Honors College to benefit students academically, socially

By establishing an Honors College, VCU administrators plan to offer more opportunities for honors students than at any other time in VCU’s history.

The proposed Honors College, however, not only will tend to the needs of honors students but also help other students, especially those in the lower division.

“I see the Honors College being heavily involved in helping us do a better job with the freshman experience and helping students with those gateway courses,” said Stephen Gottfredson, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We have students that are underprepared. If we don’t help them succeed, are we just going to sit back and let them fail? I don’t think so.”

Timothy Hulsey, director of the Honors Program, said he sees honors students getting involved in university and community service as well as in service learning. This includes having them serve as mentors, teaching assistants and get involved with various volunteer opportunities.

“We want to show them how to be successful here academically and socially,” Hulsey said of helping the lower-division students. “The goal is getting them involved in meeting the responsibilities that come with the privileges.”

Henry Rhone, vice provost for student affairs and enrollment services, said he thinks the Honors College will have much to offer other students.

“We have some of your brighter students who are really providing an academic support for you as an incoming student,” Rhone said. “That’s pretty nice to have if you can buddy up with somebody who’s made it and can help you get through your freshman year.”

“We have students that are underprepared. If we don’t help them succeed, are we just going to sit back and let them fail? I don’t think so.”

– Stephen Gottfredson, provost and vice president for academic affairs

Besides service, special seminars can enhance the relationship of the Honors College and other students.

“There is a way of sharing that kind of special interest of the larger student community,” Rhone said. “The benefit is that you stimulate the conversation on certain topics through an Honors College. For example, you might bring in a person or faculty member to do a seminar. The Honors College students will be involved and other students will be invited to participate in it.”

The vice provost also suggested that other students may wish to apply to the Honors College after being involved with some of its students.

“I think in general students are competitive,” he said. “So if I’m not in the Honors College, I might want to get into the Honors College. Therefore, I will do the things in terms of achievement to perhaps be considered. I think that benefits all of us and lets students be more actively engaged in the academic experience.”