Honors Program

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USD students at graduation

The Honors Program Experience

Experiential Learning On A New Level

Build connections through Honors and create the life you imagine for yourself by reaching beyond the classroom.

The Illuminate LLC

A Living-Learning Community Made Specifically for Honors Students

As an Honors student, you have the unique opportunity to be a part of the Illuminate LLC housed in Camino and Founders to live and learn alongside like-minded peers in the Honors Program. Illuminators are able to bridge connections to pave a new way forward for our communities.

Click below if you want to learn more about the Illuminate LLC.

The Illuminate LLC

Leadership Opportunities in Honors

Shape the Honors experience first-hand

Honors Student Board

The Honors Student Board (HSB) was established in 2002 (and restructured in 2019) with the purpose of enhancing student participation in the Honors Program and promoting student interaction with the Honors director and assistant director. The Board provides advice about the Honors curriculum, voices student views about the structure of the program, plans social and philanthropic activities, and works to draw prospective students. The Board also provides oversight to the Honors Club.

2024-2025 Honors Student Board

Connect with incoming Honors students

Honors Circle Program

The Honors Circle Program is designed to link incoming honors students with returning honors students to provide a welcoming entry to college and an introduction to the Honors Program. Honors Circles meet together across the fall semester for shared social and extracurricular experiences. Each Honors Circle includes a handful of new students and a returning student “Captain.”

Network with other Honors students

National Collegiate Honors Council

The Honors Program invites students to attend an annual conference hosted by the National Collegiate Honors Council to network with other Honors Programs, be inspired by new ideas to bring back to USD, and to showcase on a national level the experiences our Honors Program is providing.

Engage with the next cohort of Honors students

Become an Honors Circle Captain

Captains serve as ambassadors for the Honors Program, as well as a resource, mentor, and friend to their Honors Circle members. They foster relationships with their Circle by inviting conversations and interactions at various points throughout the semester, and work to provide a meaningful, safe, and inclusive network within the program.

Studying Abroad in Honors

The Honors Program encourages students to study abroad and make meaningful, global connections that will enrich their experience at USD. See below to learn how the Honors Program assist students to study abroad.