SCHEDLER HONORS COLLEGE

NORBERT O. SCHEDLER HONORS COLLEGE

Through the Norbert O. Schedler Honors College, University Scholars and exemplary studies programming, the Honors College seeks to develop public scholars whose skills as leaders empower them to fulfill their potential to transform themselves and their world. The Norbert O. Schedler Honors College was founded in 1982 and was the first honors college in Arkansas. Due to unprecedented interest from qualified students, the University Scholars program was added in 2018 to increase honors opportunities for UCA students. The Norbert O. Schedler Honors College and the University Scholars program are highly competitive programs that provide an interdisciplinary studies curriculum emphasizing scholarship, leadership and citizenship. Students develop the research and critical thinking skills needed for active involvement in civic life.

HIGHLIGHTS ◊ The Honors College hosted its Challenge Week event that focused on the theme of “Climate Change: Resiliency and Hope.” Hosted in October 2019, six events engaged more than 600 participants and concluded with a series of workshops that focused on creative climate solutions in a partisan environment. ◊ Sixty-six students completed undergraduate capstone projects that culminated in a written thesis and public presentation of their research. Topics included issues of domestic terrorism, an exploration of mental illness in Shakespearean theater, identity construction, treatments for childhood cancer, vertical gardens and the creation of a nonprofit organization that raised more than $180,000 for children’s health care. ◊ Five faculty and eight students represented UCA as selected presenters during the 54th annual National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, in November. Additionally, Lanita Addison, administrative specialist in the Schedler Honors College, received the 2019

NCHC Award for Administrative Excellence. ◊ Donna Bowman, professor, was a finalist for the 2018-19 Teaching Excellence

Award. Bowman has been a faculty member in the Schedler Honors College since 1999 and is currently serving as the Freshman Year Curriculum coordinator.

1,000+

Number of hours students were involved in servicelearning or community-engaged research

Percentage of retention of freshmen for the second consecutive year for the University Scholars program and Schedler Honors College