Advising

Honors Professional Advisors

All members of the Honors Professional Staff provide advising on Honors opportunities and requirements.  All their offices are in the Honors Staff Center on the fourth floor of the Blank Honors Center, and the open-door policy means that students are most welcome to come for conversations.  The most reliable way to see a specific person at a convenient time, of course, is to schedule an appointment.

 

Each staff member has wide knowledge of the Honors Program, but each also has special areas of expertise to share with students.  If your interests and questions might connect strongly with any one of the following areas, please feel encouraged to contact the relevant staff member(s) directly for advice:

 

►  LaShelle Christensen has degrees in psychology and epidemiology as preparation for work in the health sciences and services, meaning that she knows the pre-med world.  She teaches sign language, shares her therapy dog, and directs the Honors Student Staff in coordinating all activities for Honors.  LaShelle was an Honors Student and a Resident Assistant at Iowa.  So she is our “resident expert” — on residence halls, living-learning communities, the Honors House in particular, and co-curricular Honors Activities in general.

 

►  Andrea Kann teaches art history at Iowa.  As Honors Advising Director, she supervises the Honors Peer Advisors.  Andrea also serves as our go-to person for any questions about curricula:  choosing Honors Classes, combining them into Honors Constellations, seeking Honors Commendations, venturing Honors Designations, designing individualized majors, and the myriad other academic possibilities that interest inquisitive Honors Students.  She is a good source of information, too, on studies and careers in the arts.

 

►  Bob Kirby is a long-time researcher in biopsychology whose teaching concentrates on the science and regulation of drugs.  He now directs ICRU, the Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates.  It pays students to collaborate with faculty on research, provides forums for presenting the research, supports related student travel to professional meetings, and honors students for outstanding discoveries or works of art.   Bob is the person to see for pursuing research opportunities across the campus.  He also is a good contact for pre-med students and for social scientists in the making.

 

►  John Nelson does politics, philosophy, and communication.  As that might imply, he is a jack of many trades, if a master of none.  In directing Honors, he coordinates curricula and plans initiatives.  That makes him a decent source of information on what is coming in the way of courses and resources for Honors Students at Iowa.  John also focuses on friends of Honors at Iowa, encouraging contact from alums, faculty, parents, and other supporters.  He especially enjoys helping students steer their ways through the social sciences, the humanities, or preparations for law school.

 

►  Sarah Prineas publishes fantasy and science fiction while teaching them too.  For us, she coordinates Honors Scholarships, working with faculty members to prepare students to compete for major national or international scholarships, fellowships, and grants.  Sarah is our expert on generating strong credentials, essays, experiences, interview skills, and the other ingredients of effective applications.  She also loves to talk with aspiring writers and aficionados of the humanities about how to develop their interests.

 

►  Mary Uhl has degrees in literature.  As Honors Secretary, she is our general superintendent of forms, rules, budgets, and staff scheduling.  Mary receives Honors Theses.  She handles requests to graduate with honors or get programming expenses reimbursed.  She processes applications for Honors Designations, Commendations, or Scholarships.  And so on.  If you need information about Honors procedures, Mary is your prime resource.

 

►  Katie Wildman assists with the Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates.  She has degrees in advertising and counseling.  As the ICRU Undergraduate Research Coordinator, she meets individually with students to brainstorm research possibilities, refine personal interests, and match these with campus opportunities.  She also answers research-support questions from parents, prospective students, interested faculty, and staff.  Before ICRU, Katy worked in student affairs, including residential life and international affairs, especially study abroad.

 

►  Andy Willard has turned studies in anthropology toward professional work as an expert in public policy, with particular attention to human rights and environmental needs.  At Iowa, he teaches for Honors and International Programs.  As Honors Experiential Learning Director, Andy can help any Honors Student conduct a service-learning project; arrange to study or intern abroad; tailor an internship or externship to personal interests; construct a practicum for research, service, or teaching; develop an electronic portfolio; explore career options; and more.  Honors Experiences are his beat.