Calhoun Community College and Athens State University recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will allow graduates from Calhoun’s Honors Program to join the Honors Program at Athens State.
Students from the Honors Program at Calhoun seeking admission to the Honors Program at Athens State must first be admitted to Athens State as a transfer student and then apply to the Honors Program at Athens State as a transfer applicant. If the student is in good standing in the Honors Program at Calhoun and follows this admission process, they will be granted automatic admission to the Honors Program at Athens State.
The mission of the Athens State University Honors Program is to attract and provide honor students with an opportunity to be engaged in robust interdisciplinary academics and related programming that intentionally develops their curiosity and propels them toward their future careers as citizens of a global community.
“(The Honors Program) can drastically change a student’s life by fostering mentorships and challenging the members to push to improve themselves,” said Shellie Christopher, Athens State student and member of the Honors Program. “I have found a group of peers and professors who helped me see my potential and reach my goals. From group retreats to boxing food at the food bank, we support each other and have a sense of community.”
Daniel Selsvik, Athens State student and member of the Honors Program, also speaks highly of the program saying, “When I speak to my Honors cohort, I feel a sense of belonging in the sense that I have high expectations for myself academically and I want to further my education after receiving my Bachelor’s. This fosters not only a sense of belonging, but one of accountability.”
Honors Program participants will receive tuition scholarships, funding to attend a conference in the student’s field, and funding for materials to support an Honors Thesis or Project. Participants will also be involved in community service projects and cohort-building trips based on experiential learning.