Honors students can earn an Honors Learning Experience (HLE) by assisting faculty in teaching classes, working on research projects, or applying for student leadership organizations.

Faculty, please let us know of other opportunities for Honors students by completing the Research and Teaching Opportunities for Honors Students Form. 

Review these opportunities below and contact the faculty member directly if you’re interested.

Honors Learning Experience (HLE) Opportunities:

  • Type of opportunity: Research

    Faculty Member: Rick Garner
    College: College of the Arts

    Seeking: Psychology, Social Work, Education, Nursing, Art, Computer Science, and others

    Description:
    This project involves work on the production of an edited book on the use of digital arts media (i.e. iPad, apps, video, gaming, etc.) for students with special needs. Research for this project will involve both literature reviews and conducting research surveys. This information will be compiled, analyzed and summarized in order to produce content for the edited book. Additionally, the Honor Student will possibly co-author a chapter and review submitted manuscripts for grammatical errors and adherence to APA format.

    Duties:

    • Perform reviews of literature in the following categories:
      • Context of Technology in Visual Arts and Culture: Digital Culture
      • Digital Capabilities in the Visual Arts: New Media, 3D Printing
      • Current Applications of Digital Technologies for Special Needs: Apps, Virtual Worlds, Video; Ethical Issues and Future Possibilities for Digital Technologies in Special Education
      • Technology and Apps in Medicine and Mental Health
    • Review submitted manuscripts for grammatical errors and adherence to APA format.
    • Research and writing for co-authored book chapter.

    Time Commitment: To be determined

    How to find out more:
    Email: Dr. Garner
    rgarner@kennesaw.edu

  • Type of Opportunity: Research - 3D imaging and printing for archaeological artifacts

    Faculty Member: Dr. Philip Kiernan

    Description:
    New technology and software is increasingly being used to help document, preserve and present the remains of the past. In this project, students will help improve our capacity to use this technology to document archaeological artifacts, including some ancient bronze objects currently on loan to KSU from the Buffalo Museum of Science. The student will be asked to scan and produce 3D models of several objects over the course of the year using different techniques, tools, and software, and to document the process to other team members. By creating printable 3D models with a combination of scanners and photogrammetric software, the student will improve the capacity of School of Art and Design (SOAAD) to engage in this kind of activity in the long term. This is a superb opportunity both to gain some experience in the cultural heritage sector, and to obtain some cutting edge technical skills.

    Seeking:
    Students interested in this project should be comfortable working with computers, both PC and MAC. Knowledge of programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, AutoCAD, Fusion360, etc. is helpful, but not essential. Students in Architecture, Engineering, and Computer Science are particularly welcome, but interested students in any field may also apply. Students should be able and prepared both to work independently and under supervision, both in the 3d scanning lab of the Visual Arts building and on their own.

    Duties:
    The project will require students to spend time each week:

    • Familiarizing themselves with relevant software packages
    • Reading manuals / taking online tutorials for relevant software packages.
    • Writing brief reports / make brief presentations on software and techniques.
    • Handling archaeological objects
    • Cooperating with faculty and staff in the 3d scanning lab.
    • Arranging appointments and times with various stakeholders, including museums, faculty and a staff

    How to find out more:
    Email: Dr. Philip Kiernan
    School of Art & Design
    pkierna1@kennesaw.edu 

  • Type of Opportunity: Teaching

    Faculty Member: Professor Kent Altom
    College: Coles College of Business

    Expected Start Date: 08/14/2023
    Expected Completion Date: 12/11/2023

    Faculty Course or Project: BLAW 2200: The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business

    Description:
    Student will be a learning assistant to two sections of BLAW 2200. Student will prepare an introduction to be given in-person and/or via video at the beginning of the semester. Student will be available to current BLAW 2200 students who have questions related to course topics as well as how to study, what organization or scheduling methods to utilize to stay on track, etc. (i) via email and (ii) in-person and/or virtual sessions (five times during the semester, before each of four tests and final exam). 

    Seeking:
    Any honor student who has completed BLAW 2200 with a final grade of A.

    Duties:
    Introduction in-person and/or via video at the beginning of the semester; Weekly email check-in sent to current BLAW 2200 students; Five one-hour in-person and/or virtual sessions (one before each of four tests and final exam); and Routine checking of emails from current BLAW 2200 students with responses to them within 24 hours of receipt.

    Time Commitment: Eight to ten hours during the semester.

    How to find out more:
    Email: Prof. Kent Altom

    kaltom@kennesaw.edu

  • Type of opportunity: Research

    Faculty Member: Jeanne Bohannon
    College: College of Humanities & Social Sciences

    Description: #ATLStudentMovement: Recovering the People, Places and Events of a Civil Rights Movement that Changed the Nation

    The Atlanta Student Movement Project is a research project funded by a generous grant from the Rich Foundation, conducted by Kennesaw State University undergraduate and graduate students, and led by Dr. Jeanne Law Bohannon (KSU English Department) along with Dr. Lonnie King, the project's senior community partner. The oral histories in this collection represent the goal of the project: uncovering and preserving the history of Atlanta sit-ins and student protests that were pivotal in the success of the Student Movement, the Civil Rights movement, and the history of the city of Atlanta as a whole. Videos and transcripts in this collection have been archived at the KSU Archives.

    Seeking:
    Communications (MENT, New media, Journalism, PR)
    English (archival research)
    IT (website design)

    Duties: 
    I seek a student researcher to assist in data collection for this IRB-approved project for duties that include: website content curation and creation; oral history recording; transcribing oral histories; remixing oral histories into educational and public digital content (podcasts, videos).

    Time Commitment:
    Flexible, depending on availability. 5-15 hours per week.

    How to find out more:
    Please contact Jeanne Law Bohannon, jbohan12@kennesaw.edu, with email stating interest, major, and any relevant experience.

  • Type of opportunity:
    I have several internship/community-engaged opportunities that might be of interest.

    Faculty Member: Lara Smith-Sitton
    College: Humanities & Social Sciences

    Description: Green Card Youth Voices: Immigration Stories from an Atlanta High School
    Throughout the year, I have several opportunities that can connect students to community-engaged projects for research and/or practicums that can support capstone projects. This project would allow a student to participate in an internship/community engagement project with a variety of writing, research, and engagement components related to topics around immigration, refugees, English language learning, and storytelling.

    Seeking:
    I am looking for an honors student with experience or interest in learning more about how storytelling and writing (as well as editing and publishing) can serve as an important tool for sharing knowledge about the unique experiences of immigrants and refugees. The student needs strong writing skills, oral communication abilities, and basic research experience. A student interested in creative writing or storytelling for creative nonfiction or nonfiction genres as well as digital storytelling or how stories serve organizations (corporate and nonprofit) are important facets this work.

    Duties:

    • Editing and writing
    • Scholarly research and support for a substantive research project measuring impact of storytelling
    • Assisting with special events

    Time Commitment:
    There is a good amount of flexibility here for this project--for a formal internship, this student could enroll in English 3398 and engaged 12-15 hours per week. For a community engaged project, we could adjust the hours in line with project design.

    How to find out more:
    Email: Dr. Lara Smith-Sitton
    lsmith11@kennesaw.edu

  • Type of opportunity: Research

    Faculty Member: Dr. Paul McDaniel
    College: College of Humanities & Social Sciences

    Description:
    I have a variety of ongoing projects exploring the intersections among the causes, processes, and implications of immigration in urban regions. Specifically, these projects focus on processes of immigrant settlement, adjustment, integration, and receptivity in cities and metropolitan areas using mixed-methods, qualitative, and community-based participatory research methods. Project study areas range from the local Atlanta region, to the southeastern United States, to the U.S. as a whole, and to an international focus.

    Seeking:
    Any major is fine. Research skills are needed, either quantitative (statistics) or qualitative or mixed-methods. Good organizational and communication skills are helpful.

    Duties:
    Depending on the particular project, duties might include surveying relevant literature and preparing an annotated bibliography; writing an initial literature review; collecting, organizing, and analyzing quantitative data sets; exploring qualitative data sets for emerging themes and writing about those themes; and helping with preparing and editing manuscripts based on analysis of data that will eventually be submitted for peer-review with scholarly journals.

    Time Commitment: I am very flexible regarding time commitment depending on project focus and student interest.

    How to find out more: 
    Email: Dr. Paul McDaniel at paul.mcdaniel@kennesaw.edu or visit his website at http://facultyweb.kennesaw.edu/pmcdan11/

  • Type of opportunity: Teaching

    Faculty Member: Dr. Erinn Bariteau
    College: Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences

    Start Date: Ongoing
    End Date: Ongoing

    Description:
    Teaching assistant opportunity for courses Geog 1112: Weather and Climate or Geog 1102: Earth From Above Support students in and out of the classroom, hosting study sessions, lab assistance, and/or mentorship.

    Seeking:
    I am seeking leaders who can take initiative to support fellow students. Students who are motivated, organized, hard working, and interested in Physical Geography and GSS coursework are encouraged to participate.

    Time Commitment:
    Flexible based on interest and prior experience. Flexible in terms of remote, face-to-face and hybrid commitment to activities and structure.

    How to find out more:
    Please contact me via email with questions, Erinn Bariteau ebaritea@kennesaw.edu 

  • Type of opportunity: IS 3020 - Developing Raspberry Pi Activities - merging the physical and digital with Python

    Faculty Member: Dr. Dominic Thomas
    College: Coles College of Business

    Description:
    The student will work with me to experiment with Raspberry Pi computers and make tutorials to be used in class. The work will build on an initial example activity I have developed and tested in class in which students build an interactive piece of hardware and control it with Python within a 1 hour timeperiod. The goal will be to develop a set of 2-4 more activities to extend that learning into more sophisticated applications involving perhaps sensors and real-world business prototyping - perhaps even 3D printing of cases for example.

    Seeking:
    I am open to any sort of Honors student, but I would prefer one who is very curious about technology and excited to explore emerging technology. Knowledge of Python, Raspberry Pi, and other programming related skills would be a bonus.

    Duties:

    • Brainstorming potential activities.
    • Selecting ideas to pursue in conjunction with me.
    • Pursuing developing those activities by:
    • Searching for existing examples and demonstrating them
    • Developing modifications to those demos and documenting them
    • Writing instruction sheets and perhaps recording videos showing how to do the tasks involved
    • Testing the activity with students in class and refining the materials based on observations and feedback

    Time Commitment: 80 hours/semester

    How to find out more: Email: Dr. Thomas at dthom310@kennesaw.edu

  • Type of opportunity: Research

    Faculty Member:     Eric Stachura
    College:     College of Science & Mathematics

    Description:     Derivation of the Eikonal equation for wave propagation in piezoelectric materials
    The student will study acoustic wave propagation in piezoelectric materials. In particular, the student will show how to obtain the Eikonal equation from the set of equations which govern acoustic waves in piezoelectric materials. The student will explore some basic properties of nonlinear differential equations which arise in mathematical physics.

    Seeking:
    Math, physics, or engineering major preferred. The student should have a strong background in linear algebra and differential equations. No previous exposure to piezoelectric materials necessary. Students who have had exposure to partial differential equations are especially welcome.

    Duties:
    Deriving in detail the Eikonal equation from the pair of differential equations that govern acoustic wave propagation in piezoelectric materials. The student will need strong algebra skills to derive this equation. If time, the student can explore solvability of the Eikonal equation that they derive.

    Time Commitment:
    5 hours per week, but flexible.

    How to find out more:
    Email: Dr. Stachura at estachur@kennesaw.edu

  • Type of opportunity: Research

    Faculty Member: Tsai-Tien Tseng
    College: College of Science & Mathematics

    Description: Bioinformatics - Metagenomics, Molecular Evolution and High Performance Computing

    Several projects are available. Here are some examples:

    • Metagenomic studies for food safety
    • Molecular evolution of membrane transporters
    • GPU accelerated discovery in bioinformatics
    • Linux distribution for bioinformatics
    • Bioinformatics in cloud-based high performance computing
    • IT infrastructure for bioinformatics

    Seeking:

    • Biology
    • Biochemistry
    • Computer Science
    • Information Technology
    • Or anyone interested in the computational aspects of biology
    • GPA 3.0 or above

    *Multiple semester commitment preferred

    Duties: 
    Vary. Here are some examples:

    • Learn the basics of bioinformatics
    • Conduct literature searches
    • Perform analysis of available genomic data
    • Maintain databases and other software

    Student is required to:

    • Meet with faculty mentor on regular basis to learn various techniques
    • Maintain constant engagement to the project
    • Attend and present at conferences when needed

    Time Commitment:
    Varies based on student level. Likely start off with a few hours per week.

    How to find out more:
    Email: ttseng@kennesaw.edu 

  • Type of opportunity: Research

    Faculty Member: David A. Guerra-Zubiaga

    College: Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SPCEEC)

    Description:

    The research activities combine state of the art technologies related to fields such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science and information systems among others. Some specific topics you could explore are related, but not limited to:

    • Tacit Knowledge Models to support Engineering Decisions.
    • Digital Manufacturing tools to support Industry 4.0 aspects.
    • Next Generation Automation Systems to support Medical Applications.

    You could see some research production on next link: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=XsnghWwAAAAJ 

    Seeking:
    Any Honor College Student (HCS) with the compromise to learn and seriously try a research journey in the topics mentioned above.

    Duties:
    Could vary, but some examples are: conduct literature review, learn some lab software and equipment. HCS will meet the faculty mentor and a research group one time per week.

    Time Commitment:
    Varies based on student level and interest. Likely start off with a few hours per week.

    How to find out more:
    Email: dguerraz@kennesaw.edu 

  • Type of opportunity: Research, Trends in Police Shootings and Line of Duty Deaths

    Faculty Member: LeAnn Cabage
    College:     Humanities & Social Sciences

    Description:
    I am looking for a student that can work through the Fatal Encounters database and transfer the information to an Excel document based on my guidance. The data will then be used to create a trend analysis of police shootings recorded in the data base. The information will be presented at a national conference and I will be looking towards publication of the material.

    Seeking:
    I am looking for someone with a background in criminal justice, sociology, or someone with an interest in police shootings. A basic knowledge of Excel is helpful, but I can train the individual how to format the sheet. Someone with a basic knowledge of SPSS also would be helpful as the information will eventually be put into a SPSS file, but this is not a requirement.

    Duties:
    The student will work through the Fatal Encounters data base and transfer this information to an Excel spreadsheet in the format provided by me.

    Time Commitment:
    I would estimate probably 10 hours a week.

    How to find out more:
    An interested student may contact me via email at lcabage@kennesaw.edu

Additional  Opportunities:

  • For more information, visit the Office of Undergraduate Research 

  • If you think you would enjoy helping other students learn, while strengthening your own learning and developing closer professional relationships with a faculty member, consider becoming an SI Leader!

    For more information on becoming an SI Leader, visit the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs!

  • KSU Journey Honors College Student Ambassadors are a volunteer group of students who support the program’s development and stewardship efforts, and who educate, excite, and engage with potential students, alumni, donors, and community members to ensure the program’s continued success. Honors Ambassadors are expected to complete 15 hours of service for the semester to receive credit for the Honors Learning Experience. These hours may be completed in a variety of ways such as assisting with Honors events, Honors Open Houses, meeting with potential donors, etc. Each of these events and opportunities takes place on various dates and times. 

    • Honors Ambassadors earn an HLE each semester of their participation
    • Gain volunteer experience and build your resume 
    • Be the first to learn about scholarships, summer internships, and study abroad opportunities 
    • Develop valuable team building and professional skills 
    • Connect with faculty, staff, alumni, and the community 
    • Contribute to the success of KSU Journey Honors College
    Apply here for 2025-2026

  • Honors Peer Mentors work directly with students enrolled in sections of HON 1100: An Introduction to Honors Education. Peer Mentors are trained to encourage student engagement in learning experiences as well as social opportunities. They help to create connections for students in the course in which they serve.

    Honors Peer Mentors are supervised by an honors faculty member, with help from the Advanced Peer Mentors, and they collaborate with HON 1100 instructors. Mentors help students grasp the Honors Foundations (the infusion of the foundations of honors learning with the various Honors Learning Experiences) and the overall expectations of the honors program.

    Roles:

    • Establish authentic and meaningful connections with students new to KSU Journey Honors College.
    • Contribute to creating a welcoming environment that helps new honors students feel a sense of belonging within the Honors Community.
    • Lead discussions and activities within the HON 1100 class in collaboration with seminar instructors.

    Responsibilities and Requirements:

    ** Course requirements will be outlined in class

    • Attend 1 introductory/orientation meeting in the Spring semester
    • Attend the summer retreat training (1 day) prior to the Fall semester
    • Assist with the Honors Welcome Event
    • Attend Honors events with students in their section and plan at least 1 facilitated activity for their own students to attend outside of class (more than 1 is highly encouraged!)
    • Regularly communicate with students between class meetings and serve as a campus resource
    • Create an independent leadership presentation for your class
    • Attend two one-on-one meetings with Advanced Peer Mentors during Midterms and Finals
    • Attend and engage in mandatory weekly Peer Mentor Team leadership class (non-credit bearing)
    • Attend every session of the HON 1100 class to which they are assigned
    • Assist the Honors College with events and other programs, as requested.

    To be considered for the position, applicants must:

    • Must be available to attend at least one section of the HON 1100 seminar (TBA)
    • Have completed HON 1100 with a B or better
    • Be a currently enrolled Honors Scholar in good standing with KSU Journey Honors College
    • Have between 4 to 7 hours a week to dedicate to the position (based on # of classes assigned and how many you are available for)

    Benefits:

    - Acquire leadership experience for your resume

    - Network with the students, faculty, and staff of KSU Journey Honors College

    - Receive a salary for your work ($8.50/hour for 4 hours per week)

    - Receive a $250 scholarship and Honors Learning Experience credit for the semester

    Application currently closed

  • The Honors Advisory Leadership Council is searching for new members for the Spring 2024 semester. Students who participate receive an Honors Learning Experience with the potential to extend participation in future semesters.

    Mission: 

    The mission of the KSU Journey Honors College Honors Advisory Leadership Council is to promote the contribution of Honors students and gather insight on the needs of students to foster a better connection with faculty, staff, and administration.

    Qualifications:  

    The applicant must demonstrate a significant leadership contribution to student life, student volunteerism, and/ or the KSU community through involvement in at least two of the following areas for a minimum of one semester, with an exception granted for freshman applicants.

    • Volunteer student representation
    • Committee involvement
    • Student organization leadership
    • Residence hall leadership
    • Athletic leadership
    • Student Orientation leadership
    • Event planning and implementation
    • Leadership and/or involvement in an initiative that had university-wide impact
    • Other form of leadership not listed

    Only ONE of your selected leadership involvements may be part of a paid position (not including scholarships). To use one paid position as part of this application, you must explain how your leadership role exceeded the expectation of the job for which you were paid. 

    Eligibility:

    The applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible:

    • Full-time undergraduate degree-seeking student in KSU Journey Honors College
    • Cumulative GPA of at least a 3.6 on a 4.0 scale
    • Must not have been found in violation of any University policy within the past year
    • Be up to date on required HLEs for the applicant’s designation
    • Has not served beyond two years on the Honors Advisory Leadership Council
    • Must be able to attend all scheduled HALC meetings
    Apply here for 2025-2026

  • Listed below are two opportunities through the Bagwell Center for the Study of Markets and Economic Opportunity.

    Program One: The Market for Ideas Reading Groups

    These groups provide a forum for students to engage with key texts in economics and related disciplines with a cohort of their peers under the guidance of a Bagwell Center affiliated faculty member. Students who are accepted will earn a $200 stipend for each group completed (up to three groups). Students can learn more about the program and submit an application here: https://coles.kennesaw.edu/econopp/opportunities/reading-group.php 

    Program Two: Undergraduate Research Fellowship

    This fellowship is open to undergraduate students from any discipline or program across KSU’s campuses. Students who are accepted will have an opportunity to conduct original research over the course of the academic year and earn a $1,200 stipend for doing so. Students can learn more about the program and submit an application here: https://coles.kennesaw.edu/econopp/opportunities/undergraduate-fellowship.php 

  • The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) Academic Challenge - The FDIC Academic Challenge is a team competition for undergraduate students, designed to bring real-world policy questions into the classroom and address questions concerning the banking industry. All students at U.S. universities and colleges are eligible to participate. This is a team competition, and each team can have 4-5 members and a faculty advisor. Participating in this competition will be a good learning experience for students, particularly for Economics or Finance majors. Dr. Filippo Occhino of the EFQA department will be the faculty advisor of the team. If interested, students need to email a copy of their resume indicating their interest to Dr. Occhino at focchino@kennesaw.edu. For more information on the competition, please follow this link: https://www.fdic.gov/analysis/academic-challenge/