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TRANSCRIPT
H O N O R S
Student Handbook
2 0 1 8 – 2 0 1 9
Welcome to the Honors CollegeCongratulations on your admission to the Seneff Honors College! We are delighted you
have chosen Valencia College to continue your education. As honors director, I want to
welcome you to a dynamic community of faculty and students dedicated to excellence
in the classroom and beyond.
Though the Seneff Honors College is only six years old, the honors tradition at Valencia
College is over 25 years old and was founded to provide students the opportunity for
academic and personal growth in a unique environment where intellectual exploration
and quality teaching are the primary goals. You now become part of that tradition.
You will be expected to challenge your own presumptions, to think creatively, to be
audacious in your acts and ideas. In short, you will be expected to be exceptional.
Still, we do not expect you to do this alone. Fellow honors students will offer
encouragement; some will become lifelong friends. Honors faculty will eagerly focus on
your success as they constantly assess your potential. Advisors and staff will assist and
offer direction when needed. Even after graduation, the honors alumni network will form
the basis of your continuing commitment. As part of this extended honors community,
you too will be expected to lend vitality to the whole by participating in service and
leadership opportunities, by being engaged in the classroom and in the college —by
being not just an honors student, but also an honorable individual. I have no doubt
you will meet this challenge and exceed your own expectations.
Again, I offer a warm welcome and congratulations as you embark on this exciting journey
of self-discovery; and I look forward to working with you with great anticipation.
Best Wishes
Dr. Cheryl Robinson
Director, Honors College
The vision of the Seneff Honors College is to discover potential in students
and inspire excellence.
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Honors Program StaffHonors OfficePhone: 407-582-1729
Fax: 407-582-1671
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Cheryl Robinson, DirectorWest Campus, 3-137, 407-582-1373
Email: [email protected]
Bea Clyburn, Honors Program AssistantWest Campus, 3-136, 407-582-1729
Email: [email protected]
Kera Coyer, Program Advisor (Collegewide)West Campus, 3-136, 407-582-1442
Email: [email protected]
Honors Counselors/Educational AdvisorsEast Campus Jennifer Washick, 5-211
407-582-2453
Lake Nona Campus Gwendolyn Noel, 1-149e
407-582-7132
Osceola Campus Alina Siddiqui, 2-140M
407-582-4152
West Campus Travis Taylor, SSB-110
407-582-1027
Winter Park Dr. Marcia Roman, 1-212
407-582-6887
Webpage: valenciacollege.edu/honors
Facebook: facebook.com/valenciahonors
Twitter: twitter.com/valenciahonors
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Honors Resource CentersAs a Seneff honors student, you will have access to the Honors Resource Centers at
each campus. The Honors Resource Centers provide a place for honors students to
study, access computers and meet with fellow honors students. On East Campus, the
resource center is located in the Building 4 Rotunda; there are two desktop computers.
At Osceola, the resource center is located in the new Building 4, Room 206 (in the
library); there are two desktop computers. On West Campus, the resource center is
located in the Library, Room 201B; there are three computers for student use. And at
Winter Park Campus, the resource center is located in Room 223.
Expectations of Honors Students and Honor Code . . . . . . 4
Honors College Program Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Honors Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
FAQs about Honors Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Scholarship Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Graduation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Honors Student Advisory Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
What is Co-Curricular? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Making the Most of Your Honors Experience
Service Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Study Abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Perks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Become Involved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
BayCare Student Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Alumni Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Planning Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Contents
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Student ExpectationsStudents of the Seneff Honors College are members of a community that
embraces diversity and individuality while sharing a common commitment to
academic excellence and social responsibility. In this spirit, these expectations
have been set forth:
• Students are expected to exemplify academic and personal integrity by being
familiar with and conscientiously adhering to all aspects of the Valencia College
Student Code of Conduct (see valenciacollege.edu/pdf/studenthandbook.pdf).
• Students are expected to abide by accepted standards of academic
originality and creativity, to conduct themselves honorably in collaborative
and group work, and to refrain from resubmitting work prepared for one
course in another without permission of both professors.
• Students are expected to demonstrate respect for fellow students and
for faculty at all times and to contribute meaningfully to a productive
classroom environment.
• Students are expected to be ambitious learners, exhibiting academic
enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity.
• Students are expected to participate in the well-being of the honors
community by regularly attending meetings and events, by taking part
in service activities, by keeping informed of program happenings,
by behaving appropriately in the Honors Resource Centers, and by
contributing to the development of the program.
• Students are expected to understand their role as exemplars, to act
accordingly both on and off campus, and to refrain from activity that
may be detrimental to the reputation of the Seneff Honors College,
to Valencia College, or to other honors students.
• Students are expected to hold fellow honors students accountable
when these expectations are not met.
These expectations have been codified in the Seneff Honors College Honor Code.
Failure to adhere to these expectations may result in consequences up to and
including removal from the Seneff Honors College.
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Honors CollegeProgram TracksINTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES TRACKThe Interdisciplinary Studies Track is designed to create an integrative, holistic
education experience that empowers a global and diverse perspective. The courses are
team-taught by faculty members from several disciplines and provide students with a
strong background in liberal arts. The program has been recognized by the National
Endowment for the Humanities and the Center for the Study of Community Colleges as
one of the best general education programs in the country. Students who complete the
Interdisciplinary Studies Track will be able to:
• Apply principles of dialogic argument in written and verbal communication;
• Compare, contrast and explain the significance of different historic ages;
• Compare, contrast and integrate knowledge of diverse cultures and disciplines.
To satisfy the requirements of the Interdisciplinary Studies Track, students must
complete a total of 24 credits of honors coursework, at least 18 of which must be
in three of the following courses:
• IDH 1110 – Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education I (6 credits)
equates to Freshman Composition I (Gordon Rule Writing, 3 credits)
Humanities (Core, 3 credits)
(offered only in fall term)
OR
• IDH 1112 – Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education – Honors (6 credits)
equates to Humanities (Core, 3 credits)
Humanities (Institutional, 3 credits)
(offered only in fall term)
AND
• IDH 1111 – Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education II (6 credits)
equates to Freshman Composition II (Gordon Rule Writing, 3 credits)
Natural Science (Non-Laboratory, Core, 3 credits)
(offered only in spring term)
AND
(continued on next page)
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• IDH 2120 – Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education III (6 credits)
equates to Science (Non-Laboratory, Core or Institutional, 3 credits)
Social Science (Institutional, 3 credits)
(offered only in fall term)
AND
• IDH 2121 – Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education IV (6 credits)
equates to Humanities (Institutional, 3 credits)
Social Science (Core, 3 credits)
(offered only in spring term)
In addition to the above coursework, students will be required to participate in a minimum
of three approved co-curricular activities each term of enrollment (fall and spring).
This may include international travel experience, field trips to cultural locations,
colloquia, reading circles, speaker series and/or service to the honors college.
You can find a list of approved co-curricular activities on the honors calendar at
valenciacollege.edu/honors/current-students/honors-calendar.cfm or by
contacting your campus honors counselor.
LEADERSHIP TRACKThe Leadership Track is designed to create citizen scholars—individuals whose action is
informed by theory. Students who complete the Leadership Track will be able to:
• Develop a working, evolving and individual leadership theory or style;
• Practice leadership principles through their campus activities and continued
community involvement;
• Identify opportunities to make social change.
To satisfy the requirements of the Leadership Track, students must complete a total
of 23 credits of honors coursework in the following courses:
• SLS 2261H – Leadership Development – Honors (3 credits)
• At least two of the following courses (6 credits)
- SPC 1017H – Interpersonal Communications – Honors
- SPC 1608H – Fundamentals of Speech – Honors
- ENC 1101H – Freshman Composition I – Honors
- ENC 1102H – Freshman Composition II – Honors
- Any honors Gordon Rule writing courses (to see a full list of Gordon Rule
honors classes, students should consult the current college catalog,
option can be used twice)
- SLS 1122H – New Student Experience – Honors
• At least one of the following courses (3 credits)
- EUH 2001H – Modern Western Civilization – Honors
- POS 2041H – U.S. Government – Honors
- INR 2002H – International Politics – Honors
- AMH 2020H – U.S. History 1877 to Present – Honors
- SYG 2000H – Intro to Sociology – Honors
- PSY 2012H – General Psychology – Honors
• Experiential Learning (2 credits)
- SLS 2940H – Service Learning – Honors
• Additional Honors Coursework (9 credits) – Students are encouraged
to work with an advisor to choose honors courses that fulfill general
education and prerequisite requirements for their intended majors.
In addition to the above coursework, students will be required to participate
in a minimum of three approved co-curricular activities each term of enrollment
(excluding summer). This may include community service, campus leadership,
mentoring programs, speaker series and/or service to the honors college. You
can find a list of approved co-curricular activities on the honors calendar at
valenciacollege.edu/honors/current-students/honors-calendar.cfm or by
contacting your campus honors counselor.
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UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH TRACKThe Undergraduate Research Track is designed to further develop students who are
familiar with the process, practice and principles of scholarly inquiry in an academic
community and is especially suited for students who plan to attend graduate or
professional school. Students who complete the Undergraduate Research Track
will be able to:
• Complete a discipline-specific research project;
• Present research in a peer-reviewed, academic setting.
To satisfy the requirements of the Undergraduate Research Track, students must
complete a total of 24 credits of honors coursework:
• IDH 2911 – Honors Research Process (2 credits) – This honors course will
introduce students to the process of research (i.e., the tools, concepts and
resources necessary to search, evaluate, and use information in a variety
of formats and subject disciplines). The focus will be to analyze and utilize
information critically using a broad range of materials and interdisciplinary
concepts needed for honors research and academic/professional success.
• Individual Honors Study Plan (12 – 15 credits) – Honors courses designed
to enhance the individual student’s research plan, developed in consultation
with the track coordinator and a faculty mentor. Approved study plans are
kept on file in the Honors Office.
• IDH 2912 – Honors Project (1 credit) – The student will complete, under
the guidance of a faculty mentor, a project that will define and execute
a research question. Guidelines will be established regarding format,
standards and review of projects.
• Additional Honors Coursework (6 – 9 credits) – Students are encouraged to
work with an advisor to choose honors courses that fulfill general education
and prerequisite requirements for their intended majors.
In addition to the above coursework, students will be required to participate in
a minimum of three approved co-curricular activities each term of enrollment
(excluding summer). This may include participation in the Valencia Research
Symposium, presentation of original research at local, regional, and national
honors and/or discipline conferences, and/or service to the honors college.
You can find a list of approved co-curricular activities on the honors calendar
at valenciacollege.edu/honors/current-students/honors-calendar.cfm or by
contacting your campus honors counselor.
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GLOBAL STUDIES TRACKThe Global Studies Track is designed to provide a well-rounded general education
curriculum with thematically integrated courses, with an emphasis on creating global
citizens. Students who complete the Global Studies Track will be able to:
• Articulate their values and how they fit into a global society;
• Explore multiple perspectives on an issue that impacts a global world;
• Articulate a breadth of knowledge about nations and regions around the world,
such as their geographies, languages, religions, currencies and cultures.
To satisfy the curricular aspect of the Global Studies Track, students must complete
a total of 24 credits of honors coursework:
• SLS 1501H – Honors Seminar (1 credit) – This seminar will introduce students to a
variety of academic topics. The seminar is designed to allow students to explore
issues important to self-discovery and intellectual growth, and to understand
their role and responsibility in the educational process.
• IDH 2028H – Honors Capstone (1 credit) – This course is designed to provide
perspective to students at the conclusion of their curricular and co-curricular
work in the honors college. Students in the course will present their honors
portfolios to fellow students, faculty and staff. This course will also provide
opportunities for discussion and reflection about students’ experiences in
the honors learning community.
• SLS 1122H – New Student Experience – Honors (3 credits)
• HUM 102OH – Introduction To Humanities – Honors (3 credits)
• SPC 1017H – Interpersonal Communications – Honors (3 credits)
• ENC 1102H – Freshman Composition II – Honors (3 credits)
• ANT 2000H – Introductory Anthropology – Honors (3 credits)
• SLS 2940H – Service Learning – Honors (1 credits)
• INR 2002H – International Politics (3 credits)
• HUM 2250H – Humanities-Twentieth Century – Honors (3 credits)
In addition to the above coursework, students will be required to participate in a
minimum of three approved co-curricular activities each term of enrollment (excluding
summer). This may include Service Learning, short-term study abroad, mentoring,
cultural field trips, civic projects, reading groups and/or service to the honors college.
You can find a list of approved co-curricular activities on the honors calendar at
valenciacollege.edu/honors/current-students/honors-calendar.cfm or by contacting
your campus honors counselor.
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Honors Courses In addition to track options, there are a number of honors classes students
can take to fulfill program and elective course requirements. The following
courses are available as honors sections:
AMH 2020H U.S. History 1877 to Present
AML 2011H Survey in American Literature: Colonial Period to Civil War
AML 2021H Survey in American Literature: Civil War to Present
ANT 2000H Introductory Anthropology
ARH 2051H Intro to Art History II
AST 1002H Astronomy
BSC 1005H Biological Science
BSC 1010H Fundamentals of Biology I
BSC 1011H Fundamentals of Biology II
BSC 1026H Biology of Human Sexuality
BSC 1050H Environmental Science
CHM 1045H General Chemistry with Qualitative Analysis I
CHM 1046H General Chemistry with Qualitative Analysis II
DEP 2004H Developmental Psychology
ECO 2013H Principles of Economics – Macro
ECO 2023H Principles of Economics – Micro
ENC 1101H Freshman Composition I
ENC 1102H Freshman Composition II
EUH 2001H Modern Western Civilization
EVR 1001H Introduction to Environmental Studies
GLY 2100H Historical Geology
HUM 1020H Introduction to Humanities
HUM 2220H Humanities – Greek and Roman
HUM 2223H Humanities – Late Roman and Medieval
HUM 2232H Humanities – Renaissance and Baroque
HUM 2234H Humanities – Enlightenment and Romanticism
HUM 2250H Humanities – Twentieth Century
HUM 2310H Humanities – Mythology in Art and Literature
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HUM 2461H Latin American Humanities
IDH 1110 Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education I
IDH 1111 Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education II
IDH 2120 Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education III
IDH 2121 Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education IV
IDH 2028 Honors Capstone
IDH 2911 Honors Research Process
IDH 2912 Honors Project
INR 2002H International Politics
LIT 2090H Contemporary Literature
LIT 2120H Survey in World Literature – Enlightenment to Present
LIT 2174H Multimedia Literature and the Holocaust
MAC 1105H College Algebra
MAC 2233H Calculus for Business and Social Science
MAC 2311H Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
MAC 2312H Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
MGF 1106H College Mathematics
OCE 1001H Intro to Oceanography
PCB 1440H Florida Environmental Systems
PHY 2048H General Physics I with Calculus
PHY 2049H General Physics II with Calculus
POS 2041H U.S. Government I
POS 2112H State and Local Government
PSY 2012H General Psychology
REL 2300H World Religions
SLS 1122H New Student Experience
SLS 1501H Honors Seminar
SLS 2261H Leadership Development
SLS 2940H Service Learning
SPC 1017H Interpersonal Communication
SPC 1608H Fundamentals of Speech
STA 2023H Statistical Methods
SYG 2000H Intro to Sociology
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FAQs about honors classes
What is different about honors classes?Honors classes at Valencia College encourage students to become engaged
and act outside of the classroom. In addition, students demonstrate creative
thinking as it relates to course content. Beyond this, honors classes are smaller
than non-honors classes, with enrollment capped at 20 students per class.
Are honors classes harder?Many students mistakenly believe that honors classes will be harder than
regular classes. Honors courses provide students and faculty the opportunity
to develop ideas and engage in work that would be more difficult in a typical,
lecture-style class. Most students find they actually do better in honors classes
because of the close interaction between professors and students and the
sense of community that develops.
Are honors course grades weighted?No. Unlike high school, college honors courses are not weighted in the
calculation of your grade point average.
If I’m in honors, do I have to register for all honors classes?No, most students take approximately one-quarter to one-half of their
classes as honors.
Do honors classes cost more?No, tuition is the same for honors classes.
How do I remain in good standing in the program?To remain in good standing, students must maintain a minimum cumulative
Valencia College GPA of 3.0. A student whose GPA falls below 3.0 will be
inactivated in the program. Students who subsequently raise their GPA to
at least 3.0 can request to be reactivated.
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Scholarship InformationThe Seneff Honors College awards a limited number of full tuition, non-transferable
scholarships to admission candidates who demonstrate academic promise and commit
to one of the four available curriculum tracks: Interdisciplinary Studies Track, Leadership
Track, Undergraduate Research Track or the Global Studies Track. All students who apply
for the Seneff Honors College will be considered for scholarship awards. Scholarships
cover up to the credits needed for your primary degree program and any additional
honors coursework specific to your track. You must be eligible for the Florida resident
tuition rate to receive a Seneff Honors College scholarship.
Initial Eligibility:• Recipients must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA
(fafsa.ed.gov) and complete verification (if selected), so that processed results
are available prior to the start of the term. If selected for verification, this must
be satisfied prior to the start of the term for your scholarship to award. Note: To
complete a FAFSA, you must be an eligible U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen for
financial aid purposes. Please allow at least three weeks for processing.
• Recipients must meet Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for
financial aid purposes.
• Recipients must be seeking an associate degree.
• Recipients must be accepted into a Seneff Honors College track.
• Recipients must enroll in and satisfactorily complete at least nine honors credits
during each academic year. If you are admitted to the Seneff Honors College
for the spring term, then you must enroll in and satisfactorily complete at least
three honors credits during the spring term. Failure to meet this requirement at
the end of the drop/refund period will result in revocation of your scholarship
for that term and your term fees will become due to the college immediately.
Contact the honors director or an honors advisor with questions about
necessary classes. Note: If you withdraw from any course, it may result in
an adjustment to your term financial aid (not just your honors scholarship).
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Renewal Eligibility:• The scholarship is renewed on a term-by-term basis (fall and spring) pending
satisfaction of renewal criteria and availability of funds.
• Recipients must make good progress toward graduation in their degree
program, their curricular track and satisfy co-curricular requirements as
determined by the honors director. Recipients must attend three approved
co-curricular activities per term that the scholarship is received.
• Recipients must submit a free application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA
(fafsa.ed.gov) and complete verification (if selected), so that processed results
are available prior to the start of term. If selected for verification, this must be
satisfied prior to the start of the term for your scholarship to award. Note: To
complete a FAFSA, you must be an eligible U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen for
financial aid purposes. Please allow at least three weeks for processing.
• Recipients must maintain Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to
receive financial aid as outlined in the college catalog.
• Recipients must continue to be seeking an associate degree. Once degree
requirements have been met, students are no longer eligible for the scholarship
regardless of awarding of degree.
• Recipients must enroll in and satisfactorily complete at least nine honors credits
during each academic year. If you are admitted to the Seneff Honors College
for the spring term, then you must enroll in and satisfactorily complete at least
three honors credits during the spring term. Failure to meet this requirement at
the end of the drop/refund period will result in revocation of your scholarship
for that term and your term fees will become due to the college immediately.
Contact the honors director or an honors advisor with questions about
necessary classes. Note: If you withdraw from any course, it may result in
an adjustment to your term financial aid (not just your honors scholarship).
• Recipients must maintain eligibility to be a student in the Seneff Honors College
(minimum GPA of 3.25).
• Recipients must complete at least 75 percent of attempted credits to be
renewed in subsequent terms.
All students receiving any form of financial aid must meet the standards of academic
progress as outlined by the federal government. See valenciacollege.edu/finaid/satisfactory_progress.cfm for satisfactory academic progress criteria or refer to the
SAP section of this catalog.
Signed Honors Scholarship Agreements must be received in the Honors Office by the
deadline listed in the recipient’s scholarship award notification before the scholarship
will post to the recipient’s account. Failure to return the Honors Scholarship Agreement
by the listed deadline may result in forfeiture of the scholarship for that term.
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Graduation RequirementsHonors students will be offered three levels of graduation distinction:
1 The term Seneff Honors College Scholar is reserved for those
students who successfully complete the curricular requirements
of one of the program tracks, who earn no less than a “C” in each
honors class*, who graduate with a cumulative overall GPA of at least
3.5, and who complete three approved co-curricular activities each
term of enrollment (fall and spring).
2 The term Valencia College Honors Scholar is reserved for those
students who successfully complete at least 18 hours of honors
coursework, who earn no less than a “C” in each honors class*,
who graduate with a cumulative overall GPA of at least 3.33, and
who complete three approved co-curricular activities each term
of enrollment (fall and spring).
3 Students who successfully complete at least 12 hours of honors
coursework, who earn no less than a “C” in each honors class*,
and who maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 will earn an
Honors Certificate.
* See college grade forgiveness policy.
At the morning Commencement ceremony, honors graduates walk first in the associate
student processional and wear stoles, cords, medallions and/or tassels depending on the
program they complete.
To qualify for honors graduation, students must complete both a regular Valencia
College graduation application and a Seneff Honors College graduation application by
the published deadline. Visit valenciacollege.edu/graduation for more about Valencia
College graduation. You can also go to valenciacollege.edu/honors/current-students/gradapp.cfm to access the honors graduation application.
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Honors Student Advisory CommitteeThe mission of the Honors Student Advisory Committee (HSAC) is to promote
academic excellence among honors students at Valencia College. The HSAC seeks to
foster communication, to plan events, to make decisions, to develop partnerships, and to
coordinate outreach with the sole goal of enriching the academic experience and quality
of education for honors students at all campuses within the college.
The HSAC acts as the sole advisory and communication body representing honors
students on issues relating to academics, fellowship, cultural enrichment, and the
honors student activities budget. It is the aim of the HSAC to provide a voice to all active
members of the Seneff Honors College in all matters that directly impact the same issues.
Membership in the HSAC is open at all times. All Valencia College honors students are
invited and welcome to attend any and all public meetings of the HSAC so long as they
meet the aforementioned criteria. Students are welcome to attend as many, or as few, of
the HSAC meetings as they so choose.
An executive board of officers oversees the agenda and activities of the HSAC. The
executive board is made up of the following elected officers: president, four vice
presidents (one each from East, Osceola, West and Winter Park campuses), a treasurer,
a head historian and secretary. Further, there are several historians who serve to record
and assist in HSAC meetings and sponsored events. Election of the HSAC president
is held at the last meeting of the spring term; all other officers are elected at the first
meeting in the fall term. If you have questions or concerns, you are encouraged to
contact the current HSAC president at [email protected].
Each summer, the HSAC hosts a leadership and planning retreat for the upcoming
year. All new and returning students are encouraged to attend and become involved.
The HSAC is your outlet for service to the Seneff Honors College.
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What is “Co-Curricular”?Co-curricular activities are experiences outside of the classroom that connect you to
the Seneff Honors College, Valencia College and the community. Co-curricular activities
are designed to reinforce classroom learning as well as build relationships with faculty
and peers. Co-curricular activities are offered in a variety of ways.
Our practice for considering honors co-curricular activities involves the following
guidelines:
1 The activity is designed specifically for honors students.
2 If it is a non-honors sponsored event, there must be an honors specific
add on/value (additional research, panel discussion, etc.).
3 The activity has a substantive learning component (minimum
two hours of direct instruction and student participation).
4 The activity is specifically designed to support an honors class or program
outcome including creation of community amongst honors students.
5 The activity is not for another club or organization (SGA, PTK, etc.).
Students in the Seneff Honors College are required to do three approved co-curricular
activities each term and, along with taking honors classes and earning a high Grade
Point Average, are a part of the requirement to graduate with an honors diploma.
Search the available co-curricular options at valenciacollege.edu/honors/current-students/honors-calendar.cfm for more information. The calendar will show the title
and location of the activity, along with the number of hours that activity will earn.
In order to earn credit for participating in the activity, you must complete the
Co-Curricular Activity Confirmation Form located on the honors calendar website
(see above). The form must be completed within seven days of the activity to make
sure you keep an up-to-date list of your co-curricular activities.
If there is an event occurring at the college or in the community that meets our
co-curricular principles, that you believe would be a great opportunity for everyone in
the Seneff Honors College, you can use the Request to Add Event to Honors Calendar
Form for inclusion consideration. Individual volunteerism in the community is a valuable
endeavor but will not be considered as a co-curricular event for honors credit as our
events should foster connection with other Seneff Honors College faculty and students.
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Making the Most of Your Honors ExperienceService LearningService Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful
community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience,
teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Service Learning allows
students and faculty to blend educational goals with their passions. Honors students
can earn honors credit for Service Learning experience and have the opportunity to
explore interdisciplinary connections between different fields of study and thought. In
addition, students who complete at least 40 hours of Service Learning activity will be
awarded a special medallion when they graduate. Visit the Service Learning page at
valenciacollege.edu/servicelearning for more information.
Study AbroadEach year, the Seneff Honors College offers at least one section of IDH 2955 – Honors
Study Abroad. The course is planned in conjunction with one of the program tracks with
the goal of providing every Seneff student the opportunity to travel internationally as
part of the honors curriculum. Student travel on these trips is supported by scholarship
dollars; in 2015, the average cost to the student for a nine-day trip to the Netherlands
(after scholarships) was about $1,000. Visit the Study Abroad and Global Experience
page at valenciacollege.edu/international/studyabroad for more information.
PerksSome of the perks of the Seneff Honors College are:
• Priority registration
• Honors Resource Centers
• Honors-only scholarships
• College-sponsored travel to conferences and on course field trips
• Honors-specific advising
• Graduation recognition
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Become InvolvedTo whom much is given, much is required. Honors students are expected to participate
in the life of the program and the college by regularly attending meetings, events, and
academic discussions and by treating all faculty, staff and fellow students with respect.
Beginning students should plan to become involved in a way that speaks to their
individual interests and offers a possibility for positive impact. A few of the clubs
and organizations at the college include:
• East Campus Student Research Community
• West Campus Book Club
• Phi Theta Kappa – the international honors society for two-year colleges
• Brain Bowl – a Jeopardy-style academic competition
• Valencia Voice – the college newspaper
• Phoenix – the college literary journal
• Valencia Volunteers – providing service opportunities to students*
• Student Government Association
• Model United Nations – academic simulation of the United Nations
• Student Leader Team – providing peer assistance and education
This is just a sampling of the clubs and organizations available at Valencia College.
For a full list, visit valenciacollege.edu/studentdev/clubs2.cfm or drop by the
Student Development Office on your home campus.
* Students who document at least 100 hours of service while at the college will be eligible
to graduate with a service cord.
BayCare Student Assistance ProgramCollege can be stressful. If you need support, advice, or just a friendly ear, help is only
a phone call away. Call 800-878-5470. BayCare Student Assistance Program is a free
service to Valencia College students.
Alumni NetworkIn 2009, the Association of Honors Alumni (AHA!) was formed by graduating honors
students to raise scholarship funds and provide transfer assistance to current honors
students. A wide network of former Valencia College honors students can be found at
undergraduate, graduate and professional schools throughout the nation. Amongst the
AHA! members are two Jack Kent Cooke scholars, several past members of the All-USA
Academic Team, and countless recipients of other prestigious scholarship awards. These
honors alumni have been extremely generous with their time and advice. Each summer,
AHA! holds an event to which students in the Seneff Honors College are invited. This
offers an excellent opportunity for current students to meet and connect with the
honors alumni network.
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TransferWhen thinking about transfer, it is never too early to start. In fact, students should begin
planning for transfer during their first year at Valencia College. Those who wait until
their second year often find themselves scrambling to research options and put together
the right transfer strategy. Your approach will vary depending on what school(s) and
program(s) you choose. Generally speaking, there are three distinct paths you can take,
each requiring different planning and preparation:
• Honors-to-Honors: If your goal is to transfer to an honors program or college at a
four-year school, you will require considerable lead-time to investigate the options.
Your first question will be whether or not they allow transfer students to enter the
program and graduate on par with ‘native’ students (i.e., students who began at
that institution). Many will allow transfer students to enter the program; but, when
you scratch beneath the surface, you may find that it is next to impossible for
transfers to complete the requirements for honors graduation. Your best bet is to
communicate with the program director early and often. For students desiring the
transfer to The Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida, Valencia
College is one of a handful of schools that have an honors-to-honors articulation
agreement with UCF. Graduating students wishing to transfer to The Burnett
Honors College should have a minimum of 18 credits of honors work at Valencia
College and a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5.
• Private and Out-of-State Colleges and Universities: Valencia College has an
excellent tradition of placing honors students in some of the most elite institutions
in the country, including Amherst College, Emory University, Smith College,
Columbia University and UC-Berkeley. In most cases, transferring institutions
will evaluate your college transcript course by course. Very rarely do students
lose a great deal of coursework in transfer. Still, you will want to communicate
with the institution directly before making final decisions. It is well known that
some institutions are more transfer-friendly than others. Speaking with a transfer
admission specialist at the school will give you a good sense for this, as will doing
research online or consulting one of the useful peer-to-peer discussion sites, such
as collegeconfidential.com.
• Florida Public Colleges and Universities: Perhaps the easiest transfer situation
to manage is when students are transferring to a Florida public college or
university. Statewide articulation agreements guarantee that courses you take at
Valencia College will, with few exceptions, transfer to the accepting institution.
Even so, you will want to make sure you are taking the right classes at the freshman
and sophomore level to be prepared for upper-division coursework. Florida has
established an online advising and transfer tool to assist students throughout
the process: floridashines.org. This site allows students to determine how best
to chart a path to the baccalaureate program of their choice.
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Transfer ScholarshipsA number of schools have scholarships for transfer students graduating from
honors programs. The following is a partial list of colleges and universities that
offer honors-specific transfer scholarships:
• Hamilton Holt School at Rollins College
• University of Central Florida
• New College of Florida
• Stetson University
• University of Tampa
• Florida Atlantic University
• Florida International University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
Honors students may also be eligible for the following prestigious scholarships:
• Hites Scholarship: Established by a generous gift from Robert F. Hites to the
Valencia College Foundation, the Hites Scholarship is awarded each year to the
most outstanding graduate of the Seneff Honors College.
• Association of Honors Alumni Transfer Scholarship: Each year, the Association
of Honors Alumni (AHA!) selects a graduating honors student as the recipient
of this scholarship, which is partially funded by the rose sale at Commencement.
• Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship: The Jack Kent Cooke
Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship honors excellence by
supporting outstanding community college students with financial need to
transfer to and complete their bachelor’s degrees at the nation’s top four-year
colleges and universities. The foundation provides up to $40,000 per year
to each of approximately 70 deserving students selected annually, making it
the largest private scholarship for two-year and community college transfer
students in the country.
• Guistwhite Scholarships: The purpose of this merit-based program is to recognize
the scholarly achievements of Phi Theta Kappa members and enhance members’
attainment of baccalaureate degrees. Up to 20 members will receive scholarships
of $5,000 each for completion of baccalaureate degrees. To be eligible, a student
must post a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA and transfer to a college or university
upon completion of coursework at a community college.
• All-USA Community College Academic Team: The All-USA Community College
Academic Team is presented by USA TODAY and Phi Theta Kappa and sponsored
by Follett Higher Education Group. Twenty students will be selected to the national
team, each receiving a $2,500 scholarship and medallion. Students nominated to
the All-USA Community College Academic Team are automatically named to the
All-State Community College Academic Team.
• Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team: The Coca-Cola Scholars
Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team.
Fifty students will be named Gold Scholars, each receiving a $1,500 scholarship,
fifty students will be named Silver Scholars, each receiving a $1,250 scholarship,
and fifty students will be named Bronze Scholars, each receiving a $1,000
scholarship. A state may have multiple Gold, Silver or Bronze Scholars. All scholars
will also receive special medallions. The top scoring student in each of the fifty
states will be named a New Century Scholar and will receive a $2,000 stipend.
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund: The Hispanic Scholarship Fund supports several
scholarship programs for students of Latino background. To learn about these
programs, visit the HSF webpage at hsf.net.
For more information about these and other transfer scholarships,
contact [email protected].
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INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES TRACK (24 credits of honors coursework)
Courses Term Grade Credits
At least three of the following:
IDH 1110 – Interdisciplinary Studies in Gen Ed I _________ _________ _________
IDH 1111 – Interdisciplinary Studies in Gen Ed II _________ _________ _________
IDH 2120 – Interdisciplinary Studies in Gen Ed III _________ _________ _________
IDH 2121 – Interdisciplinary Studies in Gen Ed IV _________ _________ _________
If only three IDH courses are completed, an additional 6 credits of honors coursework is required.
Honors Electives
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
Co-curricular Activities
Date Activity Hours
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
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LEADERSHIP TRACK (23 credits of honors coursework)
Courses Term Grade Credits
SLS 2261H – Leadership Development – Honors _________ _________ _________
Two of the following:
SLS1122H – New Student Experience – Honors _________ _________ _________
SPC 1017H – Interpersonal Communications – Honors _________ _________ _________
SPC 1608H – Fundamentals of Speech – Honors _________ _________ _________
ENC 1101H – Freshman Composition I – Honors _________ _________ _________
ENC 1102H – Freshman Composition II – Honors _________ _________ _________
Honors Gordon Rule Course _________ _________ _________
Honors Gordon Rule Course _________ _________ _________
One of the following:
POS 2041H – U.S. Government – Honors _________ _________ _________
INR 2002H – International Politics – Honors _________ _________ _________
AMH 2020H – U.S. History 1877 to Present – Honors _________ _________ _________
SYG 2000H – Intro to Sociology – Honors _________ _________ _________
PSY 2012H – General Psychology – Honors _________ _________ _________
EUH 2001H – Modern Western Civilization – Honors _________ _________ _________
SLS 2940H – Service Learning – Honors _________ _________ _________
Honors Electives
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
Co-curricular Activities
Date Activity Hours
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
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UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH TRACK (24 credits of honors coursework)
Courses Term Grade Credits
IDH 2911 – Honors Research Process _________ _________ _________
Individual Honors Study Plan
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
IDH 2912 – Honors Project _________ _________ _________
Honors Electives
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
Co-curricular Activities
Date Activity Hours
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
Co-curricular Activities
Date Activity Hours
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
Co-curricular Activities
Date Activity Hours
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
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Co-curricular Activities
Date Activity Hours
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
Co-curricular Activities
Date Activity Hours
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
Co-curricular Activities
Date Activity Hours
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
GLOBAL STUDIES TRACK (24 credits of honors coursework)
Courses Term Grade Credits
SLS 1501H – Honors Seminar _________ _________ _________
IDH 2028 – Honors Capstone _________ _________ _________
SLS 1122H – New Student Experience – Honors _________ _________ _________
HUM 102OH – Introduction To Humanities – Honors _________ _________ _________
SPC 1017H – Interpersonal Communications – Honors _________ _________ _________
ENC 1102H – Freshman Composition II – Honors _________ _________ _________
ANT 2000H – Introductory Anthropology – Honors _________ _________ _________
SLS 2940H – Service Learning – Honors _________ _________ _________
INR 2002H – International Politics – Honors _________ _________ _________
HUM 2250H – Humanities-Twentieth Century – Honors _________ _________ _________
Honors Electives
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
© 2018 Valencia College | 17HON001
NAME __________________________________________________________
VID ____________________________________________________________
ADVISOR _______________________________________________________
PROGRAM TRACK ________________________________________________
ADMIT TERM ____________________________________________________