UHP

University Honors Program

Passionate People Changing the World

The University Honors Program (UHP) is committed to helping students maximize their educational opportunities at UC while discovering and pursuing their passions in life and using their gifts and talents to make meaningful contributions to society. We believe experiential learning and consistent reflection can help students leave their unique imprint on campus and in their communities.

The University Honors Program comprises students in the top 7% of University of Cincinnati undergraduates, nearly 1500 in total across all nine undergraduate colleges. We offer an inclusive community in which students are inspired to make an impact from their very first semester on campus. Our students focus on UC's Next Lives Here core values of inclusion, innovation, and impact to then graduate among the most competitive professionals in the world.

To that end, we are invested in developing students into global citizen scholars who lead innovative efforts toward solving the world's complex problems.

Signature Programs

Interested in Joining University Honors?

Do you strive to be an engaged student passionate about making an impact in your field, on campus, in your communtiies, or across the world? Are you looking for a program that will encourage you to explore your interests and provide support to maximize your opportunities? Each fall, the University Honors Program recruits new students who are excited to join this community of diverse scholars to be better leaders, innovators, and explorers.

Learn how to apply and join our outreach list so that you don't miss your opportunity for Fall 2023.

University Honors in the News

1

UC’s Miss Kuamka recognized for anti-discrimination platform

February 17, 2023

At a formal-dress celebration in early February, fourth-year UC sociology student Karrington Rainey passed the title of Miss Kuamka to her successor, Jaela Kennedy at the 24th Annual Kuamka Ball. Kennedy, a second-year law and society major in the College of Arts and Sciences, was selected from a field of candidates for her platform centered around The Crown Act. Since 1999, the African American Cultural and Resource Center (AACRC) has sponsored this staple event that marks the celebration of Black students at UC. Each year, the AACRC receives entries from candidates who participate in five rounds of competition: essay, interview, platform, question-and-answer and talent. This is the second consecutive year that A&S students have been recognized with the Miss Kuamka title. “Interested students fill out an application answering why they want to become a candidate. Through the process, you get to decide what the university needs to see more of and create a platform around it,” said Kennedy of her candidacy experience. Kennedy chose The Crown Act, created in 2019 in California to advance protections against discrimination based on natural hairstyles such as braids, locs, twists and knots in housing, the workplace and public schools. The initiative was co-founded by the Crown Coalition and Dove, a company that has been active in campaigns celebrating natural beauty and self-acceptance. “The Crown Act is a set of initiatives and laws that prevent race-based hair discrimination,” Kennedy says. Though Cincinnati City Council passed the legislation in 2019, the topic is important to Kennedy because the laws are not yet recognized state-wide.

3

How to spot a fake

December 6, 2022

University of Cincinnati chemists, geologists and art historians are collaborating to help area art museums answer questions about masterpieces and detect fakes — and teaching students about their methods.

4

‘Empowered to drive innovation’

November 22, 2022

For the second year, four students from the University of Cincinnati have been named University Innovation Fellows (UIF), a program run by Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design.

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