Graduating high school seniors looking for a rigorous academic experience can now turn to Hudson Valley Community College, which announced it will offer, starting this fall, a dedicated Honors College that emphasizes small class sizes, strong faculty/student interaction and a high level of academic scholarship.
For the incoming Fall 2023 class, the Honors College is seeking applicants who have completed high school or homeschooling during the past three years. Applications are due by March 31 and should be accompanied by a supporting letter from an administrator, counselor or high school teacher who has worked with the student. Students accepted into the Honors College who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will receive scholarships that cover the cost of tuition for up to two years.
“Hudson Valley’s academic reputation has always been outstanding and the addition of an Honors College will further advance our institution and students,” said President Roger Ramsammy. “Offering an Honors College curriculum, coupled with research and leadership opportunities, will provide a unique collegiate experience for an equally unique group of incoming students.”
The new Hudson Valley Community College Honors College, at the area’s second largest undergraduate institution, is designed for high achieving students looking to transfer to top-tier institutions after graduation, said Lamyaa Hassib, an associate professor of chemistry, who was named director of the Honors College last year.
“We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to outstanding, college-bound students from the Capital Region and beyond,” said Hassib. “The Honors College will offer a rigorous academic program, but we also want to build a strong community of students who can engage in research and service learning opportunities while they pursue their studies here.”
Students accepted into the Honors College may enroll in one of approximately 20 eligible associate degree programs at the college and must maintain high academic standards through specific honors-level courses along with their academic program curriculum.
In the past decade, outstanding graduates from Hudson Valley have transferred to schools such as Columbia University, Cornell University and Binghamton University, to name a few, and Hassib hopes the new Honors College will increase transfer opportunities for those who complete the two-year curriculum.
The Honors College plans to build upon an already established and close relationship with Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for students at two-year colleges, as well as the National Collegiate Honors Council and the Northeast Regional Honors Council.
As the cost of higher education continues to rise, community colleges have become an increasingly popular and viable option for students seeking a high-quality education at an affordable price.
Honors programs are growing at the nation’s community colleges and some of the country’s largest community colleges – Miami-Dade in Florida, Montgomery College in Maryland and Northern Virginia Community College, for example – have well-established honors curricula.
More information about Honors College eligibility and curriculum requirements can be found at www.hvcc.edu/programs/honors.
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