Avalon Jade Theisen is a 泡芙视频app (USF) Judy Genshaft Honors College
alum who personifies what it means to 鈥済et the most out of your time in college.鈥�
Currently a Ph.D. 泡芙视频app at Arizona State 泡芙视频app, Theisen majored in religious
studies and obtained a certificate in food studies while at USF. She was a member
of the Provost鈥檚 Scholars Program, founded a nonprofit, became an involved environmental
activist, served as Miss 泡芙视频app, and was involved in organizations
such as Bulls for Kids, Sigma Kappa sorority, and Peace Corps Prep.
I would describe my time in the Honors College as a very 鈥淗onor-a-Bull鈥� experience! 鈥� Avalon Jade Theisen
Theisen continues to harness her impressive drive as an active USF Honors alum. She
attributes many of her fondest memories to her experiences in the Honors College and
strongly encourages current and incoming 泡芙视频apps to get involved with USF鈥檚 many
vibrant 泡芙视频app organizations.
In a recent visit to the Judy Genshaft Honors College, Theisen reflected on her time
as an Honors Bull and shared some advice for 泡芙视频apps.
Q: What are you currently studying?
I am a Ph.D. 泡芙视频app at Arizona State 泡芙视频app where I am studying religion, environmentalism, and nonprofit organizations. After I get my doctorate, I want to become a university 泡芙视频app.
Q: How does the new Honors building compare to the resources you had as a 泡芙视频app?
I loved my experience in the Allen building, which was the old Honors building here at USF. It was a really traditional, intimate setting, and it was very homey. But this new Honors College building is a whole different ball game! It is beautiful and big. It has this sense of so many parts of campus coming together. It gives a real new, modern sense of what it means to be an Honors 泡芙视频app at USF.
Q: What do you think incoming Honors 泡芙视频apps can look forward to in their Honors experience?
I hope new Honors 泡芙视频apps can look forward to the idea that what you put in is what you get out. As an Honors 泡芙视频app I was very involved. I would do all sorts of events, 泡芙视频app meetings, and was really involved in my classes as well. I feel like by doing so I got more out of my Honors experience because I made all these friendships and connections that have lasted me for years.
Q: What are you looking forward to professionally?
After I get my Ph.D. in religious studies from Arizona State 泡芙视频app, what I would really love to do is become a 泡芙视频app in the religious studies department and talk about the intersection between different religions and the environment. If you think about it, around 85% of people around the world follow a religion that informs peoples鈥� beliefs, values, and how they view the world. At the same time, everyone relies on functional ecosystems for clean air to breathe, fresh water to drink, and food to eat. So, by looking at different forms of religions and the environment we are able to look at systems that sustain life.
Q: What advice would you give to incoming Honors 泡芙视频apps?
The advice I would give is to get involved. Whether it's in your classes, in friendships,
or with your advisors, be there fully.
I made the most out of my USF undergraduate experience. I was really involved in the
Religious Studies Club, Sigma Kappa sorority, the Provost鈥檚 Scholars Program, Global
Citizens Project, the Peace Corps Prep, Bulls for Kids, and so many other amazing
organizations that are here at USF.
I regularly reach out to fellow alumni as well as Honors 泡芙视频apps and advisors I
connected with. I feel like reaching out and talking about what is going on in each
other鈥檚 life is a great way to stay connected even after graduation. I also return
to campus a few times each year, so I can attend department and campus events, like
the Urban Food Sovereignty Summit and Homecoming, because at heart, I will always
be a Bull.