Program Overview

Honors Core Experiences (HCEs)

The Ogden Honors College requires students to complete 3 hours of Honors Core Experiences (HCEs) through HNRS 1010 Honors Core Experiences (1 hour; Pass/Fail grading). This recognizes co-curricular activities and reflection as part of a unique and valuable Honors education, awarding academic credit for the activities that ambitious and active Honors students regularly pursue.

HCE Categories

Students will undertake 3 distinct experiences chosen from 6 Honors Core Experience (HCE) categories:

• Campus and Community Engagement
• Global Citizenship
• Arts and Letters
• Leadership
• Research Engagement
• Professional and Personal Development

HCE Requirements

Two but not three experiences can come from the same HCE category, and no single activity can fulfill more than one HCE. Students will repeat HNRS 1010 for a maximum of three credit hours to complete the HCE requirement. A student may enroll in multiple sections of HNRS 1010 per semester, though the students should be sure they can complete the requirements of the course before enrolling.

Completing the HCE Requirement

To complete the HCE requirement, students submit proof of completion and respond to reflection questions via Moodle. Students are strongly encouraged to register for HNRS 1010 in the semester following full completion of the HCE. Proof of completion must be submitted by the end of the first week of classes in order to remain enrolled in HNRS 1010.

Campus and Community Engagement

• Complete at least 45 hours of documented service activity as a member of Project 225 or another university-approved or community service organization.
• Complete at least two courses with the LSU CCELL service-learning designation.
• Complete a validated domestic (within the US) service experience (at least 45 hours), such as a mission trip or Alternative Spring Break.
• Apply for a Truman, Humanity in Action, John Lewis, or Udall Scholarship.
• Complete LSU's Engaged Citizens program.
• Serve for at least two semesters as a writer or editor for the Reveille or other university-sponsored publication.

Global Citizenship

• Complete a university-sponsored or other validated study or volunteering abroad program (at least 45 hours).
• Apply for a PPIA, Marshall, Mitchell, Schwarzman, Critical Language, Gilman, Boren, Pickering, Rangel, DAAD, or Fulbright.
• Serve as an ESL tutor or volunteer (at least 45 hours).

Arts and Letters

• Be an active member of a university-sponsored or community performing arts group, including band, choir, and theater, for at least two semesters.
• Publish a creative work in a peer-reviewed publication or display a creative work in a show or recital.
• Serve as an editor for a creative publication, including Cypress Review, Spectrum, and Delta.
• Attend at least three performances using the OH! pass.
• Attend at least two OHC-sponsored trips while living in Laville or East Campus Apartments.
• Complete at least two OHC book clubs.

Leadership

• Serve as a leader in a university-approved group, campus unit, or community organization for at least two semesters.
• Serve as a Residential Assistant for at least two semesters.
• Complete Leadership LSU.
• Apply for a Rhodes Scholarship.
• Complete an Ogden Leaders project funded through the Ogden Leaders Award program.

Research Engagement

• Give a presentation or poster at a professional or academic conference, such as LSU Discover Day.
• Author or co-author a publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
• Complete an REU or research internship (at least 45 hours).
• Engage in research at prominent archives, laboratories, or museums in preparation for your Honors capstone.
• Apply for a Goldwater, Gates, Ford, DAAD Rise, Astronaut Scholarship, or NSF Graduate Fellowship.

Professional and Personal Development

• Participate in an internship, co-op, or shadowing experience (at least 45 hours).
• Complete the Distinguished Communicator certificate or medal.
• Attend at least three OHC career workshops and professional or personal development seminars.
• Apply for a Hollings, Astronaut Scholarship, or DAAD Rise internship.

Honors Core Reflection

For each HCE category, students must submit a reflection that includes:

1. A description of the activity and their involvement in it, including the time commitment and motivation for undertaking the activity.
2. An explanation of how the experience has shaped their understanding of themselves and their role in the community.
3. A discussion of how the experience has contributed to their Honors education, relating the HCE to specific courses or other aspects of Honors life.