Dr. Stuart Silverman
   - Dean

Dr. Silverman came to USF in 1970 after earning a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Yeshiva University. In the spring of 1987 he became USF's second Honors Program Director. The Honors Program became The Honors College in the spring of 2002, and Dr. Silverman was appointed Dean in December 2002. "The past 22 years have been the most rewarding of my professional career. Working with Honors students is challenging and satisfying. Being able to watch and help students grow and develop intellectually, socially and emotionally makes my job the best there is. I try to ignite students' passion to learn, to think and to create; they ignite my passion to teach and to mentor."

Dr. Naomi Yavneh
   - Associate Dean
   - Director, Undergraduate Research

Dr. Yavneh is an associate professor of Renaissance arts and letters in the department of Humanities and American Studies. Dr. Yavneh is the vice president and president-elect of the Society for the Study of Early Modern Women and past president of the Modern Language Association's Women's Caucus for the Modern Languages. She received her bachelor's cum laude from Princeton University and her master's and doctorate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley.  Among Yavneh's honors and distinctions include a Fulbright fellowship for dissertation research at the Vatican in Rome, a Phi Beta Kappa fellowship for research in Venice and three research and creative scholarships from USF. 

Dr. Georg Kleine
   - Assistant Dean

Dr. Kleine oversees Honors teaching. Born in Germany in 1940, he studied at the Universities of Tuebingen and Vienna , and earned his Dr. phil. degree in 1967 at the University of Erlangen-Nuernberg . An expert on 19th and 20th century German history, he joined USF's Department of History in 1968, where he is now a Professor Emeritus.

Dr. Dewey Rundus
   - Associate Director, Undergraduate Research

Dr. Rundus came to USF in 1972 as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology following a two-year Post-Doctoral Fellowship appointment at The Rockefeller University in New York City. He remained in the Psychology Department (research emphasis on memory and cognition) until 1987 at which point he relocated to the other side of campus and joined the faculty of the Department of Computer Science & Engineering (research focused on user interface design). Dr. Rundus earned his BS degree in Mathematics in 1966 from the University of California, Davis, he earned a PhD in Experimental Psychology from Stanford University in 1971, and in 1986 he earned a MS degree in Computer Engineering from USF.

Dr. Linda Lucas
   - National Scholarship Advisor

Linda E. Lucas, became National Scholarship Advisor in Fall 2009. She is also a Visiting Professor of Women’s Studies. She has a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Hawaii and undergraduate degree in economics and government from the University of Texas at Austin. Her recent book, Unpacking Globalization: Markets, Gender and Work (2007, Rowman and Littlefield) documents the experiences of workers all over the world under global economic change. She has held Fulbright Professorships in Mexico City and Kampala, Uganda; been a Visiting Scientist with the National Marine Fisheries Service, a Visiting Professor of Economics at Thammasat University and Resident Researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute in Bangkok, Thailand and Economic Policy Research Institute in Kampala, Uganda and an East-West Center fellow in the Pacific Islands Development in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Judy Kane
   - Director of Development

Judy Kane leads the development effort for The Honors College as part of the USF Foundation advancement team. Ms. Kane connects individuals with a passion for supporting education to Honors College priorities including scholarships, a new facility, and Undergraduate Research. Whether to discuss an annual donation or planned gift for the future, Ms. Kane and the academic leadership of the Honors College are readily available at 813-974-1246 or kane@honors.usf.edu. Prior to returning to her alma mater in the fall of 2005, Ms. Kane worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay for 15 years as Vice President of Development and continues to volunteer for the organization as a Big Sister to Little Brother Brandon. After graduating from USF with a B.A. in Mass Communications (Public Relations and Advertising) Ms. Kane spent 13 years in the NFL at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Player Personnel

Sharon Geiger
   - Director of Academic Support Services

Ms. Geiger is the senior member of the Honors advising staff. She earned her bachelor's degree in American Studies from USF and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in the same discipline. Ms. Geiger, a USF employee since 1979, says that the Honors students, facul ty and staff make this the best job in the world. 

Amy Sturrock
   - Academic Advisor

Ms. Sturrock joined the office in December 1999. She received her bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Alabama and her master's degree in criminology from USF. Prior to coming to the Honors College, she was a juvenile probation officer.  Ms. Sturrock is the Lead Academic Advisor in the Honors College.

Celeste Lazzara
   - Academic Advisor

Mrs. Lazzara joined the academic advising team in January 2000, after working in the Office of Admissions for 12 years. Mrs. Lazzara holds a master's degree in counseling from the University of Florida.

Reginald Lucien
   - Academic Advisor

Mr. Lucien joined the Honors staff in August 2006. Prior to joining the Honors College Mr. Lucien was the director of a not-for-profit community technology center in Miami, Florida. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Communication from Florida State University and his Master’s degree in Education from the great University of South Florida.

Cayla Lanier
   - Academic Advisor

Mrs. Lanier first joined the Honors College as a student in 1999. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, she earned an MA in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin. Her prior work experience includes directing a scholarship program for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas and advising online students at Everest University. Mrs. Lanier joined the Honors College staff in October 2008 and is happy to be back at USF.

Juliet Hill
   - Academic Advisor

Juliet Hill joined the Honors College in Fall of 2008 and specializes in science and health professions advising. Before joining the Honors College, she advised for the Department of Chemistry at USF for 3 years and at Hillsborough Community College for 5 years. Ms. Hill holds a bachelor’s of arts in philosophy from Berea College and is pursuing graduate studies in Latin American and Caribbean studies.

Arnaldo Mejias
   - Coordinator, National Scholarships/RED
   - Coordinator, Early Admission

Mr. Mejias coordinates the Early Admission program and prepares students for prestigious awards, such as Goldwater, Truman, and Rhodes. He joined the Honors staff in January 2005 after serving as an advisor at the State University of New York New Paltz for seven years. He earned his bachelor's degree in Psychology, with a minor in Philosophy, from the University of Massachusetts Lowell; he completed advanced graduate work at the University of Rhode Island. At USF, Mr. Mejias earned a master’s degree and has started doctoral study in Adult Education.

Penny Carlton
   - Undergraduate Research Advisor

Ms. Carlton joined the staff of the Honors College in February of 2004. She is now the Research Advisor in the Office of Undergraduate Research. Ms. Carlton helps connect interested students, Honors and non-Honors alike, with Faculty Mentors. Ms. Carlton received a bachelor’s degree in English from Furman University and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing and Poetics from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado after spending a year teaching in China. She has taught Creative Writing and Composition at the Art Institute in Tampa, FL. Outside the office, she co-hosts an open mic on Thursday nights at Cafe Hey and sings in a totally awesome ‘80s band, Rubix Cubed.

Joan Field
   - Academic Services Administrator

Ms. Field joined the Honors staff in January of 2005. She assists Dr. Kleine with Honors College class scheduling and faculty communications, and works with Liza on payroll and fiscal/budget matters. Ms. Field worked for over 12 years at a private school for gifted and talented students with the last five years spent as school administrator. Ms. Field earned her Bachelor's degree in Public Relations with a minor in Marketing from the University of Florida.

Mark Friday
    - Staff Assistant

Mr. Friday is the Honor's Staff Assistant. He is in the main Honors office, SVC 1088, and will be the first person to greet you. Mr. Friday answers and directs incoming calls, distributes mail, maintains the database files, and assists the staff. Most importantly, he has the most up-to-date copy of Dr. Silverman’s schedule.

Wei Liu
    - Executive Administrative Specialist

Mr. Liu joined the Honors College in March 2007. Prior to joining the Honors College, he worked in the Undergraduate Admissions office as a program specialist. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in English language, with minor in German from Liaoning Normal University in Dalian, China. He is currently a graduate student at USF pursuing his Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction Program. Mr. Liu handles Honors College scholarships and manages the honors students’ database.

Sean Motta
    - Webmaster / Database Development

Sean is the Honors College's Webmaster and Data Management person. Sean coordinates updates to the Honors College website, developing the Honors College's online forms and developing the databases containing student's Honors College records. Sean has been with Honors since Spring 2006 and is also currently a Senior Mechanical Engineering student.

Lauren Schumacher
    - Academic Specialist

Ms. Schumacher is the newest addition to the Honors College staff. She currently works with Ms. Carlton and Dr. Yavneh in the Office of Undergraduate Research assisting the office with special event planning, assessment and evaluation and general administrative support. Ms. Schumacher received a Master of Public Health in Social and Behavioral Sciences as well as her Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Florida. Ms. Schumacher’s previous research experience includes an assessment of grief support in north central Florida, evaluating accessibility in an urban setting and reducing pediatric obesity in rural communities.

Tarryn Dorosz
    - Development Specialist

Ms. Dorosz began working at USF in September of 2008 after graduating from USF St. Petersburg in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She continues to be actively involved in research at USF St. Petersburg assessing the decisional capacity in youth with chronic illnesses and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from USF. Ms. Dorosz provides administrative support for development activities within the Honors College for Ms. Kane including designing and implementing research.

Liza Avramenko
   - Graduate Student

Graduate Assistant Liza Avramenko assists with financial, budget and scholarship issues in the Honors College and the Office of Undergraduate Research. She graduated with a B.A. in Accounting and Audit from the Academy of Customs Service of Ukraine and is currently pursuing an MBA at USF specializing in Finance and International Business.

Amanda Cutchens
   - Graduate Student

Amanda is the graduate assistant to the Holcombe Scholars, advising a talented group of first generation students. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida in May 2007. Prior to coming to USF in August 2008, Amanda worked in the student services department at Florida Community College at Jacksonville. Currently, she is working on her master’s degree in Education in the College Student Affairs program and plans to graduate in May 2010.

Danielle Locke
   - Graduate Student

Danielle is the Graduate Assistant for the Jenkins Scholars Program. She advises and assists her scholars in academic and personal development. Danielle earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida. She joined the Honors College staff in July 2008 and enjoys learning from others on the staff as well as serving her students. She is currently working on a Master’s degree in Education in the College Student Affairs program and plans to graduate in May 2010.

Chelsea Pesch
   - Graduate Student

Chelsea is the Graduate Assistant for the Honors College Student Council. She works with and oversees a very bright, enthusiastic and motivated group of honors students in the planning, forming and hosting of Honors Council events. Chelsea is from Buffalo, NY and received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Fredonia. Currently, Chelsea is working on her Master’s degree in Counseling Education and aspires to be a School Counselor.

Lisa Booth
   - Graduate Student

Lisa is the Graduate Assistant for the Global Living Learning Community. She will be working with both International and Honors students; planning events and helping create a sense of community within the Honors resident hall. Lisa is from Sarasota, and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at USF. She is currently working on her Master’s in Counselor Education.

Aly Collins
   - Student Assistant

You’ll most likely run into Aly in the Office of Undergraduate Research, where she’s been working as a student assistant for almost a year. You also may recognize her from her year-long stint as a student assistant at the front desk of the Honors College. Aly is currently a senior in Advertising, with a minor in Psychology. She’s finding out that advertising constantly pushes her harder than she ever expected, and she absolutely loves it. While school and work occupy a lot of her time, Aly spends her free time hanging out with friends, listening to music, playing drums, and watching every episode of Top Chef and the Office.

Michael Goren
   - Student Assistant

Mike is a senior majoring in Management; he has been with the Honors College since 2005 as a student and began working for Honors in 2008. As a student assistant, Mike answers incoming calls and makes appointments for all of the advisors. He also works alongside Mr. Friday distributing mail, maintaining the database files, and assisting the staff

Becky Killik
   - Student Assistant

Becky is a Junior and is seeking a double major in Psychology and Women’s studies. She came into the Honors college as a student in Fall of 2007. Becky worked as a Peer Mentor for the incoming first year honors students. Now working at the front desk, Becky assists Mr Friday for most of the week. Becky plans on graduating in 2011 and going on to graduate school to be a Psychologist.

Sarah Norris
   - Student Assistant

Sarah Norris is a student in the School of Aging Studies and will graduate in May 2009. She is hoping to continue her education at USF and pursue a MSW at the School of Social Work in the fall. In addition to her formal coursework, she understands the value of research experience. Sarah has worked as a research assistant in the Cognitive Aging Lab under the direction of Jerri Edwards, Ph.D., beginning in the spring 2008. In summer 2008, she participated in a 10-week Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program funded by the National Science Foundation. She has been employed since last fall as a student assistant in the Honors College and the Office of Undergraduate Research. In particular, she is assisting with a university-wide assessment of undergraduate research and with the recruitment of this year’s REU students. In the summer 2009, she will be the student assistant funded by NSF to support the REU.

Lauren Townsend
   - Student Assistant

Lauren recently joined the Honors College as an assistant in the Office of National Scholarships. She works on projects to inform students about national scholarships. Lauren is currently a sophomore majoring in Philosophy and German, and is a member of the University’s Cross-Country Team.