Charlie Vazquez Acosta is a senior Honors student graduating this May with a degree in Mathematics and a minor in Physics. Charlie shared future plans, favorite Honors Program memories, and advice for incoming Honors students. Read below to hear about Charlie’s Honors journey.
- What are your future plans?
“I will be continuing my studies at Northern Illinois University in the Applied Mathematics PhD program, where I will be working under Dr. Anders Linner and focusing on differential geometry. I have also secured a paid Graduate Teaching Assistantship with the Department of Mathematical Sciences beginning in Fall 2026, which includes a full tuition waiver and a stipend.”
2. What is your favorite Honors Program memory?
“My favorite memories from the Honors Program are the ice cream socials, where I met some of my closest friends, and working on my Honors senior capstone project with Dr. Sien Deng. That experience allowed me to bring together my research from past semesters into a cohesive, publishable manuscript.”
3. How did being part of the Honors Program help you during your time here at NIU?
“The Honors Program provided me with opportunities to engage in advanced research, connect with faculty mentors, and build meaningful relationships with peers. It challenged me academically and helped prepare me for graduate-level work, while also giving me the support and community needed to succeed.”
4. What piece of advice to you have to new students starting in the Honors Program?
“Excellence is not talent alone—it is discipline, humility, and the courage to keep going when things get difficult. If you commit to that, you won’t just succeed—you will rise, expand, and become something greater than you ever imagined.”
