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, leadership, and community service.

The Scholars Program is part of the honors program in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. The Scholars Program offers opportunities to select undergraduate students, from all majors within the School, to engage in academic inquiry and leadership development through the Scholars Seminar, domestic and international travel colloquia, research, community service, and social and educational activities.

Scholars 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 groups: Dean's Scholars or University Scholars. Both groups follow a similar schedule of activities. Scholars remain in their assigned groups for two years

Scholars Award

Scholars are awarded a scholarship, renewable over four years of undergraduate study, which includes both merit and need-based financial aid as demonstrated by the Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Scholars Activities Fund helps to defray 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 requirements are reappointed annually.

Freshman and Sophomore Year Scholars
  • The Scholars Seminar (SAHS-UE 0002) is the centerpiece of the Program during freshman and sophomore years. The Seminar is organized around an annual topic  that provides a foundation for learning, building community, and promoting leadership. Scholars meet weekly over the course of the academic year to explore the chose topic through discussions and reflection, guest lectures, interviews, off-campus field tripas, and student presentations. The topic also informs cultural activities, research, community service and domestic and international travel colloquia.

  • The Seminar Topic for the coming year is chosen each April by rising sophomore Scholars. Scholars and advisors work together over the summer to define the topic and develop the seminar syllabus, including readings, lectures, discussion topics and activities. Recent Seminar topics have included Traditional Cultural Expression and Community Identify; Leading our Generation Past Discrimination; Evolving Communities; and the American Dream: Reality vs. Representation.
  • 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. Recent travel colloquia have taken Scholars to Ghana, New Orleans, Peru, Austin, and Mexico.
  • Student Research allows scholars to explore questions related to the annual topic and the travel colloquium destination through group and/or individual research project initiatives.
  • 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 issues of social justice and policy and to develop perspectives and skills necessary for effective leadership.
  • Social and Cultural Activities and Events embrace the richness of the University, New York City, and its neighborhoods.
  • Freshman Honors Seminars. Freshman Scholars are invited to enroll in a Freshman Honors Seminar of their choice, by advisement as an elective, if their program of study allows. Seminars are small, intellectually stimulating classes taught by distinguished faculty from across NYU. Recent seminars include Baseball and American Culture;  In Search of Lost Time; First Amendement Freedom of Expression; Rich and Poor in America Today; and From Mind to Brain and Back Again.
Junior and Senior Year Scholars
  • Dean's Grants for Student Research. Sophomores and juniors,Dean's with a 3.5 or better GPA, may apply for a Dean's 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.
  • Dean's Honor List. Each semester students with a grade point average of 3.7 or better are placed on the Dean's List.
  • Departmental Honors. Scholars in their senior year may be invited to apply for departmental honors or participate in a senior honors course. Students are advised by their departmental faculty and advisors.
  • NYU Study Abroad. In addition to international study through the Scholars Program, scholars are encouraged to participate in NYU Global in Berlin, buenos Aires, Florence, Ghana, London, Madrid, Paris, Prague, Shanghai and Tel Aviv and/or sites specific to their major. By advisement, Schoalrs may fulfill degreement requirements at NYU Study Abroad sites for a semester or a year.
  • National Scholarship Competitions. Scholars may apply for a number of prestigious awards such as the Truman Scholarship (as juniors), and for the Rhodes, Marshall, Luce, and/or Fulbright Scholarships (as seniors). Scholars are advised and guided through the application process.
Scholars Advisors

Dean's Scholars Advisors 

Lindsay Wright
Associate Dean for Planning and Communication
82 Washington Square East, 4th Floor
212.998.5003
lindsay.wright@nyu.edu

Jeanne Bannon
Director, Counseling & Student Services
82 Washington Square East, 2nd Floor
212.998.5058
jeanne.bannon@nyu.edu

University Scholars Advisors

Patricia M. Carey
Associate Dean for Student Affairs
82 Washington Square East, 2nd Floor
212.998-5025
patricia.carey@nyu.edu

Devon Pryor
Graduate Assistant
Office of Student Affairs
82 Washington Square East, 2nd Floor
212.998.5065
devon.pryor@nyu.edu