The Whitney Young Honor's Collegium 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 Honor's Collegium 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 Honor's Collegium. 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 have the option to take 6 credit hours of foreign language as presented and delivered by the university's Liberal Studies Core course offerings. Honors curriculum also offers elective courses, such as Special Topics and Study Abroad courses at the 300 and 400 level.
Honors class sizes are a maximum of 20 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 are required to complete the Honors Core and the requirements for their chosen major. Whitney Young Scholars are required to complete minimum of 120 semester credit hours and the required coursework in the major. The Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies is also housed in the College.
The Whitney Young Honors Collegium and Liberal Studies offers two degrees in liberal studies, an Associate of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts. The AA degree offers a general core option and STEM option. The BA degree has two options: an honors option and general studies option. The goal of both degrees, including all options is preparing a global citizen who is prepared to contribute to society with an innovative approach. Both general studies options are completer degree programs aimed at students who are close to graduation and especially nontraditional students who are currently in the workforce and need to obtain a degree. The degree option programs will allow for reasonable latitude to satisfy individual interests and needs, including those of non-traditional students, while still adhering to the rigorous university standards for baccalaureate degrees. It operates in the spirit of the liberal studies mission of the University. It is based on the integrity of the liberal studies core, the concentration in areas, the requirements of 45 semester credit hours of upper division courses, and to allowance of 15 semester credit hours of free electives. The continued desired outcome of this degree option is the attraction to KSU, and graduation, of more non-traditional students from the surrounding communities.