The Provost’s Scholars enjoyed a “Tea with the Provost” event early in the Spring semester before the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shift to virtual events.
The PSP team spent much of their summer preparing for the fall semester, organizing multiple virtual events to allow their students to feel connected and supported even though they were not yet back to in-person learning. These events included a “Setting up for Success” seminar, virtual student cook-off event, PSP peer mentor meetups, a “Painting Around the World” session, and a virtual meet-and-greet with Provost Wilcox. The semester culminated with a second virtual PSP graduation ceremony in December, with honorees including USF Golden Bull and Outstanding Graduate Award recipient, Nandini Agarwal. In addition to these program-specific events, the PSP team also sent monthly newsletters to students connecting them to virtual community volunteer opportunities, study sessions, counseling center resources, and internship opportunities. “I continue to be impressed by the dedication of our PSP staff and the caliber of the program’s students,” says Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean, Dr. Charles Adams. “During this difficult year these students have risen to the challenge of staying on their accelerated track and graduating from USF with a competitive edge, including a rich portfolio of skills, professional development accomplishments, and global engagement experiences.”
MEET THE PSP STAFF:
Renea Forde, PSP Director
Audra Santerre, PSP Advisor
Renea has more than a decade of experience in student affairs, and most recently worked with USF’s First Year Science and Pre-Health Professions students. As a first-generation American and college student, Renea understands the unique struggles of first-time-in-college (FTIC) students. This perspective allows her to assist in developing and navigating individualized academic and co-curricular journeys. Renea earned both her BA in Psychology and BA in Social Work from the University of Central Florida, and her MA in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago. She is passionate about connecting students to opportunities available for professional development, global engagement, service, and leadership.
Audra (Begg) Santerre joins the Provost’s Scholars Program from USF’s Chemistry department, where she advised Biomedical Sciences and pre-health students. With a background in teaching elementary and middle grades, she completed her Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at Western Carolina University. She then worked with adult learners for five years at Central Piedmont Community College (NC) first as a student recruiter, then as a Workplace Learning Coordinator, where she helped connect students to meaningful internships related to their field of study. As a former student-athlete, Audra values, and directly relates to, being actively involved in campus life through leadership roles, student government and study abroad. As an advisor, Audra is passionate about building rapport with students, and providing support, guidance and resources to Provost’s Scholars during their most transformative years, as they work to achieve their dreams at an accelerated pace.” JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 15
