Honors Program

• To provide mentoring, nurturing, and academic support that guide promising students toward reaching their full potential and achieving future success.
• To promote intellectual inquiry as a lifelong pursuit.
• To instill an understanding of the academic culture of higher education and the expectations of serious students, particularly as they consider graduate study.
• To enrich the university community through the sponsorship and co-sponsorship of meaningful academic and co-curricular activities and events.

As an honors student, you are recognized not only for your academic excellence, but also provided with exclusive opportunities to engage in research projects, mentorship programs, and networking events, all of which can significantly enhance your educational experience and future prospects. The Honors Program helps you stay grounded and focused on your goals and aspirations while encouraging persistence. Students also receive:

• Social Activities
• Filed Trip Participation
• Individualized Advising
• Internship Consideration
• Scholarship Consideration
• Special Graduation Regalia
• Induction Ceremony Participant
• Recognition at Annual Awards Day
• VIP or Special Guest Seating at Campus Events
• Subsidized Funding for Honors Conferences (when available)

If you are a high-achieving student, we strongly encourage you to apply to the Honors Program at Shaw University. Through the program, you will benefit from unparalleled academic challenges, personalized mentorship, and unique research and leadership opportunities that will enrich your college experience and help pave the way for future success in your chosen field.

Students entering or continuing their students at Shaw University as a freshmen or sophomore must apply to the Honors Program by the application deadlines noted below:

• July 15 – Deadline for incoming first-year students to apply (fall semester consideration)
• November 15 – Deadline for currently enrolled first-year and sophomore students to apply (spring consideration)
• April 15 – Deadline for currently enrolled first-year and sophomore students to apply (fall consideration)

Apply Here

Your academic achievement is exemplified through membership in academic societies at Shaw University. As an honor student, you are also invited to join these organizations that are based on express qualifications:

Alpha Chi Honor Society: A coeducational academic honor society.  Since 1922 its purpose has been to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students and to honor those who achieve such distinction.  It is for students whose cumulative grade point average is 3.25 and above and who have earned at least 60 credit hours.  Shaw University is the NC Eta Chapter.

Contacts: Dr. Kimberly Raiford – kraiford@shawu.edu

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Alpha Kappa Delta National Sociology Honor Society:

This honor society is for sociology majors who demonstrate a serious interest in sociology within an official program at the host institution. Candidates must be at least a junior (third year) by the institution’s standards and must have an overall GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). In addition, candidates must rank in the top 35% of their class in general scholarship, have a minimum 3.0 GPA in sociology courses taken at the host institution, and complete at least four standard sociology courses prior to initiation (excluding extension and pass/fail courses). Shaw University is the Omega Chapter of North Carolina.

Contact: Sam Aghamiri – sam.aghamiri@shawu.edu

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In August 2016, our campus community suffered a tremendous loss when Dr. Kim Leathers, director of the Honor’s College and a beloved member of our faculty, passed away suddenly. To honor her life and legacy, the Dr. Kim Leathers Legacy Endowment Fund has been established. With a $25,000 gift from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and a $10,000 commitment from Dr. Leathers’ treasured husband Terrence and daughter Kimille, the University seeks to raise an additional $15,000 to fully fund the scholarship at $50,000. Monies from the endowed fund will be used to support events and activities that are part of the University’s annual Honors College Week and to provide financial stipends for the enrichment of Honors College members who are pursuing STEM degrees. The University’s annual Honors College Week will also be named in Dr. Kim Leathers’ honor.

Dr. Kim Leathers’ untimely death was devastating to her immediate and extended family, friends, church members, colleagues, and the students whose lives she indelibly touched. She began her career at Shaw University in 2004 and helped countless Shaw Bears whether they were students, alumni, or faculty and staff. Dr. Leathers also served as coach of the University’s Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Team, often going above and beyond to help her students. She dedicated much of her time and energy to ensuring that students succeeded.

Her life and achievements are more than deserving of an honor that will transform the lives of young people for generations to come.

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Dr. Vonda Reed
Director, Honors Program
vreed@shawu.edu
919-546-8625