University Honors Program

About the University Honors Program

Mission: To provide an intellectually stimulating environment and an effective set of mechanisms for superior students to maximize the quality of their educational experience, by achieving a degree of breadth and depth not necessarily available in their regular curricula.
To provide a medium for interaction for faculty and students, through Honors courses and seminars, undergraduate research experiences, and mentoring programs.
To serve as a recruiting mechanism for attracting a diverse group of superior undergraduate students to the university.
(Adopted May 1995)

Jischke Honors Building

The University Honors Program at Iowa State promotes an enriched academic environment for students of high ability, regardless of major, who are interested in taking advantage of educational and intellectual opportunities and challenges. These include the pursuit of a broad liberal education, the ability to individualize the student's program of study, access to graduate-level courses, and the opportunity to be involved in research projects.

There are currently 1,400 student members of the University Honors Program, and 4,000 alumni are graduates of the program. When asked what being part of the Honors Program meant to them, current students and alumni stressed that beyond the academic enrichment, they also experienced significant growth in social responsibility, leadership, personal goals and values, and vocational satisfaction.

Graduation in the Honors Program is recognized by special notation on the student's diploma and permanent record. However, the Honors Program isn't as interested in resume building as it is in challenging motivated students to better themselves and society. We help students accomplish this through exposure to the best and widest spectrum of courses and faculty that Iowa State has to offer.

Students in the Honors computer lab

The Program is housed in the modern and functional Jischke Honors building, which features a computer lab, lounge, kitchenette, several classrooms, wireless internet, and office space. The Jischke Honors Building provides a spacious center for studying, lounging and team activities, offering 24-hour access to members of the University Honors Program.