The National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) recognizes the diversity of Honors programs and courses across the country. Their current definition of Honors education is as follows:
Honors education is characterized by in-class and extracurricular activities that are measurably broader, deeper, or more complex than comparable learning experiences typically found at institutions of higher education. Honors experiences include a distinctive learner-directed environment and philosophy, provide opportunities that are appropriately tailored to fit the institution's culture and mission, and frequently occur within a close community of students and faculty.
Honors courses are not intended to be harder for the sake of being harder or just adding more work or higher expectations to existing assignments. Instead, Honors invites the instructor to see the class as a shared learning space with the students and to consider innovative approaches that serve a pedagogical purpose. Honors students may be motivated and intellectually curious, but they need the same level of instructor support to succeed. For more information, visit National Collegiate Honors Council
I have been holding the post of secretary of the Black Student Achievers club since last semester. I am also actively involved in the preparations for the Black History Month events at ECC. I joined the Honors Program because I wanted to challenge myself to achieve academic excellence outside a regular classroom. Honors education allows students who are driven to intellectually involve themselves in the classroom at a higher level which makes it more difficult than a regular class. Notwithstanding, it pushes the students involved to think creatively and its benefits go much further than the classroom. -- Chimoa Echefu
To be honest, I had no idea the Honors program existed. My first and second semesters were mostly an adaptation period. I am from Venezuela, and I have been in the country for 2 years, so adapting to this educational system was quite a challenge for me. However, when I realized I could take one step further and take advantage of every opportunity the Honors Program has to offer, I had no doubts it would work for me. That is what the honors program means for me, opportunities. --Paulina Sequeda
If I was to define honors education, it would be an ambitious academic setting that fosters stronger connections with classmates and work towards a more rigorous achievement that challenges the limits of your expansion of ideas. --Diego Ramriez.
I would define Honors education as a way to create a well rounded experience in college. It allows you to learn real life skills that you will need beyond the classroom. It also allows for growth in your perspective which is important as a young adult entering the world on your own. In addition to this, you have the opportunity to become more involved in the community both in and outside of the college. --Lianna Doran
I would say "Honors" education is all about taking your education to the next level and going beyond just the content. Honors is about collaborating with your like-minded peers to create an experience that you will remember for years to come. Honors is also about giving back to the community through volunteering and service projects like HIA.--Ryan Kolbusz
Our Honors Program shares our college’s values of equity and diversity, committing to creating an inclusive community that values diversity in all forms and perspectives. Our Honors Program believes in the potential of all students to learn and grow. Our goal is to increase the level of engagement in Honors, on campus, and in the community.
We have revised our Honors Program outcomes to better reflect these shared values.
As a student in our Honors Program, through academic inquiry and community engagement, you will:
Research, analyze, synthesize, and share your findings from a broad range of material.
Independently and critically integrate cross-disciplinary knowledge.
Explore perspectives different from your own that prepare you to learn and work in a diverse, global environment.
Reflect on equity, inclusion, and social justice in order to develop empathy and understanding for others.
Participate in learning experiences beyond the classroom that develop leadership skills, demonstrate service to others, and encourage personal growth.