Honors Ambassadors
The Honors Ambassador Program is a leadership organization within the Helen Hardin Honors College, with the purpose of showcasing our most engaged members to new and current students.
Honors Ambassadors are primarily responsible for assisting staff with honors-sponsored events, offering guidance to current members, encouraging current members to participate in honors experiences, and helping to recruit potential honors students. Honors Ambassadors are expected to be knowledgeable about all aspects of the Honors College; assist with honors orientation meetings; help with fall and spring honors-sponsored events; attend recruitment receptions and college fairs; and other special events as they arise.
$500 scholarship per semester
Engage and network with current and prospective honors students as well as with campus staff and faculty
Minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA, good academic standing, & active enrollment in the Honors College
Current sophomore status or higher
Not graduating May 2026 or December 2026
Must be a student for the entire 2026-2027 academic year.
Leadership & involvement experiences
Has participated in an Honors experience such as study abroad, internship, research, etc.
Positive attitude, responsible, reliable, and works well with others
2026-2027 Honors Ambassadors
Our Honors Ambassadors are here to talk to you about the Helen Hardin Honors College and being a successful honors student. They come from a variety of academic departments, campus groups, and Honors Experiences.
Ambassadors will be available at UofM Honors events where students to talk about the opportunities available as honors students, give guidance and perspectives on a variety of topics, and offer success tips and resources.
Hawa Sesay
Major: Health Studies
I decided to join the Helen Hardin Honors College for one simple reason: DETERMINATION. As a continuing student, I wanted everything that I do to have a purpose. I wanted my academic success to be recognized and help me during my undergrad and after. I want to be more than just an honors student. To me, being an ambassador means serving different communities, being of help to other students in need, and presenting what it really means to be a leader. Communication and mediation are two skills I pride myself upon and have learned through being a resident advisor at the LLC. These strengths allow me to help Honors students become leaders in their own right.
Suzulan Brickeen
Majors: Chemistry & Business Management
Tomi Ajidahun
Major: Health Studies
I joined Helen Hardin College because of what it stands for. I loved the fact that the aim of the Honors College was to and is to cultivate a community of intellectually curious and motivated students and provide opportunities for us. As an ambassador, I am someone who represents the Honors College and is essentially an example to others. I believe its important not just to talk about what Honors offers, but lead by example, really show others my lived experiences in the day-to-day. I want to be living proof that being in the Honors College separates you from the average college student because the Honors College sees potential in each individual and helps all students on a personalized path to attain their goals. I’m so grateful for my experiences thus far being an honors student and I honestly can’t wait to express my love on a broader platform for the Honors College to incoming and current students.
Sumiran Sharma
Majors: Biomedical Enginering & Mathematical Sciences
I joined the Helen Hardin Honors College with a very limited idea of the opportunities that I was about to have access to. From my very first semester, I was allowed access to the VIP Undergraduate Research Program that allowed me to step foot into research. I was then given the opportunity to conduct my own research project over the summer as part of the Honors Summer Fellowship. I’ve also been able to be a part of smaller classes, specifically in the field of math which have accelerated my understanding of the principles that are crucial to my major of biomedical engineering. I find myself to be more confident thanks to these experiences and lead numerous organizations on campus that are dedicated to building and serving community, which is what I aspire to do as an Honors Student Ambassador. I hope to provide students insight into how their college experience can be enriched by what the Honors College has to offer them.
Leonel Tiffer Flores
Major: Communications
I joined the Honors College because because I wanted to feel the same sense of community that I had previously had with being in the International Baccalaureate Program in my high school. In my first year of college, I discovered there is this sense of community that comes along with being an Honors Student and that it smooths the adjustment from high school to college. I would like to give back the support given to me in my freshman year by leading prospective honors students through example. I feel there are a lot of misconceptions about Honors and would like to clarify them to incoming freshman; I know how they felt coming into college! I hope to make their transition smooth and give them a sense of community and support on their academic journey.
Avry Farmer
Majors: Biomedical Engineering
I have a background in engineering, medicine, and patient care. I currently serve as a research inter at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I am active across campus in organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers, the Honors Student Organization, and Rising Health Professionals. I also have over two years of experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant providing direct care to patients with dementia and other memory-related conditions. After graduation, I hope to work in prosthetics before attending medical school and specializing in women’s health. In my free time, I enjoy reading, sewing, painting, and going to the gym.
Morgan Brown
Major: Health Studies
I joined the Helen Hardin Honors College because I wanted to surround myself with like-minded students and use the resources through the honors college for better academic and eventually professional opportunities that are offered through the college. The honors college gives me a way to push myself to grow in both my academic and personal development. I want to help other students have an experience in the Honors College in accessing and using what the college has to offer to their advantage to have a transformative experience through their journey through college and after. I want to inspire students to want to come back and become an ambassador themselves! I want to be able to connect with prospective students because I know that, coming into honors, there are a lot of concerns and questions about the classes and what the coursework will be like, but being able to help students navigate through those questions will help them be more comfortable and less worried.
Faizan Thapur
Major: Finance
Through the Honors College, I have been able to challenge myself academically while taking advantage of opportunities that have helped me grow both personally and professionally. One of the most meaningful parts of my college experience has been the opportunity to travel abroad and experience different cultures and perspectives. As an Honors Ambassador, I want to share my experiences and encourage other students to take full advantage of the opportunities available through the Honors College. I hope to inspire students to consider studying abroad, traveling, getting involved, and pursuing experiences that may initially seem outside of their comfort zone. I want to show students that college can be about more than academics; it can also be an opportunity to explore new places, meet people from different backgrounds, and discover new interests while preparing for the future.
Anyshka Hirani
Major: Biology
I joined the Helen Hardin Honors College after my first semester, which was fall 2024, because I wanted a community that academically challenges me, supports me as I grow, and offers unique opportunities for my future. This Honors College offers a demanding academic upbringing that pushes me to go above and beyond standard curriculum and is involved more intensely with my studies. The Honors College plays a vital part in guiding me to achieve my goals by offering access to progressive coursework, research, and advising personalized to the individual. I serve as an Honors Ambassador because I believe in giving back to a platform that has given so much. I thrive when others feel welcomed, are informed, and motivated about their future, and representing the University of Memphis with my professionalism and truthfulness will guarantee people a genuine and set path.
Satvika Kodali
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Being a part of the Helen Hardin Honors College has given me the opportunity to surround myself with motivated students who are passionate about learning, leadership, and making an impact. What I value most about the Honors College is how it encourages students to go beyond the classroom, challenge themselves, and find opportunities that help them grow academically and personally. Through my experiences with research, leadership, student organizations, and service at the University of Memphis, I’ve learned how important it is to step outside of your comfort zone and make the most of your college experience. As an Honors Ambassador, I hope to share those experiences with prospective and current students, help them feel welcomed and supported, and show them that there is no single path to being a successful Honors student. I’m excited to represent the Honors College and help other students discover the opportunities and community that have made my own experience at the University of Memphis so meaningful.
Trinity Robertson
Major: Electrical Engineering
I decided to join the Helen Hardin Honors College because I wanted to be intentional about my education and make the most of my college experience. I needed to challenge myself both academically and socially by pushing beyond the expectations of my curriculum and surrounding myself with peers who are equally motivated to succeed. To me, being an honors student demonstrates that you are intellectually curious, seeking out opportunities to learn beyond the classroom, and finding meaningful ways to apply that knowledge to benefit the community around you. Most importantly, joining Honors has shown me a community of people that dedicates their time to supporting and uplifting one another. As an Honors Ambassador, I hope to share this experience with other students and encourage them to invest in their futures by joining this program.