PROFILESTHE NC STATE UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM

Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders

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If you’re performing near the top of your class, chances are good you know how to work hard and focus on your goals. We congratulate you on your initiative — and we’d like to tell you about a special program at NC State University in Raleigh, N.C., designed especially for students like you. The University Honors Program (UHP) is a highly selective, application-based program that takes talented academic achievers pursuing all majors —math, science, engineering, the arts and humanities and more — and develops them into leaders in their fi elds, capable of performing at a whole new level of excellence. The UHP teaches you the values of self-confi dence, curiosity and exploration, and then shows you how these skills can transform you from a knowledge consumer into a knowledge creator, capable of making unique discoveries in your chosen fi eld.

Our students come from all backgrounds and walks of life. They have pursued undergraduate degrees

from aerospace engineering to zoology. But the one special trait they all share is the ability to apply the interdisciplinary skills of inquiry, creativity, and discovery fostered by the UHP to meet their dreams.

Many of our students have been named Park Scholars and Caldwell Fellows as undergraduates. Others have won such prestigious national awards as Boren, Goldwater, Gates-Cambridge, Mitchell, and Udall scholarships. Still more have pursued advanced degrees at top graduate schools across the nation. Others are enjoying successful careers in public and private industries.

The UHP offers a unique academic experience that will set you apart from every other student at NC State. The program seeks students who want to push the boundaries of what’s possible in an undergraduate experience, and who are driven to know.

Academic leadershipHonors students receive priority status in registering for classes, are given early access to advanced coursework, and participate in graduate-style seminars taught by some of NC State’s most outstanding faculty. Throughout the UHP curriculum, you will develop academic leadership skills such as creative and critical thinking, participatory dialogue, active listening, and intellectual confidence that will set you apart from every other student at NC State.

Pursue original researchHonors students are known for their curiosity, initiative, reflection, and openness, and the Program’s focus on research and scholarship will allow you to pursue the questions which drive you to know. Honors students begin undergraduate research early their career at NC State. Undergraduate research allows you to get up close and personal with research and discovery happening right now on NC State’s campus. While working side-by-side with experts in your field, you’ll experience the satisfaction of making discoveries that help solve the world’s problems.

Opportunity advisingEach University Honors Program student is assigned an advisor who is available to help you identify opportunities that will allow you to make the most of your undergraduate experience. These opportunities can include creating an appropriate coursework strategy, helping you identify and apply for grants, and assist you in arranging for special academic or research experiences.

High-impact learning experiencesHigh-impact learning experiences are activities that require a high investment of time and energy over an extended time, and which have been shown to yield unusually positive results in terms of learning and achievement. In addition to HON seminars, the Honors Village, and the Capstone project, all of which are high-impact experiences, the UHP offers credit if you choose to pursue activities such as undergraduate research, cooperative education, internships, and study abroad.

Honors Program traditionsThe UHP is rich in traditions. One of our most important traditions is the Honors Convocation, which opens each new academic year and invites a distinguished scholar from NC State to give an address to UHP students on the topic, ‘The Aims of Education.’ Convocation serves as a way to reflect on the nature of education at NC State. Research Unplugged is another staple of UHP life, which is a conversation between faculty and students, held nearly every Friday of the semester in the UHP offices. The series is intended to help UHP students encounter the human side of scholarship and research. One of our students’ favorite traditions is our Pancake Slam breakfast which we hold once a semester during exam week.

What are the benefits of theUniversity Honors Program?

Village LifeA Community of InquiryThe Honors Village is one of the most vibrant and intellectually diverse communities on campus, attracting highly talented and motivated students from across every college at NC State. Here, you will find a community grounded in trust, respect and collegiality, who understand that inquiry and discovery are personally meaningful and socially collaborative processes emerging from engagement in a community of friends.

Scholarly engagementThe Honors Village combines the UHP mission of research and scholarship with a focus on engagement in local and global communities. Our hope is that all Village students will better understand emerging problems and offer sophisticated reflection about their sources, future implications, and potential divergent solutions. The Village offers a number of ways for you to engage in your community, primary among them are the Village committees, student-driven groups that provide you with the opportunity to explore issues, debate ideas, and take action on topics that are important to you.

First-year supportIncoming first-year Village residents are placed into a “family cluster” of approximately 15-20 freshman students, led by an upperclassmen mentor known as an Honors Village Fellow. Fellows work to establish relationships between students in their clusters, as well as help you transition to life at NC State and in the UHP. Fellows also serve as the discussion leader in your freshman HON seminar in order to help you develop academic leadership skills, support your transition to college coursework, and show you how your coursework is just a foundation to your own critical questions. Fellows will schedule frequent events, including individual meetings, and generally be involved in cluster members’ experiences throughout the entire year.

The Honors Village is the best of both worlds: a small, engaged community of young scholars with access to the unlimited opportunities of a major research university.

Events and OpportunitiesThere’s always something happening in the Honors Village, whether it’s an impromptu gathering to watch a movie and eat pizza, or a pick-up game of volleyball or Frisbee. The Village is also home to a number of unique traditions, which include but are not limited to: CORE, a first-year student retreat designed to help students jumpstart their experience at NC State; Pi day, held annually on 3/14, is a favorite of our Math majors; Grass day, which celebrates the day when original Villagers were allowed onto the Quad grass, and many more.

Amenities and FacilitiesThe Honors Village is centrally located on East Campus within easy walking distance of almost every college and many parks and recreational areas. When you live in the Village, you are only minutes away from virtually all of your classes, Talley Student Center, D.H. Hill Library and lots of sporting facilities. The facilities include an Honors Library, student lounges, various study rooms, a computer lab, dining hall, and the Commons building. Equipped with wireless internet access throughout, the Commons building is a community center where Honors students gather to work, attend seminars and workshops, receive their mail, make purchases from the lobby’s convenience store, or simply relax in one of the first-floor seating areas or on the second-floor balcony with its birds-eye view of the Quad. A volleyball court and grassy area anchor the Quad below, providing plenty of room for recreation and studying or for relaxing outside on nice days.

There are many great reasons to attend NC State — we think the University Honors Program ranks high among them. Think you have what it takes?

CaseyPsychology, Political Science and Philosophy Majors

From New Orleans, Louisiana

Former Honors Village fellow, ambassador for Honors Program, member of pre-law student association, student representative for the Common Reading program, and a member (and former secretary) of NC State’s ballroom dancing club, Dancing with Wolves.

What do you like best about Honors Village?I love the diversity. Students come from everywhere, and I’ve met so many different types of people. Also, I love that we know how to have fun, but also know when to balance it and help each other study. And of course, I love how everyone in the UHP — from the students to the faculty and staff — are like a family.

What makes you stand out as an academic leader?I’m willing to learn while I’m leading. A huge role of being a leader is learning you are not the “be all end all.” Everyone in a group has valuable information. As a leader, I feel like you often learn more than you give.

Casey’s adviceStep outside of your comfort zone. Be open-minded and willing to try new things. You might be surprised by the things you end up enjoying!

I’m going to get my law degree from the University of Illinois, where I hope to study business and international law, as well as public interest law.

I’ve learned to trust my own decisions. When I was in high school, I was confi dent but I needed my family backing me up. I think that is because I got so much support from the Honors Program.”

Fun fact: I joined the ballroom dancing club on campus. And I love it!

RachelArchitecture Major

From Cary, North Carolina

Triathlon Club, College of Design Student Ambassador, volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club, intern with NC State’s Offi ce of Sustainability and one of the inaugural recipients of the Fellowship Advising Offi ce (FAO) Enhancement Grant, and participated in the Fulbright Summer Institute at the University of Nottingham.

In what ways have you changed since coming to NC State?I’ve always been involved in a lot, so now I’m refining my interests and trying to give my energy to the things that I care most about.

What type of undergraduate research do you want to be involved in?I’m pursuing the crossroads of sustainability, architecture and third-world countries. I’m actually heading to Nicaragua for a few months to work with an organization that specializes in post-disaster relief construction. That was made possible by the FAO Enhancement Award I received.

Rachel’s adviceTry everything! Don’t think that you’re too busy to get involved with something you enjoy. The campus organizations are very flexible! If there is something that grabs your interest, go for it.

I hope to open my own nonprofit architecture firm that focuses on work in developing nations — in particular utilizing local, sustainable building materials.

“The Honors Program is great because it gave me the opportunity to meet a diverse group of people I might not have met otherwise.”

Fun fact: I was “green” before it was cool. I’ve always cared about sustainability.

MollyChemistry Major

From Port St. Joe, Florida

DJ and general manager for the campus radio station WKNC, undergraduate research, Habitat for Humanity, tutor and Alternative Service Break trips to New Mexico my sophomore and junior years.

How has college changed you? It has made me a lot more aware of myself and being open minded towards others. I’m from a very small town, so NC State and the Honors Program taught me a lot. I’ve matured so much since coming here — I’m not the same person I was before.

What has been your favorite Honors seminar and why?I loved “The Creative Process in Science.” Something I struggled with as a chemistry major is the perceived lack of creativity in our discipline. It was cool to know that science is creative. Our class was really free-form — for instance we read Frankenstein and debated about science’s ability to be creative or destructive.

Molly’s advice:Develop relationships with professors and TAs by going to their office hours and proactively asking questions in class. Get your teachers to know you by name! Even in huge classes, the professors can get to know you! I still hug my freshman biology teacher and I was in a class of 100+ students.

I have been accepted into the graduate program at Duke University where I’ll be pursuing my Ph.D. in genetics and genomics. I am really interested in cancer education and outreach.

Fun fact: I’m very into bluegrass music and actually play the singing saw!

“Learning isn’t just in the classroom — it’s about learning who you are, who you were and who you will be! I’ve had so much fun during college while still maintaining a 4.0 GPA.”

TravisElectrical Engineering andComputer Engineering Majors

From Cary, North Carolina

Student Media Board, Ecocar Program, research on smart grid technology with NC State’s FREEDM Center.

What does the University Honors Program add to an NC State education?Opportunity! The program has given me access to so many opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I joined committees, attended seminars and cultural events, and also got to be involved with the design-making process for the Honors Village. I helped establish — and am a major contributor to — the Honors blog.

Have you learned anything from doing undergraduate research?Yes! I was surprised that I can sit down with PhDs and actually discuss ideas with them. I didn’t expect that! People always say to get real-world application in college, but to be able to really get in depth in an area helps you see more of the field. I think research is so much more interesting than just introductory classes.

Travis’s adviceKeep your options open. If you don’t know what you want to do, try everything.“My family hosted two foreign exchange students from Germany,

so I’m really interested in going to study abroad over there to learn about their energy systems.”

In ten years, I want to be an engineer at a smart grid company. Renewable is going to continue to expand, and I want to be a part of it!

Fun fact: If I wasn’t so interested in renewable energy, I’d consider being a journalist.

ShreyeElectrical Engineering andComputer Engineering Majors

From Cary, North Carolina

Engineers Council, Interesidence Council, Quad Council, UHP Student Media Board, various Honors Program committees and undergraduate research.

What are the goals you’ve set for your undergraduate education?I want to be a leader on campus more than I was in high school. And I want to understand who I am as a leader.

In what ways have you changed since you came to college?College has made me more responsible. I’m a lot more motivated and driven — and it helps being around other people that are motivated and driven!

What undergraduate research have you been involved with?I worked with power semiconductors looking at how to efficiently distribute energy across the power grid. Next semester, I’ll be working on creating a computer model that optimizes human genes to accurately produce similar proteins in bacteria.

Shreye’s adviceUse your freshman year as an opportunity to become involved.

I want to work in product development creating PDA devices like smartphones.

Fun fact: I can solve the Rubik’s Cube in under a minute.

“NC State’s Honors Program puts you on a fast track to get you where you want to be. It helps you fi nd yourself.”

TheresaMathematics and Mathematics Education Majors

From Raleigh, North Carolina

Volunteer and founder of University Honors Program outreach for Daniel Center for Math & Science program, Catholic Campus Ministry choir member, undergraduate research.

What does the University Honors Program add to an NC State education?I love the community! But I also really like how we can fulfill our general education requirements through the Honors (HON) seminars. Our seminars involve critical thinking, but they’re also a lot of fun — they add a whole lot to the Honors Program.

What type of undergraduate research have you been involved in?I’ve done research with Dr. Larry Silverberg on the science behind the bank shot in basketball. Particularly, I’ve helped with data collection on his experiment to develop a training method for teaching how to shoot a bank shot.

Theresa’s adviceFind something you’re passionate about and get involved.

I want to be a high school math teacher, but my dream job would be developing curriculum for NASA’s science programs.

Fun fact: I play the piano. I even have a keyboard in my room!

“Starting the outreach program was a lot of responsibility but I learned a lot about myself in the process — mainly that I love helping and teaching others.”

NeelPolitical Science and Economics Majors

From Cary, North Carolina

Honors Village Fellow, Caldwell Fellow, presented at TedEx conference, Krispy Kreme Challenge logistics committee, service project with the Healing Place of Wake County, and next year serving as a discussion leader on an Honors Seminar called “State of the Union” which looks at contemporary issues facing politics at the federal level.

What do you like best about the Honors Village?It’s a very social place to live. Anytime you can have a conversation that goes to 3 or 4 a.m., you know you’re around really good people! I’ve been able to talk to all sorts of people from different backgrounds. I love opening my door and having conversations waiting for me. It happens organically. I’m drawn to that.

What has been the biggest change from high school?I’m much more deliberate in my thoughts and actions. I think about what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. I’m trying to determine my purpose and what I believe in. I want to be able to evaluate what I believe in and have my actions follow that.

Neel’s adviceBe willing to ask “why?” as it applies to all aspects of your life — from why you’re signing up for a class, why you’re in college, why you believe what you believe, etc. That question enables us to grow.

I want to spark a revolution! But seriously, I want to be constantly learning and growing. As of right now, I’d be really interested in a position that would use the skills I possess — promoting conversation and introspection — to help better the human condition.

Fun fact: I’m a freestyle rapper.

“I like learning people’s perspectives. I believe everyone is a giant book of different experiences.”

Honors SeminarsThe mission of the University Honors Program is to encourage and enable outstanding NC State students to engage in the knowledge-building and creative activities of the NC State faculty. The Honors seminars are a key element in this mission. In the familiar environment of a course and supported by some of the most innovative instructors on campus, you will be exposed to ways of knowing in different disciplines, the implications of new knowledge, and the interconnections between different fields. The Honors seminars are designed to motivate you, and to help you develop the habits of mind to become a knowledge-creator in your own field.

All Honors seminars, regardless of topic, have the following characteristics:

• interdisciplinary focus that brings together disparate subject areas, media, and methods

• emphasis on reading, writing, and discussion

• focus on research, discovery, and inquiry, which examines not only the findings of a discipline, but also its methods of knowledge creation

• holistic view of the subject matter that views the subject in its relation to other fields and its historical, social, and ethical implications

• innovative instruction, marked by inspiration, novel approaches, f lexibility, and responsiveness

The Capstone ProjectIn architectural terms, a capstone is the coping stone or copestone — the stone that finishes off a wall. In more general terms, it is a high point or crowning achievement. In academic terms, a capstone is a culminating experience: a project that demonstrates a student has developed an integrated understanding of their major field of study and can apply the tools and modes of inquiry of that field, thereby generating new knowledge. The Honors Capstone must occur at, or near the end of, your undergraduate experience, and should be the equivalent of a two-semester, six-credit hour project. It will result in a presentation appropriate for your discipline, and will be presented at either one of three annual undergraduate research symposia sponsored by NC State, a national, regional or international meeting, or other appropriate public venue. Finally, the capstone must be supervised by a faculty mentor.

The UniversityHonors ProgramCurriculum

Program ScheduleThe University Honors Program (UHP) starts in your freshman year and lasts for the duration of your undergraduate experience. The curricular core of the program is the Honors seminars. Between your freshman and junior years, you will take four HON seminars, which are designed to introduce you to how multiple disciplines approach similar problems, expand your ability to make connections between disciplines, and expose you to new ways of thinking. Through these courses, you will begin to develop the ability to identify problems, explore issues, and debate ideas that reflect knowledge across multiple disciplinary perspectives, as a foundation to your own research and scholarship. Throughout your undergraduate career, the program provides support and opportunities for you to engage in your discipline outside of your coursework, through research, scholarship, academic societies, and volunteer opportunities. The program concludes with a two-semester, six-credit hour Capstone project. Conducted under the guidance of a NC State faculty mentor, the Capstone allows you to identify your own unique problem sets and generate new knowledge in response to those problems that is characterized by innovation, divergent thinking, risk-taking, and integration.

Program RequirementsAs a University Honors Program participant, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.25 to remain in good standing in the Program in order to graduate as a UHP student. In addition, you must complete a total of 18 credit hours, which includes 12 credit hours of Honors seminars between your freshman and junior years, earning a grade of B- or better, and a two-semester, six-credit hour capstone research or creative project. Lastly, you must maintain the highest level of integrity, acting according to the principle of “Honor in all things,” in both academic performance and in everyday life. Many UHP students also participate in other college or departmental honors programs, which will have additional requirements.

How do I become a part of the University Honors Program?

For more information on the NC State University Honors program

phone: (919)-513-4078

email: university_honors@ncsu.edu

visit: http://ncsu.edu/honors

How to ApplyYour first step should be to submit your application for admissions to NC State by the Early Action Deadline for Fall admission (November 1). Invitations to apply to the University Honors Program are issued to admitted students on a rolling basis starting with the first admissions notification date through notification dates that occur in mid- to late-February. It is important to have submitted your NC State application early enough for your admission decision to have been made by that time. We issue invitations to students admitted to the College of Design once that college has made its admission decision. If you are admitted to NC State and have a SAT score of at least 1300 (math and critical reading), 30 ACT, and a 4.5 weighted/or 3.75 unweighted GPA, you will automatically receive an invitation to apply if you are admitted to NC State by late February. If you fall short of the criteria and believe you are an ideal prospect for the Program’s focus on research and scholarship, you may contact the Program and request an invitation to apply no later than March 1. Please note that admission to the UHP is competitive and based primarily upon evidence of your motivation to pursue research, scholarship and other creative activities in your chosen discipline. Other admission factors include academic achievement and extracurricular activities that embody research and scholarship. The Program has a goal to maintain an Honors community that includes students from a variety of backgrounds and academic majors. For students who don’t enter the program as an incoming freshman, the UHP also issues invitations to first-year students during the first and second semesters on campus. The UHP is not offered to transfer students. Transfer students should inquire with their colleges and departments about their disciplinary honors opportunities.

Financial AidThe University Honors Program is not a financial scholarship program. Many UHP participants are recipients of university-wide merit scholarships, including the Chancellor’s Leadership Award and Provost’s Academic Award. Others are Park Scholars, Centennial Scholars, Thomas Jefferson Scholars, Caldwell Fellows, General Hugh Shelton Leadership Initiative Scholars or Goodnight Scholars. Many are also recipients of merit scholarships awarded by the individual NC State colleges. In addition, NC State is committed to obtaining financial aid to all qualifying students who apply by the March 1st FAFSA priority filing date. For more information on financial aid and other scholarship resources, visit www.ncsu.edu/finaid.