Mission Statement The mission of the Honors Program at Minnesota State University, Mankato is: "To create future leaders, researchers and global citizens by providing high ability and motivated students with exceptional learning opportunities, mentoring relationships, and a community of scholars that foster their development as future leaders in a global society."
Competencies Leadership: Upon graduation, honors students will have demonstrated the ability to utilize personal leadership values and guide groups toward a common goal. Global Citizenship: Upon graduation, honors students will have demonstrated the ability to exhibit second language and communication competencies and exhibit cultural competency and awareness. Research: Upon graduation, honors students will have demonstrated the ability to exhibit information literacy skills, synthesize and integrate ideas, produce original research or creative works, and contribute to knowledge.
Why Honors Essay If one was to ask me about my perception of a college Honors Program four years ago as a senior in high school, I would have stated something along the lines of it being an extracurricular organization that involves taking hard classes, attending uninteresting events, and writing a thesis paper on an abstract subject. I am not sure when and how this particular idea formed in my mind, but I was confident in my beliefs. When my parents pushed me to examine more closely what the Honors Program at Minnesota State University, Mankato (MNSU) was all about, I was pleasantly surprised. The strong mission statement that contained the appealing words of “leader, researcher, and global citizen” caught my attention. I decided to reconsider my previous attitudes and challenge myself by giving this program a chance. I am grateful for this decision, for the Honors Program has greatly shaped me into who I am as a student and individual, which I believe will have lasting affects in my future career as a physical therapist.
There are many perks to being an Honors student, such as early class registration and new friendships with those of similar mindsets, and I have appreciated them all. One of my favorite experiences was the Honors seminar classes. I took two of these types of courses, including “Developing Your Mentor Philosophy” and “Reading the News.” I loved the small class sizes that allowed for deeper and more genuine discussions, for I felt like I could truly open up and share my opinions without the fear of judgement. I think this is important, especially in the college setting, for it creates a safe space where discovery and growth can flourish. I can confidently say that my conception of Honors classes was false. These courses were some of the best ones I have taken and where I spent the most time reflecting on different experiences and my attitudes on topics that are rarely discussed.
I believe the Honors Program most significantly influenced my personal and academic life by urging me to grow in the three competencies, specifically global citizenship. Growing up in rural South Dakota where almost every individual looked and acted the same, I lacked understanding of other cultures and the chance to interact with diverse individuals. I was anxious when I first learned about the global citizenship competency, because I had no idea how I would advance in this area. I took it slowly and began by being a Language Partners Tutor through the Intense English Language Institute (IELI) program. It was through this experience that I realized I just need to be myself and have an open mind when interacting with individuals of other cultures, for there is much to be learned from those with different experiences and ways of life.
After taking a couple of Spanish courses and being involved in the Spanish Club, a yearning sparked to push myself outside of my comfort zone and challenge the misconceptions that had developed over time. I decided to pair my love for traveling and desire to grow as a global citizen by going abroad. Currently, I have traveled and been fully immersed in three different countries: Costa Rica, St. Lucia, and Belize. Although they are all located in Central America and have many similarities, I would argue they each have unique differences that make them special. These trips abroad have been the most influential (and most loved!) part of my undergraduate experience. I can honestly say that I do not think I would have gone abroad if it wasn’t for the Honors Program, which exemplifies how important this program has been to me.
Being an Honors student has meant more to me than I could have ever imagined. The experiences I have been granted, wonderful people I have met, and welcoming environment that emphasizes deep reflection has greatly influenced me as a student, individual, and future healthcare professional. I would highly recommend the Honors Program at MNSU to all eligible students, for it truly provides a rich, well-rounded undergraduate experience.
Learning Plan Every fall semester, honor students are required to develop a personal learning plan. This is a plan of action to further develop the three competency areas. A couple goals (experiences) are listed for each competency along with an explanation of the demonstration and what rubric level is expected after successful completion of the activity.