Student Honors

Scholars Program

EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE

Scholars are enrolled in an undergraduate program of study in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, and as entering freshmen they are appointed for membership in the Steinhardt Scholars Program which  promotes excellence in academic achievement and leadership through study, student activities, and community service.


As honor students, scholars participate in a rich mix of seminars, domestic and international travel colloquia, research, educational and cultural activities, and community service.

Freshman and Sophomore Year Scholars
  • The Scholars Seminar (E03.0002), the centerpiece of the Program during the first two years, is organized around a yearly theme to inform, build community, and promote leadership development.
  • Domestic and international Travel Colloquia offer additional insight into the human experience from a variety of perspectives. International travel, in particular, is designed to work in tandem with New York University's commitment to global learning and cooperation. Scholars travel domestically one year and internationally the next. This year (2009-2010) Scholars will travel internationally during the January Intersession.
  • Student research allows scholars to explore questions related to the annual theme and/or the travel colloquium destination through group and/or individual research projects.
  • Community service, as experiential learning, complements the Seminar, and engages Scholars in individual and/or group service projects. This form of learning allows Scholars to explore social policy and issues of social justice, and to develop perspectives and skills necessary for effective leadership.
  • Social and cultural activities and events embrace the richness of the University and New York City and its neighborhoods.
  • Freshman honors seminars are small, intellectually stimulating classes taught by distinguished faculty from across NYU. Freshman Scholars are invited to enroll in a Freshman Honors Seminar, by advisement as an elective, if their program of study allows. Past seminars include Baseball and American Culture; From Mind to Brain and Back Again; Invisible Metropolis; Girls in the Sixties: Getting Coffee and Getting Political; Living Off the Laughter: Comedy in America; Europe in Africa and Africa in Europe: Interaction and Rupture. Visit http://cas.nyu.edu/object/ug.academicprograms.honorsfall2009 for more information on the Freshman Honors Seminars.
Scholars chose "Leading Our Generation Past Discrimination" as their 2008-2009 theme. In the fall semester they explored the nature and history of the many forms of societal discrimination. During the spring semester, they took a closer look at both personal and organizational responses to discrimination. Their domestic travel colloquium to Austin, Texas included the LBJ Museum and Library to learn more about the legislation passed during Lyndon Baines Johnson's Presidency that expanded political, legal and civil rights to a broader segment of the American population. Scholars also spent a day of service at a local elementary school with Dubois Scholars from Huston-Tilotson University. Their interviews with local advocacy orgaizations whose work addresses various forms of discrimination formed the basis of their year-end Scholars Research Colloquium.

The 2009-2010 theme is "Traditional Cultural Expression:  What does it mean to a community?"  Scholars will explore the meaning and forms of cultural expression and their role in forming identities through research, investigation, and exploration of local neighborhoods.  Their international travel colloquium will take them them to Puebla, Mexico.
Junior and Senior Year Scholars
  • Dean's Grants for Student Research. Sophomores, juniors and seniors, with a 3.5 or better GPA, may apply for a grant to support a faculty-sponsored independent research project. Projects may not be connected with a course or in fulfillment of degree requirements. Click here for more information about the Dean's Grants.
  • Departmental Honors. Senior year Scholars may be invited to apply for departmental honors or participate in a senior honors course. Students are advised by their departmental faculty and advisors, and should check with them about the honors available in their department.
  • NYU Study Abroad. In addition to international study through the Scholars Program, scholars are encouraged to participate in global programs in Accra, Berlin, Florence, London, Madrid, Paris, Prague, Shanghai or Tel Aviv (http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/portal/global_programs/). Departmental global opportunities are also available and may fulfill degreement requirements within your program of study.
  • National Scholarship Competitions. Scholars may apply for a number of prestigious awards such as the Truman Scholarship as juniors, and as seniors, for the Rhodes, Marshall, Luce, and/or Fulbright Scholarships. Scholars are advised and guided through the application process. Visit http://www.nyu.edu/scholarships/index.html for more information.
Scholars Selection/Awards/Annual Appointment
  • Selection: Students are selected for membership in the Steinhardt Scholars Program based on a demonstrated record of outstanding academic achievement, leadership and community service. They are assigned to one of two scholars groups: the Dean's Scholars or the University Scholars. Both groups follow  a similar schedule of activities. Scholars remain in the assigned groups for two years.
  • Award: Scholars are awarded a scholarship or financial aid package, renewable over four years of undergraduate study, which includes both merit and need-based financial aid as demonstrated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Scholars Activities Fund helps to defray most of the costs of Program events and activities, including travel colloquia.
  • Annual Appointment: Scholars are expected to maintain at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average in their academic studies, and to participate actively in Scholars Program activities. Scholars who meet these requriements are reappointed annually. Students interested in joining the program may apply in the Spring semester prior to their sophomore year. Applications are available in the Office of Student Affairs, 82 Washington Square East, 2nd Floor.
Current Scholars
If you are currently a member of the Scholars Program, please click here for the Scholars Program requirements.
Scholars Advisors

Dean's Scholars Advisors 

Lindsay Wright
Associate Dean
212.998.5003
lindsay.wright@nyu.edu

Jeanne Bannon
Director, Counseling & Student Services
212.998.5058
jeanne.bannon@nyu.edu

University Scholars Advisors

Patricia M. Carey
Associate Dean
212.998-5025
patricia.carey@nyu.edu

Doris Alcivar
Assistant Director, Student Services
212.992.9382
doris.alcivar@nyu.edu