Taking CAS Honors Students National

Students sharpen presentation and networking skills at the National Collegiate Honors Council Conference
Nine students smile and pose with a keynote speaker in front of signage at the National Collegiate Honors Conference
CAS honors students attending the 2024 National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) Conference in Kansas City, MI posed with keynote speaker, Erin Gruwell, an educator whose students were affectionately referred to as the “freedom writers,” and who inspired a movie by the same name.

Honors students from the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) once again made Suffolk proud while representing the honors program at the annual National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) Conference, held this fall in Kansas City, Missouri.  

Six student presenters, as well as four student attendees, were accompanied by Sharon Lenzie, assistant dean of student academic affairs and CAS honors director, and Cortney Kelly, director of faculty and student engagement. The conference, which brings together over 100 honors programs and colleges, allows students and administrators to present individual research and collaborative methods for enhancing the honors experience. Students also had the opportunity to attend guest speaker presentations and sessions on a variety of topics and network with peers from around the country. 

The students who presented their research included:  

  • Jade Buchanan , sociology Class of 2026, “Victims and Crime: Understanding How the United States’ Criminal Justice System Perpetuates Secondary Victimization” 
  • Sophia Emile, advertising Class of 2026, “It’s Alive! Advertising’s Participating in the Death and Resurrection of Nicotine” 
  • Sydney Fox, psychology Class of 2026, “Social Media and Its Influence on Anxiety Disorders Among Adolescents 
  • Danny Metri, political science and economics Class of 2026, “The Effects of Immigration on an Aging Workforce in the United States” 
  • Hriday Maharaj, undergraduate law Class of 2026, “Mandarin Chinese Should be Universally Implemented in the United States’ Education System Because of Its Ability to Teach Various Interdisciplinary Skills” 
  • Sara Tibbetts, political science Class of 2026, “The Mind of American Politics: How Social Psychology Connects with Systemic Status Quos.”  

Also representing Suffolk were four student attendees, who participated with the expectation that they will apply to present next year: Ross Marino (law Class of 2026); Jean Paul (English Class of 2027); Divinety Johnson (sociology Class of 2027); and Victor Cruz-Castro (law Class of 2027).  

A student wearing a presenters lanyard stands with her poster presentation
Jade Buchanan , sociology Class of 2026, “Victims and Crime: Understanding How the United States’ Criminal Justice System Perpetuates Secondary Victimization”

The opportunity to display and communicate about their work was invaluable. “Not only was it a great chance for me to practice my presentation skills,” reflected Sara Tibbetts, “but it was also wonderful getting to connect with other students and see what research they have been doing.”  

Hriday Maharaj was also impressed with the work of his fellow students: “The ability to present my findings at the conference exposed me to the diversity in thought and interest around me.”  

For several students, a highlight of the conference was the keynote speech by Erin Gruwell, an educator whose students were affectionately referred to as the “freedom writers,” and who inspired a movie by the same name. “Erin, through her own intuition—against the advice, structures, and norms surrounding her—was guided by the potential she saw in her students,” said attendee Danny Metri.  

A student wearing a presenter's lanyard stands in front of his research poster presentation in a conference hall
Danny Metri, political science and economics Class of 2026, “The Effects of Immigration on an Aging Workforce in the United States”

Students also gained both practical strategies and inspiration to carry back to their own honors community. A presentation by Drexel University’s Blending Borders initiative resonated with Sophia Emile, who was interested in how their meaningful outreach contained “non-performative actions that address real needs.” Another session on “imposter syndrome” was meaningful to several of the attendees.  

“One of my key takeaways from this session was to never apologize for the space you take up,” said Divinety Johnson.  

Many of the students recalled the many best practices they learned from other programs, and a panel on “Elevating Community in Honors” was especially significant. Jade Buchanan reflected on the experience and the promise of an honors education: 

“Honors programs give students the opportunity to seize their education and craft it into something meaningful.”