The USF College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) welcomed 19 new members to the Dean’s Student Leadership Society (DSLS).
DSLS students are chosen for their superior leadership skills, often serving as volunteer coordinators, executive board members, or critical points of contact on behalf of CAS. DSLS also provides students with mentorship opportunities, professional development workshops, and year-round networking.
Afiya Thompson, Myles McCants, and Tony Tran assist with inducting new members. (Photo
by Marc Edwards Photographs)
The 2023 inductees are:
- Aakash Vijeesh, Biomedical Sciences major (minor in Public Health)
- Annalise Nicks, Psychology (minor in Criminology)
- Chance Mason, World Languages and Cultures (concentration in Classics)
- Danya Awsha, Environmental Science and Chemistry (minor in GIS)
- Elliot Hermann, Psychology (minor in Spanish)
- Esther Marcuello Garcia, Cell and Molecular Biology (minor in Healthcare Administration)
- Fariah Ansari, Biomedical Sciences and Public Health
- Jamie Barker, Biomedical Sciences (minor in Anthropology)
- Jasmin Kaur Pruthi, Biomedical Sciences (minor in Psychology)
- Jenna Epright, Political Science (minor in Film and New Media Studies)
- Jose Masso Maldonado, Biomedical Sciences
- Laura Orban, Psychology
- Lyah Persaud, Psychology (minor in Criminology)
- Mia Vera, Psychology (minor in Spanish)
- Mridula Singh, Psychology and Biomedical Sciences
- Nicolas Giunto, Chemistry (minor in French)
- Rahul Jain, Biomedical Sciences
- Sierra Shellabarger, Philosophy and World Languages and Cultures (concentration in German)
- Vivian Guite, Biomedical Sciences (minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation)
“Each year, students involved in DSLS pioneer new events, solve complex challenges, and prove themselves as trusted partners,” said Grace Partridge, stewardship and student success coordinator.
Admiral Kirby (center), students, faculty, and staff enjoying the day’s festivities. (Photo by Marc Edwards Photographs)
Admiral Kirby delivered the keynote address. (Photo by Marc Edwards Photographs)
The induction ceremony, held April 7 at the USF Gibbons Alumni Center, also included
a keynote address from USF alumnus Admiral John F. Kirby. Kirby, who has served as
coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council, coordinates
and aligns interagency national security messaging for the Biden administration and
is frequently called upon to speak for the administration on foreign and defense policy
issues.
Admiral Kirby’s message to the students was to use their intuition as a leader and welcome each person’s unique contribution to a team.
Nicole Nagib, the new president-elect of DSLS and current biomedical sciences student, had the opportunity to sit with Admiral Kirby at the ceremony.
New, current, and graduating DSLS students show their USF Bulls pride with Dean Michael and Admiral Kirby. (Photo by Marc Edwards Photographs)
"Meeting and welcoming the new class of DSLS was a truly memorable experience; everyone at DSLS is incredibly excited to get to know each other more next year!” Nagib said. “Making the ceremony even more unforgettable was Admiral John Kirby. He provided all of us with important and beneficial lessons on leadership and the value that each and every one of us brings to the table because of our varied personal experiences. He also discussed his experience with picking a career field within the Navy, and his insight on having a plan while also being open-minded to embrace change."
In addition to welcoming new members this spring, the DSLS also bid farewell to 18 graduating seniors this year, all of whom played important roles in more than 50 CAS events throughout this academic year, such as Trailblazers and Frontier Forum.
“And to our graduating seniors, well done and congratulations! I know you will go out into the world to help make it better and make us all proud. Remember, you always have a home here at USF,” said CAS Dean Magali Michael in her closing remarks.