February 9, 2026
THIS WEEK'S HONORS EVENTS!
Join our Alumni networking event THIS WEDNESDAY ON ZOOM @6pm! It's a great opportunity to hear from recent honors alumni who leveraged their time at Cal Poly and the Honors program to secure jobs and grad/professional school.
Sarah Banholzer (CLA, POLS '24), Grad Assistant for Media & Strategic Communication, George Washington University
Hayley Fernandes (CAFES, Dairy Sci '22), Ag Legislative Assistant for Chairman Jason Smith, US House of Representatives
Gaby Gutierrez (OCOB, Bus Admin '25), J.D. Candidate, Harvard Law School
Kira Johnson (CAED, ARCH '24), Technical Designer at Gensler
Tasman Loufti, (CENG, MATE '24), Strategy Analyst, Deloitte
Wilson Yeung (COSAM, BIO '22), Medical Student, USC Keck School of Medicine
ALSO THIS WEEK.....
Check out what's coming up Winter quarter under the EVENTS link!
Research Opportunity - Application DUE TODAY!
The Honors Program is continuing our effort to offer ever quarter the opportunity for students who want to "try on" research to apply to work with a faculty on a research project for 1 quarter. Students who apply and are selected will register for 1 unit of HNRS 400. This unit can be used as an Honors Elective. The time commitment for this 1 unit is 4 hours of various research responsibilities each week.
For Spring 2026
Dr. Gita Kolluru from the Biological Sciences Department is seeking applicants for the following project. Students from ANY major who are interested in birds or conservation biology can apply.
Project description:
Monitoring campus buildings for evidence of bird strikes. In the time it takes you to read this description, more than 1,000 birds will have died in the United States as a result of collisions with human-made structures. The vast majority, as many as 1 billion bird fatalities, are due to collisions with glass windows. In this hands-on research experience, students will have the opportunity to work directly with Dr. Kolluru, in partnership with Morro Coast Audubon Society and Bird Friendly Campus (a research group at the University of Washington), to survey for bird collisions with buildings at Cal Poly. The data we collect will contribute to our understanding of how birds are affected by human made structures, and what steps we can take at Cal Poly to help mitigate collisions. Participation requires approximately four hours per week, to attend meetings, complete the surveys, and discuss the outcomes.
To apply, complete the Dr. Kolluru Research Interest Form. Applications DUE FEBRUARY 9TH, 2026.
Check out the Honors Seminars for Spring Quarter!
Here are the Honors Seminars that will be offered in Spring!
Learn how to write a competitive Scholarship Application!!
Honors will offer a special Honors Seminar in spring to help you develop a competitive application for a number of prestigious scholarships that Honors students qualify for. To express interest, please complete this Interest Form.
Through workshops, mentoring, and peer feedback, you will identify opportunities aligned with your interests, develop and revise key application materials, and strengthen how you communicate your goals and experiences while building relationships with faculty mentors. By the end of the seminar, you will be prepared to submit at least one complete application.
You will also gain skills that extend beyond any single award, including clarifying your direction, telling your story with confidence, and working productively with feedback. You should expect to spend approximately 2–4 hours per week outside of class researching opportunities and drafting and revising essays.
Internship Opportunity!
College sauce is a new and upcoming social networking app created by students, for students at UCSB. The app is an all-in-one hub for everything social. As students post events and food deals, talk in class group chats, and communicate with club members in our app, we are expanding to other schools. Their team is looking for interns to help with our national expansion. We are looking for interns to work on marketing, content, community, design, research, or outreach here at Cal Poly. To apply fill out the College Sauce application. Reach out to collegesauceinfo@gmail.com for more information.
New Cal Poly Scholarship Opportunity!
Honors Global Leadership Opportunities. Which Honors Requirements do they satisfy?
If you are considering applying for one of the Honors Global Leadership Opportunities and what to know what Honors Requirements each will satisfy, click HERE for a description.
Application due dates are coming up!
- February 23: Alternative Break Cape Town, South Africa (June 15-30, 2026)
- March 1: London, Summer 2026 (June 18-August 2)
- March 1: Thailand, Summer 2026 (June 19-July 25). Here's an informational video about Thailand Summer
Have questions about Study Abroad?
If you have questions about study abroad a good place to start is with our Honors Study Abroad Peer Advisor!
Panetta Congressional Internship Application DUE FEBRUARY 13TH!
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Panetta Institute Congressional Internship Program. This prestigious program encourages and develops future leaders and prepares individuals for greater civic involvement.
The application deadline is Friday, February 13, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. PST.
Volunteers Needed!
Fourth Grade Days will be during National Engineering Week from February 23rd to February 27th where we will be visiting over 60 fourth grade classrooms throughout SLO County to teach students about engineering and lead a fun hands-on activity. Please sign up using the QR code or link to the Sign Up Form. If you have any questions email cpsweelementary@gmail.com.
Do you have priority registration for Spring 2026?
Cal Poly provides Special Exception Registration Status (i.e. Priority Registration) to first- and second-year students who are members in good standing in the Honors Program. Students with Special Exception status may register first according to Cal Poly's registration appointment schedule. See module 2.12 of the Canvas Honors Handbook to learn more about the requirements to be in good standing to receive Special Exception status. If you do not meet the requirements you will not have special exception status for Spring!
First round registration for students with Special Exception starts if February 19th!
NOTE: 2nd Years, remember this will be the last time you have priority registration. The University only allows Honors to award Special Exception Status for 1st & 2nd years.
Planning your schedule for NEXT QUARTER?
Use the Tentative Course Offerings link to see what Honors courses will be offered in Spring. We will update the link with our tentative semester offerings after Spring registration.
Planning to Graduate Early?
If you are now a senior based on your completed coursework, make sure that your intended graduation date is updated with the Cal Poly “changing your graduation term” form at the registrar website.
Quarters to Semesters Information!
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!
Have a Question? Ask a Peer Advisor!
We have three wonderful Peer Advisors who are available to answer your questions. Learn more about our Peer Advisors and when they are available each week under the Peer Advising link.
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
Teaching/Mentoring
TBA
TBA
Follow us on Instagram!
Follow us on our Honors Instagram page!
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!
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.
Need someone to talk to?
Reach out to Cal Poly's Counseling Services. They are there to support your emotional health and well being!
