The Honors College Newsletter - Issue 5

Welcome to the fifth issue of Honorable Mentions for the '25-26 school year! Honorable Mentions is our monthly newsletter that will catch you up on some of the important developments within the Honors College.

This newsletter is written by honors fellow Abby Comstock.

Faculty-Student Networking Event

This Wednesday, April 1st, the Honors College will host the Faculty-Student Networking Mixer from 5-7 pm on Zoom (RSVP in Suitable)! This E1 networking event provides an opportunity for faculty mentors to discuss their honors fellowship proposals with honors students. The aim is to match students with faculty for either $1,500 honors fellowships (75 hours of focused effort over one semester) or $3,000 honors fellowships (150 hours of focused effort over two semesters).

The $1,500 - $3000 grant is applied to a student's financial account. Typically, half of the award is disbursed at the start of the fellowship, with the second disbursed when the student satisfactorily completes their final presentation. In addition to the financial stipend, honors fellowships satisfy an honors requirement as an Honors Experiential Learning Opportunity (HELO).

The Honors College will begin awarding fellowships in July for the 2026-27 school year. 

City-Ship Program

The City-ship Program at UMass Lowell is currently accepting students for the upcoming academic year!

The City-ship program connects Honors students with nonprofits in the Greater Lowell area. Current partners include Ace for New Americans, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell, and Coalition for a Better Acre. There will be a kick-off event and orientation in the fall, followed by a mid-year check-in, and celebration as the year concludes. Participants will network, gain professional skills, and embark on a hands-on learning experience to make tangible change in the community.

To apply, simply fill out the application, and submit a resume as well as a Letter of Intent describing your motivation for wanting to collaborate with an organization. Questions? Email Erin_Jenkins@uml.edu.

Honors Symposiums

Before the fall semester begins, take a look at the upcoming Honors Symposiums! They are optional, non-credited opportunities to satisfy an H4, H5, or H6 Honors requirement.

Food & Sustainability is a deep dive into local food systems, sustainability initiatives, and independent food enterprises.

The Red Scare and the Blacklist investigates the impact of the Red Scare on theatre, film, and media, analyzing the political and cultural landscape of the United States during the mid-1900s. These unique topics require no background knowledge or even appreciation for the subjects. All symposiums meet at 4pm on select Fridays, beginning in September.

Madrid Study Abroad: Spring Break

Recently, Honors students took on Spain’s bright, buzzing capital city: Madrid. The trip was enlightening and eye-opening, even for those who had been abroad previously. Aidan Godley had an overwhelmingly positive trip, elevated by his knowledge of Spanish and the country’s history. Aidan explained that the effort he put in was reflected in the experience he had. “It is what you make of it,” he said.

Another participant, Regina Wasaidy, described Madrid as beautiful and clean. The experience expanded her worldview and gave her a unique connection to the other students in the program. She discovered unique cultural differences, from the local fashion to the cuisine. Aidan and Regina both especially enjoyed tapas, in which people share an assortment of appetizers in a fun, social setting.

For more student accounts of Madrid, check out the UMass Lowell Blog!

Azores Study Abroad: Spring Break

According to students, highlights from the Honors College's spring break study abroad program in the Azores included sampling vegetables at Bio Kairós, the beautiful beach in Ponto Da Caloura, and immersing themselves in the country’s rich culture.

The emphasis on appreciating each moment slowly was a refreshing change from the fast pace of America. Life in the Azores was not rushed, but rather thoroughly cherished.

“It honestly opened my eyes to the desire to see how people around the world live their lives,” one student said. Anticipated travel dates for Azores 2027 are March 6th through the 13th. Keep an eye out for the application.

For the first year of the Azores Study Abroad, the Honors College received grant funding from the Saab Family Foundation, making it possible to travel during the high season. After the successful pilot year, the aim has been to keep the Azores study abroad program as accessible and affordable as possible, hence why the program now runs during Spring Break, so as to take advantage of the off season and also so that credits for the program are included in students' Spring semester tuition.

Dominican Republic Study Abroad: Spring Break

In the Dominican Republic, students worked to install new solar panels in the community. Mechanical Engineering major Jake Hoffman explained his experience with renewable energy as new and engaging; it was a route that he had never considered before.

Students worked in pairs to design their own solar-powered system, allowing for two phone chargers and multiple light fixtures to receive power despite blackouts. This combated both the expenses and unreliability that came with being on the grid.

Political Science major Colin Ormond said, “It was a great feeling to give them that security.” Both students highly recommended going abroad. “You don’t know how easy it is until you do it,” Jake said. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”