St. Petersburg

Can't Beat St. Pete

At the Judy Genshaft Honors College on the USF St. Petersburg campus, you鈥檒l find more than just Honors classes 鈥� you鈥檒l find a vibrant community that challenges and supports you, experiences that inspire you, and a place to call home. Whether you're collaborating with peers in a historic mansion, learning by engaging with the local community in the heart of downtown, or living only a few steps from the waterfront, the Judy Genshaft Honors College at St. Petersburg is here to support you as you take each step forward in your educational journey.

Snell House: Where Honors is Home

Step inside Snell House, a 1904 mansion turned home base for Honors life in St. Petersburg. With its cozy student lounge, welcoming faculty offices, and sprawling oaks, it鈥檚 a warm, inviting space where ideas flow and connections grow. Whether you鈥檙e popping in for advising, studying solo, or collaborating on a project, this historic gem is the heart of our Honors community.

Front of Snell House, street view with a sign out front, reading "C. Perry Snell House"

Breathtaking Views in the Heart of the City

Imagine waking up to panoramic views of downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay. On the top floor of Osprey Hall, our Honors Living-Learning Community (LLC) brings students together in a space designed for connection, support, and fun. 

You'll live steps from the bay, surrounded by all the energy and culture that the city has to offer. You鈥檒l also be part of a built-in community of passionate, curious students that will become your best friends, study partners, and creative collaborators. 

Exclusive Honors LLC Perks include:  
  • In-house advising & support
  • Relaxation retreats & group workouts
  • Faculty-led field trips
  • Social events just for Honors students 

Learn more about Honors Living Learning Communities 

Honors students hanging out in Osprey Hall with lounge seating and a view of the water from the window

Honors Course Profile: The Healing Power of the Arts

At the Judy Genshaft Honors College in St. Petersburg, learning doesn鈥檛 stop when you leave the classroom 鈥� in fact, we believe that鈥檚 often where the most meaningful learning begins.

Whether you are headed for a career in science, social work, art, or policy, Honors courses like Dr. Catherine Wilkins鈥� class on The Healing Arts remind you that your education can transform lives and enrich community engagement. This course partners students with the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art to explore the real-world power of art as a therapeutic tool for individuals with memory loss.

Group of Honors students with Alzheimer's and demential patients at the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art

In this hands-on class, students engage directly with individuals in the community who are living with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and other forms of dementia. Through guided museum visits and conversations, students learn how creative expression can unlock memories, spark connection, and promote emotional well-being. 

By bridging academic knowledge with human-centered experiences, this course pushes students to think critically about the role of art, memory, and care in society. It also opens the door to new ways of thinking about their own careers 鈥� whether in health care, psychology, education, or community engagement.

Explore more Honors courses 

An honors students talks with a member of a community with Alzheimer's/dementia about art in a museum

Why Choose Honors at St. Pete?

As an Honors student, you won鈥檛 just take courses. You鈥檒l challenge yourself through hands-on, interdisciplinary experiences that connect your major to a real-world impact. Becoming a part of Honors at St. Petersburg means being surrounded by people who want to see you thrive, including faculty, staff, and fellow students. You鈥檒l have access to personalized support, priority registration, and opportunities for research, internships, and leadership that help you stand out after graduation.

Join the Next Wave of Gulf Innovators

As an Honors student on the USF St. Petersburg campus, you can turn your passion for the Gulf into real impact through the Gulf Scholars Program. As a Gulf Scholar Change Agent, you鈥檒l join a small, interdisciplinary cohort and take Gulf-focused courses that explore everything from sustainable futures to climate justice 鈥� all within a waterfront community deeply connected to the issues you鈥檒l study.

Over two years, you鈥檒l gain hands-on experience through internships, fieldwork, or service projects, then develop a public-facing Gulf Impact Project supported by up to $3,500 in funding. If you鈥檙e ready to lead, collaborate, and make meaningful change in the Gulf region, this is your opportunity to dive in.

Get involved in Gulf innovation through the Gulf Scholars Program 

Honors student looking into the ocean with a manual telescope

Student Perspectives

鈥淛oining the Honors College was one of the best decisions I could have made for my college experience. Beyond priority registration and a cool medal at graduation, the Judy Genshaft Honors College at USF St. Petersburg offers valuable opportunities. I made so many friends living in the Honors LLC and the Honors College helped me learn and connect ideas across subjects.鈥�  - Josephine Combs, biology student

If you are ready to explore your passions, expand your horizons, and be part of something truly special, Honors at St. Petersburg is waiting for you!

Check out more benefits of being an Honors student 

Josephine Combs and other Honors students posing with the "Go Bulls" hand sign by the ocean.

Visit Today

Come visit the historic Snell House and see all that Honors at USF St. Petersburg has to offer. Interested students and families are encouraged to

黑料爆料 interested in the St. Petersburg campus are encouraged to register for a general tour of the campus. To plan your tour, visit the USF Office of Admissions website. 

Learn more about the Judy Genshaft Honors College on USF's Tampa and Sarasota-Manatee Campuses