The mission of the Athens State University Honors Program is to attract and provide honor students with an opportunity to be engaged in robust interdisciplinary academics and related programming that intentionally develops their curiosity and propels them toward their future careers as citizens of a global community.
Honors Program participants will receive tuition scholarships, funding to attend a conference in the student’s field, and funding for materials to support an Honors Thesis/Project. Participants will also be involved in community service projects and cohort-building trips based on experiential learning.
Program Goals
- Recruit high-achieving and motivated students who would like to enhance their academic experience at Athens State University;
- Foster an interdisciplinary community of peers committed to intellectual inquiry and lifelong learning;
- Provide opportunities for students to deepen their academic experience beyond the classroom through project-based learning;
- Promote effective scholarly communication and interdisciplinary collaboration;
- Increase community engagement through community service projects;
- Empower students as citizens of a global community.
Overview of Honors Program
The Honors Program at Athens State University will consist of:
- Honors Project (completed over 3 semesters)
- Honors Cohort Professional Growth Activities
- Community Service
- community engagement initiatives/projects, seminars, workshops (development and participation)
- Co-Curricular initiatives/projects with other honor organizations at Athens State University (i.e. Phi Theta Kappa, Delta Mu Delta, Psi Chi, Kappa Delta Pi, etc.)
Honors Project
Honors students at Athens State University will complete original research, service-learning, or work-based learning project over 3 semesters with one Honors Faculty Mentor. The Honors Project will culminate in a public presentation given to the campus community and the general public and a written paper in the student’s final semester. Honors students will also present their work at a professional conference. Students will graduate with an Honors designation on their transcript after successful completion of the Honors Project.
Honors Cohort Activities
Honors students will participate in cohort activities, including an online learning community, on-campus meetings, cohort-building trips and excursions, common reads, and informal cohort activities. In addition to the Honors Project, students will complete 16 hours of community service per year and attend or organize community engagement projects/initiatives/events.
Scholarly and Creative Work Grant Program
The Honors Program aims to foster undergraduate student-faculty scholarly and creative projects across the university. Athens State undergraduate students working with faculty on scholarly/creative projects either independently or through a course (e.g. capstone, directed study, independent study, internship, practicum) can apply for funding through the Student Scholarly and Creative Work Grant Program, supported by the Honors Program. Applying for and receiving grants can be an important component of student professional development. We encourage any undergraduate student interested in/or currently working on a project with a faculty member to apply. Please contact us to receive a grant application document.
Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR)
Athens State is a member of the Council on Undergraduate Research (cur.org). CUR provides information and training on developing undergraduate research projects, a peer-reviewed students journal, conference opportunities, and networking opportunities. Please contact us to receive information on opportunities available through the Council on Undergraduate Research.
National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC)
Athens State is a member of the National Collegiate Honors Council (https://www.nchchonors.org/). The mission of NCHC is to support and enhance the community of educational institutions, professionals, and students who participate in collegiate honors education around the world. Please contact us to receive information on opportunities available through the National Collegiate Honors Council.
Program Requirements
- Apply and be accepted to Athens State University
- Have a GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Agree to complete a project with a Faculty Supervisor over the course of 3 semesters
- Agree to give a presentation and submit a paper describing my Honors project during my final semester
- Agree to participate in Honors co-curricular activities and projects
- Agree to participate in community engagement initiatives
- Agree to complete 16 hours of community service per year
Apply Today!
Apply for the Athens State University Honors Program through the application link below. Include in your application a 750 to 1,000-word essay on how the Honors Program will help you reach your academic and professional goals.
Kris Erskine, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Secondary History/Social Studies Education- Phone:256-216-6607 Phone:256-216-6607
- Email:[email protected]
- Department:Secondary Education
- Office:
Founders Hall, Room 206
Maria Steele, DNP
Assistant Professor of Nursing (CRNP, RN, PMHNP-BC, PHNA-BC, CNE)- Phone:256-233-6513 Phone:256-233-6513
- Email:[email protected]
- Department:Nursing
- Office:
Brown Hall 217