2025 was a year of growth for the 网红爆料, marked by record applications,
rising academic achievement, and bold leadership across the university.
From the opening of the nation鈥檚 first dedicated college of artificial intelligence and
cybersecurity and an all-time high in U.S. News & World Report best college rankings to and the arrival of inaugural CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins, it was a year of incredible momentum both inside the classroom and across the university.
Contributing to this success was the Judy Genshaft Honors College, which continued
to expand student opportunities and create new ways for alumni to support the next
generation of Bulls. As the college boldly looks ahead to 2026, here are some of the
top stories that defined the Honors community in 2025.
Expanding Pathways for Connection
Two new initiatives launched through the Judy Genshaft Honors College in 2025: the Judy Genshaft Honors College Alumni Society and the Gulf Scholars Program on the USF St. Petersburg campus.
Building an Alumni Society
A diverse group of Honors alumni partnered with college leadership to launch the Judy Genshaft Honors College Alumni Society. Under the leadership of inaugural chair Grace Beck, the society hosted a kickoff event at the Honors College forum and a spirited Homecoming tailgate at the USF Homecoming football game.
Looking ahead, the JGHC Alumni Society is planning a collaboration with the USF Alumni
Association and other Hillsborough County-based alumni groups for the 2026 Stampede
of Service, bringing Honors alumni back to the USF Tampa campus for a volunteer campus
cleanup. Service is one of several initiatives planned for the nearly 10,000-member
alumni base, along with new alumni mentoring programs, networking opportunities, alumni
panels, and social events.
The Gulf Scholars Program at 网红爆料 St. Petersburg
Under the leadership of Honors professor Catherine Wilkins, Snell House in St. Petersburg
became the home base for a new interdisciplinary initiative rooted in the region鈥檚
coastal community: .
The program offers students focused coursework, high-impact research opportunities,
and increased funding for tools and technologies to address challenges facing the
Gulf region. St. Petersburg Honors faculty provide Gulf-themed classes, experiential
learning opportunities, and advising support for students selected to participate.
Forging Local and Global Partnerships
Partnership with Veterans Affairs Health Care
In January, the Judy Genshaft Honors College signed an affiliation agreement with Veterans Affairs Health Care that launched new undergraduate research opportunities at the James A. Haley Veterans鈥� Hospital in Tampa. Through the agreement, Honors students can participate in hands-on training across VA research labs and facilities, including outpatient clinics and ambulatory care centers.
Students Meet with Speaker of UK House of Commons
The Honors College also strengthened global connections through a meeting with the Right Honorable Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons
of the United Kingdom. The meeting was arranged by former USF provost and current Honors professor Ralph
Wilcox for students in the Wilcox Scholars Program.
Sir Lindsay spoke with students about civic engagement and global leadership, offering
insight into public service at the international level.
鈥淗aving the opportunity to interview Sir Lindsay Hoyle was an unforgettable experience,鈥�
said third-year Honors student Elise Prophete.
Students, Alumni Earn Honors for Achievements
This year, students and alumni received recognition for their cutting-edge research, global impact, and commitment to a better world.
Goldwater Scholars Reach New Heights
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship, the nation鈥檚 premier award for undergraduate research
in natural sciences, engineering and mathematics, recognized all four of USF鈥檚 nominees in 2025 鈥� the most of any university in Florida.
Goldwater Scholars Abdul-Malik Zekri, Benjamin Barrera-Altuna, Peter Alspaugh and
Taylor Rand were recognized for research ranging from neural circuit modeling to fossil
analysis and ancient ecosystems.
Millennium Fellowship Growing at USF
USF produced a record 15 Millennium Fellows in 2025. The United Nations Millennium Fellowship is a semester-long leadership program that
supports undergraduate students advancing global partnership for peace and prosperity
through social impact projects.
Projects proposed by USF fellows included initiatives to increase literacy in Temple
Terrace, improve access to health checkups on campus, and highlight sustainability
efforts of local organizations through a docuseries.
Outstanding Young Alumni Shine
Two of the six recipients of the USF Alumni Association鈥檚 Outstanding Young Alumni Award were Judy Genshaft Honors College graduates: Hiram Rios Hernandez and Dr. Bailee Oliff.
Rios Hernandez is an economic officer at the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru, and a career
member of the U.S. Foreign Service. While at USF, he earned multiple nationally competitive awards, including the Gilman
Scholarship, Boren Award, Critical Language Scholarship and Pickering Fellowship.
Oliff, a trauma surgeon specializing in acute care robotic surgery, volunteered at the USF BRIDGE clinic as a student, serving uninsured and underserved
populations. She continues her commitment to service through surgical mission trips
to Cambodia with Jeremiah鈥檚 Hope.
Taking Steps Forward
USF Climate Teach-In Wins Regional CASE Award
The USF Climate Teach-In, initially supported by the Honors College and led by Honors faculty member Andrew Hargrove, received a 2024 District III CASE Award for Special Events: In-Person (Multi-Day). Now fully student-led, the annual event continues to expand through campus partnerships and plans to unify programming across all three USF campuses.
Honors College Celebrates Largest Convocation Cohort
A long-standing Honors tradition, the Honors College hosted its largest fall convocation ceremonies to date on the Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses. The 760 incoming students posted an average high school GPA of 4.33 and average SAT and ACT scores of 1370 and 30.
Honor Roll Podcast Expands to Video
The Honor Roll Podcast surpassed 70 episodes in 2025 and expanded from audio-only
to include video episodes. Produced through collaboration among students, Honors marketing
staff, and guests, the podcast highlights student stories, alumni achievements and
Honors initiatives.
鈥淭he podcast has been very successful in engaging a broad audience,鈥� said Honors College
Dean Charles Adams. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited for its next chapter and to continue to build upon
all the great work being done here.鈥�