Paula has been involved with the Honors Program long before she began teaching part time at UM-Flint in 1992. She was an Honors student herself in the early years of the program beginning in 1983. Her cohort was only 18 students, in contrast to the over 70 students in today’s freshmen cohort. Paula began teaching full time at UM-Flint in 1995. She received her B.A. from UM-Flint, her M.A. from Michigan State University, and her J.D. from Wayne State University.
When looking back at her personal experience, Paula said, “The Honors Program gave me my first opportunity to travel abroad, to appreciate other cultures, and to see the world. It gave me a well-rounded education.” Writing her Honors thesis helped teach her research methods. “It’s what made me want to go to grad school.” Paula went to Brussels and Germany for her Off-campus study project where she studied the migration of labor in European countries.
As an Honors Alum, it was a natural progression for Paula to start working with Honors students as an Honors Representative/Mentor, and as an Honors Council member. Her work with Honors students involves reading Economics student theses, advising students on their Off-campus study proposals, as well as some cross-disciplinary advising when students need economics data for papers, theses, or reports.
Where she enjoys working with Honors students the most is at World Fest. Paula is the Director for the Department of Economics’ Center for Economic Education, which hosts the annual event where upwards of 400 4th and 5th grade students come together to research topics such as economics, geography, culture, and political systems that they relate to a nation they choose. Paula recruits Honors students to supervise groups of children at the event. The Honors Students are able to bank needed service time, and Paula gets reliable ambassadors for the university to help her with the event. It’s a win-win.
Paula said, “The Honors students have always been a tight group who keep in touch even years after graduating from UM-Flint.” She still keeps in touch with a few of her Honors cohort. She looks forward to continuing her work with the Honors Program.