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About the Honors College

The Honors College enhances the undergraduate experience for students at West Virginia University by building a community of scholars who enrich their education in the classroom and beyond.

Our Mission

The faculty and staff of the West Virginia University Honors College believe that an Honors education should provide students with an academically different experience that prepares them for life after their undergraduate career. In the Honors classroom, students are encouraged to think for themselves, question everything, and connect the unconnected.

Both Honors courses and the co/extra-curricular activities are designed to support students as they become independent, creative, and self-motivated learners. Students are challenged to “think beyond the textbook” and are assigned authentic, real-world tasks that provide them with opportunities to use the professional skills and knowledge they will need in graduate school or in their careers. Honors students are urged to conduct independent research in their fields, participate in internships, study abroad, and engage in civic service in their community.

I’ve had the good fortune of leading the Honors College since 2014. It’s a remarkable place where talented students explore new ideas, ask compelling questions and embrace differences. As a community, we empower each other to realize our full potential for the betterment of ourselves and the world around us.

Dr. Kenneth Blemmings

Dean of the Honors College

Our Values

We Lead.

The Honors College teaches students to be leaders in their classrooms and in their communities, pursuing a spirit of innovative thinking, responsible and accountable conduct, and extraordinary achievement. We model that leadership by fostering innovative learning environments that are test-beds for excellent teaching across the curriculum, and by epitomizing the integrity that we expect in our students.

We Explore.

The Honors College helps students cultivate a curiosity about the world around them; develop persistence and resilience in solving the academic and social problems they encounter and research; and pursue an adventurous spirit that embraces intellectual risks for the sake of personal, academic, and community growth.

We Build.

The Honors College builds an environment that empowers its students to construct their own solutions to individual and collective problems; to work harder and more deeply in the scholarly, research, and experiential activities they undertake; and to forge connections with peers, mentors, and community partners to better share our knowledge.

We Work Together.

The Honors College builds an environment that empowers its students to construct their own solutions to individual and collective problems; to work harder and more deeply in the scholarly, research, and experiential activities they undertake; and to forge connections with peers, mentors, and community partners to better share our knowledge.

We Are Mountaineers.

The Honors College hosts an inclusive community of scholars by collaborating with faculty and staff across the entire campus; by facilitating connections among students through social and academic activities in both their living and learning environments; and by encouraging them to expand the scope of their work to include local, regional, and global contexts.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

Learn about the efforts of the Honors College to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive campus at West Virginia University. Learn About DEI At Honors

the Honors College Community

Meet the members of our team working to make the Honors College what it is today.
Honors College staff members in a group outside of the entrance to the WVU Honors Hall

Meet Our Staff

The Honors College staff are dedicated to their roles of upholding academic excellence for students and educators. Get in-touch with our staff or visit our office today.

Access the Staff Directory
An honors student and honors help desk worker having a friendly conversation

Meet Our Student Workers

The Honors College student workers are greatly valued for their hard work supporting the efforts of the college for students and educators.

Access the Student Worker Directory

OUR HISTORY

West Virginia University has a long history of providing enhanced educational opportunities for academically talented students by offering advanced “Honors” level classes in many disciplines.

The Honors College continues to expand and develop as our student body continues to grow. This year’s freshmen class was more than 900 students. The Honors College also has three affiliate units that provide services to all students.

  • ASPIRE helps students compete for nationally competitive scholarships such as Rhodes and Truman and provides assistance with graduate and professional school applications.
  • Pre-Health Professional Development Office helps students become competitive applicants for medical, dental, veterinary, and other professional schools.
  • Office of Undergraduate Research assists undergraduate students, who have strong and committed interests in research and creative endeavors, to faculty members, programs, and research-related opportunities.
  1. March 29, 1985

    Where It All Began

    The College of Arts and Sciences offered innovative courses that were limited to 15 students and focused on providing students with individual attention and the opportunity for active participation in classroom discussion.

  2. March 29, 1987

    Where It Headed

    The College of Arts and Sciences launched a departmental Honors Program that was the forerunner of today’s university-wide Honors College. As the Arts & Science Honors Program progressed, it became increasingly evident that it would be beneficial to open the program to all WVU students.

  3. 1985-1986

    Where It Took Off

    By the end of its first year, the Honors Program at WVU was established and had 196 members.

  4. TODAY

    Where We Are Now

    The Honors Program continued to grow in size, quality, and recognition, and in 2006, the Honors Program became the Honors College at West Virginia University, which now has over 2600 student members.

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