Unconventional Paths with 2026 USF Outstanding Young Alumni Awardees Zita Fletcher and Paul Johannes

Three Judy Genshaft Honors College alumni were recognized with the 2026 University of South Florida Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Zita Fletcher, Paul Johannes, and Ahmed-Zayn Mohamed. Before the awards ceremony on the USF Tampa campus, we had the opportunity to sit down with two of the honorees — military historian Zita Fletcher and U.S. Navy submarine officer Paul Johannes. In this episode of The Honor Roll Podcast, we explore what it means to build a meaningful career on your own terms. Zita and Paul discuss topics such as forging nontraditional career paths, developing as leaders, and finding ways to make a lasting impact regardless of their field. They also reflect on their Honors College experiences, how USF has evolved since they graduated, what life aboard a submarine is really like, and how storytelling can change lives. Don’t forget to rate and review – we love to hear your feedback. Guests: Zita Fletcher and Paul Johannes Hosts: Reva Gandhi and Fabiana Requena Production: Nicholas Henry, Maya Nikolski, and Professor Tamara Nemirovsky Additional Resources: Check out Zita’s USF Honors Alumni Spotlight article: https://www.usf.edu/honors/news/2025/... Read Zita’s work on her website: https://zitasteele.com/welcome/ Read more about the Olmsted Scholar Program: https://olmstedfoundation.org/