The 2024 National Collegiate Honors Council Conference held in Kansas City, Oct. 30 through Nov.3, brought together Honors administrators, faculty, staff and students from both two-year and four-year institutions. The theme of the conference, “Harmonizing Heritage: Elevating Honors Education through Culture, Capital, and Community Engagement,” explored the impact of history, diversity and creativity in Honors. Through various workshops and themed sessions, attendees had the opportunity to engage and learn about the principles and dynamics of the Honors community. The opening session, “Beginning in Honors,” brought together Honors administrators with seasoned Honors leaders to discuss best practices with various topics, including faculty development, student retention, and program assessment.
The keynote speaker, Erin Gruwell, captivated the audience with a dynamic and inspirational presentation highlighting her experience working with at-risk students in Los Angeles. She encouraged her students to share their personal experiences and express their fears and aspirations through the practice of journaling, helping them find their voice and stimulate their educational success. Known as the Freedom Writers, the students were exposed to reading materials that related to their lives, giving them a unique perspective to literature and the world beyond their neighborhoods. The tremendous work that Erin and her students accomplished was recognized in the biographical drama film “Freedom Writers,” starring Academy-Award winning actress Hilary Swank, who played Erin Gruwell. The story of Erin and her students captured the true power of speaking up and speaking out to be the force of change, in a world so much in need of it.
The opportunity to engage with the Honors students from various institutions across the country always serves as a highlight of the conference! Serving as a judge at the student poster session was a wonderful experience to see the students proudly showcase their extraordinary research work with such fervor and passion. This was also the first year that the new Student Affairs Committee created a purpose project for all conference attendees to engage in. This year’s community service project was in collaboration with the Kansas City Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics to create beautiful cards for the children. The power to connect and uplift others further amplifies the honors experience and serves as an inspiration to create a harmonious experience throughout all communities.
For more information about NCHC or the HVCC Honors College, please email Lamyaa E. Hassib at l.hassib@hvcc.edu.
