Programs

Judy Genshaft Honors College Student Council

The Judy Genshaft Honors College Student Council (JGHCSC) serves as a hub for Honors students to develop leadership and professional skills, give back to their community, and build connections with Honors faculty, staff, and peers through fun events on both the Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses.

Mission and Vision

The JGHCSC fosters a community of student leaders by providing opportunities for professional development, social engagement, and service — creating a well-rounded Honors College experience.

Members of the JGHCSC play a key role in planning annual events, marketing programs, and serving the community through projects with organizations such as Feeding Tampa Bay.

Tampa Campus

Tampa Student Council Events

The Tampa Judy Genshaft Honors College Student Council hosts a variety of events each semester. Signature events like Brain Bowl and Fall Picnic occur every year, while others are special one-time events. All Honors students are encouraged to attend Student Council events, not just council members.

Fall 2025 Calendar

  • Student Council Welcome Event — Thursday, Sept. 4
  • Cookies with Council — Thursday, Sept. 18
  • Law-a-palooza — Wednesday, Oct. 1
  • Brain Bowl — Wednesday, Oct. 8
  • Mental Health Convo — Thursday, Oct. 23
  • Fall Picnic — Saturday, Oct. 25
  • Future-MD Fair — Wednesday, Nov. 12
  • New Member November — Wednesday, Nov. 19

Council Committees

Tampa Student council members, Dan Woods, and graduate assistant Tina Thai pose seated and standing in the Honors atrium

All Honors College students, regardless of major or year, can get involved with the Tampa Student Council by joining one or more of its three committees: Events, Volunteer, and Marketing & Public Relations (MPR). Each committee is led by two co-chairs and overseen by the JGHCSC president and vice president. Committees meet weekly to plan events, service projects, and social media content. No application is required — students can simply attend a general meeting to join.

Events Committee

Olivia Pinilla and another Honors student play saxophone and cello at the 2025 spring Honors Got Talent show

Wednesdays | 5 - 6 p.m. | HON 3014

The Events Committee designs and executes events with student interests in mind. Its goal is to foster meaningful connections, provide engagement opportunities, and build a stronger sense of community. Signature events such as the Fall Picnic and Honors Got Talent are organized by this committee, along with collaborative events with groups like the Judy Genshaft Honors College LLC in Juniper-Poplar Hall.
 
By joining, students gain experience in all aspects of event planning, strengthening skills in organization, communication, and project management.

Volunteer Committee

Dan Woods, past Graduate Assistant Karley Drapp, and past student council president Nick Nechaiev pose with whipped cream on plates in their hands and on their faces.

Mondays | 6 - 7 p.m. | HON 3014

The Volunteer Committee organizes service events that allow Honors College students to engage with the Tampa Bay community and give back in meaningful ways. °®¶¹´«Ã½ can look forward to volunteering at places like the Humane Society, Feeding Tampa Bay, and other local organizations. The committee also organizes donation drives and group service projects, making it simple to give back.

Marketing and Public Relations (MPR) Committee

Mondays | 5 - 6 p.m. | HON 3014

The MPR Committee promotes Tampa Student Council events and initiatives on Instagram and other platforms. Members create graphics, reels, and posters to support programming across the council’s committees. Meetings include brainstorming sessions, content creation, and hands-on training with tools such as Canva and CapCut.

The MPR Committee is dedicated to creating a fun environment that allows students to learn about marketing and public relations skills.

Professional Development Opportunities

The Professional Development Co-Coordinators organize speaker events and workshops designed to make professional development a fun and accessible experience for all Honors students.
 
°®¶¹´«Ã½ can look forward to guest speaker presentations, networking events, and interactive workshops such as Cookies and Conversations. Topics include résumé building, creating LinkedIn profiles, and preparing for interviews.

Join a Committee

To join a committee or learn more about the Tampa JGHCSC, and . Please email jghcsc@usf.edu with any questions.

St. Petersburg Campus

St. Petersburg student council members pose in front of garden beds at a service event.

St. Petersburg Student Council Events

  • Strategize and Socialize — Friday, Sept. 19
  • SuperHero Fun Walk Volunteer Event — Saturday, Sept. 20
  • °®¶¹´«Ã½SP HalloweenFest Face Painting — Thursday, Oct. 30

Council Committees

Each committee is led by two co-chairs that meet biweekly to plan and execute student-led service and social events. 

Events Committee

Bi-weekly Mondays | 5 - 6 p.m. | USC Cove
Sept. 22, Oct. 6, Oct. 20, Nov. 3, Nov. 17, and Dec. 1

The events committee plans and hosts fun, creative events that foster a strong sense of community within the St. Petersburg Honors College. Past events include Game Night, Paint & Pasta, a trip to the Dali Museum, and more!

°®¶¹´«Ã½ in this committee can expect to play an active role in brainstorming event ideas, setting up before the event starts, greeting people, and cleaning-up after the event ends.

Volunteer Committee

Bi-weekly Thursdays | 5 - 6 p.m. | USC Cove
Sept. 25, Oct. 9, Oct. 23, Nov. 6, Nov. 20, Dec. 4

The volunteer committee plans and participates in meaningful service projects that support the local community and foster connections. Past activities include cleanups with Keep Pinellas Beautiful, card-making for pediatric patients, campus Butterfly Garden Restoration, and more!

°®¶¹´«Ã½ in this committee can expect to play an active role in planning service events, engaging in hands-on volunteering, and building lasting relationships with peers and the community.

Join St. Petersburg JGHC Student Council

If you would like to be part of the JGHC Student Council at St. Petersburg, you can where all information about committee meetings and events will be communicated.