Honors College News
Students Make Memories at Unforgettable Internships
Service research internships are a great way for Honors College students to learn about a camp or nonprofit. But the best part of all might be what they learn about themselves.
Why International Research Is Such an Experience
Picturesque views of landmarks such as Scotland’s Inveraray Castle (above) are a big attraction in international research experiences. But Honors College students come back with so many stories, they almost don’t know where to begin. But one thing they do know is why students shouldn’t hesitate about studying abroad.
So Many Stories To Tell from Warm Summer in England
Aarush Shintre (above) and Juanna John found that a summer in England on an international education trip can be culturally enriching … and surprisingly warm.
In Students’ View, Scotland Is Worthy of High Praise
Three National Merit Scholars gave their international research visit to Scotland nothing short of an A-plus. They shared stories of a trip to a bothy, amazing nature trails and ceilidh dancing.
After Initial Challenges, Studying in France Was a Kick
Sophia Vargas needed a little time to get accustomed to living in Paris, but a surprising game of soccer helped her embrace the freedom of her research experience.
Fast Friendship, Quick Thinking Created Germany Trip
Dr. Donal Skinner and Dr. Sascha Mölls like to get things done, and so do their universities. That attitude created the international research experience at Marburg University.
How Did They Get to UT Dallas? It’s All Related
Mari Hernandez and Terry Scholars® Natalia Camacho and Alexis Carranza (pictured, from left) are part of the same extended family, but that tells only a small part of their connection. Their influence on each other and their UT Dallas loyalty are a one-of-a-kind story.
Comets HELP: Words Matter in Geriatric Care
Dr. Jessica Voit (pictured, center) teaches Stefanie Martinez (left), Srividya Nalladdhighal (right) and other Comets HELP volunteers what assisting geriatric patients looks like … and sounds like.
URAP: No Previous Research Experience Required
The Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP) makes sure undergrads such as Tarun Anand (pictured) can get lab experience — even if they have never been in a lab.
Clark Program Provides Valuable Head Start
Stefanja Bjeletich (pictured) and other incoming first-year students received valuable research experience and, just as importantly, a taste of college life in the Clark Summer Research Program.
Elangovan Gives Speech Team Highest National Honors
Sneha Elangovan (front row, second from right in photo) had dreamed of making the quarterfinals of the national speech tournament. Then she made it in not one but two events and also was named to the All-American Speech team. Teammate Tyler Crivella also was a quarterfinalist.
Cambridge Will Be Study in Contrasts for 3 Graduates
Soon-to-be Honors College graduates Ethan Conner, Avery Bainbridge and Bronwen Olson are enrolled this fall in the University of Cambridge. They’re in for quite an experience, and Dr. Donal Skinner, Dean of the Honors College, can give them a preview — he was there for seven years.
Study Abroad Discoveries Venture Beyond Research
Students conducted interesting research on their trips to Scotland and Germany last summer. But there also was a lot to learn about life overseas.
Students’ Guide to Leadership Symposium: It Rules
The University Scholars Leadership Symposium in Bangkok was an unforgettable experience for six UT Dallas students — three apiece from the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College and Eugene McDermott Student Programs.
SPUR Kickstarts Undergrad Research in Size, Scope
The number of students participating in the Summer Platform for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) has grown by almost 50% in just three years, necessitating a bigger venue when the posters were presented in early August. But organizers are even more thrilled with the quality of the work.
Debate Team Continues to be a Study in Notable Success
How does the UT Dallas Debate Team qualify for the National Debate Tournament year after year? It starts with the students’ willingness to spend long hours of research preparing for competitions.
Comet Speech and Forensics’ Great Year, Far and Away
In just six years, Comet Speech and Forensics has become equipped to compete in national and international tournaments. The 2023-24 academic year included a trip to Ireland and Italy. Also: Find out how students navigate the various categories.
Callier Has Always Been in New Graduate’s Heart
Megan Cantwell, who is in Collegium V, received a cochlear implant and numerous other services from the Callier Center and now is graduating from UT Dallas. She has been accepted into the University’s highly ranked audiology program.
Honors College Students Find Joy in Serving Others
Comets READ and Comets HELP are two of the ways Honors College students energetically serve the community. “I love the commitment, the passion, the can-do,” said Dr. Donal Skinner, the Honors College dean.
Readings Courses Are the Talk of Honors College
The most innovative class offerings in the Honors College are also the shortest. Students are drawn to the Readings Courses because of the conversations they spark and not just because they’re only one hour a week.
Students Find Comfort, Community in Honors Lounge
The Honors Lounge is like a second home for many Hobson Wildenthal Honors College students. It’s a place to study, socialize and even do a 5,000-piece jigsaw puzzle.
Experiences Galore for National Merit, Terry Scholars
National Merit Scholars and Terry Scholars are just two of the programs that give Honors College students unforgettable experiences. Other opportunities include cultural events and roundtables with faculty and guest lecturers.
The Story behind Collegium V’s Name
Even the students in the Collegium V program might not understand the meaning of its name — let alone the proper pronunciation. Get ready for a classically creative answer that Aristotle (pictured) would appreciate.
Honors College’s Value Is Far-reaching
There are many reasons for UT Dallas students to consider the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College, but foremost are the opportunities to participate in research and to study abroad.
D.C. Was an Education for Archer Fellows
Ten students completed internships in our nation’s capital last fall. Here’s what they learned from the program that has benefited nearly 2,000 UT System students, including more than 330 from UT Dallas, since 2001.
Phi Kappa Phi Chapter Has Another Honoree
Breanna Shen BS’23 won a Marcus L. Urann Fellowship, marking the 12th year in a row that a nominee of the Phi Kappa Phi chapter at UT Dallas received one of the honor society’s awards.
Priya Jacob: Breaking Down Systemic Barriers to Care
Priya Jacob, in residency training in the Dell Medical School at UT Austin, is using what she learned at UT Dallas as she works to improve the quality and affordability of patient care. She was an Archer Fellow during her time on campus.
Student-Run Competition Gets Off to Healthy Start
Higher education often is about finding solutions in exams, projects, research or, in the case of Nandita Kumar and Avinash Chivakula, a highly successful student initiative.
The sophomores in the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College at The University of Texas at Dallas turned the inaugural Global Health Case Competition into much more than just another solution-oriented exercise. It taught lessons that its organizers, participants and judges won’t soon forget.
Parsa and Pouya Modareszadeh: Double Impact
Parsa and Pouya Modareszadeh, twin brothers with twin interests in biology, always planned to go to medical school.
But those plans will have to wait. The duo at The University of Texas at Dallas are entrepreneurs in a new biotech company started with their mentor, Dr. Li Zhang.
As first-year students in 2019, they were flattered when Zhang, professor of biological sciences in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and holder of a Cecil H. and Ida Green Distinguished Chair in Systems Biology Science, approached them about starting a biotech company.
Scholar Aims To Take Pursuits Higher with Brooke Owens Fellowship
International political economy senior Cari Reinert, a Eugene McDermott Scholar, has become the first University of Texas at Dallas student to be selected as a Brooke Owens Fellow.
The fellowship awards exceptional undergraduate women and gender-minorities with space and aviation internships, senior mentorships and a lifelong professional network. This year, 47 fellows were chosen from more than 1,000 applicants based on their “incredible talent, desire to pursue a career in aerospace, standout creative abilities, record of leadership and … commitment to their communities.”
Hobson Wildenthal Honors College Welcomes New Dean
Dr. Donal Skinner, who led the honors programs at Ohio University and the University of Wyoming, has joined The University of Texas at Dallas as dean of the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College, effective Jan. 17
Skinner, an accomplished educator, researcher and academic administrator with more than 25 years of experience, had been the dean of the Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University since 2019 and served as the inaugural dean of the Honors College at the University of Wyoming from 2017 to 2019.