Honors Program

Honors Program Outcome Statements

Students will research, analyze, synthesize, communicate and share their findings from a broad range of material to faculty and peers.
Students will explore leadership principles including servant leadership and goal setting and will identify leadership approaches that best match their values and goals.
Students will participate in learning experiences beyond the classroom that include research, scholarship, service and leadership opportunities.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and moral obligations of academic scholarly work.

Benefits

Personal and Academic Growth

The Honors Program introduces students to concepts in academic research, scholarship, leadership and service through the HONR 200 Honors Seminar course. The HONR 205 Independent Study course allows students to take an area of academic interest and collaborate with faculty to create an opportunity to demonstrate academic research and share findings with the college community. The Service Project allows students to find an area where they can apply their interests and skills in a way that provides service to others.

Competitive Edge for Future Educational and Career Opportunities

Employers and transfer colleges look for students who are engaged and active in their education. By participating in this program, students learn communication, leadership and academic skills that will make them stand out among their peers. Students will have specific academic and service projects to refer to that demonstrate these skills. The Honors Seminar, Independent Study and Service Project require students to work collaboratively with others and develop academic skills beyond those in traditional classwork.

Special Recognition from BHC

Students will have HONR 200 and HONR 205 recorded on their transcripts.
Students fulfilling all components of the Honors Program will have the distinction recognized on their academic transcript, the graduation program and the Honors Program Canvas Course.
Students’ honors independent study findings will be shared with the college community on the Honors Program Canvas Course.
Students entering the program will receive a welcome gift.
Students will have opportunities to engage in social and/or cultural academic events.
Students will be invited to a lunch with the Black Hawk College President.

Honors Seminar

The Honors Seminar is a one-credit hour course that prepares students to participate in the Honors Program and complete the required academic research-based Independent Study project(s) and Service Project needed to fulfill requirements of the Honors Program. A Service Project allows students to find an area where they can apply their interests and skills in a way that provides service to others. Students will have a Service Project to demonstrate these skills.

Independent Study

An Honors Independent Study is a 1-3 credit hour course designed for students to fulfill the required academic research-based Independent Study project(s) requirements of the Honors Program. Students will work closely with faculty within their research area to do academic research and produce a project related to their chosen topic. The faculty serves as a support system for students.

The Independent Study gives students the opportunity to explore interests and develop research and critical thinking skills. Those research interests can have a strong influence on future decisions and career goals.

Honors Service Project

The goal of the Honors Service Project is to give students valuable real-world experience within their selected fields. To complete an Honors Service Project, students must volunteer at least 10 hours for a non-profit organization. While volunteering, it is recommended students keep notes to reflect upon their experiences. After they have completed their volunteer work, students will write a reflection paper on their overall involvement.

Applying to be an Honors Student

The Honors Program is for Black Hawk College students wanting to enrich their college experience by participating in additional academic and service opportunities. The Honors Program admits students as new freshmen, as well as current Black Hawk College students and transfer students. The Honors Program application process is designed to appeal to a wide range of highly motivated students with the potential for additional success in their college careers and beyond.

To complete the program, students will need to have a GPA of 3.25 or better and meet the requirements of the program:

Complete HONR 200 and HONR 205 with a C or better.
Complete the Service Project requirement.
Submit the Service Project Reflection Form.
Share HONR 205 Independent Study findings through the HONR 205 Reporting Form.

Students interested in joining the Honors Program or verifying eligibility are encouraged to contact Advising. Quad-Cities Campus Advising can be reached at 309-796-5100 or advqc@jmswierski.com. East Campus Advising can be reached at 309-854-1709. Kristian Clayton is the Honors Program Liaison and he can be reached at Claytonk@jmswierski.com.

All interested students should fill out an Honors Program Application Form and register for HONR 200 as soon as possible to allow enough time to complete all honors requirements before graduation.

Note: Students who are unable to complete all of the requirements for the Honors Program distinction upon graduation are still welcome to participate in the HONR 200 and HONR 205 courses. Those courses will appear on the students’ college transcripts.

Enroll in the Honors Program Canvas Course