The 51在线 (USF) Judy Genshaft Honors College recognized the academic achievements of 100 outstanding Fall 2023 Honors graduates with celebration ceremonies on each of USF鈥檚 three campuses this month. The ceremonies awarded graduates with a prestigious Judy Genshaft Honors College medallion and spotlighted the individual accomplishments and personal milestones of each student.
GRADUATING WITH JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE DISTINCTION
Collectively, the Fall 2023 class boasts an impressive average GPA of 3.78, with over three quarters of students graduating with a GPA over 3.7, and five USF King O鈥橬eal Scholars graduating with a perfect GPA of 4.0. Approximately one third of Fall 2023 graduates self-identify as first-generation college students, with just over 75% of total graduates hailing from inside the state of 51在线.
鈥淲e are so proud of all our Judy Genshaft Honors College graduates and inspired by all that they鈥檝e already accomplished. We eagerly anticipate the impact they will make in their respective fields and the good they will do in our world.鈥� - Judy Genshaft Endowed Dean, Charles Adams
In addition to the requirements of their individual degrees, each Honors graduate was required to complete unique Honors coursework, including either an Honors thesis or Honors capstone course research project. Honors graduates also completed either two global experience requirements and a service requirement of 50 community service hours, or an experiential learning requirement including two career and leadership, community service, creative and artistic experience, global experience or research activities. This outstanding work was recognized in remarks from Honors leaders during a Tampa Honors Graduation Celebration Ceremony, St. Petersburg Honors Graduation Dinner, and Sarasota-Manatee Honors Symposium.
FALL 2023 HONORS GRADUATE PROFILES
Meet a few of the Fall 2023 graduates who exemplify what makes the Judy Genshaft Honors College experience so exceptional.
KAYLEE ECKELMAN
Kaylee Eckelman is graduating with a degree in finance. She completed an Honors capstone project at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota which explored the relationship between art, social engagement, and mental health. Her final project analyzed the role of purpose in health outcomes, including life expectancy, physical health, and mental well-being.
Eckelman cited achieving a high GPA while successfully managing her commitment to other jobs and extracurriculars as her proudest accomplishment during her time at USF. Inspired by the valuable mentorship that she received during her Honors tech ethics course, Eckelman plans on applying to graduate programs in data analytics.
BARBARA FIGUEREDO
Barbara Figueredo completed her degree in education with a minor in leadership studies.
She鈥檒l also receive the King O鈥橬eal Scholars award, given to students who complete
their undergraduate coursework with a 4.0 grade-point average.
Having moved to the United States from Venezuela with her family when she was a child,
Figueredo grew up learning two languages, which sparked her dream of becoming a teacher.
鈥淚 loved to play teacher, and I would sit down and teach my parents how to spell and
pronounce words in English,鈥� said Figueredo.
Throughout her time at USF, Figueredo demonstrated her commitment to uplifting students.
As a career peer advisor and USF student ambassador, she actively aided students in
achieving their personal and professional goals. She even used her time in the Judy
Genshaft Honors College to conducted an Honors thesis investigating culturally respectful
teaching methods and effective curriculum models to address achievement gaps.
After graduation, Figueredo looks forward to spending time traveling with her family,
but most of all, she is excited to start her career as an educator and run her own
classroom. Figueredo plans to teach grades K-6 in public schools and will pursue graduate
education in curriculum and instruction at USF.
SOFIA GONZALEZ
Sofia Gonzalez received her degree in chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry and biotechnology and was also this semester鈥檚 winner of the Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean's Circle of Merit Award for research.
Exhibiting an impressive dedication to research throughout her time at USF, Gonzalez鈥檚
accomplishments include a completed Honors thesis titled 鈥淏acterial Effector Kinase
OspG: From Cloning to Sample Preparation to Biophysical Studies,鈥� a fully-funded National
Science Foundation research experience with the Office of National Scholars, and a
presentation at the USF High Impact Practices for Undergraduate Research Conference.
When asked, Gonzalez recalls her fondest Honors college memories as being the time
she spent learning from and forging connections with advisors and professors. After
graduation, Gonzalez is planning to apply to Ph.D. programs in biochemistry in hopes
begin coursework next fall.
SANIKAA THAKURDESAI
Sanikaa Thakurdesai is graduating with a degree in psychology with a minor in public
health. She is also receiving the Dean's Circle of Merit Award for leadership in recognition
her exceptional leadership within the Honors College community. Committed to diversity,
student well-being, and mentorship, Thakurdesai contributed to the USF through her
roles as a peer mentor, Editor-in-Chief of Sparks Magazine, and peer health educator.
Through her Honors thesis, 鈥淓motional Identities of People Experiencing Hearing Loss
and Stigma鈥�, she compiled stories from people dealing with hearing loss into a comprehensive
narrative analysis of the subject. Thakurdesai was selected to present this research
at the Johns Hopkins Humanities Symposium and regards this moment as her proudest
accomplishment at USF.
After graduation, Thakurdesai will continue to pursue her passion for research as
a member of the Integrative Cognition and Neuroscience Lab at the University of Maryland,
where she will work as a laboratory manager.
ETHAN SKIDMORE
Ethan Skidmore is graduating with dual degrees in interdisciplinary social sciences
and mass communications. Having participated in various international programs to
countries including Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom, Skidmore is also this semesters
recipient of the Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean鈥檚 Circle of Merit award for global
citizenship in recognition of his passion for international study experiences.
After graduation Skidmore plans to take a growth year where he will continue ongoing
research projects alongside USF faculty members, work as a member of a mental health
clinic, and pursue creative hobbies such as music and photography. He hopes to apply
to a Ph.D. program in social psychology following his growth year.
FOREVER BULLS
This impressive Honors class was part of USF鈥檚 larger graduating class, which includes
students representing 37 states and 88 nations. In total, the university awarded 3,303
bachelor鈥檚 degrees, 982 master鈥檚 degrees, 104 doctorates, and three specialty degrees
to graduates from all three campuses.
Click here to learn more about the 51在线鈥檚 commencement ceremonies or
here to learn more about the Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean鈥檚 Circle of Merit award.