Student Handbook - Valencia College
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Student Handbook
H O N O R S
a
Welcome to the Honors College Congratulations on your admission to the James M. and Dayle L. Seneff Honors College! We are delighted you have chosen Valencia to continue your education. As Honors Director, I want to welcome you to a dynamic community of faculty and students dedicated to excellence in the classroom and beyond. Though the James M. and Dayle L. Seneff Honors College is only three years old, the honors tradition at Valencia College is over twenty-five years old and was founded to provide students the opportunity for academic and personal growth in a unique environment where intellectual exploration and quality teaching are the primary goals. You now become part of that tradition. You will be expected to challenge your own presumptions, to think creatively, to be audacious in your acts and ideas. In short, you will be expected to be exceptional. Still, we do not expect you to do this alone. Fellow honors students will offer encouragement; some will become lifelong friends. Honors faculty will eagerly focus on your success as they constantly assess your potential. Advisors and staff will assist and offer direction when needed. Even after graduation, the honors alumni network will form the basis of your continuing commitment. As part of this extended honors community, you too will be expected to lend vitality to the whole by participating in service and leadership opportunities, by being engaged in the classroom and in the college—by being not just an honors student, but also an honorable individual. I have no doubt you will meet this challenge and exceed your own expectations. Again, I offer a warm welcome and congratulations as you embark on this exciting journey of self-discovery; and I look forward to working with you with great anticipation. Best Wishes Valerie Burks Director, Honors College
The vision of the James M. and Dayle L. Seneff
Honors College is to discover potential in
students and inspire excellence.
Honors Program Staff
Honors Office
Phone: 407-582-1980
Fax: 407-582-1671
Email: honors@valenciacollege.edu
Valerie Burks, Director
West Campus, 3-137, 407-582-1373
East Campus, 4-117A, 407-582-2659
Email: vburks1@valenciacollege.edu
B. Clyburn, Honors Program Assistant
West Campus, 3-136, 407-582-1729
Email: bclyburn@valenciacollege.edu
Honors Counselors/Educational Advisors
East Campus Tina Crane, 5-210
407-582-2058
tcrane@valenciacollege.edu
Osceola Campus Celeste Henry, 2-140B
407-582-4840
chenry19@valenciacollege.edu
West Campus Tullio Bushrui, SSB-132
407-582-1126
tbushrui@valenciacollege.edu
Winter Park Linda Villar Firmani, WP 209
407-582-6887
lfirmani@valenciacollege.edu
Kera Coyer, WP211
407-582-6891
kcoyer@valenciacollege.edu
Webpage: valenciacollege.edu/honors
Facebook: facebook.com/valenciahonors
Twitter: twitter.com/valenciahonors
Contents
Expectations of Honors Students. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Honors College Program Tracks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Honors Courses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
FAQs about Honors Classes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Scholarship Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Graduation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Honors Student Advisory Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Seneff PEER Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Making the Most of Your Honors Experience
Service Learning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Study Abroad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Perks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Become Involved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
BayCare Student Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Alumni Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Planning Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Honors Resource Centers
As a Seneff honors student, you will have access to the Honors Resource Centers at each
campus. The Honors Resource Centers provide a place for honors students to study,
access computers and meet with fellow honors students. On East Campus, the resource
center is located in the library, room 117; there are two desktop computers and students
may check out laptops reserved for them at the Audiovisual Services desk. At Osceola,
the resource center is located in the new building 4, room 206 (in the library); there are
two desktop computers and a large wall monitor to which a laptop can be connected.
On West Campus, the resource center is located in the library, room 201B; there are three
computers for student use. And at Winter Park, the resource center is located in room 223.
1
Student Expectations
Students of the James M. and Dayle L. Seneff Honors College are members of
a community that embraces diversity and individuality while sharing a common
commitment to academic excellence and social responsibility. In this spirit,
these expectations have been set forth:
• Students are expected to exemplify academic and personal integrity by
being familiar with and conscientiously adhering to all aspects of the Valencia
Student Code of Conduct (see valenciacollege.edu/pdf/studenthandbook.
pdf).
• Students are expected to abide by accepted standards of academic
originality and creativity, to conduct themselves honorably in collaborative
and group work, and to refrain from resubmitting work prepared for one
course in another without permission of both professors.
• Students are expected to demonstrate respect for fellow students and
for faculty at all times and to contribute meaningfully to a productive
classroom environment.
• Students are expected to be ambitious learners, exhibiting academic
enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity.
• Students are expected to participate in the well-being of the honors
community by regularly attending meetings and events, by taking part
in service activities, by keeping informed of program happenings,
by behaving appropriately in the Honors Resource Centers, and by
contributing to the development of the program.
• Students are expected to understand their role as exemplars, to act
accordingly both on and off campus, and to refrain from activity that
may be detrimental to the reputation of the James M. and Dayle L.
Seneff Honors College, to Valencia College, or to other honors students.
• Students are expected to hold fellow honors students accountable when
these expectations are not met.
2
3
Honors College
Program Tracks
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES TRACK
The INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES TRACK is designed to create an integrative, holistic
education experience that empowers a global and diverse perspective. The courses are
team-taught by faculty members from several disciplines and provide students with a
strong background in liberal arts. The program has been recognized by the National
Endowment for the Humanities and the Center for the Study of Community Colleges
as one of the best general education programs in the country. Students who complete
the Interdisciplinary Studies Track will be able to:
• Apply principles of dialogic argument in written and verbal communication;
• Compare, contrast and explain the significance of different historic ages;
•Compare, contrast and integrate knowledge of diverse cultures and disciplines.
To satisfy the requirements of the Interdisciplinary Studies Track, students must
complete a total of 24 credits of Honors coursework, at least 18 of which must be
in three of the following courses:
IDH 1110 Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education I (6 credits)
equates to Freshman Composition I (Gordon Rule Writing, 3 credits)
Humanities (Non-Gordon Rule Writing, 3 credits)
(offered only in fall term)
OR
IDH 1112 Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education (6 credits)
equates to Humanities (Non-Gordon Rule Writing, 3 credits)
Humanities (HUM Prefix, Gordon Rule Writing, 3 credits)
(offered only in fall term)
AND
IDH 1111 Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education II (6 credits)
equates to Freshman Composition II (Gordon Rule Writing, 3 credits)
Natural Science (Non-Laboratory, 3 credits)
(offered only in spring term)
AND
(continued on next page)
4IDH 2120 Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education III (6 credits)
equates to Humanities (HUM Prefix, Gordon Rule Writing, 3 credits)
Social Science (3 credits)
(offered only in fall term)
AND
IDH 2121 Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education IV (6 credits)
equates to Humanities (HUM Prefix, Gordon Rule Writing, 3 credits)
Natural Science (Non-Laboratory, 3 credits)
(offered only in spring term)
In addition to the above coursework, students will be required to participate in a
minimum of 15 hours of approved co-curricular activities each term of enrollment
(excluding summer).
This may include international travel experience, field trips to cultural locations,
colloquia, reading circles, speaker series, and/or service to the Honors College.
You can find a list of approved co-curricular activities on the honors calendar
(available at valenciacollege.edu/honors/current-students/honors-calendar.cfm)
or by contacting your campus honors counselor.
LEADERSHIP TRACK
The LEADERSHIP TRACK is designed to create citizen scholars—individuals whose action
is informed by theory. Students who complete the Leadership Track will be able to:
• Develop a working, evolving and individual leadership theory or style;
• Practice leadership principles through their campus activities and continued
community involvement;
• Identify opportunities to make social change.
To satisfy the requirements of the Leadership Track, students must complete a total
of 23 credits of Honors coursework in the following courses:
A. SLS 2261H – Leadership Development – Honors (3 credits)
B. At least two of the following courses (6 credits)
1. SPC 1608H – Fundamentals of Speech – Honors
2. ENC 1101H – Freshman Composition I – Honors
3. ENC 1102H – Freshman Composition II – Honors
4. Any Honors Gordon Rule writing courses (to see a full list of Gordon Rule
honors classes, students should consult the current Valencia catalog)
5C. At least one of the following courses (3 credits)
1. POS 2041H – U.S. Government – Honors
2. INR 2002H – International Politics – Honors
3. AMH 2010H – U.S. History to 1877 – Honors
4. AMH 2020H – U.S. History 1877 to Present – Honors
5. SYG 2000H – Intro to Sociology – Honors
6. PSY 2012H – General Psychology – Honors
D. Experiential Learning (2 credits)
1. SLS 2940H – Service Learning – Honors
E. Additional Honors Coursework (9 credits) – Students are encouraged
to work with an advisor to choose honors courses that fulfill general
education and prerequisite requirements for their intended majors.
In addition to the above coursework, students will be required to participate
in a minimum of 15 hours of approved co-curricular activities each term of
enrollment (excluding summer). This may include community service, campus
leadership, involvement with Phi Theta Kappa activities, mentoring programs,
speaker series, and/or service to the Honors College. You can find a list
of approved co-curricular activities on the honors calendar (available at
valenciacollege.edu/honors/current-students/honors-calendar.cfm)
or by contacting your campus honors counselor.
6UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH TRACK
The UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH TRACK is designed to create students who are
familiar with the process, practice, and principles of scholarly inquiry in an academic
community and is especially suited for students who plan to attend graduate or
professional school. Students who complete the Undergraduate Research Track
will be able to:
• Complete a discipline-specific research project;
• Present research in a peer-reviewed, academic setting.
To satisfy the requirements of the Undergraduate Research Track, students must
complete a total of 24 credits of honors coursework:
• IDH 2911 Honors Research Process (2 credits) – this honors course will introduce
students to the process of research (i.e. the tools, concepts, and resources
necessary to search, evaluate, and use information in a variety of formats and
subject disciplines). The focus will be to analyze and utilize information critically
using a broad range of materials and interdisciplinary concepts needed for
honors research and academic/professional success.
• Individual Honors Study Plan (12 – 15 credits) – honors courses designed to
enhance the individual student’s research plan, developed in consultation with
the track coordinator and a faculty mentor. Approved study plans are kept on
file in the Honors Office.
• IDH 2912 Honors Project (1 credit) – the student will complete, under the
guidance of a faculty mentor, a project that will define and execute a research
question. Guidelines will be established regarding format, standards and review
of projects.
• Additional honors coursework (6 – 9 credits) – students are encouraged to work
with an advisor to choose honors courses that fulfill general education
and prerequisite requirements for their intended majors.
In addition to the above coursework, students will be required to participate in a
minimum of 15 hours of approved co-curricular activities each term of enrollment
(excluding summer). This may include participation in the Valencia Research
Symposium, presentation of original research at local, regional, and national
honors and/or discipline conferences, and/or service to the Honors College.
You can find a list of approved co-curricular activities on the honors calendar
(available at valenciacollege.edu/honors/current-students/honors-calendar.cfm)
or by contacting your campus honors counselor.
7JEFFERSONIAN TRACK
The JEFFERSONIAN TRACK is designed to provide a well-rounded general education
curriculum with thematically-integrated courses, with an emphasis on creating global
citizens. Students who complete the Jeffersonian Track will be able to:
• Recognize and weigh different perspectives in primary and secondary sources;
• Produce original work and scholarly research;
• Connect learning across academic disciplines.
To satisfy the curricular aspect of the Jeffersonian program track, students must
complete a total of 23 credits of honors coursework:
• SLS 1501H – Honors Seminar (1 credit) – this seminar will introduce students to a
variety of academic topics. The seminar is designed to allow students to explore
issues important to self-discovery and intellectual growth, and to understand
their role and responsibility in the educational process.
• Thematically-Integrated General Education Courses (12 credits) – students will
work with campus advisors to determine available options.
• IDH 2028H – Honors Capstone (1 credit) – this course is designed to provide
perspective to students at the conclusion of their curricular and co-curricular
work in the Honors College. Students in the course will present their honors
portfolios to fellow students, faculty and staff. This course will also provide
opportunities for discussion and reflection about students’ experiences in the
honors learning community.
• Additional Honors Coursework (9 credits) – students are encouraged to work
with an advisor to choose honors courses that fulfill general education and
prerequisite requirements for their intended majors.
In addition to the above coursework, students will be required to participate in a minimum
of 15 hours of approved co-curricular activities each term of enrollment (excluding
summer). This may include service learning, short-term study abroad, mentoring, cultural
field trips, civic projects, reading groups, and/or service to the Honors College. You can
find a list of approved co-curricular activities on the honors calendar (available at
http://valenciacollege.edu/honors/current-students/honors-calendar.cfm) or by
contacting your campus honors counselor.
89
Honors Courses
In addition to track options, there are a number of honors classes students
can take to fulfill program and elective course requirements. The following
courses are available as honors sections:
AMH 2010H U.S. History to 1877
AMH 2020H U.S. History 1877 to Present
AML 2011H Survey in American Literature: Colonial Period to Civil War
AML 2021H Survey in American Literature: Civil War to Present
ARH 2051H Intro to Art History II
AST 1002H Astronomy
BSC 1005H Biological Science
BSC 1010H Fundamentals of Biology I
BSC 1011H Fundamentals of Biology II
BSC 1026H Biology of Human Sexuality
BSC 1050H Environmental Science
CHM 1045H General Chemistry with Qualitative Analysis I
CHM 1046H General Chemistry with Qualitative Analysis II
DEP 2004H Developmental Psychology
ECO 2013H Principles of Economics – Macro
ECO 2023H Principles of Economics – Micro
ENC 1101H Freshman Composition I
ENC 1102H Freshman Composition II
GLY 2100H Historical Geology
HUM 1020H Introduction to Humanities
HUM 2220H Humanities – Greek and Roman
HUM 2223H Humanities – Late Roman and Medieval
HUM 2232H Humanities – Renaissance and Baroque
HUM 2234H Humanities – Enlightenment and Romanticism
HUM 2250H Humanities – Twentieth Century
HUM 2310H Humanities – Mythology in Art and Literature
HUM 2461H Latin American Humanities
IDH 1110 Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education I
10IDH 1111 Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education II
IDH 1112 Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education
IDH 2120 Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education III
IDH 2121 Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education IV
IDH 2028 Honors Capstone
IDH 2911 Honors Research Process
IDH 2912 Honors Project
INR 2002H International Politics
LIT 2090H Contemporary Literature
LIT 2120H Survey in World Literature – Enlightenment to Present
LIT 2174H Multimedia Literature and the Holocaust
MAC 1105H College Algebra
MAC 2233H Calculus for Business and Social Science
MAC 2311H Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
MAC 2312H Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
OCE 1001H Intro to Oceanography
PCB 1440H Florida Environmental Systems
PHY 2048H General Physics I with Calculus
PHY 2049H General Physics II with Calculus
POS 2041H U.S. Government I
PSY 2012H General Psychology
SLS 1501H Honors Seminar
SLS 2261H Leadership Development
SLS 2940H Service Learning
SPC 1017H Interpersonal Communication
SPC 1608H Fundamentals of Speech
STA 2023H Statistical Methods
SYG 2000H Intro to Sociology
1112
FAQs about honors classes
What is different about honors classes?
Honors classes at Valencia encourage students to become engaged and act
outside of the classroom. In addition, students demonstrate creative thinking
as it relates to course content. Beyond this, honors classes are smaller than
non-honors classes, with enrollment capped at 20 students per class.
Are honors classes harder?
Many students mistakenly believe that honors classes will be harder than
regular classes. Honors courses provide students and faculty the opportunity
to develop ideas and engage in work that would be more difficult in a typical,
lecture-style class. Most students find they actually do better in honors classes
because of the close interaction between professors and students and the
sense of community that develops.
Are honors course grades weighted?
No. Unlike high school, college honors courses are not weighted
in the calculation of your grade point average.
How does grade forgiveness work for honors classes?
You may use an honors section and a non-honors section of the same course
interchangeably for grade forgiveness. That means, if you take ENC 1101H and
get an “F,” you can take ENC 1101 (non-honors) and receive grade forgiveness.
However, if grade forgiveness is applied to an honors section due to your
successful completion of a non-honors section of the same course, no honors
credit will be awarded for your successful completion. For full details, consult
the current college catalog.
How do I remain in good standing in the program?
To remain in good standing, students must maintain a minimum cumulative
Valencia GPA of 3.0. A student whose GPA falls below 3.0 will be inactivated
in the program. Students who subsequently raise their GPA to at least 3.0
can request to be reactivated.
13Scholarship
Information
The James M. and Dayle L. Seneff Honors College awards a limited number of full tuition,
non-transferable scholarships to admission candidates who demonstrate academic
promise and who commit to one of the four available curriculum tracks: Interdisciplinary
Studies Track, Leadership Track, Jeffersonian Track, or Undergraduate Research Track.
All eligible students who apply for the James M. and Dayle L. Seneff Honors College
will be considered for scholarship awards. Awards are renewable for up to four terms.
Initial Eligibility:
1. Apply and be accepted to Valencia.
2. Apply and be accepted into a curricular track of the James M. and
Dayle L. Seneff Honors College.
3. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so that results are
received prior to the start of the term of admission.
4. Meet Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Purposes.
5. Seek an A.A. degree.
6. Enroll in at least nine credits each term.
7. Register for at least one honors class required to make good progress
in the program.
Renewal Eligibility:
1. Scholarship is renewed on a term-by-term basis.
2. Students must make good progress towards graduation in a curricular track
as determined by the Honors Director.
3. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so that results are
received prior to the start of classes each year.
4. Continue to be seeking an A.A. degree.
5. Enroll in at least nine credit hours each term.
6. Maintain eligibility to be a student in the James M. and Dayle L. Seneff
Honors College.
7. Complete at least 75 percent of attempted credits to be renewed in
subsequent terms.
8. All students receiving any form of financial aid must meet the standards of
academic progress as outlined by the federal government. See valenciacollege.
edu/finaid/programs/satisfactory_progress.cfm
for satisfactory academic progress criteria.
14Valencia Foundation Scholarships
The Valencia Foundation offers a number of privately-funded scholarships that are
donated by organizations and individuals interested in supporting Valencia’s students.
The Foundation maintains over 650 named scholarships, academic support funds,
endowed teaching chairs, and fellowships. Students are encouraged to apply for
Foundation scholarships through the separate online application available at
valencia.org/scholarships/scholarship_application.cfm. Eligibility criteria varies.
Study Abroad Scholarships
Each year, a limited number of scholarships are available to fund student travel on the
approved honors international trip. For more information, see the Study Abroad section
of this handbook or visit valenciacollege.edu/international/studyabroad/students/
financialaid.cfm.
Transfer Scholarships
Many four-year colleges and universities have specific honors-only scholarships available
for transfer students. There are also a small number of elite transfer scholarship programs
for which students are eligible and for which we can assist. To learn more, see the
Transfer section of this handbook.
15Graduation
Requirements
Honors students will be offered three levels of graduation distinction:
1 The term SENEFF HONORS COLLEGE SCHOLARS is reserved for
those students who successfully complete the curricular and co-
curricular requirements of one of the program tracks, who earn
no less than a “C” in each honors class*, and who graduate with a
cumulative overall GPA of at least 3.5.
2 The term VALENCIA HONORS SCHOLARS is reserved for those
students who successfully complete at least 18 hours of honors
coursework, who earn no less than a “C” in each honors class*, who
graduate with a cumulative overall GPA of at least 3.33, and who
complete 30 hours of approved co-curricular activities.
3 Students who successfully complete at least 12 hours of honors
coursework within a maximum of 80 total credit hours, who earn no
less than a “C” in each honors class*, and who maintain a cumulative
GPA of at least 3.25 will earn an HONORS CERTIFICATE.
* See college grade forgiveness policy.
At the Commencement Ceremony, honors graduates walk first in the A.A. student
processional and wear stoles, cords, medallions, and/or tassels depending on the
program they complete.
To qualify for honors graduation, students must complete both a regular Valencia College
graduation application and a James M. and Dayle L. Seneff Honors College graduation
application by the published deadline. For more about Valencia College graduation, see
valenciacollege.edu/graduation. The honors graduation application may be accessed at
valenciacollege.edu/honors/current-students/gradapp.cfm.
16Honors Student
Advisory Committee
The mission of the Honors Student Advisory Committee (HSAC) is to promote academic
excellence among honors students at Valencia. The HSAC seeks to foster communication,
to plan events, to make decisions, to develop partnerships, and to coordinate outreach
with the sole goal of enriching the academic experience and quality of education for
honors students at all of Valencia’s campuses.
The HSAC acts as the sole advisory and communication body representing Valencia
honors students on issues relating to academics, fellowship, cultural enrichment, and the
honors student activities budget. It is the aim of the HSAC to provide a voice to all active
members of the James M. and Dayle L. Seneff Honors College in all matters that directly
impact the same issues.
Membership in the HSAC is open at all times. All Valencia honors students are invited
and welcome to attend any and all public meetings of the HSAC so long as they meet the
aforementioned criteria. Students are welcome to attend as many, or as few, of the HSAC
meetings as they so choose.
An executive board of officers oversees the agenda and activities of the HSAC. The
executive board is made up of the following elected officers: president, four vice
presidents (one each from East, Osceola, West, and Winter Park campuses), a treasurer,
and secretary. Further, there are several historians who serve to record and assist in
HSAC meetings and sponsored events. Election of the HSAC president is held at the last
meeting of the spring term; all other officers are elected at the first meeting in the fall
term. If you have questions or concerns, you are encouraged to contact the current HSAC
president at HSACPresident@valenciacollege.edu.
Each summer, the HSAC hosts a leadership and planning retreat for the upcoming year.
All new and returning students are encouraged to attend and become involved. The
HSAC is your outlet for service to the James M. and Dayle L. Seneff Honors College.
17Seneff PEER
Program
PEER stands for Partnership for Enhanced Engagement and Readiness. Seneff PEERs
are second-year students who assist incoming Seneff students with the transition to the
academic environment of the Honors College. They are eager to answer any questions
you may have about the program, to offer suggestions about classes, majors, and
transfer, and to provide support when needed. Seneff PEERs are matched with incoming
students in their curricular track on campus and will share their personal experiences
as honors students in both group and one-on-one discussions. In the process, you will
learn tips and strategies for success in college and in the program—consider it inside
information from one who has been there already. Over and above, Seneff PEERs help
create and sustain a cohesive honors identity and culture at Valencia. A get-together
will be held before the start of classes in fall, and a regular schedule of activities will
make getting to know the Seneff PEERs easy and fun.
18Making the Most
of Your Honors
Experience
Service Learning
Service Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful
community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience,
teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Service Learning allows students
and faculty to blend educational goals with their passions. Honors students can earn
honors credit for Service Learning experience and have the opportunity to explore
interdisciplinary connections between different fields of study and thought. In addition,
students who complete at least 40 hours of service learning activity will be awarded a
special medallion when they graduate. For more information, visit the Service Learning
page at valenciacollege.edu/servicelearning.
Study Abroad
Each year, the James M. and Dayle L. Seneff Honors College offers at least one section of
IDH 2955, “Honors Study Abroad.” The course is planned in conjunction with one of the
program tracks with the goal of providing every Seneff student the opportunity to travel
internationally as part of the honors curriculum. Student travel on these trips is supported
by scholarship dollars; in 2014, the average cost to the student for a nine day trip to
London (after scholarships) was about $1,000. For more information, visit the Study
Abroad and Global Experience page at valenciacollege.edu/international/studyabroad.
Perks
Some of the perks of the James M. and Dayle L. Seneff Honors College are:
• Priority registration
• Honors Resource Centers
• Honors-only scholarships
• College-sponsored travel to conferences and on course field trips
• Honors-specific advising
• Graduation recognition
19Become Involved
To whom much is given, much is required. Honors students are expected to participate
in the life of the program and the college by regularly attending meetings, events, and
academic discussions and by treating all faculty, staff, and fellow students with respect.
Beginning students should plan to become involved at the college in a way that speaks
to their individual interests and offers a possibility for positive impact. A few of the clubs
and organizations at Valencia include:
• East Campus Student Research Community
• West Campus Book Club
• Phi Theta Kappa – the international honors society for two-year colleges
• Brain Bowl – a Jeopardy-style academic competition
• Valencia Voice – the college newspaper
• The Phoenix – the college literary journal
• Valencia Volunteers – providing service opportunities to Valencia students*
• Student Government Association
• Model United Nations – academic simulation of the United Nations
• Student Leader Team – providing peer assistance and education
This is just a sampling of the clubs and organizations available at Valencia. For a full list,
visit valenciacollege.edu/studentdev/clubs2.cfm or drop by the Student Development
office on your home campus.
* Students who document at least 100 hours of service while at Valencia will be eligible
to graduate with a service cord.
BayCare Student Assistance Program
College can be stressful. If you need support, advice, or just a friendly ear, help is only
a phone call away. Call 800-878-5470. BayCare Student Assistance Program is a free
service to Valencia students.
Alumni Network
In 2009, the Association of Honors Alumni (AHA!) was formed by graduating honors
students to raise scholarship funds and provide transfer assistance to current honors
students. A wide network of former Valencia honors students can be found at
undergraduate, graduate and professional schools throughout the nation. Amongst the
AHA! members are two Jack Kent Cooke scholars, several past members of the All-USA
Academic Team, and countless recipients of other prestigious scholarship awards; these
honors alumni have been extremely generous with their time and advice. Each summer,
AHA! holds an event to which students in the James M. and Dayle L. Seneff Honors
College are invited. This offers an excellent opportunity for current students to meet
and connect with the honors alumni network.
20Transfer
When thinking about transfer, it is never too early to start. In fact, students should begin
planning for transfer during their first year at Valencia. Those who wait until their second
year often find themselves scrambling to research options and put together the right
transfer strategy. Your approach will vary depending on what school(s) and program(s)
you choose. Generally speaking, there are three distinct paths you can take, each
requiring different planning and preparation:
• Honors-to-Honors: If your goal is to transfer to an honors program or college at a
four-year school, you will require considerable lead-time to investigate the options.
Your first question will be whether or not they allow transfer students to enter the
program and graduate on par with ‘native’ students (i.e., students who began at
that institution). Many will allow transfer students to enter the program; but, when
you scratch beneath the surface, you may find that it is next to impossible for
transfers to complete the requirements for honors graduation. Your best bet is to
communicate with the program director early and often. For students desiring the
transfer to The Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida, Valencia
College is one of a handful of schools that have an honors-to-honors articulation
agreement with UCF. Graduating students wishing to transfer to The Burnett
Honors College should have a minimum of 18 credits
of honors work at Valencia and a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5.
• Private and Out-of-State Colleges and Universities: Valencia College has an
excellent tradition of placing honors students in some of the most elite institutions
in the country, including Amherst College, Emory University, Smith College,
Columbia University, and UC-Berkeley. In most cases, transferring institutions
will evaluate your Valencia transcript course by course. Very rarely do students
lose a great deal of coursework in transfer. Still, you will want to communicate
with the institution directly before making final decisions. It is well known that
some institutions are more transfer-friendly than others. Speaking with a transfer
admission specialist at the school will give you a good sense for this, as will doing
research online or consulting one of the useful peer-to-peer discussion sites, such
as collegeconfidential.com.
• Florida Public Colleges and Universities: Perhaps the easiest transfer situation to
manage is when students are transferring to a Florida public college or university.
Statewide articulation agreements guarantee that courses you take at Valencia will,
with few exceptions, transfer to the accepting institution. Even so, you will want to
make sure you are taking the right classes at the freshman and sophomore level
to be prepared for upper division coursework. Florida has established an online
advising and transfer tool to assist students throughout the process: flvc.org. This
site allows students to determine how best to chart a path to the baccalaureate
program of their choice.
21Transfer Fair
Each year, the Honors Student Advisory Committee partners with Phi Theta Kappa to
host a Transfer Fair and invites representatives from colleges throughout the nation
to Valencia. This provides an opportunity for honors students to talk one-on-one with
admission specialists and discuss programs and scholarship options. The Transfer Fair
is scheduled for the fall (usually late October or early November each year). Check the
Honors Calendar for specific date.
Transfer Scholarships
A number of schools have scholarships for transfer students graduating from honors
programs. The following is a partial list of colleges and universities that offer honors-
specific transfer scholarships:
• Hamilton Holt School at Rollins College
• University of Central Florida
• New College of Florida
• Stetson University
• University of Tampa
• Florida Atlantic University
• Florida International University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
Honors students may also be eligible for the following
prestigious scholarships:
• Hites Scholarship: Established by a generous gift from Robert F. Hites to the
Valencia Foundation, the Hites Scholarship is awarded each year to the most
outstanding graduate of the James M. and Dayle L. Seneff Honors College.
• Association of Honors Alumni Transfer Scholarship: Each year, the Association of
Honors Alumni (AHA!) selects a graduating honors student as the recipient of this
scholarship, which is partially funded by the rose sale at Commencement.
• Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship: The Jack Kent Cooke
Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship honors excellence by supporting
outstanding community college students with financial need to transfer to and
complete their bachelor’s degrees at the nation’s top four-year colleges and
universities. The Foundation provides up to $30,000 per year
to each of approximately 70 deserving students selected annually, making it
the largest private scholarship for two-year and community college transfer
students in the country.
22• Guistwhite Scholarships: The purpose of this merit-based program is to recognize
the scholarly achievements of Phi Theta Kappa members and enhance members’
attainment of baccalaureate degrees. Up to 20 members will receive scholarships
of $5,000 each for completion of baccalaureate degrees. To be eligible, a student
must post a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA and transfer to a college or university
upon completion of coursework at a community college.
• All-USA Community College Academic Team: The All-USA Community College
Academic Team is presented by USA TODAY and Phi Theta Kappa and sponsored
by Follett Higher Education Group. Twenty students will be selected to the national
team, each receiving a $2,500 scholarship and medallion. Students nominated to
the All-USA Community College Academic Team are automatically named to the
All-State Community College Academic Team.
• Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team: The Coca-Cola Scholars
Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team.
Fifty students will be named Gold Scholars, each receiving a $1,500 scholarship,
fifty students will be named Silver Scholars, each receiving a $1,250 scholarship,
and fifty students will be named Bronze Scholars, each receiving a $1,000
scholarship. A state may have multiple Gold, Silver, or Bronze Scholars. All scholars
will also receive special medallions. The top scoring student in each
of the fifty states will be named a New Century Scholar and will receive a
$2,000 stipend.
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund: The Hispanic Scholarship Fund supports several
scholarship programs for students of Latino background. To learn about these
programs, visit the HSF webpage at hsf.net.
For more information about these and other transfer scholarships,
contact Valerie Burks at vburks1@valenciacollege.edu.
23INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES TRACK
(24 credits of honors coursework)
Courses Term Grade Credits
At least three of the following:
IDH 1110 or IDH 1112 – Interdis. Stud. in Gen Ed I _________ _________ _________
IDH 1111 – Interdisciplinary Studies in Gen Ed II _________ _________ _________
IDH 2120 – Interdisciplinary Studies in Gen Ed III _________ _________ _________
IDH 2121 – Interdisciplinary Studies in Gen Ed IV _________ _________ _________
Honors Electives
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
Co-curricular Activities
Date Activity Hours
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
24LEADERSHIP TRACK
(23 credits of honors coursework)
Courses Term Grade Credits
SLS 2261H – Leadership Development – Honors _________ _________ _________
Two of the following:
SPC 1608H – Fundamentals of Speech – Honors _________ _________ _________
ENC 1101H – Freshman Composition I – Honors _________ _________ _________
ENC 1102H – Freshman Composition II – Honors _________ _________ _________
Honors Gordon Rule Course _________ _________ _________
Honors Gordon Rule Course _________ _________ _________
One of the following:
POS 2041H – U.S. Government – Honors _________ _________ _________
INR 2002H – International Politics – Honors _________ _________ _________
AMH 2010H – U.S. History to 1877 – Honors _________ _________ _________
AMH 2020H – U.S. History 1877 to Present – Honors _________ _________ _________
SYG 2000H – Intro to Sociology – Honors _________ _________ _________
PSY 2012H – General Psychology – Honors _________ _________ _________
SLS 2940H – Service Learning – Honors _________ _________ _________
Honors Electives
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
Co-curricular Activities
Date Activity Hours
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
25UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH TRACK
(24 credits of honors coursework)
Courses Term Grade Credits
IDH 2911 – Honors Research Process _________ _________ _________
Individual Honors Study Plan
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
IDH 2912 – Honors Project _________ _________ _________
Honors Electives
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
Co-curricular Activities
Date Activity Hours
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
26JEFFERSONIAN TRACK
(23 credits of honors coursework)
Courses Term Grade Credits
SLS 1501H – Honors Seminar _________ _________ _________
IDH 2028H – Honors Capstone _________ _________ _________
Thematically-Integrated Gen Ed Courses
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
Honors Electives
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
_______________________________________ _________ _________ _________
Co-curricular Activities
Date Activity Hours
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
__________ _________________________________________________ _________
27© 2014 Valencia College | 13HON007 NAME ___________________________________________________________ V-NUMBER_______________________________________________________ ADVISOR ________________________________________________________ PROGRAM TRACK _________________________________________________ ADMIT TERM _____________________________________________________
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