Current first-year students with a 3.5 GPA or higher are invited to join the honors program.
Honors and Scholars Director Dr. Jonathan Kuiken, was joined by Jen McLaughlin, honors and scholars assistant director, in hosting a recent open session about joining the honors program.
Honors students enjoy perks such as funding for study abroad, honors-only opportunities, internships and research. They also have access to early course registration, no-cost overloading above 18 credits, special access to campus speakers and field trips. There are also honors-only spaces, including refreshments and a 24-hour-access honors lounge.
Kuiken explained that the “on-ramp” access was created three years ago for current students to join the program. They wanted to find a way to involve more students in the program, especially for the students who display qualities of leadership and academic achievement.
The program highly values leadership, integrity, self-awareness and academic distinction. Kuiken described these values as taking one’s individual gifts and talents to better the community.
“My favorite thing about the honors program is the people because this is where I made connections with the faculty who have helped me through things, and where I met all of my friends,” said Kamea Paresa, secondary education and math honors student.
Paresa also explained that “being a part of the honors program is my best decision coming to Wilkes.”
Kuiken spoke about the academic portion of being an honors student, where there is a focus on undergraduate research and cooperative research with faculty members.
“It opens a lot of opportunities for research,” he explained.
McLaughlin spoke about the various honors spaces, including the honors lounge, classroom and office, which all are “places to hang out, do some work and network with other honors students.”
Not only is the program academically motivated, it is also community driven and focuses on peer mentoring and collaboration.
“I think my favorite part of the honors program is the opportunities, and I enjoy reaching out and getting to know people,” said Ada Soriano, pre-pharmacy and Spanish honors student.
Soriano is also the Director of Community Service for the Honors Program Student Committee, and explained that the upperclass-students in the program helped prepare her for her busy workload.
“I think it’s very helpful because you have your peer mentors,” said Soriano.
Kuiken explained that one of the program’s priorities is to “encourage you to be involved in leadership on campus,” and their goal for students is for them “to get involved, to grow as students and to add to your resume.”
Some of the coursework is specifically targeted towards honors students. Senior honors students enroll in HNR 390 which is an honors capstone.
In addition to the academic bonuses, honors students will receive recognition at commencement, and a special notation on their transcripts.
The application process consists of filling out a basic Google form.
In addition, students must receive two letters of recommendation and complete three small essays, one that answers why they want to join the program, another describing a leadership role and the final essay addresses how to adapt to reach the honors requirements.
Some future Honors Program events include an escape room, ice hockey game, cookie decorating and a trip to see the Broadway musical “Six.”
Applications close April 15, and any students with questions can email [email protected].