Hey y’all! I’m Michelle Stuhlmacher, a senior, geography major, GIS and sustainability double minor, hailing from the Chicagoland area. Fun fact: my hometown has the most churches per capita and Asheville, NC (where I spent the summer interning at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has the most breweries per capita.
On campus I’m on the leadership team of SPA, am involved in some green student orgs, and work at GW’s Division of Operations/Office of Sustainability as part of the Zero Waste team. This fall I’ll be applying to geography Ph.D. programs; I’ve taken the GRE and done undergraduate research so if you have questions about getting ready for graduate school lemme know! When not (rigorously) studying I love to check out DC farmers markets and cook rockin’ vegetarian food.
SPAcialties: Being undecided, or rather becoming decided about a major; Graduate School; Undergraduate Research; GEOGRAPHY/GIS/SUSTAINABILITY
Category: Student Peer Advisors
Student Peer Advisors are Honors Students with the know-how to help you how-to the UHP!
[SPA 2014-2015] Maggie Wedeman
Hey my name is Maggie Wedeman and I am a Junior, hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska and Port Hueneme, California. I am in the Elliott School double majoring in International Affairs (Security Politics and Asia concentrations) and Chinese language! I am also in the University honors program. My favorite part of being a member of the UHP is that I have been able to take classes from professors who are world renown in their field. My favorite class I have taken thus far has been Martha Finnemore’s “Ethics of International Affairs.” Outside of the classroom, I am always looking for an opportunity to go abroad to study Mandarin and have found opportunities and programs to do so for the past two summers. In addition, I have two bikes and enjoy crusin’ around D.C. and I love to cook elaborate and delicious meals!
SPAcialities: Scheduling (fitting in two majors and honors); Summer study abroad; Applying for undergraduate fellowships.
[SPA 2014-2015] Taylor Soja
Hi guys, I’m Taylor – SPA Admissions Liaison for the 2014-2015 school year! I am a senior majoring in History and minoring in both English and Women’s Studies. As a sophomore admit to the UHP, I am so grateful to be part of our community and love everything about the Honors Program. I am from a town just west of Chicago, and love city living. One of my favorite things to do is go to all the museums, and I love company! Here at GW I have a talk radio show on WRGW and am also a peer advisor for The Office for Study Abroad, so come to me with your study abroad questions! I spent fall of my junior year studying abroad at Keble College, Oxford and am also a Luther Rice Research Fellow for this upcoming year (ask me about my project). One of the best parts of my UHP experience has been getting to know my honors professors, who have provided me with so many great opportunities, including a research assistantship for this year!
SPAcialties: Study abroad; Fellowship opportunities and the CUFR in general; Getting to know professors; Radio; Research assistantships; Financial aid/scholarships.
[SPA 2014-2015] Fatema Ghasletwala
Hello! I’m Fatema, a junior from East Windsor, NJ. I’m in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Political Science (Public Policy Focus) and minoring in Public Health and Law & Society. On campus, I’m the Assistant Director of Hall Development with the Residence Hall Association as well as the Events Coordinator for SPA. As for the UHP, I’m infatuated. Whether its Professors-on-the-Town events or study hours in the townhouse (the basement is magical, believe me), all UHP programming is my favorite programming. Two years later, I still wear the battle scars from my two semesters of Honors Chemistry as badges of honor. My less-scholarly pursuits include binge-watching tv, stress-shopping, and board-gaming. Feel free to get in touch with me with about anything mentioned here, especially if you too are a future POTUS.
SPAcialties: Political Science things; not being pre-med anymore things; Honors housing vs non-Honors housing; Capitol Hill internships; undergraduate research; handling the expectations of super-involved parents; general #honorsproblems
[SPA 2014-2015] Breanna Brown
Hey y’all! My name is Breanna Browne. I’m originally from Gales Ferry, CT and am Senior pursuing a dual-degree program to earn a Master in Public Administration in conjunction with a bachelors in Political Science.
In the GW community, I’m involved in Greek Life as part of a social sorority (Pi Beta Phi). This year I will return to Thurston Hall as a Resident Assistant. Throughout my experience at GW I have participated in USingers, become certified and tutored at the University Writing Center, and competed as part of the GW Ballroom team. One of my favorite parts of the Honors Program was having the opportunity to live in Honors housing freshmen year. I am still incredibly close with my Honors roommates and have incredible memories of supporting each other through Honors classes by discussing complex ideas, such as eudaimonia, as well as incorporating philosophical concepts, like Plato’s cave, into inside jokes.
SPAcialties: Study abroad (Italy); Thinking about a Capitol Hill internship; Dual-degree programs; Greek Life.
[SPA 2014-2015] Thom Josephson
Friends, UHPers, Countrymen, lend me your eyes!
My name is Thom Josephson and I am an Economics/PoliSci major out of Ipswich, MA. I am an athletic intellectual who, outside of the usual activities like reading, watching too much TV, and snark, enjoys running, swimming, and playing squash. I am president of Club Swim and have done more research than is natural. I am an occasional poet and frequent curmudgeon. I thoroughly enjoy the academic and intellectual rigor of the UHP and relish the amount I have learned and the arguments I’ve had. It is a wonderful thing we have here. I can’t wait to meet and greet you all.
SPAcialties: Scheduling; Research; Transitions; Staring thoughtfully out windows; Essay writing.
Alpha Kappa Psi [Student Org Profile]
This post is written by UHPer and SPA member Kaley Pomerantz.
What’s up UHP?! How’s your spring semester going? What’s the deal with this DC weather?? Ok, enough will the small talk- time to get down to business!
And of course my favorite way to get down to business is with ALPHA KAPPA PSI! Alpha Kappa Psi, also known as AKPsi is a professional co-ed business fraternity on campus! It is also the oldest and largest business fraternity in the world!!
AKPsi is open to ALL majors! In addition to Business, we have brothers in the GW chapter majoring in International Affairs, Political Communication, Public Health, and Engineering, just to name a few.
I rushed AKPsi in the spring semester of my freshman year and it was definitely one of the best decisions I’ve made at GW! I’ve made some of my best friends, had some extremely fun times, and grown immensely as a business professional.
What I love about AKPsi is the balance between professional and social activities. We hold numerous events and workshops with interesting speakers and insight on the professional world. For me, the best professional development has come from being a part of such a large network of successful individuals. I frequently get emails about job and internship leads (I heard about my current internship through an AKPsi email!). I also love talking to brothers about jobs/internships they’ve had and what their career aspirations are because it helps me figure out what I’m interested in. I know I can always count on my brothers if I need help with my resume, practicing for an interview, or simply figuring out the difference between Business Professional and Business Casual!
AKPsi is not only professional—we’re very social too! Some of our social events include going to National’s games, ice skating, and going to restaurants. We also include some fun similar aspects that regular Greek organizations have, such as Big/Little week and formals. Even when we’re just hanging out, I always have a good time with the bros!
If you’d like to learn more about AKPsi, or I’ve already convinced you that this is the student org for you, come to our Rush events over the next couple of weeks! The Rush schedule is posted below. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions (My email is kaleyp@gwmail.gwu.edu)! You can also check us out on Facebook.
Lastly, I’ll leave you with a fun fact! AKPsi is a co-ed organization, but since it was originally founded as a fraternity, all members are considered “brothers.” Man, do I love being a frat bro!
[SPA Event] Intro to Advising on the Vern!
Calling all Honors freshmen!
Do need advice about some aspect of life here at GW? Do you need help figuring out if you should spend a semester abroad, or deciding between five possible different majors (and three minors), or wondering how to score a sweet internship or research assistantship? Or do you just wanna chill with some UHPers?
Then join your SPA for some lively conversation and free food at our Intro to Advising event this Wednesday, October 9th. The event will be held on the Vern in West Hall, room B215, from 7-8pm. SPA will be there to advise you about studying abroad, writing your four-year plan, getting involved on campus, research and internships, choosing a major, and more!
Did we mention there will be food?
So join us next Wednesday and let your SPA drop some serious knowledge on you.
[SPA 2013-2014] Bryan Kane – SEAS '14 Computer Science
Hey, I’m Bryan! I’m a senior majoring in computer science (in SEAS) and minoring in economics. Over the past few years at GW I’ve worked at four different jobs / internships (at one point all at the same time — don’t ask), been involved with various SEAS organizations, studied abroad in Barcelona (highly recommended!), and am now in my second year as a SPA! I love being a member of the honors program, and am always happy to help answer questions and try to give advice. Let’s talk if you have questions about SEAS (especially computer science), work-school-life balance, studying abroad, or any other random stuff!
If you’d like to get in touch with Bryan, email uhpspa@gwu.edu!
[SPA 2013-2014] Avani Singh ESIA '15 – International Affairs
Hi UHPers! My name is Avani. I’m a junior in the Elliott School of International Affairs majoring in International Affairs. I’m from Rutherford, NJ but also love calling DC my second home. The Honors Program has been an integral component of my undergraduate experience. It has helped me take advantage of special courses and is where I made my best friends at GW. In my free time I love traveling, cooking and playing music. I also love hanging out with Catherine’s adorable baby boy at the townhouse, which you all should do!
Avani’s SPAcialties: International Affairs majors questions; internship/internship funding questions; volunteer programs; housing; roommate conflicts/difficult situations (the House Staff Member in me); organization; stress management
If you want to get in touch with Avani, email uhpspa@gwu.edu!
