Division of Academic Affairs

Honors Program

Honors Program Handbook Give to the Honors Program

The Honors Program is designed to challenge students with high academic potential at an accelerated rate and to provide them with exposure to a wide variety of in-depth academic, social, cultural and international experiences. Here at Elizabeth City State University, we believe that Honors Program students are: Competent, Confident, and Convincing. This motto is one that epitomizes the fact that Honors Program students have a deep, thorough knowledge-base that comes with natural curiosity, intellect, and vision; they are proud to share, exhibit or display that knowledge-base in any venue-using appropriate written and/or communication skills to present their research, arguments, and daily discussions.

Honors students are "intellectual risk-takers" who are always challenging their minds and seeking new learning opportunities. We are happy that you decided to see what the Honors Program here at Elizabeth City State University is all about, and to examine the activities, advantages, and excitement of being a part of the Program.

Benefits of the Honors Program

Small class size
Peer and faculty mentor program
Honors lecture series and workshops
Scholarship, fellowship, and professional development Opportunities
Special housing accommodation in a Living, Learning Community (LLC)
Earning the Honors Scholars Blazer
Leadership development and training activities
Study abroad opportunities and participation in conferences
“Honors” indicated on both the official academic transcript and the diploma
Honors Stole at graduation


Current Freshman Honors Program Application	High School Seniors Honors Program Application	Transfer Student Honors Program Application

Honors Councils

Faculty Honors Council	Student Honors Council
Dr. Dolapo Adedeji, Chair Dr. Chandra Asthana Dr. Nicole Austin Dr. Mary-Lynn Chambers Dr. Tina Craddock Dr. Kim Downing Dr. Bijandra Kumar Dr. Juanita Midgette-Spence Dr. Kingsley Nwala Dr. Tesfaye Serbessa Dr. Karen Strother-Jordan	Ms. Mackenzie Allen Ms. Kristen Bannerman Ms. Dayana Garza Ms. Ashna Mahtani (Chair) Mr. Darius Satterfield Ms. Kaiya Thoma-bly Ms. Jordan Thornton

Honors Ambassadors

Honors Ambassadors at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) serve as active leaders in recruitment and campus events. Through campus tours, special events, conversations online and on the telephone, Ambassadors have unique contact with both current and prospective students and families, alumni, and supporters of the Honors program. Honors Ambassadors provide an informative view of the Honors Program at ECSU, highlight the opportunities and being part of the Honors education in academic and co-curricular settings, and share how the Honors Program has contributed to their college experience.

Meet Our Ambassadors

Membership

The ECSU Honors Program is a member in good standing in national, regional, and state Honors associations.

These memberships mean that the ECSU Honors Program students and staff participate in conferences, serve in leadership capacities, and, most importantly, meet the standards set by these organizations for structure, curricula, and activities.

Forms and Documents

Scholarships

The University Honors Grant

The University Honors Grant is a general scholarship for both new and current students that have been accepted into the Honors Program at ECSU. Recipients will represent the values of the Honors Program by challenging their minds and seeking new learning opportunities.

Benefits

Scholars are eligible to receive up to $2,000 annually. The grant cannot exceed your direct cost for college and vary based on your need

Criteria

To be considered for admission to the University Honors Program (UHP), submit an Honors Program Application. In addition, the following criteria must be met:

High School Seniors:

Must have been successfully accepted to ECSU
Submit a 500-word essay explaining why you want to be part of the ECSU Honors Program
Submit a letter of recommendation supporting your application from a teacher/counselor to honor.program@ecsu.edu

Demonstrate potential for making positive contributions to the ECSU community

Current Freshmen:

Must have at least a cumulative grade-point average of 3.25
Submit a 500-word essay explaining why you want to be part of the ECSU Honors Program

Submit a letter of recommendation from the Office of Students’ Success and Retention or a professor whose course you have successfully completed to honors.program@ecsu.edu
Demonstrate potential for making positive contributions to the ECSU community

Expectations

The grant is renewable annually contingent:

Maintain at least a 3.25 GPA every semester

Maintain active participation in all events organized or supported by the University Honors Program

The Chancellor's Academic Scholarship

Purpose

The Chancellor’s Academic Scholarship was established as a merit scholarship program for incoming freshmen at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) to provide an outstanding educational experience for five students who are exceptional scholars, versatile and well-rounded individuals. Scholarship recipients will represent the core values of the institution through their commitment to excellence, accountability, diversity and the ECSU motto: “To live is to learn.”

Benefits

Each recipient will be awarded a fully funded four-year scholarship that covers the cost of the following: full tuition, student fees, university housing, meals, and textbooks.

Expectations of Recipients

Scholarships will be renewable contingent upon the following:

Maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA annually
Enroll full time each semester and earn a minimum 30 credit hours each academic year
Maintain membership and active participation in the ECSU Honors Program
Maintain membership and active participation in the Chancellor Ambassor Program

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Strong candidates are intellectually curious and able to articulate their ideas clearly. In evaluating candidates, the selection committee reviews the applicants’ responses to the application questions along with the entire application for freshman admission. To be eligible for the Chancellor’s Academic Scholarship, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

Be a competitive applicant for admission as a freshman in the fall semester into a baccalaureate program at ECSU
Be on course to graduate from high school in the spring semester prior to college admission
Be a United States citizen or permanent resident
Have a minimum 3.5 or higher unweighted cumulative GPA
Show exceptional qualities of character and leadership
Demonstrate a commitment to academics, service and be involved in extracurricular activities
Enroll as a full-time student
Submit a letter of recommendation supporting your application for this scholarship from a teacher, religious leader or supervisor to chancellors.scholarship@ecsu.edu

CHANCELLOR'S ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION 2024 - Apply Here

Note: This scholarship is only available to first-time, incoming freshmen.

Aid Limitations

The total financial aid package – to include all types of aid received – must remain within the cost or financial aid budget as determined by Student Financial Aid. It is therefore important that you notify the Student Financial Aid Office of any scholarship, assistance, or loan funding that does not appear as part of an aid package. By doing so early, students reduce the risk of having aid adjusted mid-year or after funds have been received.

Undergraduate students receiving multiple or large scholarship offers from ECSU should also be aware that, in rare cases, their scholarship awards may be limited. Work closely with awarding offices to understand your scholarship package and terms of individual awards.

The Strada Leadership Scholarship

The Strada Leadership Scholarship is funded by the Strada Education Network. The scholarship focuses on investing in the next generation of leaders. This scholarship will provide leadership development, academic support and critical social engagement resulting in positive postsecondary opportunities that lead to meaningful career pathways for Strada Scholars. Strada recognizes the importance of HBCUs in providing economic and social mobility to America’s net generation of leaders and undertakes this Initiative to provide institutional ad systemic improvements for the participating institution and the students they serve.

Benefit

Recipients Receive:

Scholarships: $7,000 per year (4 years)
Internship: $1,200 per year (4 years)
Leadership Development: $1,200 per year (4 years)

Criteria

To be eligible for the Strada’s Scholarship, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

Be a full-time entering Freshman
Have a minimum of 3.25 or higher unweighted cumulative high school GPA
Submit an essay focusing on personal efforts in leadership, academic success and social change

Expectations

Recipients of this scholarship expect/agree to:

Participate in leadership development opportunities
Participate in mentoring and career coaching throughout academic tenure
Participate in internships or other work-based learning experiences
Share testimonials and experiences
Be a changemaker who anticipates and engages with University Administration to build creative solutions
All Strada’s Scholars finalists are automatically admitted to the ECSU Honors Program