Maynor Honors College

Esther G. Maynor Honors College

Dean: Mark Milewicz

Assistant Dean: Teagan Decker

University Honors Council

Robert W. Brown (Chair)	Kelly Charlton	Scott Hicks
E. Brooke Kelly	Siva Mandjiny	E. Cliff Mensah

The Esther G. Maynor Honors College at UNC Pembroke recognizes and promotes the scholarly and personal growth of outstanding students. Maynor Honors College students are provided interdisciplinary educational opportunities that enhance the general curriculum. These opportunities are developed around a learning community of honors students and include selected general education courses, small interdisciplinary seminars, cultural and service programs, and shared residential facilities with other honors students. The Maynor Honors College offers an intellectually stimulating social environment, greater curricular flexibility, more personal contact and scholarly discussion with students and faculty from the various disciplines, and closer interaction with individual faculty members in the College.

Maynor Honors College students are selected on the basis of class rank, high school grades, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores or American College Testing (ACT) scores, and extra‑curricular and community achievements. Students already enrolled at UNC Pembroke and transfer students are also eligible to apply for admission to the Maynor Honors College. Maynor Honors College students are selected by the Dean of the Maynor Honors College in consultation with the University Honors Council.

To remain in the Maynor Honors College, students are required to achieve and maintain a minimum overall quality‑point average of 3.0 upon completion of the freshman year, 3.25 upon completion of the sophomore year, and 3.5 upon completion of the junior year. Maynor Honors College students will receive a specialized diploma and will be recognized at commencement. To graduate with the Maynor Honors College designation, the student must complete the Maynor Honors College curriculum. Any exceptions or substitution of requirements will be determined by the Dean of the Maynor Honors College in consultation with the University Honors Council.

Three tracks are available for graduation from the Maynor Honors College:

University Honors

^*Take four HON (interdisciplinary) courses
^*Take four general education honors courses
^*Achieve at least a 3.5 QPA
^*Complete the Senior Project through the appropriate course sequence: HON 4000  (project planning) and HON 4500  (project work)

Departmental Honors

^*Take four HON (interdisciplinary) courses
^*Complete two Honors “Contract” Courses in upper-level major courses

Description of Contract Courses: Contract courses are traditional courses that are tailored to meet honors requirements by requiring work that is above and beyond the normal expectations of the course. Contract courses must be taught by tenured or tenure-track members of the student’s major department. The student and faculty member teaching the section will agree upon the requirements for completing the contract course, fill out the appropriate paperwork (available online), and obtain the signature of the department chair. The contract and accompanying syllabus will be turned in to the Dean of the Honors College for final approval.

^*Achieve at least a 3.5 QPA
^*Complete a Senior Thesis through the appropriate course sequence: HON 4000  (project planning) and HON 4500  (project work)

Both University and Departmental Honors

^*Take four HON (interdisciplinary) courses
^*Take at least four general education honors courses
^*Complete two Honors “Contract” Courses in upper-level major courses
^*Achieve at least a 3.5 QPA overall
^*Complete an enhanced Senior Project consisting of a senior thesis PLUS a service-learning, dialogue, or creative project through the appropriate course sequence: HON 4000  (project planning) and HON 4500  (project work)

It is possible, though not necessary, that the Senior Project and Senior Thesis are developed from the same research. Students must consult with the Honors College Dean to coordinate the successful completion of both University and Departmental Honors. Those selecting option four for University Honors must also complete option one, two, or three to receive both University Honors and Departmental Honors.

The Senior Project is fulfilled by the successful completion of HON 4000  and HON 4500  and may take one of four forms. All four project possibilities will be guided by a faculty mentor and the senior project coordinator. All will entail some form of written product as well as a presentation upon completion. A brief description of each is provided below:

1. Service-Learning Project. This project involves active participation and leadership in a focused project involving service to the community. The project should be appropriate to the student’s field of study, and the student will work with a faculty member to research the project. Students choosing this option may coordinate their project through The Office for Community and Civic Engagement or other service organization, and will be guided by the faculty mentor.
2. Campus Dialogue Project. This option involves active participation in a campus-wide dialogue about a specific issue, usually relative to the student’s major. The student will work with a faculty mentor to research the topic. During the senior year, the student must organize and facilitate at least two campus dialogues on the topic (in consultation with the faculty mentor and the MHC senior project coordinator). These dialogues should involve faculty and students from a variety of disciplines.
3. Creative Project. This project is appropriate for visual or performing arts majors. Students choosing this option will work with a faculty mentor to develop the project.  During the senior year, the student will display or perform his or her art and then provide an oral description/interpretation of the work.
4. Senior Thesis Project. The Senior Thesis is a written research project completed under the direction of a faculty mentor. The thesis is completed during the senior year and concludes with an oral presentation of the thesis where the results of the student research can be shared with others on campus.

Maynor Honors College students who elect to complete a senior Thesis/Project in their major department may substitute an equivalent departmental course for HON 4500 . The departmental Thesis/Project must meet the standards for the Honors Thesis/Project established by the University Honors Council. Requirements and procedures for the Maynor Honors College Thesis/Project are outlined in the Senior Project handbook.

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