The Compass: Welcome Back Everyone!
Let's get our Spring 2025 Semester started!
If you are new to the Honors Program, this guide will help you navigate our community while informing you about fun ways to earn Honors Points, so you can make the most of your SF experience. Every Friday, you will receive an updated guide on student organizations, current events, scholarship opportunities, internships, and academic involvements you need to know about. All events listed in the newsletter are available to SF students and are worth Honors Points. So keep a lookout for fun opportunities!
I hope everyone has been adapting to their new schedule this semester. Even if you feel like you have a heavy workload, do not worry; there will still be plenty of time for you to engage with your community by participating in fun and important events! But also, it is just the start of the semester, and you are still discovering the best routine for you to succeed, so be patient with yourself. I hope you all have a great semester!
Activities in this edition:
Remember to Track Your Honors Points Through Canvas!
Spring 2025 Club Rush!
Lobby Day at the FL State Capitol
ZEPHYR- Submit an Original Writing, Art, or Photograph
Alachua Conservation Trust Volunteering Opportunity- This Saturday!
Seeking Student Help with Open House Initiatives
Wellness Wednesdays
Join the Mario Kart Tournament!
Join the Gaming Tournament!
Join Student Life for Crafternoon!
Student Volunteers Needed for the Student Conduct Board
Attend an AI Forum!
Future of Florida Summit Applications Now Open - Closes January 19th
Join SHPE for Their Transferring Presentation!
Pre-Health: Register Now for the Medi-Gators Pre-Health Admissions Preview!
Pre-Health: PHHP Undergraduate Transfer Information Presentation
Pre-Health: Join Us: Free EmPrep Webinars to Succeed in Medical School Admissions!
Pre-Health: Join UF's Emergency Medicine Scribe Program!
Track Your Honors Points in Canvas!
We are proud to announce the recent launch of our new and improved Honors Canvas Page! Having implemented a variety of monumental updates, the current Canvas Portal will significantly enrich the Honors experience. The strongest asset of our contemporary Canvas Community is the ease and efficiency of our enhanced point tracking system. Starting today, Honors Points will be awarded through submitting various “assignments” categorized by student involvement, and awarded Honors Points will be tallied as “grades” of your submissions. Visit the Honors Program Canvas Portal for further details and greater insight into everything that the Honors Canvas Community has to offer!
Academic Opportunities
Spring 2025 Club Rush!
5 Honors Points for Attending an Event
Students who get involved succeed! When you connect with the Honors and Santa Fe communities, you make the most of your education. Not only can you join clubs that help you explore your interests, but you also find new ways to get support from classmates, give back to your community, and advance your professional career. Club Rush is a great time to learn about all of the student organizations at SF, as clubs will table, advertise, and seek new members all at once. Club Rush will take place at the Oak Grove on the SF Northwest Campus on Wednesday, January 22, and Thursday, January 23, from 10 am to 2 pm.
There will be numerous fantastic clubs in attendance, but make sure you get a chance to check out the ones below, all of which were recommended by your fellow Honors students.
Lobby Day at the FL State Capitol
5 Honors Points for Attending an Event
ZEPHYR- Submit an Original Writing, Art, or Photograph
10 Honors Points for work published in the Zephyr
Deadline: February 1, but you are welcome to submit at any time. If you are graduating this December, you can still submit your work this fall semester, to be considered as long as you are enrolled this semester.
They are also looking for more editorial members, especially students who are skilled in graphic design. Students interested in working with the editorial board can email them directly.
Cultural and Community Events
Alachua Conservation Trust Volunteering Opportunity- This Saturday!
5 Honors Points for Attending Event
About: They will host a cleanup event at Little Awesome Preserve, where you can help by removing debris from abandoned hunting sites. Space is limited! (see below for RSVP info)
Bring & Wear: Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Bring water, snacks, bug spray, sunscreen, and a hat. Gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own!
When: Saturday, January 18th, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Where: Little Awesome Preserve - 5682 SW County Road 138, Fort White, FL, 32038
For More Information & To RSVP: Contact Alachua Conservation Trust by email at info@alachuaconservationtrust.org
Seeking Student Help With Open House Initiatives
1 Honors Point per Hour
Do you want to share your passion for SF with potential students? Support SF and the Honors Program by volunteering at either or both of our recruitment events this spring.
There are two upcoming events this semester that SF Admissions needs your support with:
Open House on February 22nd from 8:30 AM -2:30 PM
Family Preview Day on March 29th from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
The goals of both events are twofold: to present prospective/incoming students with the resources/support available to them and to get them excited about being an SF student! The open house spotlights academic, admissions, and transfer resources in a mostly tabling format for prospective students. Family Preview Day features more presentations and panels for incoming students. The sign-up sheet linked below allows you to sign up to help with one or both of these sessions.
For Any Questions, contact: shelby.nagle@sfcollege.edu
Wellness Wednesdays Coming this Spring
5 Honors Points for Attending Event
This spring, join us at the Learning Commons on the last Wednesday of every month to invest in yourself, celebrate mental and physical wellness, and connect with your fellow students at SF.
Join the Mario Kart Tournament!
5 Honors Points for Attending an Event
Join the Mario Kart Tournament hosted by Student Life. Race your way to victory, challenge your friends, and have FUN! For more details and to sign up:
Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Join the Gaming Tournament!
5 Honors Points for Attending an Event
Every Thursday, join them for an exciting gaming tournament hosted by Student Life! Test your skills, compete with friends, and have fun. For more details and to sign up:
Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join Student Life for Crafternoon!
5 Honors Points for Attending an Event
Join them for Crafternoon, a laid-back afternoon of creativity and crafting! Whether you're a seasoned DIY-er or just looking to try something new, come unwind and make something fun. All supplies will be provided, so just bring your creativity and a desire to relax.
Date: Monday, January 27, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Building S, Room 221, Northwest Campus
Student Volunteers Needed for the Student Conduct Board
5 Honors Points per Student Conduct Board Hearing
The Student Conduct Board is looking for students willing to assist with hearings. You can support your fellow students and collaborate with professionals at SF in hearing cases of academic misconduct and helping determine fair and just outcomes. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in education, law, or leadership experience. If you are interested in serving, all you need to do is email dan.rodkin@sfcollege.edu and complete the Canvas course training soon to be a part of the Student Conduct Board.
Contact info: dan.rodkin@sfcollege.edu
Attend an AI Forum!
5 Honors Points for Attending Event
The Curriculum Committee is interested in hearing student perspectives on AI usage. The meeting will occur on Tuesday, January 21st, at 3:30 p.m. Students, including members of the Honors program and student government, will be the first to speak.
The questions we would be interested in having the students comment on are as follows:
How do you use AI in your life in general?
How do you and other students use AI for your classes?
Do you have an understanding of what misconduct is?
Faculty and administrators will then ask students other individualized questions. Additionally, the conversation does not have to be limited to the above. If there are other facets of AI that students would like to address, that would be encouraged.
Students can also contact jason.mccombs@sfcollege.edu to prepare for the forum. He is free every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., with the exception of November 19th.
Pre-Professional Opportunities
Future of Florida Summit Applications Now Open - Closes January 19th
10-15 Honors Points per Event Participation
I know this is short notice, but you may still try to apply! The Future of Florida 2025 Summit, hosted by Bob Graham Center for Public Service, will take place at the University of Florida campus from February 28 to March 2.
This year’s theme, “The Gulf of Mexico,” dives into four critical areas shaping the region:
🌊 Environment
🌎 Immigration
⚕️ Public Health
📊Economic Development
The summit is open to all undergraduate and graduate students from higher education institutions across Florida. Whether you’re passionate about problem-solving, networking, or leading change, this is your chance to collaborate with peers and industry experts to address pressing issues impacting our state and beyond.
📝 Application deadline: January 19 at 11:59 PM EST.
Join SHPE for Their Transferring Presentation!
5 Honors Points for Attending an Event
This GBM is very important for PartnerSHPE as it will cover all the important information about transferring and the transfer process. STEM students should consider attending this event, as the information will be extremely helpful. This event will take place this Tuesday 10/15 from 3:30 - 4:30 in room HA-105 in Santa
Fe campus.
Pre-Health
Register Now for the Medi-Gators Pre-Health Admissions Preview!
5 Honors Points for Attending an Event
Are you ready to elevate your pre-health journey? Registration is now open for the Medi-Gators Pre-Health Admissions Preview, which will be held on Saturday, February 8th, at the HPNP Building!
About: This event is packed with workshops, Q&A sessions, and insider tips led by health professional students, designed to help you stand out in your path to a health profession. Find out more about the event schedule on the Medi-Gators Pre-Health Admissions Preview website.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity—spots are limited!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at medigators@health.ufl.edu
PHHP Undergraduate Transfer Information Presentation
5 Honors Points for Attending an Event
Interested in transferring into any of the following majors?
Health Science
Public Health
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Join PHHP advisors on Thursday, January 23rd, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Zoom to learn about PHHP, major and minor offerings, and transfer-specific advice and information! This session is best suited for students looking to transfer in Summer B or Fall.
Our programs have had significant updates this year: transfer application steps have changed, some prerequisites have been modified, and new specializations have been established for the Health Science major.
Contact of the PHHP advising team: email- advising@phhp.ufl.edu or phone 352-273-6000
Want to hear from a former student's experience?
A former Saint and current Gator, Mikayla Stesney, is a Health Science major on the pre-med track. If you have any questions about the student experience, major-specific classes, course structures, pre-med life, or life at UF, contact Mikayla at mikayla.stesney@ufl.edu.
Join Us: Free EmPrep Webinars to Succeed in Medical School Admissions!
5 Honors Points for Attendance per Session
Elisheva Aneke, the Program Manager for the Emory Premedical Readiness Engagement Program (EmPREP) within the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Emory University School of Medicine, is excited to announce their upcoming series of EmPREP webinars designed to offer guidance and insights into the medical school admissions process. These webinars are free to attend and cover a range of important topics to help URiM students succeed in their applications.
Here are the details of their upcoming webinars:
February 13: Strengthening Medical School Applications Using HBCU Networks
Any groups that plan to attend the webinars together, should have each attendee register using the QR code.
Join UF's Emergency Medicine Scribe Program!
30 Honors Points per Semester
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to gain valuable experience in healthcare, especially those taking gap years or current students.
Why Apply?
Shadowing Opportunities: Work alongside PAs, residents, MDs, and DOs, gaining first-hand insights into the medical field.
Extensive On-the-Job Education: Receive comprehensive training that enhances your understanding of emergency medicine in a high-acuity and immersive setting.
Continuing Education Opportunities: Participate in simulation labs, EMS ride-alongs, and other educational initiatives to further your knowledge and skills.
Healthcare Exposure: Immerse yourself in a fast-paced environment and see how healthcare operates in real-time and in a community setting.
We encourage gap year students to consider applying for a full-time position (40 hours/week) and current students to apply for a part-time role (20 hours/week). The pay is $15/hour, and having a car for private transportation is essential.
Don’t miss out on this chance to kickstart your career in healthcare!