Honors Student Board
The Honors Student Board 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 runs the Honors Club.
Honors Student Board leaders include: President, Vice President, Club Coordinator, Events Chair, Communications Chair, Peer Mentor Program Chair, and student representatives from the 1st and 2nd year cohorts. Students who wish to serve on HSB should join the Honors Club and reach out to HSB leaders for opportunities to become involved.
Students interested in becoming members of the Honors Student Board submit an application at a designated time during the fall semester. The pool of applicants is reviewed by members of the current board. The strongest applicants are invited to join the Honors Student Board.
A senior representative shall be elected to the role of president. The election will take place during the spring semester prior to the president's year-long term. Additionally, representatives shall be elected for vice president, secretary, news editor and treasurer at the last meeting of the spring term.
Ambassador Committee
The Ambassador Committee is responsible for being the "face" of the Honors Program for prospective students at events such as the Honors Overnight, Alcalá Bazaar, Admissions open houses and panels and HSB recruitment.
Social Committee
The social committee provides suggestions for potential Honors Program social activities. One of HSB's annual events is Tea with the President. Honors students get to mingle with President James T. Harris III, who engages in dialogue with students about their experience in the Honors Program, and about the university's goals and initiatives.
Philanthropy Committee
The philanthropy committee provides suggestions for potential Honors Program philanthropic activities. For instance, students will write cards and put together activity bags for patients at Rady Children's Hospital.
The Honors Student Board holds monthly meetings. All Honors students are invited to attend and participate in meetings, but they shall not have a vote. All members shall have one vote in an instance where a vote is needed and majority rules.
National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC)
Every fall, we select a group of USD Honors students to attend the NCHC Conference. This annual conference invites Honors Program faculty, students and staff from colleges and universities across the country to participate in various workshops and interactive presentations. Students are encouraged to share ideas and network with honors professionals. They deliver a presentation about USD's Program, and they learn about different ways to improve our honors teaching, learning and administration.
Students who are selected to attend NCHC are those who actively participate in the Honors Program beyond classwork (e.g., serve as an Honors student leader, attend and organize Honors events), and who have indicated an interest in attending the conference.