The Richard A. Henson Honors Program

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www.umes.edu/honors

Dr. Michael Lane, Director

Mission

The primary mission of the Honors Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is to offer high achieving and motivated undergraduates the opportunity to participate in student-centered learning experiences that promote intellectual growth, cultural appreciation, professional focus, leadership development and civic participation.

The Honors Program also serves the entire University by enhancing the intellectual life of the campus, helping students prepare for graduate and professional school, and providing a locus for curricular experimentation.

Facilitating the entry of those from underrepresented groups within the state of Maryland is a further priority.

Core Values

The Honors Program Values:

• critical inquiry and creative expression that advance understanding, awareness and appreciation;
• engaged and engaging dialogue that fosters and supports a dynamic community;
• fairness and inclusiveness that ensure accessibility of resources and diversity; and
• leadership and collaboration that serve to better the lives of others.

Objectives

The objectives of the Honors Program are:

1. To support academic excellence by providing curricular, co-curricular and extra- curricular opportunities that foster intellectual growth, encourage critical inquiry and increase communication proficiency.
2. To engage students in experiences that promote their awareness and appreciation of multicultural diversity.
3. To advance students’ professional development and graduate school readiness.
4. To strengthen students’ leadership skills through initiation to various strategies, styles and experiences.
5. To inspire students to be responsible citizens who make altruism a life habit through civic participation, service learning and philanthropic efforts.

Admission

Admission to the Honors Program is competitive and by separate application. Students may apply for admission into the Honors Program as incoming freshmen, transfer students, or as a student already matriculated at the University who has earned fifty-five (55) or fewer credit hours. Interested students must first complete an application and be admitted to UMES. Following admission to the University, students seeking admission to the Honors Program must complete an application and provide supporting materials, including transcript(s); SAT/ACT test scores; letters of recommendation; a résumé detailing leadership roles, service contributions, awards and honors earned, and co-curricular activities; and an essay that addresses how the student intends to benefit by membership in the Honors Program and what talents, expertise and experiences the student hopes to contribute to the campus community. Students must also sign and return the Honors Membership Agreement. Eligibility criteria, application forms and membership agreements may be obtained from the Honors Program office or the “Forms Library” of its website at www.umes.edu/honors.  All applicants admitted to the program are eligible and may apply for one of several merit-based scholarships. Application deadlines for program admission and scholarships are also posted on the website.

Program of Study

To qualify for graduation with University Honors, students must satisfy all terms of the Honors Program Membership Agreement and complete the requisite coursework, as detailed in the Honors Program of Study. The following academic criteria (“Program of Study”) must be satisfied:

Completion of at least twenty-four (24) total hours of Honors coursework, to include:

The balance of course credits may be obtained by satisfactory completion of:

• honors sections of general education courses;
• honors versions of major/minor degree courses;
• additional HONR seminars (HONR 201 : Honors Sophomore Seminar; HONR 301 : Honors Junior Seminar);
• graduate coursework completed for undergraduate credit;
• a pre-approved international experience (with prior written approval of the Director of the Honors Program, one-half of hours earned through participation in a credit-bearing study abroad program will articulate as honors credits).

Students are also eligible to receive “Honors Course Credit by Contract,” a process by which the student earns honors credit for completion of a standard curriculum course. This process is by application and pre-approval only. Guidelines and forms are available on the Honors website. Students may complete a maximum of six (6) contracted honors hours in fulfillment of their honors Program of Study.

Honors Program Faculty 

Dr. Michael E. Lane – Director

Dr. Amy Hagenrater-Gooding – Associate Professor

Dr. Benita Rashaw – Lecturer PT

Dr. Victoria Volkis – Associate Professor

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