Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals

In keeping with USU’s land- and space-grant mission, the program aims to recognize and develop the potential of students to become global citizens and positive change agents, even when students do not yet see that potential in themselves. Our vision is to build an increasingly active and engaged community of students, faculty, alumni, staff, and stakeholders who represent the best that Utah State University has to offer.

1. Access and Belonging: We value all USU students, ensure broad access to our skill- and confidence-building curriculum, and guide students with different perspectives and experiences as they learn to communicate with clarity and respect.
2. Student Success: We value the experience and success of all students, and we support student success by communicating both the broad purpose and value of an honors education and the specific requirements for graduation from USU with an Honors transcript designation.
3. Research and Discovery: We value undergraduate research and discovery, and we challenge students to ask questions, discover solutions, and collaborate with others to broaden the impact of their discoveries.
4. Community Engagement: We value local and global community engagement, and we build opportunities and incentives for such work into our curriculum and programming.
5. Academic and Professional Development: We value academic growth and professional development, and we support students both academically and financially as they discover their passions and take important steps toward achieving their personal and professional goals.

1. Focus on Student Success and Enrollment/Recruitment: Grow UHP enrollment to increase institutional student success rates and support all motivated students.
2. Develop and Scale Innovative Academic Programs: Build the number of teachers and mentors on three-year Honors Faculty Fellowships, expanding the UHP’s curriculum and programming to approximately 30 experiential-learning courses or opportunities per year.
3. Create New Paths to Graduation: Create flexible, structured pathways toward the UHP’s two- and four-year transcript designations to help students achieve their goals on varying timelines.
4. Expand Honors across the Statewide Enterprise: Increase statewide student and faculty engagement with the UHP across statewide campuses and through an accessible, thoughtful curriculum of experiential-learning opportunities.