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

A proud former member of the Honors Living Learning Community, two-time study abroad participant, marketing graduate assistant, and the college’s first-ever Honors admissions director, University of South Florida alum Grace Beck (’16) returns to the Judy Genshaft Honors College to share her story and excitement as the inaugural chair of the new Judy Genshaft Honors College Alumni Society.

From professional networking and mentoring current students to participating in service opportunities, the JGHC Honors Alumni Society will offer meaningful ways for alumni to stay engaged with the college and extend their Honors experience well beyond graduation.
Guests: Grace Beck

Hosts: Sandra Napolitano and Amelia Brown

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano and Vama Shah

Additional Resources: 

• Learn more about the JGHC Alumni Society
• Fill out the Alumni Society interest form
• Read more about the the JGHC Alumni Society

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Honors student Chinaza Munonye is using her coursework to lay the foundation for a future in dermatology. A first-generation college student with Nigerian roots, Chinaza shares her hopes of improving equity in dermatological research and how the intersection of her academic interests and career goals has shaped her path at USF. By researching issues such as sanitation-related skin conditions in refugee camps and examining racial disparities in dermatological care, she explores topics that inspire her through Honors courses such as Art and the Refugee Experience and Acquisition of Knowledge.

Guests: Chinaza Munonye

Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Caroline Merriman

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano and Vama Shah

Additional Resources: 

• Discover more Honors courses
• Learn about the American Academy of Dermatology

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Get to know four of this year’s USF Muma College of Business 25 Under 25 honorees who are driving change at USF and beyond. In this episode, we sit down with Rylee King, Emilie Leyva, Minh Ha Pham, and Joshua Streitmatter to explore how leadership, service, and real-world experience have shaped their journeys and prepared them for future success. From fundraising efforts to guiding fellow students on campus, this group proves they have what it takes to turn ambition into impact.

Guests: Rylee King, Emilie Leyva, Minh Ha Pham, Joshua Streitmatter

Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Caroline Merriman

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano and Vama Shah

Additional Resources: 

• Learn more about the Muma 25 under 25 program
• Discover Honors Study Abroad programs
• Learn more about the American Marketing Association at USF
• Follow the Google Developer club at USF
• Learn more about the Real Estate Society at USF

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Honors Professor Deepak Singh believes leadership isn’t taught through lectures but discovered through stories. In this episode, students Jenna Epright and Daniel Anderson reflect on the Honors course Exploring Leadership Through Literature and Film — a seminar-style capstone course that examines works like “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller, “The Paper Menagerie” by Ken Liu and “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe. Through lively discussion about unconventional leaders in creative narratives, the course challenges students to rethink issues of power, ethics, and what it truly means to lead.

Guests: Jenna Epright, Daniel Anderson, and Professor Deepak Singh

Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Caroline Merriman

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano and Vama Shah

Additional Resources: 

• Listen to an episode on Professor Singh’s Audio Storytelling course
• Discover Honors courses like this one
• Practice leadership through the JGHC Student Council

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

College students often wear many hats — as learners, employees, friends, and more — and balancing it all can be a challenge. This week, we’re joined by recent Honors graduate and 2025 Courageous Bull Award recipient Brooke Casey, who shares how grit and determination helped her successfully juggle multiple responsibilities while pursuing her goals.

Brooke shares her journey of navigating college life while managing a full course load, working several jobs, and fulfilling responsibilities at home. She opens up about the challenge of prioritizing oneself, how she stayed motivated on the path to medical school, and the importance of belonging to supportive communities. 

Guests: Brooke Casey

Hosts: Fabiana Requena

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano

Additional Resources: 

• Connect with a PAL
• Learn more about the USF Office of Orientation
• Get involved with USF’s Undergraduate American Medical Women’s Association
• Find an activity through the Campus Activities Board

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Recognized as a 2025 USF Outstanding Young Alumni, Hiram Ríos Hernández has built a career in diplomacy that reaches across the globe. From consular work in Shanghai to public diplomacy in Burma, he now serves as an international relations officer at the U.S. Embassy in Lima. In this episode, Hiram discusses how his experience as an Honors student — and a recipient of four prestigious national awards with support from the USF Office of National Scholars — helped launch his career in foreign service.

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

Guests: Hiram Ríos Hernández

Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Sandra Napolitano

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano

Additional Resources: 

• Learn more about the Office of National Scholars
• Apply to prestigious scholarships through AwardSpring
• Connect with Hiram on LinkedIn
• Read more about Hiram’s visit to USF
• Check out last year’s episode with Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient Corbyn Lichon  

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

This week, we’re diving into the ups and downs of law school with Honors alumna and Stetson University College of Law student Anabella Garcia. Now in her second year, Anabella is committed to serving her community and advancing conservation efforts through her work as an environmental law clerk and research assistant focused on land allocation and the preservation of wildlands.

Stay tuned as she shares her journey through the Honors Accelerated Graduate Pathway Stetson 3+3 program, how she uses research to support advocacy efforts, and her passion for protecting Florida’s natural lands through policy.

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

Guests: Anabella Garcia

Hosts:  Caroline Merriman and Reva Ghandi

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano

Additional Resources: 

• Check out the Honors Accelerated Graduate Pathway Stetson 3+3 program
• Explore Stetson’s Law Program
• Learn more about the Judy Genshaft Honors Student Council

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Honors alum Dr. Bailee Olliff exemplifies early success in the medical field, balancing a fast-paced career with a deep commitment to research, mentorship, and community service. Named a 2025 USF Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient, she is a trauma surgeon specializing in acute robotic surgery and a medical director in Denver, Colorado. In this episode, Dr. Olliff reflects on her journey from the USF Honors College to the ER, sharing how she stays grounded and energized in high-pressure environments.

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

Guests: Dr. Bailee Olliff

Hosts:  Caroline Merriman and Fabiana Requena

Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano

Additional Resources: 

• Read more about the USF Health Plexus program
• Get involved with Bridge Healthcare Clinic
• Learn more about USF’s Morsani College of Medicine
• Connect with Dr. Bailee Olliff on LinkedIn
• Check out last year’s episode with Honors Young Alumni award recipient Corbyn Lichon

Connect with the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube