Pre-Approved Experiences
Each of the 50+ pre-approved experiences is a unique opportunity with experiential components and built-in reflection. They cover a variety of topics and types of involvement from campus, to the local Cincinnati community, and even destinations domestic and abroad.
The pre-approved experiences will count as honors experiences if completed as directed by the contact listed for each experience, and showcased in your learning portfolio within one month of completing the experience. Application deadlines can be months earlier than the beginning of the experience, so plan accordingly.
Important Considerations
- Please note that some of the programs listed on these pages have competitive application processes and/or specific deadlines. For more information about a particular program/project, please visit the website or contact the individual listed below.
- Most pre-approved experiences can only be counted one time as an honors experience; if you are completing a pre-approved honors experience for a second time, please contact your honors advisor to see if it can count as an additional experience.
- Pre-approved experiences are listed below in alphabetical order.
| Program Title & Number of Experiences | Description & Contact Person |
Belong Coordinator for University Honors Program 1 |
The experience is a one academic year commitment and runs September through April. Contact Shawna Obregon for information. |
|
1 |
Contact your Honors Advisor for information. |
UHP Ambassador Leadership Team 1 |
This is a 12-month commitment. Students must be a current UHP Ambassador. Apply by early summer. Contact Jason Autry for information. |
UHP Biomedical Research and Mentoring Program (RaMP) 1 |
The application opens late fall and research takes place in spring. Contact Victoria Cullen for information. |
|
2 |
Apply in early February. Contact Zach Jung for information. |
|
1 |
Complete an interest form, available mid-August for Fall semester and early January for Spring semester; Students must be leaders of their campus or community organization to participate. Students who fully participate through a full semester can earn one honors experience. Contact Vikki Kowalczyk for information. |
|
1 |
This is a tabletop role-playing experience that meets once a week throughout the semester. Contact Kyle Key for information. |
Welcome Experience Student Leader for UHP (mentor or coordinator) 1 |
Contact Jose Jacobo for information. |
| Program Title & Number of Experiences |
Description & Contact Person |
|---|---|
|
1 |
This is a first-year experience for students of color. As of Fall 2024, students must enroll in the course PD1190:TRANSITIONS FIRST YEAR in order for this to count as a pre-approved experience. Contact Mercedes Johnson for more information. |
|
1 |
Contact the AACRC regarding application process for the tour. |
|
1 |
The Lead Tutors manage Bearcat Buddies tutors. This experience lasts the entire academic year. Contact Antione Spriggs for more information. |
Bearcat Buddies Ambassadorship 1 |
The Ambassadors play a critical role in recruitment and give valubale input. This experience lasts the entire academic year. Contact Antione Spriggs for more information. |
|
2 |
Students apply during early spring semester and the experience happens over the summer. Contact Tiffany Dolder-Holland for more information. |
BRIMS: Biomedical Research Internship for Minority Students 1 |
Apply for this experience by early March. Contact Dr. Jamilah Hackworth or Dr. Patricia McAlpine for more information. |
|
1 to 2 |
The number of experiences is determined by length of time abroad. Contact UC International for more information. |
Crossroad Health Center Volunteer Internship Program (VIP) 1 |
Applications for this experience are generally due 2 months before the start date. Contact Crossroad Health Center for more information. |
Experience-Based Learning & Career Education - International Experience Programs 2 |
These are work abroad experiences. Contact Erin Bove for more information. |
Gen-1 Alpha Ambassador 1 |
Apply for this experience in spring semester. Contact Amber Conley for more information. |
Gen-1 Program First Year Experience 1 |
Apply for this experience as part of the UC admissions process. Contact Amber Conley for more information. |
GlobeMed GROW Internship 1-2 |
Contact UC GlobeMed for more information. |
Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) 1 |
Contact Shawn Adkins for more information. |
International Virtual Collaboration Experience 1 |
This experience is open to STEM majors across UC. Students will collaborate virtually with students at a university abroad to solve a global problem and develop cross cultural and problem solving skills. The experience takes place virtually during spring semester and can be extended if needed. Contact Dr. Cedrick Kwuimy during fall semester to express interest.
|
|
1 |
Open to all students who are interested in collaborating on innovative ideas. Meets weekly every semester (including summer). Complete the Interest Form or email Candace Wade with questions. Students must be eligible for the program stipend to count as an experience. |
|
1 |
Open to all students who have completed Innovation Challenge 1 and are looking to take their idea to the next level. Meets weekly every semester (including summer). Complete the Interest Form or email Candace Wade with questions. Students must be eligible for the program stipend to count as an experience. |
|
1 |
Apply for this experience in October. Contact Mercedes Johnson for more information. |
Marian Spencer Scholars International Travel 1 |
This experience is open to students in the Marian Spencer Scholars program only. |
|
1 |
Apply for this experience in Mid-February of your first year. Contact Charity Winburn for more information. |
|
2 |
Apply for this experience in Mid-February of your second year. Contact Charity Winburn for more information. |
NEXT Innovation Scholars Innovation Advancement Project 1 |
This experience is open to students in the NEXT Innovation Scholars program only. Contact Aaron Bradley for more information. |
NEXT Innovation Scholars Leadership Development Pathway 1 |
This experience is open to students in the NEXT Innovation Scholars program only. Contact Aaron Bradley for more information. |
Office of Nationally Competitive Awards Fulbright Bootcamp 1 |
This experience takes place over the summer. Students must be applying for a Fulbright award to participate and must complete the registration form. Students must participate in the Bootcamp and complete and submit a Fulbright application for this to count as a pre-approved experience. Contact Jenny Hyest for more information. |
On-Campus Internship/Co-op (Co-op2.0) 1 |
Students must register for and complete the COOP 2000 and/or COOP3000 course for any of the on-campus internships listed at the link provided to count as an honors experience. Contact Michael Sharp for more information.
|
PRISM Mentor Program with LGBTQ Center 1 |
Students must serve as both mentors and facilitators for a weekly LGBTQ+ based discussion group in order to count this as a pre-approved experience. This is a 1-year commitment. Students must apply and email R. Chad Freeman to express interest in being a facilitator as well as a mentor. Contact R. Chad Freeman for more information. |
|
1 |
Undergraduate students in any non-mandatory co-op major are eligible for this experience. Students must register for and complete COOP 2000 and/or COOP3000 course for this to count as an honors experience. Contact Paula Harper for more information. |
Social Change Leadership Program (RAPP) 1 |
Applications for this experience will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis. Students can choose to pursue either the co-curricular or course option of the program. Students choosing the course option must register for the Honors section of ORGL 4095 in Fall Semester for 1 credit hour and the Honors section of ORGL 4098 in Spring Semester for 2 credit hours. Contact Keith Lanser for more information. |
Student Orientation Coordinator (SOC) 1 |
To be a SOC, a student must successfully complete being a SOL first. Contact New Student Orientation Office for more information on the position. |
Student Orientation Leader (SOL) 2 |
Contact the New Student Orientation Office for more information and application deadlines. |
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 2 |
Contact Dr. Sherry Thornton or Kerissa Preston for questions. |
Taft Undergraduate Research Award 2 |
Apply for this award to pursue research by early March. Contact the Taft Research Center for more information. |
|
2 |
Students must register for INT3030 Section 2. Applications are reviewed on rolling basis and students receive 1 experience for the seminar and 1 experience for the internship. Contact Brodie Theis for more information. |
UK Fulbright Summer Institutes 1 |
Contact Jenny Hyest in the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards for more information. |
University Innovation Fellows Program 1 |
This experience is only open to students in NEXT Innovation Scholars Program who are selected for the leadership circle each year. Contact Aaron Bradley for more information. |
UPRISE: University of Cincinnati Undergraduates Pursuing Research in Science and Engineering 2 |
Applications for this experience typically open in early January. Contact Tiffany Grant for more information. |
UpSpring 360 Summer Camp for Children Experiencing Homelessness 1 |
Applications open March/April for June 10-July 17, 2025 paid internship. Contact Jordan Mitchell for more information. |
|
1 |
Explore your early-stage, scalable business idea through the Venture Lab. Apply online today! Cohorts are every semester. Contact Candace Wade with questions. This experience will be added to your UHP record after successful completion of the program. |
|
1 |
Available for students who have completed the Venture Lab Accelerator and are looking to take their idea to the next level. Contact Candace Wade with questions. This experience will be added to your UHP record after successful completion of the program. |
| Program Title & Number of Experiences | Description & Contact Person |
|---|---|
|
2 |
Apply through Professional Assessment + Learning (PAL). Contact Erin Bove for information. |
|
1 |
Apply via LCB. Students can complete this experience up to two times. Contact Sarah Jernigan for information. |
| Program Title & Number of Experiences | Description & Contact Person |
|---|---|
|
2 |
Apply through Professional Assessment + Learning (PAL). Contact Erin Bove for information. |
| Program Title & Number of Experiences | Description & Contact Person |
|---|---|
|
2 |
Apply through Professional Assessment + Learning (PAL). Contact Erin Bove for information. |
School of IT Success Coach 1 |
Students work up to 20 hours per week over the course of the semester connecting with, supporting, and collaborating with first year IT students. Contact Kelsey Tippitt for more information. |
| Undergraduate Research in Criminal Justice | Students must complete an application at the link provided and register in CJ3002 or CJ4096. Contact Dr. Manchak for more information. |
| Program Title & Number of Experiences | Description & Contact Person |
|---|---|
Engineering Diplomats Leadership Team 1 or 2 |
Number of experiences is based on domestic and international involvement with the team. Contact Xiaoqun (Sherry) Liao for information. |
Engineers Without Borders International Travel 1 |
Contact Jim Tappel for information. |
Foundations of Engineering Design Thinking - Honors Research Experience 1 |
Contact Nora Honken for information. |
|
2 |
Apply through Professional Assessment + Learning (PAL). Contact Erin Bove for information. |
Protege Undergraduate Research 2 |
Contact James Boerio for information. |
Teaching Assistant for First-Year Engineering classes 1 |
Contact Jeff Kastner for information. |
| Program Title & Number of Experiences | Description & Contact Person |
|---|---|
iLead Next Gen Manager in College of Nursing 1 |
Apply for this experience in spring semester. Contact Deborah Gray for information. |
iLead Next Gen Mentor in College of Nursing 1 |
Apply for this experience in spring semester. Contact Deborah Gray for information. |
iLead transition/transfer participant in College of Nursing 1 |
Contact Deborah Gray for information. |
|
2 |
Apply for this experience in January of your third year. Contact Deborah Schwytzer for information. |
Nursing Undergraduate Research Scholars Program 1 |
This is a 2-semester commitment during fall and spring. Students should apply by May 1 between first and second year. Students may re-apply if not accepted to the program. Contact Gina Britton for information. |
| Program Title & Number of Experiences | Description & Contact Person |
|---|---|
Accelerating Racial Justice 1 |
TBD |
Emerging Ethnic Leaders Peer Leader 1 |
TBD |
Teaching Assistant at Chongqing University 2 |
TBD |
Village Life Outreach Co-op/Internship and special project 1 |
TBD |
UC Faculty and Staff Proposal for Pre-Approved Experience
If you are a current UC faculty or staff member running a program that you would like to have counted as a Pre-Approved Honors Experience, submit a proposal for a new pre-approved experience and the University Honors Program will contact you to discuss further.