# data[].attributes.headline
Honors Volunteers at Rise Up Community Farm

# data[].attributes.subject
Honors Volunteers at Rise Up Community Farm

# data[].attributes.body
In 2021, our students spent time volunteering at Rise Up Community Farm, a local urban farm focused on food security and youth development. Honors student Sam Shores captured the fun. (Fun fact: Did you know Mari Carl Fisher, Rise Up's executive director, is an Honors College alumna, and that Rise Up was born partially from her thesis research?)

# data[].attributes.body
As Sam finishes up his senior year at UNCW, he talks about marine biology research with Dr. Posey, leading UNCW's Plastic Ocean Project, and how his videography hobby has made big impacts on campus.

# data[].attributes.body
Each spring break, we bring a handful of students on a retreat to Asheville, NC--a time to explore nature, absorb the quirky culture of North Carolina's mountain hub, and reflect and bond with other students.

# data[].attributes.body
Chemistry professor Dr. Nathan Grove and recent grad Danny McKenzie reflect on their mentor/mentee relationship.

# data[].attributes.body
Sarah Bischoff '19 was an honors student and recipient of the Rosenberg Scholarship. Experience Sarah's final year at UNCW as she prepares to teach elementary school abroad.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A Year with Sarah Bischoff, Scholarship Recipient

# data[].attributes.body
Kylie talks about her honors thesis research and how it's impacting cancer treatment.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kylie Wright, a double major in biology and philosophy, discusses her honors thesis.

# data[].attributes.body
See the trip highlights!

# data[].attributes.headline
An Interview with Cole Tillett, former UNCW SGA president

# data[].attributes.subject
An Interview with Cole Tillett, former UNCW SGA president

# data[].attributes.body
"[Being SGA president] really forced me to look into myself, what did I believe in, how can I inspire others, and what can I do to make others’ lives better. I spent a lot of time thinking introspectively and worrying about how I can make a difference in my own life but more importantly in others."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
How did being the SGA president shape you?

It really forced me to look into myself, what did I believe in, how can I inspire others, and what can I do to make others' lives better. I spent a lot of time thinking introspectively and worrying about how I can make a difference in my own life but more importantly in others. I learned a lot about my abilities, my strengths, weaknesses and what I actually enjoyed. It was by far my most formative year because I had to be a figurehead, a leader, and make tough decisions, all while trying to graduate! I am so glad that I underwent this journey as it shaped me to become a more confident, decisive and empathetic person.

Can you share a favorite memory from your term?

I have a few favorite memories: when I took the oath of office was the first one and when I left office another! One that really stuck with me was when I nominated our Vice Chancellor for the William C. Friday lifetime achievement award. I read up on the description of the award and VC Pat Leonard was absolutely the first person that came to my mind. I nominated her and immediately spoke to her office about getting information for writing my recommendation for the award. I received her resume and it was even more impressive than I imagined! She has done so much for her community from the greater Wilmington area to the national level! She is well known across the higher education industry in NC to the point that when NC State heard they were up against her for the award, they withdrew their nomination and endorsed her. She truly deserved the award and while I thought this was a minor award given from students, she absolutely loved it. She wrote me personally-multiple handwritten notes-thanking me for the nomination and she explained that in all of her years as a public servant, this was her proudest achievement and recognition. Seeing how happy I made someone who has had such an impact on my life and the life of every single Seahawk that has passed through our campus since the 1980s really struck an emotional chord with me.

What do you hope to see future presidents accomplish?

I want future presidents to accomplish what they believe is right and to support the student body. This position, while it comes with a certain degree of prestige and notoriety, is not meant to be for our own personal gain but many student leaders forget that. I feel as if the president's charge is to represent the student body in its entirety and work to make UNCW a more enjoyable experience for current and future generations of Seahawks. However presidents go about doing this is up to them, their team and those they work with! North Carolina's state motto Esse quam videri (to be rather than to seem), I feel perfectly personifies my feeling toward the presidency and hope that future presidents will take it upon themselves to act upon their promises rather than merely pretend to be representatives and leaders.

What are you hoping to achieve now that you are no longer president?

I hope to find a job in North Carolina and eventually get involved in local government. I feel that if I can make a difference whether it be through volunteering, participating in government and being a productive member of our society is part of what it means to be an American. I hope to make the world a better place for all those who come after us.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It really forced me to look into myself, what did I believe in, how can I inspire others, and what can I do to make others' lives better. I spent a lot of time thinking introspectively and worrying about how I can make a difference in my own life but more importantly in others.

# data[].attributes.headline
Julie Martin and the Feminist Student Alliance

# data[].attributes.subject
Julie Martin and the Feminist Student Alliance

# data[].attributes.body
When you are inspired by a speech, it feels like your body is moving. Or at least that’s how mine felt at the Wilmington Women’s March.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When you are inspired by a speech, it feels like your body is moving. Or at least that's how mine felt at the Wilmington Women's March. Listening to the empowering words from the speakers was an amazing feeling. It's how I imagine young boys feel when they walk out of the movie theatre after seeing a male-led action film. The speeches made me feel fierce -- that being a woman is fierce. I look up to all the women who spoke during the march.

I hope that the people who come to the UNCW Feminist Student Alliance (FSA) meeting can look up to me as well. While I may not speak as eloquently as the people at the march, I hope FSA members can see me as someone that they feel comfortable to share their thoughts about feminism and women empowerment with. In meetings, I try to cover a broad range of topics related to feminism such as feminism and the media, men and feminism, intersectional feminism, and more. This semester we will have similar topics, but to not be repetitive, more specific subjects will be discussed. These subjects will include transgender people and feminism, feminism across the globe, and a special meeting in April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

With FSA, we try to make it known that we aren't going to just spew information at people but allow for a safe space for people to share their stories, thoughts, and beliefs without feeling judged or ostracized. Each meeting is like a new rally speech to share information, empower women, and encourage everyone to embrace feminism and not think of it as another F word.

It is empowering at Women's Marches to hear people cheer at the word "feminism" rather than groan. It is a word that has a simple meaning that not many people seem to understand. Another part of FSA's goal is to help people understand that feminism is another word for gender equality.

Women are trying to catch up on all the opportunities that we missed out on in history. That includes women of every color, religion, sexuality, and ethnicity. FSA is trying to get individuals to see feminism as an empowering word. To know that feminism is not just for women. Whether it is a Women's March, a FSA meeting, or a conversation about feminism, we need to talk about it to have more people be moved and experience that amazing feeling that I felt at the Women's March.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When you are inspired by a speech, it feels like your body is moving. Or at least that's how mine felt at the Wilmington Women's March. Listening to the empowering words from the speakers was an amazing feeling. It's how I imagine young boys feel when they walk out of the movie theatre after seeing a male-led action film.

# data[].attributes.body
In 2019, Savannah Miller spent the summer in Sitka, Alaska as a NOAA Hollings scholar.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In 2019, Savannah Miller '20 received the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hollings Scholarship. During the summer of 2019, she lived in Sitka, Alaska, and worked at the Sitka Tribe of Alaska's Environmental Research Lab. In this video, she shares her passion for the One Health concept and how that relates to Native Alaskans. "I love being a learner," she shared, "and I'm excited to see where I go!"

# data[].attributes.headline
Behind the Scenes of Honors: The Reality of Being a Freshman Honors Student

# data[].attributes.subject
Behind the Scenes of Honors: The Reality of Being a Freshman Honors Student

# data[].attributes.body
The Honors College here at UNCW has many unique opportunities such as its smaller class sizes, unique travel opportunities, and the cool classes offered every semester. Getting priority registration doesn’t hurt, either. However, my favorite thing about the Honors College aren’t those benefits, but the community that you become a part of when you get accepted into Honors.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Another great thing about living with other Honors students is that you never know what will be going on when you walk into the common area. There could be a group of people studying, someone baking cookies, or even a group of guys having a Foosball tournament. It makes living in a dorm exciting, to say the least. With something almost always going on, it is pretty hard to get bored here.

Living with all Honors students does have its downfalls, too. Being around the same people all of the time can sometimes be frustrating when you need a little time to yourself. And being in such a tight-knit community means that when one person gets sick, everyone else starts getting sick as well. Cornerstone Hall has even been described as a "glorified petri dish" by a classmate of mine. Luckily, the good parts of living with other Honors students outweigh the bad parts many times over.

While I have only been a part of the Honors College for a couple of months, this place is already beginning to feel like home. Belonging to such a tight-knit and unique community has been a great experience, one that I am so glad to have the opportunity to have had. I can honestly say college would not be this great if I was not a part of the Honors community.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Another great thing about living with other Honors students is that you never know what will be going on when you walk into the common area. There could be a group of people studying, someone baking cookies, or even a group of guys having a Foosball tournament.

# data[].attributes.body
Sam Shores and Dr. Bingham talk about the London study abroad trip they took with other Honors students and how that connection has stayed strong.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
FYREside Chats 2 3rd Cut (shortened).mp4

# data[].attributes.body
Lindsey Aubuchon and Dr. Soon Goo Lee talk about their initial meeting through the FYRE program and the ensuing chemistry research they've conducted since.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Listen in for the interview of the First Year Research Experience (FYRE) program between Dr. Soon Goo Lee and Lindsey Aubuchon!