UMBC Honors College Celebrates its 20th Anniversary
For two decades, the UMBC Honors College has motivated students both academically and personally – and continues to do so. It has awarded over 1,000 Certificates of Honors to graduates, provided students the chance to study and travel abroad and promoted numerous service learning opportunities and internships as formal components of its curriculum.
In its 20th year on campus, the Honors College has grown in member diversity and is in line with the diversity of the UMBC campus, something that is unusual compared to other national schools. The current membership is 68 percent Caucasian, 32 percent minority, while the campus is 63 and 37, respectively. This diverse community has reached its largest enrollment since it began funding in 1989.
“The Honors College has consistently provided students with exposure to ideas and concepts beyond their fields of expertise; the opportunity to develop exceptional writing, thinking and speaking skills; and the chance to be members of an ever more diverse and energetic academic community,” said Honors College Director Anna Shields.
That academic community, which boasts a 3.66 average GPA, has grown from 81 students in its first cohort to 433 students today. As the program has grown in numbers, it has become more selective, challenging and diverse.
“Good test scores and grades are not enough,” said Shields. “We seek well-rounded, intellectually curious students who show great interest in learning and leadership, no matter what their area of specialization may be.”
Honors College students are engaged in the honors curriculum throughout their time at UMBC through honors seminars, study abroad opportunities and service projects. Through seminars, students are able to participate in day trips to museums and historical landmarks. Students and faculty are also involved in co-curricular activities that include trips to the theatre, symphony and opera. Students also have the option of staying in the Honors College Living-Learning Community (LLC), which was recently recognized in a national study of LLCs and housed in Susquehanna Hall.
When it comes to staffing such a large and diverse group, faculty and staff play a vital role. Faculty fellows at the Honors College are selected through an application process. Once appointed, fellows teach one seminar per year for a two-year term.
“Seminars are an essential aspect of the honors curriculum, giving students and faculty a small-class setting in which to work together closely,” said Shields. “The seminars provide faculty with the chance to explore new topics and experiment with innovative teaching methods.”
The current Honors College staff includes Shields, Simon Stacey, associate director and affiliate assistant professor of political science; Maureen McCormick, program coordinator; Margaret Major, program management specialist; and Lisa Bolton, administrative assistant. The first cohort of faculty fellows (select faculty chosen to teach in the College) began teaching the Honors Seminars in fall 2008.
When looking to the future, Shields has many goals.
“We plan to increase the number of faculty fellows who teach seminars in the Honors College and to increase the variety of disciplines those courses cover,” she said. “We would like to increase our student research and study abroad awards in future years as well by growing our UMBC Foundation Fund and our Jay Freyman Scholarship Fund.”
Shields also hopes to expand the Honors College Living-Learning Community and attract more transfer students.
A special reception will be held Saturday, October 25, 3-5 p.m., in the Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery in honor of the program’s anniversary. To RSVP to this event, click here.
For more information on the Honors College, go to www.umbc.edu/honors.
(10/24/08)
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