Have you ever wanted to do an independent study about something that you feel so passionate about? The topic might have something to do with your major, but it may not. Well, within the honors program students get to explore the reaches of their mind and venture into what they are passionate about.
Being a part of Averett’s program is an opportunity only offered to a select few students with GPAs of a 3.7 or above. Don’t get discouraged though, if you do have a lower GPA than 3.7, you are more than welcome to contact the director of the honors program Dr. Jennifer Hughes ([email protected]) and discuss what you’re passionate about and how you intend to stay motivated throughout the program.
These students are required to take three classes. The first is an honors seminar that professors will uniquely craft to be interdisciplinary that often include travel. The students are also required to create an entire research project from scratch that will take them a full year to complete. This project is the focal point of the honors program and what many students and Dr. Hughes enjoy.
“I love the moments where I have students from nursing, aviation, English, sociology, and business, across the university in this one room and they are bouncing ideas off each other. It’s changing and deepening the way that they do their projects based on these conversations” Dr. Hughes said.
Projects of different types are getting to be done by students. Everything and anything from media analysis, neuropsychology, how to manage food waste, and so many more are done!
“I am working on media bias, specifically in websites, online articles, etc. Talking about media bias and where it comes from, the psychological theories behind that and breaking down relatively popular to extremely popular sources”, Erin Hayes said.
Hayes is a senior majoring in aviation business and also minoring in musical theater. She is a part of the theater program not only through her minor, but also being a part of the various productions that are produced on campus. She had a lot to say about her time within the honors program, getting ready to graduate she could not have been happier to be a part of such a great program.
“The individualized study, and just being able to research something that I wanted to know more about and something that matters to me in a space where others would be very supportive of what I wanted to discover and what I wanted to learn” Hayes said.
The individuality and one-on-one opportunities that the students get is very pivotal to their success. Not only do they get to learn about other students’ passions but get to have a great connection with their professors and the director of the program, Dr. Hughes.
“My favorite part about being an honors student is the trips and coffee breaks. During the semester, Dr. Hughes goes out of her way to take us to Crema and Vine for coffee, and even writer’s retreats,” Elisa Battermann said.
Battermann, a junior majoring in criminal justice and dual specialism psychology, is also a member of the Women’s tennis team. Her project, unlike Hayes, directly connects to her major being about neuropsychology, specifically personality neuropsychology.
“My Honors project is about neuropsychology, specifically personality neuropsychology. In short: I study the traumatized brain; due to PTSD and the influence it has on the expression of your personality” Battermann said.
Another major part of this program is that it allows students to challenge themselves in ways that they never thought they would be able to. Dr. Hughes creates an inviting and creative space that allows all students to push themselves to really understand what they are passionate about.
“I considered the honors program because, as I mentioned I could challenge myself academically and take fun classes, but also because I was never one to join more advanced programs in middle school or high school like those that offered more college credit or extra wok. So, I wanted to take a leap and believe in myself to see my capabilities and do something that I could be proud of and that greatly benefited me as a student and a person” Nicholas Breen said.
Breen, a junior majoring in biology with a concentration in environmental studies, was like many other students and wanted to push themselves to see their capabilities. Dr. Hughes continues to empower and push her students throughout all academic years. Graduate Fred Koskinen, who now has a degree in marketing and a minor in economics said the same things about Dr. Hughes and her commitment to her students.
“Dr. Hughes seemed like a very knowledgeable and inspiring professor, which came out to be true” Koskinen said.
“I got interested in honors because of the opportunity to do your own research project without any restrictions of length, subject, or majors” Keira Gunning said.
Gunning a senior on the Women’s tennis team majoring in criminal justice/sociology and English is studying desensitization in the media for her final project. The students feel empowered when they are given the ability to discover and reach their potential. It can’t be better said than by the professor herself, Dr. Hughes.
“But sometimes it’s about students just talking to professors and saying I wish I had a space to do this kind of project. It’s a great space to do that because you get a year of support and a cohort that feeds off on each other’s ideas” Dr. Hughes said.
