Grand Canyon University's Honors College has been busy this summer.
Formerly located in the Technology Building, the college moved across campus to the Engineering Building, which will offer additional study space and bigger rooms for its various leadership development programs.
“We are ecstatic to see new partnerships, new program offerings and better student development support coming to our college this year,” said Honors College Dean Dr. Breanna Naegeli.
Students will have plenty of programs to choose from, starting with a chance to practice their writing skills and reflect on personal growth.
Pen-to-Purpose Journaling
This fall, the college is introducing a 13-week, noncredit program focusing on personal writing and giving students a chance to reflect on their college experiences on a weekly basis.
As a college student, Honors College Program Coordinator Kendall Smith found relief and comfort in journaling about her life experiences. It gave her a chance to reflect on her everyday moments, however, a busy schedule of classes and extracurriculars did not always allow her to dedicate a lot of time to the art.
“I think it is common for students to be overwhelmed with everything they are doing in college that they are not really taking the time to plan their life out and what they want to happen,” Smith said. “By the time they get close to graduation, they have no idea what they are doing.
“I think it’s beneficial to have actual sit-down time and accountability to just write all these things out ... for mental health’s sake, but also so they can identify goals and get to them.”
From Sept. 12-Dec. 12, students will have the opportunity to spend a designated hour every week in the Engineering Building, Room 230, writing about their lives alongside Smith and fellow students.
Every meeting will feature a different theme, such as knowing yourself, nurturing relationships, and navigating college and postcollege life. Smith plans on providing prompts that will guide students in answering questions about these topics and encourage them to destress, organize their thoughts and plans, and become more motivated to conquer personal challenges.
Men of Valor
When Athena Valley of the Sun members and the Honors College organized a leadership and self-discovery program for college-age female students, called Young Athena, the male students wondered when a program would be introduced for them.
“We were getting quite a few messages asking if we were ever going to do anything for men," said Smith. "Honors College administration immediately came up with the idea to host a men’s leadership program and it naturally happened.”
From Sept. 26 to March 27, 2025, GCU male students will meet every month to hear from various speakers and learn about professional development, leadership, and skills related to ambition, opportunity and resilience.
Men of Valor program aims to aid male students in their college experience and equip them for their professional careers.
Poverty simulation with Crossroads Foundation
Crossroads Foundation, a Hong Kong organization, will be visiting GCU on Nov. 6 to host a poverty simulation for all students, staff and faculty.
During the simulation, participants are grouped into family units and are challenged with making ends meet for their families with very little to no materials. One of the tasks includes making paper bags out of newspaper and homemade glue. They are prompted to earn enough money to pay for necessities, and if they cannot do so, their items will be repossessed by loan sharks.
This two-hour-long activity is meant to expose participants on the impact of poverty from a practical standpoint and educate them on global awareness.
“It is a more creative way of educating,” Honors College Program Manager Anya Cofrancesco said. “It’s not just eyes on the textbook but actually experiencing and being in an environment where you can learn what is important.”
Leadership in Action Institute
The Honors College is now home to the Leadership in Action Institute, which supports the Leadership in Action Fellowship, along with seven other leadership and professional development programs hosted for honors students.
This institute will collaborate with the Dean’s Honors College Advisory Board members and external industry partners to continue to bring engaging and impactful programs to students that will encourage their leadership development.
“We are thrilled to see honors enrollment at GCU hold strong, despite elevating our admissions standards for the 2024-25 academic year,” said Naegeli. “We enthusiastically welcome this driven, ambitious incoming class, and are excited to see our vibrant honors community thrive in the year to come.”
GCU Staff Writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
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