Scholars Academy

James Millikin Honors Scholars Program

Dr. Michael Hartsock, Director

Mission Statement of the James Millikin Honors Scholars Program:

The James Millikin Honors Scholars Program is an interdisciplinary community of dedicated and intellectually curious students and faculty. James Millikin Scholars are afforded enriched curricular and co-curricular opportunities which enable them to reach their highest potential by challenging them intellectually and preparing them for lives of integrity, value, and professional success. James Millikin Scholars not only distinguish themselves within their disciplinary homes, they develop, demonstrate and discover significant cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge and perspectives. Based on the belief that excellence requires engagement, the program seeks creative avenues for integrating theory and practice, enhancing critical thinking, examining ethics and values and fostering the development of better citizens and successful leaders.

Goals of the James Millikin Honors Scholars Program: The James Millikin Honors Scholars Program will afford intellectually curious students a forum for the interdisciplinary and collaborative exchange of ideas through distinctive, innovative, and student-driven approaches to learning: • James Millikin Scholars will understand and apply diverse discipline specific research methods and knowledge. • James Millikin Scholars will acquire and apply ethical reasoning and critical thinking skills. • James Millikin Scholars will analyze and evaluate normative and descriptive claims using ethical reasoning and critical thinking skills. • James Millikin Scholars will analyze and evaluate interdisciplinary scholarship related to topics of local, national and global import which are too large, complex or important to be understood from a single academic discipline or cultural perspective. • James Millikin Scholars will create individualized & self-motivated scholarship or creative projects. • James Millikin Scholars will understand and communicate the significance and outcomes of independent scholarship to the honors and University community with oral and written presentations. • James Millikin Scholars will engage in activities which enrich and serve the Honors, Millikin, and larger community.

James Millikin Honors Scholars Program Overview:

The James Millikin Scholars Program invites entering freshman who achieve either an ACT composite score of 27, or a SAT composite score of 1260, and a record of academic success in college preparatory courses to apply to the Honors Program. Students who are not automatically invited by the above criteria may petition the Honors Director based on other meritorious credentials. Application forms may be requested from the Office of Admission or the Honors Director. James Millikin Scholars must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 out of 4.0. Transfer students who participated in the honors program at their most recent former institution of higher education are invited to petition the Honors Director for admission into Millikin University’s Honors Program. Students transferring from two-year institutions with which Millikin has a formal Honors Program articulation agreement are automatically invited to apply for the Honors Program. Honors coursework will be transferred as determined by the Honors Director and the University Registrar. Students who have earned an Associates of Arts or an Associate of Sciences and successfully completed their 2 year institution’s honors program will be regarded as having met all 100 and 200 level James Millikin Honors Scholars program requirements.

The James Millikin Honors Scholars Program carries with it several unique opportunities and advantages. Honors courses are taken with all and only James Millikin Scholars, and those courses are small and student-driven. Compared to the standard University Studies Program, the James Millikin Honors Scholars curriculum is fewer total required cr hours. Combined, these features give James Millikin Scholars the space and the intellectual environment in which they can flourish both as a scholar and a person. In addition, James Millikin Scholars are permitted to register for classes early, have 24-hour access to the Honors Lounge for studying, meeting and socializing, and those in good standing (cumulative GPA of 3.3 or better) may register for up to 21 cr per term at the normal, full-time undergraduate tuition rate specified elsewhere in this bulletin.

James Millikin Honors Scholars Program Curricular Requirements

James Millikin Scholars follow the curriculum presented here rather than the University Studies Program Requirements presented elsewhere in the bulletin. James Millikin Scholars are still responsible for all other applicable requirements as defined by their academic programs of study (e.g., college and major specific requirements).

It is also expected that James Millikin Scholars contribute significantly to both the honors community and the campus and larger community through service and outreach activities. A minimum of 10 hours of such engagement is required per semester and must be documented through the Honors Program Office. Campus and community engagement consists in any activity you do for whom the primary beneficiary is not you or a small group (or team) of which you are a member. It cannot be something for which you are compensated, nor can it be something that merely advances your personal, team or club's self-serving goals. However, anything you do, even as the part of such a team or club, that extends beyond the activities of the organization itself does count. Activities done as a part of an organization with a service oriented mission (e.g., APO) do count.

James Millikin Scholars must complete the following courses (29 cr):

Honors Core:

• HN183. Honors University Seminar (3 cr) • HN150. Honors Writing Studio I (3 cr) • HN151. Honors Writing Studio II (3 cr) • Three of the following (9 cr total, course numbers may be duplicated): o HN202. Honors Creative Arts Seminar (3 cr) o HN203. Honors Humanities Seminar (3 cr)

o HN204. Honors Natural Science Seminar (3 cr) o HN206. Honors Social Science Seminar (3 cr) o HN207. Honors Mathematics Seminar (3 cr) • HN350. Honors Global Issue Colloquium (3 cr) o Students may take one qualifying HN350 course while studying abroad during the spring or fall term. Contact the Honors Director in advance of registering for courses at the relevant international institution to identify the appropriate course to qualify as HN350.

In addition to the Honors Core, James Millikin Scholars must complete either track one or two (this choice is typically made in the sophomore or junior year).

Track 1: For students who are interested in a sustained, multi-year scholarly or creative project. To elect this track, students must submit a well-developed project plan that adequately describes an independent research or creative project. Project plans should be approximately 1,000 words and include a clear statement of the research question(s) or creative project theme, a statement of methodology which demonstrates a clear understanding of the discipline appropriate methods and how they are related to your proposed project, and a detailed budget of expected expenses, if applicable. Project plans must be approved by at least one faculty member who has agreed to serve as the project advisor.

• HN492: JMS Seminar (1 cr) This course should be taken at the semester students begin their project, typically during the 3rd year. • HN490: Honors Independent Study (6 total). These should be divided and taken each regular term during which the student is working on the project. • HN400: Honors Symposium (1cr). This should be taken the semester the student completes their project, typically their final term.

Track 2: For students interested in additional coursework and a shorter-term project.

• One additional 300 level honors course, either HN300 or HN350 (3 ) • HN490: Honors Independent Study (4 total). These should be divided and taken each regular term during which the student is working on the project. Up to 3 of the 4 required of HN490 can be articulated with other 300 or 400 level coursework in the student’s major or minor area of study via the Honors Capstone Contract. • HN400: Honors Symposium (1 cr) This should be taken the semester the student completes their project, typically their final term.

Honors Courses (HN) Credits:

HN183. Honors University Seminar (3 credits):

(Includes Welcome Week) The topics of these courses will vary from year to year, but are focused on developing ethical reasoning and critical thinking skills.

HN150. Honors Writing Studio I (3 credits):

This course is designed to engage Honors students in developing advanced skills as critical writers, readers, and researchers in a workshop setting, with emphasis on development of voice and critical thinking. Students will read and critique texts actively, deliberately, and carefully; write polished, informed essays for personal, public, and/or specialized audiences; and reflect on the uses of reading and writing in their public and personal lives to better understand themselves, their communities, and the world. Near the end of the fall semester, students will conceptualize and propose an intensive research-based writing project, which they will implement during HN 151 the following semester. Students will consult with their assigned librarians on the development of their project proposals. Section offerings vary in approach.

HN151. Honors Writing Studio II (3 credits):

This course is designed to position Honors students as successful writers, readers, and researchers as they move into advanced coursework in their majors and in the Honors Program, with an emphasis on undertaking critical inquiry and writing in increasingly sophisticated ways for a variety of rhetorical contexts. Students will spend the majority of the semester working in a workshop setting to carry out the intensive research-based writing project they proposed in HN 150, in consultation with their professor, peer writing group, and assigned librarian. After completing a polished, written version of their writing project, students will remix that project for a different audience using multiple modes and media. The semester will conclude with the Honors Writing Studio Showcase, at which all students will present and reflect on the remixed versions of their intensive writing projects to an audience of peers, faculty, and community members. Section offerings vary in approach. Pre-requisites: HN 150

HN202. Honors Creative Arts Seminar (3 credits):

Honors Seminars are topic-oriented courses that introduce students to diverse discipline specific research methods and knowledge or artistic and creative endeavors through innovative and student driven learning experiences. Topics covered in Creative Arts Honors Seminars are from music, the visual arts, theatre, and creative writing. Creative Arts Honors Seminars engage students in artistic or creative processes or the analysis of such processes.

HN203. Honors Humanities Seminar (3 credits):

Honors Seminars are topic oriented courses that introduce students to diverse discipline specific research methods and knowledge or artistic and creative endeavors through innovative and student driven learning experiences. Topics covered Humanities Honors Seminars are from Philosophy, History, English, and Modern Languages. Humanities Honors Seminars engage students with and in research in the Humanities.

HN204. Honors Natural Science Seminar (3 credits):

Honors Seminars are topic oriented courses that introduce students to diverse discipline specific research methods and knowledge or artistic and creative endeavors through innovative and student driven learning experiences. Topics covered in Natural Science Honors Seminars are from Chemistry, Biology, and Physics. Natural Science Honors Seminars engage students in and with research in the natural sciences.

HN206. Honors Social Science Seminar (3 credits):

Honors Seminars are topic oriented courses that introduce students to diverse discipline specific research methods and knowledge or artistic and creative endeavors through innovative and student driven learning experiences. Topics covered in Social Science Honors Seminars are from Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Economics and Anthropology. Social Science Honors Seminars engage students in and with research in the social sciences.

HN207. Honors Mathematics Seminar (3 credits):

Honors Seminars are topic oriented courses that introduce students to diverse discipline specific research methods and knowledge or artistic and creative endeavors through innovative and student driven learning experiences. Topics covered in Mathematics Honors Seminars are from Mathematics, Logic and Statistics. Mathematics Seminars engage students in quantitative reasoning.

HN300. Honors Colloquium (3 credits):

Honors Colloquia are essentially interdisciplinary, topic oriented courses in which students are challenged with and engaged in interdisciplinary scholarship. Interdisciplinarity recognizes that many of the questions and challenges we face cannot be understood from within the framework of a single discipline or methodology. Knowledge from various disciplines is integrated and diverse methodologies are synthesized to solve complex problems and understand fundamental issues. Honors Colloquia may be team taught.

HN350. Honors Global Issue Colloquium (3 credits):

Global Honors Colloquia are essentially interdisciplinary and focused on a topic of global import in which students are challenged with and engaged in interdisciplinary scholarship. Interdisciplinarity recognizes that many of the questions and challenges we face cannot be understood from within the framework of a single discipline or methodology. Knowledge from various disciplines is integrated and diverse methodologies are synthesized to solve complex problems and understand fundamental issues. Global Honors Colloquia focus on a particular topic (or set of related topics) which has transnational or transcultural significance. Global Honors Colloquia may be team taught.

HN400. Honors Symposium (1 credit): In this course, Honors Students showcase and discuss their Honors Projects with their Honors Program peers and faculty. Students must be able to communicate fundamental and essential aspects of their capstone project to their Honors Program Peers. This will include a clear articulation and defense of the nature and significance of the project, its method or media, and its results or outcomes. This course should be taken during the semester in which the student plans to complete their Honors Capstone Project (usually first or second semester of their Senior Year).

HN490. Honors Independent Study (4 credits total):

Independent study credits, taken with the faculty with whom the Honors Student will be working with for the Honors Capstone Project. Disciplinary Independent Study courses may be substituted for HN491 (e.g., BI391, Biology Research) as approved by the Honors Director.

HN492. JMS Seminar (4 credits total):

For students in the JMS Program, this seminar will allow students to meet and discuss progress on the honors project and to integrate materials from a variety of courses. This seminar is designed to help students work to develop projects, give them a forum for sharing research ideas/problems/questions, allow them to make connections among courses and keep ties with their honors peers.

Probation or Dismissal Due to GPA:

• To be in good standing with the James Millikin Scholars Programs, students must maintain a 3.3 out of 4.0 cumulative GPA. • Any James Millikin Scholar whose cumulative GPA drops below 3.3 shall be placed on probation from the program. Students on probation from the James Millikin Scholars Program retain all associated privileges except the right to take 19-21 cr per term without additional tuition. • A student on probation will remain on probation so long as their subsequent term GPAs remain 3.3 out of 4.0 or better. • A student on probation will be removed from probation and considered in good standing if their cumulative GPA rises above 3.3 out of 4.0. • A student on probation will be dismissed from the James Millikin Scholars programs if any subsequent term GPA drops below 3.3 out of 4.0. • Students who are given notice of dismissal will have 10 business days to appeal their expulsion to the Honors Committee. The Honors Director and the Honors Committee retain full discretion to accept or reject the appeal. Students who appeal their expulsion will be required to submit a mitigation letter, accompanied by two letters of support from faculty. Such students may also be required to agree to a retention plan and contract with the Honors Director. A student whose appeal is accepted will remain on probation.

Students Leaving the Honors Program:

Honors students who voluntarily or involuntarily leave the Honors Program must fulfill all MPSL requirements in order to be eligible for graduation. The following are Honors and University Studies course equivalences for former Honors Students. • HN183 fulfills the IN140 University Seminar requirement • HN150 fulfills the IN180 University Writing requirement • HN151 fulfills the IN280 Writing in the Disciplines requirement • HN202 fulfills the Creative Arts requirement. • HN203 fulfills the IN250 U.S. Studies requirement. It may also fulfill the literature requirement for BA students or the historical studies requirement for A&S students, depending on course content. • HN204 fulfills the Natural Science with a lab requirement. • HN206 fulfills the IN251 U.S. Structural Studies requirement. • HN207 fulfills the Quantitative Reasoning requirement. • HN350 fulfills the IN350 Global Studies requirement.

Presidential Scholars Program

Dr. Michael Hartsock, Director

The Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1984 as the University sought to identify students who combine outstanding academic records with service to their communities (broadly defined) and leadership in community and school activities. Students chosen as Presidential Scholars receive full-tuition scholarships. Honors qualified high-school seniors are invited to apply and are interviewed by a panel of faculty and current honors students. Presidential Scholars must maintain a 3.3 cumulative grade point. Presidential Scholars are required to participate in the James Millikin Scholars Program and have a fouryear residency requirement. Presidential Scholars are further expected to engage in campus and community leadership and serve as a positive role model for other students. Presidential Scholars who leave the James Millikin Scholars program, voluntarily or involuntarily, forfeit the full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Long-Vanderburg Scholars Program

Dr. Anne Matthews, Program Director

MISSION

The Long-Vanderburg Scholars Program emphasizes scholarship, leadership, and service through a four-year program that recruits high achieving, historically underrepresented students from diverse backgrounds; explores and critiques understandings of personal and social identities such as race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexuality, religion, etc.; establishes and fosters a community of engaged scholars connected to the Millikin and Decatur communities; offers courses that foster academic, sociocultural, and leadership development; provides individualized attention aimed at supporting, retaining, and graduating scholars; and enhances professional development through performance-based knowledge and practical experiences such as internships, research, and study abroad opportunities.

GOALS The Long-Vanderburg Scholars Program will:

• Challenge and support LV Scholars as they explore personal and social identity development. • Encourage and enable LV Scholars to demonstrate leadership ability. • Engage LV Scholars in service that impacts the campus and local area communities. • Prepare LV Scholars to examine personal experiences and create connections between the LV Scholars Program and professional success. • Provide LV Scholars the space and opportunity to showcase high academic performance.

Hallmarks of the Long-Vanderburg Scholars Program:

• Advisement in the selection of courses designed to foster identity, cultural, and leadership development and address the role of social justice in historical and contemporary issues that impact individuals, groups, and society as a whole. • Residence in a Living-Learning Community specifically designed to enhance personal and professional/academic success. • Long-Vanderburg Summer Leadership Academy. • A service-learning component that builds the capacity for LV Scholars to advance the greater good on campus and in the local area community. • Study abroad opportunities built into the junior year of the LV Scholars program to prepare them for democratic citizenship in a global environment. • Distinctive programs and activities focused on preparing scholars for professional success and a personal life of meaning and value.

General Overview

The Long-Vanderburg Scholars Program was established in 1994 to honor the first two African American graduates of Millikin University, Fred Long (Class of 1918) and Marian Vanderburg (Class of 1934). In 2006, Linda Slagell of the Admissions Office formed a committee to develop an intentional academic program that would create a scholarly community for LV students. The committee, comprised of Ms. Slagell, LV scholar Jessica Barrientos, Spanish professor Dr. Eduardo Cabrera, Director of Student Development Josh Hayes, English professor Dr. Anne Matthews, and Assistant Dean of Students Raphaella Prange, designed a sequence of one- seminars focused on personal and cultural identity, scholarship, service, and professional success. In 2011, under the leadership of 1975 Millikin University alumnus and Caterpillar, Inc. CEO Doug Oberhelman, the program received a generous gift from Caterpillar, Inc. The program then moved to Student Development, led by Ms. Latrina Denson and Dr. Ishwanzya Rivers. In 2013, Ms. Tonya Hines, Associate Director of Campus Life for Engagement and Leadership, became the Director of the LV Program and, among other initiatives, launched the Summer Leadership Academy, a hallmark of the program. In 2019, with the collaboration of Provost Jeffery Aper, Dr. Ngozi Onuora and Dr. Anne Matthews redesigned the program and brought it back to its original home in Academic Affairs. Drs. Onuora and Matthews became the program’s Co-Directors in Fall 2021.

The Long-Vanderburg Scholars Program is a four-year honors program that provides historically underrepresented students, and those committed to social justice, the opportunity to uphold and contribute to the legacy of academic excellence, leadership, and service at Millikin established by Fred Long and Marian Vanderburg. Scholarship, leadership, and service are emphasized through a four-year program that offers both curricular and co-curricular activities.

LV Scholars typically enter the program during their first year and are expected to continue throughout their matriculation at Millikin University and maintain active engagement in the program per required expectations. Rising sophomores can apply to the program and join it in their second year.

The LV Scholars Program invites applications from entering first-year students who are members of any of the following racial/ethnic groups: American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian/Asian American, Black or African American, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; or of two or more races. Applicants should have a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.2 or above and an ACT score of 24 or above. They should also demonstrate a commitment to social justice, academic excellence, leadership, and community service in high school, local community, and/or religious organization(s).

A written application and personal interview are required of each applicant. Application forms may be requested from the Office of Admission. Interviews are conducted as part of the LV Scholars Program selection process on Scholarship Interview Day every February. Long-Vanderburg Scholars qualify for an annual $5,000.00 merit award for each year they maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or above and successfully complete LV Scholars Program requirements. Students with demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and/or the Illinois State Scholarship Commission may qualify for additional scholarship awards, additional Honors Programs, and paraprofessional opportunities at Millikin University.

Outline of the LV Scholars Program

Every semester, LV Scholars enroll in one course selected from a menu of courses that address the intersection of social justice, race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexuality, religion, and/or other dimensions of lived experience. Students coordinate their LV academic program requirements with the curriculum of the Millikin Program for Student Learning (MPSL), presented elsewhere in this Bulletin. Additionally, LV Scholars are responsible for all appropriate school and division requirements, particularly as related to their major field of study and any minors or concentrations required for graduation.

First Year

• Summer: LV100 Long-Vanderburg Summer Leadership Academy (1 ) • Fall: IN180 University Writing 1 (3 cr) • Spring: IN251 U.S. Structural Studies (3 cr) • Fall and Spring: Service to the campus; 10 documented service hours per semester Total hours: 7

Second Year

• Fall: Students choose from a menu of courses, e.g., from IN250 or their major(s) or minor(s), that relate to the mission of the LV program (3 cr) • Spring: Students choose from a menu of courses, e.g., from ICS or their major(s) or minor(s), that relate to the mission of the LV program (3 cr) Total hours: 6

Third Year

• Fall: Students choose from a menu of courses, e.g., IN350, ICS, or their major(s) or minor(s), that relate to the mission of the LV program (3 cr) • Spring: Students choose from a menu of courses, e.g., IN350, ICS, or their major(s) or minor(s), that relate to the mission of the LV program (3 cr) Total hours: 6

Fourth Year

• Fall: IN461 Senior capstone project (1 ) • Spring: IN462: Senior capstone project (1 ) Total hours: 2

Total hours for LV Scholars Program: 21

Long-Vanderburg Courses (LV) LV100. Long-Vanderburg Summer Leadership Academy (1)

The Long-Vanderburg Summer Leadership Academy is a week-long intensive focused on introducing the LV Scholar to expectations of scholarship, service, leadership, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. LV Scholars will learn the history of the LV program and the first two African American graudates for whom the scholarship is named as well as the theoretical underpinnings of issues related to equity and social justice. LV Scholars will also be acclimated to campus life and the local area community in which they will expected to serve during their time in the program.