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Andrew Stevens exemplifies what it means to think and work across disciplines. From studying political science and physics as an undergraduate to earning both a law degree and a master’s in aerospace engineering, Stevens has never been afraid to go against the grain.

As a student in the °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ Judy Genshaft Honors College from 2013 to 2017, he studied abroad in Germany, worked at the Honors front desk, and interned at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Today, he practices intellectual property and technology law in Tampa, combining his engineering and legal expertise to serve clients across a range of industries. 

What was your favorite part of taking courses as an Honors student? 

More than anywhere else I’ve experienced in higher education, the Honors College is where you can truly cultivate your sense of self and purpose. I entered as a freshman lacking a strong sense of where I was headed. My dad earned his PhD in civil engineering from USF, so engineering felt like a natural first step. As it would turn out, that first step was removed from where I’d end up. And it was the Honors College that immediately provided a framework to help me build my own path.  

While taking introductory engineering courses, the Honors College introduced me to coursework in various other topics — such as philosophy, religion, and cognitive psychology. One of my first Honors courses explored the relationship between science and philosophy, challenging how I thought and how I communicated. That is the beauty of Honors courses — they often blend teachings from various disciplines, requiring you to explore and connect distinct ideas.  
 
What did you love most about studying abroad with the Honors College? 
 
I had the amazing opportunity to participate in the Germany Beyond the Classroom program. Before experiencing nearly a month in Germany together, our class spent a semester studying German history, politics, economics, and language. During this period, we prepared and presented a research project at a university-wide event. With two other students, I developed a project on Germany’s renewable energy system. This allowed us to blend engineering and environmental science with international politics and economics.   
We became close as a class, and many of us still remain close. For example, when I was more recently deciding on whether to pursue a master’s degree, I called two of my Germany BTC classmates — now engineers at SpaceX and Lockheed Martin — to discuss aerospace engineering. And just last month, I had dinner with two of my best friends, now a doctor and a pharmacist, from the Germany program. We still talk about the relationships we built and the experiences we had in Germany. 
 
How did you know you wanted to get involved in technology and law? 

A big part of my journey was the deep relationships I built with professors and staff at the Honors College. At the time, the Germany program was led by Dr. Lucien and Dr. Funke. In developing my Honors thesis and in navigating my own path, I leaned on them for guidance. Dr. Lucien connected me with Dr. Cross, my eventual thesis chair, and Dr. Funke served on my thesis committee. Academic meetings eventually became personal mentorships, helping me navigate personal relationships, academic failures, and my move through engineering, physics, and political science. These mentors empowered me to take calculated risks in pursuing an interdisciplinary education and career — something many of them had done themselves — and they stressed the importance of continued relationship-building.  
  
I slowly found disciplines I enjoyed and became comfortable pursuing a vocation not readily posted on job board. Since graduating, I continue to lean into these lessons, earning a law degree and a master’s in aerospace engineering, and pursuing a career at the intersection of law and engineering. Every step along the way, I turned to Dr. Lucien, Dr. Cross, and friends from the college for insight and support. 
 
What advice do you have for current Honors students? 
 
The next few years will be filled with adventure, success, and failure. Use your time at the Honors College to cultivate who you are and where you can make a unique impact. Challenge your understandings and build a community. Explore a meandering path and know that the people here will support you. Here, you’ll have the tools to build your own path.