Since the college was named in 2019, the University of South Florida (USF) Judy Genshaft
Honors College has grown exponentially. Beyond an impressive 13% increase in total
students, the college has expanded its academic offerings and programing at both the
St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee campuses while also opening a world-class facility
that is now home to over 2,300 Honors Bulls in Tampa.
With this growth came new opportunities and new challenges, such as how to maintain
the close-knit and vibrant sense of community that has defined the college since its
inception.
Recognizing the key contribution that workplace culture plays in the professional
success of faculty and staff, in 2019 the Honors College formed the College Culture
Committee (CCC). Its mandate was to help develop and maintain community and support
among the staff and faculty of the college. Today, the CCC focuses on creating spaces
for connection and development through programming, but also recognizes important
professional contributions and personal milestones like birthdays, weddings, and other
important life moments.
CONNECTION across tampa bay
To encourage a close Honors community across the university system, the CCC has facilitated
semesterly visits to each of the coastal campuses for the Honors staff. In 2023, the
Honors team enjoyed its first formal staff-wide visit days to both the St. Petersburg
and Sarasota-Manatee campuses, which included campus tours, meetings with students,
and engaging activities like campus scavenger hunts.
College leadership at each of the coastal campuses also participate in local community
building with their own faculty and colleagues. St. Petersburg Honors Advisor Dani
Soluna has hosted multiple "Dining with Dani" lunches with campus partners and students
to help connect Honors Bulls with resources such as internship opportunities. On the
Sarasota-Manatee campus, Cayla Lanier, assistant dean and campus director, frequently
holds lunches and "Tea Talk" hours meant to foster collaboration and fellowship.
the college that eats together ...
Having moved to a much larger space on the Tampa campus, a goal for the 2023-24 academic year was creating informal opportunities to gather with colleagues. The CCC worked with Honors full-time and affiliate faculty to plan several monthly breakfasts and lunches to make time for spontaneous conversation and connection.
MOMENTS TO CELEBRATE
For a festive air, the CCC hosted holiday celebrations throughout the year, including a fall Boo Buddies gift exchange, a winter bake-off, and an end-of-semester lunch party. The Honors College even held its first triple wedding shower in November, 2023.
Looking forward, the CCC plans to continue creating spaces for staff and faculty to come together. This includes working toward an annual day of service and an ongoing CCC Honors faculty and staff newsletter.
“We love the foundation that we’ve been able to build upon in the Honors College,” said CCC Chair and Assistant Director of the USF Office of National Scholars Lauren Roberts. “It’s a place for academic excellence, but also personal growth and fun. Prioritizing these connections makes us happier, healthier, more collaborative colleagues and has a great impact on the students in the Judy Genshaft Honors College and wider USF community.”