Honors Program 2.0

Today I want to talk about the current transitions of the Honors Program. As you all know, I hope, Dr. Margolius stepped down as Director of the Honors Program (we thank her for everything she accomplished!). The new Director is Dr. Peter Meiksins. Dr. Meiksins is a Sociology professor here at Cleveland State, and is proving to be as great of a director as he is professor.

Dr. Meiksins is interested in making a few changes to the program. First, he would like to change the notion that the roots of the Honors Program lie in academia. Although academics are a huge portion of the honors curriculum, Dr. Meiksins would like to create a complete honors experience.

Furthermore, Dr. Meiksins is very interested in supplying Honors students with study abroad and internship opportunities. From an intership with the Washington Center (meeting in MC Auditorium at 11am on 2/2) to projects across seas with the Fulbright grant (meeting in MC 102 at 12pm on 3/5), Dr. Meiksins wants Honors students to interact with new cultures and bright people such as ourselves as much as possible.

Community service is also a part of Dr. Meiksins agenda. As staff for the Honors Program, I have created the Honors "Big 10" Service Award. All Honors and University Scholars students who verify 10 hours of completed community service with an official nonprofit organization by March 31, 2009 will receive an award at this year's Honors Graduation Ceremony. Starting in the fall semester, an HON 201 class will be offered surrounding community service within the fields Honors students will be entering after graduation.

All in all, the future of the Honors Program seems full of opportunity and growth. Thanks to all of the Honors staff who have been working hard to ensure the smooth transition and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for this great program :)