November 10, 2025
Meet our Honors Ambassadors!
Check out our students from each college who will serve as Honors Ambassadors this year! Our Honors Ambassadors are available as a resource to all Honors students. Please feel free to reach out to any of our ambassadors via email if you have any questions and/or would like to connect with a student in Honors! They are here for you!
This Week's Honors Event!
As part of our Professional Roadmap Series we are holding a workshop on how to craft your career story.
Check out all the Honors Events we have planned for this Fall 25 Quarter!
NEW! Research Opportunity!
Dr. J (Jovanovic) is looking for Research Assistants to work with her on a project that focuses on the process of identity formation during emerging adulthood. The qualitative study involves collecting and analyzing the "life stories" of Cal Poly students. Research assistants will assist in collecting and transcribing interviews. Research assistants will also participate in weekly lab meetings. Ideally this is a 2-quarter commitment. Students selected can receive 1-unit of Honors elective and can use this experience to satisfy their Track experience. Students from ANY major can apply! If you have questions, please email Dr. J's Lab Manager, Samantha Louie (slouie04@calpoly.edu).
Applications are DUE SUNDAY November 16TH BY 11:59PM. To apply complete this Dr J Research Assistant Application Form.
NEW! Apply for the BEACoN Mentoring Program!
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BEACoN Info Sessions (a few informational slides), followed by Q & A
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Dr. Bennion's Student Hours: Ask questions and/or even bring your current version of your application if you're looking for tips!
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Mondays, 11/10 and 11/17 from 3:10-5 pm on Zoom
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NEW! 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.
NEW! Honors Global Leadership Opportunities
A defining hallmark of the Honors Program is its commitment to cultivating the leadership skills students need to thrive in their careers and beyond. Central to this growth is preparing students to lead and collaborate effectively in a global workforce. 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
SAVE THE DATE! Don't Miss International Education Week!
For the full schedule of events: https://international.calpoly.edu/event/international-education-week/
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!
Important! Know How Quarter to Semesters will Impact You BEFORE You Register for Winter!
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.
Important Note About Honors Cross-Listed Courses!!
If you are planning to take an Honors GE this year use the Tentative Course Offerings link on the Honors website to see what Honors courses will be offered. Just because you see a course on your Degree Planner does NOT mean the course will be offered. The Tentative Course offerings list is the most up to date information on what will be offered. Although Honors officially has a lot of cross-listed GEs, many will not offered.
REMEMBER! The only way to get credit for an honors course is if you register under HNRS. Just because a course is cross-listed does NOT mean it is an honors section. Honors sections are only honors sections if you can enroll under HNRS. Otherwise it is NOT an honors section and you will not get honors credit for the course.
A Note About HNRS 361 THIS YEAR!
HNRS 361 is the 1-unit asynch course everyone takes AFTER they have completed their Track experience. Due to the large number of graduating seniors, we are prioritizing seniors for enrollment in HNRS 361 in WN26 and SP26. If you are a 2nd or 3rd year ready to take HNRS 361 you can request a permission but we will not be able to accommodate you unless there is room in the class after seniors enroll.
Planning your schedule for THIS YEAR?
The Tentative Course Offerings link reflects which Honors courses will available this AY2025-26. Remember this can change as we add new courses so check back frequently.
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.
Check out our NEW 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
We are seeking students who are interested in serving as Learning Assistants for our Honors Seminars in Winter 2026 as well as HNRS 261. If you are interested please complete the Honors Learning Assistant Interest Form WN26 by November 14th. Learning Assistant responsibilities will involve assisting a faculty instructor in their course. Responsibilities may include facilitating discussions, preparing course activities, and answering student questions. Learning Assistants will be required to attend the class at its scheduled time. Serving as Learning Assistant will fulfill the Honors Co-Curricular: Teaching/Mentoring requirement.
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!
