University of Kansas Honors Program

05/27/2026

This semester, two honors students had transformative experiences as interns with Kansas Action for Children (KAC):

Bridget Hawkins, a sophomore double majoring in English and global and international studies and minoring in Spanish, said one of the most inspiring parts of her KAC internship was learning how legislation can positively impact the education system. "It would be nice for me to be in a position like that, where I can help correct the issues I see in these systems," Bridget said.

Abbie Clements, who at first was pursuing political science with a history minor, added a second major in digital marketing communications after her first-year honors seminar and a series of internships revealed the ways communications influence politics. Abbie recently segued from being a KAC intern to their full-time communications specialist.

Honors nonprofit internships like those with KAC offer students a space to learn more about potential careers of impact — valuable exploration that can sometimes result in unexpected and welcome outcomes. Congrats to both students for completing these formative experiences — and to Abbie for the new role!

Read more here:

Abbie Clements and Bridget Hawkins joined Kansas Action for Children determined to better understand the political and legal systems that shape Kansans' lives.

05/20/2026

Honors students Kaitlyn Carson (second from left), Youngha Rissler (left), and Aislinn Reekie (right) recently completed internships at Braden Heidner Lowe & Associates, where they finished off their experience by volunteering at a Kansas Day celebration with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.

Youngha and Aislinn also participated in the internship last year, and Kaitlyn took Youngha's recommendation to apply after hearing that she enjoyed her experience. Kaitlyn's honors connection to her law school aspirations doesn't stop there:

“The honors program has supported me in my pursuit of a legal career by connecting me to valuable mentors, relevant activities, and peers with similar interests. As I look forward to graduating next year, I am thrilled to apply the countless experiences and skills I have gained from the honors program in law school and my following legal career!” Kaitlyn said.

05/19/2026

Happy graduation, spring grads! 🎉🎓

We're so proud of our program's newest alumni, whom we celebrated at Friday's graduate recognition ceremony. Though we'll miss all of your vibrant energy and enthusiasm, we can't wait to see where your journeys take you next.

Rock chalk! ❤️💙

05/14/2026

Honors students Arthur Benson and Gabrielle Bolfing will represent KU as 2026 Astronaut Scholars! The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, founded by the Mercury 7 astronauts, provides scholarships for up to 70 students per year "who exhibit motivation, imagination and exceptional performance in the fields of engineering, mathematics and natural or applied sciences." Cheers, Arthur and Gabrielle!

Read more about KU's Astronaut Scholars here: https://news.ku.edu/news/article/two-ku-juniors-to-compete-for-2026-astronaut-scholarships

05/08/2026

Congratulations to history and Russian double major Adrianna Brady, who was recently selected for a Fulbright Award, which will provide her with funding to study, research, and teach abroad.

"It's all connected and so are we," the motto for Common Cause, inspired Adrianna as a first-year student. "For me, language has always been an important tool of connection. I studied Russian abroad in Armenia and as my Russian improved, I felt more connected to my host family and friends," she said. "Like language has provided me with a platform for connection, the honors program has helped me to connect my academic interests to global experiences. Through its support, I’ve been able to approach learning not just as an individual pursuit, but as part of an international, interconnected endeavor."

Adrianna and the program's spring 2026 graduates will be celebrated at the program's Graduate Recognition Ceremony 8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15 at the Lied Center of Kansas. If you'd also like to celebrate our most recent honors graduates, we hope to see you there! 🎓

05/04/2026

Two cheers to environmental engineering and English double major Wyatt Vaughn, who recently claimed both a KU Brosseau Creativity Award and, on a national level, a Udall Scholarship! Vaughn said the honors program has played a critical role in supporting both accomplishments and his entire educational journey at KU.

"The program's Honors Opportunity Awards and amazing community have not only encouraged me but tangibly assisted me in my goals to be an engineer-poet. I made the decision to come to KU after I talked to [former Honors Faculty Fellow] Mary Klayder, who encouraged me that pursuing both disciplines was not only possible, but would make an experience for me worth more than just the sum of each discipline's parts," Vaughn said.

Read more about Wyatt's Udall scholarship here: https://news.ku.edu/news/article/ku-student-wyatt-vaughn-named-udall-scholar

And his Brosseau Creativity Award here: https://spencerart.ku.edu/education-and-research/university/student-opportunities/brosseau-creativity-awards

04/29/2026

Thank you, KU Honors community! ❤️💙 We're so heartened by all the support our program received during this year's initiative. Through 90 gifts from 82 donors, we were able to raise $45,450!

We're incredibly grateful for all of our donors — your generosity will create boundless opportunities and help shape the paths of honors students for years to come. Rock Chalk!

04/29/2026

Your donation could make a $25,000 difference (yes, really)!

We only need 6 more gifts of any amount to the Honors Study Abroad Support fund before noon CST to unlock Jeff and Amy Handlin's $25,000 contribution! Let's make study abroad possible for honors students: https://onedayoneku.org/pages/university-honors-program-landing-page

04/29/2026

Challenge alert! Help us unlock an additional $25,000 contribution (thanks, Jeff and Amy Handlin!) by making a donation of any amount to the Honors Study Abroad Support fund before noon. Only 10 more donors to go — let's complete this challenge! 🤩✈️🌎

Donate here:

For this year’s One Day One KU giving event, the University Honors Program seeks to grow two specific funds that are vital to student success. 

04/28/2026

What an exciting start to One Day One KU! We've now entered the first of our chosen "Power Hour" periods. This one is a two-hour stretch where the three units with the most donor activity will earn bonus dollars. If you haven't made your gift yet, between 5 and 7 p.m. CST this evening is the perfect time!

Give now: https://onedayoneku.org/pages/university-honors-program-landing-page