Honors Wednesday Memo: Volume 10, Issue 12, Wednesday, November 11, 2026
edited by Melanie Kershaw
Dear Honors College students,
This week's spotlight story reminded me that some of the best parts of the Honors experience are the relationships you build along the way. The story follows a faculty member, an Honors College academic mentor, and student researchers who worked together to explore how co-designed syllabi for the honors thesis can empower students. Their collaboration extended beyond the theses themselves, leading to a conference presentation and a publication co-authored by faculty and students.
Their story reflects the broader Honors community. Our students learn from faculty mentors and thesis directors, but those relationships are never one-way. Faculty learn alongside students, students shape learning experiences for their peers, and mentors provide support throughout the process. This collaborative scholarship is one of the things that makes Honors such a special place.
With gratitude,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities
Dr. Klima is happy to help you apply; send her an email.
HON FLEAP: Peacebuilding & the Arts in Ireland
Explore Ireland and Northern Ireland with a Faculty-led Education Abroad Program (FLEAP) from June 6 to 14. Led by Dr. Belinda Walzer and Dr. Jessica Martell, this program includes two, three-credit seminars HON 2515 “Empire and Peacebuilding” and HON 3517 “Literary and Cultural Study Abroad.” Check out the list of stops, including the Dublin and Belfast. Total program cost is $4,560, not including tuition or airfare. Applications are considered on a rolling basis until Jan. 15. Contact Drs. Walzer and Martell for more information.
Spring 2027: Undergraduate Research Assistantships
Faculty members, in collaboration with an interested student, are encouraged to apply for the Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) Program with the Office of Student Research. This program pays students $15 per hour for 80 hours per semester to work closely with a faculty member on their research or creative activity. Proposals are due by Friday, Nov. 13 at 11:59 pm. Contact Dr. Becki Battista with any questions.
Nationally Competitive Scholarships: November Opportunities
Attend scholarship workshops and information sessions throughout November. Join the Fulbright Team for a virtual group presentation session on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 3:00 pm. Stop by Appalachian Hall room 085 on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm to be matched with relevant programs and scholarships, including less well-known opportunities. Contact Dara Carney-Nedelman for more information.
International Education Week
Join the Office of International Programs (OIP) for globally focused events in November. Stop by the Student Union for Education Abroad 101 on Monday, Nov. 16 at 12:00 pm. Visit Anne Belk Hall for a film screening and discussion of “Legacy: Apartheid’s Shadow” from on Tuesday, Nov. 17 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Attend at least three sessions of the 15th Annual Global Symposium on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at the Student Union to enter to win one of three $500 education abroad scholarships. Learn about South Asian culture and receive free henna designs with Henna Beyond Hands on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 8:00 to 10:00 pm. View the full lineup of events or contact Karen Binger Marshall with any questions.
Field Schools & Research Workshops in Transylvania
Gain hands-on archeological field training in Transylvania this summer with ArchaeoTek. These 4-week or 8-week programs provide direct field experience for optional academic credit through the University of Toronto and Wilfrid Laurier University. Learn about the history of wine culture, excavate a Roman villa, or explore medieval cemeteries. Program fees are $2,795 to $3,395, depending on the selected track. Housing and most meals are provided. Contact Dr. Stephen Batiuk for more information.
Stay in the Know
MOMIX: Botanica
Visit the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts for MOMIX: Botanica on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 pm. Discover a fantastical blend of dance, music, and imagery from this internationally renowned dance company. After the performance, participate in a Q&A with company members. Tickets are $10 for students. Contact the Schaefer Center with any questions.
Hayes School of Music: Upcoming Events
Join the Hayes School of Music for their November events. Stop by Crossroads Coffee House in the Student Union for a free swing dance lesson and a performance by Jazz Ensemble II on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Visit the Rosen Concert Hall in the Broyhill Music Center for the Appalachian Community Orchestra’s Fall concert on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 pm. Visit the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts for the 34th Annual Holiday Scholarship Concert on Friday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 pm. View the full lineup of events.
2nd Annual Dance & Music Collaboration
Experience a collaboration between students from the Hayes School of Music Composition Studio and the Department of Theatre and Dance on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 6:00 pm in the Rosen Concert Hall. Following the theme “Color,” choreographers and composers will be showcasing four short works featuring solo dancers and various live instrumentations. The performance is free and open to the public.
An Exhibition of Documentary Photography
Stop by the first floor of the Belk Library and Information Commons for an exhibition of in-progress documentary projects by students in PHO 3032 “Documentary Photography.” This annual exhibit at the Dr. Betsy E. Brown Visualization Wall showcases how students engage with their communities and environments. The exhibit is open to view during library hours.
Upcoming Climate Events
Take part in the latest Pathways to Resilience events. Make warming stripes bracelets with the Craftivism Collective on Monday, Nov. 16 at 5:00 pm in the Solarium. Join the Office of International Programs for “Global Climate Policy at COP 31: Student Observations from Türkiye,” a session at the 2026 Global Symposium, on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 10:45 to 11:45 am in the Student Union, room 122. During this panel discussion, six students will share their experiences at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. View the full lineup.
Thesis Defenses
Luzy Franzen: “Antidepressants, Neurotransmitters, and Nightmares”
- Date: Monday, Nov. 16 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Location: Appalachian Hall room 186
- Major: Psychology
- Thesis Mentor: Dr. Reagan Breitenstein, Department of Psychology
- Second Reader: Dr. Scott Collier, Department of Kinesiology and Public Health
In the Honors Spotlight
Published Study Highlights How Co-Designed Thesis Syllabi Empower Students
A published study by Honors College faculty and alumni highlights how co-designing the honors thesis transforms traditional undergraduate research into active collaborative partnerships. The paper was published in the Deeper Learning Journal of Practice in August 2026 by co-authors Dr. Jordan Hazelwood, Dr. Christopher Seitz, and 2025 Communications Sciences and Disorders alumni Kathryn Long and Stacy Thornton. By taking ownership of writing their own syllabi, students strengthen academic and professional confidence.
The co-design model encourages early collaboration and fosters lasting mentoring relationships while helping students navigate complex research projects. Both Long and Thornton utilized self-created syllabi to execute speech-language pathology research with practical clinical applications, successfully bridging their undergraduate studies with graduate programs at East Carolina University and UNC Chapel Hill, respectively. By empowering students to set goals while supported by faculty mentors, the model reinforces the Honors College mission of creating a community where students and faculty learn and grow together.
Learn more about thesis requirements and the recommended thesis timeline on the Honors College website.
Read the full story by Melanie Kershaw.
Have announcements to share? Submissions can be made to honors@appstate.edu. Any content received by the prior Wednesday will be considered for the following week’s issue.
Have a story to share? Share what you have done, what you are doing, or what you will be doing by submitting a story here.
To stay in the know, learn about opportunities, and take part in the Honors community, find us below!