About the Honors College
Inside the Honors College
A short look at who we are, in the words of students and faculty.
The Honors College Commitment
An Honors education built around the habit of thinking
Westminster’s Honors College is a national leader in providing team-taught, interdisciplinary seminar courses to students who are motivated to challenge themselves, engage in stimulating discussions, and lead with confidence.
Honors students at Westminster experience supportive relationships with faculty, individualized academic and financial assistance, and small class sizes—an average of 14 students per class—helping them thrive throughout their college journey and beyond.
Apply to the Honors College
Whatever your path to Westminster, there’s a way into the Honors College—with options for first-year, transfer, and current students.
95%
First-year retention rate, the highest at Westminster University, achieved while serving 26% first-generation and 35% Pell-eligible students.
Who Our Students Are
The Honors College community at Westminster is made up of engaged students who lead student clubs, serve in student government, participate in NCAA sports, head-up new scientific research, and create original artistic performances.
In the Honors classroom, students drive the conversation. They bring timely, challenging questions to the table, discuss different perspectives and ideas, and discover solutions through experiential learning.
Honors students come to Westminster University for the close-knit community, caring environment, and supportive faculty. Discover your potential and thrive in a space where students grow into respected thought leaders locally, nationally, and globally.
40 Years of Honors History
1986
Westminster’s Honors Program founded
Westminster launches an Honors Program offering an advanced educational experience to its students.
2005
Team-taught seminar model adopted
The curriculum is restructured around team-taught, interdisciplinary seminars co-led by faculty from different disciplines.
2017
Honors becomes a college | Fellowship Advising founded | First Civility Essay Contest
A landmark year: the Honors Program evolves to the Honors College, the Office for Fellowship Advising launches, and the inaugural Civility Essay Contest opens its door to Utah high school students.
2022
NWCCU Beacon Awardee
Westminster's Honors College receives the 2022 Beacon Award from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities for student wellness, a national exemplar recognition.
2025
Westminster Wardrobe launches
The Honors College launches Westminster Wardrobe, expanding its commitment to access and equity through a professional clothing lending library.
2026
40 years of Honors at Westminster
The Honors College celebrates 40 years of Honors and looks ahead to its 10th anniversary as a college in 2027, alongside the 10th annual Civility Essay Contest and Volume 01 of Voices of Civility.
Westminster’s National Honors Recognition
NCHC
"One of the best honors programs in the country."
Dr. John Zubizarreta, Past President, National Collegiate Honors Council
Peer Recognition
"A local and national leader in honors education."
Dr. Kristine Miller, Director, Utah State University Honors Program
NWCCU
"An impressive curriculum tied thoughtfully to institutional learning outcomes."
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities 2022 Beacon Award
Honors College Leadership
As dean, Dr. Cunningham-Bryant has led Westminster’s Honors College through significant growth, including enrolling the largest incoming class in the college’s history and maintaining the highest first-year retention rate at the university (95%) and the highest 4-year graduation rate (about 60%) at the university.
Dr. Cunningham-Bryant holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from Yale University, where her work focused on Egyptology. She also serves as the Kim T. Adamson Chair, serves on the Nationally Competitive Awards committee for the National Collegiate Honors Council, is a national thought leader in Fellowship Advising, and has been named a HERS-Mellon Leader Fellow for 2026–27.
Dr. Cunningham-Bryant
Memberships and Affiliations
The Honors College at Westminster University is an active member of: