Honors School
Welcome
Students in the Honors School are part of a community of leaders and thinkers, where discussion and dialogue naturally occur within the classroom but also continue through extracurricular activities and off-campus events. These unique learning experiences highlight the many benefits of the Honors School.
About the School
A main purpose of the Honors School is to provide our high achieving, high ability, and highly motivated students at Monmouth University the guidance and support they need to take a deeper dive into their intellectual passions, explore fields of study that expand those passions, and connect them with like-minded students and faculty.
One way we achieve this purpose is through the Honors School’s curriculum which encourages students to take ownership of their education. The curriculum culminates in an honors research thesis or creative capstone project that provides students with the time and space to engage in serious academic work in which they ask important and challenging questions, work toward solving difficult problems, and create and share new knowledge.
Honors School – Quick Facts
- Honors classes are smaller than regular classes, allowing for enhanced teacher/student rapport.
- Honors students are rewarded for impressive academic performance with awards such as the Director’s Award for Excellence in Honors and the Honors Council Award for Best Thesis/Capstone.
- Students completing the program are noted as graduates of the Honors School on their transcripts and diplomas. This can be an advantage if you are applying to competitive jobs or graduate schools.
Peer Mentoring Program
Mentors work to support first-year students in their transition to college and to assist their continued academic, personal, and professional growth.
Annual Research Conferences
Each year, Honors School students present their research at either the Fall or Spring Research Conference to a Monmouth University audience. Each completed project represents a capstone experience for our students who graduate from the Honors School.
Mafé Aguiluz ’24
Honors School
Health Promotion
“I joined the Honors School because I felt like I could have a family and support system outside of my team. I found my home away from home since my first day here thanks to the Honors School.”
Notable activities and achievements while at Monmouth:
- National Regional Honors Conference Certificate of Recognition 2024
- Scholarship Week “Hawk Talk” presenter 2024
- Eta Sigma Gamma National Health Education Honors Society Inducted 2024
- Chi Alpha Sigma Athletics Honors Society Inducted 2023
- Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honors Society Inducted 2020
- MEAC Athletic Scholar 2020-2024
- Dean’s List Recipient 2020-2024
Alexander Mykulyn ’24
Honors School
Political Science with a concentration in International Relations
“I wanted to be challenged academically while benefiting from more personal mentorship and guidance.”
Plans after graduation: “I’m the Operations Assistant for World Food Program USA which raises money and awareness for the UN World Food Programme.”
Notable activities and achievements while at Monmouth:
- Presented at seven research conferences
- Wrote for The Outlook
- Competed at Debate Nationals
- Submitted work to undergraduate research journals
Lenien Jamir ’24
Honors School
Political Science and Sociology with a Concentration in International Relations
Fondest memory of the Honors School: “Going the the NCHC conference with friends and traveling to different cities with them!.”
Plans after graduation: “Going to the London School of Economics to get my Master’s in International Political Economy.”
Notable activities and achievements while at Monmouth:
- Vice President of International Student Club
- Captain of Varsity Women’s Tennis team
- Summer Scholar Recipient 2023
- Dean’s List Recipient all 8 semesters
- Sociology Academic Award for the highest GPA in Sociology as a senior
- Co-wrote a paper with Dr. Datta and presented it at an international interdisciplinary conference in India as the only undergraduate student
Giovanni DeNatale ’25
Honors School
Political Science and Economics and Public Policy
“I joined the Honors School because I wanted an extra challenge when I was coming to Monmouth. Joining the Honors School was an opportunity that I simply could not pass up; and I was also interested in the community.”
Fondest memory of the Honors School: “My fondest memory is that first sunrise walk. I still remember how nervous I was since it was the first full day at school…but walking to the beach when it was still dark outside, seeing the stars and the moon, and then the sun an hour later was one of the coolest experiences that I ever had.”
Plans after graduation: “I will be pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Cambridge where I will be enrolled in their Development Studies program at the College of St. Edmund’s.”
Notable activities and achievements while at Monmouth:
- President of Catholic Campus Ministry
- President of Model United Nations – Multiple individual speaking awards, including Best Delegate at Zurich 2025
- Model United Nations Conference and Outstanding Delegation at National Model United Nations 2024
- Won Outstanding Student Award for the Class of 2025
- Highest GPA in the Political Science Department – 4.0 GPA
- Member of Pi Sigma Alpha – Political Science Honors Society
- Resident Assistant for three years, Head Resident Assistant for two years
Alexander Kalina ’25
Honors School
Biology with a Concentration in Molecular Cell Physiology
“I joined the Honors School to be part of a tight-knit community at Monmouth. Additionally, I joined the Honors School to elevate the academic rigor and learn more about biology.”
Fondest Honors School Memory “Going to the Cowboys Red River Dance Hall in Dallas Texas. It was right after we presented our research at the Honors Conference. We had a lot of fun and it’s a memory I definitely won’t forget.”
Plans after graduation: “I’ll be working at Johnson & Johnson as a global trial associate. It’s a 1-year leadership development program after which I will go into a managerial focused position. The role is focused around clinical trials.”
Notable activities and achievements while at Monmouth:
- 1st Place at Monmouth University’s HawkTank
- 1st Place at UPitch Competition
- 2nd Place at Novo Nordisk’s Innovation in Action Case Competition, complete of the NSF I-Corps Propelus Program (completed 22 customer interviews for customer discovery)
- Presented research findings in Dallas and Chicago for the Honors Conference and five other research conferences throughout New Jersey
Contact Information
Doris Meyer
Assistant to the Dean
Honors Council
The purpose of the Honors Council is to provide expertise and advice to the Director, the staff, and the faculty of the Honors School on matters relating to academic programs, student development, and strategic planning for the Honors School.
Tjeerd Boonman, Ph.D.
Specialist Professor;
McMullen Family Professor in Economics
tboonman@monmouth.edu
732-923-4569
Jason Fitzgerald, Ph.D.
Associate Professor;
Social Studies Education;
Program Director of Interdisciplinary Studies for Elementary Educators (ISEE)
jfitzger@monmouth.edu
732-571-3497
Cheryl Leiningen, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC
Associate Professor;
Graduate Faculty;
MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track Coordinator;
Scholar, Edmond J. Safra Visiting Nurse Faculty Program at the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation
cleining@monmouth.edu
732-571-3692
Marina Vujnovic, Ph.D., A.P.R.
Professor;
Concentration Director of Strategic Public Relations and Social Media Concentration
mvujnovi@monmouth.edu
732-263-5667
Courtney Werner, Ph.D.
Associate Professor;
Director of First Year Composition;
Graduate Faculty
cwerner@monmouth.edu
732-571-3608
Hettie V. Williams, Ph.D.
Associate Professor in African American History;
Former President of the African American Intellectual History Society (AAIHS)
hwilliam@monmouth.edu
732-263-5703
