The Honors Portfolio is a structured, reflective framework that helps students make sense of their growth across the Honors Program. It provides a space to connect coursework, experiences, and long-term goals while documenting progress across the Honors learning outcomes, with particular emphasis on Empowered Self-Discovery and Growth.
The portfolio also helps the Honors Program support students through advising, planning, and timely check-ins. While reflective in nature, it is a required component of the program.
What the Portfolio Is
The portfolio is not a single project completed at the end of your time in Honors. Instead, it is a set of reflections and submissions completed at key moments throughout the program. Together, these pieces create a cumulative record of your intellectual, personal, and professional development.
Portfolio work is designed to be thoughtful and honest rather than polished or performative. You are not expected to have everything figured out.
Portfolio Components
Your Honors Portfolio includes the following elements:
- Goal-Setting Statement (upon admission) - When you enter the Honors Program, you submit an initial goal-setting statement reflecting on your interests, expectations, and reasons for joining Honors. This statement serves as a baseline you will revisit and refine over time.
- Annual Spring Reflections - Each spring, all Honors students complete a required reflection due March 1. These reflections invite you to look back on the year, consider how your goals and interests are evolving, and think intentionally about what comes next. The timing allows these reflections to inform advising conversations and course planning before registration.
- Signature Academic Works (two total) - Students submit two signature academic works as part of the portfolio, one completed during the first year and one completed in a subsequent year. These works should highlight interdisciplinary inquiry and demonstrate sustained engagement with ideas across fields. Signature works typically come from Honors seminars or other courses that reflect the goals of the program.
- Experiential Learning Reflection - Students complete at least one experiential reflection drawn from a range of approved experiences. These may include study abroad, community engagement, sustained leadership roles, research, creative work, Honors internships, or other approved experiential opportunities. This reflection focuses on learning outside the traditional classroom and how those experiences shape your academic and personal development.
- Final Reflection - The portfolio culminates in a final reflection completed near the end of the program. This reflection asks you to look across your portfolio as a whole and articulate how your Honors experience has shaped your thinking, values, and future plans.
When and How You’ll Submit
Portfolio submissions are completed through the Honors Program’s designated platform using prompts and guidance provided each year. Deadlines and instructions are communicated clearly in advance, with March 1 serving as the annual spring reflection deadline.
Good Standing Requirement
Completion of the Honors Portfolio is required to remain in good standing in the Honors Program. Portfolio submissions are not graded, but they are mandatory. Students who do not complete required portfolio components may face registration holds for Honors courses or be required to complete additional advising before continuing in the program.
If circumstances arise that prevent you from meeting a deadline, contact the Honors Program as soon as possible so a plan can be made.
Why the Portfolio Matters
The Honors Portfolio helps you integrate your learning across courses and experiences rather than treating them as isolated requirements. Many students also find that portfolio reflections and signature work become valuable resources later, especially when preparing scholarship applications, graduate school materials, personal statements, or interviews.
Questions and Support
If you have questions about portfolio requirements, deadlines, or what qualifies as signature or experiential work, the Honors Program staff are happy to help you plan and stay on track.