University Honors Program

Honors is Inclusive

The University Honors Program's mission is to empower a diverse community of tomorrow’s leaders, and our goal is to recognize and develop the potential of all students to become true agents of change. Honors gives students the opportunity to practice respectful civil discourse in our discussion-oriented classes and reading groups, which focus on a variety of topics including those related to diversity, inclusion, equity, access, and other challenges of our time. Students put learning into practice by working one-on-one with faculty on research and creative projects, with alumni and internship supervisors on professional engagement, and with community mentors on local and global humanitarian projects. Honors emphasizes mindset over grades, and we look for students who clearly demonstrate resilience, open-mindedness, passionate curiosity, and community engagement. Honors has served 679 such students in the past year, 10% of whom identify as first-generation, 7% as belonging to a marginalized group, and 61% as female or non-binary. To increase access and improve retention for all, the program has committed to establishing both mentoring support and dedicated scholarships for students from underrepresented groups. The launch of a USU Statewide Honors pilot this year also extends the Honors Aggie community across our great state of Utah. USU Honors is proud to welcome and support all past, present, and future Aggies who embrace the poet Horace's ancient challenge: "Sapere aude"– or “Dare to Know.”