There are hundreds of different ways to get involved in the student community at the University of South Florida — from volunteering and the arts to public policy and advocacy. Two St. Petersburg Judy Genshaft Honors College students, Kelsey Sherman and Elise Prophete, have found their path as student leaders through public service experiences like student government, voter outreach, and internships with policymakers.
A Coastal Campus Full of Opportunity
Sherman and Prophete, both majoring in political science and sustainability studies, were drawn to USF St. Petersburg for its unique combination of academic opportunity, tight-knit community, and stunning ocean views.
USF St. Petersburg had been on her parents’ radar, but Prophete ultimately chose the campus because she found it the most beautiful, saying, “USF St. Pete found me in a sense.”
For Sherman, the waterfront campus and its strengths in environmental sciences felt like a natural fit for her dual interests in policy and sustainability.
“It’s a very frequent occurrence for me to see dolphins when I’m studying in the library in the morning,” said Sherman. “I feel like you don’t get that in a lot of places!”
But what began as a love of learning and their natural surroundings quickly evolved into a passion for advocacy and student leadership for both students.
Sherman's first steps toward public service came through writing. As a contributor for Her Campus, she covered student-relevant legislation and political developments — work that inspired her to look beyond the page.
This newfound perspective led her to intern with Florida State Representative Lindsay Cross, where she served as deputy campaign manager. During a 60-day legislative internship in Tallahassee, Sherman wrote speeches — one of which was delivered on the House floor.
“It was an absolutely incredible experience that gave me practical, hands-on experience that I feel is so necessary in politics,” she said.
Although she first became interested in civic engagement in high school through Next Generation Politics, Prophete found that being on the St. Petersburg campus afforded her even more opportunities to enact lasting impact in the local community.
“When I moved to St. Petersburg, I realized there's a lot of change I can make, and there's a lot of change I want to make,” said Prophete.
Empowering Others Through Student Leadership
Both Sherman and Prophete have turned their policy passions into platforms for leadership on campus. Sherman now serves as president of the St. Petersburg Honors College Student Council, a role she grew into after starting as a committee member and co-chair of its volunteer committee.
“Being a leader in managing the committees and board members while also working with professional staff really helps with conflict resolution and coming up with creative solutions to issues,” she said.
Prophete, a second-year student, channels her leadership through roles that empower students to act on civic issues. As student governor at USF St. Petersburg and a fellow with Democracy House, she focuses on voter outreach and engagement.
“I focused on nonpartisan voting work to get young people to vote and learn about election certification,” she said. “It was really fulfilling to see the interest in civic engagement grow within our generation.”
Expanding Their Reach
Having access to high impact learning opportunities and community-focused courses at the Honors College helped Prophete and Sherman take the pulse of their St. Pete community and pursue experiential learning opportunities further afield, including opportunities like studying abroad in Iceland.
“The Honors College has really been central to my college experience. The classes are always a highlight — whether it’s field trips into the community or courses directly tied to my major,” said Sherman. “One of my favorites was a destination stewardship course where we organized a sustainable tourism workshop for local businesses in Pinellas County,” she continued, “and my fully funded study abroad trip to Iceland through an Honors scholarship was incredibly influential.”
Also volunteering in Pinellas County, Prophete’s Honors coursework gave her the opportunity to serve the local community after a hurricane.
“Being an Honors student in St. Petersburg has been such a meaningful experience. I took an oceanography class where we volunteered at Clam Bayou to help with hurricane cleanup, which connected learning with community impact,” said Prophete. “As a policy and sustainability major, I’ve loved the interdisciplinary approach — it’s amazing to see everything come together, even from my very first semester.”
In addition to the doors opened by unique, service-oriented Honors coursework, Prophete credits the Wilcox Scholars program and the civic engagement opportunities on USF’s St. Petersburg campus with opening door that helped her focus her leadership path. The program’s emphasis on public policy and service helps students plug into civic-oriented communities and causes.
“Because there’s a public policy and service focus in the Wilcox Scholars program, I felt plugged into opportunities that I was passionate about,” Prophete said. “Being in St. Pete has so many opportunities too; for example, I’m a TRHT fellow, which stands for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation.”
Among the most impactful experiences they shared was the chance to interview the U.K. Speaker of the House of Commons. Sherman was also able to attend this unique opportunity.
“It was an incredible, surreal experience. Elise and I are close friends, so it was a special moment for both of us,” Sherman said. “He was encouraging young people to get involved and invest in their futures, and that’s something I really resonate with.”
A Model for Student-Driven Change
Whether organizing student events, shaping policy conversations, or registering new voters, Sherman and Prophete are proving that leadership through service can start on campus — but it doesn't end there. Their stories show how students can turn their values into action and lead with purpose from day one.
“I personally believe that if you want to see a change, you have to make the change and be the change,” said Prophete.
Through internships, student government, and civic fellowships, both students are carving a path not just for themselves — but for others who want to make a lasting impact through service. Sherman encourages students to jump into campus activities and find communities that they can make a difference in.
“It’s really valuable to take advantage of all of the incredible opportunities USF has, especially at St. Pete,” said Sherman. “Try not to have imposter syndrome or feel like you are not good enough to lead an organization, because that’s how you can grow as a person: being a student leader”
In addition to growing as individuals, student leaders benefit from leading in a learning-centered environment. Prophete challenges aspiring student leaders to embrace advice and feedback during their time on campus.
“Remember to always be learning from the people who came before you and your peers as well,” said Prophete. “Being in that learning mindset is important to being a great leader, so try to be open to what people have to say to help you grow.”
Learn more about getting involved in the Judy Genshaft Honors College Student Council and USFSP Student Government.