UMES Henson Honors Program UMES Faculty Assembly Presenter

UMES Henson Honors Program UMES Faculty Assembly Presenter: Dr. Ray J. Davis Dean/School of The Arts and Professions & Interim Director Henson Honors Program October 16, 2012 WWW. UMES. EDU/HONORS 2051 HAZEL HALL (410) 651 -6082

UMES Henson Honors Program: Past, Present, and Future Presentation Overview q Historical Perspectives q Current Status of Honors Benefits of an Honors Program § Personnel § Vision and Mission § Enrollment § q Future Challenges and Opportunities § Strategic Initiatives

UMES Henson Honors Program: Staff Members Honors Program Staff Members: Ø Interim Honors Program Director o Ø Program Associate o Ø Dr. Brenda Wade Academic Program Assistant o Ø Dr. Ray J. Davis Mrs. Aundra Roberts Administrative Assistant o Ms. Whitney Turner

UMES Henson Honors Program Benefits for an Honors Program Benefits an Honors Program: Ø Demonstrates to students and parents that the university values and serves the most talented students; Ø Enhances university’s ability to recruit outstanding students; Ø Enables the university to be more competitive with peer institutions; Ø Provides a more challenging, individualized education for talented students within the established university structure;

UMES Henson Honors Program Brief History of Honors Program at UMES Established in 1975 as a joint collaboration between Dr. William P. Hytche and University System President Dr. Governor J. Millard Tawes. Purpose: To increase the number talented students at UMES who would eventually attend professional schools (e. g. , law school, pharmacy, medical, etc. ). q q Agreements established with UMB and later Virginia Tech. q Dr. Brenda Anderson-Wade served as first Honors Director q Staff consisted of one person – the Director

UMES Henson Honors Program Vision: VISION

UMES Henson Honors Program Purpose and Mission Purpose: To provide academically talented and highly motivated students the opportunity to enjoy the best education UMES has to offer. Mission: 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. Also, to serve the entire University by enhancing the intellectual life of the campus, helping students prepare for graduate school, and serving as a locus for curricular experimentation.

UMES Henson Honors Program q Admissions and Retention Admissions: 3. 3 Overall H. S. GPA and 1650 SAT Verbal/Math or 28 ACT Ø Graduate from an accredited high school Ø Complete Honors Application and Agreement Form Ø q Retention: Adhere to Honors Program Agreement Ø Maintain overall 3. 3 GPA Ø Enroll in an Honors course (six hours/semester) Ø Participate in mandatory activities Ø

UMES Henson Honors Program Enrollment

UMES Henson Honors Program Selective Benefits of Honors Selected Benefits q q q q Leadership Development Cultural Events Early Registration Honors Housing Graduate and Professional School Preparation* Special Library Privilege, comparable to graduate students* Attending Professional Conferences* Note: *Improvement needed

UMES Henson Honors Program Challenges and Opportunities Future Challenges and Opportunities Strategic Initiatives to Align the Program to conform to national standards § External Reviewer Evaluate and Assess the Program § Establish an University Honors Advisory Board § Complete Search for new Honors Director §

UMES Henson Honors Program Strategic Planning Initiatives Strategic Initiatives and Immediate Next Steps q Conduct an External Review of the Program Ø Ø Ø q Admission Standards Curriculum Offerings Program Leadership and Institutional Support Honors as University Citizen (Engagement) Program Management and Operating Budget Immediate Next Steps Ø Establish a University Honors Faculty Council

UMES Henson Honors Program Challenges and Opportunities A Summation of Strategies to Improve the Program: q Consider qualitative and quantitative admission standards. q Increase the number of Honors sections of core requirements. q Develop Honors sections of core requirements in most popular majors q Develop a curricular process through which interested faculty can offer experimental honors seminars. q Review the requirements for four-year participation and recognition. q Develop a requirement for a thesis or project as part of the four-year honors recognition.

UMES Henson Honors Program Challenges and Opportunities: q Appoint a Seasoned Director of the Honors Program. q Enhance the academic advisement capability of the program. q Improve co-curricular opportunities and resources.

UMES Henson Honors Program CHALLENGES and Opportunities q Provide office space that is centrally visible and adequate to support its expanding responsibilities. q Encourage and support a living-learning community among honors students through honors housing and other means.

UMES Henson Honors Program Thank You! Q&A