Southern’s Honors College kicked off the 2025-26 academic year in spectacular style, welcoming its largest cohort of new students in recent memory: 75, including 50 first-year students and 25 transfer students. The Honors College — designed for student scholars and leaders — also celebrated the opening of an expansive new home fittingly located in Hilton C. Buley Library, the academic heart of campus.
Set on the fourth floor of Buley Library, the space is divided into several large meeting areas with sweeping views of campus. There’s a large community space complete with a kitchen, a comfortable open seating area perfect for everything from homework to catching up with classmates, and an inviting study area shared with the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. The Honors College’s main office is also located there.
The honors community celebrated the opening at a casual ribbon-cutting ceremony and breakfast at the start of the semester. Among the guests were political science major Lena Eifes and nursing major Caitlin Walsh, both of whom expect to use the new space often. The two met years prior as high school students at Girls State, a selective leadership and citizenship program, founded by the American Legion Auxiliary.
“I came to Southern specifically because I was accepted into the Honors College. I really like the staff, the faculty, and the overall environment,” says Walsh, who enrolled at the university in March. She later shared information about the program with Eifes, who also enrolled. The two are now roommates living in the Honors College Living-Learning Community in the West Campus Residence Complex.
It’s just one of many benefits offered through the Honors College. Others include:
- Generous scholarship support.
- Personalized capstone options including studying abroad, thesis research, and community service.
- Small course sizes to enhance student-faculty interactions; first-year honors courses typically have 15 students, and upper-level honors courses are designed for under 20.
- Inter- and transdisciplinary courses from across the curriculum with customized advising and degree programs to meet personal and professional development goals.
Apply to the Honors College by January 5, 2026. Before submitting this Honors College application, you must complete your application to Southern Connecticut State University. Application information for the university is found at SouthernCT.edu/admissions
More information: SouthernCT.edu/academics/honors-college
