Honors College: Texas State University
Honors College: Texas State University
COLLEGE
GETTING TO THE ROOTS OF THE BIG QUESTIONS
The Honors College is for those students who want more options in their academic journey. As a member of
the Honors College, you can choose to take classes from a range of topics, replacing regular requirements with
Honors courses to fit your degree plan.
For example, you might choose “Writing for Film: European Cinema of the 1960s” to count for an advanced English
course. Or “American History through Memoirs: From the End of Reconstruction to the Present Day” in place of a
more general history course.
CONVERSATIONS
THAT AFFECT US ALL.
The Common Experience unites the campus and broader
community in a common intellectual conversation on a
theme chosen for the year. Throughout the year, you will hear
renowned and respected speakers address the theme, see
films related to the topic and explore the experience through
fine arts exhibits and performances. These events will spark
discussions of issues relevant to your understanding of the
world around you.
P O
F
IDEAS AND RAISE QUESTIONS.
Limited to 20 students, seminar-style classes in the Honors College bring
students together to share ideas, discuss interpretations and raise questions.
The collaborative environment helps you shape your own understanding.
Classes in the Honors College will spark your intellectual curiosity. Our
professors share their areas of expertise in the way they design classes,
encouraging you to think critically and creatively in your assignments
and projects.
In the Honors College, you’ll be encouraged
to search for answers beyond the classroom.
“
I didn’t do Honors College initially. At first, it just
seemed like a lot of work. It wasn’t until I started
looking at the classes and realized these classes
look great — a lot of the teachers I loved were
“
My first time on campus was for my student
orientation, but when I got here, it felt like home.
It’s beautiful, with a lot of trees, which I love.
And the theatre program is amazing. At first, I was
already teaching in the Honors College. I was still a production and performance major. I was part
worried writing a thesis, but then I learned about of a play called Zu’s Earth that’s basically about
the creative thesis, where you can do a project, exploring identity and feeling of belonging in the
like personal ethnography or an arts project. African American community, that gave me the
There’s just so many ways to go through the confidence to barge into one of the acting faculty's
Honors College, how could you not? This is the office and say, ‘I want to audition for the acting
coolest thing at Texas State.” program.’ All of the acting faculty are wonderful
in their own ways. I’ve learned so much from each
ZACHARY POSTON
of them.”
2021 GRADUATE | POLITICAL SCIENCE & SPANISH
BRENHAM, TEXAS JAVAUN BUTLER
JUNIOR | THEATRE
PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS
“
THROUGH LEADERSHIP AND
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES, YOU’LL
EXPLORE YOUR CAPABILITIES
“
AND DEFINE YOUR PASSIONS.
The Honors College is a chance to use your WE’RE NOT HERE TO TELL
Most of my Honors College has been curiosity and your interests to design a unique
academic experience and create your own
STUDENTS WHAT TO DO.
through the contract courses, which I’ve really
enjoyed, because it forced me to talk to a lot opportunities while working closely with THE HONORS COLLEGE PROVIDES
of professors that I never would have interacted Honors faculty from across the university.
YOU WITH THE OPPORTUNITY
with. I’ve been able to form a lot of close
Undergraduate research opportunities for Honors TO DESIGN YOUR OWN COURSES,
relationships with my professors, especially
students include Honors independent study, the
my (Honors) thesis professor.”
Honors contract course, the Honors thesis, the
CHOOSE YOUR THESIS AND DIVE
VICTORIA VILLARREAL Undergraduate Research Conference, funding INTO RESEARCH THAT MATTERS
SENIOR | PSYCHOLOGY through URF (Undergraduate Research Fund) and
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS TO YOU.”
publication opportunities in TXSTUR (Texas State
Undergraduate Research Journal). In addition,
DR. HEATHER GALLOWAY
faculty and staff will mentor you in your research. DEAN, HONORS COLLEGE
COURSES
EATING ANIMALS IN AMERICA: HISTORICAL
HAIR AS A GLORY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE PERCEPTIONS
OF HAIR IN ST. SOPHIA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
KATELYNN DANAE HAGANS
ANTHROPOLOGY
“
ON A THESIS — A SPECIAL RESEARCH OR CREATIVE PROJECT YOU
DESIGN WITH THE GUIDANCE OF HONORS COLLEGE FACULTY.
I love the Honors College. It feels a lot more
Researching and creating your project can help focus your interests, provide perspective on your major, develop personal than my other classes. I really believe the
your scholarly skills, and encourage your creativity and independent effort. Writing a thesis can help you when Honors College has helped diversify my (college)
you apply to graduate or professional school, or apply for a job after graduation. The flexibility across disciplines experience. Last semester, I took the Honors class
allows you to develop a unique thesis project, such as creating a documentary film or composing music. on elections — that was life-changing
for me. I became a citizen during that class and
txstate.edu/honors/thesis
feel like going forward I’ll be able to approach
OPEN
politics in a more unbiased way.”
EXPLORATION
“ I was in the (Honors) living-learning community.
I had a lot of classes with the people I was in
the dorm with, so I got to know them really well.
We all studied together, and it was really helpful
“
I want to go for my doctorate at some point, so
doing the Honors thesis gives you a taste of what
that research is like. Texas State for me came
at a time where I really needed it. I didn’t know
getting through that first year. But my favorite class what I wanted to do, and I felt really lost. When
was The Creative Spark, where we talked about I got here, things started connecting for me; my
what creativity is. We think of creativity as just art, direction became clear. It’s important to connect
music, dance, but it's not just that, really. Coming with people in your field, but one of my favorite
up with graphs and charts takes creativity; coming things here has been working at KTSW (Bobcat
up with vaccines is creative.” Radio) Sports. I made lifelong friends there and
had amazing experiences.”
RACHEL BROWN
SENIOR | MUSIC EDUCATION CONNOR MACKINNON
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY SENIOR | PSYCHOLOGY
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
“
I joined the Molecular Bioscience Research
Group the summer after my freshman year, and
my mentors there started opening up doors for
me. After my sophomore year, I did research at
Baylor’s College of Medicine, one of the best in
the world. This summer I’m going to Harvard to
do research at Mass General, then I’m going to
medical school. I would never have done any of
these things if not for the great mentorship that’s
part of joining the research lab.”
ANGEL SANDOVAL
SENIOR | BIOCHEMISTRY/MICROBIOLOGY
MCALLEN, TEXAS
“
I was always academically driven. When I applied
to Texas State, I applied for the Honors College,
and I love it. It gives me a chance to take courses
that aren’t just in geography or anthropology.
“
The Honors College allows you to have this extra
push, this extra challenge to keep you focused on
school and learning as much as you can. It’s not
just about memorization and writing things down
Some of the Honors literature classes are my to pass the test. I think that's what Texas State
NICTE
favorite classes ever. These classes get so helped me do: It helped me figure out what I want
ANGEL SANDOVAL SOBREVILLA ROSAS
close with the professors, some of them will be and showed me how to go do it.”
references for me forever. There’s just something
different about Honors discussions that I really
DAVID RITCH
JUNIOR | THEATRE
value.”
LONGVIEW, TEXAS
LUCY LYNCH
2021 GRADUATE | GEOGRAPHY & ANTHROPOLOGY
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS
“
HONORS STUDENTS HAVE TERRY SCHOLARSHIPS
ACCESS TO SPECIAL SPACES Earning a Terry Scholarship is more than receiving
full tuition, it’s being welcomed into a community
ON CAMPUS. The Honors Coffee Forum in of other talented students and future leaders.
Lampasas Hall is a special gathering place for study,
The Honors College not only provides students with classes All Terry Scholars live in the Laurel Honors Hall
conversation and celebration surrounded by the
that are dynamic and push students to think creatively, it is for their first year.
Gallery of the Common Experience.
a place where students can challenge themselves and each
other to grow as individuals.” Laurel Honors House is the Honors residence hall,
a living-learning community on campus with a
DR. LOUIE D. VALENCIA
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR faculty member in residence. Living in Laurel is not
DIGITAL HISTORY required of Honors College students, but is an option
for incoming freshmen. Laurel residents enjoy the
creative and engaging environment in the house.
LAMPASAS HALL
OLD MAIN Built in 1912 next to Old Main, Lampasas Hall
is home to the Honors College. The building
CHEMISTRY
CENTENNIAL HALL BUILDING includes classrooms, a computer lab, offices,
The Multicultural Lounge and Black Students'
Resource Library, The Honors Coffee Forum,
COMAL BUILDING
and the Gallery of the Common Experience.
LAMPASAS HALL
FLOWERS HALL
HONORS VIRTUAL
COFFEE FORUM
ASB NORTH
The VCF is hosted through Discord and is
ACADEMIC a great way to connect with other Honors
SERVICES students. The channel is student-run and
BUILDING
monitored by Honors student staff.
ASB SOUTH You can even connect with our Minecraft
community on the Honors Minecraft Server!
BROGDON HALL
BERETTA HALL
EDUCATION BUILDING
LAUREL HALL
Located near central campus, Laurel Hall
houses the Laurel Honors House and
Terry Scholars living-learning communities.
LAUREL HALL
CHOOSE
YOUR PATH
TRADITIONAL PATH
^ 15 Hours of Honors Courses What Honors Courses are you What Honors Organizations What Honors events would
interested in taking? would you like to join? you like to attend?
^ Thesis
^ Cross-Cultural Experience
HONORS COLLEGE
admissions.txstate.edu/honorscollege
512.245.2266
[email protected]
Texas State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, committed to inclusive
thought and action in support of our diverse community. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups
and all those who share our commitment to inclusivity and passion for the strength of our diversity are strongly
encouraged to apply. Texas State University is a tobacco-free campus. 21-166 9-21