From Florence to the Sahara: An Honors Education Without Borders

By Gary Hyatt, WSU Honors College, gary.hyatt1@wsu.edu

For Honors student Jordan Rowell, studying abroad in Florence, Italy, became much more than a semester in another country. It was an opportunity to step outside her comfort zone; experience new cultures and discover how much learning can happen beyond the classroom.

A marketing major with a psychology minor, Jordan studied through the SAI program at the Florence University of the Arts. One of her courses, Food, Culture, and Society, connected her studies with the world around her. Exploring local markets and learning about Tuscan cuisine, Renaissance history and Italian culture helped turn Florence itself into part of her education.

Jordan also made it a goal to explore beyond Florence. During her semester abroad, she traveled to 11 countries and more than 20 cities. A trip to Morocco became one of her most memorable experiences. Playing street soccer with locals, riding camels through the Sahara and sharing food and music around a campfire gave her a new perspective on connection and community. “Immersing myself in unfamiliar cultures taught me how to connect deeply, strip away superficial boundaries, and truly enjoy every single minute I have on this Earth,” Jordan reflected.

Over time, Florence went from an intimidating unknown to a place that felt like home. Jordan lived near Santo Spirito Market, where she practiced Italian with local vendors, explored the city’s piazzas and settled into the rhythms of everyday life. “Florence didn’t just host me for four months; it captured a piece of my heart,” she wrote.

Jordan’s experience was made possible in part through the Richard W. McKinney Education Abroad Fund, which supports Honors Business students with the opportunity to study abroad. The funding provided vital financial relief for Jordan and allowed her to focus on making the most of her academic and personal experience.

The semester also helped Jordan develop what she described as “a deep, unshakeable confidence” in herself. She returned to WSU with new perspectives, greater independence and a desire to encourage other Honors students to take advantage of opportunities that take them beyond what they already know.

For Jordan, some of the most important lessons were not found in a textbook or syllabus. They came from navigating unfamiliar places, meeting people from different backgrounds and learning to be comfortable in a world much bigger than the one she knew.

The Richard W. McKinney Education Abroad Fund and other experiential learning endowments established through The Honors College help make these transformative experiences possible, giving Honors students the opportunity to turn the world into their classroom.

A Legacy of People: Meet the 2026 Honors 198 Facilitators

By Gary Hyatt, WSU Honors College, gary.hyatt1@wsu.edu

For more than 60 years, The Honors College has entrusted students with an important leadership role: welcoming, encouraging and helping guide the next generation of Honors Cougs.

Each fall, that tradition continues through HONORS 198: Honors First-Year Experience, a one-credit course designed to help incoming students find their footing and begin building their WSU experience. What makes the course especially unique is that it is led by Honors students who have recently experienced that same transition themselves.

Dean M. Grant Norton believes that peer leadership brings an important perspective to the classroom. “The facilitators remember what it feels like to be new, making them more approachable than faculty,” Norton said. “They also build social connections with the first-year students, giving them an important resource on campus.”

Those connections can make a difference during the first few months of college. Facilitators can answer the questions that may feel too small to ask a professor, share their own experiences and help first-year students discover the clubs, programs, research opportunities and other experiences available to them through WSU and the Honors College.

The role is also an opportunity for the facilitators to grow as leaders. They are not simply sharing what they have learned. They are learning how to mentor, communicate and lead a classroom of their peers.

“While there are benefits for the first-year students to be part of Hon 198, the facilitators themselves gain valuable leadership, communication, and mentoring skills, which look great on a resume,” Norton said.

This year’s HONORS 198 Facilitators are Taylor Babb, Aarya Bajaj, Lily Becker, Parker Casey, Maura Castillo, Nicole Diefenbach, Audrey Elliot, Michael Fasci, Dylan Gray, Oliver Hart, Alice Higgins, Ethan Irish, Macie Koval, Tiana LaFollette, Rowan Manwaring, Taylor Page, Ani Rice, Katy Touretsky, Anita Valdez and Ari Wilson.

They join generations of Honors students who have stepped into this role, continuing a tradition that is bigger than a one-credit course. It is about students helping students feel connected, confident and ready to make WSU their own.

Mary Nam to serve on WSU Board of Regents

By Gary Hyatt, WSU Honors College, gary.hyatt1@wsu.edu

The Honors College are thrilled to congratulate Honors alumna Mary Nam on her appointment by Governor Bob Ferguson to the Washington State University Board of Regents.

Mary’s journey from Honors student to longtime Seattle news anchor and now WSU Regent is a wonderful example of the impact our Honors graduates can have when they take their experiences, curiosity, and commitment to others into the world.

For more than two decades, Mary was a familiar and trusted face in living rooms across the Puget Sound as a journalist with KOMO. Now, she is returning to WSU in a new capacity—bringing her professional experience, perspective, and deep Cougar Pride to help shape the future of her alma mater.

Mary has already identified opportunities to strengthen WSU’s presence across the west side of Washington, while remaining focused on the university she has always been passionate about. We are excited to see the perspective she will bring to the Board and the ways she will continue to serve the Cougar community.

Please join us in congratulating Regent Mary Nam on this tremendous honor and in celebrating another outstanding member of the Honors family who is stepping forward to lead.

Read more here: Seattle TV news icon looking forward to serving alma mater | WSU Insider | Washington State University

Student Highlight: Megha Keezhanjil

By Gary Hyatt, WSU Honors College, gary.hyatt1@wsu.edu

Name: Megha Keezhanjil

Year: Junior

Hometown: Kent, Washington

Major: MIS, Finance

Minor: Computer Science

How has The Honors College impacted your time at WSU?

Being part of the Honors College has made my time at WSU really enjoyable. I’ve loved taking interesting classes and meeting great people along the way.

Most impactful Involvement/Leadership/Research you have engaged in and what each entail:

One experience that has really shaped my time at WSU was studying abroad in Greece. It gave me the chance to experience a new culture, step outside my comfort zone, and make memories I’ll always remember. I’ve also been involved in a few student organizations, where I’ve met some of my closest friends. Together, these experiences have made my time at WSU feel more meaningful and memorable.

Career Goal/ Future education plans:

I’m hoping to build a career in the fintech space, especially in roles that let me work closely with people and solve problems through consulting. At some point, I’d also love to go back to school for my MBA so I can keep growing and open up more opportunities for myself.

Favorite Honors Course and why?

My favorite Honors course was Honors 290. I loved how we learned about the role of atoms in the universe. Learning about things like the life cycle of stars was super interesting and made the class feel really special to me.

Advice for an incoming Honors student?

My advice would be to really enjoy your classes and take advantage of how small they are. It’s so much easier to talk with your professors, ask questions, and get to know the people around you. You’ll meet a lot of great people and feel more connected because of it.

Have you ever received financial support from the Honors College? If so, how did that impact your academic journey?

The Honors College supported my study abroad with a $1,000 award, which really helped take some pressure off the expenses. It made it easier for me to fully enjoy and learn from the experience.

What have you enjoyed about being a part of the H.A.B.I.L.E program?

I’ve really enjoyed being part of H.A.B.I.L.E. The classes mix business and Honors in a way that feels engaging and relevant. I’ve also appreciated the professional exposure and connections that have made the program feel even more worthwhile.

Lastly, what are some things outside of your academic journey you enjoy doing?

Outside of school, I love watching movies with my friends, going stargazing, and just walking around exploring new places.