The Honor Roll Podcast

Building a Sustainable Future with Oliver Laczko

Environmental science student Oliver Laczko joins the podcast to share how he is turning research into real-world impact, one green initiative at a time. After serving in leadership positions on the Student Green Energy Fund at the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus, he's learned that sustainability is about more than good intentions, but about making green projects work within real-world constraints. He digs into his award-winning research on environmental degradation in Bay Borough Harbor that earned him the Anita Cutting Outstanding Honors Thesis Award, shares what it’s like behind-the-scenes leading campus sustainability projects, and offers his advice for students who want to create change right here at USF. Guests: Oliver Laczko Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Giselle Lubeck  Audio Production: Sandra Napolitano, Nicholas Henry, Maya Nikolski, and Vama Shah Additional Resources: * Learn more about the JGHC St. Petersburg campus [https://www.usf.edu/honors/about-us/st-petersburg.aspx] * Learn more about the Student Green Energy Fund [https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/about/sustainability/green-energy-fund/index.aspx] * Keep up with the Student Green Energy Fund on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sgef_usfsp/?hl=en] * Discover how USF is creating a more sustainable campus [https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/about/sustainability/] * Learn about the Honors Thesis [https://www.usf.edu/honors/current-students/honors-thesis.aspx] * Learn more about the Bay Borough Harbor [https://crowsneststpete.com/2025/09/10/bayboro-harbor-a-history-of-pollution-and-neglect/]

Voices of Service: Dogs Inc. with Alexa Michael

This week marks the launch of our new mini-series, Voices of Service, where we highlight volunteer organizations that prospective and current Honors students can get involved with. We sit down with first-year Honors student Alexa Michael to explore how community service can be more than just checking off a requirement, and with the right mindset, a way to discover purpose and grow as a leader.  Drawing from her experience volunteering with Dogs Inc. in high school and continuing her involvement as a college student, Alexa shares how choosing service opportunities that reflect her interests and values can strengthen leadership skills, boost well-being, improve communication, and even help shape her future career path. Guests: Alexa Michael Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Reva Gandhi Audio Production: Sandra Napolitano and Vama Shah Additional Resources: * Learn more about Dogs Inc. [https://dogsinc.org/get-involved/] * Get involved with the Volunteering Committee through the Honors Student Council [https://www.usf.edu/honors/programs/student-council.aspx] * Find out more about Tunnels to Towers [https://t2t.org/] * Learn about the Honors College experiential learning requirements [https://www.usf.edu/honors/current-students/experiential-learning-requirements.aspx]

The USF Gulf Scholars Program with Dr. Catherine Wilkins

A new program on the USF St. Petersburg campus is giving Honors students access to high-impact research opportunities that directly affect the health and future of the Gulf region they call home. Nestled between downtown St. Petersburg and Bayboro Harbor, the campus is now home to the Gulf Scholars Program — an initiative that allows students to take Gulf-focused Honors courses, receive funding to complete and present their own research projects, and gain specialized mentorship. This week, Honors faculty member and Director of USF’s Gulf Scholars Program Catherine Wilkins shares why the program is meaningful to USF St. Petersburg, the unique opportunities it offers students across all majors, and the potential impact this dynamic program can have on the St. Petersburg community. Don’t forget to rate and review – we love to hear your feedback. Until next time, Go Bulls! Guests: Dr. Catherine Wilkins  Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Reva Gandhi Audio Production: Vama Shah, Nicholas Henry, Maya Nikolski Additional Resources: * Learn more about the USF Gulf Scholars Program [https://www.usf.edu/honors/prospective-students/gulf-scholars-program.aspx] * Read more about the National Academies of Science initiative [https://www.nationalacademies.org/programs/GULF-BGEE-21-01]

Decoding Conflict and Media with May Birch, Caroline Pope, and Dr. Arman Mahmoudian

Understanding the complexities of foreign relations can feel overwhelming, but Honors affiliate faculty member Arman Mahmoudian helps make global politics approachable and relevant. From learning how to separate fact from fiction to researching current conflicts, students leave his courses with the confidence to stay informed. This week, Dr. Mahmoudian joins the show along with Honors students May Birch and Caroline Pope to reflect on how studying world affairs changes perspectives. Together, they unpack why global events should matter to every college student, how to engage with media responsibly, and what it really means to develop a perspective that reaches beyond our own borders. This episode was originally recorded on October 24, 2025. Guests: Arman Mahmoudian, May Birch, Caroline Pope Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Reva Gandhi Audio Production: Sandra Napolitano, Vama Shah, Nicholas Henry, and Maya Nikolski Additional Resources: * Explore more Honors Courses [https://www.usf.edu/honors/current-students/courses.aspx] * Learn more about Dr. Arman Mahmoudian [https://www.usf.edu/gnsi/about/gnsi-mahmoudian-full-profile.aspx]

Internships and the Inside Scoop on Public Service with Cameran Isler

Internships can shape who we become, and for USF Honors student Cameran Isler, they opened the door to public service. Through the Legislative Internship Program and the Tallahassee Internship Program, Cameran stepped into the world of government early, gaining firsthand experience working alongside elected officials and supporting the communities they represent. This week, Cameran joins the podcast to share what it’s like to grow as a leader outside the classroom, build confidence in fast-moving professional environments, and discover the impact young people can have in public policy. She reflects on the people who helped her along the way, what it's like to manage an intern team, and how each opportunity pushed her closer to the future she wants.  Don’t forget to rate and review – we love to hear your feedback. Until next time, Go Bulls! Guests: Cameran Isler Hosts: Reva Gandhi and Lily Belcher Audio Production by: Sandra Napolitano, Nicholas Henry, and Vama Shah Additional Resources:  * Apply for the Legislative Internship Program [https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/departments/public-affairs/public-policy-internships/] * Apply for the Tallahassee Internship Program [https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/departments/public-affairs/public-policy-internships/tip.aspx] * Learn more about Congresswomen Laurel Lee [https://laurellee.house.gov/] * Apply to the Wilcox Scholars Program [https://www.usf.edu/honors/prospective-students/wilcox-scholars-program.aspx]