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The Honors College continues to lead the way in elevating the university profile. With a commitment to recruiting the university profile. With a commitment to recruiting outstanding students to PNW, the college plays a significant role in helping he university increase its retention and graduation rates. Success is dependent on offering our students unique programming opportunities that will contribute to their growth and also to the robust Honors community.
Peer mentors (left to right) Matt Hall, Nick Weisfus and Juan Juarez on Induction Day, which is when Honors College freshmen get a comprehensive introduction to the university just days before classes begin.Peer Mentoring
Sophomore Kristen Johnson (right), from Plainfield, Illinois, guides her new charges through a team-building and collaboration activity. Johnson will attend the national conference for the Society of Women Engineers this fall in Austin, Texas.
Freshmen then continue to be in regular contact with their peer mentors throughout their first semester, gleaning insights about everything from The Career Center to undergraduate research and from time management to campus employment opportunities. Developed over the years by student leaders, the peer mentoring program provides a reliable network of knowledgeable friends and role models.
Student Housing
The Honors College Living and Learning Community, on the third floor of Griffin Hall on the Hammond Campus, allows students to room with their Honors friends and classmates while taking advantage of special programming. New students are welcomed to the Living and Learning Community with a special but informal dinner, which includes being sorted into one of four houses, Hogwarts style.
Pictured left: Sophomore Joshua Copeland assumed the position of Honors College Housing Coordinator for 2017-18. In this role, he will coordinate the special programming for students living in the Honors College Living and Learning Community.
Honors College professors Courtney Stewart (left) and Renee Conroy (right) join John Rowan for “Professors in Pajamas,” an event in the Living and Learning Community. Professor Conroy led a discussion about science fiction and philosophy, which was also the basis for a special topics Honors seminar in the spring semester.
(Left to right) Thomas Garcia, Neil Buss and Darian Smith hanging out (and clowning around) in one of the residence hall common areas. Buss (a.k.a. Pokemon) was recognized as the outstanding freshman student in the Honors College for the 2016-17 academic year.
Scholar Athletes
The Honors College works with the Athletics Department to recruit PNW academically strong students who wish to continue their athletic prowess. As Purdue University Northwest moves to NCAA Division II and competes in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, greater numbers of scholar athletes join the Honors community. They aim to achieve success at a high level, both in the classroom and in their sport of choice, while also being able to participate in student organizations, fine arts, and other activities across campus.
Political Science major Lori Haas was named College Division At-Large Academic All-American of the Year. With a perfect 4.0 grade point average and an outstanding winning percentage on the tennis court, Haas set the standard for scholar-athlete success. The History major and Bismarck, Illinois native began attending law school this fall.
Mechanical Engineering major Sergio Reyes, captain of the men’s soccer team, is another Honors College student who was recognized as an Academic All-American. An international student from Tabio, Colombia, Reyes is a junior who plans to leverage his degree from Purdue Northwest to obtain employment in the automotive industry here in the United States. He ultimately hopes to work in research and development at a top engineering company.
Teaching Assistants
Upper class students in Honors may apply to be teaching assistants (TAs) and work with new students in introductory courses. This kind of opportunity is typically reserved only for graduate students, but the Honors College has developed a TA program that benefits all parties. The students in these classes, being new, benefit from having both fellow students and professors as resources to whom they can turn for information and guidance. The TAs, meanwhile, garner valuable experience developing course lessons, leading class sessions, and tutoring freshmen students.
