Students sitting at desks look towards a woman who stands speaking

Honors College Student Leadership Opportunities

One of the many benefits of an Honors College education is the guidance you’ll receive from Honors College Teaching Assistants, Student Fellows and Faculty Mentors. Whether you are a freshman taking HC1000 or a graduating senior getting ready to submit a thesis - The Honors College has all the support you need to succeed.

Honors College Teaching Assistants & Dean Student Fellows

Teaching Assistants & Student Fellows

Teaching Assistants (TA) are the primary contact for all Honors College freshman during their HC1000 experience. Honors College Staff are always here to assist you should you need additional support and guidance along the way.

You too can become a Teaching Assistant throughout your Honors College experience. If you have successfully completed HC1000, meet the minimum 3.5 grade point average requirement, you can apply for this paid position which has a fall semester commitment. Training sessions are mandatory and take place prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

The TA application process along with other detailed information is also posted during the winter semester in The Honors College "Weekly Announcements" (sent to your Oakland University email).

Once you have successfully completed this assignment, it opens the doors for many more opportunities not only within The Honors College but within the entire university. If you would like to apply for a Dean's Student Fellow position, you must have been a TA (preferably for two years). Simply check the corresponding box in the linked application

Application for Honors College TA and Dean's Student Fellow

DEAN'S STUDENT FELLOWS - Fall 2023

ANNA BRONKHORST

Major: English STEP w/ American Studies Concentration and History STEP minor
Campus Involvement: Honors College Student Fellow, Phi Alpha Theta Treasurer, Leadership OU, Creative Writing Club
Areas of Expertise: Organization, Time Management, Writing, and Leadership.
Fun Facts: I am the manager at a greenhouse during the summer.

CHLOE CARINGI

Major: Biology
Campus Involvement: HCSA president, Honors College student fellow, residential peer tutor, SI leader
Areas of Expertise: Biology, Genetics, History, English
Fun Facts: I don't like to watch movies because I always get bored before the end, I love to paint, and I enjoy learning random history facts.

ERIKA HEAD

Major: English Secondary Education with minors in Communication and Political Science
Campus Involvement: Collective, YoungLife, Sigma Tau Delta (English Honor Society), Honors College TA/SF, Network of enlightened Women.
Areas of Expertise: In terms of school, I can help you with writing, reading, analyzing, communications, government, online selling, time management, planning, and organization. In terms of work and hobbies, I can talk all day about making Starbucks drinks, Formula 1, going to the gym, or college football. I can also give you a guided tour of MeadowBrook Hall on campus!
Fun Facts: I love to travel and collect starbucks mugs of the states and countries that I have visited. So far, I have 18 mugs in the four years that I have been collecting. In summer 2022, I went to London, England with an OU study abroad program and enjoyed every minute of it!

JENNA MERI

Major: Biology
Campus Involvement: OU Rotaract President, Organic Chemistry Supplemental Instructor, Sigma Xi Member (Scientific Research Honors Society), Undergraduate Researcher in Biology/Biochemistry
Areas of Expertise: The sciences, football, and everything cat related
Fun Facts: I love painting, drawing, and spending time with my family!

TEACHING ASSISTANTS
HC1000 small group leaders - Fall 2023

ANDREA ACSINIUC

Major: Biomedical Sciences
Campus Involvement: Gamma Phi Beta sorority, Undergraduate Women in Healthcare, Mentor for the ECLIPSE Leadership Program, Researcher in the Biology Department, and I participate in many OU volunteering events!
Areas of Expertise: Anything science related and I would say I give great life advice!
Fun Facts: I’m Canadian and often spell colour and favourite with a U!

MARYAM AKRAWI

Major: Clinical Diagnostic Science with a concentration in Pre-Physician Assistant
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, Pre-PA Society, Collective
Areas of Expertise: Sciences, organization, sewing, embroidery
Fun Facts: I have a big embroidery machine that I use to embroider things like sweatshirts!

CHRISTOPHER ALEXOPOULOS

Major: Biology
Campus Involvement: Research Assistant, Pre-Medical Society
Areas of Expertise: Sciences, Class Scheduling
Fun Facts: With five cats and one dog, animals outnumber humans in our home

ZOHAIB ALI

Major: Finance & Accounting
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, Oakland University Student Congress Legislator, Honors College Student Association, Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society, Society for Applied Investing and Financial Education Secretary, Oakland University Student Philanthropy Committee, Financial Management Association, Brain Exercise Initiative, Emerging Leaders, Entrepreneurs In Action, Oakland Accounting Student Information Society, Collegiate DECA, Muslim Student Association, and Pakistani Student Association
Areas of Expertise: Business, MMA, Soccer, Fitness, Music, Movies, Politics, and Planning
Fun Facts: I absolutely love to travel and have traveled to almost all of the states, a large amount of Canada, and a few countries overseas. I hope to go to many more places over the years.

EMMA ALTGELT

Major: Human Resource Development; Minor: Criminal Justice
Campus Involvement: HC1000 TA, Vice President and Recruitment Director of Tri Sigma National Sorority: Theta Theta Chapter
Areas of Expertise: Communication, public speaking, literature and writing, and leadership development
Fun Facts: This is my third year of being an HC1000 TA (which is hard to believe!), I have a pet ball python, I have 6 tattoos, and upon graduation I will go on to become a commercial international airline pilot

MADDI BANISTER

Major: Nursing
Campus Involvement: Honors College, Honors College TA, Running Club, SNAOU
Areas of Expertise: Health Care, Science (Biology), Volunteering, Time Management, Good Study Habits
Fun Facts: I have one dog (Golden Retriever), I work at Gordon Food Service when I'm not in school, and I spend lots of time with friends and family. I also love to read and draw.

CHRISTEN BROUGHTON

Major: Psychology
Campus Involvement: WXOU Radio Talk Show Host, Vandenberg Dining Hall Baker, Psychology Research Assistant, Campus Buddies
Areas of expertise: Psychology Research
Fun facts: My random hyper-fixations have led me to learn how to very mediocrely crochet, embroider, play the ukulele, guitar, flute, and drums as well as have an encyclopedic knowledge of far too many films and TV shows.

GRACE BRUCK

Major: Biology with cell-molecular specialization
Campus involvement: Catholic Campus Ministries tabling manager, Honors College TA, Presidential scholar, undergraduate bioinformatics research
Areas of Expertise: biology, organization, time management, Irish folklore
Fun Facts: My favorite book genre is historical fiction, I've been playing piano for thirteen years, and I also work in the office at my church.

KATELYN BUTLER

Major: Marketing
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, Student Video Productions promotional director, Women's Leadership and Mentor Program mentee, OU SBA business scholar, OU SBA marketing liaison, Out For Business marketing director and treasurer, Meadowbrook Ball Committee member, Gender and Sexuality Alliance member, OU Swifties member
Area of Expertise: Leadership, writing, time management, communication, and mentorship
Fun Facts: Although I'm a business major, acting is my passion so I pursue that both through and outside of OU along with other creative outlets that allow me to express myself

KARA DELVENTHAL

Major: Accounting and Finance
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, OU Rec Well Program Assistant and Supervisor (Sports and Recreation Programming), Women's Club Volleyball Vice President
Areas of Expertise: Time management, organization, involvement opportunities, math, movies
Fun Facts: I've been ATVing through Costa Rica twice

RILEY DEMOND

Major: Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Environmental Science
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, YDSA (Young Democratic Socialists of America, Grizzlies for Choice, Society of Women Engineers, Engineers for a Sustainable World.
Areas of Expertise: Organization, Mathematics, Time management, STEM
Fun Facts: I love to listen to and learn new music. I am very involved in protecting our environment and our community, especially in politics. I also love to bake, pop culture, and everything nerdy.

MIA ESPEDIDO

Major: Nursing
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, SNAOU
Areas of Expertise: Paper Crafts, Drawing, Time Management, Organization
Fun Facts: I’ve gotten sleep paralysis frequently to the point where I try to remain paralyzed to see what happens next. My sleep paralysis demon is Jeff the Killer, and ever since I saw Momo, she also joined.

EMILY FURNEAUX

Major: Psychology
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, Pep Band
Areas of Expertise: Time management, life on campus, psychology, making instant ramen
Fun Facts: I play numerous rhythm games in my free time. Also, I enjoy sewing, crafting, and drawing.

JIMENA GARCIA

Major:Political Science with a Business Minor
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, Student Congress Director of Internal Affairs, YDSA Secretary, Pre-Law Club
Areas of Expertise:Politics, reading, writing, studying, organization, dogs, and watercolor painting.
Fun Facts: I love horror movies, speak Spanish, and play chess. Also, my all-time favorite show is Avatar the Last Airbender.

DOMINIC KAJU

Major: Biology (B.S.)
Campus Involvement: Member of ECLIPSE, I also research for a lab at OU!
Areas of Expertise: I love general chemistry and all levels of biology!
Fun Facts: I love playing soccer, going to the gym, and I am Chaldean

MARA KARPUK

Major: English
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, Meadowbrook Ball Committee Member, GSA Member
Areas of Expertise: Writing, Literature, Being Cozy, Music
Fun Facts: I went to an IB school for high school and as a result took 4 years of German. I was able to finally visit Germany this summer along with a couple other countries in Europe!

LOLA LARSON

Major: Psychology
Campus Involvement: Vitality Dance Team and ΣΣΣ Sorority (Tri-Sigma)
Areas of Expertise: Communication, stress and time management
Fun facts: I used to have a dog named Portia named after my family’s Porsche and now we have a dog named Harley after my moms old motorcycle.

JAY LOBSINGER

Major: Studio Art
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, Oakland University Percussion Studio, Golden Grizzlies Athletic Band, Gender and Sexuality Alliance, OU Art Gallery Attendant, Presidential Scholar
Areas of Expertise: Visual art, music, writing, basic ASL, supporting the community, being silly and goofy
Fun Facts: I currently plan on getting a Master's degree in Animation after I graduate from OU, every member of my immediate family has a name that starts with J, and I have five dogs at home!

SHIRA LOVE

Major: Economics
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, Business Honors Program, Alpha Lambda Delta
Areas of Expertise: The arts, baking, government, listening, giving advice, organization, astrology
Fun Facts: In my free time, I like to write, sing, and listen to music. I've been working on a mystery novel for a while now. I also recently started tarot reading and it's been super fun!

CECILIA MATTI

Major: Psychology
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, Gamma Phi Beta, Alpha Lambda Delta, Chaldean American Student Association
Areas of Expertise: Singing, Reading, Communication, Pre-law, Taylor Swift
Fun Facts: I was born in Canada and I love the dystopian genre!!

LIZZIE MATTI

Major: English (STEP)
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, Chaldean American Student Association, Presidential Scholar
Areas of Expertise: English, Reading, Writing, Talking (all the time)
Fun Facts: I'm really into anime/manga and have collected more than 200 volumes as well as some figures!

ETHAN MILLER

Major: Finance
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, Presidential Scholar, and Pick it Up! The Euchre Club at Oakland University
Areas of Expertise: Math, Video Editing/Production, Organization, and Time Management
Fun Facts: I was filmed for a Royal Caribbean commercial when I was 13, I used to have the world record in a game called Jake and Jade the Pirate Monkeys in Pirate Monkey Run, and I am terrible at skateboarding but working to get better.

SABRINA MOHLER

Major: Biology
Campus Involvement: MeadowBrook Hall, honors college TA, research assistant
Areas of Expertise: Science, organization, stress management
Fun Facts: I love the rain and being in nature!

AYAH NEIROUKH

Major: Biomedical Sciences
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, OU Best Buddies
Areas of Expertise: Science, Learning Languages, Pottery
Fun Facts: I enjoy solving Rubik’s cubes and my personal best is 10 seconds!

AINSLEY O'NEIL

Major: Business
Campus Involvement: VPO/VPHR and Alumni Relations Chair for Sigma Sigma Sigma, Honors College TA, Alpha Lambda Delta, Women in Business club, Society of Operations Management
Areas of Expertise: Time management, organization, team building, and stress management!
Fun Facts: I’ve picked up golfing over the past two years and I work at the golf course on campus! I love to read, bake, and do anything crafty.

MADISON PHAM

Major: Biomedical Sciences
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, Pre-Medical Society
Areas of Expertise: Anatomy, Physiology, Spanish, Drawing, Music
Fun Facts: I love playing Animal Crossing, listening to K-Pop, and crocheting things for my friends!

AMANI QAQISH

Major: Psychology
Campus Involvement: Honors College Member & TA, Research Assistant, Psi Chi Honor Society Co-President & Officer of Philanthropy, Alpha Lambda Delta, Undergraduate Research Society
Areas of Expertise: Writing, Statistics, Communication, Study Skills
Fun Facts: I love going to the gym, listening to music, meeting new people, and stress shopping!

ROHIT RAJALA

Major: Biomedical Sciences
Campus Involvement: Honors College Teaching Assistant, Lab Researcher in the Department of Chemistry, Pre-Medical Society
Areas of Expertise: Organization, Memorization, Pokemon and video games in general, Planning, Communications, Science, Napping, and Time Management.
Fun Facts: I made a joke about how valuable dirt is, which resulted in me getting a jar of dirt the size of my head as a graduation gift from my friends. I put it on proud display in my bedroom. My mother still hates me for it...

EVAN SHALLOW

Major: Marketing
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, American Marketing Association Member
Areas of Expertise: Making people laugh, music, and all technology
Fun Facts: I love to DJ and make new remixes. I am also a huge Trailer Trash Tammy fan.

LAUREN TAYLOR

Major: Political Science & Criminal Justice
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, President of Pre-Law Club, Alpha Lambda Delta, Member of the National Society of Leadership and Success
Areas of Expertise: Organization, Government, Politics, Crafting, Baking, Cooking, and Music
Fun Facts: I love anything related to journaling. I have several journals full of reviews for books, music, movies, and my travels that I'm always ready to show off!

ULA TUSKENYTE

Major: Psychology
Campus Involvement: GrizzGuard (president and founder), Student Program Board volunteer, Honors College TA, Orientation Group Leader
Fun Facts: I'm Lithuanian, I love the outdoors (camping, hiking, etc), I also love videogames and crafting

AUGUST WICKER

Major: Graphic Design w/ a minor in Advertising
Campus Involvement: Honors College TA, Center for Multicultural Initiatives, Meadow Brook Ball Committee Vice President, OU Brass Band, Golden Grizzlies Pep Band, Gender & Sexuality Alliance, GrizzGuard, and GraphixOU
Areas of Expertise: Digital illustration, layout design, crafts, obscure internet history, communication, writing, drawing, typography, and stress management.
Fun Facts: I make a lot of my own accessories! I enjoy playing around with fun shapes and colors.

Honors College Ambassador

Honors College Ambassadors

Are you interested in being more involved in The Honors College? Do you want to be a part of a student-run program within the HC?

The Honors College seeks ambitious, HC upperclassmen to help grow our program. Within the HC Ambassador program, you would be helping your colleagues run events and brainstorm new ones with the aim of supporting other HC students. We are in the process of expanding this program and can't wait to see all the new faces.

For more information, please email current Ambassadors
Kendall Binfet [email protected] or
Riley Binfet [email protected]

Honors College Presidential Scholar Internship Program

New in 2024! An opportunity for six (6) Presidential Scholars to become interns. This is a non-paid position that offers many benefits as noted below. We have a rolling application process and will select interns as needed. If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Dean Anne Jackson: [email protected]

Transcript will be noted you are an Honors College Intern, as you will have permission to register for a special section of HC 4400: Honors Internship Program.
Be involved on campus in a unique way by assisting as a Honors College student leader at admissions events. You will receive training to prepare for the events.
Your Presidential Scholar Medallion connections activities requirement will be covered in full by completion of this internship!
An amazing opportunity to network with campus partners and enhance your resume with this leadership experience.
Opportunity to provide student feedback and be a change agent regarding Honors College programs and services to enhance delivery of our programs.

Presidential Scholar Internship Application

Applebaum Internship Program

Applebaum Foundation Internship Program

With the support of the Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Family Foundation, The Honors College at Oakland University launched the Applebaum Student Internship Program in March 2021. This program provides students with an opportunity to spend a calendar year (January-December) working closely with Honors College Facilitators and community organizations in the city of Pontiac. The mission is to solve problems and build meaningful and sustainable solutions that impact the residents and students in Pontiac.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews begin during the fall semester. The program begins January 1st and ends December 31st. This award-based program is paid out at completion of the program.

2024 Interns have been selected. If you are a first, second or third year student and would like to be considered for this internship, please submit your application. If you are selected for an interview, notifications will be sent during the fall semester.

Applebaum Intern Coordinator: Dr. Susan Lynne Beckwith [email protected]

Application for Applebaum Internship Program

Honors College Graduate Assistants

The Honors College selects OU Graduate Students who are working towards their masters in counseling degrees to assist our Counseling office. The duration of the assignment is two semesters (fall/winter). Sometimes, there is a need to hire a graduate assistant during the summer semesters as well. For more information, send an email inquiry to Assistant Dean, Anne Jackson: [email protected]

Interested students should complete an application on Handshake.
Search Handshake Job Number: 8671977

Honors College Student Organizations

HONORS COLLEGE INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Join an Honors College Student Organization

Alpha Alpha Alpha

The Honors College is pleased to announce the formation of a new honor society, Alpha Alpha
Alpha (or Tri-Alpha), which recognizes the academic achievements of first-generation college
students. More information will be forthcoming in the Fall 2024 semester.

Alpha Lambda Delta

ALD provides a community of scholars, a platform to develop your leadership skills, and financial support through scholarships and educational partners. ALD has been guiding students to academic and career since 1939. More information can be found at GrizzOrgs.

Future Leader Dogs at Oakland University

All students are welcome to become members of Future Leader Dogs at Oakland University. This club, along with Leader Dog for the Blind work together to select student puppy raisers for a ten-twelve month period. The puppy will then return to Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester Hills, and continue to be trained by professional handlers before serving the visually impaired. Club members have the opportunity to help raise a puppy or become a "Campus Buddy" (sitter). Campus Buddies look after a raiser's puppy during certain classes or other times as needed. The org also host fundraisers and socials throughout the year to raise awareness about the visually impaired community and the importance of Leader Dogs for the Blind. For more information, please visit our GrizzOrgs.
Future Leader Dogs at Oakland
Oakland University News

Honors College Student Association

All HC students are automatically members of The Honors College Student Association (HCSA). HCSA hosts a variety of fun events each year for all Honors College students. To keep up to date on HCSA events, go to GrizzOrgs or to learn more, contact [email protected]

Honors College Critical & Creative Society

The Honors College Critical and Creative Society publishes OU student work in their journal, Echo Cognitio. They accept almost any form of written media including: poetry, short stories, screenplays, and research papers. And for those who don’t enjoy the thrill of writing, they also accept photography and other pieces of graphic art. Please email your submission(s) and/or your questions to [email protected]