University Honors Program

By Emma Kapp

May is a time of new beginnings, especially for graduating seniors. With these beginnings, however, come some difficult good-byes. The Honors Program knows this all too well, as student employees Luke Horner, Ellie Rizzo and Monica Rook get ready to embark on their next chapters in life. For the past three years, these students have given their time and talents to advance the Honors Program.  As they depart, they shared some final thoughts about their time working for the UHP.

Luke Horner

Applying for a position in the Honors Program just made sense to Luke Horner.

“I was an Honors Student Welcome leader and a Chaminade Scholar, so I felt like I already had a meaningful connection to the program,” he said.

The accounting, business economics and finance triple major was hired and became the UHP’s accounting associate. Looking back on his time, Horner values the work environment of the UHP and appreciated how much the program trusted his skills. 

“There’s a lot of independence in working here,” he shared. “There’s no one standing over your shoulder and checking your every move. It’s really taught me to take responsibility for myself and my work.”

Horner’s experience with the UHP has not all been number-crunching, however. He appreciates the small daily interactions with the other student employees and staff members.

“One of the other student workers and I left notes for each other for an entire semester,” Horner remembers. “It’s little gestures like that I’m really going to miss.”

Horner will be moving to Cincinnati and working for Cintas after graduation. He is excited to get started but will carry the lessons he learned at the UHP with him.

“I’ve learned to always be comfortable asking questions,” Horner said. “There’s a lot of people who want to help you succeed, and all you have to do is reach out.”

Ellie Rizzo

Chaminade Scholars has been a defining experience for Ellie Rizzo.

The international studies and math double major was accepted to the program as a first-year student. She felt called to become more involved after attending a vocation conference hosted by a previous cohort.

“I really wanted to spread awareness and knowledge of vocation across campus through programming with the Chaminade Scholars,” Rizzo said.

Interacting with all the Chaminade Scholars cohorts has been Rizzo’s favorite part of her job. She especially enjoyed helping Chamis make any ideas they had a reality.

“I’m glad I could be in a position to provide people resources and support for their ideas to come to fruition,” Rizzo shared. “It’s been so great to see the growth in the program and the individual Chamis.”

After graduation, Rizzo will be moving to Chicago. She will serve as a program assistant at L’Arche, a program where people with and without intellectual disabilities live in community with one another. Rizzo is excited for the next step in her life but will always remember her time at the UHP.

“I’m looking forward to moving on, but I’ll miss the consistently positive work environment at the UHP,” she said. “I’ve loved being part of this cohesive team.”

Monica Rook

Monica Rook’s journey as an Honors employee started during her second year as a student.

“I was encouraged to apply for a position by Ramona,” she shared. “It meant a lot to me that she saw potential in me.”

Rook was hired and worked as the communication associate for two years. She has spent the last year serving as the UHP’s graduate assistant. In both positions, Rook learned valuable lessons that she still remembers.

“One of the first things Ramona told me was to be nice to your printers [journeymen at a printing company] because they can make or break a project,” she shared. “I’ve definitely taken that advice and applied it to other aspects of my life. Being intentional and treating every task with respect has changed my idea of work.”

Rook’s favorite memory of working for the UHP is the annual Honors Student Symposium. The energy and effort that goes into making the event is inspiring to see.

“It’s such a busy day but it’s so nice to see a celebration of everyone’s effort,” she said. “I also love the calm moments in the transition points of the day when the staff has time to check-in and just be present with one another.”

After graduation, Rook will be staying in Dayton and working for Ulliman Schutte in marketing and communications. She is thankful for her time at the UHP and all the opportunities it provided her.

“I’ve met some of my best friends through working here,” Rook said. “Not only has the UHP given me the gift of an amazing work environment but also the gifts of great friendships.”