Imagine working as a foreign correspondent in a new country or examining legislation in the nation’s capital alongside prominent political leaders. From helping University of South Florida President Moez Limayem develop plans for the university’s growth to immersing themselves in a different culture while traveling abroad, many of the Judy Genshaft Honors College’s Wilcox Scholars spent their summers applying the skills they’ve gained through the program in internships, study abroad programs, and other professional opportunities.
The Wilcox Scholars Program supports Honors students who are pursuing careers in public service and leadership. The program welcomes Honors students from all majors beginning in their first year and provides ongoing mentorship and professional development opportunities throughout their time at USF.
Members of each year's cohort receive a $2,000 grant – generously sponsored by the program’s namesake USF Provost Emeritus Ralph Wilcox – allowing them to pursue meaningful internship, fellowship, or service opportunities related to public service. With additional guidance from the USF Office of National Scholars, scholars have received prestigious national awards, including the Boren and Gilman Scholarship.
Connecting Across Cultures in Germany
Caeden Deboer spent his summer in Germany through the Honors Germany Beyond the Classroom program. During the spring semester, Deboer completed the in-class portion of the course, where he studied German history and culture. The trip served as the culmination of the semester-long course.
Through the program’s “buddy system,” which paired USF students with current students at the University of Osnabrück, Deboer engaged more deeply with German culture and gained a firsthand perspective on life in Germany.
Building Skills in Federal Appellate Law
This summer, Nichola Lavaud began working as a student trainee at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa. In the appellate division, Lavaud helps draft appendices, send case materials to the U.S. Court of Appeals, and prepare oral argument binders for attorneys.
Lavaud will continue working part time during the school year until he graduates in spring 2027. He has already been offered the opportunity to transition into a full-time position after graduation.
Documenting Stories of War and Resilience
Giselle Lubeck worked as an editorial intern at Transitions Media in Prague, Czech Republic, where she wrote stories primarily about Ukrainian refugees living in the city since the start of the war. Prior to the internship, she participated in a two-week global journalism program with the company, learning from professionals at prominent media organizations, including Reuters, Bloomberg, Radio Free Europe, and The New York Times.
Her article, “Seeking Justice for Olenivka Massacre Victims,” covered a demonstration commemorating victims of Russian war crimes. In one of Prague’s most densely populated tourist areas, Lubeck interviewed the founder and members of Voices of Ukraine and later published the story as Transitions Media’s first written story with an NPR-style audio component.
Exploring Legislative Research
Godlove Nkembo served as a congressional intern in the Washington, D.C., office of U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor. During the internship, he researched legislation, prepared policy memos, and attended congressional hearings and briefings. He also assisted with constituent correspondence and gave Capitol tours to visitors from Florida’s 14th Congressional District.
For his final legislative project, Nkembo examined H.R. 6979, the PLAY Act, which aims to make youth sports more affordable and accessible through tax incentives and community-based grant funding. His analysis examined who could benefit from the legislation, potential barriers to access, and how the legislation could reach underserved communities.
Nkembo also connected with members of the Congressional Research Service, gaining experience in research and policy analysis.
Representing Student Voices
This summer, Katie Orlick was appointed by USF President Moez Limayem to serve as the sole student representative on USF’s Mapping the Future Strategic Planning Committee. In this position, Orlick worked alongside USF deans, department chairs, professors, faculty, staff, and local community leaders to develop actionable strategies for the university’s continued growth and success. She attended multiple meetings each week, providing a student perspective to help shape USF’s strategic plan. Orlick was honored to serve as a voice for the student body while representing the Judy Genshaft Honors College.
Analyzing Healthcare Access
Vanessa Quiroz participated in the MCHC/RISE-UP Internship in Baltimore, Maryland, hosted by the Kennedy Krieger Institute in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University. In this CDC-funded program, Quiroz learned from public health professionals across disciplines before being paired with Dr. Christina E. Love, director of language access and pediatric neuropsychologist at Kennedy Krieger. Under Love’s mentorship, Quiroz analyzed data from the Nurse Navigation Program to examine sociodemographic factors and language barriers affecting access to care. She then presented her findings to physicians, public health professionals, and CDC representatives.
Continuing to Grow
With public service at the center of the Wilcox Scholars Program’s goals, the Honors College is now working to expand the program’s vision beyond prospective leaders in government to include leaders in fields such as public health and nonprofit community work.
Program leaders have introduced new student-led committees into the program’s structure, each of which focuses on fulfilling the group’s long-term goals. New growth, outreach, and policy committees give students the opportunity to serve as co-chairs and help shape the direction of the program. The committees will develop even more ways to engage with local communities through policy surveys, attending local events, and inviting local and national leaders to twice-yearly program dinners where they can connect with students.
“We’re incredibly proud of what the Wilcox Scholars have already accomplished and the ways they’re putting their leadership skills into action,” said Charles Adams, Judy Genshaft Endowed Dean of the Judy Genshaft Honors College. “At the same time, we’re excited to see the program continue to evolve and grow, opening doors for even more Honors students to explore public service and leadership across a broader range of fields.”
First-year Judy Genshaft Honors College students interested in the Wilcox Scholars Program can apply beginning Nov. 1, 2026.