Judy Genshaft Honors College leaders and history-makers — USF President Emerita Judy Genshaft, inaugural Honors Dean Stuart Silverman, and current Honors College Dean Charles Adams — reunite to reflect on USF’s growth from Silverman’s arrival in 1970 to today, and on the Honors College’s central role within the university’s academic community.

From just 20 students to a network of nearly 10,000 alumni, this episode explores how the Honors program at the University of South Florida began in 1983, how it grew into the college it is today, and where it is headed as the university looks boldly toward the next 70 years.

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Guests:  Judy Genshaft, Stuart Silverman, and Charles Adams

Hosts: Mykyta Nechaiev and Anna Minks 

Audio Production by: Vama Shah and Ethan Tracy

Additional Resources:

• Discover More Inspiring USF 70 Stories
• Re-live the Honors College Building Grand Opening
• Look Back at Honors History

What does it look like when a passion for public service leads to the nation’s capital? This week, we talk with Honors student Madison Reiter about her summer in Washington, D.C., where she worked as a legal and policy research intern through The Washington Center Internship Program with the Council of State Governments and the U.S. Department of Labor. Madison shares how she translated classroom skills into real-world policy impact, from researching legislation and disability law to seeing decision-makers use her work firsthand.

She also reflects on her journey at USF, including advocacy through the Model Citizenship Lab, her role as a legislative intern with Hillsborough County Public Schools, and the global perspective she gained studying abroad on the Confronting the Holocaust program in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

Don’t forget to rate and review — we love hearing your feedback. Until next time, Go Bulls!

Guest: Madison Reiter

Hosts: Reva Gandhi and Calvin Pham

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano and Vama Shah

Additional Resources: 

• Learn more about The Washington Center Internship Program
• Explore the Council of State Governments
• Learn more about the USF Honors Poland & Germany: The Holocaust and Europe Today Study Abroad Program

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

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• Facebook
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Honors professor Ulluminair Salim’s Narrative Cartography: Mapping the Stories of Your Life course is reshaping how Honors students see themselves. Through educational techniques like guided reflection, Dr. Salim invites students to explore the meaning embedded in their names and the rituals that shape identity — from food and failure to remembrance and legacy.

This week, Honors students Jon Rosario-Bub, Temi David, and Professor Salim join the podcast to share their unique experiences in the class. From mapping grief to releasing emotion through a guided stress-release sessions, our guests bring to light how this innovative course invites reflection on one’s identity and how we all fit into the collective world around us. 

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Guests: Jon Rosario-Bub, Temi David, and Dr. Ulluminair Salim

Hosts: Sophia Nobles and Amelia Brown

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano and Vama Shah

Additional Resources: 

• Discover more Honors Courses
• Learn more about Dr. Ulluminair Salim’s background and teaching philosophy

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

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This week, we’re sharing a new podcast from the Judy Genshaft Honors College Podcast Network for prospective students and their families: The Suite Life of the LLC. Formerly known as Dorm Room Dialogues, this refreshed series takes you inside the Honors housing experience and explores how the Living Learning Community supports students’ academic, professional and personal growth.

In today’s episode, Honors Living Learning Community student assistant and host Alexandra Lewis sits down with JGHC Student Engagement Coordinator Daniel Woods and Honors LLC graduate assistant Marina Fizzuoglio. Together, they break down all the reasons to join the Honors Living Learning Community — from what it’s really like to live there to why it plays such a key role in the Honors experience, and the programs, events and connections students can expect.

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Guests: Daniel Woods and Marina Fizzuoglio

Host: Alexandra Lewis

Audio Production by: Vama Shah

Additional Resources: 

• Apply for general Housing and the Honors LLC at USF Tampa
• Apply for general Housing and the Honors LLC at USF St. Petersburg

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
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This week, Honors students Elaine Pan and Shivanshu Kumar share how a chance meeting in their first-semester Honors Foundations course spakred the creation of Florida MedConnect, a thriving student organization. 

As pre-med students, they knew firsthand the challenges of finding research opportunities on campus and set out to build a solution. Elaine and Shivanshu discuss what it takes to build an organization from the ground up and how Florida MedConnect is connecting students with research, service, and community engagement opportunities across Tampa Bay.

Don't forget to rate and review – we love to hear your feedback. Until next time, Go Bulls!

Guests: Elaine Pan and Shivanshu Kumar

Hosts: Reva Gandhi and Fabiana Requena

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano and Vama Shah

Additional Resources: 

• Discover Opportunities through the USF Undergraduate Research Portal
• Check out Florida MedConnect on Instagram
• Connect with FMC on LinkedIn
• Get Involved with FMC on BullsConnect

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

The Judy Genshaft Honors College is home to some of USF’s most innovative problem-solvers, including the Honors IT Team. In this episode, we sit down with Associate Dean of Planning and Programming Reginald Lucien and student developers to explore the story behind the USF Undergraduate Research Portal — the university’s first centralized hub for undergraduate research opportunities.

Built by Honors students for the entire university, the Research Portal connects USF students to faculty-led research projects faster than ever before. Hear from student developers Sofia Mitsuyuki de Menezes, Anzhelika Kurnikova, and Akmal Kurbanov as they share what it’s like to manage large-scale development projects, collaborate across disciplines, and design software that directly impacts the USF community.

Don't forget to rate and review – we love to hear your feedback. Until next time, Go Bulls!

Guests: Sofia Mitsuyuki de Menezes, Anzhelika Kurnikova, Akmal Kurbanov, and Dr. Reginald Lucien 

Hosts: Sandra Napolitano and Nick Nechaiev

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano and Vama Shah

Additional Resources: 

• Explore the USF Research Portal
• Read about Anzhelika’s Google Internship
• Learn more about the Honors Student Portal
• Discover opportunities at the Office of National Scholars

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube 

What is an Honors College? Beyond the name, beyond the GPA, beyond the myth that “honors” just means harder classes, what does it truly mean to be part of a transformative academic community?

In this episode, we sit down with Dean Charles Adams of the Judy Genshaft Honors College, alongside Honors students Nick Nechaiev and Rysun Chu, to explore how USF’s Honors College is redefining higher education. From programs that set the college apart to the pathways students forge through service, study away, and interdisciplinary learning, this conversation uncovers what makes the college more than just a title — it’s a place to belong, grow, and lead.

Hear how the college has evolved, from the opening of its state-of-the-art building to the creation of a vibrant alumni network, and discover programs shaping its future, including new study away opportunities that expand students’ horizons beyond Florida.

Whether you’re a prospective student, a parent curious about what makes the JGHC different, or a Bull ready to dive deeper into your campus community, this episode maps the heart and future of Honors.

Don’t forget to rate and review – we love to hear your feedback! Until next time, Go Bulls!

Guests: Nick Nechaiev, Rysun Chu, and Dean Charles Adams

Hosts: Sophia Nobles and Mika Prieto

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano and Vama Shah

Additional Resources: 

• Explore Honors Study Abroad Opportunities
• Read more about the opening of the Judy Genshaft Honors College building in 2023
• Listen to our episode on the New JGHC Alumni Society
• Learn more about the Honors College Student Council

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube 

Sometimes a scholarship offers more than just tuition — in this episode, we sit down with first-generation college student Adam Costello and Jenkins Scholars advisor, Kate Ashmore, to talk about one of USF’s most unique scholarships.

We discuss how receiving the Jenkins scholarship gave Adam space to focus on his academic success and personal aspirations, while providing him access to a close-knit community of mentors and other students. Along with the community benefit, Kate highlights other special opportunities afforded to Jenkins scholars like private tutoring, personalized guidance, and leadership experience on the Scholars Planning Board.

Guests: Adam Costello and Kate Ashmore 

Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Lily Belcher 

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano and Vama Shah

Additional Resources: 

• Learn more about the Jenkins Scholars Program
• Become an Honors tutor
• Connect with the Jenkins and Holcombe Scholars
• Read more about Honors College benefits
• Be a part of the Honors Living Learning Community

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube 

The Honors Student Councils offer students a chance to build leadership skills, direct events, and create meaningful connections within the Honors community. Katelynn Paciorek and Olivia Pinilla are Honors students doing just that. In this week’s episode, they share how their involvement led them to take on leadership roles as the incoming president and vice president of the Tampa Judy Genshaft Honors College Student Council. They talk about organizing events like Honors Got Talent, engaging with initiatives like the USF Climate Teach-In, and reflecting on how student-led efforts across Tampa Bay strengthen the Honors experience.

Guests: Katelynn Paciorek and Olivia Pinilla

Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Reva Gandhi

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano

Additional Resources: 

• Learn about the Honors Student Council
• Follow the Tampa Student Council on Instagram
• Listen to an episode with the St. Petersburg Honors Student Council
• Listen to last year’s St. Petersburg Honors Council episode

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Have fun with it! After choosing the University of South Florida as a National Merit Scholar, recent Honors graduate (and incoming adult) Natalie AmRhein shares how she combined her passion for the outdoors with health care. In this week’s episode, Natalie reflects on her undergraduate experiences, from studying abroad in the U.K. to leading outdoor adventure trips through the USF Recreation Center. Stay tuned to hear Natalie’s insight on dreaming big and taking baby steps to get the most out of your USF experience!

Guests: Natalie AmRhein

Hosts: Reva Gandhi and Caroline Merriman

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano

Additional Resources: 

• Learn more about USF’s National Merit Scholars program
• Apply to the Semester in Exeter Study Abroad program
• Get involved with Phi Beta Kappa
• Check out USF’s Adventure Trips

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube