SCHEDLER HONORS COLLEGE

norbert o. schedler HONORS COLLEGE

The UCA Honors College oversees the operation of the Norbert O. Schedler Honors College, the University Scholars Program and Honors in the Major. Each program provides a host of academic opportunities with the mission of developing public scholars and future leaders whose actions are grounded in interdisciplinary understanding.

Founded in 1982 as the first honors college in Arkansas, the Schedler Honors College received an unprecedented amount of interest from qualified students, leading to the formation of the University Scholars Program in 2018. Emphasizing scholarship, leadership and citizenship, both programs conclude with the completion of an undergraduate thesis, providing graduates with the critical thinking skills needed to become leaders in a changing world.

HIGHLIGHTS

◊ In September 2020, the Honors College hosted a virtual challenge week, attended by more than 600 students: The theme was

“Democracy, Citizenship, and Governance.”

◊ Seventy-six students from Schedler Honors and University Scholars completed capstone projects, with topics ranging from the cure for Chagas disease to a self-published novel of the Cambodian Genocide. ◊ Donna Bowman, a faculty member of the Schedler Honors College for 22 years, was awarded the UCA 2019-2020 Teaching

Excellence Award.

◊ The University Scholars and Schedler

Honors College have boasted a 100% retention rate of freshmen students since 2018.