The Honor Roll Podcast

Judy Genshaft Honors College Podcast Network

Conversations, interviews, and insights from the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College.

  1. Jun 16

    USF 70: Honors Student Leaders with Ashley Hinton, Naziza Naeer Bhuiyan, Jason Rodencal, and Katelynn Paciorek

    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: Learn more about the Honors College Student Council Check out the Honors Living Learning Community Read about the new Honors College building Learn more about the Honors Class of 2026 Catch up with Honors Alum Ashley Hinton

    46 min

  2. Jun 9

    Biomedical Ethics with Niveditha Chandrakanth, Vinesh Jarajapu, and Dr. Victor Bowers

    The art of medicine isn't always strictly scientific. More often than not, it requires navigating profound ethical and philosophical questions that can mean the difference between life and death. Dr. Victor Bowers, a transplant surgeon and medical director at LifeLink of Florida, teaches a biomedical ethics course in the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College that emphasizes the human side of healthcare. Joined by two of his former students, Niveditha Chandrakanth and Vinesh Jarajapu, they discuss how the course explores the gray areas and challenges that shape modern medicine. Dr. Bowers shares real-world dilemmas emerging around artificial intelligence and genetic editing and explains why preparing future healthcare professionals to navigate these questions matters now more than ever. Guests: Niveditha Chandrakanth, Vinesh Jarajapu, and Dr. Victor Bowers Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Lily Belcher Audio Production: Nicholas Henry, Sandra Napolitano, Maya Nikolski, and Vama Shah Additional Resources: Discover more Honors courses like Biomedical Ethics Learn about the LifeLink Foundation Listen to our podcast on becoming a living organ donor

    32 min

  3. May 15

    Building a Sustainable Future with Oliver Laczko

    Environmental science student Oliver Laczko joins the podcast to share how he is turning research into real-world impact, one green initiative at a time. After serving in leadership positions on the Student Green Energy Fund at the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus, he's learned that sustainability is about more than good intentions, but about making green projects work within real-world constraints. He digs into his award-winning research on environmental degradation in Bay Borough Harbor that earned him the Anita Cutting Outstanding Honors Thesis Award, shares what it’s like behind-the-scenes leading campus sustainability projects, and offers his advice for students who want to create change right here at USF. Guests: Oliver Laczko Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Giselle Lubeck  Audio Production: Sandra Napolitano, Nicholas Henry, Maya Nikolski, and Vama Shah Additional Resources: Learn more about the JGHC St. Petersburg campus Learn more about the Student Green Energy Fund Keep up with the Student Green Energy Fund on Instagram Discover how USF is creating a more sustainable campus Learn about the Honors Thesis Learn more about the Bay Borough Harbor

    50 min

  4. Apr 21

    Voices of Service: Dogs Inc. with Alexa Michael

    This week marks the launch of our new mini-series, Voices of Service, where we highlight volunteer organizations that prospective and current Honors students can get involved with. We sit down with first-year Honors student Alexa Michael to explore how community service can be more than just checking off a requirement, and with the right mindset, a way to discover purpose and grow as a leader.  Drawing from her experience volunteering with Dogs Inc. in high school and continuing her involvement as a college student, Alexa shares how choosing service opportunities that reflect her interests and values can strengthen leadership skills, boost well-being, improve communication, and even help shape her future career path. Guests: Alexa Michael Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Reva Gandhi Audio Production: Sandra Napolitano and Vama Shah Additional Resources: Learn more about Dogs Inc. Get involved with the Volunteering Committee through the Honors Student Council Find out more about Tunnels to Towers Learn about the Honors College experiential learning requirements

    20 min

  5. Apr 7

    The USF Gulf Scholars Program with Dr. Catherine Wilkins

    A new program on the USF St. Petersburg campus is giving Honors students access to high-impact research opportunities that directly affect the health and future of the Gulf region they call home. Nestled between downtown St. Petersburg and Bayboro Harbor, the campus is now home to the Gulf Scholars Program — an initiative that allows students to take Gulf-focused Honors courses, receive funding to complete and present their own research projects, and gain specialized mentorship. This week, Honors faculty member and Director of USF’s Gulf Scholars Program Catherine Wilkins shares why the program is meaningful to USF St. Petersburg, the unique opportunities it offers students across all majors, and the potential impact this dynamic program can have on the St. Petersburg community. Don’t forget to rate and review – we love to hear your feedback. Until next time, Go Bulls! Guests: Dr. Catherine Wilkins  Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Reva Gandhi Audio Production: Vama Shah, Nicholas Henry, Maya Nikolski Additional Resources: Learn more about the USF Gulf Scholars Program Read more about the National Academies of Science initiative

    28 min

  6. Mar 24

    Decoding Conflict and Media with May Birch, Caroline Pope, and Dr. Arman Mahmoudian

    Understanding the complexities of foreign relations can feel overwhelming, but Honors affiliate faculty member Arman Mahmoudian helps make global politics approachable and relevant. From learning how to separate fact from fiction to researching current conflicts, students leave his courses with the confidence to stay informed. This week, Dr. Mahmoudian joins the show along with Honors students May Birch and Caroline Pope to reflect on how studying world affairs changes perspectives. Together, they unpack why global events should matter to every college student, how to engage with media responsibly, and what it really means to develop a perspective that reaches beyond our own borders. This episode was originally recorded on October 24, 2025. Guests: Arman Mahmoudian, May Birch, Caroline Pope Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Reva Gandhi Audio Production: Sandra Napolitano, Vama Shah, Nicholas Henry, and Maya Nikolski Additional Resources: Explore more Honors Courses Learn more about Dr. Arman Mahmoudian

    50 min

  7. Mar 3

    Internships and the Inside Scoop on Public Service with Cameran Isler

    Internships can shape who we become, and for USF Honors student Cameran Isler, they opened the door to public service. Through the Legislative Internship Program and the Tallahassee Internship Program, Cameran stepped into the world of government early, gaining firsthand experience working alongside elected officials and supporting the communities they represent. This week, Cameran joins the podcast to share what it’s like to grow as a leader outside the classroom, build confidence in fast-moving professional environments, and discover the impact young people can have in public policy. She reflects on the people who helped her along the way, what it's like to manage an intern team, and how each opportunity pushed her closer to the future she wants.  Don’t forget to rate and review – we love to hear your feedback. Until next time, Go Bulls! Guests: Cameran Isler Hosts: Reva Gandhi and Lily Belcher Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano, Nicholas Henry, and Vama Shah Additional Resources:  Apply for the Legislative Internship Program Apply for the Tallahassee Internship Program Learn more about Congresswomen Laurel Lee Apply to the Wilcox Scholars Program

    27 min

  8. Feb 20

    Leading-Edge Research with 2025 Goldwater Scholars Taylor Rand, Peter Alspaugh, and Abdul-Malik Zekri

    USF is celebrating a record-breaking achievement — four Honors students have been named 2025 Goldwater Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for undergraduate research. In this episode, we chat with Taylor Rand, Peter Alspaugh, and Abdul-Malik Zekri about their passion for discovery, ambitious mindsets, and how they’re contributing research that affects everything from our human bodies to the forest floor. From studying the Florida insects to creating 3D cell maps and exploring the potential of DNA origami, these students are at the cutting-edge of emerging STEM research. They share how hands-on research opportunities at USF and mentorship from the Office of National Scholars helped them bring their groundbreaking projects to life. Guests: Taylor Rand, Peter Alspaugh, Abdul-Malik Zekri Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Calvin Pham Audio Production: Sandra Napolitano, Vama Shah, and Nicholas Henry Additional Resources: Learn more about the Barry Goldwater Scholarship Read about all four 2025 Goldwater Scholars Discover more undergraduate national scholarships through the Office of National Scholars

    41 min
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About

Conversations, interviews, and insights from the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College.

Information

  • Creator
    Judy Genshaft Honors College Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Judy Genshaft Honors College
  • Show Website
    The Honor Roll Podcast