Heather Stroup, a first-year Judy Genshaft Honors College student and biology major
with a concentration in medical biology, has found a home at the University of South
Florida (USF). An out-of-state student from Monroe, Louisiana, she was eager to experience
Tampa and pursue medical research opportunities at USF, but she was also apprehensive
about leaving the familiarity that comes from being close to home.
Now, as she nears the end of her first year, Stroup is confident she made the right
decision. By joining the Herd of Thunder marching band, immersing herself in the , and engaging in Honors courses like Honors Foundations and Acquisition of Knowledge,
she has embraced campus life and made USF her own.
Choosing Tampa Bay
With close family in St. Petersburg, Stroup was already familiar with the sunny Tampa Bay region. However, when it came time to choose a school for college, scholarships played a key role in her decision.
鈥淭here鈥檚 all kinds of scholarship funding that Louisiana gives you to stay in-state, so it was difficult to branch out and choose the out-of-state option,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut for me, it was important to be in a place I know I鈥檓 going to love and that will shape me into the person I want to be.鈥�
During her senior year of high school, Stroup explored , USF鈥檚 scholarship portal, and applied for the Women in Leadership and Philanthropy (WLP) Judy Genshaft scholarship. Recipients of a WLP scholarship are automatically admitted into the WLP program, a network of professional women who regularly gather to share insights and opportunities.
Stroup has found inspiration and mentorship through WLP, attending conferences and connecting with successful women from diverse fields.
鈥淲omen in Leadership and Philanthropy brings women from all studies and backgrounds together to elevate ourselves, network, and meet new people,鈥� Stroup said. 鈥淲e have networking events, banquets, dinners, and speakers like U.S. Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes.鈥�
Finding Unexpected Connections
Through the WLP program, Stroup she made multiple connections with women leaders 鈥� even the Honors College's namesake, USF President Emerita Judy Genshaft. As an out-of-state student, Stroup admits she wasn鈥檛 initially familiar with Genshaft鈥檚 legacy at USF but quickly developed a strong connection with her.
鈥淚t was really cool to meet someone so influential to USF and this community, especially since I鈥檓 not from the area,鈥� Stroup said. 鈥淚 think she鈥檚 a great person, and everyone should know her.鈥�
Regular meetings and even phone calls with Genshaft helped Stroup adjust to life on the Tampa campus and boosted her confidence through inevitable challenges, like the fall semester鈥檚 back-to-back hurricanes. One piece of advice from Genshaft stood out: 鈥淒on鈥檛 hold yourself back or be your own worst enemy 鈥� allow yourself to succeed.鈥�
Honors courses and programs also helped Stroup find her footing. In her first semester, courses like Honors Foundations and Acquisition of Knowledge prepared her for collegiate expectations, fostering professionalism and new ways of thinking.
鈥淗onors Foundations taught me skills that will help me succeed, like building a strong r茅sum茅,鈥� Stroup said. 鈥淎nd taking Acquisition of Knowledge with Dr. Benjamin Young helped me keep an open mind and broaden my horizons.鈥�
Acquisition of Knowledge, a required course for all Honors students, explores diverse ways of thinking and encourages interdisciplinary inquiry. Beyond her first-semester coursework, Stroup took Disability and Pop Culture with instructor Kyle Romano, a course offering hands-on insight into the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities. Stroup appreciated exploring how disability is represented in media and learning about the valuable perspectives of those with disabilities.
鈥淭hese courses wouldn鈥檛 typically fit into my major鈥檚 course plan,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut the Honors College allows me to take a diverse range of courses and be part of a vibrant community of faculty and students.鈥�
Campus and Tampa Life
In addition to applying herself academically, Stroup is also a member of the , where she plays the flute. Traveling for football games helped her bond with bandmates,
forming friendships even before her first semester.
She is also involved in Medi-Futures, a virtual shadowing program where students gain
health care experience.
Outside of campus, Stroup enjoys exploring Tampa 鈥� walking along the city鈥檚 Riverwalk, attending Tampa Bay Lightning games, and taking in the city鈥檚 vibrant atmosphere.
鈥淭here鈥檚 so much to do 鈥� it makes me feel on top of the world,鈥� she said.
What鈥檚 Next
Looking ahead, Stroup plans to continue to learn from her Acquisition of Knowledge
professor, Dr. Benjamin Young, who leads the Honors Semester in Exeter study abroad program, where students get the chance to participate in a five-month exchange program in
the United Kingdom. She also hopes to gain hands-on medical research experience by
volunteering at Moffitt Cancer Center and securing an internship.
This summer, she will volunteer at a camp for children with disabilities, putting
into practice the lessons she learned during her first year.