Honors Program

If you are looking for a challenging and nurturing learning environment, the Honors Program is for you. Through specialized courses and individual work with professors, you can enhance your transcript and develop an even stronger love of learning. Especially if you are planning to transfer, GRCC’s Honors Program can provide you a solid start to your educational career, letters of recommendation from faculty, and an introduction to selected transfer schools in Michigan.

Take a few moments to learn more about the program by accessing the tabs below. There you will read about current Honors courses offered, how to create “contracts” with professors, and more.

Sincerely,
Kate Byerwalter, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Behavioral Science Department
Honors Program Coordinator
(kbyerwal@grcc.edu).

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION and BENEFITS

The Honors Program at Grand Rapids Community College consists of courses and experiences designed to enhance the learning process for the most academically talented and motivated students (g.p.a. of 3.5 or higher).

As a member of the Honors Program, opportunities include:

• participation in Honors courses of smaller class size
• interaction with individual faculty members who are experts in their field;
• participation in service learning;
• campus seminars and events;
• scholarship opportunities;
• completion of Honors courses designated on your transcript, and if program is completed, “Honors Program Graduate” on your transcript and diploma

The Honors Program at Grand Rapids Community College is a terrific option for students who have both the academic ability and desire to take their education to a higher level.

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CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION

Eligible students can enter the Honors Program via two tracks.

Criteria for admission into the Honors Program for Track 1 students are a 3.5 g.p.a. and a 24 composite ATC score.

Track 2 is for students who currently attend GRCC, or enter GRCC from another college. These students can take any of the Honors courses that they have not yet completed, and complete additional credit hours via Honors Contracts. The requirement for admission to the Honors Program for Track 2 students is a 3.5 g.p.a.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAM COMPLETION

Students who wish to graduate from the Honors Program must successfully complete 15 credit hours of Honors credit, via courses or contracts. Whenever possible, students are encouraged to take the Honors courses, as they are the ideal format for the program (i.e., Honors courses create a community of learners, led by faculty experts). Contracts are designed for students who have already taken the courses that are offered as Honors, or who have a unique situation. Students are encouraged to plan their Honors work using this form: Honors Work Plan

Honors Program students who do not intend to complete the entire program are still eligible to complete as many courses or contracts as they desire. Note however, that acceptance into the Honors Program is required regardless of the number of intended courses.

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CURRENT HONORS COURSES

HONORS CONTRACTS

Honors Contracts allow students to receive Honors credit for a non-Honors course. Students work with a willing faculty member to complete a set of assignments that are beyond the normal requirements of the course. Forms must be completed at the start and end of the semester for a contract to be valid.

Student Guide to Creating an Honors Contract

Start of semester contract

End of semester contract

Completed forms must be signed and submitted to Penni Weninger in Room 316 Main Building at GRCC pweninger@grcc.edu .

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SCHOLARSHIPS

The GRCC Foundation offers a wide array of scholarships. The annual application deadline is March 15.

To access the GRCC Foundation Scholarship booklet describing these awards, go to: www.grcc.edu/financialaid

Select: Financial Aid Forms
Select: School Year
Select: Foundation Scholarship Booklet

To access the GRCC Foundation Scholarship application: www.grcc.edu/financialaid and click the link that says, "GRCC Foundation Scholarship Application," located on the top right.

For general financial aid information, http://studentaid2.ed.gov/getmoney/fin_aid_wizard/

Regretfully, the Honors Program does not yet have student scholarships to offer. However, we will keep you informed of any opportunities for scholarships of which we are aware. Please note that as an Honors student, you are eligible to join Phi Theta Kappa, the national Honor Society for community colleges (www.ptk.org); a number of scholarship opportunities are listed on the PTK website.

More information and an application can be found at http://www.hope.edu/academic/sstem. The contact person is Dr. Herb Dershem at 616-395-7508 or dershem@hope.edu .

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APPLY

• Application for Admission - Current GRCC Students
• Application for Admission - Incoming GRCC Students

 Please see the application form for details.

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CONTACT US

For further information about the Honors Program, please fill out our Information Request Form.

All fields are mandatory; you may enter NA if desired.

This form is the quickest way to reach us but you may also contact:

Kate Byerwalter, Ph.D., Honors Program Coordinator, kbyerwal@grcc.edu or (616) 234-4405. or

Penni Weninger, Administrative Assistant to the Honors Program, pweninger@grcc.edu or (616) 234-4547.


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