Honors students standing and smiling on rooftop 

Events

Every academic year, the GovState Honors College holds various events to benefit all honors students. These range from social mixers, fundraisers, and annual recognition ceremonies. Below you will find some of these gatherings that we developed:

 Fall Semester (August - December)

  • • Annual Pinning Ceremony
  • • Pumpkin Carving Event, Friendsgiving with ALAS
  • • Student Council Social Soiree
  • • Annual Retreat Adventure (e.g. Downtown, etc.)

 Spring Semester (January - May)

  • • Valentine's Day Event
  • • Events supporting non-profit groups
  • • NCUR Annual Conference
  • • GSU Research Days

Retreat

At the beginning of every Fall semester, the GovState Honors College hosts an annual team building retreat. This is a chance for honors students to come together, meet other students and participate in team building activities. There are many challenges the students face throughout the day and through dedicated teamwork and a bit of fun.

Recently, students participated in a “City as Text” event, a learning activity that encourages active learning in various settings, cultures, and environments, in Downtown Chicago and surrounding neighborhoods.


Pinning Ceremony

Our Annual Pinning Ceremony recognizes new students into the GovState Honors College. As a social event, students are recognized among faculty, staff, and their parents. Upon recognition into the college, students receive a pin from the dean.


Banquet

At the end of the Spring Semester, the GovState Honors College holds an annual banquet in to recognize the honors college graduates as well as other honors students who have had accomplishments throughout the academic year. This is a fun night of celebration and recognition for the hard work and dedication of the GovState Honors College faculty, staff, and students!


 Student in front of poster during Research Day Student in front of poster during Research Day 

Research Opportunities

The GovState Honors College provides multiple opportunities for students to showcase their work! Some of these conferences are at local, regional, or national levels.


GovState Research Day

GovState Research Day is a campus wide event open to all currently enrolled GovState students. Undergraduate research must include a faculty sponsor. Please contact Dr. Rhea or faculty in your program for more information about a potential submission. GovState Research Day occurs every April annually.


NCHC

The National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) Conference provides students an opportunity to present his or her research at the national level.

The NCHC is a nationwide conference of research amongst other students throughout the U.S. We recommend this conference for any current sophomore or junior. This can be an individual submission or a group submission ranging from oral research, presentations, posters, or full panels. NCHC occurs in November annually.

NCUR

The National Council on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) Conference provides students an opportunity to present his or her research at the national level at one of the largest undergraduate research conferences in the world with over 4,300 participants.

We recommend this conference for any current junior or senior. This can be an individual submission or a group submission ranging from oral research, presentations, posters, or full panels. NCUR Proposals are due in Early December. Conference occurs in April annually.


 

Student Council

The Honors College Student Council serves as an advisory group to faculty, staff, and honors college students and is representative of the greater Honors College student body. The Council seeks to foster productive relationships between the Honors College, academic colleges, and the greater university to optimize students’ opportunities to pursue their passions and explore their educations. They seek to model exceptional leadership, enhance learning experiences, develop innovative initiatives and promoting connections in and out of the classroom–in order to engage students in the GSU local and global communities.


Members

 Amy E Rodriguez 
Co-Chair

 Kylie Smith 
 Co-Chair  

 Angelo Provo
Event Coordinator I

 Elaina Frieson
Event Coordinator II

 Nayeli Zambrano
Treasurer

 Deborah Macias
Secretary

 Ahren Kirschbaum
Freshman Representative

 Paige Craig
Transfer Representative 1

 Roberto Valladares

Transfer Representative 2

 Isa Olugbile

Sophomore Representative  


 

Leadership Seminar in Rome

The study abroad program in Rome, Italy is a 3-week program with service learning, sustainable living, and mindfulness practice components. Offered in collaboration with the American University of Rome, the program focuses on the characteristics of a resilient society.

LEARN MORE

 
 Honors students in front of statue in Rome Honors students standing on rooftop in Rome 

Course Details

The course is intensive and experiential, and you will learn firsthand the sustainable, resilient, and sacred features of this ancient culture. Students will visit both urban and rural communities, monasteries, and temples, as well as important historical sites. Students will also learn simple individual and group practices that increase a sense of awareness and presence. Students apply a full range of skills, including navigating transportation challenges in a foreign country, cooking with what is available, learning to live with more purpose and intention, and establish healthy relationships with oneself, others, and the environment.