Honors Facilitators
Honors facilitators lead this one-credit freshman course, Honors 198. Presented for the first time in fall 2010, it is intended to help incoming students adjust to college life, to build a sense of community, and learn to work with the Honors curriculum. The class is offered in fall semesters with upperclassmen serving as instructors for the sections. The Honors 198 learning community experience is under the guidance of Honors College Assistant Dean Robin Bond.
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Honors 298 Facilitators
Honors Students
Sydney Almgren
Ava Beck
Allison Beggs
Nife Shola-Dare
Yatin Singla
Gunnar Sly
Honors 298 Facilitators
Faculty
Honors 298 Facilitators – Honors Students
Sydney Almgren
Hometown: Kremmling, CO
Area(s) of study: Major: Environmental & Ecosystem Science Minors: Spanish, sustainable Development
Involvement at WSU: Honors Ambassador, CAHNRS Ambassador, Undergrad TA, Research
Hobbies: Reading, cooking, rafting, and camping
Future plans/goals:
Figure out what I want to do in grad school, and then do it!
Favorite Quote:
“Dance the dance you dance, don’t dance the dance people who dance dance.”
What are the Honors College faculty like?
The Honors College faculty are the best around. Not only do they teach engaging and interesting classes, but they go the extra mile to help support and encourage students outside of the classroom as well.
Ava Beck
Hometown: I graduated from high school in Spokane, but I was born in Seattle and lived there until middle school so I am pretty much from both.
Area(s) of study: Linguistics major, minors in Psychology, Spanish, and Global Studies, and a Certificate to Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).
Involvement at WSU: Over the course of mu undergraduate career, I have worked as a Clerical Assistant in the Dean’s Office for the College of Arts and Sciences, as an Honors Mentor and now Facilitator, as a Research Assistant in the Childhood Cognition Lab, as a Teacher’s Assistant for Psych 453, and as a Teacher’s Assistant at the WSU Children’s Center.
Hobbies: I love to read and craft, or play games and go on walks around the Palouse. I also like to practice my language skills on Duolingo, which is a totally nerdy hobby but I love it!
What do you like most about being a student in the Honors College?
The thing I have liked most about being an Honors student have been the classes and opportunities that have been made available to us through the Honors College. I have loved every Honors class I have taken and have enjoyed getting to know the faculty through those courses. When I think back on the classes that have challenged my mindset and helped me grow as a student and as a person, almost all of those classes are Honors courses.
Has anything surprised you about being in the Honors College?
I have been most surprised to hear about the experiences of my peers who are in the UCORE track and the vast difference between their experience of “required” classes and my experience with Honors classes. I have never looked at the Honors classes as requirements, but rather as great opportunities to learn something fascinating!
What opportunities or experiences have you had through the Honors College?
The most notable experience I have had that has been directly connected to the support and encouragement of the Honors College was my experience in Wales as a result of the Fulbright UK Summer Institute Award that I received in 2019. I would not have received the award without the support of the Honors College and I am so grateful to have had that opportunity!
Allison Beggs
Hometown: Kelso, MO
Area(s) of study: Sociology
Involvement at WSU: Honors Student Ambassador, Recipient Presidents leadership award, study abroad – Germany and India.
Hobbies: Hiking, yoga, and cooking
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
Hillside café because there is always someone there to sit with and have lunch/dinner/ a cup of coffee with.
What does it mean being a Coug?
Assuming the best of my peers and helping them to reach their highest goals.
What opportunities or experiences have you had through the Honors College?
I was able to do research over the summer through financial assistance for housing provided by the Honors College. I was also able to work with and meet students from Southeast University located in Nanjing, China through the Honors College leadership program.
Reid Brown
Hometown: Rembert, SC
Area(s) of study: English: Creative Writing Track, French, and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
Involvement at WSU: Honors 298 Lead Facilitator, Palouse Review Editor
Hobbies: Writing, language, reading, knitting, and cooking
How has the Honors College helped shape your college experience?
The Honors College has been my main source of academic guidance, social connectivity, and mentorship during my time here at WSU. Without the Honors College, I would not have all of the incredible faculty and student relationships that I have today, and I would not have been able to make the impacts that I wanted to within my time as an undergraduate. The Honors College has been a home away from home for me and a consistent source of encouragement and support.
What has been your favorite Honors College class thus far and why?
When I took Honors 380 with Professor Annie Lampman, I knew that I belonged in the Honors College. With the class being focused on creative nonfiction, it was filled with content that made me excited to come to class every day and it gave me the opportunity to engage with students with different areas of study, all gathered to write about the important stories we carry with us. It was a transformative workshop.
What does being a Coug mean to you?
Being a Coug to me means standing for something and being there to support your fellow Cougs with their dreams and difficulties. It means pushing through the tough times to finally reach the good ones. It means comradery and competition. It means being able to challenge yourself every day to become a better person.
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Nife Shola-Dare
Hometown: I am an international student from Nigeria.
Area(s) of study: Neuroscience Pre-Med
Involvement at WSU: ASWSU Senator for the College of Veterinary Medicine, Member of the Student Health Advisory Council, Research assistant in the Gerstner lab at WSU Spokane
Hobbies: Reading books, sleeping, yoga
Why did you join the Honors College?
I joined the honors college because I wanted more scholarship/funding opportunities, smaller classes (opportunity to establish connections with faculty members outside of the Neuroscience department), and classes outside of the field of Neuroscience
Has anything surprised you about being in the Honors College?
As an international student from Nigeria at WSU, I often feel hypervisible and invisible at the same time and worried that I might only be seen for my difference, but I have been surprised by the commitment of the Honors faculty to my success as a student and I am grateful for this.
What has been your favorite Honors College class thus far and why?
Honors 380 Global Shakespeare has been my favorite honors class so far. I had a complicated relationship with Shakespeare’s works before taking this class; sometimes as readers, we think a literary piece is not for us because we don’t read it the way the author meant for it to read. However, Professor Hamlin created such a safe space for critical and honest conversations about Shakespeare’s works from a global perspective. I can’t say I feel differently about Shakespeare, but I can now say that I am not only able to read the work of Shakespeare critically, while considering what it might represent in other cultures, but I am also able to enjoy his works–the language, and the wit.
Yatin Singla
Hometown: Chandigarh, India
Area(s) of study: Computer Science with Finance minor
Involvement at WSU: Started a club called Academia, alumni of Harold Frank Engineering Entrepreneurship Institute, heavily involved with Entrepreneurship centre, participated in WSU Business Plan Competition’19 & ’20, International Student Mentor, Voiland College Ambassador, ASCC tutor, ASCC junior web developer, Resident Advisor, undergraduate research, and of course Honors college facilitator
Hobbies: Working out, playing cricket, soccer, badminton, reading, regretting binging YouTube
Why did you join the Honors College?
My freshman year resident advisor had recommended me to join the Honors college after assessing my interests.
What has been your favorite Honors College class thus far and why?
I could talk all day about the classes I have taken in association with other college’s that I didn’t enjoy but I couldn’t name one from Honors college that I didn’t enjoy. All the professors from the honors college had a lasting impact on my life in a significant way. Long story short no one class stands out to me above the rest.
What is something you wish you wish you had known when you first started college?
You can start looking for internships from your freshman year.
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Gunnar Sly
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Area(s) of study: Chemical Engineering
Involvement at WSU: Undergraduate Researcher – Song Research Group, VCEA Chemical Engineering Peer Tutor
Hobbies: Guitar, reading, cooking
What do you like most about being a student in the Honors College?
I always enjoy knowing that the Honors College consistently supports me in my academic/professional goals and does it in a way that provides unique opportunities, whether abroad or domestic. The courses we take are interesting, focused, and offer a unique perspective into global leadership and understanding.
What opportunities or experiences have you had through the Honors College?
Through a collaboration with the WSU Honors College and Southeast University, I was able to participate in a two-month program where I lived in Nanjing, China performing research on lithium ion batteries. I was able to get an sense of culture outside the US that nothing else could come close to giving, and I still reflect on my time there regularly.
Future plans/goals:
I am currently working towards graduate school in order to proceed into the academic world where I may both perform meaningful research in the areas of energy science as well as instruct undergraduate engineers.
Honors 298 Facilitators – Faculty
Donald Allison
Hometown: Fort Benton, MT
Area(s) of study: Biology; Physician Assistant Studies; Culture, Literacy, and Language
Involvement at WSU: Director of Health Professions Student Center; Clinical Assistant Professor School of Biological Sciences
Hobbies: Travel, language, photography, hiking, horses, dogs, cats
Future plans/goals:
My goal is to assist as many students as possible accomplish their desire for admission to the health profession school of their choice in order to ultimately fulfill their dream of following a career in health care.
Favorite Quote:
““Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
― Nelson Mandela”
What is something you wish you wish you had known when you first started college?
I wish I would have taken advantage of all the great resources available on a college campus and appreciated the wisdom provided me by my advisors and professors.
Robin Bond
From: San Diego, Ca
Area of Study: Classics
Involvelemt at WSU: Assistant dean of the Honors College
Hobbies: WSU Orchestra (2nd violin), gardening, snowshoeing
Foreign Languages known: Classical Greek and Latin
What I like about the Honors College at WSU: I think the Honors College is important because of the wonderful students who are part of this learning community at WSU.
Where I’ve traveled: UK, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Canada, and Mexico
I’m excited to be an Honors 198 Facilitator because… I enjoy getting to know first-year students
Favorite Quote: “The unexamined life is not worth living” — Plato, ‘Apology of Socrates’
Something random about me: I am researching animals in Herodotus’ ‘History of the Persian wars’
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Cassa Hanon
From: Renton, WA
Area of Study: Computer Science & Business
Involvement at WSU: Adjunct Faculty, Honors College, Advisory Council, Honors College, Advisory Council, College of Arts & Sciences, WSU Foundation Trustee, Society of Women Engineers Mentor
Hobbies: Reading, Theatre, Hiking, Running, Sports Fan
What I like about the Honors College at WSU: I think the Honors College is important because of the wonderful students who are part of this learning community at WSU.
Where I’ve traveled: UK, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Canada, and Mexico
I’m excited to be an Honors 198 Facilitator because… I learn as much as I teach.
Favorite Quote: ““We don’t always recognize the most significant moments of our lives while they’re happening to us.” – Dr. Graham in Field of Dreams
Something random about me: I’m an identical twin.
Grant Norton
Hometown: Godalming, Surrey (in the UK)
Area(s) of study: Materials science
Involvement at WSU: I’m dean of the Honors College
Hobbies: Playing guitar, bird watching, opera, reading, walking my dog
What has been your favorite Honors College class thus far and why?
I teach an Honors 290 class, which I really enjoy. It is “Ten Materials that Changed the World” and has really allowed me to think of my field (materials science) in its broad societal context. I hope the students enjoy taking the class as much as I enjoy teaching it!
What are the Honors College faculty like?
The Honors College faculty are outstanding and committed to the success of each of our students. I am proud and honored to work with these faculty every day.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am a big fan of the rock group Kiss.
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