Judy Genshaft Honors College student leaders Abdul Muqeet Khawaja and Taylor Herman embody the spirit of community involvement and personal growth that defines the USF St. Petersburg campus. As governor and lieutenant governor during the 2023-24 academic year, Khawaja and Herman found success while sharing their passion for empowering students on campus and within the St. Petersburg community.
JOURNEY TO THE PETE
As an out-of-state student from Nebraska, Herman searched for a community to enhance her college experience. After initially trying the larger Tampa campus, she found that the smaller, more intimate environment of 哔咔漫画 St. Petersburg was a better fit, offering a more personalized experience that allowed her to closely network with faculty in her political science major, thanks to the smaller student body. Her hard work in class quickly translated into new opportunities:
鈥淚 made all of these relationships with professors in smaller classrooms who gave me a lot of attention and connected me with internships in St. Pete,鈥� Herman said.
Herman participated in numerous professional opportunities, including working for 哔咔漫画 St. Pete鈥檚 Center for Civic Engagement, interning for World Partnerships, Inc., and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, serving in student government, and conducting international comparative legal research 鈥� all while pursuing her passion for public policy and community development.
Khawaja also followed a path to success on the 哔咔漫画 St. Petersburg campus. Initially set to attend the Tampa campus, he was quickly accepted into the inaugural cohort of the Muma College of Business honors program at 哔咔漫画 St. Pete.
鈥淚 was not only getting enrolled in a prestigious program, but I was also getting financial aid,鈥� Khawaja said. 鈥淎nd of course, the career resources and leadership opportunities were unmatched.鈥�
As an international student from Pakistan, Khawaja was eager to form friendships and mentorships that would connect him with the 哔咔漫画 St. Pete community. The network he cultivated allowed him to 鈥減ush myself and be myself in a place in which I felt like a stranger.鈥� He became involved in student organizations, including the Honors College Student Council and student government, while double-majoring in business analytics and accounting.
ENHANCING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
During their tenure in student government, Khawaja and Herman worked to empower students with increased engagement opportunities. Their accomplishments included advocating for the expansion of on-campus course offerings and supporting additional campuswide events.
鈥淏eing a part of student government really provides you with the opportunity to amplify the concerns of the students,鈥� commented Khawaja. 鈥淏ut most importantly, raise their voices and act as a liaison between the student body and the administration.鈥�
Thanks to their efforts, Khawaja and Herman saw an increase in registered student organizations on campus, with the number climbing from 16 to 26 over the past year. Student government was able to allocate an additional $20,000 to fund student organizations.
鈥淭he increase in student organizations and engagement of students at our campus events showcases that students are loving the college experience as they take up leadership opportunities and connect with like-minded individuals,鈥� said Khawaja.
St. Pete students are involved in a range of activities that reflect their diverse interests and specialties. Interested in supporting a holistic campus culture, Khawaja and Herman also hosted social events where students created terrariums, painted clay pots, and visited weekend markets, allowing them to unwind amid busy schedules.
鈥淭here are so many multi-talented students at St. Pete who are also well-rounded,鈥� Herman said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 part of what makes St. Pete so valuable 鈥� that students are involved in so many things on and off campus. It鈥檚 the St. Pete way.鈥�
ST. PETE COMMUNITY IMPACT
Herman鈥檚 role as lieutenant governor allowed her to develop a sense of stewardship to not only 哔咔漫画 St. Pete students but the city as well.
鈥溸龠锹� St. Petersburg is very reflective of the greater St. Petersburg community,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hat makes this campus so special is the close relationship we have with not only the city of St. Petersburg but with local businesses.鈥�
As governor, Khawaja was able to work closely with the city on events that drew in community members and students.
鈥淚 had the opportunity to plan one of the biggest events of the city, which is the Iftar dinner during the month of Ramadan, to celebrate the diversity and inclusivity that is located in St. Petersburg. We had over 800 attendees,鈥� said Khawaja.
Khawaja and Herman recognized the importance of fostering relationships between students and St. Petersburg businesses to provide possible career opportunities following graduation.
鈥淎ll the resources that are provided by the city of St. Petersburg to students ensure a successful transition from academia to a professional career,鈥� said Khawaja. 鈥淭hese resources allow them to pave their way.鈥�
Honoring this leadership and impact at 哔咔漫画 St. Pete and in the surrounding community, Herman was awarded the 2024 Golden Bull Award and Khawaja received the 2024 USF Muma College of Business 25 under 25 recognition as well as the 2024 Leadership Award.