Seneff Honors College

Honors curriculum

• Honors courses at Valencia College are interdisciplinary, prepare students to become 21st century learners, and integrate research-driven engaged practices. Faculty work with the Honors College to identify one or more of the practices below to integrate into their curriculum:
  
  • Undergraduate Research
    • Description: Undergraduate Research is undergraduate students learning by doing - the pinnacle of active learning. Since students reinforce and expand their knowledge through active inquiry in scholarly and discipline research processes, the guidance of an undergraduate research faculty mentor is the purest form of teaching. The research experience may vary by discipline and focus, and be academic, applied, design-based, or creative. It may range from open-ended to authentic inquiry, but it is useful to students and often the discipline of study. Students receive training on elements of research or scholarship such as discipline-specific methodology, library research and literature review, ethical standards of research, safety (if applicable), effective project management, and communication and presentation skills.
  • Service Learning
    • Description: Service Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Service Learning allows students and faculty to blend educational goals with their passions.
  • Internationalizing the Curriculum
    • Description: International education is a comprehensive approach to the students’ academic plan that intentionally prepares them to be active and engaged participants in a multicultural, interconnected world through internationalization of the campus and curriculum. All faculty at the college are provided the knowledge and tools to internationalize their curriculum at home. In doing so, they help students transcend borders and build connections to countries, people, customs, cultures, values, languages, political and economic systems, religions, geography, history, and current events of the world; while engaging in a variety of ways to achieve a deeper understanding through examination and inquiry.
  • Authentic Inquiry-based Learning
    • Description: Authentic inquiry-based learning prompts students to apply problem-solving techniques to the community around them. In life, students will encounter problems that are complex, not well defined, and lack a clear solution and approach. Identifying and applying different strategies to solve these problems is an essential skill needed by today's learners.
  • Students will integrate interdisciplinary perspectives to enhance course content.
• Additionally, each course includes two honors-designated learning outcomes:
  • Students will apply problem-solving skills creatively to address societal needs and challenges.
  • Students will integrate interdisciplinary perspectives to enhance course content.
• Getting involved
  • Faculty interested in teaching for the Honors College should first talk to their dean and their dedicated Honors Faculty Coordinator below prior to completing the  Seneff Honors Certificate for professional development. The certificate is required in order to teach honors-designated coursework, but does not guarantee honors courses will be available or assigned to honors faculty who complete the certification.
  • Faculty are always encouraged to join us at one or more of our co-curricular activities each fall and spring term. For a complete listing of co-curricular activities, please visit our calendar here
  • Regional Honors Faculty Coordinators:
    • Eastern region - Professor Dan Mullins
    • Southern region - Professor Ryan Tullis
    • Western region - Professor Rebecca Toole