Members of the Kathwari Honors Program are expected to uphold the highest standards of mutual respect, conduct, compassion, safety, and integrity. As Kathwari Honors students, you are representatives of the program and of the university whenever you are on campus and when you are off campus. We know that you want to represent the program in the best possible light, and you can best do that by upholding high standards of behavior.

Consequently, certain behaviors will not be tolerated; such behaviors include but are not limited to aggression, intimidation, inappropriate physical contact, sexual or other harassment, academic dishonesty and unauthorized use of alcohol and non-prescription drugs as stipulated in the WCSU Student Code of Conduct. Students who fail to meet these standards or violate the WCSU Student Code of Conduct will face expulsion from the program.

Use of the Kathwari Honors House is a privilege reserved for students and faculty in the program. Students are expected to take ownership of caretaking of the House when they are in it. This includes throwing away trash, helping to keep the bathrooms tidy, washing any dishes used in the kitchen, and generally leaving the House in better condition than when the student arrived. Honors staff track usage of the house. Students who bring guests into the house must log the guests and are responsible for their guests’ actions.

Students who live in the Kathwari Honors Residential Community must conform to all housing policies. If Housing reports transgressions of those rules, members may be removed from the Honors Residential Community.

The Kathwari Honors Program has a zero-tolerance policy on academic dishonesty. Please review the university’s policy on Academic Honesty in the Student Handbook. That policy does not address the recent development of artificial intelligence tools in the classroom. It is therefore absolutely essential that you are clear about each of your individual instructors’ policy on AI for their class and to follow their rules. The best policy is not to use AI tools at all unless your instructor encourages you to do so. Presenting work generated by AI as your own work is a form of plagiarism and will not be tolerated.

The Kathwari Honors Program is a safe space for all members to learn, exist, and thrive. Therefore, any student who displays aggression, intimidation, or bullying in any situation or at any location will be referred to the university’s judicial process and is subject to expulsion from the program.

All members of the Kathwari Honors community will perform and live best in a safe, supportive, collaborative community, and we encourage every member not only to abide by these guidelines but to exceed them in seeking a compassionate and collaborative environment.

UPDATED DECEMBER 2024

All Honors courses are interdisciplinary and engage students in a combination of two, three or four modes of inquiry. Honors Modes of Inquiry courses are HON 298, HON 398 or HON 498 courses.

Artistic Creation 

Inquiry through the process of artistic creation or performance of theater, art, literature, music, sculpture, cinema, or other artistic activity. 

Critical Analysis 

Inquiry into the various ways in which a text conveys meaning or people derive meaning from a text (viewed broadly to include written work, visual art, music, popular culture, ritual, symbol, cinema, etc.).  

Entrepreneurship and Innovation 

Inquiry into start-up mindset, creativity in problem-solving, and risk-taking for personal or public progress. 

Equity and Belonging 

Inquiry into the history, progress, and/or current practice of ensuring equity and belonging to all members of a group, organization, nation, or other community. 

Ethics 

Inquiry into the values and principles that guide the interactions of such entities as individuals, communities, corporations, organizations, and governments in public and personal environments. 

Historical, Social and Cultural Analysis 

Inquiry that examines how an event or phenomenon is shaped by history, society, or culture. 

Leadership, Collaboration, and Team-Based Learning 

Inquiry into collaboration and teamwork as a fundamental value and into the emergence of strategies for inspiring groups of people in organizational, institutional, and public problem-solving and change. 

Scientific and Mathematical Analysis 

Inquiry that engages in the scientific method through experimentation, that considers the history and evolution of experimentation, that considers the social impact of the scientific study of natural processes, or that uses logico-mathematical representation or modeling to understand events or phenomena. 

Technology 

Inquiry that incorporates the use of technology, the creation of technological innovation, or new understandings of the role of technology in society. 

Wellness 

Inquiry into research, strategies, and best practices to promote the inter-relatedness of mental and physical well-being. 

CLICK HERE to view a list of ALL HONORS COURSES, their Honors Modes of Inquiry and their General Education Competencies. 

A strong sense of community is a hallmark of successful Honors programs across the country and is a core value of the Kathwari Honors Program. Presence and engagement are at the heart of community-building. That fact is behind the Honors Activity requirements, behind our efforts to create programs that draw you all together on and off campus, and behind the need for students to be in Honors courses on campus. 

At the same time, we understand that the demands some of our high-requirement majors make it difficult to fit Honors courses into some students’ schedules. We understand also that many Honors students work off campus, live remotely, and are not on campus every day.  

While many Honors Programs do not allow online asynchronous courses at all, we need a compromise position between those conflicting poles, so the Honors Council has approved a plan to continue offering online asynchronous courses every semester but to place a limit on the number of online asynchronous courses allowed per student. 

Students in the Full program will be allowed to take up to two online asynchronous Mode of Inquiry courses.

Students in the Associate program will be allowed to take one online asynchronous Mode of Inquiry course.

*Neither of those caps apply to the HON 400 online section.

*Note: There is no limit on the number of Honors Enhancements 

HON 298 - Honors courses that meet 2 of the 10 modes of inquiry.

HON 398 - Honors courses that meet 3 of the 10 modes of inquiry.

HON 498 - Honors courses that meet 4 of the 10 modes of inquiry.

HON 100 - is always the Nature of Inquiry first year honors course.

HON 399 - is an Honors Enhancement course.

HON 400 - is always the Honors Capstone course.

HON 487 - is the Honors Research Practicum.

HON 497 - is the Honors Teaching Practicum.

All students in the FULL Kathwari Honors Program are required to take this 1 credit course. This course is intended for first-semester, first-year students and students newly admitted to the full Honors Program.

Course Purpose and Content: 

The purpose of this FY course is to both acquaint you with various resources that will assist you at WCSU and to introduce some of the fundamental “modes of inquiry” used by various academic disciplines to frame and to understand topics or to engage in creative activity. As an introductory Honors seminar, the class format is mostly centered on discussion; activities are also included to illustrate various points and advance understanding. In this course, we will discuss the different modes of inquiry, the purpose of higher education and how we come to know what we know (i.e., epistemology), and we will begin discussions on how the brain works. We will examine ways to access and analyze information in various fields. In addition, guest lecturers from various departments around campus will offer various resources that are available at WCSU and help you understand how they ask questions and seek answers in their particular field and mode of inquiry and how a brain rule(s) apply to what they do. The semester will end with group presentations utilizing the modes of inquiry to explore the nexus of how the brain operates and learns in various academic disciplines and areas of life.

Course Goals/Objectives:

This course aims to:

• Introduce and acquaint students with various resources available at WCSU.

• Introduce and examine the fundamental modes of inquiry used by various academic disciplines to frame and understand topics or to engage in creative activity.

• Present the connection between the roles of individuals in various departments at WCSU and how they ask and seek answers in their particular fields and mode of inquiry and how a brain rule(s) apply to what they do.

• Explore the nexus of the way the brain operates and learns in various academic disciplines and areas of life.

Course Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand what the WCSU campus offers and identify essential resources in the university community, including faculty, staff, and administration.

• Understand the necessary procedures that contribute to academic success and graduation at WCSU.

• Understand the culture and expectations of academics at the Honors Program as well as at the university level.

• Understand habits and practices necessary for continuing academic success.

• Apply the modes of inquiry to their discipline and further studies.

HON 400 is a 2-credit course meeting every Spring once per week, and it will host a Kathwari Spring Seminars series bringing 4-6 guest lecturers, artists, and panels to campus during your class time for HON 400. Weeks when there are no guests for the series, the course will become a workshop for project management of your capstone project, helping you with planning, researching, producing, and presenting your project. Students from majors set aside for the online asynch section of HON 400 will have access to recordings of the Spring Seminar sessions (but can choose to attend them in person).

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• ALL Kathwari Honors students in both the full and associate program, are required to complete the Honors Capstone Requirement.

• HON 400 - Honors Capstone is offered in the SPRING ONLY.

• Who can take the Online Asynch section?

  • Students in Nursing, Social Work, Theatre, Finance, Music and all Education degrees are eligible to enroll in the HON 400 Online Asynchronous section. *This does not count toward the limit of two online asynchronous honors courses.

  • Students in all other degree programs MUST enroll in the the in-person HON 400 section.

• If your major requires a capstone course and you are taking it simultaneously with HON 400, you will be able to use your major capstone project as your HON 400 capstone project—you’ll just have a smaller project based on the Spring Seminars to complete your HON 400 requirement. 

For several years, the Honors Program has not offered the HON 400 Capstone Seminar, which you may have noticed is listed in the Undergraduate Catalog as a requirement. Starting in Spring ’25, we will discontinue the practice of counting HON 498 courses for the capstone requirement. All students will be required to take HON 400 unless they have already completed all Honors requirements before Spring ’25.

*Note to students in Nursing, Social Work, Theatre, Finance, Music and all Education degrees: We strongly recommend that you take an Honors course every semester for your first three years so that you can take HON 400 in the second semester of your Junior year and will not have to take any Honors courses in your senior year! We cannot emphasize enough how much this will ease your senior experience.

WHAT IS AN HONORS COURSE ENHANCEMENT?

An enhancement is established through a contract between the Honors Program student and faculty member and the completion of this form. When the form is complete and has collected all required signatures, the appropriate Dean’s office (the Dean of the school in which the course is offered) should send copies to the Kathwari Honors Director, the Registrar, and the student. The deadline for submitting the completed approval form is the third Friday of every semester. Summer and Intersession enhancements will only be approved under extremely exceptional circumstances.

HONORS ENHANCEMENT FORM

HON 487 - Honors Research Practicum

The Honors Research Practicum (HRP) allows junior and senior honors students to assist a professor in a research endeavor related to the faculty member’s expertise. The main objectives of the HRP are to offer students opportunities to: develop research skills; collaborate with an expert in a given field; communicate in the professional language of their major discipline; and acquire intellectual acumen regarding sources of knowledge. In order to accomplish these goals, students will undertake quantitative and/or qualitative analysis, organize and/or participate in research teams, write a literature review or engage in other research activities. Students will be required to meet weekly with their professors, actively participate in scholarly work and submit a research log/summary to the professor. Professors overseeing HRP students will provide students with relevant research guidance and opportunities for them to reflect on their research experience in writing, such as in journals or reaction papers. 

Students will receive one to three hours of course credit for the HRP. The number of credit hours is determined by the number of research hours the student performs each week according to the following equation: one credit hour is equal to three work hours per week (i.e., 3 hours of research per week equals 1 credit hour; 6 hours of research per week equals 2 credit hours; and 9 hours of research each week equals 3 credit hours). 

A second HRP may be taken for credit, but a student’s total HRP credit hours must not exceed six. For more information, please contact the Director of the Honors Program. 

The deadline for submitting an HRP application is the end of the second week of the semester. 

Prerequisite: Minimum of 60 credit hours (or waiver from the Director), permission of the faculty member, Department Chair, the Director of the Honors Program and the Dean of the faculty member. 

THE STUDENT AND THE FACULTY SUPERVISOR WILL ATTACH A DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT AND THE STUDENT’S RESEARCH RESPONSIBILITES TO THIS FORM (A MINIMUM OF 250 WORDS).

HONORS RESEARCH PRACTICUM FORM

HON 497 - Honors Teaching Practicum

The Honors Teaching Practicum (HTP) allows junior and senior honors students to assist a professor in a class they have taken within the honors program, their major or minor. The central goals of the HTP are to give students experience with some of the issues involved in conveying knowledge to others and to reacquaint them with some of the central knowledge content of their field of study. In order to accomplish these goals, students may organize sessions, provide individual student tutorials, provide guidance with writing assignments, oversee group projects, organize class discussion sessions or oversee other related class activities. They are, however, prohibited from grading any of the activities they oversee or from performing purely administrative functions. Students are required to regularly attend the class in which they are assisting. Professors overseeing HTP students will provide students with related pedagogical materials within the area of the course and opportunities for them to reflect on these materials and their experiences in writing, such as in a journal or reaction papers. 

The number of credit hours is determined by the credit hours of the course where the practicum is taking place (e.g., 3 hours for a 3 credit hour class, or 4 hours for a course with a lab). 

An HTP may be repeated one additional time for credit and may not exceed a total of eight credit hours. For more information contact the Director of the Honors Program. 

The deadline for submitting an HRP application is the end of the second week of the semester. 

Prerequisite: Minimum of 60 credit hours, permission of instructor, Department Chair and the Director of the Kathwari Honors Program.

HONORS TEACHING PRACTICUM FORM

Reflection Required: For every engagement submitted for points, a brief reflection is required and will be compiled into your personalized Honors Engagement Portfolio that you will receive when you complete the Kathwari Honors Program. In 2-3 sentences, briefly describe your role or involvement and share one thing you learned or gained from the experience.” (For example: a skill you developed, a challenge you overcame, or how it connected to your personal, professional or academic goals.) 

ACADEMIC MENTOR/TUTOR (UNPAID)

1-5 POINTS

• Engagement points will be awarded based on the total time committed to the voluntary academic mentor, leader or tutor position. 

• EXAMPLES: Nursing student leaders, nursing peer tutors, nursing peer mentors 

• NOTES: Each position will count one time for engagement points. Please provide the WCSU faculty or staff supervisor's contact info upon submission. 

APPROVED WCSU EVENTS

1-5 POINTS

• Only specific WCSU Events that are approved and shared by the Kathwari Honors Program by email IN ADVANCE of the event will count for engagement points.  WCSU events not approved and/or shared by KHP in advance will not count for point(s).  

• EXAMPLES: Approved and shared by KHP in advance – WCSU guest lectures, speaker panels, workshops, presentation events, career fairs, alumni networking events. 

• NOTE: Most pre-approved WCSU events will be worth 1 point. For pre-approved workshops or events that require a commitment of more than 4 hours, the Honors Program will review and award additional points. 

REQUIRED VERIFICATION: Photo or document evidence is required at the time of submission.  

APPROVED WCSU STUDENT SERVICES 

1 POINT  

The following services are pre-approved (1 point each): 

• Career Success Center coaching session 

• Tutoring Resource Center appointment 

• Writing Center appointment 

• Math Clinic appointment 

• Ancell Commons tutoring session 

• Haas Library research consultation 

NOTE: Limit one point per service type. For example, multiple visits to the Tutoring Resource Center still count as one engagement activity. 

REQUIRED VERIFICATION: Photo or document evidence is required at the time of submission.  

ATHLETICS 

5 POINTS 

If you are a member of a WCSU sports team for at least one season, you will earn 5 Honors Engagement points.
These points are only awarded once, no matter how many teams or seasons you participate in.

CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT 

5 POINTS 

On-campus employment MUST be a sustained position for at least one semester with scheduled re-occurring shifts to earn 5 engagement points.  

EXAMPLES: At least one semester-long student employment position in Admissions, Financial Aid, Library, Tutoring & Resource Center, Institutional Advancement, Housing and Residence Life, etc. will earn honors engagement points. 

In most cases, off-campus employment does not count, unless it involves local community service. This will be approved at the discretion of the Director or Assistant Director and must be for at least one semester. 

NOTE: Each job will count one time for engagement points. 

CONFERENCE ATTENDEE

2 POINTS

Attending an academic conference for at least one full day will earn 2 engagement points.

REQUIRED VERIFICATION: Photo or document evidence is required at the time of submission.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATION 

5 POINTS 

Presentations at academic conferences will earn 5 engagement points. 

REQUIRED VERIFICATION: Photo or document evidence is required at the time of submission.

HONORS EVENTS 

1-2 POINTS 

Engage in the Honors community by attending honors events to earn engagement points.  

EXAMPLES:  

• Honors social events like movie nights, crafting events, de-stress events, holiday events, picnics, day trips and outings all earn 1 engagement point. 

• Honors info sessions, programs or workshops like an Honors Abroad Info Session, Leadership through Horsemanship Program, guest lectures or an Honors Self-Branding Workshop would all earn 1-2 engagement points each. 

Most honors events will earn 1 engagement point. For Honors events that require a commitment of more than 4 hours, the Honors Program will review and award additional points. 

NOTE: You are expected to attend and participate (where applicable) at these events to earn point(s). You MUST sign in with the event organizer and upload photo evidence of your participation to earn your point(s). 

REQUIRED VERIFICATION: Photo or document evidence is required at the time of submission.

HONORS RESEARCH PRACTICUM 

5 POINTS 

Successful completion of an Honors Research Practicum (HON 487) will earn 5 engagement points. 

HONORS TEACHING PRACTICUM 

5 POINTS 

Successful completion of an Honors Teaching Practicum (HON 497) will earn 5 engagement points. 

INTERNSHIPS 

5 POINTS 

An internship position held voluntarily for the duration of at least one semester with a minimum of 15 total hours and is NOT a requirement of your major will earn 5 engagement points. Engagement or experiential activities that are required components of your academic major (e.g., clinicals, fieldwork, student teaching, internships, performances, etc.) DO NOT COUNT as honors engagement points. Honors engagement activities are intended to recognize voluntary engagement, leadership, service, and enrichment experiences beyond the requirements of a student’s degree. 

This policy ensures all students, regardless of major, are held to the same standard of going above and beyond degree requirements. 

If you're unsure whether an experience is required for your major, check your degree program’s curriculum or ask Honors at honors@wcsu.edu for clarification. 

STUDENT CLUB ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP

2 POINTS

Active membership in a student club is defined as attending at least 3 meetings or events, maintaining member voting rights per the club’s constitution and participating in a meaningful way (volunteering, joining a committee, helping organize events, etc.) in a semester. Active membership over at least one semester will earn 2 engagement points. 

NOTE: All student club involvement will count one time per club/organization for engagement points. 

REQUIRED VERIFICATION: Active membership will need to be verified by the club President or Adviser via the Student Club Active Membership Verification Form. Points will not be awarded until the KHP has received this completed form in addition to your Honors Engagement Approval Form.  

EXAMPLE EMAIL TO CLUB PRESIDENT OR ADVISER: 

I hope you're doing well! I'm currently working on completing my Honors Engagement requirements for the Kathwari Honors Program, and I’m able to earn engagement points for active membership in a WCSU student club or organization. 

To qualify, a club advisor or president must verify that I’ve met the standards of active membership, which include: 

• Attending at least 3 meetings or events within one semester 

• Maintaining voting rights per the club's constitution for at least one semester 

• Participating in a meaningful way (such as volunteering, joining a committee, or helping organize events) for at least one semester 

Can you please complete this short verification form on my behalf? It should only take a minute or two: VERIFICATION FORM - STUDENT CLUB ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP 

Thank you so much for your help and support! Let me know if you have any questions. 

STUDENT CLUB EXECUTIVE BOARD POSITION 

5 POINTS 

All student club officer or e-board positions held for at least one semester will earn 5 engagement points one time per club/organization.  

STUDY, VOLUNTEER OR INTERN ABROAD 

5 POINTS 

Any length of study, volunteer or interning abroad through a WCSU or Honors sponsored experience will earn 5 engagement points. 

VOLUNTEER

1-5 POINTS 

Engagement points will be awarded based on the total time committed to the volunteer work following the chart below. 

Volunteer work for one organization/office during one semester/academic year is one submission. Volunteer work for different organizations/offices must be submitted separately. 

EXAMPLES: 

1. You volunteered 3 times for 2 hours each in the fall semester at the local food pantry – Submit this as one submission for a total of 6 hours = 2 engagement points.

2. You volunteered at Accepted Students Day as an Honors volunteer for 4 hours – Submit this as one submission for a total of 4 hours = 1 engagement point 

3. You held a volunteer position volunteering for 1 hour every Wednesday and Friday through most of the spring semester – Submit this as one submission for a total of ~24 hours = 5 engagement points. 

4. In the spring semester you volunteered at Wally’s Cupboard for an event for 2 hours then volunteered for 4 hours at WestConn Move-In Day – Submit these separately since they are not related and with different organizations/offices. 

Total Time Committed (Same Semester or Academic Year & Same Organization/Office) = Point Value 

15+ hours (ex: scheduled volunteer position all semester) = 5 points 

12–14 hours = 4 points 

9–11 hours = 3 points 

5–8 hours = 2 points 

1–4 hours (ex: single, short-term volunteer event, like Day of Service) = 1 point 

WESTERN RESEARCH DAY PRESENTATION 

5 POINTS 

Presentations at Western Research Day will earn 5 engagement points. 

REQUIRED VERIFICATION: Photo or document evidence is required at the time of submission.

OTHER 

If you would like an activity to earn engagement points that is not mentioned above, please share the details with honors@wcsu.edu for review and pre-approval. 

VIEW UPCOMING ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

HONORS ENGAGEMENT APPROVAL FORM

• If you are unsure if an engagement will count for points, email honors@wcsu.edu with details about the planned activity to verify if it will count.

• Be clear, specific and edited when describing and reflecting on each engagement. The approval form includes this required question:
  “In 2–3 sentences, briefly describe your role or involvement and share one thing you learned or gained from the experience.” (For example: a skill you developed, a challenge you overcame, or how it connected to your personal, professional or academic goals.) These reflections will be included exactly as submitted in your Honors Engagement Portfolio that you will receive when you complete the Kathwari Honors Program. Honors Engagement Portfolios can be shared with future employers, scholarship committees or graduate programs so be thoughtful when submitting these brief reflections.
  EXAMPLE RESPONSES: 

  • Volunteer – Day of Service - Food Pantry Volunteer: I helped sort and organize food donations at the WCSU Food Pantry during Day of Service. This experience taught me how a small contribution of time can make a big difference in addressing food insecurity in our campus community. 

  • Internship – Marketing Assistant at CT Nonprofit: As a Marketing Assistant intern, I created social media content and assisted with event promotion for a Connecticut-based nonprofit. I gained hands-on experience in nonprofit communications and learned how to tailor messaging to engage diverse audiences. 

  • Student Club E-Board Position – Accounting Club Treasurer: In my role as Treasurer of the Accounting Club, I managed the budget, tracked expenses, and helped organize events. I developed stronger financial management skills and learned how to communicate clearly and responsibly as part of a leadership team. 

  • Study Abroad – Seoul, South Korea:  While studying abroad in Seoul, I took courses in international business and immersed myself in Korean culture. I gained a new global perspective and grew more confident navigating unfamiliar environments, both academically and personally. 

• Please fill out one form for each engagement that you would like approved.

• We recommend that you submit your engagement for approval as soon as possible after the experience to avoid forgetting what you’ve done.

• We recommend that you diversify your engagements across the approved engagement types when possible, though not required.

• All honors engagements must be submitted and approved 2 months prior to your expected graduation date.

• All honors engagements are approved at the discretion of the Director and Assistant Director.

All questions regarding Honors Engagements should be directed to honors@wcsu.edu.

HONORS ENGAGEMENT APPROVAL FORM

The Honors Engagement Portfolio is a personalized collection of your academic, professional, and community engagement activities completed outside of degree requirements as part of the Kathwari Honors Program. Each time you submit an engagement activity through the Honors Engagement Approval Form, your entry (along with your brief reflection) is added to your portfolio. This portfolio grows with you, showcasing the depth and diversity of your involvement beyond the classroom. 

WHY ARE REFLECTIONS IMPORTANT? 

Each reflection is your opportunity to tell the story behind your experience. While the activity shows what you did, your reflection shows what you learned, how you grew, and why the experience mattered. 

Thoughtful reflections help connect your engagement activities to real-world skills, challenges, and future goals. They're short, just 2–3 sentences, but they give your portfolio meaning and personality. 

HOW CAN YOU USE THE PORTFOLIO? 

Your Honors Engagement Portfolio can be used to: 

• Strengthen resumes, cover letters, and personal statements 

• Showcase your leadership and initiative during job interviews 

• Demonstrate your commitment to service and learning for scholarship applications 

• Highlight your involvement and reflection in graduate school applications 

Because it’s organized and presented professionally, you can easily share your portfolio when applying for jobs, internships, fellowships, or academic opportunities. 

SAMPLE HONORS ENGAGEMENT PORTFOLIO:  

 Kathwari Honors Engagement Portfolio 

In addition to maintaining GPA requirements and completing rigorous honors coursework, this student has taken the initiative to engage in academic, professional, and community experiences that go beyond their degree requirements. Each activity listed reflects their leadership, intellectual curiosity, and dedication to meaningful involvement outside the classroom. With engagement points earned and brief reflections included, this portfolio showcases the development of transferable skills, personal growth, and a strong foundation for future employment, graduate study and lifelong achievement. 

Name:  Wally Wolf

Degree Program: Music Education (K-12) 

Engagement Points Earned/Required: 20/20

Honors Engagement Experiences 

Volunteer - WCSU Food Pantry - Fall 23 - Points: 5 

During my time at the WCSU Food Pantry, I learned how to manage inventory, organize food drives, and communicate with diverse populations. These experiences helped me build organizational and interpersonal skills that I know will benefit me in future leadership and service roles. 

Volunteer – WestConn Day of Service - Local Food Pantry - Fall 24 - Points: 1 

I helped sort and distribute food to families in need. This experience helped me understand food insecurity in our community and gave me a deeper appreciation for local support networks.  

Internship – Harmony Futures CT – Fall 24 - Points: 5 

Working with a small nonprofit gave me hands-on experience creating social media campaigns. I developed real-world communication skills and saw how marketing directly supports a mission I care about.  

Study Abroad - ISEP Barcelona - Spring 25 - Points: 5 

Studying abroad in Barcelona expanded my perspective on cultural diversity, global collaboration, and independent living. Navigating daily life in a new country challenged me to adapt quickly and communicate across language barriers. I gained confidence, cultural awareness, and a deeper appreciation for different worldviews, skills that will serve me well in both my academic journey and future professional settings. 

Honors Event - Craft Night - Fall 25 - Points: 1 

Attending Craft Night allowed me to unwind and connect with other honors students in a relaxed, creative setting. It helped build a sense of community and belonging within the Honors Program and reminded me of the importance of taking time for balance and self-care during the semester. 

Volunteer – WestConn Day of Service – Habitat for Humanity - Fall 25 - Points: 1 

I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for yard clean-up at the home of a local senior citizen and veteran. It was meaningful to give back to someone who had served our country, and the experience reminded me how acts of service, even simple ones, can provide dignity, comfort, and appreciation for members of our community. 

Student Club Active Member – WestConn Kindness Club – Points: 2 

As an active member of the WestConn Kindness Club, I attended weekly meetings and helped organize on-campus initiatives like handwritten notes for staff appreciation and a kindness wall during midterms. This experience reminded me how small actions can create a supportive community and helped me grow more confident in initiating positive change around me.