Esther G. Maynor Honors College

• About the Honors College
• Participation Requirements
• Admission Process
• Financial Assistance
• News and Events
• Course Offerings
• Students
• Faculty
• Contact Us

 

about the maynor honors college

Q. Who is Esther G. Maynor?

Learn more about Esther G. Maynor.

Q. What is the Honors College?

The University Honors College (UHC) was begun in the Fall 2001 semester to attract top scholars to UNC Pembroke and provide an environment that stimulates both academic and personal growth. The Honors College offers interdisciplinary educational opportunities that enhance the general curriculum as well as social and cultural opportunities.

Students selected to join the program have distinguished themselves in high school or at the university level with proven record of academic achievement, leadership and community involvement. UHC participants maintain high academic standards and complete a senior project before graduation.

Located on the second floor of Old Main, the Honors College is directed by the Dean. An Honors Council, comprised of professors and administrators, has also been appointed to assist and guide the program.

Q. Who is in the Honors College?

The Honors College admits approximately 30-35 new freshmen each fall. Continuing students may be admitted during their freshman or sophomore year. Average SAT scores are approximately 1150 and entering GPA's are above 3.5. Continuing students have different entrance requirements that should be discussed with the Dean. In addition to sharing strong academic records, Honors students are an interesting and diverse group. UNC Pembroke Honors scholars come from across the state of North Carolina and other states in the East. We also have several Canadian students. They major in a variety of disciplines including,English, Business, Music, Physics, Journalism, Philosophy and Education. The modal major in Honors is Biology with many students seeking to go to medical school upon graduation. About 20% of Honors students are varsity athletes in men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, basketball, tennis and golf. Several are in Army or Air Force ROTC. Our students have a wide variety of extracurricular activities including skydiving, dressage, creative writing and music. They are intelligent and caring, concerned about the environment and the well being of our citizens.

Q. Are all Honors College students given full scholarships?

All Honors scholars are considered for financial assistance by the Office of Financial Aid. Decisions about merit scholarships are made by the Office of Financial Aid. Every attempt is made to assist all students in the Honors College with financial assistance.

Q. What is the recruiting process like? Do they apply or are they recruited by your office and the Office of Admissions?

Students who have been admitted to UNC Pembroke can apply directly to the Honors College using an online application on this website. Additionally, the UNC Pembroke Office of Admissions identifies those students with appropriate GPA and SAT scores. I invite those students to apply for admission to our program.

Q. What Honors courses are offered this fall, and what makes them "Honors" courses?

Our goal in the MHC is to create a "learning community" for the freshman experience. Honors students take 2-4 courses together in the freshman year. They also may elect to live in Honors housing, a select floor in men’s and women’s housing. This experience enables group cohesion in the first year that will encourage these students to work together, to compete academically, and to set an academic pace as they progress through four years at UNC Pembroke. After the first semester Honors students are integrated into the general student body but continue to maintain their friendships and often elect to take courses together and form study groups together.

Each Honors student is required to take 3-4 HON seminars that examine interesting areas of study with some of our outstanding faculty. These courses are only available to Honors scholars. They carry higher reading requirements and enhanced expectations from the faculty. Honors courses have included a Study of Dinosaurs, Contemporary World Issues, American Indian Cultures, Integrated Media, the Humanistic Tradition, Sociology of Popular Culture and Sports in American Society.

Each of our students works with a faculty member in the major to undertake and complete research in the discipline. The results of that effort are presented to the MHC at the conclusion of the student's senior year. The research experience sets our Honors program apart from many of the others in the state and region. Research projects in the past have included scientific investigations, historical studies, musical presentations, original compositions and website development, depending upon the major field of study.

MHC students, who complete the requirements of the program, will receive an "honors college" diploma and special recognition at commencement. Honors scholars are encouraged to participate in study abroad programs and receive personal guidance in decisions about post-graduate education. Honors scholars have been accepted at the US Military Medical School, the University of Washington – Seattle, Tulane University School of Journalism, James Madison University, UNC Wilmington, UNC Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and the University of Colorado.

Q. There is a strong contingent from faculty and administration on the Honors Council. What is their role?

The Maynor Honors College is an academic, cultural, service and learning experience. We could not have undertaken this effort without the commitment and support of all of the organizational units on our campus. From admissions, to service learning, housing, faculty, and athletics, everyone cooperates in the development of the MHC. Consequently, we have wide ranging representation on the University Honors Council, the oversight and support group that has created this program.

Q. What social and cultural enrichment activities have taken place and what activities are planned?

MHC students receive free tickets to most of the activities on campus, especially at GPAC our performing arts center and the venue for traveling Broadway shows, including CATS, Titanic, Miracle Worker and Fiddler on the Roof and the Distinguished Speaker Series, with guests like Erin Brockovich, Spike Lee, Maya Angelou and Dick Vitale.

As part of a network of Honors colleges and programs, we participate in state, regional and national honors meetings with students from across the state and the country. Honors scholars have presented research and programs at meetings in Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Chicago, New Orleans and Wilmington, NC.

Q. How does the Honors College support all students in the University?

The Honors College is also the site for the UNC Pembroke Undergraduate Research and Creativity Center that supports faculty and the students they mentor with funds for undertaking research, support for grants and contracts and money to attend regional and national conferences to present their work. These students from across the University are invited to participate in Research in the Capital, a UNC system initiative to highlight undergraduate research to our legislators. As members of the Council of Undergraduate Research and the National Consortium of Undergraduate Research we support student travel to these annual conferences to present their research efforts.

 

 

Updated: Wednesday, July 6, 2011

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