UNL's commitment that every person and every interaction matters is at the foundation of the work we do in the University Honors Program. Through our classroom experiences, co-curricular programming, and one-on-one interactions, we strive to create an atmosphere where all students feel welcomed, respected, accepted, and heard. By cultivating intellectual curiosity and welcoming a multitude of voices to our conversations, we encourage all of our students, faculty, and staff to learn from one another – about both our differences and the things that unite us.
What Honors is Doing
Creating opportunities for more students to join Honors.
We recognize that test scores don't always reflect a student's potential for a variety of reasons. In response, we have decreased the weight of standardized testing in our review process. Through a holistic review of Honors Program applications, we take into account students' varied life experiences and potential for a unique contribution to our program. Additionally, the Honors Program encourages non-Honors students at UNL to apply for admission to the Program as an on-campus student or as a transfer student, and collaborates with campus partners to empower students for whom an alternative pathway to Honors admission is the best option.
Giving back through community engagement.
The Honors Program has partnered with community agencies to provide educational programming and college access opportunities for Nebraska K-12 youth. Our sponsored programs such as our Honors Afterschool Clubs, which serve Title I schools in the Lincoln Community, and Fall Break service trips, that connect our students with Nebraska communities outside of Lincoln, use near-peer relationships to engage local students and encourage the pursuit of higher education. Another way that we give back is through the Intern Foundry program, which pairs Honors students with project-focused internships supporting the work of nonprofits that impact people across the state of Nebraska.
Empowering students to facilitate important and sometimes difficult conversations.
The Honors Program is committed to empowering students to co-create their educational experiences. In collaboration with the Cooper Foundation, the Honors Program regularly hosts Honors Cooper Conversations based on student and community interest. Over the past year, Honors students have helped facilitate conversations on responsible journalism, climate change, and issues around healthcare. If you have an idea for a Cooper Conversation, please email us at honors@unl.edu.