The Honors Academy Class of 2011-2012:

Making a Difference Outside of the Classroom

By 
Melinda J. Frederick, Honors Academy & Honors Program Coordinator 

Fourteen new and eight returning students are members of the 2011-2012 Honors Academy. These twenty-two students represent all four academic divisions, including Health Sciences (3), Social Science and Business (4), Liberal Arts (7), and STEM (8). In addition to being among the top students in the college academically, what distinguishes members of the Honors Academy is their commitment to leadership, service and civic engagement outside of the classroom.

Honors Academy members give back to their fellow students. This year, seven Honors Academy students will serve as Peer Mentors in the ALANA program and four students will serve as Peer Mentors in the International Education Center. Two Academy students volunteer scribes for the Disability Support Services and four students volunteer as math and science tutors.

Honors Academy members are leaders among their peers. Many students serve as club officers, student ambassadors, and members of the collegian centers. Academy member, Tia Holmes, is the Student Representative to the Board of Trustees and Noor Tagouri is Vice President for Public Relations in the Student Governance Association.

Academy members are athletes. Satcha Robinson returns for her second season as Captain of the Women’s Soccer Team. Robert Stewart helps coach the Boys’ Soccer team at Eleanor Roosevelt High school. Academy volunteer in hospitals in their communities and coordinate service events, such as the Walk Now for Autism, the Bone Marrow Registry, Christmas in April and Alternate Spring Break.

Finally, Academy members gain valuable real world, hands-on training and experience in internships, conference participation and service learning opportunities. Last summer, four current members held prestigious internships at the National Institute of Health, the University of Michigan, the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Natural and Historical Resources Division, Archeology Program and the Capitol Hill Office of Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD). Last year, four Honors Academy members participated in the Volunteers in Tax Assistance program (VITA) and six members attended the Maryland Collegiate Honors Council annual meeting to present posters and lead panel discussions.

On September 28, 2011, President Charlene M. Dukes welcomed the new and continuing members of the Honors Academy, Legacy Scholars and Kathy and Jerry Woods scholarship recipients at a reception held in their honors pictured below:

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	From left to right: Lindsey Dodson, Tia Holmes, Charlene Dukes, Satcha Robinson, Alonia Sharps		From left to right: Tia Holmes and Satcha Robinson		Tia Holmes		Satcha Robinson

 

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