Read more to see what's new  with KSU Honors College programs, students and faculty!

News & Updates from the Honors College
Kennesaw State University Honors Alumna Completes Ph.D. at Emory University
 
Emily Weikum graduated as a Kennesaw State University (KSU) Honors Scholar in 2012.  During her time at KSU, she worked in the laboratory of Dr. Carol Chrestensen, her Honors mentor. Through this work, she learned about the operation of a research lab, presented her data at a national meeting, and developed her own research project, which eventually became her Honors thesis. 

From 2012-2016, Emily completed her Ph.D. in Biochemistry at Emory University. While pursuing her doctoral degree, she published four research articles as first author, received a NIH grant, and gave award-winning lectures.

Through her experience in laboratory settings, Emily discovered that she most enjoyed  writing manuscripts, crafting professional presentations, and creating figure illustrations for papers. She recently found a position as a Medical Writer with SciMentum that allows her to pursue her passion by developing communications from manuscripts, posters, videos, and presentations. 

*We are now accepting team sign-ups for the Gingerbread House Building Contest. Teams should consist of three to four participants. To sign your team up, click here.
University Honors Program Director Emerita Returning to Teach

Founding Honors Director  Dr. Liza Davis retired in December 2016 after 20 years with the University Honors Program at Kennesaw State University. She was recognized in August of 2017 by the Department of Career Planning and Development as a result of a survey of graduating seniors that identified Dr. Davis as one of the professors who has made the greatest difference in their lives. 

She will be returning to teach an Honors seminar (HON 4490: Literature and Science) for the Spring 2018 semester. Dr. Davis's course will examine selected literary works that draw on scientific understanding and scientific works that have the artistic merit of good literature. 

Dr. Davis's class will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am-12:15pm on the Kennesaw campus. To register, use CRN 15244.

New Honors Scholarship Opportunities
University Honors Program Students Present at the 2017  National Collegiate Honors Council National Conference

The National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) is a professional association for national and international undergraduate Honors students, faculty, and staff. NCHC provides its members with an intellectual environment that values scholarship, creativity, and social engagement.
 
This year, Atlanta hosted the 2017 NCHC Annual Conference. Two Honors students were given the opportunity to present their projects. William Lentjes graduated with an undergraduate degree in Architecture in Spring 2017. He was chosen as an NCHC 2017 Portz Scholar for his Honors capstone project, "On Craft." The Portz Scholar competition is highly competitive and recognizes only four students nationally. Dhruvee Patel is a current student pursuing her undergraduate degree in Architecture. She presented her poster, "Chandigarh: A 21st-Century Smart City?"
Peer Mentor Spotlight

This year, the Honors College selected its inaugural group of Honors Peer Mentors. Peer Mentors are outstanding University Honors Program students who support the transition of new students to the University Honors Program. 

Dylan Townsend is an Early Childhood Education major on the Kennesaw campus. He plans to graduate in the Fall of 2018. Dylan's future plans include teaching grades 3-5 and then pursuing his Master's Degree in Special Education at Kennesaw State University. Dylan said, "Peer mentoring through the University Honors Program has given me the chance to view how I can become a leader in the classroom. It has shown me how much of an impact I can have in this learning environment." 

Katie Tran is pursuing her undergraduate degree in Nursing and a minor in Psychology. After graduation, Katie aspires to become a neonatal nurse and travel abroad to volunteer and participate in nonprofit projects. Katie said, "Being a peer mentor has made a huge impact on my heart. I was able to develop an intimate relationship with the Honors College and create everlasting friendships with the students of Honors KSU 1101."

For more information on how to become and Honors Peer Mentor, please contact Kathryn Wilhite at [email protected]. 

The Honors College Introduces an Honors First-Year Seminar Course

This fall, the Honors College launched inaugural sections of KSU's first-year seminar (KSU 1101) exclusively for Honors students. At KSU, all incoming first-year students with fewer than 15 earned credit hours of course credit complete a first-year seminar course. The purpose of the course is to help students adjust to the rigors of the collegiate environment and assist them with their transition from high school to college. The new Honors sections of the first-year seminar are aligned with the existing course goals for all KSU 1101 students and also serve to induct incoming Honors students into the Honors community. The 8 Foundations of Honors Learning (critical thinking, leadership, interdisciplinary learning, information fluency, effective communication, appreciation of diverse viewpoints, professionalism, and creativity and innovation) and pedagogy representative of other Honors classes were distinctive elements of these special sections. 

Students in the course assessed their own attitudes towards motivation, learning, and success. They deepened their understanding of learning and college success through key readings and seminar-style discussion and they developed strategies to promote maximized learning. Students also participated in activities that advanced their understanding of the 8 Foundations of Honors Learning both in and outside of the classroom. Each student interviewed a successful individual in their intended field to learn about how they apply the Honors Foundations in their chosen discipline. Within each course, a current Honors student served as a Peer Mentor to provide additional support and connections to the Honors community. The sections were offered on both the Marietta and Kennesaw campuses and were taught by experienced instructors from various disciplinary backgrounds who are each dedicated to success of high achieving students in the Honors College.
Propose an Honors Discovery for Fall 2018

Honors Discoveries are short-term, non-credit learning experiences based on interesting topics that are outside the usual college curriculum. Discoveries typically consist of 10 hours of instruction and a culminating learning experience/activity. 

In appreciation to instructors who develop proposals that are accepted by the Honors College, funding ($1,500) is transferred to the home department for professional travel. 

If you would like to propose a topic for an Honors Discovery, please click the link below and fill out the form.

Do you have an accomplishment we can share?  Email your news and photo to [email protected].
Dates and Deadlines

November 20-26 Fall Break - No Classes
November 30 Gingerbread House Building Contest - Kennesaw and Marietta campuses
December 1 Fall Graduation Reception
December 2 PEGS Informational Open House
December 4 Last Day of Classes
December 5-11 Final Exams
December 12-13 Graduation

Need a reminder?  Never miss an Honors event or deadline by signing up for Remind text messages!

Honors students can now sign up to receive text alerts about important KSU Honors news and deadlines. 

Kennesaw Honors students: text  @uhkennesaw to 81010

Marietta Honors students:  text  @uhmarietta to 81010
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KSU Honors College | honors.kennesaw.edu