Who Is Belmont's Global Honors Program For?

Inspiring extraordinary students to make a global impact

At Belmont University, a distinctive program is shaping the next generation of global leaders, innovators and changemakers. The Belmont Global Honors Program, led by Executive Director Dr. Bonnie Smith Whitehouse, offers students an extraordinary educational experience that combines rigorous academics, international study and collaborative projects. 

A Program for the Extraordinary

"We have so many different kinds of students who are attracted to the Belmont Global Honors Program," Smith Whitehouse said. "Our vision statement that we have for the program is ‘inspiring the extraordinary.’" 

The program attracts students from diverse backgrounds and interests, from cellists to entrepreneurs, all united by their desire to make a difference in the world. 

"Our students come from an array of backgrounds,” she said. “They are interested in everything from being incredible cello players to starting their own businesses to working on issues of clean water and sustainability or the declining bird population. Many of our students care deeply about service, and they want to find ways to serve the world in extraordinary ways." 

Support for Every Journey 

Isaac Wetzel (emerging media, ‘24) found the support he needed in the program after taking time off for military service. "The Honors Program listened, and they were understanding," Wetzel said. "They're the people who said, 'Yes, you can do that. And here are the resources. Here are the people. Here are the connections.'" 

This support extends beyond academics. Nardien Sadik (legal studies, ‘23) appreciated the program's holistic approach. "The Honors Program exposed me to a group of people that wanted me to succeed," Sadik said. “It gave me the support as a first- generation student to truly explore what I'm passionate about.” 

Global Perspectives Through Study Abroad 

A cornerstone of the program is its mandatory semester abroad during sophomore year. Students study at partner universities around the world, from Italy to New Zealand, without incurring additional costs.  

"This whole semester abroad serves as an added scholarship to the Global Honors students' experience here at Belmont," Smith Whitehouse said. "While you're abroad, you are taking classes in your core. You're taking classes in whatever you're studying – your major or your minor." 

The experience goes beyond coursework. Students have opportunities for weekend travel and planned excursions, fostering a truly global perspective. 

Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Real-World Impact 

The program's interdisciplinary approach is another key feature. "It allows you to gain a lot of different perspectives, and through that process, you learn how to form your own opinions in a meaningful way," Sadik said. 

In their junior year, students undertake the Honors Scholars’ Collaborative, a year-long project addressing real-world issues. These projects range from creating legal directories for immigrants to installing libraries in children's hospitals. 

"We want students to come together in small interdisciplinary teams and work in their junior year on a big project," Smith Whitehouse said. "This experience helps students launch themselves into whatever is next after school." 

Sadik's team created a legal directory for a local nonprofit, The Branch. "We combined legal, health care, housing and language resources and translated them into five different languages," she explained, highlighting the real-world impact of these projects. 

Preparing Global Citizens  

The program's emphasis on collaboration and interdisciplinary work prepares students for the complexities of the global workplace. "We are preparing people to see themselves as part of a greater whole," Smith Whitehouse said. "You see yourself connected in real ways to people all around the world, and you see yourself connected to the future." 

This global mindset is reinforced through engagement with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Students are encouraged to connect their passions with these global objectives, fostering a sense of purpose and global responsibility. 

A Community Like No Other 

Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the program is the community it fosters. Students form lasting friendships across diverse majors and backgrounds.  

"What's unique about the global Honors community is that you have these audio engineering majors who become really close friends with the poets that they met in their ‘Engaging the Bible’ class," Smith Whitehouse said. "You're going to be forging connections that you might not have been able to make if you weren't in the Global Honors program."  

This diverse community creates a rich learning environment. "When you have an education that teaches you to truly consider another person's perspective, then you can come with a compassionate, empathetic view, and do good in the world," Sadik said. “Being able to travel abroad with a group of students that you have classes with and go through together as a cohort truly does make these meaningful, lasting relationships, but teaches you how to be independent and how to travel and in a way that when you want to do it again, you have the tools you need to.” 

A Transformative Experience 

For students seeking an education that goes beyond traditional boundaries, Belmont's Global Honors Program offers a transformative experience. It's not just about academic achievement; it's about fostering a global mindset, encouraging collaboration and inspiring students to make their mark on the world. 

As Smith Whitehouse puts it, "We want them to see that their lives and their work have meaning. We want them to have made some wonderful friends... Those are some of the things that I really hope for our students." 

The Global Honors Program at Belmont University is for those who seek to be inspired, to inspire others and to make an extraordinary impact on the world. It's for students who want to challenge themselves, expand their horizons and become part of a community that will support them long after graduation.