Honors Baccalaureate Graduates

If you are graduating with an HB degree – congratulations! – and visit the Honors Baccalaureate page for information about thesis submission and other tips. To schedule an advising appointment with Dr. Engber, click here.

Did you know there’s a Shocker Career Accelerator Liaison for the Cohen Honors College?

BILL'S Trip 2023: Zion National Park 

Image by Chelsea Redger-Marquardt

Over winter break, 15 students from the Dorothy & Bill Cohen Honors College had the opportunity to attend BILL’S (Building Investment in Lifelong Learning & Service) Trip 2023 that took place in Utah at Zion National Park! During their time they served 216 hours in Zion National Park working on multiple service projects with different park rangers. 

During their service they collected several cubic yards of litter off trails such as the Riverside Walk trail & Pa’rus trail in the park. They also worked with Zion Environmental Protection Specialist Park Ranger Dustin Kay helping with recycling of propane canisters and ink cartridges as well as learning how to do bike maintenance for Zion’s Green Fleet helping to make Zion more sustainable. Along with the two previous projects students also helped in cleaning the Zion Nature Center a building used by many throughout the year from park rangers to park guests. Lastly, they helped Zion Invasive Plant Specialist Park Ranger Darrin Gobble clear 2.6 acres or 113,256 square feet of invasive Russian Olive and Tamarisk trees.

Outside of doing service, they learned about the different opportunities and careers in the National Park Service (NPS). Hearing from supervisory Interpretive Park Ranger Charlie Reed on the importance of interpretive rangers and some of the paths that they could take if they wanted to become a park ranger with the National Park Service.

Students discussed the importance of stewardship of stories looking at the indigenous people who had called the area their home long before Zion National Park came to be. Indigenous people have strong ties to many of the national parks in the national park system. Students learned of how oral history which is a big portion of how indigenous history and traditions are passed down is just as important as written history. Along with hearing from Zion Archaeologist Courtney MacKay on the work they are doing with indigenous nations and tribes to be able to tell a more complete story of Zion’s history and being respectful of their culture.

Students learned about the geology of Zion and its ties to both Grand Canyon National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park being a part of the Grand Staircase. They also learned of the Leave-No-Trace principles which are important tenants to follow when not only in national parks but rather whenever you are in nature. The students also read excerpts from the “A Zion Canyon Reader” over industrial tourism of the national parks and the role of automobiles within the parks discussing their thoughts with one another of the impacts these have on how people visit parks. The problems that automobiles have created for the National Park Service and some of the solutions that have been implemented in some of the parks to help with the rising visitors coming to parks year after year.

Lastly outside of their service students took time to learn about servant leadership. They discussed with one another the characteristic that make a servant leader. The characteristics and actions they saw in one another and others who they interacted with throughout the trip that showed servant leadership. The importance of talking about service and the complexities that come with service. Along with how they can bring being a servant leader into their life not only in a professional setting but rather every aspect of their lives.

On-site Volunteer Coordinator

Brenna McBride, Community Volunteer Ambassador, Zion National Park

Faculty Leaders 

Dr. Chelsea Redger-Marquardt, Assistant Dean, Dorothy & Bill Cohen Honors College
Dr. Kimberly Engber, Dean, Dorothy & Bill Cohen Honors College
Aaron Valentine, Graduate Assistant, Dorothy & Bill Cohen Honors College

Below is a list each of the student’s name, college, and major

Gabriel Murphy, College of Engineering, Engineering - Undecided
Gannon Hall, W. Frank Barton School of Business, Finance
Alexis Downing, College of Health Professions, Pre-Nursing
Natalie Mora, College of Applied Studies, Elementary Education
Alexia Vence, College of Engineering, Industrial Engineering
Gus Denneler, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Psychology
Connor Rockey, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Geology
Ashley Grega, College of Fine Arts, Theatre Performance
Makenna Roths, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Geology
Chloe Brown, College of Fine Arts, Graphic Design
Bayle Sandy, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Political Science & Economics
Jacey Arnett, College of Health Professions & Fairmount College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Health Science & Psychology
Emma Whitney, College of Health Professions, Communication Sciences & Disorders
Julia Buie, College of Engineering, Aerospace Engineering
Emily King, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Criminal Justice & Psychology

Honors Faculty Townhall Meeting

Please join the Cohen Honors College for the Honors Faculty Townhall Meeting.
Wednesday, February 22: 1:00-2:00pm.
https://wichitastate.zoom.us/j/7749066851?pwd=ZjJISjluejFSQkR2YXNSd2RMcmVXZz09

Honors Outcomes Pilot and Other Faculty Resources

A group of faculty met throughout academic year 2020-21 to develop an initial set of Honors outcomes and a rubric based on the student-written college charter, AAC&U VALUE rubrics, and feedback from students, faculty, and alumni. We’d like faculty to try to incorporate at least two outcomes total from two different pillars and let us know how they work for your course. At the end of the year, you’ll be invited to give feedback on the outcomes and the extent to which they worked in your course. 

For a faculty resource handbook visit the Resources for Faculty in Honors page on our website. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if there are no Honors courses in my major or an area that interests me?

• You can request to turn a regular course into an honors course. Review the online honors option agreement form for suggestions, talk with your instructor, and turn in the form by the third week of classes. Remember that not all instructors will have time to design honors-level work for the course. Don’t be offended if your instructor says no.

How can I change my Cohen Honors College track?

• You can add, remove, or change your honors track yourself in the Change of Major app in your MyWSU portal.

What do I do if I’m not able to take an honors course this year?

• To maintain good standing in Honors, we ask you to keep a minimum overall GPA of 3.25 and complete at least  3 honors credits per Academic Year (Fall, Spring, Summer) or complete a 12-credit track. If you can’t take a course every year, email honors@wichita.edu and explain your plan to stay on track to complete requirements.

Can I request an exception to an Honors requirement?

• Yes, we encourage you to design your honors education to challenge you and work with your major or professional goals. Complete the online petitions for exceptions form to request an exception to an Honors requirement.

Honors Calender