For Maria Gerber, the University of South Florida is not only her alma mater, but the place her four sons call home. An alum of the Judy Genshaft Honors College, Gerber knew right away USF was the right choice for her family to receive an empowering education, while allowing her to stay involved in their college experience as a parent.
“I am a proud USF mom,” said Gerber. "But also, a proud USF alum. Attending USF benefitted me so much. It was such an enriching experience and I wanted to carry on the tradition with my sons. I've been so happy that they followed in my footsteps."
Gerber attended classes at both the USF St. Petersburg and Tampa campuses before earning her law degree from Stetson University College of Law. She has a brother who is also a USF alumnus and an attorney. Her sons are continuing this legacy of excellence with their own achievements at USF.
"I think they saw firsthand how well USF had served us, not only academically but in our career choices, and so it's working out very well for them," said Gerber.
AN HONORS LEGACY
As an Honors alum, Gerber was excited when all four of her sons chose to attend USF and gained admission to the Judy Genshaft Honors College. As the next generation of Honors students, they've had the opportunity to enroll in Honors classes that emphasize interdisciplinary learning beyond the core material for their majors and minors.
"They've experienced courses that involve the culinary arts, the law, race, and health care," said Gerber. "Having that sort of diverse approach to Honors courses produces a student and an individual that is more well-rounded as their thought processes are challenged."
Gerber appreciates the quality of instruction found in Honors classes where students are taught to think critically through a range of subjects. The Honors College draws professionals from a variety of fields, including journalism, politics, forensic science, and medicine to teach Honors students on the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee campuses.
Being in close proximity to these lessons through her sons, Gerber has found she is learning a lot as well and feeling even more connected as a family.
"It gives you a wonderful opportunity to have a dialogue with your adult child that you may not have been otherwise able to enjoy," said Gerber.
Gerber's three eldest children are now all graduates of USF and have gone on to very diverse careers in law, aviation, and law enforcement. Her youngest son, Spence Gerber, just started his sophomore year at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus where he is also the student governor.
Gerber is happy her sons have had the chance to experience all that USF has to offer as the university has grown over the years, while maintaining a close-knit feeling on each of the campuses. Having her sons near during their college years allowed Gerber to participate and she considers USF to be a great place for families to continue growing together, too.
"It wasn't as if they just went to college and that was it. I had an opportunity to feel very involved," said Gerber. It meant a lot to Gerber and her sons to have a familial experience on campus that kept them close to each other and the community.
PARENT PERSPECTIVE
Gerber has continued to remain involved with USF and the Honors College through the Judy Genshaft Honors College's Summer Mock Trial Intensive for high school juniors and seniors. As a practicing attorney licensed in the state of Florida, Gerber enjoys contributing her time by coaching aspiring law students through mock trial competitions.
The Honors College prioritizes mentorship to provide students with valuable real-world experiences, helping them make informed decisions about their career paths. Gerber has seen this impact firsthand and is especially impressed by the quality of USF alumni who give back by teaching Honors students.
"I have been enormously impressed with the experiential opportunities that they have here at USF and the Honors College," said Gerber. "Their values that they espouse, the commitment to academic excellence, but also their involvement in the community. I'm just so impressed with that. All three campuses are such a benefit to the surrounding communities."
Gerber believes this passionate involvement will in turn inspire future graduates from USF and the Judy Genshaft Honors College to pay it forward to the next generation of incoming students to help pave the way for their success as well.
When asked for advice for prospective students and their families navigating the college search process, Gerber's response was simple: "Put USF at the top of your list."