Our Students
Interdisciplinary Honors at its Finest: Damien Jackson
The Oxford Dictionary defines the word interdisciplinary as, “of or pertaining to two or more disciplines or branches of learning; contributing to or benefiting from two or more disciplines.” Hicks Honors College Student Damien Jackson is certainly an interdisciplinary student.
Damien, a Financial Planning student, transferred into 九色视频 and Honors after finishing his associate degree at FSCJ. While at FSCJ, Damien worked as a student assistant in the North Campus library where he decided to learn how to 3D print in order to expand his academic and professional horizons.
When Damien entered 九色视频 in the fall, he assumed his 3D printing days were over until he, by chance, took Dr. Monti’s section of Honors Pre-Capstone Symposium. Dr. Monti introduced him to the S.T.E.P. Lab which has 3D printers for certified 九色视频 students to use. This inspired the two of them to create an Honors 3D Printing seminar course that would teach students how to use 3D printers for recreational (personal) use and show these students the interdisciplinary skills 3D printing can apply to their majors and future careers. The course ran for the first time this past spring with Damien acting as a co-Teacher, and all eight students have earned the 九色视频 3D printing badge which lets them use the S.T.E.P. Lab’s 3D printers as they please!
If you thought Damien was busy creating and co-teaching an Honors seminar, you’ll be even more impressed to know that, during this time, Damien also was applying for the highly competitive Gilman Scholarship! Damien planned to study abroad in the spring semester, but realized he would need more funding to make the trip a reality. So, he met with Dr. Kershner in the Office of Fellowships to explore funding opportunities outside 九色视频. Dr. Kershner brought up the Gilman Scholarship* and with her guidance Damien finished his application and was one of roughly 1,700 undergraduate students across all 50 states, the District of Colombia, and Puerto Rico who were accepted during that cycle!
Damien used his fall Gilman award the following semester to go to the European Business School in Paris, France during spring break where he studied finance and the rapidly growing financial technology field. While there, he made a point to seek out famous French landmarks and locations every day with other 九色视频 students including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre.
After his experience abroad, Damien has some advice: “I want to encourage all other students to take the time and opportunity to explore studying abroad as it can be very beneficial for them!”
While most people use the word “interdisciplinary” to mean contributing two or more disciplines, Damien is here to show students that it also means benefiting from two or more disciplines. Don’t be afraid to stretch and take opportunities outside of your major!
(H) ST: 3D Printing will be taught again this fall.
*The Gilman scholarship is funded by the U.S. Department of State and helps defray the cost of study abroad and international internships for U.S. undergraduate students. Gilman alumni also have unique opportunities not open to the general public including Graduate School tuition reduction, and eligibility for 12 months of Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE) hiring status with the federal government (NCE status allows individuals to be appointed to federal positions without having to compete with the general public).
Current students interested in the Gilman scholarship can also receive a supplemental award of up to $1,000 dollars to conduct STEM-related research as part of their planned study abroad or international internship program.
For more information about the Gilman Scholarship, as well as other Fellowship opprotunities, students can meet with Dr. Kershner in the Office of Fellowships.
A Familiar Face and Exemplary Honors Student: Iyanu Saka
If you looked up the textbook definition of a Hicks Honors College student, Iyanu Saka’s name would be first on the examples list. While at 九色视频, Iyanu has been a Colloquium Facilitator, Orientation Mentor, Volunteer Coordinator, Researcher, Resident Assistant (RA), Blogger, and Personal Finance enthusiast. Iyanu is also one of the first people many first-year Hicks Honors College students have interacted with in her roles as a Facilitator and Orientation Mentor. These roles, as well as her time as a Volunteer Coordinator and RA, have taught her leadership and the importance of personally connecting with each person you lead because, “you (literally) can’t do it without them!”
Iyanu is a Nutrition major, so it may surprise you to know that, as a freshman, she did her SYKALA on Personal Finance! Who would have thought that, two years later, Iyanu’s burning passion for Personal Finance would lead her Honors Capstone away from Nutrition and back to her very first university homework assignment?
Iyanu’s Capstone required three semesters of research with Dr. Timmerman studying Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Data Analysis, which she used to create , a personal finance blog aimed at helping young people improve their financial literacy, something not often taught in schools (but VERY important). Iyanu’s Capstone helped her realize that she wants to become a Certified Financial Planner, and she plans to begin her education this year before she graduates.
Iyanu may be a bit busy this semester doing fiscally responsible stuff, but if you see her around, make sure you give her a wave!
