The Temple University Honors Program is made up of many moving parts. From student organizations and extracurriculars to special topics courses and academic opportunities, a whole community of students, faculty and staff is behind this special part of campus.  

One way Honors makes sure it stays in touch with its students is through its 20 representatives on the Honors Student Forum.These 19 students represent 9 of Temple’s 12 schools and colleges and all graduating classes. Together, they represent the wider Honors student body and meet four times a semester to discuss ways to improve the Honors Program.  

I spoke with the following three Honors students about their experience on the Forum and am excited to share what they had to say: 

• Trevor Gay, freshman Architecture major, 
• Peyton Giordano, sophomore Criminal Justice and Political Science double major and  
• Neil Chaturvedi, senior Psychology major and Neuroscience minor. 

What is the Honors Student Forum in your own words? 

TG: In my own words, I’d say the Honors Forum is a place where we as students are actively encouraged to create suggestions and raise concerns about various aspects of the program. 

PG: We are all each other's equals, one another's peers, who come together and bring their unique perspectives and passions to make change for the better. We review standing policies, create new ones, focus on how to make Honors a welcoming community, and so much more.  

NC: The Honors Forum is the collaboration of students who represent their respective colleges to unify the student body, organize the matters which are relevant to students and their education, and find new ways to enhance the overall Temple University experience. 

How did you find out about the forum? 

TG: I found out about the Forum through a friend, Max Forster, who was already a member. 

PG: During my first semester of freshman year, I was in the first-year seminar class taught by Amanda. She showed us all the different ways to be involved and what Honors is all about.  

NC: I learned about the Honors Forum through an email which included a small overview of what the Honors Forum was and what they did, and once I saw they were accepting applications, I applied! 

What made you want to apply? 

TG: I wanted to apply because I wanted a way to be more involved with the program. I like being able to advocate for other students and myself as well as creating solutions to the challenges we face. 

PG: My Honors seminar class inspired me to try new things and go after things I may have previously been scared to do. It was a chance to bring me closer to the Honors community and work directly with its advisors, after learning of Forum I knew I needed to apply. 

NC: I  applied to the Honors Forum because I believed it provided a platform for Honors students to come and voice their thoughts, concerns and opinions. It allowed, and continues to allow me to engage with the current matters of Temple students and Temple as a whole. The work that is done through the Honors Forum is not only fun and collaborative, but it also goes toward making the change we wish to see for ourselves and our fellow classmates. 

Why is the Honors Forum important to you, and why should it be important to the larger Honors and Temple community? 

TG: The Honors Forum is important to students in the Honors Program as it creates discourse between Honors staff and students. Since we as students are the primary stakeholders of the program, it is the place for us to make our voices heard.  

PG: The Honors Forum is so special along with the people in it. The directors and advisors who are on the Forum don’t resist change but enthusiastically accept it. I truly believe every person who sits on the Forum cares so deeply about the Honors Program and works so hard so it can be the best it can be.  

NC: The Honors Forum is important to me because it allows me, and CLA, to have a voice in what's happening at Temple. There are an abundance of issues and conflicts which are consistently going on when working with a university the size of Temple, so finding the right faculty to navigate us through them and coming together to brainstorm resolutions is crucial to the success of something such as the Honors Forum. 

Is there anything else you’d like to add? 

TG: Students shouldn't hesitate to make suggestions. The staff here actively wants to see us succeed and they do a really good job at making this a student-oriented program. Anything brought up to the forum or suggestion box is looked at and taken seriously so students should maximize this tool. 

NC: We've been working on a bunch of things through Forum! We've been working towards new minors in Honors, reflecting on new classes and special topic courses, and are even working to put together an Honors Faculty Community Training and Development, which would allow Honors professors to hear from students. This includes how curriculums are developed, teaching styles that students prefer, and platforms that are easy to use.  

Responses were edited slightly for length and clarity.