Meet Your Student Honors Coordinators: Maura Madou and Allison Stuart

Maura Madou and Allison Stuart have been named student honors coordinators for 2004-2005. They will be responsible for coordinating the peer mentor program, keeping the honors study center running smoothly, and providing academic advising services for honors students, helping them to plan schedules, graduate with honors, find classes and majors that interest them, and get involved on campus. In the spring, they will meet with prospective students, sharing their experiences with high school seniors who are deciding whether they'd like to spend the next four years at UCSB.

Throughout the year, they'll keep students informed of research opportunities, scholarships, community service projects, and other interesting programs on campus and around Santa Barbara that will help them enrich their academic experience at UCSB.

Both Maura and Allison look forward to meeting honors students to discuss any aspect of the program's offerings. Make an appointment to meet with them in 1117 Cheadle by phoning 893-3201 or send them questions by e-mail. Maura's address is shcgold@LTSC.ucsb.edu and Allison's is shcblue@LTSC.ucsb.edu.

In the Q&A with them below, learn more about who they are and what they value about the honors program.

Maura Madou
Home town: Palo Alto
High school: Henry M. Gunn High School
Class standing: Senior
Major: B.S., Microbiology
Minor: Latin American and Iberian Studies
Graduate or professional school goals: Either to do a one-year master's program or take a year off after graduation, and then go to medical school.

Q. What will be your primary responsibilities as a student honors coordinator?

A. As student honors coordinator, I will be one of the academic counselors for honors students to discuss the honors program as well as their academic program in general, and I will help plan the honors workshops and events throughout the year. Allison and I will also be sending out emails to keep everyone posted on upcoming events, deadlines, and volunteer opportunities.

Q. What do you hope to achieve as a student honors coordinator in the coming year?

A. I hope that as a student honors coordinator I am able to help people find ways to take full advantage of the honors program. I don't think being in the honors program should feel like more work or requirements; it should be a challenging, rewarding, and exciting part of each student's experience at UCSB. Every student has the opportunity to tailor the program to his or her personal goals and interests, and I hope I am able to help students figure out how to do so successfully.

Q. Please comment on a few of your most memorable honors experiences.

A. Most of my honors classes have been in the sciences, and have served as a way for me to get more in-depth knowledge and also network with other honors students with similar interests to my own. Two of these courses, genetics and immunology, required me to give presentations on specific research papers. I think this will definitely give me a head-start with future research endeavors, having already tackled difficult research papers and given presentations on my work to my peers. My best honors experience was my first honors contract, which I did with Professor Francisco Lomeli while in Queretaro, Mexico as part of a UCSB summer program. I was able to make an honors contract that really fit the experience, and allowed me to do more than write a paper or make a presentation. I made a scrapbook with pictures that related to the class as well as our surroundings while studying in Mexico. The experience made me realize how much the honors program allows you to make the program your own as long as you are willing to put in the creative effort.

Q. What advice would you give to new honors students?

A. I would say look for opportunities to take honors classes (sections) right away to get started making relationships with not only your teachers, but also other honors students. Even if you are not sure what to major in, enrolling in an honors section in any class that interests you will not only help you decide if you want to study the subject further, but will also allow you to experience a small classroom environment with your professor rather than a teaching assistant. In addition, I especially would like to reach out to the incoming transfer students and emphasize how possible it is to get a full honors college experience during your stay at UCSB. Having transferred to UCSB myself, I am more than happy to give advice as to how to make this program work for you, even if you feel your time is limited. Other than that, I look forward to meeting all the incoming students and having a really great year!

Allison Stuart
Home town: San Jose
High School: Leland High School
Class standing: Junior
Major: Cell and Developmental Biology
Career or graduate/professional school goals: Medical school

Q. What will be your primary responsibilities as a student honors coordinator?

A. An important part of my job is being a resource for the students, especially regarding questions about academic requirements and volunteer opportunities. I will also spend time organizing the peer mentor program and keeping the honors study center a quiet escape for students to enjoy.

Q. What do you hope to achieve as a coordinator in the coming year?

A. I want to help students have a great experience at UCSB and in the honors program. I also want to foster a feeling of community among the honors students through fun events and a strong peer mentor program. I look forward to meeting and working with other honors students.

Q. What are your most memorable honors experiences?

A. My most memorable honors experiences so far have been the honors sections I took for my biology courses. I was exposed to current research, including the research occurring on campus. Learning about what is happening in science today, as well as my professors' contagious enthusiasm, helped me discover what truly fascinates me and led me to declare my major.

I have also enjoyed meeting people through the peer mentor program. I am still in contact with my mentor, and as a mentor myself, I love having chances to work with incoming students and help ease their transition.

Q. What advice would you give to new honors students to help them get the most they can out of the program?

A. The honors program, which offers a lot of opportunities and benefits, is a great way to enrich your experience at UCSB. Take some time to familiarize yourself with what is available through the honors program, as well as at UCSB. Also, watch for fun events and volunteer activities where you can meet other honors students and establish a sense of community. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Q. Do you have any final words for students in the honors program?

A. The honors program creates a small community feeling on a large campus through a supportive network of students and advisers. The honors program also helps students personalize their education through small sections and honors contracts, allowing them to get an in-depth look at topics which fascinate them. I chose UCSB in large part due to its superior honors program, and I want others to enjoy it as much as I do.

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