Honors Benefits | Lewis Honors College

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Personalized Learning and Mentorship

The University of Kentucky Lewis Honors College provides an enhanced course of instruction for outstanding, highly motivated students from all programs of study. Honors students are diverse, innovative, intellectually engaged, and interested in creative thought. They are expected to possess an inquisitive attitude toward a wide-range of ideas and intellectual concepts. By exploring their purpose, developing intellectually, and leading with integrity, Honors students are poised to better the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the world.

From their acceptance through graduation, Honors students have a special home on campus in the Lewis Honors College and its inviting Scholars Lounge. Entering first-year students are welcomed onto campus early to attend Lewis Launch, and are matched with a Launch Leader and a group of their classmates, many of whom become fast friends. Honors courses are small (capped at 25) and taught by dedicated, talented faculty. Honors courses offer not simply “more” or “harder” work, but instead give students access to broader, deeper, and more complex learning experiences than standard courses.

Here are some of the benefits of the Lewis Honors College:

Professor and Student in Lab

Honors Curriculum

The Honors curriculum ranges from small, discussion-based experiences to faculty-directed education abroad programs. Honors students are given “priority registration” during scheduling, meaning that they choose and schedule classes before anyone else on campus.

Britt Frye and Kayla Powell

Dedicated Honors Advisors

Honors advisors are specially trained to work with gifted and accelerated students. They help students plan strategically for their future to maximize their UK experience.

Center for Personal Development team (Ramla, Rebecca, Sally, Kim, Aryn, Tamika)

Center for Personal Development

CPD counselors help students explore their purpose as they set and reach both personal and professional goals. CPD also promotes well-being and career readiness in individual sessions and group activities.

The rear of the Lewis Honors College and Lewis Hall, showing the two buildings' interconnectedness. The sky is clear and blue. A lone student walks past the courtyard of the Lewis Honors College.

Honors Residential Experience

Honors students have access to a living environment among like-minded peers who are intellectually curious and prioritize their studies, well-being, and community.

Student dressed in suit

Honors Pathways

Up to 120 Honors students may be selected for a Gatton College of Business and Economics Honors pathway in Global Scholars, Social Entrepreneurship Scholars, and Scholars in Engineering and Management.

Ethan Morgan with patient

Early Assurance Program

Honors sophomores may apply to receive assured admission to the University of Kentucky College of Medicine – Lexington campus.

Student Leader

Leadership Opportunities

Student leadership roles enable engaging with prospective students, creating a sense of community among current students, practicing servant leadership, and developing interpersonal skills.

Students in Croatia

Experiential Education

Honors students fulfill Experiential Education credits by interning, conducting research, studying abroad, and/or participating in service-learning.

Honors Medallions

Scholarships, Grants, and Awards

Every student who graduates from the Lewis Honors College earns the distinction of the Lewis Honors College degree on their UK transcript and receives the Honors Medallion. Honors students also have access to funding to support their endeavors.

The main benefit I saw in joining the Lewis Honors College was a direct dedication to students to enhance their academic experience by providing guidance, relationships, opportunities for involvement, leadership, and service.

Haley Griebel '26

Peer Mentor

Haley Griebel