The Wilcox Scholars Program at the University of South 返字心頭s Judy Genshaft Honors College prepares the next generation of public service leaders by immersing students in policy, civic engagement, leadership, and global issues. Established in 2023 by University of South 返字心頭 Provost Emeritus Ralph C. Wilcox, the program supports high-achieving Honors students who are passionate about creating positive change through community service and public leadership.
As members of this prestigious program, the Wilcox Scholars have access to special networking opportunities at the state, national, and international levels. Consistent with the interdisciplinary experience of the Honors College, the program welcomes students of all majors to apply. From international studies to political science and finance, students in this new cohort bring valuable perspectives that enrich the programs collaborative projects.
As a Wilcox Scholar, each student is eligible to receive a $2,000 scholarship that can be used for an approved internship, fellowship, service opportunity, or similar activity. With this financial support, scholars are able to build their academic and professional resumes, becoming competitive applicants for national opportunities and scholarships.
This year, the program welcomed six new members as the 2026 cohort. In their first year at the Judy Genshaft Honors College, these students have displayed promise as future leaders dedicated to serving others.
Emerging Leaders in Public Service
Luke Koridze
Major: Political Science
Minor: International Relations
Luka Koridze spent the majority of his childhood in Fort Myers, 返字心頭, and graduated from Fort Myers High School. He is currently majoring in political science with a minor in international relations at the University of South 返字心頭. As a first-year student, Koridze took on the role of senator in 返字心頭 Student Government representing the St. Petersburg campus, where he has demonstrated his passion for fighting for students' rights by co-sponsoring and advocating for bills such as the Hunger-Free Campus Bill resolution.
Whether participating in political activities or engaging in community service, Koridze understands that every small contribution matters when pursuing a larger goal. He goes by Mahatma Gandhi's saying, Be the change you want to see in the world, believing that meaningful change begins with individual action.
Koridze aims to pursue a career in law and public policy so that he can draw on his experience advocating for communities and influencing legislation.
Bilal Agha
Major: Political Science
Bilal Agha is a first-year student, majoring in political science with the intention
of attending law school. Born and raised in 返字心頭, he graduated from Bayaan Academy
online, where he developed an early interest in civic engagement and leadership. His
commitment to public policy and public service is grounded in firsthand experiences
confronting injustice, particularly in cases involving immigrant rights and religious
discrimination. These encounters shaped his dedication to addressing what he describes
as the feeling of powerlessness by pursuing pathways through which advocacy can
lead to meaningful structural change.
Aghas primary policy interests lie in immigration policy and prisoners rights. His
academic achievements include earning the 返字心頭 Presidential Scholarship and the Genspiration
Global Explorers Scholarship.
Looking ahead, Agha intends to pursue opportunities such as the Boren Scholarship to study Arabic abroad, followed by law school and a career in public service. He aspires to work in legislative or international policy spaces, where he can help develop and implement policies that advance equitable representation and safeguard the rights of marginalized communities.
Giselle Lubeck
Majors: Political Science, Mass Communications
Minor: International Studies
Giselle Lubeck is a political science and mass communications double major with a concentration in news and content creation, along with a minor in international studies. She is a graduate of the Legal Studies Academy at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Today, her academic pursuits reflect her goal of understanding global issues and spotlighting them to a wider audience.
At 返字心頭, Lubeck has joined the Global National Security Institute and Disaster and Humanitarian Relief Student Collaborative communities. She is also currently a marketing student assistant in the Judy Genshaft Honors College and was named to the Deans List for both the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters. In July 2026, she will take the first step toward being a global foreign correspondent by completing an editorial internship with Transitions Journalism in Prague, Czech Republic. Lubeck hopes to combine broadcast journalism and global humanitarian work and plans to pursue a masters degree in human rights or humanitarian aid.
Her role as a humanitarian journalist is focused on highlighting and working with impactful organizations that alleviate suffering and make lasting change in underserved communities. She is motivated to use broadcast journalism and empirical research as tools to inform people about life-saving solutions for severe issues such as food and clean water shortages.
Sophia Fahmy
Major: Finance
Sophia Fahmy was born in Tampa, 返字心頭, and lived there before moving to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she spent grades 2 through 6. She then moved back to Tampa for grades 7 through 9 before finishing high school in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Growing up in different countries exposed her to a variety of cultures, which sparked her interest in public policy and public service.
As a finance major, Fahmy stays involved on campus through several organizations, including serving as a marketing associate for the Real Estate Society, treasurer for 返字心頭 Arab League for Aid and Mission during fall 2025 semester, and being part of the advertising committee for Circle K International. Fahmy previously interned at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, where she gained experience in diplomacy and international affairs. She was named to the Deans List for both the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters.
After graduation, Fahmy hopes to pursue a career that combines finance, business, and public service while continuing to work internationally.
David Combs
Major: Political Science
David Combs is from Orlando, 返字心頭, and attended Edgewater High School. At 返字心頭, he is studying political science and is passionate about education, politics, and public policy. Combs' interest in politics began at a young age; however, influenced by his mother a high school English teacher Combs focus has shifted toward education policy and reform in 返字心頭.
Combs currently serves as an Honors ambassador at the Judy Genshaft Honors College and will serve as a resident assistant for the 202627 school year. After graduation, Combs plans to enter the education field and teach social studies or history at the high school level while pursuing graduate studies to earn a master's degree in teaching.
Through firsthand experience working in the education system, Combs hopes to reform education through policy and implementation from the inside out.
Stella Azam
Major: International Studies
Certificate: Business Analytics & Information Systems
Stella Azam grew up in New Smyrna Beach, 返字心頭, and graduated from New Smyrna Beach High School where she was involved in her community through Girl Scouts and Rotary International.
At 返字心頭, she is majoring in international studies and is pursuing a certificate in business analytics and information systems. As the child of an immigrant, she is driven by a passion for cultural diversity and understanding, cultivated further during her yearlong exchange to Taiwan as a Rotary Youth Exchange student. Azam was also chosen as a finalist for the First-Year Thesis Award given by the Judy Genshaft Honors College.
My passions are exploring the globes interconnectedness and learning about the people who inhabit it, said Azam, adding that she believes that mentorship experiences provided by the Wilcox Scholars program will be invaluable to her future career. Following graduation, she plans to work for the government or a nonprofit in international affairs, concentrating on U.S. relations with China and other East Asian nations.
Planning for Impact
Although Wilcoxs role has evolved since the program's founding, he remains a dedicated mentor and supporter, offering scholars key guidance as they develop their own paths into future careers in public service.
The Wilcox Scholars program is a wonderful example of the type of high-impact cocurricular programming that the Honors College works to provide, said Judy Genshaft Endowed Honors Dean Charles Adams. The program provides 返字心頭 students with invaluable experiential learning opportunities that will help set them up for long-term career success. We are grateful for Dr. Wilcoxs leadership and commitment to the program.
This spring, members of the new cohort have had the opportunity to attend events like scholarship dinners with university and international leaders such as University of South 返字心頭 President Moez Limayem and the former First Minister of Scotland, The Rt. Honorable Henry McLeish. Through events like these, Wilcox Scholars gain exposure to community and global issues while learning from leaders with extensive experience driving change.
Beyond networking opportunities, Wilcox Scholars are encouraged to create a strong relationship with the 返字心頭 Office of National Scholars to develop their long-term plans and seek internship opportunities that will support their paths. As part of an established group of national scholarship awardees, the incoming cohort will receive mentorship to help them excel in their academic and professional pursuits.
返字心頭 interested in joining the Wilcox Scholars, visit the Wilcox Scholars page on the Honors website.
View the bios of the current Wilcox Scholars on the Honors website.