The Whitney Young Center for Global Leadership (WYC) is designed as the university's vehicle for innovative academic programs, extra and co-curricular activities and experiential learning that supports KSU's historic legacy embodied in the motto "Enter to Learn, Go Out to Serve".

The Center's name upholds the legacy of Kentucky native and KSU's most renowned alumnus Whitney M. Young, Jr. Young's statesmanship, negotiation skills, and commitment to justice are an exemplar of global leadership. KSU students are well-served by emulating Young's model of service to humankind. The vision and mission of the Whitney Young Center for Global Leadership is to prepare motivated and high-achieving undergraduates to meet 21st century challenges. Whitney Young scholars will participate in learning experiences that promote intellectual growth, cultural competency, professional and leadership development, ethical civic participation and lifelong global engagement.

The Whitney Young Center for Global Leadership (WYC) houses the Kentucky State University Honors Academy. The Honors Core is a reciprocal, challenging alternative to the General Education Core. The Honors Academy curriculum consists of 4 (four) required Seminar courses, 4 (four) Preceptorials, and a 2 (two) credit hours of Honors Orientation. Whitney Young Scholars who have completed the Honors Core are required to complete a 1 (one) — 3 (three) credit Signature Project. In the student's senior year of declared major coursework, Honors core students will complete a 1 (one) — 3 (three) credit hour Honors Signature Project (capstone course) under the joint direction of their Honors Academy advisor and their Major advisor.

Honors Core students are also required to take 6 credit hours of foreign language as presented and delivered by the university's General Education Core course offerings. Inclusive of the 6 (six) required credits in foreign language, the total Honors core consists of 37 credit hours and is reciprocal to Kentucky State University's existing General Education Core (Liberal Studies Requirements).

Honors Academy curriculum also offers elective courses, such as Special Topics and Study Abroad courses at the 300 and 400 level. The WYC also offers an Honors Global Leadership Certificate – 12 credit hours via the following completion options:

Completion of the 3 Honors Seminars

Completion of 2 Honors Seminars and 1 Honors Special Topics courses

Completion of 12 credit hours of General Education courses with Honors Designation

Honors class sizes range from 10 to 15 students. Whitney Young Scholars take part in all activities of the University, such as social and academic clubs, student government, choir, band, and intramural/intercollegiate athletics. Students have an opportunity to put the leadership skills that they learn in classes to practical use by serving on the Whitney Young Student Council. The Council was originally created by student initiative and organizes service and social events and acts as a forum for student suggestions and concerns.

Whitney Young Scholars pursue a sequence of freshman and sophomore courses. The honors core is open to qualified students of all majors. Depending on their major, honors students will fulfill all or most of their liberal studies requirements in the honors core.

Students in majors other than natural science, engineering, mathematics, and nursing by virtue of taking the entire honors core (37 semester credit hours) fulfill all liberal studies requirements.

The following Honors Core Curriculum fulfills the University Liberal Studies Requirements for all majors other than those in engineering, mathematics, natural science (excluding biology), or nursing.