Honors Events & Peer Perspectives
Grow as a student, a leader, and a professional in your field.
Honors Events provide a wide variety of opportunities for students not only to connect with their cohort and build community, but to practice strong leadership and develop their own events and programs through shared passions and extracurricular interests.
Event Requirements
In 4 years,* Honors students will:
- Honors Events
- Attend at least 8 Honors Events (1st/2nd year)
- Lead/support at least 4 Honors Events (3rd/4th year)
- Peer Perspectives
- Attend at least 8 Peer Perspectives (1st/2nd year)
- Lead at least 4 Peer Perspectives (3rd/4th year)
- Student Research Conference
- Attend at least 1 Conference
- Present research/creative work at at least 1 Conference
*Total required events are proportional to total semesters on campus and enrolled in Honors.
Hosting Honors Events
Each semester, Honors students who want to host an event on campus or lead a group excursion or project out in the greater Bay Area can propose one of 3 types of events:
- Academic Events
- Service Events
- Social Events
The Honors Executive Board will review all proposals, and any approved events can be sponsored and supported by the Honors Program. Event hosts are also encouraged to collaborate with campus and community partners, such student groups or academic departments with a shared interest in the event theme or topic.
Supporting Honors Events
Students interested in supporting Honors Events, either hosted by their peers or by the Honors Program itself, are encouraged to sign up if volunteers are requested. Volunteers can often use these events as opportunities to consider how they might plan their own activities or programs in the future, often gaining helpful insights into the logistics and coordination involved in the planning process.
"I have had so many positive experiences in the Honors Program, but by far the most memorable one was leading my colloquium, 'The Power in YOU,' my senior year."• Honors Gael, 2024 Cohort |
"Through leading my colloquia, I met students of all different majors, years, and backgrounds, which was so fun to get to meet new people while exploring our beautiful campus."• Honors Gael, 2024 Cohort |
What are Peer Perspectives?
Peer Perspectives (formerly "Colloquia") are a non-course credit seminar for students in the Honors Program. Peer Perspectives are different from the standard learning environment filled with exams, essays, and homework. Every session is student-led and holds intriguing discussions and presentations with occasional guest lecturers. Honors students participate in discussions with their peers on a topic of their choosing. Students will gain communication and critical thinking skills, while bonding and developing life-long relationships with their like-minded peers.
Students will be notified of the weekly offerings, where they'll be held, and at what time via our newsletter. Choose which Peer Perspectives to attend based on your own interests and availability!
Keep an eye on your email for updates, or check out the Honors calendar for upcoming events.
Peer Perspectives are open to all students in the Honors Program and the SMC community. Typically, 3rd and 4th lead or co-lead Peer Perspectives, and Honors points are allocated for each session attended (1 point) or led (2 points).
The recommendation is to attend 4 Peer Perspectives in your 1st year and 4 in your 2nd year, although you are more than welcome to support your fellow Honors students and attend more in later semesters, as well.
If you are interested in becoming a Peer leader, fill out the form included in our weekly newsletter!
You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you wish!
In case of any updates to dates/times, please email honors@stmarys-ca.edu a week before your session.
For last-minute cancellations, please contact the Honors PR Commissioner directly.
"My most memorable experience in Honors has been leading my colloquium 'Social Commentary Within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.' Since Harry Potter has been a large part of my life since I was a child, the freedom to lead a colloquium centered around this topic was an incredibly fulfilling experience, as I got to talk about the book series with my fellow scholars in an academic way."• Honors Gael, 2024 Cohort |
"After I led a few colloquia, I had several students come up to me on campus and ask for advice. This made me feel accomplished and valued; knowing that my peers sought my guidance outside of the structured colloquium setting was immensely gratifying. It reinforced my belief in the importance of fostering a supportive academic community, where we can learn from and uplift one another. "• Honors Gael, 2024 Cohort |
Contact us
Honors Program
honors@stmarys-ca.edu
Korth Bell Tower, Arcade 4 Office
Dr. Steve Miller, Program Director
scmiller@stmarys-ca.edu