The Honor Roll Podcast

What happens when art, design, and environmental science come together to make a difference? On this episode, we’re joined by Honors Professor Tina Piracci and Honors students Naja Daye and Lily Boyer to explore the Judy Genshaft Honors College’s Oyster Restoration Brick (ORB) project. 

Professor Piracci shares how ORB has grown from an Honors classroom project into a hands-on restoration effort along St. Petersburg’s seawalls. Together, they discuss why oyster restoration matters to the environment and community, how ORBs create sustainable habitats for marine life, and how art can play a role in addressing environmental challenges. 

Hear how this project has helped students find their niche at USF and discover ways to connect their interests with service to the community and local ecosystem. 

Hosts: Reva Gandhi and Amelia Brown 

Guests: Lily Boyer, Naja Daye, and Professor Tina Piracci

Production: Nicholas Henry, Maya Nikolski, and Casey McClard 

Additional Resources: 

• Learn more about the Oyster Restoration Project 
• Learn more about Professor Tina Priacci 
• Discover more opportunities with the HabLab

What would it take to convince you to race a canoe made of concrete? For members of USF’s American Society of Civil Engineers chapter, building a concrete canoe means months of collaboration, trial and error, and building trust before putting their creation to the test at the spring regional competition. 

This week, we sit down with Saira Ali, Daniel Marola, and Henry Shedd to discuss what drew them to the project, what keeps them going through its challenges, and what they’ve learned about themselves and each other along the way. It’s a conversation about engineering, teamwork, and what happens when students take on a challenge they couldn’t tackle alone.

Guests: Sarai Ali, Daniel Marola, and Henry Shedd 

Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Reva Gandhi 

Audio Production by: Vama Shah, Nicholas Henry, and Maya Nikolski 

Additional Resources: 

• Learn more about the ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition  
• Learn more about the American Society of Civil Engineers USF Student Chapter 
• Follow along with the USF Concrete Canoe Team  

What makes the Judy Genshaft Honors College experience at USF St. Petersburg stand out? In this episode of The Honor Roll Podcast, we’re exploring how a waterfront campus, historic community spaces, easy access to downtown St. Petersburg, student leadership opportunities, and a tight-knit community help St. Pete Honors students forge connections that extend beyond the university. 

We’re joined by three St. Petersburg Honors students and alumni — Hollie Quackenbush, Morgan Rolfs, and Siddarth Bahl — to talk about their experiences leading Honors Student Council, mentoring peers as a resident assistant in the Honors Living Learning Community, and how the smaller campus lifestyle inspires them to start their own opportunities and join forces with like-minded students. 

Don’t forget to rate and review — we love to hear your feedback. 

Guests: Hollie Quackenbush, Morgan Rolfs, and Siddarth Bahl

Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Reva Gandhi

Production: Nicholas Henry, Maya Nikolski, and Professor Tamara Nemirovsky

Additional Resources: 

• Learn more about Honors Student Council 
• Discover your place in the Honors Living Learning Community 
• Find out more about the USF St. Petersburg Pre-Health Club 
• Learn about the history of Snell House 

Thread Magazine, USF’s student-led undergraduate literary and arts magazine, offers a platform for students to cultivate their creativity interests and see their work published in print form. Thread Magazine spotlights a wide variety of student work, ranging from art and music to short-form and long-form literature pieces.  

This week, Thread Magazine’s former editors in chief, Coen McGarrah and Rachel Kandl, share what sparked their interest in the arts and what they love about working on the magazine behind the scenes. Hear from the voices behind the publication as they reflect on the rewards and challenges of leading creative opportunities for students. 

Don’t forget to rate and review – we love to hear your feedback. 

Guests:  Coen McGarrah and Rachel Kandl 

Hosts: Reva Gandhi and Giselle Lubeck 

Production by: Vama Shah, Nicholas Henry, Maya Nikolski, and Professor Tamara Nemirovsky 

Additional Resources: 

• Learn more about Thread Magazine 
• Read Thread Magazine’s Volume 23 Edition 
• Learn more about Bulls Media 

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) have allowed Chloe Jones to take her chemistry studies at the University of South Florida and apply them to cutting-edge research laboratories across the country. When the Judy Genshaft Honors College student and National Merit Scholar began exploring research opportunities, she turned to the USF Office of National Scholars, where she learned about how to apply to REUs. By participating in two REUs, Jones has explored new areas of chemistry, gained hands-on research experience, and received awards for her presentations at multiple conferences, all while building relationships with mentors beyond USF.

Now, Jones is using what she learned through her research experiences to shape her plans for graduate school and a career as a researcher. In this episode, she discusses how her experiences at the University of Texas and Ohio State University broadened her understanding of chemistry and how the support of the USF Office of National Scholars helped her pursue opportunities beyond her home university. She also shares her advice for students looking to take their first steps into undergraduate research. 

Don’t forget to rate and review – we love to hear your feedback.  

Guest: Chloe Jones  

Hosts: Reva Gandhi and Fabiana Requena  

Production: Nicholas Henry, Maya Nikolski, and Professor Tamara Nemirovsky  

Additional Resources:  

• Explore REUs with the USF Office of National Scholars
• Learn more about the USF National Merit Scholarship Program
• Be part of the next OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Three Judy Genshaft Honors College alumni were recognized with the 2026 University of South Florida Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Zita Fletcher, Paul Johannes, and Ahmed-Zayn Mohamed. Before the awards ceremony on the USF Tampa campus, we had the opportunity to sit down with two of the honorees — military historian Zita Fletcher and U.S. Navy submarine officer Paul Johannes.

In this episode of The Honor Roll Podcast, we explore what it means to build a meaningful career on your own terms. Zita and Paul discuss topics such as forging nontraditional career paths, developing as leaders, and finding ways to make a lasting impact regardless of their field. They also reflect on their Honors College experiences, how USF has evolved since they graduated, what life aboard a submarine is really like, and how storytelling can change lives.

Don’t forget to rate and review – we love to hear your feedback.

Guests: Zita Fletcher and Paul Johannes

Hosts: Reva Gandhi and Fabiana Requena

Production: Nicholas Henry, Maya Nikolski, and Professor Tamara Nemirovsky 

Additional Resources:

There's a difference between learning about a place and experiencing it firsthand — something Honors study away program leaders Dr. Brooke Hansen and Audra Santerre know well. The Honors Hawaii Beyond the Classroom program combines pre-trip coursework with immersive community experiences, preparing students to arrive in Hawaii ready to engage thoughtfully with the land, culture, and local communities.

Joined by Hawaii Beyond the Classroom alum Naja Daye, Dr. Hansen and Audra reflect on what it takes to bring a study away program to life. Whether you're a student exploring your study away options or simply curious about what meaningful experiential learning looks like, this conversation pulls back the curtain.

Guests: Naja Daye, Audra Santerre, and Dr. Brooke Hansen

Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Reva Gandhi

Production: Vama Shah, Nicholas Henry, Maya Nikolski, and Professor Tamara Nemirovsky

Additional Resources:

Through student organizations like GenCLEO, USF students are developing the skills and experience to become future leaders and engaged community advocates. A Florida-based environmental advocacy organization, GenCLEO’s USF chapter provides students with the resources, connections, and opportunities to advocate for climate policy, engage with elected officials, and create meaningful change in their communities.

On this week’s episode, Honors student Carolina Gutfreund and USF students Haran Mahesh and Max Merchant share how GenCLEO empowered them to become advocates and leaders for change. From lobbying at the Florida Capitol for affordable energy legislation to encouraging USF to strengthen its sustainability efforts, the organization provides students with a unique platform to develop their leadership skills and make a lasting impact.

Don’t forget to rate and review – we love to hear your feedback.

Guests: Carolina Gutfreund, Haran Mahesh, and Max Merchant

Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Reva Gandhi

Production by: Nicholas Henry, Vama Shah, and Professor Tamara Nemirovsky

Additional Resources:

As a student-run clinic, the USF Health BRIDGE Clinic provides free healthcare to uninsured patients in Hillsborough County. For more than a decade, Judy Genshaft Honors College students have volunteered at the BRIDGE Clinic, helping deliver medical care, social services, public health support, physical therapy, and more.

This week, current medical students at the USF Morsani College of Medicine — Andrea Medina Garcia and Mónika Domenech Acevedo — join Honors students Skylar Robbins and Shenica Jerome to share what it takes to successfully operate a student-run clinic and how BRIDGE strengthened their leadership, teamwork, and advocacy skills. They also reflect on how the clinic has evolved over the years and how volunteering has helped them provide more compassionate patient care.

Don’t forget to rate and review – we love to hear your feedback.

Guests:  Andrea Medina Garcia, Mónika Domenech Acevedo, Skylar Robbins, and Shenica Jerome

Hosts: Reva Gandhi and Fabiana Requena

Production by: Vama Shah, Nicholas Henry, Maya Nikolski, and Professor Tamara Nemirovsky

Additional Resources:

As the University of South Florida continues to celebrate its 70th anniversary, the Judy Genshaft Honors College is bringing back some its past students whose bold leadership shaped the future of Honors for years to come. The Honors College student council plays an integral role in Honors culture – fostering professional development, leadership growth, and creating a community. On this episode, past Honors student council presidents join the podcast to share their Honors experiences, what they’re up to now, and how the college has grown since they graduated.

Ashley Hinton, Naziza Naeer Bhuiyan, and Jason Rodencal share their memories of the close-knit community in the Honors student lounge and living learning community, while Katelynn Paciorek dives into the transition to the new Judy Genshaft Honors College building. From beloved traditions like Fall Picnic to carrying forward professional development and service initiatives, our guests revisit the events that helped define their Honors experience and unpack how those traditions continue to shape the community today. 

Don’t forget to rate and review – we love to hear your feedback.

Guests:  Ashley Hinton, Naziza Naeer Bhuiyan, Jason Rodencal, and Katelynn Paciorek

Hosts: Reva Gandhi and Calvin Pham

Audio Production by: Vama Shah, Nicholas Henry, and Maya Nikolski

Additional Resources: