On Saturday, September 18, first-year Honors College students gathered in the KIVA for an Honors College Academic Forum to hear from various departments on campus, concerning academic resources and opportunities available for students regarding research.
The event was organized by staff of the Honors College, and included presentations by the Academic Success Center, University Libraries, Office of Student Research and the Writing Commons.
Frank Congin, director of academic programs in the Honors College, noted, “Brittany Thomas and I developed this program to introduce incoming honors students to key offices on campus that they may intersect with during their time at Kent State University.”
As a first-year Honors College student, one of the first steps towards a successful college career is meeting with their assigned honors advisor. These advisors assist honors students in their academic careers to help them achieve success. Many of these honors advisors lead other programs, as well as their role of academic advisor. Brittany Thomas, academic advisor and Honors College coordinator of assessment, is one of those advisors.
When asked about her thoughts of the fall semester, she stated, “I am excited to be back working with students in person. The energy that the students bring to campus is magnetic and energizing.” Thomas’s excitement comes from working with Honors College students remotely over the last 18 months and is an emotion felt by all of the Honors College staff and students.
As freshmen honor students, another key to academic success in the Honors College is utilizing campus resources such as University Libraries. Michael Hawkins, the assigned library liaison for Honors College students in University Libraries, commented, “For freshmen, one of the best ways to be introduced to the library is by simply coming into the building. We are more than happy to help understand the library and its resources in any way we can.”
The map to academic success has many directions; for each honors freshman, it will be their own unique path to follow. Honors students, who choose to participate in a Senior Honors Thesis/Project, will begin research papers that will start that next great novella, or any multitude of writing projects that will be sure to challenge their academic career. One of the many tools that can be used to help achieve their success is the Writing Center. Jeanne Ruscoe Smith, director, Kent State University Writing Commons, commented, “Registering for a session would be a great way to start. All student writers can benefit from the feedback and support the Writing Commons provides.
The Honors College Academic Forum, organized by staff of the Honors College, intended to introduce first-year honors students to the many academic programs and opportunities available regarding research and writing resources. Congin emphasized, “We want to make sure that our students are best equipped for a successful and academically enriching experience at Kent State University and we feel this program lays the foundation for such success.”
For more information about the Honors College, please visit www.kent.edu/honors. Special thanks to the following departments and programs for attending: University Libraries, the Writing Commons, Academic Success Center and the Office of Student Research.
For any questions regarding the Honors College Academic Forum, please contact honors@kent.edu.
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PHOTO CAPTION: Photo of outside entrance to the Honors College on a fall afternoon.
Media Contacts: Stephanie Moskal, Honors College Marketing Coordinator, smoskal@kent.edu, 330-672-2312