Annual Honors College campaign motivates students to practice integrity

Photos by Ralph Freso

The Integrity Week Fair on Monday kicked off Grand Canyon University’s annual Integrity Week, hosted by the Honors College and National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and what better way to launch the initiative, than to invite students to immerse themselves in programs that will help them become more integrous.

“Integrity is perhaps one of the most essential values and qualities in all aspects of life,” said Honors College Program Manager Anna Cofrancesco. “It is important to emphasize the significance of it, as well as model it to our students and bring the concept of integrity to the forefront of students’ minds.”

As students approach the halfway mark of the semester and prepare for midterms, the college and GCU chapter of NSCS thought it was a good time to remind students of the value of academic honesty through workshops, informational sessions and social events. The weeklong campaign provides ways for students to practice integrity in not only their academics, but professions, extracurriculars and relationships.

Organizers at the fair encouraged students and staff to sign the Integrity Banner and make a commitment to practice authenticity, innovation and honesty in their academic and professional efforts.

Groups such as the Canyon Center for Character Education, Associated Students of GCU, Clubs, Spiritual Life, the College of Theology and Public Relations Student Society of America set up tables offering resources and opportunities so students can get involved and practice those traits.

“To me, integrity means you are doing the right thing when nobody is watching,” said senior Alexis Foreman, the student body chief of staff. “It’s about making sure you are using your own voice, doing what you know and, if you don’t know, ask questions and figure it out.”

Added junior Eli Riney, “Sometimes, the question of what is right is a hard one to answer, but the fact that we ask the question and seek the answer to do what is right, is integrity. It is a commitment to doing what is right, even when it’s difficult and confusing.”

Said Honors College Program Coordinator Kendall Smith, "Signing the banner is kind of like a contract with themselves. It's reminding students of all the little decisions that they have in their daily life that they can act with integrity and knowing they are staying accountable for their choices."

Some of the week's talks will touch on identity and character development, the impact of artificial intelligence found in academics, practicing faith in personal and academic growth, and the value of building professional, integrous relationships.

Students will have a chance to participate in virtual and in-person workshops. “Navigating AI in Education” at 1 p.m. today and “Integrity and Ethics with AI,” at 4:30 p.m. today, are some of the highlighted online sessions that will focus on the evolution and ethical use of AI. The highlighted in-person session of the week will be a “Righteousness and Justice Presentation” at 9 a.m. Thursday in Room 201 of the Engineering Building.

“This campaign does not only remind students 'to not cheat,' but rather, goes further and deeper into having and displaying integrity on different fronts, such as personal relationships, career, academics, athletics, faith and others,” Cofrancesco said.

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Integrity Week schedule

Today

Wednesday

Thursday

GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]

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