As a transfer student from a community college, I was not immediately aware of the presence of an
Honors Program at Northern Illinois University. During my first semester of the Nursing Program, I had a couple of friends who were part of the Honors Program, and toward the end of the semester, they were working with one of our instructors on a research project for their Honors course. This piqued my interest, and I began looking into being part of the Honors Program. I was excited to see that even though I had not started my college career at NIU, the program had an option for me–Associate University Honors. I promptly joined the Honors Program and chose an Honors course option for the next semester, Honors Mental Health.
In the Nursing Program, the difference between the regular course section and the Honors section is a research project that is completed with the assistance of a professor over the course of the semester. I was elated that I would have the opportunity to research a mental health issue and the impact of that issue in the field of nursing. My work that semester won me first place in the School of Nursing Honors project competition. The following semester, I once again completed a research project, this time relating to Maternal and Fetal Health and I again won first place in the competition.
That was just the beginning of the opportunities that opened for me because of the Honors Program here at NIU. As an older student with a family, starting at a 4-year university was overwhelming and I never pictured myself being involved with extracurricular activities, however my participation in the Honors Program put those things on my radar and gave me an incentive to become involved. It led me to becoming a tutor in the School of Nursing, as well as becoming an executive board member of several organizations focused on nursing. The Honors Program focuses on producing well-rounded students with the Honors Engaged requirements.
The Honors Program has also opened the opportunity for scholarships that I would not have otherwise had access to. For the past three semesters, I have received an Honors scholarship that has allowed me to continue to focus on my studies without needing to work extra hours to help support my family. This scholarship has given me the occasion to help fundraise for further scholarships for the Honors Program.
This program has allowed me to become more involved in my education and at Northern Illinois University, and I am a proud Honors graduate!
