Oct. 17, 2025
Redefining the Pursuit of Happiness
Sam von Gillern’s course Lessons from Positive Psychology on Happiness and Success allows Honors College students the opportunity to explore research in the field of positive psychology. Story by Riley PalshawPhotos by Logan Jackson As humans, we’re told that happiness is something worth pursuing. But what does happiness actually mean? Sam von Gillern explores this question with his Honors College students in Lessons from Positive Psychology on Happiness and Success, an Honors Seminar course centered on research in the field of positive psychology. For von Gillern, who created and teaches the course, the idea began at Iowa State University when…
Oct. 13, 2025
The Force, Football and Fandoms: Honors College Takes on Pop Culture
Doug Valentine’s Honors Tutorial course — Fandoms: Gamers, Football, and K-Pop, Oh My! — invites students to break down the culture and community that surrounds pop culture. Story by Tanner O’Neal RileyPhotos by Logan Jackson When one thinks of an Honors College class, what most often comes to mind? History, theology, anthropology and perhaps sociology, to name a few. What one doesn’t think of? Harry Potter fan rivalries, the rise and fall of Beanie Baby mania or the new-fangled cultural icon bringing the most stoic of men to their knees, the Labubu. That’s exactly what Doug Valentine’s one-credit Honors Tutorial…
Oct. 7, 2025
Discovery Fellows Program Connects Students with Research Opportunities
Nora Pryor’s research journey at Mizzou began through the Discovery Fellows program. The scholarship, offered to incoming Honors College students, can last for up to two years. Students who receive the scholarship work closely with Honors College staff to find the perfect research fit. The Honors College awards around 15 Discovery Fellow Scholarships each academic year. Story and photos by Logan JacksonVideos by Eric Kiekeben Like many undergraduate students just beginning their research journeys, Nora Pryor was tasked with reading multiple research papers and articles in 2022 when she first began working with Heather Hennkens, an associate professor in the…
Sep. 23, 2025
Katherine Fapp Joins Honors College Faculty
Story and photo by Logan Jackson During her time as a departmental lecturer in the University of Oxford’s Rothermere American Institute (RAI), Katherine Fapp interacted with a variety of students – even some from the University of Missouri. RAI and the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy have collaborated in a variety of ways over the years, and Fapp – who lectured on U.S. History – had the opportunity to meet with several Mizzou students while at Oxford. This fall, Fapp began teaching Tigers full time. Fapp joined Mizzou as an assistant teaching professor, with appointments in…
May 19, 2025
Making a Positive Impact
As the 2025 Honors College Outstanding Faculty awardee, Chris Josey spoke during the Honors commencement ceremony. Story and photos by Logan Jackson Chris Josey’s teaching efforts have been recognized often throughout his two decades as an educator. He said his most recent award may be one of his favorites. Josey, an associate teaching professor of communication, was named the 2025 Honors College Outstanding Faculty. Nominees for the award are solicited from Honors students across campus and chosen by a selection committee. “This award really means a lot to me,” Josey said. “I love interacting with Honors students, and it’s really…
May 6, 2025
Art of Death ASH Scholars Team Showcases Multi-Modality Project
The Art of Death ASH Scholars team showcased a multi-modality project titled “Layered” in mid-April. The project was created to memorialize Read Hall, the first women’s dorm at the University of Missouri. Photo courtesy of Michelle Teti. Story by Kaiya Lynch One team. One night. One hundred years of history encapsulated. The Art of Death team examines death, dying and grief within culture via interdisciplinary research. Photo courtesy of Michelle Teti. The ASH Scholars’ Art of Death team showcased multi-modality work at “Layered” in mid-April. The project was created to memorialize Read Hall, the first women’s…
April 23, 2025
An Active Affiliate Faculty
Sherri Ulbrich, an associate teaching professor in the Sinclair School of Nursing, is affiliate faculty in the Honors College. Story and photos by Logan Jackson Sherri Ulbrich has built a career caring for others as a registered nurse and educating the next generation of nurses as an associate teaching professor at the University of Missouri. While she didn’t envision a career in nursing or teaching, an adolescent Ulbrich wouldn’t be as surprised that she found success in those fields. “It’s really interesting to look back at specific moments that didn’t have a deep meaning at the time, but they did…
April 17, 2025
Recognizing Outstanding Achievements
Chris Josey (left) earned the Outstanding Faculty Award during the 2025 Honors College Spring Awards ceremony. Story and photos by Logan Jackson Multiple students pursuing the Honors Certificate were recognized for their outstanding achievements over the past year during the recent Honors College Spring Awards ceremony. The annual event features multiple scholarships and awards for Tigers across campus. The Honors College also gave an award to an outstanding faculty member, Chris Josey, and an exceptional campus partner, Ashely Mitchell. The celebration was held on Tuesday, April 15, at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Outstanding Faculty Award Chris Josey –…
March 14, 2025
MU Excels Celebrates Fellowship Mentors, Applicants
University of Missouri students pursue a variety of nationally competitive grants, scholarships and fellowships throughout the academic year – but they don’t do so alone. In addition to their faculty mentors, the Mizzou Office of Global and National Fellowships aids students during the application journey as they navigate the various requirements, all the while exploring their interests, building their skills, articulating their goals and developing lasting mentor relationships.
Jan. 29, 2025
Honors College Adds to its Teaching Fellows Cohort
The Honors College Teaching Fellows recently gathered to discuss the upcoming One Read book. Maya Gibson, who oversees the program, shared more about the goals of the program, too. Photo by Logan Jackson. Story by Logan Jackson For the past year, a trio of University of Missouri faculty have allowed students pursuing the Honors Certificate the opportunity to dig deeper into the Honors College One Read book. The Honors College Teaching Fellows were developed to honor the incredible teaching legacy of Ted Tarkow, a professor emeritus of classical studies. Funded, in part, through an endowed gift in honor of…