Coming up in the Honors College

• 04/24: Lyceum Initiative Lecture Series
• 04/24: Honors Club Theater Spring Showcase
• 05/01 Deadline: Honors College scholarship application for 2026-27 is OPEN!

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ANNOUNCEMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES    

Grand Challenges Forum
The New Grand Challenges Forum encourages students to think critically, discuss openly and learn unequivocally. The New Grand Challenges Forum offers students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the local community a time to hear a wide range of lectures dedicated to a compelling theme. Fridays from 1-2 p.m. in the Honors College Commons.

Look for the fall 2026 schedule here.

Lyceum Lecture Series
The Lyceum Initiative hosts a Lecture Series each academic year, focused on a theme of special interest to its mission. The theme for 2026 is "The Declaration at 250!" Each talk in the 2026 Lecture Series will focus upon one of the fundamental principles articulated in the Declaration of Independence, signed by delegates to the Continental Congress in July of 1776.

April 24
"Prudence, indeed, will Dictate..."
Statesmanship and the People's Right of Revolution
Lucas Morel, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair of Politics, Washington and Lee University 
Member of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission
Friday, April 24, 1-2 p.m. 

Doctors Without Borders Officer Application
We are now accepting officer applications for the Doctors Without Borders UH Chapter! Join a team dedicated to promoting global health awareness and supporting the mission of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Doctors Without Borders, providing independent and impartial humanitarian medical aid in over 70 countries. APPLY HERE by the application deadline is April 10. DM us on Instagram (@fomsf.uh) or email us (msf.uofh@gmail.com) if there are any questions!

10th anniversary of Off Script
Please join us as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Off Script with a special storytelling performance! Light refreshments will be served. April 18, 6:30- 8 p.m. at the  Brazos Book Store (2421 Bissonnet Street, Houston, Texas, 77005).

For 10 years, Off Script has been holding the mic for stories that aren't always welcome in medical education and practice. Doctors, undergrads, medical students, and many others have taken the stage to report their joys and turmoil — and to find comfort in the audience's recognition. They narrate moments of connection with others, their fears and loneliness, and how healing happens — because all of this is part of the heart of medicine.

"'Bella Ciao:' An Italian Journey in Lyrics and Songs," a lively evening with Alessandro Carrera
Join CLASS Honors for “'Bella Ciao:' An Italian Journey in Lyrics and Songs,” a lively evening with Alessandro Carrera, chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages. The program features narration and performance centered on the world-famous song “Bella Ciao,” exploring its history, meanings and musical traditions,  from antifascist resistance to the songs of women rice workers. The event will be held April 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the University of Houston T2 Building, Room 106. Refreshments will be served. For questions, please contact Dr. Wei-Yi (Wesley) Lee at wlee34@central.uh.edu

Honors Club Theater
Are you interested in theater, writing, acting, directing, or tech? Then this is the club for you! We'v already ended auditions for the spring, but you can still be involved in our numerous club events throughout the semester. If you still have your doubts, you can attend our Spring 2026 Showcase at 7 p.m. on April 24! If you have any questions or want more information please contact us at : clubtheater@uh.edu or our Instagram @honorsclubtheatre

 "Literature You Love" Undergraduate Video Contest The Department of English is sponsoring a "Literature You Love" undergraduate video contest with three $1,000 prizes. Students create and submit short videos. Open to all majors, so share with literature lovers everywhere as you feel is appropriate. Click here for more details.

The Honors College scholarship application for the 2026-27 academic year is OPEN!
These scholarships are awarded for the 2026-27 academic year only (fall and spring semesters), on the basis of the applicant's financial needs, academic record with emphasis on Honors coursework, and participation in the Honors College. This scholarship is for current students who have started their Honors coursework. To apply for an Honors College scholarship, please complete the online application here and submit a résumé (including academic, leadership and extra-curricular activities) by 5 p.m. on May 1. 

Simulation Volunteer Opportunity
Join the Office of Community Engagement at the Honors College as we partner with United Way and Harris County's Office of Managed Assigned Counsel to design a community-based simulation that illustrates the challenges faced by people reentering society after spending time incarcerated. We are looking for volunteers to support research before the simulation and support on the day of the simulation. Simulation Day will take place on May 4. Questions? Contact Monique Joseph at mnjoseph@courgarnet.uh.edu

Kscholastic Inc. is Hiring In-person Tutors!
Kscholastic Tutoring Company is seeking motivated and knowledgeable undergraduate and graduate tutors to provide in-person tutoring for K–12 students in the Houston area. This role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on student learning while gaining valuable teaching experience. Applicants proficient STEM, ASL, Economics, and languages are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must have a personal vehicle for travel to tutoring sessions and be available a minimum of two evenings per week. The position offers a starting pay rate of $33 per hour, with pay increases based on experience and performance. If interested, please send your resume and a brief statement of interest to office@kscholastic.com, or complete the application form here.

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TRAVEL & SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Provost’s Undergraduate Research Scholarship (PURS) 
The Provost's Undergraduate Research Scholarship (PURS) provides funding for undergraduates to participate in a part-time, semester-long research experience under the direction of a UH faculty mentor. Recipients will receive a $1,000 scholarship and two points toward the Honors in Co-Curricular Engagement transcript designation. Applicants must be rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors graduating in or after Fall 2026. Students of all disciplines with at least a 3.0 GPA are encouraged to apply. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by 11:59 p.m. on April 20.  

Shenoy Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURFiN) 
The Shenoy Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURFiN) aims to spark and sustain interest in neuroscience among undergraduate students living near Simons Foundation-supported laboratories (two in Houston) who have not had access to research opportunities. Fellows may earn up to $7,500 and are mentored through their lab research and participate in career development activities, including a virtual coding boot camp and a scientific symposium in New York City. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a bachelor's or associate's degree program. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by 11 a.m. CST on April 21.

Volunteer Research Assistant Positions
The UH Cognitive Development Lab is recruiting undergraduates and post-bacs for volunteer research assistant positions, beginning in the Summer 2026 semester. We study the factors that contribute to varying aspects of cognitive development, including learning, attention, and language skills, through the use of head-mounted eye-tracking, electroencephalography (EEG), and heart-rate monitors during parent-infant interactions. Applications are open now through May 30.

Requirements include, but are not limited to:
- Minimum of 10 hours a week;
- Minimum of 3 semesters;
- 2 meetings a week (Mondays: 1:30-3 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.).

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Scheduling and running study appointments;
- Annotating and scoring behavioral data (e.g., transcribing speech);
- Administering standardized assessments (e.g., motor and language tests);
- Organizing and running recruitment events in the community;
- General lab and data management (e.g., sanitation and data entry).

Opportunities include, but are not limited to:
- Professional development workshops;
- Letters of recommendation;
- Conference presentations;
- Senior honors thesis projects and course credit;
- Research scholarships (e.g., PURS/SURF).

The application can be accessed here. Questions can be forwarded to cogdev@cougarnet.uh.edu.

Harris County Historical Society Award for Excellence
The Harris County Historical Society presents this annual award for excellence to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student for a public history project focused on Houston or Harris County history. The $1,500 scholarship will be awarded for the fall 2026 semester. The award recipient will be expected to present their project or a summary thereof at the 2026 Harris County Historical Society Dinner. Submitted projects should be completed between June 1, 2025 and May 15, 2026. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by May 15.

Pharmacy Undergraduate Research Opportunity - Dr. Joydip Das
Dr. Joydip Das, from the Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, is currently recruiting undergraduate students to study the binding of small molecule drugs on presynaptic and signaling proteins using molecular docking, molecular dynamics and binding assays. The objective is to understand the molecular mechanism of drug’s action with a long-term goal of developing more potent drugs with little or no side effects. For more information, contact Joydip Das (713-743-1708, jdas@uh.edu).

Congenital Heart Defects Undergraduate Research Opportunity - Dr. Mingfu Wu, UH
Dr. Mingfu Wu, from the Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, is currently recruiting undergraduate students or research scientists to work on exciting new projects related to the etiology, pathology and genetic basis of congenital heart defects and cardiomyopathy. These projects investigate the etiologies at cellular, molecular, and genetic levels and establish novel treatments and gene-therapy for these heart diseases. Motivated students with a strong background in biology, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics, or pharmacology are encouraged to apply. The projects in the lab are supported by NIH and AHA grants. Qualified students are accepted all year round with two per year with students expected to stay in the lab for at least one year. For more information, email Mingfu Wu (mwu25@central.uh.edu) and answer the following questions: do you want to be a PhD, a MD or other plan for the next step? Do you want to be a physician, an independent faculty or other career in the future?