Honors College - University of Arkansas

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Honors College - University of Arkansas

Your story. Your honors.

Here at the University of Arkansas Honors College, our goal is to build a transformative community of students and faculty that prepares graduates who excel professionally, flourish personally and lead globally. The University of Arkansas Honors College offers undergraduate honors programs in every college, tailored to specific majors. 100 percent of our graduates have engaged in faculty-mentored research.

09/10/2026

Happy ! Joshua Bozarth is a senior from Bolingbrook, Illinois, majoring in biochemistry, French and philosophy. Bozarth’s inspiration to study biochemistry came in high school, when he had the chance to use X-ray spectroscopy at Argonne National Labs. He was immediately fascinated by the idea of using light to learn about tiny structures and knew he wanted to keep using spectroscopy in college. The discovery and synthesis of quantum dots earned the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2023, and Bozarth’s thesis work focuses on standardizing their synthesis procedures. In the Heyes Lab, Bozarth and his fellow researchers attach quantum dots to proteins to learn more about the proteins’ structure/function. One goal is to learn more about photosynthetic proteins and help develop artificial photosynthesis. They hope this will enable the production of low-cost, near-zero carbon biofuels.

“I am passionate about the environmental mission of the Heyes Lab,” Bozarth said. And I’m honored to get to contribute a tiny piece to the massive puzzle of artificial photosynthesis.”

09/09/2026

Over the summer, Ian Dandurand studied abroad in Kenya through the University of Arkansas Faculty-Led Ecology, Evolution and Peoples of East Africa program. During the 19-day experience, Ian explored Kenya by engaging with the environment, wildlife, history, people and traditional culture to better understand how life has changed over millions of years.

As a mechanical engineering major, Ian was drawn to the program’s uniqueness and the chance to experience a world so different from his everyday life. From exploring one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems and venturing into the remote Turkana Desert region to visiting key fossil sites across Kenya and interacting with local tribes, Ian gained a new perspective on both the natural world and the systems that have shaped the country.

The program began with a week of classes on the U of A campus, helping students better understand the environment they would explore before traveling abroad. Ian recalls learning about the formation of the African Rift Valley in class and then truly grasping the scale of its impact when the group descended into the valley to visit Lake Nakuru National Park.

Beyond academics, Ian credits the people he traveled with as an important part of what made the experience so memorable. His advice to other students interested in studying abroad is to get to know the people around them and take the risk of displaying their genuine selves.

Slide 1: Taking in the incredible landscapes and natural beauty of Kenya
Slide 2: Learning beyond the classroom at Kenya’s equator
Slide 3: Safari views beneath Mount Kilimanjaro

09/08/2026

Data centers are booming across the country and Arkansas is part of the conversation.

But what does that actually mean for energy, water, economic development and our growing appetite for AI?

Join us for the next Honors Pulse: Powering the Future, a lively panel bringing together experts from engineering, law, communication and industry to explore the opportunities, challenges and big questions surrounding data centers.

You don’t need to know anything about data centers to come, just bring your curiosity (and your questions). And yes: free pizza and refreshments.

09/04/2026

Courses and Coffee offered honors students a preview of what’s ahead for Spring 2027! Faculty joined us to share insights into their upcoming honors courses and highlight the unique topics and experiences students will have the opportunity to explore.

Check out the Spring 2027 honors course offerings at honors.uark.edu

08/28/2026

As we wrap up Leadership and Service Week, we asked members of our campus community to reflect on the qualities that make a good leader. Their responses highlight a core value of honors education: developing thoughtful, curious and compassionate scholars who use their knowledge and talents in service to others. Thank you to everyone who shared their perspective and helped us celebrate the many ways leadership takes shape across our campus!

08/27/2026

We are continuing Leadership and Service Week by highlighting honors students who make an impact through leadership and service across campus and beyond. Meet Logan Williams!

Logan Williams is a senior from Cabot, Arkansas, pursuing a degree in finance and economics, with a minor in political science. He currently serves as the student body president of the Associated Student Government, a National Model United Nations Delegate and works with the Arvest Fixed Income Securities Program. In previous years, Williams has served as a Walton Honors peer mentor, a Walton Executive Education intern, a CIMBA Italy ambassador and as a staff member within the Freshman Leadership Forum.

“The most rewarding aspect of serving in a leadership role is having the opportunity to build relationships with some of the most driven students on campus,” Williams said. “Supporting these students in making their initiatives a reality, not only grows those relationships, but allows our organization to show up for students in big ways. It is incredibly rewarding to see our collective efforts turn into positive change at the University of Arkansas.”

08/26/2026

We are continuing Leadership and Service Week by highlighting honors students who make an impact through leadership and service across campus and beyond. Meet Muskan Taori!

Muskan Taori is a senior from Bentonville, Arkansas, pursuing a degree in biophysical chemistry, with minors in art history, sustainability and political science. She currently serves as a civic engagement intern for the Center for Community Engagement, working within VOICE! Taori has held previous positions with the Distinguished Lectures Committee and the Associated Student Government.

“My favorite part of campus leadership is seeing the impact I make,” Muskan said. “I have watched the initiatives and efforts of student leaders solve pressing problems facing the student body, and I am so grateful to be a part of that.”

08/25/2026

We are excited to kick off Leadership and Service Week by recognizing the student leaders who serve the Honors College community. Meet our 2026-2027 Honors College Ambassador Executive Board!

08/19/2026

Another A-Week is in the books! We enjoyed celebrating the start of a new academic year and all the opportunities for learning, discovery and connection that come with it. We look forward to seeing what our honors students accomplish in the year ahead.

08/18/2026

Nicole McKellar, an honors biological engineering and German major, was selected as a DAAD RISE intern, working at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany, this summer. DAAD RISE is a summer internship program that allows undergraduate students to conduct STEM research at universities and research institutions across Germany. McKellar’s research focused on enhancing crop health with biostimulants and mineral fertilizers. We are proud to see the meaningful work McKellar accomplished during her time in Germany and the impact of her research abroad.

“Despite my relatively short time there, I learned a broad set of skills, from nutrient and soil testing to DNA subcloning,” McKellar said. “These skills allowed me to set up experiments to find an agricultural method to maintain or increase crop yield while reducing the use of harmful traditional chemical treatments during seeding and growth. The funding from the Honors College Travel Grant allowed me to pursue an opportunity that I could not have afforded without it.”

Address

1 N University Avenue
Fayetteville, AR
72701

Website

http://honorscollege.uark.edu/, https://linktr.ee/uarkhonors

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