Dear University Honors Program students,
Hello and welcome to the start of the 2019-2010 academic year! As always, summer has passed quickly by and we are excited to begin a new year with you all. We look forward to challenging you and having you challenge us, too!
This year brings a change to the Honors administration. Elizabeth Chacko will be overseeing the UHP as part of her new role as Associate Provost for Special Programs and the Mount Vernon Academic Experience. She will be working to energize the Mount Vernon Campus and build a dynamic, thriving intellectual community by bringing together faculty, students and post-doctoral researchers to tackle interesting research problems. Honors students – both those living on and off the Mount Vernon Campus – are encouraged to get involved in research activities, classes and seminars. For all UHP-specific research opportunities, check in regularly at: https://honorsprogram.gwu.edu/research-assistants and the Honors Blog.
Bethany Cobb Kung is stepping into the role of Director of Honors and, as Director, will continue to be the main point of contact for all student-related matters in Honors. As always, your voices really matter to us and we welcome your input and feedback. Please visit during “UHP DirectorOpen Office Hours” (Mondays, 11am on the Vern; Thursdays 2pm on Foggy Bottom – check the UHP calendar for exact dates) to ask questions, provide feedback, complete paperwork or just chat! If those times are not convenient, please email to schedule an appointment.
This year, we welcome a fantastic group of Faculty Fellows to the Mount Vernon Campus. This Fall, Philip Wirtz of the School of Business will be teaching “Data Science, Predictive Analytics and Ethics” and Arun Malik of Economics is teaching ”Natural Resources and Environmental Economics”. In the Spring, Ryan Engstrom from Geography will cover “Geospatial for Good”. Stay tuned for announcements about the “Food for Thought” lunches which will feature the Faculty Fellows and some of our core faculty members presenting their research to our whole community.
This semester, the UHP will be working with GW’s Marketing and Creative Services department to develop an introductory video about the UHP to be featured on our website, which is currently being redesigned. We will be asking for some “on camera” volunteers and you might see cameras briefly in your classroom or at community events. You are always welcome to decline being videotaped (just inform the cameraperson) and we will do our best to keep disruption to a minimum.
As always – please check the blog regularly and read your Newsflash carefully to keep aware of the many exciting events that are coming this year. Only your involvement can keep our UHP community thriving! First up will be our Fall Hike, on Saturday, September 14th (details to follow, keep your fingers crossed for nice weather). Also take advantage of Professor on the Town events and other community programming as it arises. Planning way ahead, the Fall 2019 Student Faculty Dinner will be held on Wednesday, December 11th – prepare to eat lots of food!
All the best,
Bethany Cobb Kung
Director, University Honors Program
Elizabeth Chacko
Associate Provost for Special Programs and the Mount Vernon Academic Experience
