The OB体育官网 Judy Genshaft Honors College celebrated 390 graduates this spring. With an average GPA of 3.8, the college proudly sends off its newest alumni as they pursue graduate school, launch careers or travel the world. Among this year鈥檚 graduates are 50 King O鈥橬eal Scholars 鈥� students who completed their degrees with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Representing nine of USF鈥檚 14 colleges, the spring graduating class will earn degrees across 74 unique majors. In addition to attending their college鈥檚 general commencement, Honors students are invited to a special ceremony hosted by the Judy Genshaft Honors College. Each graduate is recognized individually with a personalized introduction highlighting their academic achievements, research efforts and favorite Honors memories. Students also receive an Honors medallion to mark the completion of the program.
Celebrating Across Campuses
Each USF campus recognized its Honors graduates in a unique way. The Tampa campus hosted a medallion ceremony led by Judy Genshaft Endowed Honors Dean Charles Adams. In St. Petersburg, Honors students were honored during an intimate dinner with their families and Honors faculty. On the Sarasota-Manatee campus, graduates were spotlighted during a special symposium.
Dr. Cayla Lanier, assistant dean and campus director of the Honors College at Sarasota-Manatee, encouraged graduates to remember their roots and pursue their own version of success.
鈥淚 hope you learn that success in your job is just one aspect of a successful life. Set goals that are meaningful and keep track of them to chart your own path to success,鈥� said Lanier.
At the St. Petersburg campus, graduates spoke at a waterfront dinner, sharing stories and memorable moments from their Honors experience. On the Tampa campus, Dean Adams personally recognized each graduate鈥檚 accomplishments and future plans as they received their medallions and joined the USF alumni community.
Behind the Medallion
To graduate with Honors distinction, students must complete all Honors coursework, a research thesis or collaborative capstone project, and two additional experiential learning requirements. Many students studied abroad, published research, held leadership roles or partnered with local organizations during their time in the college.
鈥淥ur students exemplify the value of an Honors education 鈥� academic excellence, global citizenship, and community engagement,鈥� said Adams. 鈥淲atching them grow into the next generation of leaders is the most rewarding part of what we do.鈥�
New Alumni Spotlights
Judy Genshaft Honors College graduates are prepared to make an impact. Meet a few of this year鈥檚 graduates applying leadership, service, research and collaboration to the next chapter of their journeys:
K鈥檡ana Edwards
K'yana Edwards sought opportunities for cross-cultural understanding and collaboration through initiatives like revitalizing the Caribbean Culture Exchange, contributing to sustainable tourism efforts informed by her study abroad in Switzerland, and co-developing the award-winning Global Quest platform with Colombian peers. She received the Honors Dean鈥檚 Circle of Merit Award for her dedication to global citizenship, demonstrated by her work with a Belizean business in her capstone course and her service with the Ubuntu Creative Arts Project in Jamaica.
After graduation, Edwards plans to seek full-time employment in health care analytics, biotechnology, or data analytics.
Chandrika Ganduri
Chandrika Ganduri has made numerous meaningful contributions to the Judy Genshaft Honors College and the broader USF community. Within the Honors College, she excelled in several roles 鈥� guiding prospective students as an Honors Ambassador, fostering community as treasurer of the Honors Choir and serving as a Peer Mentor Lead. Beyond Honors, she demonstrated leadership as president of the Hindu Students Council, where she cultivated an inclusive space, and as vice president of Triumph Over Trafficking, where she supported survivors and raised awareness. Ganduri鈥檚 journey at USF reflects a deep commitment to mentorship, community and meaningful change. She received the Dean鈥檚 Circle of Merit Award for her dedication to leadership.
After graduation, Ganduri plans to pursue a Master of Health Administration at either Columbia University or George Washington University.
Hanan Ibrahim
Hanan Ibrahim鈥檚 commitment to service started early as a Resident Assistant for three years and through her active engagement with Phi Delta Epsilon, volunteering and fundraising for various causes. Guided by her Honors advisor, Hanan extended her service to the Tampa community as an HIV Testing Counselor and an English tutor for refugees and immigrants. Her dedication to bridging gaps in access was also shown through her work with EnVision Resolution, securing funding for expanded mental health services. For this work, she was recognized with the Dean's Circle of Merit Award for her dedication to service.
Ibrahim plans to attend Vanderbilt University's Master of Public Health Program on the Global Health track as a David Satcher Scholar.
Ankit Patel
With experience leading research teams, Ankit Patel fostered collaboration that led to significant publications and presentations at international conferences, supported by the Genshaft Global Presidential Scholarship. His leadership extended to the broader community through impactful roles as a board member for PrepAndMe, which addresses educational access for low-income students, and the Hillsborough Education Foundation, where he now mentors students after once being a beneficiary himself.
Winner of the Dean鈥檚 Circle of Merit Award for leadership, Patel describes leadership as collaborative problem-solving 鈥� a skill he developed through challenging discussions in Honors seminars on topics ranging from reproductive care ethics to cultural influences on mental health.
After graduation, Patel plans to take a gap year to continue his research in stroke biology and neurosurgery before applying to medical school. He will also remain involved in nonprofit work aimed at improving educational attainment for underserved public school students in the Tampa Bay area.
Isabelle Sorensen
Studying on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, Isabelle Sorensen earned her degree in biomedical sciences at just 19 years old. She dedicated much of her undergraduate experience to building community, serving as a peer mentor in the Honors College and teaching Honors Foundations, a course that welcomes first-year students and helps orient them to college life.
Sorensen plans to continue her education by pursuing an additional bachelor's degree in nursing. She aspires to provide direct care to mothers and newborns as a mother-baby nurse.
Nora Wolfgang
Nora Wolfgang, a Dean鈥檚 Circle of Merit Award recipient, dedicated their undergraduate studies to impactful research. Beginning with a thesis on religious trauma, their research journey expanded through work in the CREATE lab on reentry and recidivism, sparking a lasting commitment to meaningful, socially informed scholarship.
Their current independent research on sickle cell trait comorbidity, combined with a pivotal experience in a Romanian bioarchaeology lab, directly informed their Honors thesis. They also conducted research through the Anthropology Departmental Honors Program on the status of women in medieval society. Throughout their time at USF, Wolfgang demonstrated a consistent commitment to exploring diverse and interdisciplinary research topics.
After graduation, they plan to attend medical school in either Florida or Tennessee.
Celebrating New Beginnings
The Judy Genshaft Honors College spring 2025 graduates witnessed significant milestones during their time at USF 鈥� from the grand opening of the new Honors building to the university鈥檚 invitation to join the prestigious Association of American Universities. As students, they contributed to a thriving academic culture. Now, they join a growing community of Honors alumni ready to help shape the future.
Honors graduates and community members can .