A great example of this is International Day, which takes place in the Fall semester. The College celebrated the third annual International Day on October 19, 2018, with 88 student presenters, and more than 150 students, faculty, and guests in attendance. For international students, the evening was a time to reflect on experiences from both their home countries and the United States, and to recognize both the gaps and connections between these places. For domestic students who have traveled abroad through the USF Education Abroad programs, the event provided an opportunity to reflect on their time abroad and how it shaped their academic and professional goals. Some of the countries highlighted this year included Senegal, India, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Lebanon, plus many more.
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The presentations informed attendees about study abroad programs both in the Honors College and university-wide. The event allowed students to feature countries through posters, videos, art pieces, or other interactive forms. This year, one notable presentation from the USF Dance in France program featured two students who showcased what they learned and performed a self-choreographed dance for guests in the ALN courtyard.
Learning through
EXPERIENCE
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XPERIENTIAL LEARNING is often defined as “the process of learning through experience, and more specifically learning through reflection on doing.” The ability for students to participate in a diverse offering of this type of education is one of the factors that makes USF’s Honors College special. “Many of our faculty members incorporate experiential learning into their courses,” says Dr. Charles Adams, Honors College Dean. “We have students leading therapeutic tours at the Tampa Museum of Art, shadowing patients in the Tampa General Hospital Emergency Room, preserving historic documents at the St. Petersburg Beach Public Library and Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, and much more.” Outside of classes, students are also encouraged to explore internships. “When students participate in internships, they have the opportunity to see how their skills can be meaningful and practical outside the classroom,” says Dr. Lindy Davidson, Honors College faculty member and Coordinator of Experiential Learning. “Students also grow in their understanding of professionalism, community needs, teamwork, and the sheer number of career paths that exist.” Approximately half of all Honors College students participate in internships. One example from 2018 was Jessica Keene, who interned with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) in the Office of Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy (PAPD). Keene reported to Public Affairs Officer Elizabeth Liu who says that “Jessica made several contributions for which we are very grateful. Three of her most significant contributions include managing our 40th Anniversary campaign, creating PAPD’s SharePoint calendar which will improve office efficiency and productivity for years to come, and updating INL’s website which was crucial as it is the public’s first source of information about us.” During her ten-week internship, Keene helped her department while learning more about Public Affairs from Liu and her team. “Interns are mentored by professionals who share about their professional journeys, lessons learned, and tips for success,” says Davidson. “These opportunities benefit both the students and the employers, and are a great example of the power of experiential learning.”
International Day is hosted by the Honors College Student Council (HCSC), a student-led group that initiates service and leadership opportunities for Honors students. Danilo Polanco, the HCSC graduate assistant, coordinated this year’s event. “Students work very hard on their presentations,” says Polanco. “Listening to the experiences they have encountered abroad makes you really want to go to those countries yourself!”
Examples of 2018 Internships include: • Nandini Agarwal completed an internship in India working to improve women’s financial situations • Philip Barrison interned in Washington DC working on public policy in palliative care • Zack Robinson traveled to Tajikistan for an internship in industrial engineering • Shahriar “Shawn” Zamani interned at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland performing cancer research HONORS COLLEGE 23
HONORS COLLEGE PHOTO COMPETITION 2018 1
3 IN FALL 2018, THE HONORS COLLEGE Student Council sponsored its annual international photo contest, in which students were encouraged to submit a photo taken while studying abroad. Close to 100 images were submitted and posted to the Honors College Facebook page where the number of “likes” determined the winners. More than 5,600 votes were cast and the winning image, “Rural Life in Japan,” was taken by Honors College junior, David Arango, in Gujo Hachiman, Gifu, Japan. “We are always amazed by the stunning images captured by our students,” says Honors College Dean, Dr. Charles Adams. “The photos provide a glimpse into different cultures and reinforce our commitment to global studies.” Arango won a $100 Honors College scholarship and the top 20 images were enlarged on canvases that now grace the walls of the College. 24 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA
2
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11 1) Rural Life in Japan, by David Arango, Gujo Hachiman, Gifu, Japan 2) Lakes at Ausangate, by Kylie Faulkner, Ausangate, Peru 3) Wild Scotland, by Nikki Aiosa, The Highlands of Scotland 4) Que Bonita, by Rachel Stacy, Pisac, Peru 5) Ausangate, by Abby Blocker, Ausangate, Peru 6) Women’s March, by Katya Bea, Gijón, Spain 7) Shiraito Falls - A Hidden Wonder, by Christian Santiago, Mount Fuji, Japan 8) Lion Cub, by Eleanor Brodrick, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania 9) Italian Riviera, by Anisha Joshi, Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy 10) Ha’penny Bridge over Liffey River, by Jamie Sturgess, Dublin, Ireland 11) Parisian Spring, by Maddie Roth, Paris, France 12) Le Catacombes De Paris, by Sarah Rodhouse, Paris, France 13) Neuschwanstein Castle, by Nicole Nauman, Schwangau, Germany
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14) Jumping over Stonehenge, by Nicole Schneider, Stonehenge, England 15) Cathedral, by Victoria Elizabeth Dunkley, Florence, Italy
HONORS COLLEGE 25
Study Abroad
WITH THE HONORS COLLEGE
The Honors College hosts a number of study abroad trips each year. These experiences allow Honors College students to travel internationally and participate in
Montreal, Canada 2019
academic- and service-oriented experiences. To accommodate diverse student schedules, these trips are offered in three formats: as part of a semester-long course (with one to three weeks of international travel included), as week-long spring break trips that are not associated with a class, and as summer programs that incorporate course work.
Dominican Republic 2018 and 2019
During 2018 there were nine Honors College study abroad trips: n n n n n n n n n
Argentina Beyond the Classroom May 2018: 20 students Germany Beyond the Classroom May 2018: 25 students Dominican Republic Beyond the Classroom May 2018: 25 students Japan Beyond the Classroom May 2018: 20 students Peru Beyond the Classroom May 2018: 20 students London (Part of the “USF in London� program) June 2018: 25 students Thailand Service Trip June 2018: 8 students Vietnam Beyond the Classroom July 2018: 14 students Dominican Republic Beyond the Classroom December 2018: 25 students
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Martinique 2019
Argentina 2018 Panama 2019
Peru 2018 and 2019
2019 trips will include travel to the Dominican Republic, Germany, Panama, Japan, Peru, London, Thailand, Vietnam, Montreal, Martinique, and Exeter. London, UK 2018 and 2019
Exeter, UK 2019
“Our professors study many regions of the world and offer an impressive diversity of study abroad options for Honors College students,” says Reggie Lucien, Honors College Associate Director for International and Residential Programs. “We have programs in Australia, Europe, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. This allows us to offer options that cater to a variety of interests. Global study is more important now than ever before.”
Germany 2018 and 2019 Japan 2018 and 2019
Thailand 2018 and 2019 Vietnam 2018 and 2019
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Argentina BEYOND THE CLASSROOM MAY 2018
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his past summer, 20 Honors College students participated in a study abroad trip to Argentina. Before travelling they took a course taught by Dr. Adriana Novoa called Argentina: Beyond The Classroom, which focused on the development of Buenos Aires over the centuries. “Topics ranged from European influence to Argentine culture to sports,” explained Megan Braunstein, Honors College Advisor and trip leader. Once the course ended, the students travelled to Argentina for two weeks. Because of their advanced study, they felt prepared when arriving in the country. “We were given readings, lectures, and documentaries to learn from, which gave me a clear vision of what to expect of Argentina in terms of the people, culture, architecture, and more,” recalls Yara Khalil, an Honors junior. “I was able to have informed, comprehensive discussions with Argentinians.” Once there, students spent a majority of their time exploring Buenos Aires. They visited a pharmaceutical lab and a private hospital in order to compare health care in Argentina and the United States. They also had the opportunity to tour the Casa Rosada, the Argentine President’s residence. “He held cabinet meetings while we were there,” Braunstein marveled. “It was a big deal.” Her favorite moment, though, was when they visited an estancia, a traditional Argentine ranch, called Don Silvano. Participants had the opportunity to see a range of animals including donkeys and ostriches. They enjoyed a typical Argentine mixed grill called parrillada, and watched a Tango show. “On the way back, everybody said – ‘Wow! We feel so connected to Argentine culture now’,” Braunstein recalls. While students loved experiencing a new culture, they also enjoyed getting to know each other. “My favorite part of the trip was the first night we spent in Argentina. This was the first time the class was able to bond and truly talk and get to know each other,” Khalil explains. “Not only were we able to have intellectual discussions and learn more about each other’s passions and areas of interest, but we were also able to
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experience support from one another in unexpected situations throughout the trip.” As a final project for the course, students had to write a reflection paper about their trip. Throughout the semester, they had read accounts of various travelers and their perceptions of Buenos Aires. After the trip, it was the students’ turn. Khalil believes that all the preparation work they did throughout the semester really impacted her perception of the trip. She encourages all students to take advantage of similar opportunities. As she puts it, “Studying abroad with the Honors College results in more meaningful travel experiences!”
ABOVE - Students visiting the briefing room of Casa Rosada. OPPOSITE PAGE - Students prepare to enjoy a typical Argentine meal called parrillada. FAR LEFT - Left to right, Megan Braunstein and Meera Navadia tour Laboratorio Gador, a pharmaceutical company located on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. LEFT - Honors College students visit La Boca, the Buenos Aires neighborhood known as the birthplace of the Tango.
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Dominican Republic
SERVICE BREAK MAY AND DECEMBER 2018
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UILDING A COMMUNITY garden, constructing a school kitchen, and working in mobile clinics are just a few service projects completed by USF Honors College students during their 2018 Dominican Republic study abroad trips. The students joined the Kerolle Initiative (a non-profit community health provider) and were immersed in a service-packed ten-day trip to Bella Vista, Dominican Republic, where they helped improve the living conditions of a grateful community. Each trip (there are two each year), results in an estimated 1,000 service hours. Because of this experience, some students were inspired to continue with service projects in the Dominican Republic, even after their programs were over. Prior to embarking on their journey, Honors College students participated in Dr. Lindy Davidson’s Health and Culture in the Dominican Republic course. The students learned about the history and culture of the country, researched the current healthcare system, and brushed up on their Spanish skills to prepare for the service trip. There are approximately 25 students enrolled for each trip. Although students were not required to take the course before traveling, it provided valuable insights and preparation. Students had the opportunity to bond before traveling together. “I liked getting to know my classmates and learning each other’s interests and future goals,” says Alexa Ignacio, a Mass Communications and Biomedical Sciences major. “We weren’t all pre-med students, and we all had diverse interests outside of medicine.” The students created unforgettable memories while also positively impacting the local community. “The students always participate in mobile medical clinics,” says Davidson. “We’ve also distributed medical supplies to hospitals and fire stations, built community gardens on a few occasions, and visited a home for kids with special needs and the elderly.” Many Honors College students were deeply impacted by
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their experience in the Dominican Republic. “It taught me extremely valuable lessons about international sustainable development because it’s one thing to just drop in and get volunteers to do something for a community that they didn’t ask for, and it’s another thing to work with that community based off what they tell volunteers they need,” says Amber Pirson, an Anthropology and International Studies major. The students were also influenced by the country’s culture and its people. “It gave me the chance to adapt and understand a new culture and community, a skill that I hope to draw on and build throughout the rest of my public health career,” says Vivekka Suppiah, a Philosophy major and 2018 graduate. The ongoing relationship between the Honors College and the community continues to grow, with each group building on the work of previous trips. The Honors College is extremely proud of the service and philanthropy of all students who embarked on the journeys to the Dominican Republic. “This trip is only the beginning for some of our students,” says Davidson. “They go on to do more research, more service, and more cultural engagement in the Dominican Republic. This trip is simply the spark that starts it.”
ABOVE - Students volunteer at a medical clinic on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. OPPOSITE PAGE - Students work at a pharmacy at a clinic in Las Espinas.
LEFT - Trip participants explore a famous statue in Puerto Plata. RIGHT - Students help school children build a community garden in Madre Vieja.
HONORS COLLEGE 31
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM MAY 2018
Germany
“
With our buddies we were able to explore parts of our host city that a normal traveler may have never found.” – Rebeka Deturo, Marine Biology
INSET - Honors students enjoyed exploring Königstein Fortress. OPPOSITE PAGE - Students explored Osnabrück, Germany. Left to right, Sandeep Gill, Alex Lee, Farrah Sepehri, Bryant Howard, Abigail Alonzo, Rebeka Deturo, Madison Roth, Samantha Schwarz.
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T
HE GERMANY “BEYOND THE CLASSROOM” course includes a study abroad experience unique among those offered by the Honors College. During the spring semester, participants learn about German history, art, and language. However, what sets it apart from other trips is the fact that students have the opportunity to personally connect with a peer in Germany prior to traveling there. “This program is designed to give students an insight into German culture that they won’t get throughout the semester,” Program Director Reggie Lucien explains. Students FaceTime with peers their age and really get to know each other’s way of living and some of the issues they face as young adults. After the course, when students arrive in Germany, they meet the person whom they have been conversing with for months. In some ways, the program allows students to make friends before they even set foot in the country. “With our buddies we were able to explore parts of our host city that a normal traveler may have never found,” says Rebeka Deturo, a junior majoring in marine biology. “We could ask them questions about Germany, and just see what a typical day was like.” “Germany Beyond the Classroom” is the longest ongoing Honors College study abroad course to date. For eight consecutive years, students have been immersed into German culture with the latest participants attending the University of Osnabrück and
visiting nearby cities of Dresden, Berlin, and Hamburg as part of the curriculum. “My favorite excursion was to Festung Königstein, where we visited a village fortress that was hundreds of years old,” said Madison Roth, a second-year civil engineering student. “It was at a very high elevation and offered a great mix of history and incredible views.” The program balances educational, recreational, and cultural experiences in a seamless manner. The lessons taught, paired with diverse excursions, offer an unforgettable and eye-opening experience. “On the same level with the fortress was visiting the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin,” adds Deturo. “I don’t even have words to explain how powerful it was to see this landmark in person, and know all the famous events that took place there.” “It was extremely inspiring to see how the German people are progressive and eager to create a future that does not reflect the events of the past, but that acknowledges those events with remorse and with growth in mind,” explains Roth. The personal connections made between students in both countries offer special opportunities for personal growth and lifelong connections. “We are a family now,” says Tiara Desper, a sophomore majoring in biomedical sciences. “By studying abroad, we have experienced unforgettable moments that bonded us.” HONORS COLLEGE 33
Japan
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM MAY 2018
I
N MAY OF 2018, 20 Honors College students embarked on a journey across Japan that would cover more than 500 miles of the Land of the Rising Sun. In a study abroad trip that joined Professor Atsuko Sakai’s Japanese Geo Perspectives class with Dr. Benjamin Young’s Japan-focused Seminar in Applied Ethics, students were exposed to a wide range of interdisciplinary topics that included design education in Sendai, engineering in Nagoya, health and wellness in Gifu, artisanship in Kyoto, and city planning in Tokyo. “Since this was the first Honors College trip to Japan, it’s still a work in progress, but that’s the fun part – developing a new interdisciplinary concept,” said Sakai. When asked about the wide range of interdisciplinary concepts that the trip covered, Dr. Young noted that “we try to filter very technical interdisciplinary concepts through the lens of how it affects our everyday experience. Because we focus on that, it doesn’t matter which discipline you come from – there’s a way to apply it academically.” During the trip, Sakai and Young worked to find a balance between topics affecting current everyday lives and historic topics that are embedded in modern Japanese culture and lifestyle. “Each day had a different theme to it,” said Christian Santiago, a junior Cell and Molecular Every day we had at least Biology major also minoring in Criminology. “One two to four hours to day would focus on children and education, one explore the area where we day would be spent on medicine and university life, and other days were about cultural customs and the were staying.” history of Japan.” – Tanner Lansdale, Communicaitons Students also had the opportunity to go out and explore on their own. According to Tanner Lansdale, a senior Communications major “Every day we had at least two to four hours to explore the area where we were staying. When we were in Kyoto that meant going to a lot of the historical Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. In Tokyo that meant immersing ourselves in more modern culture.” Erika Winters, a senior Computer Science major who went on the trip to pursue research for her Honors Thesis on installation art, noted that “there are lot of small things in Japanese culture you can’t really get a feeling for by hearing someone talk about it, seeing pictures about it, or reading about it. It’s something you have to experience. Everybody should have a chance to see something that’s so incredibly different from the way we’re taught to look at things.” As Lansdale later said: “Japan has something for everyone. No matter what you’re studying, no matter what you’re looking for.” As this was the first trip of its kind for the Honors College, Sakai and Young are looking forward to shaping the courses and trip so that students can continue to have an experience as enriching and life-changing as the inaugural one.
“
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OPPOSITE PAGE - Students explored Akihabara, Tokyo. Left to right, Alan Nguyen, Christian Santiago, AJ Ruocco, Tanner Lansdale, Peter Radulovic, and Bryce Pfeiffer. TOP - The class visited Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. BOTTOM LEFT - Left to right, Bryce Pfeiffer, Marcus Nash, and Tanner Lansdale touring Okochi-Sanso Garden in Kyoto. BOTTOM RIGHT - Kimono lesson day in Nara, left to right, Paola Farah, Amrutha Ooroth, and Erika Winters. HONORS COLLEGE 35
London EXPLORE AND INTERN JUNE 2018
F
OR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, Honors College students have ventured “across the pond” to spend one month in London, England. During their time, participants spend four days a week in the classroom, with Fridays left for excursions around town. The weekends are set aside for cultural activities, sightseeing, and day trips to Bath, Dover, or Stonehenge. London is a popular study abroad choice for students due to its familiarity to the United States and its well-known attractions. However, Honors College Dean, Dr. Charles Adams, who teaches a course on “Britishness: National Identity in the Global Age” during the study abroad term, challenges students to view London not just as a tourist destination, but as a place of significant cultural heritage and diversity, and an environment in which to examine one’s self. “I want them to see this energetic, richly diverse, and beautiful city with all its history and to appreciate British culture, but to also understand how modern Britain was formed from its colonial past and a global present,” says Adams. He has a personal connection to the city of London: he spent his formative years growing up as an English boy, and carries this sentiment with him every time he takes students abroad. Dean Adams wants them to understand that not everyone in London looks like the Queen: a multitude of neighborhoods exist within the city with people from varied socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. London truly epitomizes a “world city,” a crossroad for people from all across the globe. Every Honors student has a different reason for why they chose the London experience. For Indianborn Accounting and Finance junior, Nandini Agarwal, this was her chance to see history unfold by trying to understand firsthand the complex history of British imperialism and colonialism. For Carlos Rojas Parra, a junior pursuing a
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concurrent degree in Mathematics and Quantitative Economics, the London trip was appealing because of the current complex political atmosphere of the U.K. after the controversial ‘Brexit’ referendum in 2016. He adds, “Who wouldn’t want to live in London for an entire month? The city is simply wonderful, and probably my favorite city to date.” During the trip, students frequented the traditional tourist spots, but also were able to bond with peers from many different backgrounds and explore the true essence of the city. These experiences help students enhance their world view and appreciate similarities and differences of another country compared to one’s own. Nevertheless, Dean Adams’ primary goal for the London trip is for students to understand themselves better. “I want them to use England as a case study for “nationhood” and ask fundamental questions about what it means to be a citizen of any place,” says Adams. By experiencing the Honors London trip, students simultaneously became refined global citizens, and had the opportunity to reflect on their own national identity.
TOP - Left to right, Nicole Schneider, Chris Jen, and Jamie Sturgess jumping near Stonehenge. BOTTOM LEFT - Left to right, Bailey Carroll, Sarah Lendvay, Carlos Manuel Parra explore the coast. BOTTOM RIGHT - Dean Adams’ “Britishness” class in the city of London.
HONORS COLLEGE 37
PHOTO - Rachel Miller riding a horse in the sacred Ausungate region of Peru.
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Perú
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM MAY 2018
L
AST SPRING, 20 HONORS COLLEGE students embarked on an active two-week study abroad excursion in the mountains not far from Lima, Peru. Prior to traveling, the students took the Honors “Beyond the Classroom” course which focused on the history, culture, and ecology of the country. They specifically learned about measures the local communities take to adapt to global warming and preserve their farming industry. Faculty member and trip leader, Dr. Alan Bush, says that this opportunity especially benefits students with a passion for climate change and whose goal is to learn more about how it affects the world as we know it. He was interested in this particular program due to the dramatic environmental impacts the Ausungate region of Peru is seeing and wanted to learn from the Peruvian people. He says he was inspired by the way locals dealt with that change in order to continue their potato cultivation. With this course, Dr. Bush wishes to empower individuals to combat negative climate effects by acting in their own communities. “One of the biggest things I took away was the concept of harmony and reciprocity between humankind and Earth,” says Magdalena Ford, a senior majoring in Elementary Education. “Going on the trip has made me a lot more conscious of how I live.” Throughout the two weeks abroad, students worked with Andean locals to harvest potatoes from Parque de La Papa (or Potato Park). They learned about more than 1,400 different types of potatoes and how the locals adapt to climate change patterns in order to maintain and improve their harvests. After a tour of the park, they dug up and cooked their own potatoes following traditional Peruvian recipes. “They had so much respect and love for their environment and I was beyond grateful to be a part of it,” states Ford. “I loved hearing the passion in their voices when talking about their farming systems and their work with other groups in Peru to keep the potato business in the country.” During their time in Peru, students also visited some remote cities and hiked through breathtaking scenery. They witnessed sophisticated agriculture and highly-engineered Incan landscapes that were built around the 15th century. The steeply-tiered agricultural fields showcased how advanced the Incans were for their time. During this “hike through time,” students enjoyed a diverse mix of history and art, all while experiencing the rugged and beautiful nature of the country. “There is a bit of a physical component to the trip with all of the hiking, but everyone is so encouraging and understands how it may be difficult for some, so there is always support no matter what you are doing,” says Abby Blocker, a sophomore studying Biomedical Engineering. “You will come back with a brand-new attitude towards life and a great experience that you can’t find anywhere else but in Peru.”
TOP - Adrian, a “tecnico” or worker at the potato farm in Peru, talks about the different kinds of potatoes that they cultivate and store within their seed bank, explaining all of their culinary and medicinal uses. BOTTOM - Students on the trip enjoyed breakfast together before hiking or taking a donkey up Mount Ausungate with the mountain guides. HONORS COLLEGE 39
Thailand BEYOND THE CLASSROOM JUNE 2018
I
N JUNE OF 2018, EIGHT FEMALE Honors students left for northern Thailand in a program that they designed with the goal to help educate and empower young Thai girls. The trip was focused around the “Keep Girls Safe Project,” sponsored by the Thai branch of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency. The first of what Dr. Charles Adams, Dean of the Honors College, calls “micro-programs,” the program in Thailand was designed entirely by the students themselves. “We worked with Peacework International staff who took care of the logistics in Thailand,” said Dean Adams. “They made sure the accommodations were okay, and connected us with ‘Keep Girls Safe.’ The Honors College provided travel scholarships, but the students took the lead in designing everything else for this program.” The “Keep Girls Safe Project” is a shelter that protects girls most at risk of being trafficked due to poverty, abuse, parental death, or abandonment, among other factors. For the initial portion of the trip the focus was on volunteering at this shelter. The students worked on designing lessons and activities that would empower the girls of the shelter. Lessons were designed to focus on English, financial literacy, self-defense, and conversational skills. Every night, the students would convene to discuss the lesson plan for the next day and what changes were necessary if the administrators of their host institution wanted to shift focus. Jasmine Burnett, a senior majoring in Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, explained: “Our lessons at the shelter focused on empowerment with a dash of English.” When the group transitioned to working with local public schools, “we reworked our lesson plan to focus more on English.” These units also included portions on human trafficking, with lessons about telltale signs of trafficking such as suspicious job offers. “This trip was our baby,” said Burnett. “Even the lesson plans; we reworked them continuously depending on how the kids reacted and what they were receptive to.” Although the trip meant a lot of work for the Honors students – an average of 65 hours a week while in Thailand of planning and execution according to Burnett – not all the time was spent
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giving lessons. One weekend included a visit with the “Keep Girls Safe” group to Mae Fuh Luang University. Many of the girls move into skilled labor after leaving the shelter rather than going to university, usually due to financial strain. Amber Pirson, a junior pursuing degrees in Anthropology and International Studies, recalled that after a representative from Mae Fuh Luang told the group that full-ride scholarships were available for girls who had grown up in adverse conditions, “the look on their faces was amazing. One girl’s jaw dropped to the ground.” Jeannette Myrick, a junior Cell and Molecular Biology Major, remembers the moment. “I wanted to start crying out of happiness because we could see it – the vision in the girls’ eyes. They just had to step into a university environment to find that vision.” “We’re very proud of what our students did,” said Dean Adams, “and I hope that this will be the foundation for an ongoing project that sends Honors College students to empower Thai girls for many years to come.”
ABOVE - Children of the “Keep Girls Safe Project,” accompanied by Honors students, enjoying a bike ride at Singha Park. INSET - Honors students pose with Thai volunteers. (From left) back row: Phattarawin T. Eve, Vivekka Suppiah, Jeannette Myrick, Anuwat Jaiaksorn, Teresa Kee, Jasmine Burnett, and Ifeoluwa Bolujo; front row: Jif Kanyarat, Yodfun Ounpichai, Amber Pirson, Greeshma James, and Casey Farrell. LEFT - Honors student Amber Pirson teaching primary school students an activity.
HONORS COLLEGE 41
Vietnam BEYOND THE CLASSROOM JULY 2018
L
AST YEAR, 15 HONORS COLLEGE STUDENTS TRAVELED from Tampa to Vietnam to participate in a study abroad program that united 15 USF and 15 Vinh University students. Before travelling, Dr. Biafora, a USF Professor and one of the faculty leaders for the trip, taught an Honors course called “Perspectives on Vietnam,” which focused on the country since 1975. He says that “the primary goal was to expose students to a part of the world that is vastly different than their own.” Ngoc Linh Huynh, an Honors junior, was particularly interested in studying abroad in Vietnam because she wanted to experience her family’s culture first-hand. “Growing up, my father used to tell me how beautiful Vietnam was, while my mother didn’t,” says Huynh. “She had heard stories and felt afraid to go back. I decided to see for myself whether or not it was a beautiful country, and if I needed to fear it.” Upon arrival in Vietnam, the students visited Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho in southern Vietnam before going to Vinh University, located in the north central region. Once there, all the students participating in the program, both Vietnamese and American, gathered for pizza. Afterward, they had 15 minutes to get to know each other and choose their roommate. “It felt like being thrown into the ocean,” joked Saad Chowdhury. “But it worked! We just sort of clicked. Everyone found a good roommate. Mine ended up being the first person I spoke to.” The students spent the next two weeks living, studying, eating, and traveling with their roommates. Dr. Biafora particularly enjoyed watching roommate pairs influence each other. “Everyone realizes that at our core, we are all human beings and aspire to be successful,” he says. “Our students make wonderful friendships.” “We’re brothers,” Chowdhury recalls he and his roommate saying. While in Vietnam, the students visited war museums and universities. They also visited the Mekong Delta, where they were able to see first-hand how the Vietnamese can live on the water and farm through aqua systems. Many of the pairs also went on excursions or participated in activities together. Huynh fondly recalls when she and her roommate would skip the optional planned dinner to explore on their own and get traditional Vietnamese food. She also enjoyed the program’s closing ceremonies. All the current students, as well as local program alum, gathered at a special restaurant and reflected upon their experiences. The Vinh University students made a video collage and gave out prizes to everyone. After a final night of fun, the realization that the trip was over began to set in. Before leaving, Huynh recalls one of the Vinh students pulling her aside and telling her, “Don’t ever forget that you are Vietnamese and this is your country.” She now feels that she has two homes, one in the U.S. and another in her family’s ancestral home. After sharing her experiences with her family, Huynh’s mom decided she wanted to visit Vietnam as well. Her family is planning to go there soon. Chowdhury also wishes to return because, “No matter where you go in Vietnam, you will find a good meal, a good place to be, and good people to be with.”
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ABOVE - Honors College students take a boat ride through Trang An-Tam Coc, a complex system of mountains and river where Kong: Skull Island was famously filmed.
RIGHT - Honors College student Saad Chowdhury in Ninh Binh Province. OPPOSITE PAGE - A street vendor and his cow rest in Hoa Lu, the first capital of Vietnam.
INSET - Honors College student Mallory Cain and her roommate Quynh.
HONORS COLLEGE 43
St. Augustine
J
UST AFTER CLASSES ended in December, Dr. Catherine Wilkins, Honors College faculty member and interim assistant dean, led six students on a threeday study away trip to Saint Augustine – a northeast Florida city rich with nature and history. For some students, this was their first time exploring outside of Tampa. For others, it was an opportunity to relive some fun memories. However, the trip was a little different than it had been in the past. “On my version of the trip, I tried to blend nature experiences with the urban and historical experiences in Saint Augustine itself,” explains Wilkins. After departing the Honors College and traveling about halfway to America’s oldest city, the group made a stop at the Blue Spring State Park (in Orange City), where Dr. Wilkins and the students picnicked for lunch. While there, they enjoyed a nature walk and watched the manatees. “On the day we were there, rangers report-
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ed there were over 300 manatees present,” says Wilkins. “It was really extraordinary!” Once in Saint Augustine, the group enjoyed many tours and nature walks around the historic city. They visited places such as the Saint Augustine lighthouse, Flagler College, Fort Matanzas and more. Nicole Yacura, an Honors senior majoring in Environmental Science and Policy, really enjoyed touring the St. Augustine lighthouse. “It was beautiful,” says Yacura. “When you’re up at the top, it’s a little dizzying to get near the edge... but once you do, the view is gorgeous. It’s one of the oldest structures in St. Augustine and it’s likely that the city would not have developed as it did if it weren’t for this lighthouse.” Students also visited Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, an island that was gifted to the state from a family that purchased and preserved it in the early 1900’s. Located on the island is a small home that is surrounded by botanical gardens. Closer to the
STUDY AWAY JANUARY 2018 LEFT - Left to right, Nicole Yacura, Christiana Hancock, Julia Soondar, Dana Dammar, Dr. Catherine Wilkins, Kassandra Jones, and Anna Litinskaya at Blue Spring State Park. RIGHT - Honors students and faculty advisor Dr. Wilkins at the St. Augustine lighthouse. BELOW - Honors students enjoy a guided tour of the historic Flagler College.
“
...Through this trip I learned – and got to appreciate much more – what a rich history we have right here in our very own state.” – Anna Litinskaya, International Studies, and Spanish
ocean, students viewed beautiful limestone formations that create unique tidal pools. “It really feels like a slice of what the island would look like undeveloped,” says Wilkins. Near the end of the trip, the group stopped at a small sandwich shop for lunch and asked the owner if there was anything else they should see. The owner suggested they visit a nearby 2,000-year-old oak tree. “When we got to the tree you could really feel its presence,” says Wilkins. “There were a lot of big trees around, but this one tree... it was gigantic and had such a presence in the landscape.” In front of the tree was a plaque that asked viewers to imagine all of the history that passed in front of it. This plaque summarized Dr. Wilkins’ goal for the trip: for students to get a better sense of the natural history of Florida and to acknowledge that the landscape itself tells a story that is important for contemporary residents to learn.
The spontaneous detour to the oak tree was Yacura’s favorite part of the whole trip. “Being able to see such a historic piece of nature that’s been through hurricane after hurricane and the entire history of civilization in Florida was awe-inspiring,” she says. “If only we were able to hear the stories it holds – that would be priceless.” Even though this wasn’t her first time in Saint Augustine, Anna Litinskaya, an Honors senior majoring in International Studies and Spanish, still had many new experiences. “Truthfully, I knew very little about Florida history,” she says. “I feel that through this trip I learned – and got to appreciate much more – what a rich history we have right here in our very own state.”
HONORS COLLEGE 45
LEFT - Left to right, Lauren Chambers, Lauren Roberts, Lauren Bartshe-Hanlen and Dr. Sayandeb Basu gather in the John and Grace Allen Building courtyard at USF.
About the Office of
NATIONAL
SCHOLARSHIPS
E
NVISION. ENGAGE. EXCEL. These are the goals of the USF Office of National Scholarships (ONS). Housed within the Honors College, ONS helps students system-wide learn about, apply to, and prepare for competitive national scholarships. In 2018, 64 USF students earned prestigious awards (the second most in USF’s history) that sent them across the globe to learn a foreign language, research or study abroad, advance America’s diplomatic efforts, or lead important projects aimed at bettering the lives of others. “National scholarships further student success and serve as a springboard for future work in the recipients’ chosen fields,” says Dr. Sayan Basu, the Director of ONS. “Our office prepares students to be competitive through one-on-one advising, connections to undergraduate research, and collaborations with faculty mentors.” This year’s 64 national scholarship recipients includes 37 Benjamin A. Gilman Scholars, who received awards to fund
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study abroad opportunities. That number is more than double the previous year, the most in the state of Florida, and the sixth highest in the nation. In addition, four new USF alumni began graduate study in the fall semester at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom thanks to a Clarendon Scholarship (the university’s first) and three Frost Scholarships. Also this year, USF was home to a Barry M. Goldwater Scholar (one of only three in Florida for 2018), two Boren Scholars, and five Fulbright awardees, among others. Contributing to the success of ONS is the hard work of the staff, their collaborations across campus (specifically with USF World and Education Abroad), and a prestigious awards selection committee made up of USF stakeholders, past awardees, and respected community members. The selection committee interviews and reviews applicants for specific awards each year and determines the best candidates for the university to endorse through the application process. Also in 2018, students working with ONS created their own organization called “Visionaries.” This group of highly-motivated and ambitious applicants for one or another national scholarship are visionaries within their own disciplines, spearheading community-based initiatives and embarking on their own research projects. They support each other’s work and help provide advice and best practices to their classmates. “The upward trajectory of ONS is exciting to see,” says Basu. “I am proud of our students for their determination to pursue dreams and their commitment to leaving a positive legacy in this world.”
Office of National
Scholarships
DISPLAY
S
INCE THE SUMMER OF 2018, visitors to the Marshall Center, the heart of student activity on USF’s Tampa campus, have seen a new and celebratory display in its southwest corner. The eight-foot tall and thirty-foot wide monument includes distinguished commemorative panels with the names and awards of every USF national scholar since the university’s founding in 1956. All awardee names for each year thereafter are engraved on the panels and backlit to pay tribute to the prestige of each award. As new national scholars from USF are awarded, additional panels will be mounted and updated to celebrate their success. Also, a large video monitor showcases a series of national scholar stories. This feature adds a personal touch to the already stunning monument and provides contact information for students interested in meeting with national scholarship advisors. The display was created through a partnership with the Office of National Scholarships, the Provost’s Office, the Facilities Department, and the Marshall Student Center. The goal of this celebratory custom design is to inspire the next generation of national scholarship recipients while honoring USF’s history of distinguished award winners.
HONORS COLLEGE 47
LEFT - USF Fulbright Day Panelists and participants show their Bull Pride. From left: Aroushad Tahsini, Dr. Holly Donahue Singh, Allyson Hoffman, Heather Theisen-Gandara, Elizabeth Brown, Dr. Betty Castor, Lauren Chambers, Dr. Sayandeb Basu, and Dr. Charles Adams.
First Annual
FULBRIGHT Day
ON APRIL 6, 2018, USF CELEBRATED its first annual Fulbright Day to recognize our university’s continued success and legacy with the Fulbright US Student and Scholar Programs. The Fulbright US Student Program is the largest exchange program in the world – sending US students abroad for up to one year to engage in an independent research project, undertake a master’s degree, or teach English. The Fulbright US Scholar Program offers US faculty, administrators, and professionals grants to lecture and/or conduct research in a variety of academic and professional fields. For 2017, USF was named the number one producer of U.S. Fulbright Scholars (faculty) by the Chronicle of Higher Education. With an outstanding 12 faculty members named as scholars, USF doubled its number from the previous year. Also in 2017, USF received ten Fulbright student awards, the most in the state of Florida. Our university also hosts a number of foreign Fulbright students and faculty from across the globe to teach and study at USF. Hosted by the Office of National Scholarships (ONS), Fulbright Day was devoted to celebrating these and USF’s previous Fulbright successes, as well as discussing ways to increase awareness about Fulbright programs across campus. Students learned about the application process and listened to the experiences of past Fulbright scholars and students. The day consisted of two events: a student panel discussion and a networking reception. 48 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA
The panel, titled “My Fulbright Experience,” included: • • • • •
Heather Theisen-Gandara, Manager of Outreach and Recruitment for the Institute of International Education (IIE), which manages the Fulbright US Student Program Allyson Hoffman, 2018-19 Alternate Candidate for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Norway Aroushad Tahsini, recipient of a 2015-16 Fulbright Study Grant to Spain Elizabeth Brown, recipient of a 2013-14 Fulbright Research Grant to Germany Dr. Holly Donahue Singh, recipient of a 2000-01 Fulbright Student Research Grant to India, and Honors College instructor
The panelists discussed their motivations for applying for a Fulbright, what they did with their Fulbright award in their host country, and how the experience impacted them professionally and personally. The networking reception following the panel discussion brought together past student and faculty Fulbright recipients, foreign Fulbrighters currently on campus, and faculty and students interested in applying for Fulbright grants to engage in discussions about their Fulbright experiences or intentions. In all, USF Fulbright Day was a true celebration of the award’s values of international exchange and partnership. ONS looks forward to holding this event each year.
LEFT - Mabel Proenza shows her strength while hiking the Great Wall of China.
BELOW - Kilian Kelly makes new friends in the Dominican Republic.
A RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS EARN GILMAN SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE SUMMER OF 2018, 32 USF students studied and/or interned all around the globe as recipients of the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Gilman enables recipients to gain a better understanding of other cultures, knowledge that gives them a significant advantage in applying for jobs or graduate admissions. The scholarship awards students of limited financial means (applicants must be Pell Grant eligible) up to $5,000 for study abroad program costs. Success with the Gilman and other initiatives designed to close achievement gaps based on race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status is a priority for the university. USF’s elimination of these gaps has earned it national accolades, including being named the “2017 Institution of the Year” by Education Dive. “This is an exceptional award for students at the University of South Florida,” says Roger Brindley, Vice President of USF World. “As a global research university with a strategic focus on international engagement and a student population that is 42 percent Pell eligible, our community is poised for success in this important initiative.” The awardees are from a variety of different majors and traveled to six of the seven continents (all but Antarctica). “Our students can engage in more than 150 USF opportunities to study abroad each year, including faculty-led programs and student exchange programs” says Brindley. “The Gilman
Scholarship provides access to these unique and valuable opportunities for students who may not have been able to afford them otherwise.” Five USF students received Gilman Scholarships during the fall and spring semesters and completed their international travel prior to the summer. These awards bring USF’s total number of Gilman Scholars for 2017-18 to an impressive 37 students. This ranks USF number one in Florida and number six in the nation for Gilman Scholars. All 37 Gilman recipients worked with the USF Office of National Scholarships (ONS) during the application process. Located within the Honors College, ONS identifies, recruits, and mentors high achieving students to apply for national scholarships across all disciplines.
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LEFT - Misha Fini conducts research in the lab at Moffitt Cancer Center.
USF STUDENT EARNS PRESTIGIOUS GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP This is the ninth Goldwater in USF History
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N 2018, HONORS COLLEGE student Misha Fini became USF’s ninth Goldwater Scholar, chosen out of almost 1,300 students nominated across the country. The scholarship, established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, is the most prestigious undergraduate award for science research and provides $7,500 for educational expenses and research support. Fini, a microbiology major, performed cancer research at Moffitt Cancer Center under her mentor and Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Kenneth Wright. Their work investigated the causes of a protein that contributes to Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer that is estimated to take the lives of 20,000 people each year. The Goldwater Scholarship (one of only three awarded in Florida’s public universities this year) will help Fini continue her research and pursue a career goal of obtaining a PhD in Cancer Immunotherapy and becoming a university PI herself. She began her research at USF working with Dr. James Garey in his molecular biology lab. From there she developed a love
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of scientific research and secured a position in Dr. Wright’s lab. “Dr. Garey and Dr. Wright are such wonderful mentors,” said Fini. “They opened my eyes to undergraduate research and helped me define my career goals.” Although she began her studies at USF with an aim to become a medical doctor, Fini, who maintained a 4.0 GPA, has since turned her focus to research that could lead to medical breakthroughs. “I’d like to work toward a better understanding of how the human body’s immune systems all work together to eradicate pathogens and how this can be used to defeat cancer,” said Fini. “This research has the potential to discover new treatments and improve the quality of life of so many.” Fini first learned about the Goldwater Scholarship through the university’s Office of Undergraduate Research and worked extensively with the ONS staff to refine her application. “The Office of National Scholarships gave me the guidance I needed when applying for the Goldwater Scholarship,” says Misha. “Dr. Basu, the ONS Director, worked tirelessly with me on the application and his guidance made a tremendous difference.” Upon completion of her studies at USF, Misha will continue to study immunology with the goal of eventually mentoring her own students in the field. “It is wonderful to see Misha’s success,” said Dean Adams. “Undergraduate research is both valued and promoted throughout our university and it is great to see how our faculty and staff have supported, and continue to support, Misha as she pursues her dreams.”
FOUR USF STUDENTS RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIPS TO OXFORD
BELOW - From left, Frost Scholars Alejandro Navas, Janine DeBlasi and Justin Doherty, and USF’s first Clarendon Scholar, Kayla Li.
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N FALL 2018, FOUR PRESTIGIOUS scholarship recipients embarked on fully-funded graduate programs at the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom. Among them were three Frost Scholars, Janine DeBlasi, Justin Doherty, and Alejandro Navas (all Honors College graduates), and USF’s first Clarendon Scholar, Kayla Li. Li, who is from Clearwater, Florida, graduated from USF with a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences. She accomplished this in three years at the age of 18, and with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Her impressive academic credentials led Oxford to admit her to their Master of Science degree in Clinical Embryology, in the Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, and award her the Clarendon Scholarship. This prestigious scholarship is funded by Oxford University Press and aims to give the world’s most academically accomplished students the life-changing opportunity to study at Oxford. As a Clarendon Scholar, Li is among an elite group of students who currently represent more than 70 different countries. “I feel very honored and grateful for the opportunity to study at such a prestigious university alongside some of the brightest students in the world from so many diverse backgrounds,” she says. Her goal is to eventually become a Neonatologist and Director of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Li feels she was a strong contender for admittance to the University of Oxford and the Clarendon Scholarship thanks to the assistance she received from Ms. Lauren Chambers, Associate Director of the USF Office of National Scholarships (ONS). “I cannot thank Ms. Chambers enough for the patience and consideration she showed me throughout my work with ONS,” she says. Also working with ONS were USF’s three recipients of the Frost Scholarship. This generous award is sponsored by Governor Pat Frost of the Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida. Governor Frost and her husband Phillip provide funding for select students from Florida’s four-year public universities and the University of Miami to study for a full-time one year master’s degree in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields at Oxford. Among these Frost Scholars is DeBlasi, a Cell and Molecular Biology graduate. Originally from Wesley Chapel, Florida, DeBlasi is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Radiation Biology in the Department of Oncology at Oxford. Her career goal is to become a Principal Investigator (PI) in a translational cancer biology lab. Navas, a Physics graduate, is a Frost Scholar from Tampa, Florida, who performed groundbreaking research at USF as a team member of Dr. Brian Space’s physical chemistry lab – also known as the Space Cadets. At Oxford, Navas is pursuing a Master of Science degree
in Nature, Society and Environmental Governance in the Department of Geography and the Environment. After graduating, he will attend law school at Stanford University. He plans to help develop and implement climate change mitigation policy in the U.S. Doherty, a Chemistry graduate from Plantation, Florida, is the third Frost Scholar from USF. He also worked in a USF lab during his undergraduate program. He investigated therapies to lessen the renal and cardiovascular toxicities that arise from chemotherapy use. “I learned about the Frost Scholarship by working with Dr. Sayandeb Basu, Director of ONS,” he says. “This award is allowing me to pursue a Master of Science degree in Integrated Immunology from the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, which will add to my knowledge base and make me a more effective future physician.” After completing his studies at Oxford, Doherty plans to attend medical school with a focus on Immunology, and will do so holding an advanced degree from the institution named the top university in the world for the second consecutive year by The Times Higher Education Global Rankings. These three Frost Scholarship recipients bring the total number of USF Frost Scholars to twelve out of 49 awarded in the program’s five-year history, the second highest number awarded in the state of Florida. Collectively, all four of these impressive USF graduates are creating a legacy of international impact and academic excellence. HONORS COLLEGE 51
DEAN’S CIRCLE OF MERIT
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T THE CLOSE OF every semester, the Honors College hosts a special graduation ceremony for its seniors that highlights the hard work they put into their coursework, research, studies abroad, internships, and everything else that makes Honors students exceptional. Starting in the 2016–17 academic year, the College initiated a new presentation during these commencements entitled the Dean’s Circle of Merit. This award celebrates Honors students whose outstanding accomplishments have distinguished them. Inspired by the Golden Bull award, USF's highest honor given annually to students who embody the spirit of USF, the Dean’s Circle of Merit award is bestowed on four students whose records exemplify one of the core values of the Honors College: leadership, service, global engagement, and research. The idea began in the Spring of 2016 under the Honors College Student Council (HCSC) leadership of President Zac Winters, and Vice President, Casey Farrell. The Council sought a means to recognize highly-involved Honors students, as well as highlight the essential principles of the
College. The Fall 2017 Honors graduation ceremony celebrated the first cohort of Circle of Merit winners. Candidates are nominated by faculty and staff members of the Honors College and the Office of National Scholarships (ONS). Nominated students are invited to complete an application that requires them to demonstrate why they deserve the award. The winners are then chosen by the Dean and a select group of faculty, advisors, HCSC advisors, and ONS staff. During Honors graduation, winners receive a stole that they can then wear proudly at the general university
ABOVE - Left to right, Dean’s Circle of Merit recipients Allison Fan, Bezawit Hiruy, and Jessica Finney.
commencement ceremony. The Honors College is proud to provide an environment where students can thrive and become better leaders and global citizens engaged in meaningful research and service projects. The Dean’s Circle of Merit is just one opportunity to recognize exceptional students who embody what it means to be a USF Honors College student.
RECIPIENTS:
Fall 2017
Spring 2018
Fall 2018
Leadership: Allison Fan • Held leadership positions within the Honors College Student Council, the Society for Women Engineers, and Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement.
Leadership: Hunter Goldenberg • Served as a Resident Assistant in Summit Hall and IT Specialist in the Honors College.
Leadership: Shawn Zamani • Created visionary initiatives such as smoking cessation programs in his role as Director of Public Health in the BRIDGE Clinic at USF.
Global: Jessica Finney • Promoted the importance of a globallyfocused education and participated in the Global Citizens Project. Service: Bezawit Hiruy • Participated in a Youth and Education trip and served as Assistant Director of Education for Bulls Service Breaks. Research: Meghana Reddy • Worked as a research assistant in the USF Cardiovascular Psychophysiology Lab and collected data for research projects to assess the burden of disease among the uninsured and assist the homeless.
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Global: Prachi Singh • Participated in the Honors College Panama service trip, founded the Junior International Health Service Collaborative organization, and conducted research on Neglected Tropical Diseases. Service: Paula Andrea Gonzalez • Helped others by working at the USF BRIDGE Clinic, serving as a Bulls Service Break leader, and participating in a Timmy Global Health trip to Ecuador. Research: Dakota Becker-Greene • Served as a research assistant, presented at various conferences throughout the nation, and founded the Undergraduate Research Society.
Global: Ashley Taepakdee • Engaged deeply with her Honors College study abroad program in Peru and her Honors undergraduate thesis research in St. Lucia. Service: Dhalia Bumbaca • Served as an educator both domestically and abroad in Cameroon. Research: Marina Kleinschmidt Leal Santos • Conducted Honors undergraduate thesis research in Brazil on the efficacy of an art therapy program for children who have experienced psychological trauma.
Beata Casanas
Jeremy Davis
ALUMNI Giving Back
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HE USF HONORS COLLEGE IS VERY FORTUNATE to have amazing alumni who take the time to share their experiences and advice with current students. This past year, multiple alums served as guest speakers, including two successful doctors who chose different career paths in medicine. In the Spring, Honors alumnus Dr. Jeremy Davis shared insights with students currently enrolled in the College’s 7-year medical program. Davis is the Surgeon-in-Chief at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD, and specializes in treating stomach cancer. During his time with the students, Davis fondly remembered Dr. Georg Kleine, former Honors College Associate Dean, who introduced him to a world outside of USF and Tampa. Davis credits Kleine with forcing him out of his comfort zone and encouraging him to explore additional interests outside of medicine. The Surgeon-In-Chief passed this same advice on to the hopeful future doctors. Davis shared that he’s a better doctor now because of the non-science courses he took and that he benefited greatly by hard work to develop people skills that doctors need but do not always possess. His advice to the students was to treat all patients like their own grandmother, and find work that you truly love.
Similar advice was given to dozens of pre-health students in the Fall when Honors College alumna, Dr. Beata Casanas, gave a passionate talk on International Public Health and Medicine. Casanas is Program Director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship in the Morsani College of Medicine and also serves as an Associate Professor for that College. Like Dr. Davis, Dr. Casanas urged the students to find work that they are passionate about, and encouraged them to be open to changing course in order to accomplish this. “It’s not just about how much money you make,” says Casanas. “If you don’t go home feeling good about yourself, what’s the point?” The infectious disease specialist gave students insights into her own career path, admitting that at first she did not truly see herself becoming a doctor. That changed, however, once she was introduced to medical research and work in infectious diseases. “In the beginning, even if you are in med school or just graduated, you won’t know what you want to do,” Casanas told the students. “Things are going to change and that’s the beauty of it.” Her talk was met with thunderous applause from grateful students, many of whom waited in line to take selfies with Casanas and thank her for her time. “This is why we offer the alumni speaker series,” says Jennifer Morgan, Director of Alumni Programs in the College. “Our students have a special opportunity to hear from successful individuals who can say ‘I was once exactly where you are now, and this is the best advice that I can offer you.’” HONORS COLLEGE 53
Alumni
PROFILE
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HE HONORS COLLEGE is fortunate to have many talented alumni who value giving back to current students. One example of a distinguished alum who continues his involvement with the College for the betterment of future leaders is Brian Fender, ’96. Fender is Shareholder, Director, and Chair of Public Finance at GrayRobinson, one of Florida’s largest law firms. He has previously volunteered his time to speak with Honors College classes, and in 2018 he was invited to teach a course entitled “Tampa From the Ground Up” in which he leads students on a journey through the steps involved in creating and growing a successful city. His course is shaped by his experience as an elected member of the Tampa Downtown Partnership Board of Directors. In this role and through his work at GrayRobinson, he has helped steward and advocate for downtown Tampa by cultivating public and private partnerships and encouraging the city’s physical and economic development.
“
The Honors College curriculum transformed my life when I was a student at USF. I will always feel indebted to it and so I do what I can to give back so others have similar opportunities to transform their lives.”
– Brian Fender
Fender furthered his contributions to the College last year when he hired Honors College junior, Kayla Rykiel, as a law intern. Under Fender’s leadership, Rykiel was able to explore public investment opportunities within our state available under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. She focused on the area of Belle Glade in Palm Beach County, as a good choice for investment. In 2018 she partnered with Fender and USF’s Office of National Scholarships Director, Dr. Sayandeb Basu, to create a registered non-profit called Opportunities
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for Health to integrate public health initiatives into Belle Glade’s development. By raising private funds, Rykiel hopes to open a wellness and medical clinic in the area to increase its public health. “Although he has a demanding career and young family, he still finds time to speak with our students, serve on our Honors College Dean’s Council, and assist with a wide variety of projects and initiatives to support the College,” says Honors College Dean, Dr. Charles Adams. “The Honors College curriculum transformed my life when I was a student at USF,” says Fender. “I will always feel indebted to it and so I do what I can to give back so others have similar opportunities to transform their lives.” Fender earned his Bachelor’s degree from USF in Philosophy with a minor in Economics as an Honors student. He then completed his J.D. degree (with Honors) from the University of Florida on a three-year Judge George C. Carr Memorial Scholarship. Throughout his career he has represented a variety of clients including counties, cities, universities, school boards, hospitals, banks, and special districts. In 2016 he was named one of the state’s “Legal Elite” by Florida Trend magazine.
EVENTS
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ITH HONORS COLLEGE ALUMNI achieving success in their professional careers all around the world, this year the Honors College held multiple events both within and beyond the Tampa Bay area to reconnect with these former students. The first event was held in March in partnership with the Annual Giving Office of the USF Foundation and their BOLD (Bulls Of the Last Decade) initiative. This was a “Happy Hour” event held at The Pub in International Plaza where alumni who graduated in the last ten years were joined by faculty, staff, advisors, and Honors College Dean, Dr. Charles Adams. The casual event allowed recent local alums to reconnect with the College and their former classmates. The second event, held in May, was focused on alumni from the Honors Program, as the College was known before 2002. Sharon Geiger, former Honors College Academic Services Director, was in attendance to connect with the graduates and share memories of the Program and its director, Dr. Stuart Silverman, who became the first Dean of the College in 2002. “I couldn’t begin to do the things I’ve done over the past four years were it not for Dr. Silverman,” says Dean Adams. “Though we’re bigger and more complex now, we still have the same focus on students that he made foundational to this College. The goal of this alumni event was to connect what was going on in Dr. Silverman’s time to who we are today.” In November, members of the College gathered with alumni living and working in the Boston area at the LIR Irish Pub in downtown Boston. Attendees were able to hear updates from Dean Adams, reconnect with faculty, and meet representatives of the USF Alumni Association’s Boston chapter. “Each of these gatherings was unique in their own way, but all accomplished the goal of reconnecting with our amazing alumni” says Jennifer Morgan, Director of Alumni Affairs in the Honors College. “These events build a network of support for our alumni while also opening the door for conversations about how they can contribute to the success of our current students through internship opportunities, guest lectures, and mentoring.” Morgan plans to grow the College’s alumni program and has increased the number of alumni guest speakers returning to campus. In addition, she plans to hold special events for Honors College alums who work for the university, and continue to act as a liaison to connect alumni to the College in meaningful ways. Dean Adams looks forward to the expansion of Honors College alumni programs and the ability to connect with alums in small groups. “I really enjoy getting to know our talented and diverse alumni through these events and activities,” he says. “I learn so much from listening to them reminisce and hearing their insights into what makes an excellent Honors College experience.”
TOP - Honors faculty and staff join alumni living and working in Boston at a special alumni event. BOTTOM - Dean Adams and Honors Alum and USF’s first Gates Cambridge Scholar, Michael Calzadilla, show off their bull pride in Boston.
HONORS COLLEGE 55
Alumni 1990s David Cooper BS ’92, MD ’96, MPH ’99 is currently serving as the Medical Director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and Co-Director of the Center for Acute Care Nephrology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
Dr. David Cooper
Jennifer Apgar
Jennifer Apgar BS ’93, MED ’00 is the recipient of the Sanford Teacher Award from National University, representing Florida. Jennifer has been teaching in Hillsborough County for 22 years at Ferrell Girls Preparatory Academy. Dr. Richard Castellano BS ’94, MD ’99 is a double board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon as well as the founder and medical director of ImageLift.com. Dr. Castellano received both his undergraduate degree and medical degree from USF. He often goes by the nickname “The Smile Doctor,” Dr. Castellano advises doctors and hospitals on building successful medical and/or surgical practices through online CME courses.
Robert Paulsson
Dr. Heather Agazzi
Robert Paulsson ’94 is the President of Strategic Healthcare Programs, an organization that provides data insights for healthcare providers across the U.S. Robert enjoys speaking on topics around business, start-ups, leadership, and management and is the author of the business novel Hank’s Office: My Year As New CEO.
Dr. Rich Castellano
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Dr. David Eichenbaum
ALUMNI UPDATES
Dr. Jose Beltran
Ricardo Dominguez
April Monteith
Nina Lacevic
Ferdian Jap
Dr. Heather Agazzi BA ’97, EDS ’07, MA ’03, MSMS ’11, PHD ’07 is an Associate Professor in the USF Morsani College of Medicine. Heather contributes to the Tampa Bay area through community service, mentorship, and clinical research. She engages in clinical services in which she serves children and families affected by developmental and behavioral disabilities. David Eichenbaum BS ’98 is a specialist at Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida in Tampa, where he is proud to have developed the national-level sub-specialty clinical science program. Additionally, he serves as an Affiliate Assistant Professor in the Morsani College of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Jose Beltran ’98 is the CEO of Beltran Dental Surgery, a family owned dental practice in the Tampa Bay community. Dr. Beltran is a member of the American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, and multiple professional Medical and Dental societies. His practice focuses on a comprehensive approach to oral health and his team is trained on advanced dental procedures, treating patients of all ages. Ricardo Dominguez ’98 is the president and owner of Jordon Glass Machinery, a family owned and operated business established in Miami.
2000s April Monteith BA ’01, MBA ’03 is the Executive Director of Multinational Corporations at J.P. Morgan. April has worked in the financial industry for 15 years holding roles in branch management, retail expansion, commercial underwriting, and middle market banking. She is a founding member of EKHOS, a member of UFS’s Women in Leadership & Philanthropy and former Chair of the USF Alumni Foundation.
Nina Lacevic ’05 is General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Amscot Financial. Nina was featured as an “Up and Comer Top 40 under 40” and received the Top Corporate Counsel Award from the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Ferdian Jap BS ’06, MS ’07 is the co-founder of Big City Events, LLC, a local event planning company that orchestrates some of Tampa Bay’s largest events. Ferdian has considerable experience in business and holds a masters in entrepreneurship. He is also the co-owner of Zukku, a sushi restaurant located at Tampa’s Armature Works. HONORS COLLEGE 57
ALUMNI UPDATES
Dr. Nicholas DeVito BS ’08, MD ’12 recently joined the faculty at Duke University in Medical Oncology where he treats patients with gastrointestinal cancers. His laboratory and translational research focus on how cancer evades the immune system when it metastasizes. This work is supported by the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. His interest in tumor immunology and immunotherapy developed during his Honors College research experience at Moffitt Cancer Center. Dr. Nicholas DeVito
Dr. Yasir Abunamous BS ’09, MD ’15 is the first graduate of the MCOM Scholarly Excellence, Leadership Experiences, Collaborative Training (SELECT) Program. He completed the full cycle as a student, resident, and now a family physician at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) Family Medicine in Macungie, PA.
Dr. Danielle Kurant
Candace Braun Davison ’09 is a Senior Editor at Delish.com, the world’s fastest growing food website. She produces and stars in the online video series, Get the Fork Out, which focuses on food-based travel. Dr. Yasir Abunamous
Dr. Danielle Kurant BS ’09, MD ’14 is a board-certified Clinical Pathologist with expertise in Clinical Informatics and Molecular Genetic Pathology. Dr. Kurant is currently completing a Molecular Genetic Pathology fellowship through Harvard Medical School.
Kristen Corpion
2010s Candace Braun Davison 58
UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA
Kristen Corpion ’10 is the Founder of the virtual law firm, Corpion Legal Group. P.A. (CORPlaw). Kristen is a Faculty member in the FIU Honors College, teaching
Gretchen Garcia
ALUMNI UPDATES
ATTENTION
pre-law and business topics. She recently launched a unique legal start-up called Sidebar which provides modern legal professionals with essential resources to navigate, connect and thrive in their local legal community. Gretchen Garcia ’10 works as a plantbased personal chef and is currently studying Computer Science with a focus on software development and cybersecurity. Gretchen teaches free knitting lessons as a way to honor the memory of her grandmother and donates any proceeds to benefit The Trevor Project.
HONORS ALUMNI! Theresa Woods
Theresa Woods BA ’11, MA ’14 accepted a position as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Tampa, teaching public relations and advertising. She continues to work with web development, content curation, and digital media through the web design and digital media company she founded in 2016, Ampersand Digital, Inc. William Halaby ’12 obtained his law degree at the University of Chicago Law School and is currently a corporate attorney in the New York office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
We want to stay connected with you. Please email us at alumni@honors.usf.edu with your updated contact information and any news you’d like to share. We are proud of our alumni and want to promote your accomplishments. Want to learn more about what’s happening in the College? Connect with us on: • LinkedIn • Facebook • Instagram Be on the lookout for upcoming Honors alumni news and events. Go Bulls!
William Halaby
Mosaic is produced annually by the USF Honors College
Michelle Morency ’17 received her Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from USF. She continued her studies at the University of Cambridge where she received a Master’s in Industrial Systems, Manufacturing, and Management. Michelle is now working in England as an engineer for Dyson on the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering team within their developing electric vehicle product category.
Lead Writer and Editor: Amy Harroun Designer: Anne Scott
Michelle Morency
Contributing Writers: Dr. Charles Adams Caleb Hall Cayla Lanier Jennifer Morgan Karina Rao Gabriela Rigaud Tiffani Torres Elisabell Velazquez
HONORS COLLEGE 59
JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Location:
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA 4202 E Fowler Ave, ALN 241 Tampa, Fl 33620-5801
Telephone: (813) 974-3087 Online: usf.edu / honors
A PREEMINENT RESEARCH UNIVERSITY 60 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA