2019 News Stories

Social Science Education major Cassidy Michonski selected for College of Education Graduation with Distinction Award

Cassidy Michonski outside the USF College of Education

TAMPA, Fla. (Dec. 12, 2019) — College of Education student Cassidy Michonski was selected to receive the College of Education’s Graduation with Distinction Award for the Fall 2019 semester.

The Graduation with Distinction Award is presented to select undergraduate students in the College of Education who stand apart from their peers based on their academic excellence, professional development, community service, or research and scholarship while a student at USF.

Michonski, a Social Science Education major from Cocoa, Fla., has maintained a 3.76 GPA while participating in numerous activities during her time at USF, such as attending research conferences, studying abroad in Costa Rica and serving as president of USF’s chapter of Relay for Life. Michonski is also a member of the SCATTER Program, the education honors program for the College of Education.

With a love of history, Michonski said she decided to become a teacher after being inspired by a former U.S. history teacher. 

“I wanted to be that person who makes it come alive and makes kids fall in love with a subject, because history can be boring if it’s not taught correctly,” Michonski said. “I wanted other kids to have the same experiences I did.”

Eager to share her passions and put what she’s learned at USF to practice, Michonski has already started a full-time teaching job at Adams Middle School in Tampa. Although jumping into a new classroom mid school-year has had its challenges, Michonski said it’s the moments where she sees the difference she’s making in her students lives that makes being an educator worthwhile.

“Everything that I’ve done hasn’t been to receive an award, it’s been to further my education so that I can help out my students more,” Michonski said. “To be recognized for all of that feels pretty nice.”

The University of South Florida System will confer approximately 5,000 degrees during fall commencement ceremonies on Dec. 13-16. USF President Steve Currall will preside over seven total ceremonies, marking the university’s 119th commencement convocation. Visit the USF Commencement website for ceremony information.