Student Profiles (A – M)

Maria came to the Honors College in 2001 from Palm Beach Gardens High School (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) and then returned as a second baccalaureate student in Fall 2010, majoring in Biological Chemistry in preparation for entry to medical school.
Maria enjoys triathlon and other athletic competitions, traveling, and surfing. She also serves as a Student Body Representative on the FAU House of Representatives, participates in volunteer activities on- and off-campus, and is a research intern at Scripps Research Institute and the FAU Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in the Neuroscience Department. Maria chose the Honors College because "it offers opportunities only available in such a close-knit and ambitious environment. While the coursework is demanding, the faculty and your fellow students support you, inspire you, and help you rise to the challenges you are facing."
Read more in 10 Questions with Maria de Lourdes Aitken.

Megan started at the Honors College in Fall 2008 and originally hails from Stuart, FL, where she attended Martin County High School. She concentrates in history and plans to get a job working in the non-profit sector.
This year, besides working on her own thesis research, Megan is working with Dr. Strain as a Research Assistant for his latest writing project. As a Flagler scholar, Megan has backpacked through the Colorado Rockies, interned for Planned Parenthood and a local entrepreneur, as well as studied abroad in Amsterdam - read more about Megan's trip in Dutch Treat: Wilkes Honors College Student Studies Social Policy in Amsterdam.
Outside of her academic interests, Megan is extremely involved on campus in a number of capacities. The past two years, Megan has worked as the Head Orientation Week Leader (OWL) and the Director of the Council of Student Organizations (COSO) in Student Government. She is also Tour Chair for the Honors College Ambassadors and has been involved in clubs like SPECTRUM and Enviro Club. In 2010, Megan represented the MacArthur Campus on Homecoming Court.
Megan considers the Honors College her home because, "Here, you aren't just a face in the crowd. People know you here; you're a part of the community. I've had opportunities here that I wouldn't have gotten at any other university."

Blake, a graduate of Ely High School in Coconut Creek, Florida, enrolled at the Honors College in the Fall of 2010.  He is concentrating in Neuroscience and works as an assistant to the Florida Atlantic University Program Board, as well as interns at the Max Planck Florida Institute.   Outside of class, Blake is the founder and Vice President of the FAU Prowlers, a school spirit organization, and founder and president of the Running Club.  He is passionate about student involvement, and serves as an ambassador for the Honors College, Wing Representative for MacRSA (a resident student organization), member of the Wilkes Honors College Premedical Society, and has been an orientation week leader for two years.  Not only is Blake an active member of the campus community, he also volunteers for the Jupiter Medical Center, and has spoken at numerous conferences and award ceremonies, including LeaderShape South Florida 2012 and the opening of the Max Planck Florida Institute.

Imarhia came to the HC in the fall of 2009 from William T. McFatter Technical High school. She majors in biological chemistry and minors in psychology and will be attending Harvard Medical School in the Fall of 2013.
She fell in love with the HC because of "the close knit community the students and faculty create as well as the interdisciplinary courses that allow students to learn about advances in other subjects than just their own concentrations." She is the president of the Wilkes Pre-Medical Society, Wing representative for Mac RSA and a member of the Invisible Children club, which raises money for victims of the civil war in Uganda.