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At the Judy Genshaft Honors College, students are challenged to apply their classroom learning to real-world contexts through undergraduate research, study abroad, leadership experiences, and creative pursuits. A central part of this process is the college’s experiential learning requirement — a key component of graduating with Honors distinction at the University of South Florida.

Through the experiential learning portion of the Honors curriculum, students explore their academic interests beyond the classroom. Whether gaining hands-on experience through internships, immersing themselves in new cultures abroad, or giving back through community service, Honors students are empowered to grow academically, personally, and professionally.

Community service, in particular, plays an integral role in the Honors experience. From volunteering at the campus community garden to supporting local initiatives like Feeding Tampa Bay, students have access to a wide range of opportunities to engage with and uplift their communities.

For first-year Honors student Alexa Michael, service began as a requirement. In high school, she volunteered to meet the criteria for the Bright Futures Scholarship. After arriving at USF, however, she discovered a deeper passion for giving back and an appreciation for the many benefits service brings.

Serving Local with National Impact 

Michael serves as a puppy raiser for , an organization that provides guide, service, companion, and therapy dogs at no cost to individuals and families across the United States. While the organization’s impact is national, its work is powered by local volunteers, including those at its Sarasota home base, where Michael contributes her time.

“I’ve always tried to volunteer with smaller, more local community service opportunities, because I felt like, even though they’re a small organization, they deserve just as much love as the big humanitarian societies do,” Michael said.

Through her work with Dogs Inc., Michael has gained more than technical skills. Along with patience and resilience, she has developed a stronger sense of identity and a clearer vision for how she hopes to make a difference through a future career in health care.

“You can't learn what you learn in service anywhere else. You access worlds that you never would have seen. And the Honors College and other organizations allow that to happen.”

In addition to encouraging community service, the Honors experiential learning requirement also motivates students to apply for internships and shadowing opportunities, join creative outlets like the Honors orchestra, and pursue unique, next-level research through programs like Research Experiences for Undergraduates.

“Experiential learning is fundamental to the Honors experience, as it empowers students to engage in meaningful decision-making beyond the classroom,” said Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean Charles Adams. “These hands-on opportunities build critical thinking, adaptability and confidence, which are skills that prepare our graduates for long-term success in their careers and communities.”

Michael offers one key piece of advice to Honors students looking to find community service opportunities: Make a long-term investment.

“Find something that you can do for life if you wanted to,” Michael said. “If you want to volunteer for life with that organization, you will want to grow with them. Find your passion and start small.”

Adding, “It’s okay if you're only getting one hour of community service, because you're going to keep building — you're going to keep wanting to come back.”