2021-2022 Student of the Week Profiles
Maggie Bennekamper
While many Honors students relish the opportunity to learn from their peers in small
courses centered on discussion, Maggie Bennekamper’s favorite JSHC class was defined
differently. “Multicultural Literatures: The North American Experience” was the first
in which Maggie felt her perspective was also valued by others instead of just the
other way 
around!
Of course, as a Psychology major, Maggie is naturally curious about the minds of others.
She dedicated her Honors thesis to unpacking patients’ perceptions of anxiety treatments
that use open-label placebos. Her goal was to identify how social information impacts
treatment decisions as well as how it can be manipulated to increase patient perceptions.
After receiving funding from the Office of Undergraduate Research to conduct her work,
Maggie presented her data at several conferences and is now working on getting it
published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Looking forward to graduation, Maggie will next begin her post-baccalaureate work
at the University of Delaware to earn a doctorate in Social Psychology. After falling
in love with research at UToledo, Maggie is excited to merge her interests in applied
health research with anti-racist and intersectional feminist initiatives.
Favorite Honors Social Memory: “Outside the classroom, I really enjoyed the events I attended with the Honors Learning
Community – especially the trips to the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Toledo Museum of
Art, and the Toledo Zoo. As someone who is not from Toledo or the surrounding area,
it has been nice to see what it has to offer in terms of arts and culture. I have
the Honors College in part to thank for that.”
Anna Rowland
For Anna Rowland, participation in the Honors College was at its core an exciting
opportunity to expand on topics that she’s passionate about in her academic work.
The culmination of this – and Anna’s development as a History major over the last
four years – has been her Honors thesis. Titled, The Afterbirth of a Nation: “Hamilton” and the Perceptions of the American 
Revolution, it explores the importance of people of color and women in historical narrative
as well as the role of public discussion and social media as influences on that narrative.
Unsurprisingly, some of Anna’s favorite JSHC memories have revolved around this defining
achievement. One such moment took place during a trip to the Toledo Museum of Art
along with some Honors peers while Anna was in the middle of conducting her thesis
research. They viewed there Titus Kaphar’s Beyond the Myth of Benevolence, which depicts a portrait of Thomas Jefferson being peeled off the canvas to reveal
a black woman peering around the rolled portrait. The image symbolizes those enslaved
by Thomas Jefferson as well as the cloaking of their stories in our cultural imagination
by the predominant presence of the Founding Fathers. Seeing the painting and sharing
the moment with her peers was powerful for Anna, particularly in light of its relevance
for her research.
The confidence to offer her own analysis of the sweeping forces of history did not
come naturally to Anna and was developed over time in her Honors classes. In Prof.
Dan McInnis’ “Science and Cinema” seminar, for example, students ended the course
by creating their own documentaries. “It was a lot of fun to make something completely
from scratch that I did not have a lot of experience in,” Anna said. Like all JSHC
classes, the assignment encouraged students to find and cultivate their authentic
voice before considering the impact they can have on the world. On the cusp of graduation,
Anna’s eventual impact will surely be amplified by her forthcoming enrollment at UToledo’s
College of Law.
Fun Personal Fact: “I am a powerlifter and a part of UToledo’s powerlifting club!”
Anna Walker
Anna Walker is no ordinary Honors student – the Honors Bioengineering major is also
currently the UToledo Student Government President! Every day brings another set of
challenges balancing responsibilities as a student and as President. 
“My favorite part of holding the office has been the opportunity to see changes being
made on campus for the benefit of the students,” Anna said. “Not every change is a
big one, but it's so incredible to work with faculty and administrators who really
care about students and are here to improve the college experience for all of us.”
Anna’s planner has this semester been indispensable. Not only the student body President,
Anna has also been applying to graduate programs throughout the last semester to pursue
life’s next steps. That next step: attending The Ohio State University to pursue a
Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology in the Fall. The goal is to become an
environmental epidemiologist for FEMA or another government organization, ultimately
improving the daily lives of millions. Bioengineering was discovered as a junior in
high school when Anna’s father suggested engineering as a career track. Bioengineering
won out as a focus because it links so many fields of interest together – math, science,
healthcare, and research – and would allow Anna a desired career in public health.
As the presidential term and undergraduate career come to an end this May, Anna is
leaving campus feeling more confident and skilled after being pushed out of a comfort
zone. “While it has been a fast-paced, stressful year, it has also been a year of
rising to challenges, expanding my personal and professional skills, and learning
to advocate on behalf of others,” Anna said.
Fun Personal Fact: “I got to watch the Homecoming football game in UToledo President Gregory Postel's
suite in the Glass Bowl. That was an incredibly cool way to watch a game!”
Leslie Sacoto
Despite the pandemic, Leslie Sacoto has been pleasantly surprised by how involved
she has been able to get in campus life at UToledo! The junior majoring in Biology
serves as the External President of the Global Latinx Student Union – an organization
offering Latinx students a safe and comfortable space to commit to cultural discussions,
coordinate volunteer 
work, and even celebrate their heritage! This semester, the group has focused on discussing
Latinx issues including representation in the media, morphing culture, and mental
health.
The GLSU is currently preparing for one of their biggest events of the semester, “Celebrando
Success,” which celebrates Latinx students and their achievements. On Saturday, April
30th from 7 pm until 9 pm in the Student Union Auditorium, they will be hosting live
music, food, and fun. “We would love to see more students come and support us,” Leslie
said. “We are inclusive of everybody, so please join!” Learn more about the event
and how to register for it on the group’s Instagram page @glsu_utoledo.
Beyond the GLSU on campus, Leslie has also been engaged with Global Medical Brigades
to provide free healthcare for people living in Guatemala. The trip was an exciting
opportunity for her to see the healthcare system in Guatemala and an excellent way
to develop interpersonal skills. Lastly, Leslie is also a mentor for the PRIMOS Mentorship
Program run by the Office of Multicultural Student Success. “Being a mentor has allowed
me to develop a close connection with my mentee and offer her the help I wish that
I would have gotten as a first-year student,” Leslie said. “I think it helps to be
a mentor because you can assist a student who is in the same position you used to
be in – to allow them to advance further in their experience at UToledo.”
Favorite Honors Memory: “My favorite Honors memory was going to the Toledo Walleye hockey game during my freshman
year. I got to meet a lot of new friends and have fun learning about what the Honors
College is like!”
Zoe Farrugia
Zoe Farrugia is an eager near-graduate in Nursing deeply committed to success in her
field. Honors has often reminded her, though, through fun activities such as ice cream
socials, that it’s integral to connect with people outside of one’s discipline. 
As a student in the JSHC, she’s been able to study psychology, culture, arts, literature,
and so much more. Zoe may sometimes forget the world that exists outside of Nursing,
but she is immediately reconnected with it through these kinds of diverse conversations
in the Honors College.
Recognizing the importance of community, Zoe has worked hard to promote critical dialogues
in the healthcare system. She attended a seminar as a sophomore, for example, exploring
how violence in American society can affect the thought patterns and perceptions of
those exposed to it directly or even indirectly through media. Her Honors Nursing
classes have relatedly offered Zoe an opportunity to dive into community health challenges
surrounding postpartum hemorrhage, infant mortality, and sepsis reduction.
As a culmination of these ideas, Zoe’s Honors capstone project has focused on reducing
black infant mortality in the United States – which occurs at a rate more than double
that affecting Caucasian infants. As a result of this research data, she is working
“to identify areas of potential racial bias in Nursing students and correct this bias
before they ever hit the floor,” Zoe said. “Our aim is to educate nurses on culturally
competent and congruent care, with the overall goal of decreasing the gap in infant
mortality rates between races.” When finished with this project, Zoe can’t wait to
apply more of these ideas to her career. She has accepted a position at the Cleveland
Clinic as an intensive care nurse for after graduation!
Favorite UToledo Experience: “I am very passionate about studying language to better understand my patients and
provide more culturally competent care. I have even earned a certificate in World
Language Proficiency and the Global Seal of Biliteracy!”
Isaac Kaba
While all transfer students at UToledo begin their college journey elsewhere, Isaac
Kaba’s has been longer than most – he was formerly enrolled at the University of Kinshasa
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo! Through extensive research and career exploration,
Isaac discovered here his goal of becoming a professor and researcher to serve his
community and
help solve pharmaceutical problems.
As a Medicinal and Biological Chemistry as well as a Pharmacology-Toxicology double-major,
Isaac recently joined Dr. Ghassan Abushaikha’s lab. Isaac works on the design, synthesis,
and biological evaluation of small molecules for anticancer therapies – an area of
research he’s gaining interest in quickly. This lab work has fueled his passion for
research and is preparing him to embrace his future academic and professional career.
“Being a faculty researcher means there will be many opportunities for me to mentor
students and bring science to society, but also to grow through the need to publish
and conduct research,” Isaac said.
This desire to evolve and lead is also evident in Isaac’s involvement in student organizations.
He serves in several leadership activities on campus, including as an Executive Board
member of the Congolese Students Association, where he promotes Congolese culture
across campus and leads the French Conversation Table in collaboration with the Department
of World Languages and Cultures. He admires the diversity at UToledo and he loves
meeting a variety of people from diverse backgrounds. “What I like the most is the
sense of belonging to a real community, regardless of your cultural background,” he
said.
Fun Personal Fact: “I am thrilled to have been selected as a recipient of this year’s Balanced Man Scholarship offered
through the UToledo Foundation and Sigma Phi Epsilon!”
Samantha Meklus
Samantha Meklus, a senior double-majoring in Urban Studies and Economics, is all about
building bridges. Her Honors thesis, after all, offers a cost-benefit analysis of
cleaning and building a pedestrian bridge around the Maumee River! Increasing foot
traffic around downtown Toledo, however, is just one of the many ways she hopes to
create connections in 
her community.
After earning a Master’s degree in Public Administration at UToledo, Samantha dreams
of running her own non-profit organization that will provide Catholic resources to
the impoverished. “I want to focus on contributing to a moral basis in young middle
schoolers going into high school, and then translate those values into leadership
opportunities later in life for participants,” she said.
Samantha’s vision for the future has been deeply influenced by her Honors curriculum.
In particular, she loved reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini in Prof. Walter Denk’s HON 2030 “Multicultural Literatures: North
American Experience” class. The novel changed her outlook on the world and its capacity
to rapidly change. These JSHC courses have additionally provided her with multiple
perspectives through courses rich in discussion. “I learned how to effectively have
conversations with others possessing alternate viewpoints without quarreling with
them,” Samantha said. “It is important to be able to understand the other side of
an argument rather than just fight against it.” Whether debating or inspiring others,
the Honors College has increased her confidence in speaking – a skill she will utilize
throughout her continuing education and future career.
Favorite Honors Activity: “My favorite Honors College memory was playing trivia at Jesup Jam before the start
of my freshman year!”
Erica Sacoto
Erica Sacoto, a Multicultural Emerging Scholar, has a fierce passion for the criminal
justice system. After her first semester as a Biology major, she realized that a STEMM
career was not for her and soon after discovered the pre-law track. Equipped with
a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Legal Specialties, Erica aims to become
a lawyer helping clients facing
injustice.
Serving others comes naturally to Erica, who helps lead a campus organization dedicated
to uplifting the Latinx community here in Toledo. She serves as the External Vice
President for The Global Latinx Student Union, a group which has hosted events making
piñatas, Día de los Muertos celebrations, lotería nights, Bachata dance performances,
and R&B Bubble Tea game nights. “At our events, we often serve delicious Latinx food
and drinks such as tamales, empanadas, tequeños, tres leches cake, horchata, and traditional
candies,” Erica said.
One GLSU project she is particularly proud of was inspired by a discussion of Afro-Latinx
representation. That sparked the creation of the “GLSU Spotlight Member of the Week,”
a platform for Latinx voices. “I’m delighted with how successful our first spotlight
entry was, which was uploaded to our Instagram (@glsu_utoledo) earlier this month,”
Erica said. There, members of the group can talk about cultural issues, celebrated
traditions, and experiences as a Latinx student.
Erica credits the project’s momentum in large part to her participation in the Honors
College, which has encouraged her to think outside the box in terms of impacting her
community. The knowledge she has gained in classes such as “Multicultural Toledo”
led her to think about the issues that people face within our surrounding community
– issues that can be explored through these GLSU student interviews.
Favorite Hobby: “This past September, I earned my black belt in karate! I truly learned how to push
myself beyond my limits at my black belt test. It was honestly one of the toughest
days of my life, but it was worth all the effort I poured into karate for all these
years.”
John Hutchinson
John Hutchinson, an Honors junior earning simultaneous degrees in Chemical Engineering
and Mathematics (with a few minors to boot), is nothing if not ambitious. He possesses
a deep curiosity about the world around him and is drawn to 
research analyzing its natural phenomena. With his Fall graduation less than a year
away, that ambition seems poised to earn him a doctorate in Chemical Engineering and
eventually a faculty position in the field.
John’s drive to achieve was formed early in life – stretching as far back as first
grade. It was then that he became involved in Scouts BSA and even joined the ranks
of the elite Order of the Arrow. There, John served in numerous leadership roles,
including as a member of the Erie Shores Council Executive Board. “For most of my
life, I have been in the Scouting program,” he said, “and it has given me much of
my drive to succeed and the confidence to lead.” John continues his involvement in
the organization to this day and wants to help others grow through the same traditions
and values.
The drive instilled in him as a Scout combined powerfully with the critical thinking
skills he has encountered in his Honors classes – notably HON 1010. The freedom to
select a section of the course that focused on his favorite literary genres proved
engaging. “When I took this course, we discussed works of science fiction and fantasy,”
he said. “I have long been a fan of these genres as was practically raised on Star Trek and Doctor Who.” Loving a good challenge, John has appreciated the rigorous classes and research
opportunities provided by the JSHC to motivate him and his peers. “The added effort
demanded by the JSHC has allowed me to push myself to my academic limits,” he said,
“and I believe that I am a better student for it.”
Fun Personal Fact: “I currently serve as the President of Omega Chi Epsilon, the Chemical Engineering
honor society.”
Aditya Acharya
Since his formative high school years, Aditya Acharya, has been defined by a passion
for his future career as a healthcare professional. The last four years of Biology
classes and professional development opportunities for this Bacc2MD Honors student
have decidedly paid off. Mere months separate him now from his crucial next step into
that future – enrolling at the 
UToledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences.
As a volunteer in the emergency room at his hometown hospital, Aditya witnessed how
various healthcare professionals work together to stabilize life-threatening cases.
He later assisted at the UToledo Medical Center in the Lloyd A. Jacobs Interprofessional
Immersive Simulation Center, shadowing physicians there. “I was fascinated with the
use of their in-depth knowledge to provide detailed diagnoses through investigation
of symptoms,” he said.
The countless hours spent volunteering have been matched by Aditya’s commitment to
his research. Undertaken in Dr. Malathi Krishnamurthy's lab, Aditya’s Honors thesis,
“contributes to the current literature regarding the role of Ebola viral proteins
in interacting with specific components of the OAS/RNase L pathway – a specific innate
immune pathway known to help clear viral infection,” he said. This experience has
allowed Aditya to enhance the conceptual connections between his courses and grow
as a collaborator by working with the graduate students in the lab.
Even Aditya’s extracurriculars have helped him prepare for his future. He is the Director
of Service Coordination for HOSA – Future Health Professionals, the Treasurer for
the Indian Student Cultural Organization, one of the founding members of a series
of podcasts sponsored by UToledo’s Pre-Health Advising Center, and a volunteer with
the CommunityCare Clinics. “These opportunities have and continue to help me develop
the many necessary skills that I hope to carry with me throughout my educational journey,”
he said.
Favorite Honors Memory: “Right before my freshman year, I was invited to Jesup Jam, and my table won the opportunity
to have lunch with Dean Appel at Phoenicia Cuisine!”
Laana Abutaha
Laana Abutaha is one of three sisters in her family to assume a leadership role in
the Jesup Scott Honors College! Her older sister, Eanas, graduated from UToledo summa
cum laude in 2020 and Seham, her younger sister, is currently a sophomore proudly
serving as a JSHC Student Ambassador. “Both of my sisters are great personal role
models,” Laana said. “They are 
hardworking, dedicated, compassionate, and intellectual – there is no doubt that they
will prosper in their respective dental school journeys!” Despite her impressive lineage,
though, Laana herself is one in a million!
Mapping out her own path to career success, the senior majoring in Biology is determined
to serve areas and populations most often neglected by our healthcare system as a
physician assistant. Laana hopes to alleviate socioeconomic barriers and become an
ally for the marginalized in the role – something for which Honors has prepared her
well. Through her small classes and JSHC programming, Laana has gained connections
with talented and motivated individuals from a variety of backgrounds and walks of
life. One that stands out was Dr. Mohamad Moussa, the Program Director for UToledo’s
Emergency Medicine Residency Program – himself a successful alumnus of the JSHC. "Meeting
Dr. Moussa at a ‘Conversations in Real Time’ event allowed me to participate in meaningful
discussions about real-world issues surrounding healthcare and offered eye-opening
insight into the day-to-day challenges of medical work," Laana said.
Laana observed these dynamics first-hand during a year-long medical internship with
The Halim Clinic in Sylvania where she learned to always give freely and to extend
kindness and gratitude without expecting anything in return. “I will forever be grateful
for this valuable and rewarding experience where I was able to help provide Toledo’s
underserved community with the quality care they deserve,” she said. “This experience
has by far been the highlight of my undergraduate career.”
Favorite Honors Memory: “I was offered a grant to conduct research alongside Dr. Heather Conti in the summer
of my freshman year to develop antifungal treatments combating drug-resistant infections
and presented it at the undergraduate research symposium!”
Yogesh Gurung
Junior Yogesh Gurung aims to graduate having cultivated as many connections in his
major as possible. As an international student originally from Nepal, progress was
slow at first. But after enjoying a surplus of support from his Mechanical Engineering
peers and faculty during his first semester, Yogesh has since become one with the
UToledo community.
He is especially thankful for the Cedar Point trip he took with the Honors Learning
Community during his first year. Yogesh was able to meet new Honors students then
and become more adjusted to American culture. “I even challenged myself to ride Millennium
Force,” he said, “which was one of the scariest choices as my first roller coaster
experience!”
One of his favorite academic memories so far at UToledo also took place during that
first year when Yogesh participated in the Angel Pitch Competition. The contest challenged
Mechanical Engineering freshmen to develop an invention for everyday use. Through
this professional development opportunity, he pitched an idea to a room full of investors
and, as a result, honed his problem-solving and team management skills. His group
created a magnetic flashlight glove for automotive mechanics that could use easily
retrieve lost nuts and bolts from inside the hood – which won first place!
Favorite Honors Class: “It was HON 1010 with Prof. Dan McInnis! The most amazing thing was how he taught
us to evaluate the arts in fresh manners.”
Lee Harms
Midnight blue and gold shade the college experience for all Rockets, but for Lee Harms,
the two blend together vividly to paint a career and a calling. Ever the green thumb,
the Honors senior majoring in Environmental Science has spent his campus years promoting
agricultural efficiency and access in the Toledo area – and hopes his next steps in
life will be spent doing more of the same!
Lee has worked closely with Toledo GROWs and the Toledo Human Relations Commission
to promote volunteer engagement in the city’s community gardens. After conversing
with several garden directors in the area, his team created a plan to increase volunteer
retention rates.
When working on his Honors thesis under Dr. Todd Crail, Lee researched the best way
to grow food in Toledo areas that have high rates of food insecurity. “Utilizing materials
already present at The University Church’s community garden, we are developing vertical
garden systems inside a heated greenhouse,” Lee said. “This allows for food to be
grown in the winter, creating an additional source of produce when it cannot be grown
outside.” Having already set up a watering system and planted leafy greens there,
Lee is investigating now for his thesis the ideal watering time and best method for
growing nutritional food with the least amount of interaction.
When he graduates in May, Lee intends to work in the field of urban agriculture for
a couple years before attending graduate school. The time spent working will allow
him to settle on a career concentration in botany, community sustainability, or urban
agriculture. “In the future, I would love to run my own permaculture operation in
Toledo, supplying healthy produce to the Toledo community in partnership with Earth's
natural systems,” he said.
Favorite Social Memory: “My favorite fun Honors memories took place my freshman year – playing countless hours
of ping pong and Bloons Tower Defense in the Tucker Hall lounge. I met a couple of
my closest friends in the dorms!”
Taylor Cook
Taylor Cook, an Economics major with a minor in Criminal Justice, is fascinated by
the connections between the two disciplines. The Honors senior is planning on working
in criminal intelligence as an analyst after graduation in a just a few short months.
In this role, she will analyze patterns to suggest new or altered policies with the
goal of reducing crime. “I’m 
not sure where I’d like to work specifically,” she says, “but I’ve been exploring
different job openings and seeing what would make a good fit!”
Taylor is tackling in her Honors thesis a classic bit of lore in this vein – that
crime rates spike during full moon phases. “To do this,” she explains, “I am completing
a regression using 911 call data from the Toledo Police Department in different neighborhoods
around the city.” She will then be able to analyze the relationship crime has with
lunar phases. “I’ve already made many connections through this project! I thank Dr.
Kristen Keith for agreeing to be my thesis advisor and for helping me so much already
with the project.”
Beyond her thesis research, the Honors College has notably helped prepare Taylor professionally
through her “Multicultural Toledo” course with Dr. Carla Pattin. In HON 2010, students
conduct small group walk-abouts in Toledo and investigate a specific neighborhood
for a formal class presentation. Together, they will jigsaw what they have learned
or experienced to achieve a fuller picture of the city. “I remember initially being
nervous to have to interview people in the community and present what we learned,
but I gained a lot of confidence as time went on and was ultimately excited to give
our final presentation,” Taylor said. “It was such a valuable class that helped me
look at this city that I grew up in in a brand-new light.”
Fun Personal Fact: “I spend most of my time outside of class tutoring or working at Imagination Station.”
Cecilia Bono
Cecilia Bono is an Adolescent and Young Adult Education major with aspirations to
go the distance in higher education! After graduating with her B.Ed. featuring a concentration
in integrated mathematics by Spring 2023, Cecilia will pursue a 
Master's degree, work in foreign nations, and potentially earn a doctorate to become
a professor.
Though her goals are lofty, Cecilia is well on her way as an Honors student to realizing
them. The junior has already completed an Honors Learning Contract that explored adding
integrated reading supports into upper-level math curriculums and created a process
that makes learning math more attainable for students at all linguistic levels. She
has also worked closely with a handful of professors, each of whom has given her a
glimpse into future innovations of higher-level teaching. Some of those concepts include
modular arithmetic, coding, linguistic supports, and adjusted teaching styles. Cecilia
writes, “If I was not in the JSHC, I would not have had the resources to explore all
of these topics, nor would I have been exposed to all of the eye-opening courses that
the Honors College has to offer.”
As if helping to revolutionize primary education wasn’t impressive enough, Cecilia
is also a tutor and academic coach through Student-Athlete Support Services, has been
in the color guard in the Rocket Marching Band for three years, and has been the captain
of color guard for two!
Fun Personal Fact: “I am fairly fluent in Spanish and have enjoyed traveling to Spain – I would love
to work there some day!”
Yunyue Qian
Accounting major Yunyue Qian says that her field isn’t as daunting as most people
make it out to be. In fact, it’s a perfect option for people who love to solve puzzles
and thread logic through numbers! She explains it as the language of business that
“uncovers the essence of appearance and description,” as an accountant will take a
value and use numbers to 
understand and later explain to others why that value is what it is. Paired with her
minor in Information Systems, a means to learning Python computer programming and
deepening her knowledge of data analysis, Yunyue’s path to career success couldn’t
be better calculated.
As a senior, her goal is to pass the Certified Public Accountant exam and Graduate
Management Admission Test before graduation. Yunyue believes that persevering and
working hard always brings good results, but that a person shouldn’t distract themselves
with situations and decisions that aren’t yet present. She thinks of this as keeping
your feet on the ground. “People should be aware of the present and worry only about
controlling the things they can influence, such as their grades and their health,”
she said. “But they shouldn’t worry about the future until the future becomes the
present.”
Though Yunyue tries to avoid speculation about the future, the soon-to-be graduate
has had occasion recently for fond reflection on her years as a Rocket. She was heavily
influenced by Dr. Mary Templin’s HON 1010 course, for example. Centering discussion
on human identity, through the lenses of origin and progression, Dr. Templin used
stories from foreign countries to explain differing perspectives in culture and how
those perspectives stream into identity. Yunyue loved these lessons, appreciating
both how a respect for multiculturalism can improve human development across the globe
and how the course had refreshed her mind.
Favorite Honors Contract: “I completed thorough research on the NVIDIA and AMD corporations, which produce computer
graphics cards, for an Honors Learning Contract in BUAD 3010!”
Charles Reed
Though research can be routine and formulaic, JSHC students are at their best when
they are challenging assumptions, breaking barriers, and working between fields and
traditions. Senior English major Charles Reed illustrates this powerfully with his
Honors thesis. He first opted to write a traditional paper analyzing similarities
between various stories with similar 
themes, but later he was inspired to pen a short story accompanying his argument!
In it, Charles scrutinizes poverty, the American Dream, and the impossibility of bootstrapping
one’s way to success. “My overarching argument is that capitalism requires exploitation
and employs certain tactics to manufacture your consent to that exploitation - exploitation
which happens on all levels and is participated in by the exploited,” he said. The
short story he wrote to pair with his argument offered commentary on the lasting effects
this exploitation has on the future of society. “I tried to look at how society will
change if unfettered capitalism is allowed to continue prioritizing profits over humans
and the environment, where that breaking point is, and what will happen when we hit
it,” Charles added.
Honors English students such as Charles are required to take a writing seminar course
for the thesis. There they work through a rigorous process, produce multiple drafts,
engage constantly with their peers, present their research at an undergraduate showcase,
and defend their thesis to a committee of at least three professors.
This undertaking was one of the most rewarding experiences Charles has gotten out
of the JSHC. Not only was he able to actively work with dedicated peers and professors
inside and outside of class, but it prepared him for what’s to come in graduate school!
In the long run, Charles hopes to make a living as a writer. “I adore how writing
impacts the world,” he said. “Being able to produce a work that evokes emotions out
of someone is one of my favorite things.”
Favorite Honors Class: “Definitely my ‘Science and Cinema’ seminar with Prof. Dan McInnis!”
Madison Hoffman
Madison Hoffman has been trained by her Honors experience to challenge any information
presented to her earnestly and to critically analyze her surrounding reality. With
a plan to earn an M.B.A. while committing herself to a career in the health and wellness
field, understanding the truth behind everyday variables will push this Health Care
Administration major to become her greatest self!
Preparing to graduate this December with the medallion, Madison has already begun
to leave her mark on this community. For her Honors thesis, she’s exploring at a local
facility the discrepancy between the number of days that patients are actually staying
in the hospital and the number of days that each diagnosis typically calls for. Because
of the caps that insurance companies place on the number of days they will financially
cover, the issue has had disastrous clinical, financial, and operational impacts.
In her project, Madison identifies the obstacles that contribute to extended lengths-of-stay,
its implications, and recommendations to resolve the issue.
Research is surely not new to Madison thanks in large part to the opportunities provided
to her in her Honors classes and extracurricular activities. One of her favorite projects
was for an Honors Learning Contract where she analyzed the unconscious biases women
face in negotiation settings before proposing solutions for the injustice. Another
JSHC opportunity she was grateful for was the Q&A session with the director of Recovery Boys. Madison says, “The documentary really opened my eyes and gave me a greater understanding
of the opioid epidemic as well as the obstacles that those in the throes of addiction
or even recovery face.”
Advice to Honors Students: “I had the opportunity to join the Klar Leadership Academy a few years ago, and I
highly recommend it to anyone who has the chance to pursue it! The personal growth
I experienced throughout my time with the group is unmatched, and it is a huge part
of who I am today.”
Kevin Fruth
Kevin Fruth has had a college experience defined by a unique theme – cars! The Chemical
Engineering senior set to earn his Honors medallion and graduate this semester is,
after all, fresh off an incredible win at the 2021 American Institute of Chemical
Engineers Annual Student Conference Chem-E Car Competition in Boston.
The goal of the competition was to devise and build a car the size of a shoe box that
could travel a target distance and be propelled and stopped by chemical reactions.
Kevin served as the team captain for multiple years, organizing his peers as they
spent hundreds of hours in the laboratory preparing for the competitions. This year,
against twenty other teams from around the world vying for the championship, the UToledo
team utilized a homemade zinc and nickel oxyhydroxide alkaline battery to propel their
car and a chemical “chameleon” reaction to stop their car. They named it “Zinc-asaurus
Rex.” “Our Chem-E Car Team’s recent victory in the international competition was the
perfect way to cap off my last semester serving as team captain,” Kevin said, “and
I am excited for our team to build upon this success with better and more ambitious
cars in the future.”
Before finding success with a miniature car, Kevin built fond Honors memories with
an oversized Cadillac. He worked with The Voice of Honors for the 2017 UToledo Homecoming
Parade to decorate the vintage convertible owned by JSHC faculty member Dr. Page Armstrong.
But, when the car failed to start, he helped her push it into a parking lot instead
of walking in the parade. Though sad to have missed out on the parade itself, he was
elated to learn that The Voice of Honors won first place in the float car division!
Kevin will move into a position after graduation at BP’s Toledo oil refinery as a
Process Engineering Challenger. What his college years have shown him is that hard
work really does pay off. After pouring exhaustive effort into each course and extracurricular
activity, including the pancake-eating contest where he tied for first place after
consuming twenty, his dedication has earned him enduring friendships and meaningful
classroom experiences.
Interesting Academic Fact: “I had the honor of being selected as one of the College of Engineering’s two Fall
2021 Senior Scholars for graduating with a perfect GPA!”
Amaka Njoku
With the ambitious goal of dental school in mind, Amaka Njoku is committed to taking
advantage of every opportunity she has as a Rocket. Pairing her rigorous Bioengineering
curriculum with the critical thinking skills emphasized in her Honors classes she
expects will give her a decisive edge in her career. In fact, it’s already paid
off! She heard about Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, where she is currently on co-op despite
pandemic obstacles to getting hired, from a friend in the JSHC.
Amaka attributes her growth as an Honors student in particular to Professor Dan McInnis.
“His HON 1010 class really made me more confident speaking in public and sharing my
ideas,” she said. Amaka also learned a lot listening to the other students’ viewpoints
in the course, getting a glimpse thereby of the world as they see it.
Her Honors section of BIOE 1000 presented Amaka with another unique chance to excel.
During her freshman year, she worked as part of a group to design a novel device –
a timed lamp. “The idea was to make the lamp useful for studying,” Amaka said. “It
blinks after a set amount of time so you don’t have to use your phone to check the
clock, which could lead to distractions.” When her group finished it, they were invited
to present the device at the Senior Design Expo!
Favorite Pastime: “I also discovered my love for art through my HON 1010 class. I eventually started
producing beats and posting them on my YouTube page. You can find them under my username,
‘Prod By Amaka!!’”
Phoebe Kahler
While her Nursing major has equipped her for success in her career, completing its
curriculum as an Honors student has elevated Phoebe Kahler’s preparation for the future
to a whole other level. Because of her involvement in the JSHC, she now possesses
sharpened clinical skills and even has a publication under her belt!
For her Honors capstone project, Phoebe studied ways to prevent surgical site infections
in postoperative patients – work that will undoubtedly improve the health outcomes
of those in her care. The research should also aid her eventual transition into graduate
school, she says. After graduating in December, Phoebe will work in an intensive care
unit at ProMedica Toledo Hospital before becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Phoebe’s Honors coursework also led to her authoring a publication with ProMedica
Toledo Hospital! With other JSHC students in her cohort, Phoebe researched the effects
of social media on nursing education and concluded that it can be powerfully utilized
to enhance learning. “In a society widely influenced by social media,” she says, “it's
beneficial for educators to find ways to incorporate its use to better reach students
in a collaborative environment.”
Value of Honors: “The Honors College has had a huge impact on my college experience and has really
improved my critical thinking skills – essential for my career!”
Pawandeepsingh Dhingra
Engineers don’t just design and build walls – they sometimes break right through them!
Pawandeepsingh Dhingra, a junior in Electrical Engineering, has dedicated himself
to tearing down the barriers at the edge of his comfort zone to achieve continuous
growth. He advises incoming Rockets to try different things and to meet new people,
including those who don’t think the way you do – to not be afraid to fail. “Every
opportunity is a chance to learn, so don’t worry if you fail,” he 
suggests. “Failing is far worse than not trying, and certainly you need a good story
to speak about when celebrating your eventual success!”
Pawandeepsingh took his own advice recently, deciding to join a JSHC trip to Imagination
Station though he knew little about the interactive science museum. There, he met
a slew of new acquaintances, built and raced air-powered cars, rode on a cable-wire
bike suspended high in the air, and defied gravity. “With the pandemic taking so much
from students, I’ve really enjoyed using the Honors College as a way to explore campus
and Toledo as well as have critical yet fun discussions with my peers,” he said. “Embracing
growth in this manner has been so freeing!”
The strategy has also been comforting and has offered a boost to Pawandeepsingh’s
mental health. “Before coming to America, I was very anxious about living in a country
where I didn't know anyone,” he shared. “To ease this pressure, I started to vlog
about my experiences.” Discussing everything from the UToledo campus to how to get
a driver’s license to what destinations to visit in the Toledo area, he found that
these vlogs were also helpful for other international students planning on studying
in the U.S.!
Favorite Activities: “I love cinematography and being outside enjoying nature. Visiting parks and hiking
are my favorite things to do on weekends. I’m also passionate about CNC machining,
robots, and autonomous driving – which I plan on taking with me into the automation
and robotics industry after graduation. Eventually, I would like to have my own start-up
and work towards the betterment and ease of human life as an entrepreneur.”
Khoi Ho
When asked to identify his favorite academic and fun memories at UToledo, senior Khoi
Ho said that the best of them intertwine. If you’re having fun, hopefully you’ve learned
something and, if you’re learning something, hopefully you’re having fun! Luckily
for the Finance and Information Systems double-major, he is doing a lot of both in
his Honors 
experience.
For example, Khoi explained how much he enjoyed exploring the Old West End with his
peers in Dr. Emily Bedwell’s HON 2010 “Multicultural Toledo” course. It wasn’t just
an entertaining field trip. It also made Toledo feel far more intimate to him – a
place with history as well as a place of comfort. He also recalls the fun he had conversing
with his classmates in Prof. Dan McInnis’s HON 1010 “Ideas and Society” class. There,
Khoi was exposed to both interesting and novel viewpoints while also strengthening
his critical thinking skills.
At UToledo in general, he has also been able to grow through his professional fraternity,
Pi Sigma Epsilon. Khoi said, “In this organization, I have held several positions,
represented my chapter in college-wide and nationwide competitions, and have become
a mentor to the other members by providing support and guidance whenever they need
it.”
Interesting Campus Job: “I work as a tour guide on campus. I have had an awesome time talking to prospective students and their families on the tours. There is one good thing and one bad thing about this job. The good thing is that the more I work, the more UToledo grows on me. The bad thing is I'm not ready to graduate in Spring and leave it all behind!”
Jacob Connolly
In a pool of applicants 5,000 deep, with only 68 awards ultimately grants to students
in his field, Jacob Connolly nevertheless stood out and beat the odds. The senior
Bioengineering major earlier this year became the second Honors student over the last
three years to receive a Goldwater Scholarship – one of the country’s oldest and most
competitive 
recognitions in the areas of science and mathematics.
Jacob earned the prestigious distinction for his research into the role of paraoxonase
enzymes in the kidneys, where he studied connections between a variety factors on
the speed of cognitive decline in the presence of chronic kidney disease. Jacob explains
that his success came mostly from making connections in his field. “There are so many
advisors, professors, and mentors at UToledo who are willing to help you achieve your
goals,” he said. “I always tell other students to reach out to them and use their
knowledge and experience to your advantage. Success won’t come automatically, but
if you work hard, put your mind to it, and use the resources around you, you can achieve
just about anything.”
Jacob also credits the JSHC in no small part for the achievement, as Honors classes
have allowed him to work more closely with professors and gain a deeper understanding
of the course content. The JSHC also connected him with a group of students who are
similarly driven and have interests close to his, providing Jacob with an academic
support system as well as friends to engage with outside of school.
Advice to Honors Students: “What you get out of your college experience is based on what you put into it. If
you are willing to invest the time and effort into your academic work, extracurricular
activities, and social engagements, there is no limit to what you can achieve.”
Diego Gamboa Pabon
Though moving from another continent has not been without its challenges, international
student Diego Gamboa Pabon is grateful for the opportunity to grow amidst the transition.
After all, the Colombian’s life motto points out that anything uneasy in life can
be morphed into something helpful so long as you remain passionate about what you
do.
For example, Diego wasn’t originally planning on conducting research in his Chemical
Engineering major prior to his senior year. But, with his motto in mind, he decided
to begin working early with Dr. Ana Alba-Rubio on issues related to catalysis. Diego
discovered through the labor something even more interesting than his lab results.
His newfound zeal for research has led him to a goal of earning a graduate degree
in his field so that he can continue this work.
Understanding the importance of this philosophy on his own life prepared Diego well
to engage with prominent themes in his HON 1010 class. Under Dr. Leslie Chambers,
the class watched and interpreted famous movies through the lenses of different critical
theories. Diego particularly found enjoyment in watching Monsters, Inc. and psychoanalyzing the characters. After doing so, he says he has been able to understand
people more clearly though their needs and emotions rather than their actions.
Recommendation to Students: “I would encourage you in this kind weather to go outside and take naps on the grass
or do your homework outside. You will regret not seeing the view – it’s just you and
yourself, nurturing your soul.”
Clare Krzykala
While many students aspire to a career helping others, Clare Krzykala has grander
ambitions. “My dream is to do more than ‘help’ – I want to lead, heal, mentor, inspire,
encourage, and advocate for others who have experienced adversity and trauma in their
lives,” she said. The Law and Social Thought and Pre-Psychology double-major hopes
to do this by 
eventually earning a Ph.D. in Neuropsychology.
Fittingly, Clare’s favorite Honors course centered on discussions of monsters and
what defines the “monstrous.” Alysha Cook’s HON 1010 encouraged Clare and her peers
to reflect on how best to treat others by conversely discussing works of fiction with
sinister plots and characters, such as Grendel and Coraline, as well as the nature of evil.
Another JSHC course, HON 3010, has also been a formative experience on Clare’s journey.
By working in a multi-major student team with a non-profit organization in the Toledo
area, Clare says she’s learning much about creating solutions to real-world problems
impacting our community. Her group is collaborating with Women of Toledo to support
female Toledoans in enriching their social and professional networks. “I’m interested
in starting a nonprofit organization in the future myself, and I feel that this class
is preparing me well to implement the kind of change I want to see in the world.”
Interesting Personal Fact: “I’m always busy being active: playing basketball, canoeing, camping, cooking, and
even performing.”
Mai Mang
The transition to college from high school can be a challenging time for any student,
but especially so for those who experience the milestone thousands of miles away from
home. Originally from Vietnam, Honors Pre-Business major Mai Mang wisely jump-started
this process by finishing her last two years of high school in the United States.
The initial 
homesickness, language barriers, and culture shock were replaced by campus involvement,
leadership, professional growth, and friendships by the time she became a Rocket!
Just a few weeks ago, Mai attended Rhiannon Giddens’s performance at the Toledo Symphony
Orchestra along with the Honors Learning Community. The event featuring the renowned
musician who plays multiple instruments and can sing in multiple languages did not
disappoint. “I had never been to a symphony performance before, so that was super
awesome,” Mai said. She also has been actively involved in the First Look series with Dean Heidi Appel where they have visually analyzed photos, discussed imposter
syndrome, and even drew their own cartoons under the guidance of a published cartoonist.
Mai’s self-growth has mirrored her professional development in her classes. Her entrepreneurship
project in an Honors “Introduction to Business” course stands-out in this regard.
“I get to become an entrepreneur, to come up with a product idea and work through
the development process,” Mai said. The product will fulfill current market needs,
solve content-specific problems, and accompany a mini-business plan reflected in a
narrated PowerPoint.
Fun Personal Fact: “I have been elected by my peers to serve as the Public Relations Chair for the MacKinnon
Hall Council. It will be a great opportunity for me to enhance my leadership skills
and get to know more people!”
Sarah Atallah
As a Biology student, Sarah Atallah’s days are pretty consistent – listen to lectures,
study for tests, and experiment on rats. Though she adores this routine (even the
rats!), she finds her JSHC core classes indispensable for how they develop her public-speaking
skills and self-growth as an individual. “In HON 1010, we read The Plague by Albert Camus," Sarah recalled. "The in-depth discussion that followed about how
the book related to the COVID-19 pandemic was so 
interesting!”
As an Honors Student Ambassador, Sarah has relished the opportunity to pay-it-forward
with incoming Rockets. Her favorite event in the role thus far has been Jesup Jam,
where she clued new Honors students into what they could expect in their academic
future. “Doing so was incredibly fulfilling," she says, "and I really felt like I
was helping some of them become a little less nervous about their classes.”
This investment in her community is hardly unique, though. Sarah additionally serves
as an Admissions Ambassador for the university and as the Visual Arts Chair for Campus
Activities and Programming, a group which plans events to foster a fun and stress-free
environment for all Rockets. She is also a member of Camp Kesem, which hosts a summer
camp for children battling cancer, and is the Vice President of PERIOD-MEDLIFE. This
group combats the stigma surrounding menstrual health and promotes global access to
water, food, shelter, and healthcare that is free as well as adequate.
Interesting Personal Fact: “My sister, Marina, graduated from UToledo with her JSHC medallion earlier this year.
She is actually one of the reasons I joined the Honors College!”
Sami Alchakaki
Sami Alchakaki is, as a future medical student, on a mission. After learning that
college is all about doing your best to succeed in as many areas of life as possible,
he’s identified the Honors College as one of the most helpful tools to do so. “When
you’re in college, nothing is straightforward and simple,” he says. “You have to think
about how you’re going to 
excel in your classes and your social life as well as how you’re going to become a
better person.” He sees this issue a lot in his Biology major, where you must read
between the lines of the lecture and see past the data into the real-life scenarios.
As it turns out, excelling in Honors classes isn’t all that challenging. Since these
courses tend to be smaller than normal, Sami finds his professors can devote more
time to each student while they enjoy more freedom to bounce ideas off each other.
“Taking Honors classes gives students different pathways and opportunities than a
core subject may make available on its own,” he notes. Sami was also surprised in
HON 1010 “Ideas and Society” how manageable it was to juggle reading two books at
once, and how doing so clarified parallel social and political tones in the texts.
The course also made it easy, he says, to relate its content to the real world while
allowing students to open-up about their personal pasts and opinions.
To boot, the JSHC’s own Dr. Heidi Appel is the most welcoming dean Sami has ever met.
He cites her as one of the main reasons is so passionate about Honors. He got to meet
her over a Zoom meeting during the summer where she connected him more deeply to the
JSHC to develop his future goals. What stood out most was when she told Sami, “If
you need anything, I’m there for you.”
Interesting Personal Fact: “I’ve been observing the night sky with my own telescope for the last few years! I
want to further expand my interest in this hobby and possibly turn it into a side
job, where I work somewhere part-time that involves observing the night sky or analyzing
resultant data.”
Andrew Gerts
Now a senior Biology student, Andrew Gerts walked into his freshman year on campus
without knowing a soul. Fast forward, and Andrew is deeply involved in the campus
community and beyond! Attempting to improve the lives of as many 
people as he can, his gratitude for others has morphed into a personal mission to
support medical personnel around the globe.
“I have been volunteering at a free clinic for the last three years,” Andrew said.
“During my first year there, I noticed many doctors didn’t know the medical abbreviations
for some of the diagnoses. They would often ask Siri what the medical abbreviation
was for a certain condition, but Siri wouldn’t know.” In response, Andrew co-developed
an app that provides the medical abbreviation for any condition.
His zeal for helping others has also been demonstrated on the international stage.
One of his favorite memories in college was traveling to Jamaica with the Honors College
in April 2019. “We stayed there for about a week, and it didn’t feel like enough time,”
Andrew says. On the trip, he met amazing people, handled supplies and held workshops
with the citizens, and was even able to play soccer with the local children.
Fun Personal Fact: “In my free time, I love doing anything auto-related. I really enjoy working on cars and I built a replica Shelby Cobra from the ground-up.”
Michelle Cherian
Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day-in and day-out. This concept has
optimized Michelle Cherian’s discipline and success with online classes, molding friendships
in student organizations, furthering her career aspirations, and strengthening her
leadership skills. Few things can be considered “huge tasks” when you break them down
into bite-sized 
and low-stress pieces!
This may be why Michelle’s favorite Honors class has been the eye-opening HON 2010
“Multicultural Toledo” taught by Dr. Emily Bedwell. Michelle learned there about the
rich history of the Toledo community – not through lectures and textbook readings,
but through encountering the city on her own. The class emphasized in-person engagement
by assigning neighborhood walkabouts, asking students to journal about the experience
and sharing their reflections with each other. Doing so educated Michelle and her
peers about the socioeconomic development of Toledo as well as its intersections with
religion, race, and community groups.
In January of 2020, Michelle was also able to travel to Honduras with Global Medical
Brigades. Though traveling abroad is no “small effort,” it was the little victories
during the trip that made the world for the communities she served. There, she showed
children how to wash their hands and brush their teeth as well as taught adults about
their general health and gynecology. Last March, Michelle also traveled to the Galapagos
Islands with JSHC Dean Heidi Appel and six other Honors students. There, through exploration
and conversation, they learned first-hand the importance of biology and conservation
within the region.
Favorite UToledo Experience: “My trip to Honduras taught me about the privileged position I occupy living in the
United States. It forced me to re-evaluate my own life and remain appreciative of
the things and experiences that I have the ability to enjoy.”
Eryn Close
Eryn Close lives by a simple motto: it’s important to remember that, when you put
yourself out there and take professional risks, the worst thing that can happen is
someone tells you “no!” Though simple, the Exercise Science major attributes her success
with job opportunities (even those she might not feel qualified applying for), making
friends, and her work in the Motion Analysis & Integrative Neurophysiology Lab to
that mindset.
Just starting her second year at UToledo, Eryn has already gained a leadership role
in MAIN HUB, a new research club on campus, and even acquired a job assisting with
lab work. She also volunteers with doctoral students in collecting and processing
data on adolescent running biomechanics and was accepted to present her work at the
American Society of Biomechanics conference! Her abstract focuses on the ways in which
different shoe types affect the joint angles of adolescent runners.
That same motto also encouraged Eryn to join the First Look program when she started her first month of college. Though COVID-19 restrictions
would keep the group from interacting in-person, she thought, “Why not give it a try?”
Since then, she’s been amazed by students and faculty participating in it from all
different departments with unique specialties. “What really struck me was how involved
the faculty were,” Eryn said. “They were engaged in activities and spoke to the returning
students with comfortable familiarity, which really showed me how close-knit the Honors
College is.”
Favorite Honors Course: “I loved the way HON 1010 ‘Ideas and Society’ was designed around a semester-long
theme and was a discussion-based class. My professor, Alysha Cook, really valued our
ideas about the texts as much as the texts themselves!”
Priyanka Pulvender
Though the lab can form the boundaries of many scientists’ worlds, days spent measuring
or analyzing results and repeating experiments, Priyanka Pulvender’s horizons extend
more broadly. Beyond her classes and research, the 
Bioengineering major is focused on creating a more vibrant campus-life as well as
an equitable society.
After beginning her academic journey, Priyanka quickly noticed that all of her favorite
moments of college included socializing and welcoming arms: game nights with The Voice
of Honors; being introduced to the city through HON 2010 “Multicultural Toledo;” and
joining Campus Activities and Programming – which helps plan the fun parts of almost
any come-one-come-all event on campus. Priyanka relishes the amazing feeling of being
surrounded by like-minded people. Whether it’s through Honors classes or joining a
club that engages your moral values or satisfies your expectations of a good time,
a university that feels like home is the perfect place to stimulate important conversations
and have the time of your life.
Considering that, Priyanka decided to found her own chapter of a club on campus. PERIOD-MEDLIFE
focuses on ending period poverty, running educational workshops to challenge the stigma
surrounding menstruation, and collaborating toward sustainability. The club has welcomed
dedicated students from all over campus who are driven to service.
Interesting Personal Fact: “I’m excited to start as an Honors Student Ambassador and to work with prospective
Rockets after my co-op this semester concludes! I would really like to express my
appreciation for all UToledo has done for me.”