Honors Program
The College of the Mainland (COM) Honors Program provides highly motivated students challenges above and beyond their typical coursework. Students may enroll in honors courses (when available) or work one-on-one with COM faculty to develop honors contract independent projects. Honors contracts enhance students' work ethic and provide opportunities to expand academic networks.
The Honors Program welcomes applications from incoming traditional freshmen, current COM students, and returning adult learners who meet our academic criteria. Participating in the Honors Program provides unique advantages that enhance your total community college experience and set you apart on your educational journey:
- Distinguished Honors Coursework: Learn in smaller, seminar-style classroom settings that foster deep discussion, critical analysis, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Faculty Mentorship: Work one-on-one with dedicated professors on specialized research projects tailored to your academic interests and career goals.
- Honors Distinction at Graduation: Earn the prestige of having your honors status permanently noted on your official transcripts and diplomas, and wear distinct regalia during commencement ceremonies.
Program Pathways & Requirements
To receive Honors designation in a regular course, students must complete the framework outlined in the Honors Contract.
Requirements include:
- Completing a research paper, special project, or other work for at least 15 additional hours of the course.
- Present final results.
- Earning a B in the contracted course.
Graduation with Honors Distinction
To officially graduate as an Honors Scholar from College of the Mainland, you must fulfill the following benchmarks:
- Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of approved honors coursework.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher across all completed terms.
- Complete and present a capstone research project or participate in an approved community service leadership initiative.
Previous Honors Student Projects
| Student Name | Professor | Project Title |
|---|---|---|
| Esther Akinwande | S. Abernathy | Ubiquity of Microorganisms on the College of the Mainland Campus |
| Esther Akinwande | G. Johnson | Chemistry Demonstrations: elephant's toothpaste experiment, "burning" a $20 bill, and the reaction of hydrogen gas with oxygen gas using a hydrogen gas filled balloon |
| Samuel Akinwande | S. Abernathy | Cataloguing the trees on campus |
| Matthew Austin | V. Sanchez | Paleogeography of the Bryan, Texas Area |
| Lauren Buchanan | D. Serda | From Wikked Wyves to Courtly Ladies: The Evolution of the Female Role in English Literature |
| Kathryn Day | T. Johnson | The Effects of Rainfall on the pH Concentration of Lake Eckert |
| Josie Howell | D. Serda | Complacency Compromises Critical Thinking |
| Drager Landry | J. Presnall | Relating Tocqueville's Democracy in America to Today's Politics |
| Drager Landry | D. Serda | Using Optimism to Encompass Motivation and Academic Success |
| Drager Landry | H. Trivilino | The Physics of Ion Propulsion |
| Drager Landry | G. White | Analyzing William Blake's "The Tyger" through the Lens of Religious Context |
| Bobbie Lescombes | S. Burleson | Life's Circle of Happiness Through the Ages |
| Sara Pecina | S. Abernathy | The Difference Between Root Hormones and Fertilizers: Marsh Elder |
| Cala Pope | D. Serda | Student Teacher Relationships in Formal Education |
| Isis Rendon | D. Serda | Analytical Introduction to The Ultimate Disguise: Christopher Marlowe as William Shakespeare |
Contact The Honors Program
Advanced Learning Opportunities for Driven Students
Hours:
- Monday–Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
