"The mission of the Honors Program at Minnesota State Mankato is to encourage future leaders, researchers, and global citizens by providing high ability and motivated students with exceptional learning opportunities, mentoring relationships, and a community of scholars that foster their development as future leaders in a global society."
MY WHY: I joined the Honors Program here at MSU, Mankato in order to challenge myself academically and create connections with other like-minded individuals while preparing myself for a future career in nursing.
Personal Learning Plan 2019-20
Personal Learning Plan 2020-21
Personal Learning Plan 2021-22
Why Honors Essay
My time in the Honors Program could be described as positive, fun, and full of personal development and reflection. Being a part of the Honors Program has helped me to easily connect with other students, faculty, and staff who I would have otherwise not known, allowing me to create great relationships with my peers. In addition, the Honors Program has helped me to grow as an individual by guiding me through reflection and pushing me to do activities outside of my comfort zone, such as research. Overall, the Honors Program has helped to make my time here at Minnesota State University, Mankato even more positive by guiding both personal and professional development.
Although the Honors Program here is different than a traditional program the goals are still similar: student development and future success. Being able to surround myself with other like-minded individuals helps foster growth in the areas of leadership, global citizenship, and research. This sense of community that was created pushed me to set high standards and goals to reach throughout my four years here at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Without my involvement in the Honors Program, I would not have gained the skill of reflection. I tend to be very busy and enjoy being surrounded by people, hence why reflection is hard for me. Through this process that is required as part of the program, I have grown to enjoy taking a step back from life and reflecting on experiences I have had throughout my time at college. Although some of the projects or assignments I completed may have seen like a check box on my to-do list, I did not realize the impact they may have on me when growing my competence. These projects include the quantitative study project, article review paper, and video chatting with students from a university in Mexico for a Spanish class. A unique experience I had within the Honors Program was being a part of the Honors Student Body executive board, most notably as the president my junior and senior years. This experience allowed me to further build upon my leadership skills, work closely with the Honors Graduate Assistant as well as Leah, Ginny, and Emma, and participate in social events with my peers.
As I end my time in the Honors Program, I have come to appreciate the support I have pushing me to succeed both now and in the future, the amazing connections I have made with staff and faculty, and the progress I have made both personally and professionally. In my long list of things I was involved in during my time in college such as Student Ambassadors, Student Nurses Association, Learning Communities, and Intramural Sports, the Honors Program is sure to be added. The Honors Program has made my experience at Minnesota State University, Mankato even more positive and is something I am proud to have been a part of.