Honors News and Updates: January 12, 2024
From new Honors team members to exciting service opportunities, there's a ton going on you want to know about
What’s New this Week?
There’s a lot going on this week, in Gainesville, at Santa Fe, and in Honors.
In this Issue
This Week in Honors:
SF Honors Welcomes Two New Team Members
There are a lot of exciting things going on, but I am most excited to introduce Victoria Moreira Braune and Kaleo Marshall as our new Honors Assistants. Kaleo and Victoria will be here to support Honors students and faculty as we build exciting new opportunities to connect and get the most out of our time together. This week and next, learn a little bit about each of our new Honors team members.
Victoria:
Hi everyone! My name is Victoria Braune and I am happy to be working with the Honors Program this semester. I was born and raised in Brazil for eight years, then I moved to Hong Kong where I lived for nine years, and now I have been living in Florida for around two years. This is my second semester at Santa Fe College as well as my second semester being an Honors student. My goal is to get my associate degree at Santa Fe College and transfer to UF or UCF. I am also hoping to earn a bachelor’s degree for Psychology and also a doctoral degree in the future.Â
What’s up you guys!
No Room for a Class? You’ve got options.
In the Honors Canvas shell, we give you lots of options for earning Honors Points beyond your courses. All of the opportunities in the weekly newsletter are worth points, but you can also take charge of your own academic and enrichment opportunities through honors contracts, independent study projects, student organizations, and research opportunities. To learn more about these options and connect with these opportunities, read on and contact honors@sfcollege.edu.
Spring 2024 Honors Office Hours
Last semester, many of you expressed just how challenging it was to set up timely appointments. In addition to our staffing and office updates, we’re also making some changes to our Office Hours and meetings. Instead of relying on appointment reservations, you can drop by the office any time during the hours below and our team will be happy to help you.
Honors Program Office Hours
Monday: 11am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 3pm
Tuesday: 12pm to 3pm
Wednesday: 11am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 3pm
Thursday: 12pm to 3pm
Join Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society: The International Honors Society of Community Colleges!
5 Honors Points for Joining PTK
What is Phi Theta Kappa?
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) recognizes the academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for its members to grow as scholars and leaders. Established in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa has a presence on almost 1,300 community college campuses in 11 nations. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929. More than 3.8 million students have been inducted since 1918, with approximately 250,000 active members in the nation’s community colleges, making Phi Theta Kappa a true catalyst among members and colleges. (Source: ptk.org)
In short, Phi Theta Kappa is the official honors society for two-year colleges and institutions in the United States and beyond. By meeting eligibility requirements and becoming a member, you gain access to a variety of resources that will assist you in your college journey, whether that be to continue into the workforce after Santa Fe College or transfer to a four-year university like UF.
What are the requirements to be considered?
SF PTK and Phi Theta Kappa headquarters share the same requirements.
Be enrolled in an institution that has a Phi Theta Kappa chapter (Santa Fe College has one chapter among all of its campuses - Alpha Zeta Phi).
Have completed at least 12 hours of coursework toward an associate or bachelor's degree or at least 6 hours of coursework toward a 1-year degree
College credits gained in high school through dual enrollment, AP, AICE, IB, and other programs where college credit is received count towards this requirement.
Have a cumulative 3.5 GPA in your institution.
If you meet the requirements for membership, you will need to complete an application (linked below) to gain an invitation code to join the chapter. Once you gain the code, you will fill out your information, create an account at ptk.org, and pay the one-time $75 fee. If you're unable to pay the membership fee, I'd recommend asking Professor Keith about the Golden Opportunities Scholarship, which will bring your total cost down to $15.
If you do not meet the requirements to become a member of Phi Theta Kappa, SF PTK has introduced the provisional membership program. This program allows any student interested in joining Phi Theta Kappa in a later semester to be a part of meetings, projects, and more. The only requirement we have is that you are a current student actively pursuing a two-year degree at Santa Fe College, regardless of the type of degree you're pursuing or your course load. Let me know if you are interested in becoming a provisional member and I can provide you with more information.
What are some of the benefits of joining Phi Theta Kappa?
For a general overview of programs offered to Phi Theta Kappa members, please view this informational session from Spring. It goes over major programs provided to all members by Phi Theta Kappa.Â
Recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HfaD3U71AF8LHlEuVWCwha4Op0nWWasj/view?usp=sharing
Staying at Santa Fe for another year or interested in gaining leadership experience? We will be hosting elections for all of our officer positions towards the middle of the Spring semester. Have any questions? Feel free to email me or join meetings with your questions! More information will be available at our weekly meetings.
How do I inquire about joining SF PTK?
To inquire about joining SF PTK and apply to join, please complete the following form: https://sfcollege.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4O2xfmh5v10GB7M
SF PTK and the SF Honors Program work hand-in-hand!
Santa Fe College's Honors Program and SF PTK have a strong relationship! As a member of the Honors Program and SF PTK, you can utilize activities, research, and membership status towards CHE credit. In addition, scholarship applications can also be utilized for CHEs!
Spring information:
If you're interested in seeing what SF PTK is all about for yourself, we will be having our weekly meeting on Thursday, January 18th, at 4pm in S-326 on Northwest Campus and on Zoom (meeting room is pending). I welcome you to join, see what's on the agenda, and ask questions! I'm always looking for more things to bring to the Santa Fe community and to our members, so if you have any ideas for things, you'd like to see us do, please let me know!
Zoom link: https://sfcollege.zoom.us/j/97225353279
Join the SF PTK GroupMe:Â
I’ve created a community GroupMe for members to ask questions, collaborate, and keep up to date on events and meetings. This is great if you're waiting to be accepted into PTK and want to stay up to date. (This chat is also discoverable under the Santa Fe group!)
Click here to join: https://groupme.com/join_group/96906566/PhKjIE9Y
Questions? Speak with Professor Keith or contact Mikayla Stesney, President of SF PTK, at mikayla.stesney@sfcollege.edu
Santa Fe News and Events
Register For Mental Health First Aid Training!
5 Honors points for training completion
This is a great opportunity for students to understand how to help the community, including other students, staff members, visitors, and family members who could be going through a hard time. The training will cover mental-health topics such as addiction, anxiety, depression, and psychosis, which will contribute to campus safety and service excellence as students will be qualified to intervene and make adequate referrals when necessary.Â
Location: Building S, Rooms 29/30 (lunch will be provided)
Hours of Involvement: January 26, 8:30 am - 4:30 pmÂ
Registration link: Here
For more information, contact: brian.stanton@sfcollege.edu
Take Advantage of SF’s On-Campus Resources
Gainesville Harvest: SF students to get a hold of baked goods and shelf-stable grocery items. Volunteering for this service would consist of assisting with morning bread pickup, managing donations, assorting and giving out food during pantry hours.Â
Location: H-104, near the Gator Den
Hours of Operation: every Monday morning
Contact Information: kerry.chancey@sfcollege.edu
Saints Share Wear: Saints Share Wear is SF’s thrift shop that contains clothing, accessories, shoes, and housewares. Majority of the items cost one dollar or less (cash only) if you have a valid SFID. Profits from this project are used to provide scholarship opportunities for Career Service employees and other Career Service Council resources.Â
Location: H-130
Hours of Operation: Wednesdays (from January 10), 10am-1pmÂ
Contact Information: sharewear@sfcollege.edu
Academic Opportunities
2024 Future of Florida Summit: A Convergence of Minds on AI Policy
15 Honors points for participating in event
The Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida proudly hosts the 2024 Future of Florida Summit, the state's largest student-led public policy conference. This year's focus is on the evolving realm of Artificial Intelligence, with discussions centered around its impact on education, healthcare, agriculture, and law.
Scheduled from March 1-3, 2024, at the University of Florida campus, this summit offers a pre-event online policy preparation session on February 25. It's an extraordinary opportunity for 70 student leaders from across Florida to engage in meaningful dialogue with state leaders and professionals, gaining insights that extend far beyond the classroom.
Applications for this pivotal event are due by January 13, 2024, with a confirmation of attendance required by January 26. The summit welcomes students from all majors and levels, including graduate students, from any Florida college or university. Attendees from outside Alachua County will be provided hotel accommodations, and meals are covered for all participants.
Don't miss this chance to be part of shaping Florida's policy landscape in the age of AI. For more information and to apply, visit the summit's website. Questions can be directed to FOF-GrahamCenter@ufl.edu or by calling (352) 846-1575.
Explore the Path to Scientific Excellence with the SF2UF Bridge Program
Are you ready to broaden your academic horizons in the biomedical or behavioral sciences? The SF2UF Bridge to the Baccalaureate program invites applications for its 2024 cohort. This unique initiative not only fosters your educational growth but also offers hands-on research opportunities at the University of Florida – all while you continue your studies at Santa Fe.
Dedicated to supporting students from underrepresented groups, the program provides an enriching environment for both professional and personal development in the scientific community. To see if you meet the eligibility criteria and to apply, visit our program page here. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a journey that shapes future scientists and innovators.
Cultural, Community, and Career Opportunities
Write Yourself into the Art Museum!
Words on Canvas is an annual art writing competition at the Harn Museum of Art for University of Florida and Santa Fe College students.  We invite you to engage museumgoers with your poetry or prose inspired by art at the museum. This year, students can choose from 27 artworks covering each of the Harn’s collecting areas on view throughout the museum. We also have a special theme focused on walking (embracing all forms of inclusive personal mobility and imaginative approaches), so we are calling the 2024 competition Walks on Canvas!
Writers of winning entries will be awarded fun prizes and will have the opportunity to read their entry in front of their artwork at the Harn's Museum. Their essay/poem will be printed in a brochure to be given to them and shared with audiences; and will be featured on the innovative Walking Station which dispenses stories at the push of a button.
Students may submit until midnight, February 25, 2024.
For complete details – including a list of artworks, see the Words on Canvas website at
https://harn.ufl.edu/programs/university-students/words-on-canvas/ Â
Embrace your Artistic Side Through Experiences Offered by the Harn Museum of Art!
5 Honors points for attending each event
Art After Dark: Experience the Harn’s extended hours. Explore exhibitions, express creativity with magnetic poetry at the Bishop Study Center, or check out Cemellia Court Cafe until 8pm.Â
Location: Harn Museum of Art, 3259 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL 32608
Date & Time: Thursday, January 18, 5:00-9:00 pm
Weekend Tour: Engage in a casual conversation about the museum’s exhibitions through a complimentary tour led by a Docent. Groups of 10 or more can schedule a tour three weeks ahead by contacting tours@harn.ufl.edu
Location: Harn Museum of Art, 3259 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL 32608
Date & Time: Saturday, January 20, 2:00-3:00 pm
Contact Information: tours@harn.ufl.edu
Digital Humanities, AI, Literacy, & the Historical Profession
5 Honors points for attending event
This Speaker Series welcomes you to a talk about AI by Dr. Ermus who is currently an Assistant Professor of History at UT San Antonio.Â
Information about Dr. Ermus: PhD in European History from FSU. Author of The Great Plague Scare of 1720 & co-author of Epidemics: A Global History. Co-founder of the open-access online journal Age of Revolutions & co-producer of the collection Liberté, Eqalité, Fraternité: Exploring the French Revolution.
Location: Keene-Fint Hall, Room 05Â
Date: January 24, 3:00 pm
For more information, contact: jsensbach@ufl.edu
Name, Image, and Blackness: Race and College Football:
5 Honors points for attending event
The UF Center for Humanities in the Public Sphere presents an interactive presentation by Dr. Leonard N. Moore that focuses on racial dynamics of college football in the South after some changes, including the NIL, transfer portal, conference realignment, 2023 U.S. Supreme Court outlawing affirmative action in college admissions, and anti-DEI legislation.Â
Information about Leonard N. Moore: George Littlefield Professor of American History & former vice president at the University of Texas at Austin. Authored four books on black politics: Carl B. Stokes and the Rise of Black Political Power, Black Rage in New Orleans, The Defeat of Black Power, and Teaching Black History to White People.Â
Location: Smathers Library 100
Date: February 15, 4:00 pm
For more information, contact: humanities-center@ufl.edu
Support your local community - Volunteer with Gainesville Thrives
1 Honors Point per Service Hour
Volunteers needed! Gainesville Thrives is dedicated to nurturing academic success and healthy family dynamics in our community. We offer unique opportunities to engage in tutoring and mentoring for students from kindergarten to high school. Our outreach extends to expectant parents and those with infants, toddlers, and preschool children, ensuring support at every stage of early development.
Join us in shaping a brighter future for Gainesville. Whether you're interested in volunteering as a tutor or getting involved through our UF Student Club, your contribution will have a lasting impact. Discover more and sign up at Gainesville Thrives.
Check out the SF Civic Engagement and Service!
1 Honors Point per service hour
The Santa Fe Civic Engagement and Service (CES) provides students with the opportunity to engage with more than 200 local agencies that are looking for volunteers. In addition, CES is manages group service projects throughout the semester both on and off campus, so if you are occupied with your courses this semester you will still have the opportunity to volunteer and earn Honors points. To stay updated about the group projects offered by the CES, you can subscribe using your email, or visit Building S, Room 135.Â
Also, towards the end of the academic year, students that gather the most volunteer hours will receive a Civic Engagement and Service Award, which will be solely based on the students’ involvement, including participation in CES events, individual service, and group projects. Make sure to report volunteer hours to the CES Specialist if you want to receive this award!
Contact for more information: sarah.blanc@sfcollege.edu
Online Service Opportunities
1 Honors point per service hour completed
Online Service Opportunities: several online platforms provide SF students with virtual service opportunities. Before applying, make sure to contact Sarah Blanc, the Civic Engagement Specialist, to see if the online volunteer opportunity you want to apply to qualifies for service hours. Here are some viable options:Â Â
Civic Media Center Volunteer Opportunities
1 Honors Point per service hour completed
The Civic Media Center & Stetson Kennedy Library Inc., founded in October 1993, is an alternative library, reading room and info shop. The Civic Media Center is a community-based nonprofit that serves as a resource for progressive grassroots organizing, activism, and public awareness in Gainesville. The CMC’s mission is to provide community access to information and points of view that are under-reported or distorted in mainstream media.Â
The CMC offers a public-access library, educational discussions, a meeting space, WGOT radio, workshops, music shows and much more!Check our Instagram for flyers and details.
Want to get involved? We hold volunteer meetings on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Come out and get connected!
Pre-Professional Opportunities
STEM
Apply for TECBio REU at the University of Pittsburgh this Summer
30 Honors points for attending TECBio REU
We are pleased to announce the 15th summer for our REU program in computational biology! More information and our 2024 program flyer can be found at our website – tecbioreu.pitt.edu, which also has the link the application website.  Â
Application Deadline:Â February 12, 2024Â
Program Dates: May 20 – July 26, 2024Â
Student Support:Â $6250 stipend, housing*, travel*, and VR equipmentÂ
Pre-Health
Medical Interpreting Training Information Session
5 Honors Points for attending event
Are you bilingual and a prehealth student?Â
We are offering a virtual information session regarding Medical Interpreting Training on Jan. 16th at 6 PM.
Becoming a medical interpreter is a great clinical opportunity as you work towards building a competitive application for a healthcare profession.Â
Register in advance for this meeting either via the link below or the QR code in the flyer attached.Â
https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkfu6gpzoqGdXqr45eBA1uh-4dxrkkcsHw Â
Hope to see you there!!!
UF First Responder Gator Registering for Spring 2024
50 Honors Points for completion of course
Are you on a pre-health track &Â interested in emergency medicine? Take First Responder Gator! Our 40-hour extracurricular course is a fantastic way to learn new skills and become prepared to help others in an emergency! Our class will be offered this spring from January 23rd to April 9th. Registration is open until January 30th.Â
First Responder Gator has both a lab and lecture component. Lectures are once a week on Wednesdays from 5:30pm - 7:30pm and are taught by Gainesville Fire Rescue firefighter and paramedic Chief David Sutton. Labs are once a week from 6:00pm - 8:00pm with the option to choose Tuesdays or Thursdays where you will learn hands-on skills like CPR, bleeding control, and more! Classes are held on the UF campus, but you do not have to be a UF student to register!
Class registration links:Â
Registering for a lab automatically registers you for the Wednesday lectures. If you have any questions or want to learn more about the class, reach out to us at contact@frgator.com and check out our website,Â
https://frgator.com/
UF Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) Applications Open
30 Honors Points for Program Completion
SHPEP, a national program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is a free six-week academic enrichment program for freshman and sophomore students from across the country who have an interest in pursuing a career in the health professions. In addition to academic enrichment relevant to pre-health subjects, students will also gain clinical exposure, skill labs, career development, and interprofessional education experience.Â
UF SHPEP 2024 will take place from May 13th – June 21st, 2024. During the first two weeks of the program, all events, workshops, and instruction will be held virtually. All programming during the remaining four weeks will take place in-person on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, FL, during which participants will be provided on-campus housing, meals, and a $1000 stipend.
The application for the 2024 cohort is currently OPEN and will close on February 5th, 2024 at 11:59pm (EST).  Applications are available at the national Summer Health Professions Education Program website. Admissions decisions will be released on March 15th, 2024.
Additional information can be found on the UF SHPEP website at https://ufhealth.org/ufshpep or the national program website at http://www.shpep.org/
Have an event, opportunity, or announcement you’d like to highlight? Get in touch and let us know so that we can include it in the next Honors Newsletter.
 |
|