Honors News and Updates: October 18, 2023
Honors points opportunities and early registration!
What’s New this Wednesday?
This week, we’re all getting ready to get ready, with updates focused on Spring registration, earning honors points, preprofessional opportunities, and civic engagement. Also, don’t forget that the deadline to apply for the Honors Program’s James Gregg scholarship is November 1st, so get in your applications now!
Table of Contents
This Week in Honors:
Honors Registration
At this point, many of us are already thinking about the Spring semester and which classes you can take to prepare for transfer, complete your degree, and work toward your Honors credential. Luckily, we’re also at the point that you can now see which classes are coming up. Some of the schedule is still in flux, but for most classes you can see what days and times they’ll be offered as well as who the instructor will be. As you peruse the options and put together a draft for spring, keep the following in mind:
Advanced registration begins November 2: You can start registering yourself for classes at this point.
You need the Honors Office to register you for Honors courses: Email me at ryan.keith@sfcollege.edu to get signed up for the Honors courses of your choice.
Maintaining Honors status means taking at least 1 Honors course: Staying in the program requires taking at least one Honors course or completing an equivalent number of Honors points. Or, you could really knock it out of the part and do both!
Updated Advising Hours
This registration season, the Honors Office has expanded hours to make it easier for us to talk about your academic plan, your schedule, and your classes. Look at the schedule below for specific hours. Set up an appointment to meet using our Advising Calendar.
Get ready to graduate!
You’ve probably already heard from me, but if you are a current Honors student who plans to graduate at the end of the Fall 2023 semester, please let me know so that I can have you included in the Commencement program and recognized at this year’s ceremony. You’ve worked hard and deserve recognition!
Santa Fe News and Events
Mental Health First-Aid Training
Santa Fe College is pleased to offer free Mental Health First Aid training for students. This training helps participants understand how to help others who may be experiencing a mental health-related crisis or problem on campus. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, psychosis, and addictions.
Lunch will be provided. Students will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Attendees will need to be present for the entire course for certification. Participants can elect to attend a training session on October 27 or November 14.
Support Honors through the PTK College Project
The PTK College Project is designed to help Phi Theta Kappa chapters develop and/or strengthen a supportive working relationship with your college administration while supporting the college's missions and values. We work closely with President Paul Broadie to formulate and implement the project, meaning you will have the chance to foster relationships with administration and faculty at Santa Fe College and beyond.
Participating in the College Project allows you to become involved in Santa Fe College's Phi Theta Kappa chapter, a Top 10 chapter within the state of Florida. In addition, you will gain research experience and have the opportunity to make a difference in a student's academic journey. If you're looking to build your resume for transfer applications or jobs, this is the project for you.
Involvement includes attending meetings, participating in discussion, research, and mentorship participation. Our current framework supports the plan of implementing a mentorship program within Santa Fe College Academy of Science and Technology as well as freshman and Dual Enrolled students. Our goal is to "demystify Honors-level education" through student-to-student conversations and discussions, resource connections, and more. We plan to implement this program long-term, including plans to expand outside of Santa Fe College and into Alachua and Bradford County high schools.
If you are interested, please join PTK virtually to learn more about this opportunity on Thursday, October 19, at 6pm.
Academic Opportunities
National Society for Minorities in Honors AI Roundtable
As AI offers considerable opportunities as well as some challenges for education, this discussion will be of interest to friends and colleagues who wonder on its impact on equity and honors education. Register by October 27 to attend.
"Technological innovation can present new possibilities, including longer, healthier lives; safer workplaces; and equitable economic opportunity. But, as we have been reminded in recent months, with the public debut of generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications—and, soon after, the realization of their potentially socially corrosive impacts—these beneficial outcomes are not preordained. They must be boldly envisioned, intentionally designed, and continually pursued by policymakers, developers, industry, researchers, advocates, and the public." Alondra Nelson, former principal deputy director for science and society and acting director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), where she led the development of the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights.
Simply put, "machine intelligence" is expanding today at such a rapid rate that few educators are keeping up with the changes. - changes that impact perception, social intelligence, problem-solving and economic opportunity. How will honors education respond? How is it responding now?
USF School of Aging Studies Careers in Aging Day
Are you a student interested in aging, health care, and health administration? If so, then you may be eligible for FREE admission to the Gerontological Society of America's (GSA) Careers in Aging Day on Friday, November 10, 2023, in Tampa, FL!
GSA is the largest and oldest international association focused on aging through research, advocacy, policy, and service. In line with GSA's mission to promote aging research and inspire early career scholars in aging, they are offering FREE two-day admission to this event for undergraduate or community college students (no membership required; see flyer for more details). To register for this opportunity, please see the following link: https://www.gsa2023.org/Program/Careers-in-Aging-Day or follow the instructions on the flyer.
The deadline to register is Tuesday, October 31, 2023. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Lindsay Peterson at ljpeterson@usf.edu.
USM Mapping Freedom Summer 202 REU Program
The “Mapping Freedom”: A National Science Foundation – Research Experience for Undergraduates at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is recruiting applicants for its Summer 2024 cohort.
The research team of REU participants, faculty, and graduate students will use data from the “Civil War & Reconstruction Governors of Mississippi” project to map the complex process of emancipation in the state. Specifically, they will use letters and petitions from that period that reveal how Mississippians, especially Black Mississippians, responded to the end of slavery and navigated new freedoms during the Civil War and Reconstruction. Participants will help develop a new, user-friendly, free visualization tool to help users understand this complex process and see how they can use this same tool for their own classroom or research needs. No computing experience is required or expected for this opportunity.
During the program, participants will also attend a variety of professionalism opportunities. These include graduate school workshops, mock presentations at the USM Center for Speaking, writing workshops at the USM Center for Writing, and discussions with faculty members and graduate students to learn about their experiences in digital humanities, Geography, Computer Science, and related fields.
USM Polymer Science and Engineering 2024 Summer REU Program
The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Polymer Science and Engineering is now accepting applications for our 2024 Summer REU Program. We are offering 10 weeks of valuable hands-on research experience in one of the nation’s top polymer science and engineering programs.
Dates: Monday May 20th – Friday 26th July 2024
Application deadline: January 1st 2024
Scholarships
Apply for the James Gregg Honors Scholarship
Every year, the SF Honors Program awards the James Gregg Honors Scholarship, which covers tuition and fees for up to 12 credits each Fall and Spring and up to 6 credits in Summer at the in-state rate. Each scholarship will be granted for one full year, renewable for one additional consecutive year. Honors scholarships cannot be combined with other SF program scholarships such as student ambassador, student government, etc. scholarships.
Students who meet the following eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply:
Current membership or recent admission to the Honors Program at SF or Phi Theta Kappa.
At least a 3.5 GPA on college degree coursework and no grade in any class - standard or Honors - lower than C. (Incoming high school students must have at least a 3.5 high school GPA with no grade lower than C).
Evidence of exceptional academic achievement, research, or creativity.
Evidence of leadership qualities, participation in college activities, and/or civic and social engagement.
Evidence of Financial Need
Students interested in applying for the James Gregg Scholarship should apply via the Santa Fe College General Scholarship Application before the deadline of November 1.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship Updates
Phi Theta Kappa’s 2024 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship application is already open and closes on Thursday, January 11, 2024.
To learn more about the JKCF Foundation Scholarship and how to apply, visit JKCF.org
SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program
The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program is a combined educational and workforce development opportunity for STEM students. SMART offers scholarships for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students pursuing a STEM degree. Scholarship recipients receive full tuition, annual stipends, internships, and guaranteed employment with the Department of Defense after graduation. Applications are open annually from August 1-December 1.
Do you have questions on your SMART application? Join the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program on October 31, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. EST for our webinar, SMART 101: Application Questions, Answered.
Community and Career Opportunities
Civic Engagement and Service: Get Involved with Our Community
Student Life’s office of Civic Engagement and Service (CES) can help you get connected with opportunities to serve our community! CES offers off-campus service opportunities, on-campus recruitment events, and one-on-one advising on community involvement. Sign up for CES’s email updates to stay informed about upcoming volunteer opportunities, internships, and community involvement! If you’d like to find a volunteer or internship opportunity but don’t know where to start, email CES Specialist Sarah Blanc at sarah.blanc@sfcollege.edu to get connected!
Volunteer with the Friends of the Library Book Sale
Are you a book lover who enjoys sharing your love of literacy with others? Volunteer with the Friends of the Library and help them prepare for their next major book sale happening October 21-25! We would appreciate volunteer support on any sale day, but our greatest need is for the Saturday and Sunday shifts due to the incredibly large number of people who attend our sales. Tuesday and Wednesdays, particularly for the 3:00 - 6:00 shift is also hard for us to fill. If you are interested in volunteering on a regular basis throughout the year, we’re happy to provide an orientation session. For more information, contact Stephanie Olson at olsonmr@mac.com.
SF Civic Engagement and Service: Alachua County Animal resources
Student Life’s office of Civic Engagement and Service if offering service experiences around our community this fall! These service projects are a great way to experience different volunteer settings and meet students who share an interest in serving our community.
You must sign up in advance to participate in these service projects – space is limited!
To sign up, email sarah.blanc@sfcollege.edu.
To participate, you must:
Be a currently enrolled SF student in good standing
Have at least a 2.0 GPA
Be at least 18 years old or have a parent/guardian sign paperwork
Bread of the Mighty Food Bank
Friday, October 20, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Bread of the Mighty Food Bank’s mission is to provide food, hope and encouragement to help nourish the hungry and food insecure in our community. Volunteers will help facilitate a food distribution in Chiefland, located in Levy County.
Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery
Friday, October 27, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery (PCCC) is a non-profit community cemetery nestled in a protected conservation area near Gainesville. Conservation burial begins with the choice for a natural burial where embalming is not permitted, there are no vaults, and everything used in the burial is biodegradable, and is taken a step further by partnering with land conservation efforts. Volunteers will learn about natural burial and assist with upkeep and maintenance of conservation land.
Pre-Professional Opportunities
Pre-Law
Florida Law School Admissions Panel
The UF Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity will be having a virtual admissions panel this Thursday, October 19th from 7-8 P.M. on Zoom. There will be representatives from four different Florida law schools. The schools attending are FIU Law, UM Law, Stetson Law, and FSU Law. This event will be a great way to learn more about the law school admissions process, law school curriculum, student life, etc, and there will be time to ask the representatives any questions you may have. The zoom link and flyer are included below. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me!
Topic: PAD Virtual Admissions Panel
Time: Oct 19, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://ufl.zoom.us/j/97970115316
Florida Blue Key Legal Professions Day
Florida Blue Key Divisions invites all pre-law students to attend our annual event, Legal Professions Day, which will be held on November 1st, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Rion Ballroom in the Reitz Union.
Students will have the opportunity to meet with various law school representatives from around the country, pre-law student organizations, and LSAT test preparation companies, as well as attend our round table discussions throughout the event, which are outlined below and on the attached itinerary. Additionally, all attendees have the chance to receive a TestMasters discount on their LSAT courses, and be entered in a raffle to win a full Kaplan LSAT course scholarship.
Round Table Discussions:
5:00 p.m.| First time approaching Law School Representatives? No worries! Come practice your elevator pitch or check over your resume with current Law School Students. Come join these discussions any time before our workshops start.
6:00 p.m.| Preparing for law school: Join us as U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida and Adjunct Professor of Law at our very own Levin College of Law, Hon. John L. Badalamenti, breaks down how undergrads can prepare for law school.
6:30 p.m.| Your future in the law: Come speak with representatives from our Student Legal Services along with Hon. John L. Badalamenti and discuss different areas of law. Meet your peers, make connections, and leave with new friends!
We hope to see you at our event! Students are welcome to come any time between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and please reach out to Payton Davis at legalprofessionsday@fbk.org if you have any questions!
GATORLAW Applications
Are you a first-generation undergraduate interested in the field of law? Apply for GatorLaw! This program matches you with a current UF Law student to act as a mentor, as well as providing a hands-on and exclusive look into the true life of a law student. Apply here by October 20th! If you have any questions, please contact contactMFOS@ufsa.ufl.edu.
Pre-Health
Gator for UNICEF Service Opportunities
Gator for UNICEF is a chapter of the nonprofit organization UNICEF that strives to help children in need within our local community. They have many opportunities for service-related projects, including those with the Child Advocacy Center. It is a great opportunity if you are interested in community service or leadership. Some of the events they have coming up include:
CAC event: Help the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) assemble art pieces to prepare for their upcoming fundraiser! This event will be next Friday, 10/13, from 3-5pm. Rides are available.
Project Downtown Gainesville: Provide warm meals and companionship to the underserved at City Hall. This event will be held on Sunday, 10/22, at 12:50pm. Rides are available.
Krishna social: They will be having a Krishna lunch social in the Plaza of the Americas on Monday, 10/16, from 11:45am-12:30pm. Look for the UNICEF flag!
Pumpkin decorating social: Come decorate pumpkins in the Plaza of Americas on 10/26 at 5PM! Pumpkins and paint will be provided!
Supporting the CAC: In honor of Halloween season, they will be handing out candy to their Instagram followers! We will also a variety of sweet treats in support of the Child Advocacy Center! Any volunteers who would like to bake items would be very much appreciated. This tabling event will be held in Turlington on 10/30 from 12-2pm.
If interested, follow @g4unicef on Instagram and join the GroupMe at the following link: https://groupme.com/join_group/68344492/GPrjSc90
Apply for Gainesville Fire Rescue's Community Resource Paramedicine Program Internship
Applications are open for Gainesville Fire Rescue's Community Resource Paramedicine Internship Program. The program offers recovery response, homelessness outreach and prevention, telehealth, and community health services to help Gainesville neighbors better manage their health conditions and improve their quality of life. The internship requires availability for one full day per week and that day is consistent throughout the semester. A full day is from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Applications are now open, and will close on Monday, October 23rd at 5:00pm. Interviews will be held the week of October 30th - November 2nd, and notifications will be emailed no later than Monday, November 13th. Orientation will be via Zoom offered on Monday, January 8th and Tuesday, January 9th. Internships will begin the week of January 15th and will conclude the week of April 22nd.
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.