Honors Program
Explore your world and its complex questions with a community of scholars through UNC Honors Program.
Unleash Your Curiosity
Are you curious about the world around you? Do you ask complex questions and challenge yourself by seeking solutions where none seem to exist? If yes, you belong at UNC’s Honors Program!
You join a small community of faculty and peers who challenge you to think critically through an interdisciplinary lens. Together, you dive deep into critical issues and explore research and creative innovations.
UNC honors students are the best and brightest, dedicated to learning, creative thinking and making a difference in our communities.
Book a Meeting or Zoom Call with Us! Honors Program Requirements
Apply to Honors Now
Incoming High School Students and transfer students may apply through their UNC Admitted Student Portal.
Current UNC Students can apply through our application link.
The UNC Honors Experience
Why Honors?
Go beyond the walls of the classroom and the confines of the textbook to reach your goals.
Benefits of being in honors:
- Faculty Mentorship
- Opportunity to Gain Priority Enrollment
- Honors Residential Learning Communities
- Honors Scholarship Opportunities
- Academic and Professional Workshops
- Publication opportunities
- Recognition on Diploma
Student Honors Activities Council planning retreat in the mountains.
First Year Honors
Begin your journey as part of a learning cohort. Practice interdisciplinary analytical skills and build a foundation for academic success.
Dr. Kristin Bovaird-Abbo teaching at an Honors Colloquium.
University Honors Program
Expand your studies with interdisciplinary seminars and real-world learning. You’ll develop an in-depth honors research, applied, or creative capstone project in any discipline.
Honors course on the lawn.
Honors Capstone Experience
The Honors Capstone curriculum provides upper-division students the opportunity to engage in in-depth study of a topic either within or outside of their major degree program and culminates in an Honors Capstone Project. Capstone may be completed as part of University Honors or as a stand-alone experience.
Clare Bolon presenting at Western Regional Honors Conference.
McNair Scholars Research Program
McNair Scholars is dedicated to nurturing the academic potential of talented first generation undergraduate students and preparing them for success in graduate studies. McNair Scholars is a pathway through Honors Capstone Experience, and all McNair Scholars complete a research project that dual counts for Honors, graduating with Honors on their transcript if they complete all of the requirements.
McNair Scholars at 2025 Western Regional Honors Conference.
Leadership Pathway through Honors
UNC offers an Applied Leadership Certificate with 12 credits of leadership studies coursework. The LEAD courses also count towards Honors requirements, and students may complete the University Honors Program through a leadership pathway with 6 credits of leadership seminars, 3 credits of a leadership internship, a leadership capstone, with one additional honors elective.
President's Leadership Program Students at Colorado Leadership Alliance conference
He/Him/His
David Gonzalez
Math, Computer Science
“I chose to become an ambassador because I wanted to support a program that provides so many opportunities to students; I want those opportunities to grow and continue!”
She/Her/Hers
Busi Chimembe
Human Services
“I hope to create a safe environment for the honors members to come to and reach out if they have any questions.”
He/Him/His
Ryan LaTourette
Music Education
“As an ambassador, I want to mentor, help, and lead students to success. I want students to know they aren’t alone.”
They/Them
Carter Norris
History, Secondary Education
“My goal is to connect with incoming honors students and to help them understand the benefits of being in the program and let them know about the resources that are available to them”.
She/Her/Hers
Lyndsey Hughes
Psychology, Criminal Justice
“I’d like to be a helping hand and also be more involved in the UNC community. I look forward to building connections with many students as well as all of the ambassadors.”
North of the Norm
Parker Coffelt
Twelve hours from home and separated from the single mother who raised him as an only child, Parker Coffelt didn’t waste any time getting acclimated to the college life.
Madeline Dannewitz ’24
At age 19, Madeline struck out on her own, leaving her family home and the tight-knit religious community she grew up in in Northern California.
Rosemary Gonzalez ’23
When Rosemary first moved to Greeley, she felt like an imposter who didn’t belong. Forging connections became her key to success as a nursing student.
Lifelong Learning
ALUMNI
"Honors gifted me with so many wonderful things. From friends to mentors, conferences to committees, I am a better student and leader because of these programs and their impact on me."
Madeline Azari ’18
B.A., Theatre Arts: Secondary Education
Coordinator for Student Leadership Development, University of Colorado-Boulder
Areas Affiliated with Honors Program
Honors Program Faculty and Staff
Loree Crow
Executive Director
Margaret McKeown Kelley
Student-Faculty Support Specialist for Faculty Affairs and for Undergraduate Academic Engagement
Corinne Wieben
Professor
Jorge Rubio
Honors Program Student Success Coordinator
Get In Touch
Honors Program
Undergraduate Academic Engagement