Lewis Honors College

HS Seniors: Apply by December 1 Honors admission decisions released mid-February

By the Numbers

100% Experiential Education Participation

96% First-Year Retention Rate

90% Employment or Graduate/Professional School

Mission in Action

Explore Your Purpose

Honors advisors and the Center for Personal Development counselors partner with students in their exploration of purpose to cultivate well-being, leadership, and career readiness.

Honors at Kentucky has a long and proud history, dating back to 1959, and thousands of students have passed through our program, exploring themselves and the boundaries of thought with outstanding faculty.

Jacqueline Coleman, Christian Brady, Laura Bryan, Conner Brumley

Lead With Integrity

Providing leadership development opportunities enables students to fulfill their experiential credit while bolstering lifelong skills to apply as a graduate student or employee.

The Honors classes I took my freshman year exposed me to ideas that I would not have otherwise thought deeply about. The topics we discussed have allowed me to engage with current events and the social sciences more than I would have been able to otherwise.

Asa O'Neal '25

NSF Graduate Research Fellow, Barry M. Goldwater Scholar, Astronaut Scholar

Maddie Duff waving with other graduating students walking

Why Honors?

Honors Residential Experience

Center for Personal Development

Internship, Research, Education Abroad, Service-Learning Opportunities

Dr. Kenton Sena with HON 152 students outdoors

Dedicated Honors Faculty

Take a Virtual Tour
Schedule Your Visit
Explore Admission Criteria
Apply for Housing
Register for Orientation

News and Events

Exceeding interest and enrollment expectations

Sep 12, 2025

Purpose. Intellect. Integrity. These are the primary attributes that the second-largest class of incoming first-time first-year students will have the unique opportunity to develop as part of the University of Kentucky Lewis Honors College. Preliminary enrollment numbers indicate that this year’s cohort will be the most distinguished, well-rounded, and academically prepared group of scholars in Lewis Honors College history.

“Cracking the Code” will premiere at the Kentucky Theatre on Oct. 23.

Nobel winner’s journey from campus to cure: ‘Cracking the Code’ film coming to Kentucky Theatre

By Alicia Gregory

Oct 16, 2025

The University of Kentucky community is invited to the documentary film premiere of “Cracking the Code: Phil Sharp & the Biotech Revolution” 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Kentucky Theatre, with a post-screening conversation on UK biotech research, innovation and commercialization.The 96-minute film screening will be followed by a panel conversation with researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs from UK. McClure will moderate the panel which includes Luke H. Bradley, Ph.D., professor and alumni chair, neuroscience, UK College of Medicine; Lewis Honors College faculty member; and CEO and co-founder of Avast Therapeutics.

Olivia Kitts and Carson Kitts were named 2025 UK Homecoming king and queen at the Homecoming Royalty Showcase Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the UK Gatton Student Center.

UK 2025 Homecoming royalty crowned including finalists from LHC

By Hayden Gooding

Oct 15, 2025

Carson Kitts and Olivia Kitts were crowned 2025 University of Kentucky Homecoming king and queen Tuesday night.

View all news

CPD Honor the Balance: Sound Bath and Tea

Oct 20, 7:00 pm - Oct 20, 8:00 pm

Lewis Hall Room U136

420 Hilltop Ave

The Psychology of Excellence: How to Think like an Elite Performer

Oct 21, 4:00 pm - Oct 21, 5:00 pm

Lewis Scholars Lounge

420 Hilltop Ave, Lexington, KY

Donuts and Fruit with Dean

Oct 23, 9:00 am - Oct 23, 10:30 am