Lilly Honea is originally from New Hope, Ala. and came to The University of Alabama in 2018 to study anthropology, with an early interest in southeastern archaeology. She later entered UA’s Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP), collaborating with the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma on a photogrammetry-based tribal outreach and collections documentation project.

Her undergraduate and graduate work; including fieldwork on the Georgia Sea Islands, cultural resource management across Alabama and additional collaboration with the Chickasaw Nation’s Cultural Heritage Department, shaped her appreciation for collaborative, community-informed approaches to complex issues. These experiences strengthened her commitment to multiple ways of knowing and to the value of interdisciplinary engagement.

Although Lilly was not an Honors College student herself, her training in anthropology introduced her to the transdisciplinary thinking the Honors College seeks to cultivate. As an advisor, she encourages students to make connections across fields, expand their perspectives and recognize that meaningful solutions rarely emerge from a single method or discipline. She brings this philosophy to her work, emphasizing curiosity, collaboration and holistic learning. Lilly teaches UH 100 (Honors Year One: Connections) and UH 205 (Social Foundations of Community Engagement) for the Honors College.

Lilly’s best advice for Honors students is simple: don’t be afraid of doing too much, because playing it small can close doors; and never count yourself out of an opportunity. Her favorite part of working with Honors students is supporting those who are ready to hustle, learn and dive deeply into their interests, even when those interests take them in unexpected directions.

Outside of advising, Lilly is working toward her goal of visiting every county in Alabama and has only four left: Clay, Monroe, Russell and Henry. She also enjoys romping, fishing, photography, researching Alabamian history and cultures, looking into both her own and others’ genealogy, history and archaeology. Her favorite podcast is Ologies by Alie Ward.

Stephen Shol is originally from Olive Branch, Miss., and he graduated from The University of Alabama with his bachelor's and master’s degrees in communication studies through the Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP). His academic interests focused on Indigenous scholarship which in turn informs both the critical advising model he utilizes in his work with Honors students and the reflexive instruction he pursues in his UH 100/110 section.

His advice for Honors students would be to talk to people. College is a time for developing interpersonal connections that will bolster you throughout challenges, and you’re given the space and time to structure your days. Make the most of the time that you have now.

His favorite part of working with Honors students is how varied their interests are, and how devoted they are to succeeding. They continue to surprise him.

Stephen is Q’eqchi’ Maya, and he’s a naturalized citizen in Belize. He likes cooking, baking, reading, writing and singing. Currently, his favorite book is “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong, and his favorite musical is “Rent.” His favorite quote is from Joy Harjo, “I chose poetry. Actually, poetry chose me.”