Honors Program

• To provide mentoring, nurturing and academic support to guide promising students to reaching their full potential and future success.
• To promote intellectual inquiry as a way of life or future pursuit.
• To instill an understanding of the academic culture of higher education and expectations of serious students for the future as they contemplate graduate study
• To enrich the university community by sponsoring and co-sponsoring worthwhile academic and co-curricular activities and events.

As an honor student, not only are you recognized for your academic excellence, but you will also have exclusive opportunities to be involved in research projects, mentorship programs, and networking events, all of which can significantly enhance ones educational experience and future prospects. The Honors Program will help you stay grounded and focused on your goals and aspirations while encouraging you to remain persistent. Students also receive:

• Social Activities
• Filed Trip Participation
• Individualized Advising
• Internship Consideration
• Scholarship Consideration
• Special Graduation Regalia
• Induction Ceremony Participant
• Recognition at Annual Awards Day
• Special Guest/Seating in Campus Events
• Subsidized Honors Conference Funding, when available

If you are a high-achieving student, we strongly encourage you to apply for the Honors Program at Shaw University, where you will be afforded unparalleled academic challenges, personalized mentorship, and access to unique research and leadership opportunities that will not only enrich your college experience but also pave the way for future success in your chosen field.

Students entering or continuing their students at Shaw University as a freshmen or sophomore must apply to the Honors Program by the application deadlines noted below:

• July 15 – deadline for incoming freshmen for the Fall semester
• November 15 – deadline for current students who will begin in the Spring semester
• April 15 – deadline for current students who will begin in the Fall semester

Apply Here

Your academic achievement is exemplified through membership in academic societies at Shaw University. As an honor student, you are also invited to join these organizations that are based on express qualifications:

Alpha Chi Honor Society: A coeducational academic honor society.  Since 1922 its purpose has been to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students and to honor those who achieve such distinction.  It is for students whose cumulative grade point average is 3.25 and above and who have earned at least 60 credit hours.  Shaw University is the NC Eta Chapter.

Contacts: Dr. Kimberly Raiford – kraiford@shawu.edu

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Alpha Kappa Delta National Sociology Honor Society: Is for sociology majors who demonstrate a serious interest in sociology within an official program of the host institution. Candidates must be at least a junior (third year) by standards of the host institution., must have accumulated an overall GPA of 3.0 (on a four-point scale; must rank in the top 35% of their class in general scholarship; must have maintained the equivalent of a 3.0 GPA in sociology courses taken at the host institution before initiation; and must have completed at least four regular courses in sociology before initiation (exclusive of extension or courses graded pass/fail). Shaw University is the Omega Chapter of North Carolina.

Contact: Dr. Sam Aghamiri – sam.aghamiri@shawu.edu

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In August 2016, our campus community suffered a tremendous loss when Dr. Kim Leathers, director of the Honor’s College and a beloved member of our faculty, passed away suddenly. To honor her life and legacy, the Dr. Kim Leathers Legacy Endowment Fund has been established. With a $25,000 gift from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and a $10,000 commitment from Dr. Leathers’ treasured husband Terrence and daughter Kimille, the University seeks to raise an additional $15,000 to fully fund the scholarship at $50,000. Monies from the endowed fund will be used to support events and activities that are part of the University’s annual Honors College Week and to provide financial stipends for the enrichment of Honors College members who are pursuing STEM degrees. The University’s annual Honors College Week will also be named in Dr. Kim Leathers’ honor.

Dr. Kim Leathers’ untimely death was devastating to her immediate and extended family, friends, church members, colleagues, and the students whose lives she indelibly touched. She began her career at Shaw University in 2004 and helped countless Shaw Bears whether they were students, alumni, or faculty and staff. Dr. Leathers also served as coach of the University’s Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Team, often going above and beyond to help her students. She dedicated much of her time and energy to ensuring that students succeeded.

Her life and achievements are more than deserving of an honor that will transform the lives of young people for generations to come.

Donate to Shaw

Dr. Vonda Reed
Director, Honors Program
vreed@shawu.edu
919-546-8625