The Provost’s Scholars Program

marked ten years since the Provost’s Scholars Program (PSP) was created to develop the next generation of young leaders within the USF community. This global engagement and professional development program offers highly motivated students the opportunity to accelerate their dreams by graduating with their bachelor’s degree in three years or less. In addition to beginning their career, graduate school, or post-baccalaureate studies ahead of their peers, Scholars participate in professional workshops, gain individualized academic and career advising, and graduate with an extensive portfolio of co-curricular experiences that prepare them for personal and professional success. To date 183 graduates have completed the program.

2021 Over the summer the program enrolled and oriented 49 new scholars into the Fall 2021 cohort and 11 students into the PSP Living Learning Community (LLC), an on-campus residential community in Juniper-Poplar Hall designed to provide Scholars a cohort of friends of different majors and career interests, but similar co-curricular interests and high aspirations. In August, PSP staff was thrilled to offer students in-person events for the first time since 2019. The fall semester welcomed back Scholars with an ice cream social in August, a formal Welcome Back Dinner for all Scholars in October, and a First-Year networking-themed dinner featuring PSP alumna and guest speaker, Karishma Prakash Bharwani, in November. At these formal events students are able to meet and network with University leadership, including USF’s Interim President Rhea Law, USF Provost Dr. Ralph Wilcox, and Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean Dr. Charles Adams. Also during the fall semester PSP staff offered Scholars workshops on the undergraduate research process and careers in healthcare, and students enjoyed meetand-greets over coffee and tea with PSP advisor Audra Santerre. LLC residents were able to connect with faculty, staff, and each other through a variety of social and academic opportunities throughout the year. These events included a welcome home pizza party, a mid-semester game night, and a leadership-themed dinner and discussion led by Dr. Benjamin Young, Honors Associate Dean. A highlight event was the Food, Nutrition, Culture and Traditions workshop hosted by Gina Granich, instructor of Nutrition and Food & Culture in USF’s College of Public Health. During the event students enjoyed a cooking demonstration, festive food samplings, and a collective sharing of favorite foods and cultural celebrations. The year was capped with an in-person graduation luncheon on November 30 to celebrate Fall 2021 graduates, many of whom completed their degrees in 2.5 years. Provost Wilcox regaled each graduate with their PSP medallion as Forde presented their impressive accomplishments and post-graduation plans. “Our scholars have shown such excitement in their pursuits of service, research, leadership, and global engagement,” says Forde. “We are proud to help each of them define success for themselves.”

The year began with PSP staff providing support services and social engagement virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Spring term culminated with a virtual celebration of 17 PSP graduates and their tremendous accomplishments in April 2021. “Our graduating scholars are nothing short of extraordinary,” says Renea Forde, PSP Director. “Despite the personal and academic challenges of the last year, our students have persevered, securing a cumulative 3.86 GPA by the end of their most recent term.” This graduating cohort also included Golden Bull and USF Outstanding Graduate Award recipient Matthew Gallot-Baker, currently completing his JD degree at Boston University.

- Audra Santerre and Renea Forde