Leadership and Community Building Define Judy Genshaft Honors College Student Council

Everyone has an idea of what they would do if they were president. At the University of South Florida’s Judy Genshaft Honors College, student council provides future leaders with an early opportunity to gain experience as team and community builders.

Unlike the president of a country, company, or even USF Student Government, the leaders of the JGHC Student Councils don't face the same external pressures. Instead, the role offers students the chance to develop leadership skills in a close-knit setting, allowing them to build their own style while serving their peers.

The JGHC Student Councils plan signature events such as Honors Got Talent, supports students during challenges like hurricanes, and prioritizes service and community building.
 
“We focus on building community and networks for students, creating places for volunteering, social connectivity and professional development, and just being that first step for students when they're looking to get involved in the Honors College and on the USF campus in general,” said JGHC Tampa Student Council President Katelynn Paciorek.

Making the Honors College Home 

Paciorek and Vice President Olivia Pinilla both joined student council in search of community. Pinilla, inspired by the opening remarks of a past council president at convocation, is entering her fourth year of service. Some of her favorite experiences have come through the council’s volunteer initiatives.

“After getting involved freshman year, I was constantly in the volunteer committee,” Pinilla said. “I got to do multiple events, but one of my favorites that I do every year is Dance Marathon, which is a 12-hour fundraising event hosted by Dance Marathon at USF on campus.”

Paciorek joined after realizing her commuter lifestyle made it slightly more difficult to connect.

“For the first two weeks of my first semester, I would just go to my classes and go home,” Paciorek said. “I decided to go to the first student council events committee meeting, and everyone was so welcoming. It was just such a fantastic community, and I got to help with so many different events like the Fall Picnic and Honors Got Talent.”

Though council leadership often involves event planning and volunteering, challenges also arise. During the hurricane season of fall 2024, student council leaders checked in with Honors students and supported their transition back to in-person classes. They also hosted a social on the first day back.

“It was one of the greatest moments of being in Honors Student Council,” Pinilla said. “Being able to be in a position to check in on people, to support them, was really fulfilling. We did a social afterwards to provide students with a positive space amidst all the challenges and transitioning back to campus.” 

Adapting to Growth 

Council leaders also adapted their programming as the college grew and transitioned into its new building.

“My year as events co-chair was our first year in this new building, so there were some challenges in trying to figure out how things worked and how we wanted to use the space,” Paciorek said. “But it was a really fun challenge, as we weren't as limited as we were with space before, and we were trying to figure out how to make this building more of a home, which I definitely feel like we did.”

This fall, the council is already setting the tone for a year of engagement and connection, hosting events such as their first General Body Meeting where all students can get involved  (Sept. 4), Cookies with Council (Sept. 18), Brain Bowl (Sept. 24), Law-a-palooza (Oct. 1), Mental Health Convo (Oct. 23), and the annual Fall Picnic in late October.

Looking ahead, the schedule continues with a neurology speaker (Nov. 13) and New Member November (Nov. 19). Together, these programs showcase how the Tampa JGHC Student Council is building community, supporting student well-being and fostering leadership across the college.

For students interested in joining student council, Paciorek and Pinilla recommend attending general body meetings, participating in socials and volunteer events, and following the council on Instagram.

“If you’re interested in joining, my advice is to just do it and take the leap,” Paciorek said. “You never know where that position could take you or the good things that could come from it.”