4 students hanging out at the Illini Union outdoors on a warm day

James Scholar Honors Program

Challenge yourself to impact the future.

Message from the Director of Honors Programs

Hello new James Scholars,

I’m excited to welcome you to the AHS James Scholar Honors Program. The information on this page will give you a brief explanation of the program and how it may affect your registration for Fall. 

If you are planning to participate in the program, PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SHORT FORM by May 27 at 11:59 p.m.

You are under no obligation to participate in the program. The information below should help as you prepare for your registration appointment with your advisor.

As always, feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns, tonyap@illinois.edu.

Go Illini!
Tonya Pulley, Ph.D.
Director of Career Services and Honors Programs

 

Requirements for the James Scholar Honors Program

  • Enroll in at least 12 graded credit hours each fall and spring semester
  • Maintain at least a 3.50 Illinois GPA 
  • Complete one honors project every fall and spring semester. (You do have the option to skip the fall semester and complete two in the spring, but I don’t advise that for your first semester on campus.)

Honors projects 

In general, honors projects are opportunities for students to expand their academic experience either in or out of the classroom. Please visit the Requirements page for an overview of the options for completing an honors project.

For students beginning their first semester on our campus, a few honors project options would be most appropriate. Click below to find out specifics. 
 

Information for New Freshmen and Transfer Students

Freshmen

Freshmen can choose one of these options for fall:

1. CHP course:  These are special courses only for students in the Campus Honors Program. Taking one of these courses will also fulfill your honors requirement for James Scholar. 
Your advisor will help you register for one of these courses if you were invited to be in the Campus Honors Program.

2. AHS 125: Freshman Honors Seminar: This is a one-hour, second 8-week seminar course in the fall semester. Although the title implies it is only for freshmen, it is appropriate for transfer James Scholars, as well. Your advisor will help you register for this course.

3. James Scholar section: These are special sections of a course that are restricted to James Scholars. In the section, the entire class will complete an enhanced academic project related to the course. Your advisor will have a list of these courses if you choose this option during registration. Your advisor will help you register for one of these courses.

4. Honors project in a regular course: For this option, it can be any class that is two credit hours or higher and graded. You will discuss this option with the course instructor to get his/her approval. Nothing needs to be done during registration for this option.

Transfer Students

Transfer students can choose from one of these options for fall:

1. AHS 125: Freshman Honors Seminar: This is a one-hour, second 8-week seminar course in the fall semester. Although the title implies it is only for freshmen, it is appropriate for transfer James Scholars, as well. Your advisor will help you register for this course.

2. James Scholar section: These are special sections of courses that are restricted to James Scholars. In the section, the entire class will complete an enhanced academic project related to the course. Your advisor will have a list of them if you choose this option during registration. Your advisor will help you register for one of these courses.

3. Honors project in a regular course: For this option, it can be any of your classes that is two credit hours or higher and graded. You will discuss this option with the course instructor to get his/her approval. Nothing needs to be done during registration for this option.
     
 

AHS James Scholars in the 2023 Undergraduate Research Symposium

  • Samuel Adeoye, Systematic Review of Nutrition mHealth Hypertension Intervention for Resource Limited Populations
  • Anastasia Adjei, An Investigation of Air Pollution, Diet Quality, and Antioxidant Intake on Adipose Tissue Inflammation
  • Afnaan Afsar Ali, Understanding the Role of a Socially Assistive Robot to Successfully Age in Place
  • Madison Barrera, Relationship between Caregiver Education and Expressive Language in Children with Down Syndrome
  • Divya Bhookya, Accessing Health Information: Challenges & Solutions Among People Aging with Vision Loss
  • Lauren Couri, The Relationship between Physical Activity and Cognitive and Motor Skills in School-Aged Children
  • Kalia Davis, The Effects Diet and Air Quality Have on Systemic Inflammation and Childhood Asthma
  • Maya Dye, Advice from Aging With a Disability: A Qualitative Study on Wisdom
  • Meghan Gibbons, Limiting Chronic Volume Overload for Patients on Hemodialysis Via Short-term, Home-Delivered Low Sodium Meals and Dietary Education
  • Aneesa Goyal, Microbial Protease Supplementation Potentiated the Early Net Exposure to Postprandial Amino Acids in Healthy Adults
  • Daniela Hernandez, Spanish-English Bilingualism: A Reward or Penalty in Healthcare?
  • Melinda Jara, The Effects of a Remote Social Engagement Program in Caregivers of Persons with Dementia: A Case Study Approach
  • Abigail Keasler, Relationship between Caregiver Education and Expressive Language in Children with Down Syndrome
  • Abigail Keck, An Investigation of Personality, Physical Activity, and Heart Rate Variability
  • Isabella Lau, Effects of Background Music Familiarity on Children’s Word Recognition
  • Emma Mueller, The Relationship Between Levels of Communication and Features of Autism in Children with Down Syndrome
  • Favour Ojerinde, Differences In The Development Of Disability Among African Americans And Its Contributing Factors
  • Noah Olivero, Technology Support for Online Interventions that Prioritize Social Engagement
  • Holly Panfil, Aging Effects on ERSPs During Strategic Attention
  • Aditi Patel, Implications of Conversational Agents on Loneliness of Older Adults: A Mini-review
  • Atlas Pilchen, Effects of Background Music Familiarity on Children’s Word Recognition
  • Annalisa Ranallo, Resilience in the Case of Individuals with Long-COVID
  • Eve Rubovits, Analysis of Study Using MyVoice to Collect Data on Youth Caregiving Experiences and Perspectives
  • Natalia Rzepa, Aging Effects on ERSPs During Strategic Attention
  • Rahil Sadruddin, Exploring Self-Efficacy for Physical Activity Among Cancer Survivors Participating in a Virtual 12 Week Program
  • Emilie Schramer, A Review of Sex-Based Differences in Individuals with Misophonia
  • Brandon Snipe, Analyzing Older Adults’ Interactions with Voice Assistants: Implications for Improving Adoption of Novel Technologies
  • Leyna Tran, Effects of Background Music Familiarity on Children’s Word Recognition
  • Alexandra Trekas, Associations Between Discourse Production and Cognitive Performance in Persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment
  • Anna Vanisko, Analysis of Study Using MyVoice to Collect Data on Youth Caregiving Experiences and Perspectives
  • Lauren Vicencio, Daily Sound Level Exposure for Preterm Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
  • Ashley Yun, The Relationship Between Levels of Communication and Features of Autism in Children with Down Syndrome