The Honors College

The Honors College at the University of Houston is part of consortium of honors programs and colleges across the nation that have created the Grand Challenge Scholars Academy (GCSA).  GCSA has created The Justice Challenge, an innovative approach to develop the future workforce in the fields of food, agriculture, natural, and human sciences (FANH) by leveraging the nimble and innovative framework of honors education.

Students from all majors are encouraged to apply.

High-impact, collaborative, transformational learning experiences are hallmarks of honors education. The Justice Challenge offers every participating honors student access to the top content experts and educators in the nation/world. They further have regular access to one another, collectively cultivating a comprehensive worldview, unrestricted by geography or financial need.

Each year a new cohort of honors students will participate in the Justice Challenge which begins with a colloquium, introducing the students to the theme and to each other. Then, students will participate in their choice of a signature experience—field experience, design challenge or hackathon. Each one-year Institute concludes with a culminating conference to showcase the students’ work and to enhance networks between students and leading experts in the FANH sciences.

The overall objective of the project is to create a more diverse and well-prepared set of graduates in the FANH disciplines who are ready to tackle the complex challenges of today. Graduates of the program will be ready to enter the workforce with both an innovative skillset and mindset—essential in today’s world.

Honors students interested in participating in this year’s Justice Challenge, which will focus on Food Justice, should look HERE for additional details on the program and how to apply.  Space is limited. The deadline has been extended. Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis until all spots are filled.  In addition, participating honors students at the University of Houston will register during the Fall 2023 semester for HON 3397: Food Justice Colloquium (Williamson). Questions about The Justice Challenge or the associated course should go to Associate Dean Jonathan Williamson at jlwilliamson4@uh.edu.

Download the complete PDF here.