University Honors Program

Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Studies: Dr. Nele Hempel-Lamer

Director: Dr. Deborah Thien

The University Honors Program provides a select pool of high-achieving students with a unique educational experience through a commitment to academic excellence and undergraduate research,  mentorship and professionalism, and meaningful civic engagement both on campus and in local and global communities. These opportunities are supported by a close-knit community of scholars, faculty and staff to ensure students are thoughtfully and rigorously prepared for leadership roles, whether in the pursuit of advanced graduate degrees, and/or in personal and professional pathways in local and global settings. Honors students are eligible for merit-based financial support from President’s Scholarships, and receive valuable benefits such as priority registration, small classes, individualized academic advising, and undergraduate research experiences.

University Honors Program offers students the best of a small college experience alongside the opportunities afforded by a comprehensive university setting. Students will be fully immersed in the learning process and therefore must have both the ability and willingness to do intense and often self-directed intellectual work as well as a desire to make the most of all opportunities available at and beyond the University. Students will be prepared to lead their communities with intellectual rigor, transformative vision, and global acumen. Students are expected to make a sustained commitment to excellence.

The University Honors Program offers a special approach to the General Education requirements of the University through a cohesive and unified program of study. The program consists of carefully selected courses and specially designed, multi-disciplinary seminars, most of which are applied toward the 48 units of General Education courses required for graduation of all students.