About the Honors Program

Core Values

Our core values guide us as we build a community that supports academic excellence and personal growth:

• Curiosity: We approach the world with wonder and openness, always seeking to learn and grow through the questions we ask and the experiences we embrace.
• Challenge: We push ourselves to take intellectual and creative risks, continually striving to contribute to the greater pursuit of knowledge and social change.
• Excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards, going beyond what is required to achieve academic, ethical, and personal excellence.
• Belonging and Opportunity: We are committed to fostering a community where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of background, identity, or circumstance. By cultivating respect and ensuring access to meaningful growth opportunities, we empower all individuals to reach their full potential.
• Community Engagement: We recognize the privilege of our education and seek to use it for the greater good, contributing to a more just and compassionate world.
• Global-Mindedness: We embrace the opportunity to learn from diverse cultures, critically examining our own assumptions and biases in order to better understand and engage with an interconnected world.

Program Learning Outcomes 

1. Creative Inquiry and Critical Curiosity: Demonstrate a commitment to original inquiry by critically analyzing and synthesizing complex ideas. Honors students will engage in nuanced evaluations, identify unique opportunities, exercise intellectual independence, and initiate innovative solutions that reflect advanced disciplinary and interdisciplinary exploration while striving for academic excellence.
2. Sophisticated Interdisciplinary Communication: Demonstrate mastery in conveying complex ideas across various communication forms—written, oral, visual, and/or digital—tailored to diverse audiences. Honors students will enhance analytical and listening skills, engage in interdisciplinary dialogue that challenges assumptions, and foster innovative solutions through constructive exchange.
3. Advanced Research Proficiency and Innovation: Demonstrate expertise in quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies by formulating original research questions, gathering and analyzing evidence, and drawing meaningful conclusions. Honors students will uphold ethical research standards, actively pursue excellence, and contribute to innovative inquiry within the academic community.
4. Cultural Humility: Practice cultural competency by recognizing and respecting diverse perspectives and values, navigating cultural interactions effectively, and communicating sensitively across boundaries, fostering an inclusive environment that challenges biases and promotes equity.
5. Social Connectedness and Community Engagement: Cultivate meaningful connections by participating in university and Honors Program events and building relationships with peers and community members. Honors students will create a supportive network that enhances their academic experience and contributes to the broader community.
6. Empowered Self-Discovery and Growth: Engage in reflective practices to assess personal strengths and areas for growth, setting and pursuing ambitious goals for intellectual, emotional, and ethical development. Honors students will commit to excellence, lifelong learning, and personal responsibility, embracing challenges as growth opportunities.