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Honors Celebrates Our First Year of Graduates!

 

On May 6, 2012, these seniors graduated with University Honors. From left are Matthew Gunst, Kailey Veteto, Lindsey Cox, Colleen Dwyer, Elyssa Martinez, Elizabeth Lopez and Sarah Stevens. Congratulations to all!

 

Why join the UIW Honors Program?

The Honors Program at the University of the Incarnate Word adds a level of intellectual inquiry to stimulate curious minds. It provides a challenging curriculum and insightful programs, woven together with the concept of social justice. Included are co-curricular programs in all types of artistic and academic fields and service learning opportunities in and out of the classroom. Ours is an interdisciplinary Honors Program for students with excellent academic credentials, a love of learning and a desire to make a positive difference in the world.

Learning at the college level is one thing, but the Honors Program makes one think on a whole new level. The amount of activities we have available to us, such as lectures and trips, broaden our perspectives. It has been an experience I wouldn't change for the world!   --Louie

Find Out More About Us

Beyond the benefits and activities we can show you here, there are lots of other ways that students take advantage of our program, like the friendships, the housing and the social events. Check out our FAQs to find out why participating in an honors program is a smart thing to do. Contact the Honors Director to arrange for attending classes, meeting honors students and learning more about the program and the school. Or fill out our online inquiry form to get specific questions answered. Below is an overview of the program elements.

What Do Honors Students Do?

Within the program students have created a learning community in which they are comfortable sharing ideas, exploring new topics and activities, and just having fun together. After completing their senior projects students will present their results at conferences around the country and/or submit articles to professional journals. Many of our students participate in study abroad; every semester now someone is learning in a foreign country. Check out the blogs to find out what study abroad is like.

The honors experience includes six major components:

1. Nine advanced, customized courses fulfilling core curriculum requirements that look at the question: "What does it mean to be human?"

2. A senior project in the student’s major

3. A UIW-sponsored social justice trip for hands-on learning and community service

4. Supplemental activities for additional depth to the academic experience

5. Professional development experiences such as internships, mentorships, and formal academic presentations

6. Personal development experiences such as leadership opportunities and workshops, travel abroad and student-driven service learning

In short, the program brings students together with faculty from across the university in a variety of academic and co-curricular programs. By the end of the program, students will have honed their analytical skills, experienced the meaning of social responsibility and gained confidence as citizen-leaders.