History
UNC Charlotte has offered undergraduate honors programs since 1968. In 2003, the Honors College was established to provide oversight for all the undergraduate honors programs offered on campus, and in 2022 was recognized as a college with a dean reporting to the provost. The Honors College staff continues to grow and adapt to support the ever-changing needs of our honors students.
1968-1999
1968 — Honors Programs Established
Four discipline-based honors programs established in the departments of Chemistry, Foreign Languages, Political Science and History.
1981 — Guidelines and Policies Approved
Guidelines and policies for honors programs approved by Faculty Council. The University Honors Council established as a standing committee of the faculty.
1991 — Interdisciplinary Honors Program name changed to University Honors Program
Interdisciplinary Honors Program name changed to University Honors Program (UHP) and moved to the College of Arts and Sciences. 150 students are enrolled.
1992 — Dr. Al Maisto Appointed Director
Provost and Vice Chancellor Phil Dubois appoints Dr. Al Maisto, Professor of Psychology, as Director of the University Honors Program.
2000-2019
2003 — Honors College Established
The Honors College begins oversight of a wide array of honors programs (including UHP and Business Honors Program (BHP) and several departmental honors programs). Dr. Maisto appointed Associate Dean, Honors, in the College of Arts and Sciences, where the Honors College is housed.
2004 — Pre-Health Professions Advising Begins
Pre-Health Advising established for all high-achieving students on campus; Dr. Liz Hanie hired. The Honors College relocates to Cato Hall.
2005-06 — Honors College Moves Under Office of the Provost
Honors joins other student success programs within Academic Services in the Office of the Provost.
2011 — First Goldwater Awarded
First Goldwater Scholarship in the history of UNC Charlotte awarded to honors student Casey Rimland.
2008 — College Level Programs Added
College honors programs Arts + Architecture and Education are started.
2012 — Dr. Maisto returns to Department of Psychology & New Leadership
Dr. Malin Pereira, Professor of English, appointed Executive Director of the Honors College. Redesign of honors education begins, focused on growth and quality. Computing and Informatics honors program added.
2013 — Faculty Governance Restructured
Creation of the Honors Faculty, the electoral body of the Honors Council. University Honors Council renamed Honors Council and representation determined by election from the Honors Faculty rather than directors of honors programs. Honors College Advisory Board founded, with Delbridge Narron as inaugural chair.
2014 — First Merit Scholars Program Established in the Honor College
Crown Scholars Program created by Dr. Pereira, supported by UNC Charlotte Foundation merit scholarships bundled to create full-ride scholarships for 33 scholars. Dr. Reuben Howden, Professor of Exercise Science, appointed inaugural faculty fellow.
2016 — Albert Engineering Leadership Scholars Program moved to Honors College
The Honors College assumes responsibility for Albert Engineering Leadership Scholars Program in partnership with College of Engineering, with students as members of the University Honors Program. Dr Howden appointed inaugural faculty fellow.
2017 — Martin Scholars Program Launched and Levine Hall Opens
Martin Scholars Program launched, with students as members of any honors program on campus. Dr. Jeffrey Leak, Professor of English, appointed inaugural faculty fellow. UNC Charlotte’s first Rhodes finalist, honors student Nemah-Allah Saleh, invited to interview; two students, Mary “Tess” Overton and Nemah-Allah Selah, win prestigious Goldwater Fellowships. Highly anticipated Levine Hall opens in January, housing the offices of the Honors College and Levine Scholars Program and providing honors students and merit scholars preference for residence.
2018 — Fifty Years of Honors Education at UNC Charlotte
Celebration of 50 years of Honors Education at UNC Charlotte. Honors College staff duties restructured and expanded. Capacity in honors for high-achieving undergraduates has grown 46% since 2011.
2019 — New Scholarships and Honors Programs Add Up
Two new honors scholarship types are added: Freeman and Johnson to help students with financial need pay for tuition and fees. There are now 30 honors programs at UNC Charlotte, including college programs in Arts+Architecture, Education, Computing and Informatics, and Engineering.
2020-Present
2022 — Honors College Formally Recognized as a College with Dean Reporting to Provost
Dr. Malin Pereira appointed founding dean of the Honors College. The creation of a new deanship and change in reporting structure recognizes the important role of honors curricula and programming in the University’s strategic plan. Number of students enrolled expands to ~800. Honors College staffing expands to include an associate dean, an instructional lead, three advisors, two full time support staff and one part time, and two faculty fellows. Dr. Jeffrey Leak, Professor of English, appointed interim associate dean. Pre-health Professions Advising moves to University College advising to better serve all students.
2023-24 — The Honors College Turns 20 and a 4th student wins the Goldwater Fellowship!
The Chancellor and Provost speak at a campus-wide celebration of the Honors College’s 20th Anniversary. Honors student Ainella Rysbayeva awarded the fourth prestigious Goldwater Fellowship won by a Charlotte student.
2024 — Permanent Associate Dean Appointed & Computing & Informatics Honors Grows
Dr. Cindy Gilson, Associate Professor of Gifted Education, appointed Associate Dean. The College of Computing & Informatics builds out its honors program to become fully 4-year beginning in fall of 2026, projected to accommodate 200 total students.
2025 — Number of Honors Students Hits 1,000 & Honors Faculty, 255
Honors student total reaches 3.4% of the undergraduate population. The Honors College appoints its first dedicated faculty member, Dr. Mindy Adnot, Assistant Teaching Professor