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 Dean’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
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
Contact Information
Doris Meyer
Assistant to the Dean
Honors Council
The purpose of the Honors Council is to provide expertise and advice to the Dean, 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;
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
