November 17, 2025

Save the Date! Honors Alternative Breaks Q&A, Thursday December 4th!

We will be holding a Q&A for anyone considering one of the Alternative Breaks trips on Thursday December 4th from 11:10am to 12:00pm in the Commons.

These trips are part of a new effort in Honors to create Global Leadership Opportunities. To this end, Honors has partnered with Cal Poly’s International Center and the Center for Service in Action to provide transformative leadership opportunities. Through these experiences, students develop the knowledge, agility, and vision to engage meaningfully and serve with purpose in an interconnected world. We encourage you consider taking advantage of one of these opportunities this year. Note: Participation in one of these opportunities will fulfill the Honors Track Requirement or Honors High Impact Practice (new semester requirement). Click HERE for a full description of the 4 opportunities listed below. If you have questions email Dr. J! jjovanov@calpoly.edu

Honors & Cal Poly in London, Summer 2026
Honors & Cal Poly in Thailand, Summer 2026
Honors & Alternative Breaks
- Spring Break: March 22 to 28, 2026: New Orleans
- Summer Break: June 15 to 30, 2026, Cape Town, South Africa

Newly Added Honors Seminar for WN26!

HNRS 299-09: Wednesdays 10:10-11:00am

Mardi Gras and Masquerades: The Politics of Global Carnival Culture; Dan Castilow, Ethnic Studies.

This seminar explores the ways that pre-Lenten carnivals and their imitations have significantly impacted the popular culture and discourses surrounding race and gender globally. Through the examination of accounts from scholars, as well as celebrities like Rihanna and Chloe Bailey, this course illuminates the history of carnival’s roots and examines the tensions that have arisen from global carnival tourism and the impact of social media on the festivals.

NOTE: Students who take this seminar can also apply to participate in Cal Poly's Alternative Break trip to New Orleans, March 22 to 28th, 2026. Dr. Castilow will be leading this trip!

Seats Available in HNRS 299s and HNRS 261!

There are still a number of seats available in several of the Honors Seminars!

There are also several seats open in HNRS 261. If you are in your 2nd or 3rd year and have not yet taken HNRS 261 or a substitute for it, don't delay! We are asking that you complete this requirement before we move to semesters. We will be offering HNRS 261 in Spring, as well as 2 Honors Seminars that can substitute for it.

Seats Available in HNRS GE Sections!

Take advantage of the HNRS GE sections next quarter! There is no guarantee they will be offered again next year so if you have space to take them now, do! See the Tentative Course Offerings list for the courses we are offering this WN26 and SP26.

Need a Permission Number? Don't ask Dr. J!

If you have completed a Co-curricular or Track experience and are ready to take HNRC 200-02, HNRC 200-03 and/or HNRS 361 email honors@calpoly.edu for permission numbers. Same goes for HNRS 461! BUT remember that for HNRS 361 we must give priority to graduating seniors.

REMEMBER! We will not give you a permission number if you have not submitted your Track and/or Co-curricular form (see Handbook).

Nominate Your Favorite Professor for Cal Poly's Distinguished Teaching Award!!

Have you had a professor that really made an impression on you? Someone you think stands out as amazing instructor? Consider nominating them for Cal Poly's Distinguished Teaching Award. The Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate excellence in teaching at Cal Poly. Only students and alumni, those who have been influenced most by faculty, are eligible to submit nominations. Nominations may be submitted online here and the last day to nominate is November 21, 2024.

NEW! Student Project Funding Opportunity!

Proposals are now being accepted for the Warren J. Baker and Robert D. Koob Endowments for the 2025-2026 academic year. These awards fund hands-on, Learn by Doing student projects across all majors. Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply with the support and guidance of a faculty advisor.

Typical awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 (maximum of: $2,500 for individual projects; $5,000 for teams), and approximately $36,000 is available for funding this year. Proposals are evaluated on their outcomes, impact, and interdisciplinarity, as well as clear plans for the project budget, timeline, and dissemination of results.

For more information and to apply, please visit the Baker Koob Endowments webpage.

Proposals are due Monday, December 8, 2025.

Please contact baker-koob@calpoly.edu with any questions.

Apply for the BEACoN Mentoring Program!

The BEACoN Research Mentoring Program, run by the Office of University Diversity & Inclusion, is looking for its next cohort of BEACoN Scholars, with research projects within all six colleges and the Kennedy Library (due Wednesday, 11/19 at 11:59 pm PT)! Centering underrepresented students, but open to all undergraduates, BEACoN seeks to make research accessible, providing students with funded research opportunities working with faculty mentors. In addition to research experience, BEACoN Scholars gain access to professional development workshops and community events, fostering a sense of belonging. This would also be an excellent way to fulfill your Honors track/high-impact practice requirement!

Selected students will engage with faculty during Winter and Spring quarters and receive a $2,000 quarterly stipend ($4,000 total) distributed via financial aid while gaining research experience and participating in professional development events within the BEACoN Program.

Please view all available research projects at https://diversity.calpoly.edu/2026-beacon-research-projects and apply at tinyurl.com/BEACoNScholar26 or via the flyer QR code attached. Students may apply for up to three projects. For questions, email beacon@calpoly.edu.

Consider attending a BEACoN Info Session or Student Hours with Dr. Bennion to learn more about the program and get your questions answered!

Dr. Bennion's Student Hours: Ask questions and/or even bring your current version of your application if you're looking for tips!
- Mondays, 11/10 and 11/17 from 3:10-5 pm on Zoom

Don't Miss International Education Week!

For the full schedule of events: https://international.calpoly.edu/event/international-education-week/

Summer Abroad Opportunities!

Sustainability Internship Opportunity in Denmark! The Scan Design Foundation Environmental Sustainability Internship is a prestigious program for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students passionate about environmental sustainability and intercultural learning. In its inaugural cohort, eight (8) exceptional student leaders will travel to Copenhagen, Denmark from May 19 to July 12, 2026, for an immersive internship. The fellowship award covers each intern’s full program cost, airfare, and a living stipend. Link HERE to learn more. Applications due November 21, 2025.

Fulbright UK Summer Institutes. Three to four week programs for US undergraduate students who have no or very little travel experience outside of North American. Participants can explore the culture, heritage and history of the UK while experiencing higher education at a UK university. Scholarship provided. Applications for 2026 will open on November 11, 2025.

Know How changing from Quarters to Semesters will Impact You!

We have added a Quarters to Semesters link on the Honors website under Current Students. Here you can find how current requirements will translate to semesters.

2nd and 3rd Years! You will need to take HNRS 261 (or complete an approved substitution) + your 2 Co-Curriculars before Fall 2026. Keep this in mind when planning your schedule for WN26 and SP26!

If you have questions, please reach out to a Honors Peer Advisor or email honors@calpoly.edu.

Do you want to change your major!

Despite Cal Poly's reputation for it being hard to change majors, its not! Learn more about the process at Cal Poly's Change of Major website.

Honors Research & Scholarship Opportunities Page!

See the Research & Scholarship Opportunities page where you can find information and deadlines on opportunities that are often relevant to our honors community. You can find this link on the honors website under Current Students.

CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

See Module 2.8 of the Student Handbook for more information about Honors required Co-curricular experiences. Please see the Co-Curricular Experiences link under the Current Students tab for the steps to take to fulfill this requirement. We will post new opportunities that you can consider for fulfilling these requirements as they come up.

Teaching/Mentoring

TBA

Leadership

TBA

Follow us on Instagram!

Check out what's happening at Career Services THIS WEEK!

Don't miss the workshops and events to prepare you for your profession or graduate school. Click on the Career Services website.

How to submit an announcement for the Weekly Update!

If you have an event that you want to share with our Honors Community, please complete the form (see link below). Announcements received by Sunday 11:59pm will be included in the Weekly Update posted on Monday.

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/4589651/Honors-Weekly-Update-Announcement-Request

Honors Program Information!

Contact

Location: Building 35, Room 510 (Honors Commons)

Phone: 805-756-7029
E-mail: honors@calpoly.edu

Have questions? See the Peer Advising link.

For questions about Study Abroad, see our Study Abroad Peer Advising!

Check out the faculty, staff and students who make up the Honors Leadership Team! We are all here to help you so feel free to reach out to anyone on the team if you have questions.