Honors Committee

The Faculty Senate Honors Committee provides a forum to address issues or ideas with the goal of improving the WOU Honors Program. It is one of four Faculty Senate curriculum committees.  Below is the
Honors Committee charge, approved by Faculty Senate in 2016:

“The Faculty Senate Honors Committee serves in a review and advisory capacity with regard to the college’s academic Honors Program and its director. The committee will assist and advise the Honors Director with the evaluation of thesis proposals, the selection of Honors courses, and additional evaluation, Honors, and assessment requests. The Honors Committee is the curriculum committee for the Honors Program and makes its recommendations directly to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee.”

The committee meets on the third Tuesday of the months that classes are in regular session (September through June). In addition to faculty, class-elected honors students are full voting members — one of the distinguishing elements of the committee. Its structure derives from a desire for diversity as well as the participation of academic divisions within the program’s curriculum.

WOU Faculty Representatives

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Seats (4), one each from the Divisions of Creative Arts, Humanities, Natural Science & Math, and Social Science:

Creative Arts: Prof. Tim Cowart, Department of Dance
Humanities: Dr. Ryan Topper, Department of English Studies
Natural Science & Math: Dr. Michael LeMaster, Department of Biology
Social Science: Dr. Elizabeth Swedo, History Department (Dr. Kimberly Jensen, also from History, will substitute during fall 2023)

College of Education Seats (2), one from the Division of Education & Leadership and one from either the Division of Health & Exercise Science or the Division of Deaf & Professional Studies:

Division of Education & Leadership: Dr. Dani Lane
Division of Deaf Studies & Professional Studies: Prof. Erin Trine — Honors Committee Chair

Optional Seats (0-2), chosen solely from the Divisions of Behavioral Sciences; Business & Economics; Computer Science; or the Library:

Dr. Jaime M. Cloud: Department of Psychological Sciences / Behavioral Sciences

Honors Program Director:  Dr. Gavin Keulks, Department of English Studies

WOU Honors Student Representatives

Sophomore Class Representative: Kayla Smith, Psychology major
Junior Class Representative: Mateo McCann, Pre-education major
Senior Class Representative: Emily Schneider, Elementary/middle Education major
Honors Program Specialist:  Currently Vacant