Spotlight on Current Students
Shateara Hall '12 (December)
Savannah, GA
Major: Middle Grades Education
“The Honors College provides many unique learning opportunities
via the classes offered. I really enjoyed being a part of the Honors
Special Topics class on the Royal British monarchy, taught by Dr. McCandless,
Dean of the Graduate School. In this class, we were responsible for our
own learning with opportunities to teach our peers about certain monarchs and
developing a research paper on a relevant topic of our choice. I
especially enjoyed the study abroad component over spring break where we traveled
to the United Kingdom together to really explore what we learned. As a
Middle Grades Education major, I appreciated the hands-on approach used to
teach this interdisciplinary class. The Honors College definitely offers great
classroom experiences that have prepared me for my profession and graduate
school. I love being a part of this supportive and challenging academic
community.”
Levi Vonk '13
Kingsland, GA
Major: English
"I am grateful to the Honors College for giving me the
skills, opportunities, and funds necessary to work as an intern for Student
Action with Farmworkers in the summer of 2010. This is a nonprofit
organization based in Raleigh, NC that promotes the fair treatment of
farmworkers within the southeast. I was placed in Asheville, NC, where I
partnered with the Migrant Education Program for the Buncombe County School
System. I received the names and addresses of Hispanic migrant families that
have moved into the area, and I would go to their houses to tutor their
children over the summer, as well as help the parents learn basic English, or
English phrases that they may need to know in their specific area of work. The
Honors College encourages students to hold internships and I understand why - I
learned so much this summer while discovering things about myself."
Mallen Urso '13
Clover, SC
Major: Political Science and Women & Gender Studies
"I cannot begin to explain how grateful I am for the
opportunities that the Honors College has given me. I have been able to make
connections with influential faculty and have had unique experiences that I
wouldn’t have had elsewhere. As a Political Science major, I was thrilled
to be able to learn from a previous Senior Counsel for Coca-Cola in an Honors
class centered around the Supreme Court. Classes such as this one –small,
discussion based, and thought provoking- are not hard to find as a member of the
Honors College. The College's most notable faculty are also always
willing to give attention to Honors students; as a sophomore I worked with the
Associate Provost of The College of Charleston. We collaborated together to
research exactly why South Carolina has the lowest percentage of women serving
in their state legislature. Over the course of two independent studies
and a paid summer research position awarded by the Summer Undergraduate
Research Fund, I have organized a Legislative Day for college-aged women,
conducted survey analysis, analyzed election results, interviewed current
female legislators, and drafted a scholarly paper for publication.
However, the Honors College has not only enriched my life academically. As
president of the Honors Student Association, I have formed relationships that
I’m confident will continue long after college. I’ve also been able to plan and
participate in fantastic events specifically held for Honors students to foster
relationships within our community. It will be difficult to eventually
leave the family I have made here at the Honors College, but I know that my
time here has prepared me well for all of my
future endeavors."
Joshua Schmidt ‘14
Simpsonville, SC
Majors: Biochemistry and Business Admin w/Finance Concentration
“I knew from the second I came down to Charleston that I wanted
to spend the next four years here, but being part of the Honors College has
made my experience even more special. Almost from day one, I was making
friends across the College. While it didn't take long for me to join the
Student Government Association and Students in Free Enterprise, most of my core
relationships were with my friends and faculty at the Honors College. As
a student in the Honors Business Program, I was able to enjoy small classes,
really enjoy the spirit of debate, and take as much out of my education as
possible. The most important gift from the Honors College, at least in my
mind, is the spirit of service and philanthropy- I really enjoy the sense
of community amongst volunteers and their beneficiaries. There's
something special about the community within the Honors College, and I feel
more prepared for the world than I would have beforehand.”
Rachele Palmieri ‘14
Pittsburgh, PA
Major: Business Administration
“The Honors College at the College of Charleston has provided me
with the support, development, and the network I need in order to prepare me
for my post-graduation endeavors. Within the Honors College is a staff that
makes the well being of their students a top priority and a group of
determined, encouraging students who challenge each other to attain high
standards of excellence. Together the Honors College staff and students have
created a motivating home for me that has made every day I spend at CofC
invaluable. The Honors College has guided me through a professional development
process where I frequently attend interactive discussions among Charleston
community professionals and a group of Honors College students. The lessons I
have learned from my classmates, the Honors College professors, and these
speakers have given me the confidence and conviction to be an active member in
Greek Life, Charleston 40, the Jewish Student Union, and the Honors Student
Association, and to earn two valuable summer internship opportunities.
Recently, I have welcomed two research opportunities integrating business
settings with psychological constructs. These experiences of working with
faculty to expand my knowledge beyond the classroom can be credited to the
Honors College network and the College of Charleston faculty that supports our
network.”
Jessica Dugan ‘14
Easley, SC
Major: Psychology
Minor: Neuroscience
“The Honors College has made a world of difference in my life.
The small community here has become more like a family to me. I chose the
Honors College because I didn't want to be one in fifty thousand at another
"big name" school. I didn't want just a name for a school; I wanted
the experience, and I have been provided with just that here. I have developed
close relationships with advisors and professors on campus. For the third year
in a row, I am doing behavioral neuroscience research with Dr. Mark Hurd. I
have also discovered my specific career interests in the development of the
mind, as a result of the research I am doing with my Honors advisor Dr. Trisha
Folds-Bennett. Under the guidance of Drs. Hurd and Folds-Bennett, I have
presented my research several times and I am on my way to getting it published.
I hope to pursue a PhD in developmental cognitive neuroscience upon graduation
and know that the experience I am gaining through the Honors College has
prepared me well for this next milestone.”
Briosha Sanders ‘14
Hometown: Spartanburg, SC
Major: Biology and Women’s & Gender Studies
“The Honors College encourages, challenges, and allows me to
grow as an individual and as a member of the community. One of the most
rewarding experiences that I have had so far is participating in the Honors
First Year Experience as a Peer Facilitator. This is my second year as a PF;
before this I never would have imagined that I would be comfortable
facilitating a class and having an active leadership role in the learning
process of other college students. The Literacy Outreach Initiative component
is a great way to get our first year students out into the Charleston
community, serving students in the local public schools, promoting literacy,
and encouraging local youth to pursuit their academic potential. Additionally,
through an Honors special topics course, I worked in Honduras this summer with
a non-profit organization called L.A.M.B., which is dedicated to empowering
youth to overcome adversity. It was my first time out of the country and,
honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a more practical and meaningful educational
experience. I would strongly suggest that as many students make themselves
aware of the resources available and the chances they have to enrich their
educational experience.”
Dylan Mazelis ‘15
Washington, New Jersey
Major: Psychology
I was initially attracted to the Honors College of Charleston when I came to tour the school. I quickly caught on to the intense focus on interdisciplinary education and hands-on involvement through research and internships. What truly pulled me in is the amazing sense of community that the Honors College has been able to establish, maintain, and balance with the attention on individual students. While everyone has a personal path they've carved out for themselves, we are all tied together for networking and social support, be it through overlapping core classes, life in the Honors Residence Halls, or programming and events hosted by the Honors Student Association. I work as a Desk Assistant in Rivers Residence Hall-this opportunity has given me the opportunity to connect with even more Honors students while upholding the tight-knit atmosphere of growth and support that the Honors College is known for. Finally, the Honors College has connected me with the resources that helped me to obtain leadership positions on campus, including Fun Fridays Chair of the Cougar Activities Board, Secretary of Psychology Club, and Founding Father of Beta Theta Pi. I am immensely grateful for all of the opportunities I have been given because of the Honors College, and I am so excited for what is yet to come.
Elizabeth Kelley ‘15
Daniel Island, SC
Major: Exercise Science
“The Honors College has been an integral part of my experience here at the
College of Charleston. The academics, especially Beyond George Street, have
been very helpful in establishing a foundation for my future goals and
post-graduation plans. Through BGS I learned how to become a successful and
assertive student in planning, communicating with professors, and establishing
a network for myself. This has provided me with the confidence to go out and
establish myself within my major department and take advantage of all of the
opportunities provided to me. One of the best parts of the Honors College is
our involvement in a wide array of philanthropic events; some of my favorites
including volunteering at the Gibbon sanctuary in Summerville and at Pet
Helpers on James Island. I always knew that being a part of the Honors College
would provide me with a fulfilling and rich college experience. Thanks to the
Honors curriculum and faculty, I have complete confidence that the Honors
program will thoroughly prepare me for my future to be successful outside of
the classroom and within my community.”
Joseph Quisol ‘16
Charlotte, NC
Majors: International Studies & Political Science
“I chose the Honors College at the College of Charleston because I felt included in the community even before stepping on campus. It meant a lot to me that Dr. John Newell, the Dean of the Honors College, came all the way to my high school in Charlotte to talk to me about the College of Charleston. Since I’ve been here I haven’t once doubted my decision. My classes are small enough for me to really engage with my professors, who all know me by name. I have built relationships with many of the faculty members and as a student of the inaugural class of International Scholar Fellows I have received specialized academic support as well as access to study abroad and internship opportunities. I’m very excited to travel to Cuba with International Scholar Fellows this Maymester!”
