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Civility Scholars
Leading Conversations Across Difference
Civility Scholars is a group of Westminster students learning some of the hardest skills there are in public life: have civil conversations with people you disagree with, weigh evidence honestly, and lead with compassion. In today’s political climate, these skills matter more than ever.
If you want to build these skills and help bridge the gap between people who see things differently, this community is for you.
Become a Civility Scholar
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Apply during your first year at Westminster to become a Peer Mentor starting in your
sophomore year
In an increasingly confusing world, the only way to preserve cohesion is through conversation.”
Zach Judkins ('29) Civility Scholar Peer Mentor, Honors '29
It's not about winning or convincing the other person to change their mind. It's about
developing empathy. Learning to understand where someone else is coming from. Truly
listening.”
Kellie Gerbers, Honors College Faculty
I chose to serve as a Civility Scholar Mentor because I believe meaningful dialogue
and mutual respect are essential to a strong learning community. This work matters
because it helps students in the Honors College practice listening, reflection, and
engagement across difference.”
José Hernandez Zamudio, Assistant Dean of the Honors College
Benefits and Opportunities
Priority Consideration
Civility Scholars who go on to Westminster Honors enter as known scholars, with priority consideration for additional scholarships and leadership roles.
A Published Essay
Your finalist essay is published in Voices of Civility, a permanent anthology hosted by the Honors College. Volume 01 launches in 2026.
Skill Development
In your Foundational Conversations coursework, you’ll turn what might come naturally to you into a trained skill. Practice working through disagreement with hands-on seminars and bring your strengths to classrooms across Westminster.
Peer Leadership
Our most experienced scholars become Peer Mentors—training incoming Honors students on having conversations across difference. Mentors also earn Moral Courage certification while getting experience leading tough discussions inside and outside the classroom.
Community Involvement
You’ll take part in public-facing conversations, get involved in community events, and pass what you’ve learned on to the next group of students coming in after you.
Financial Support
Every Civility Scholar gets a $1,000 scholarship, announced by Westminster's President at the Spring awards luncheon.
Fellowship Opportunities
Moral Courage certification plus leadership experience—that’s the profile the Office for Fellowship Advising looks for when building strong Truman, Marshall, and Fulbright applications.
Career Differentiation Across Every Field
By graduation, you won’t just be a competent professional. You’ll be someone people remember. That’s an edge in any field:
- Humanities: The writer who can build a reflective argument is the one who changes minds.
- Social Sciences: The policy researcher who collaborates with communities that don’t trust the data is the one whose findings make an impact.
- STEM: The engineer who can defend a design and still hear the objection is the one who ships something that works.
- Health and Nursing: The clinician who can have a hard conversation at the bedside is the one patients trust most.
- Business: The leader who can keep a divided team in the same room is the one who gets hard things done.
Meet the Civility Scholar Peer Mentors
Our Scholars come from all kinds of backgrounds and every corner of the state. What they learn here, they carry into whatever room they walk into next.
Zachary Judkins
Peer Mentor · Honors Sophomore
Westminster Honors ‘29 · Scholar 2026
Math
“In an increasingly confusing world, the only was to preserve cohesion is through conversation.”
Now: Moral Courage-certified Peer Mentor and Student Honors Council Historian
Sunshine Rhodehamel
Peer Mentor · Honors Junior
Westminster Honors ‘28 · Scholar 2026
Pre-Med
"The tools of Moral Courage support Honors College discussions, foster questions, and help us dive deeper into essential conversations that wouldn't be brought up without them."
Now: Moral Courage-certified Peer Mentor and Summer Independent Research Grant recipient
Collin Curtis
Student Honors Council President · Scholar 2026
Westminster Honors ‘28 · Civility Scholar
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholar 2024–2025
"Six years later, my Civility Scholar essay is still the writing sample I send when someone asks who I am. It was the first thing I felt proud of."
Now: Gilman Scholar through Westminster's Office for Fellowship Advising
Reis Whittaker
Peer Mentor · Honors Junior
Westminster Honors ‘28 · Scholar 2026
Psychology and Business
“I wanted my time as a Civility Scholar to be an intentional giveback to the Honors College. Honors has supported me even before I began my college journey and has shown no signs of slowing down, so it felt right to help when the chance. I’ve had mentors and professors who dedicated their own time, energy, and resources to shaping me, and I’m excited to help future students do the same.”
Now: Moral Courage-certified Peer Mentor, employed full-time, and an engaged campus participant.