There and Back Again

Authors

Jennifer N. Dulin, Texas A&M UniversityFollow

Date of this Version

2022

Document Type

Article

Citation

Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council, 2022, 23(1): 47–49

Comments

Copyright © 2022 Jennifer N. Dulin

Abstract

As part of the National Collegiate Honors Council’s (2022) collection of essays about the value of honors to its graduates (1967–2019), the author reflects on the personal and professional impacts of the honors experience.

I am fortunate to have experienced the Texas A&M University Honors Program in two unique capacities: first as an undergraduate (2001–2005) and now as a faculty member (2017–present). Both experiences have been tremendously enriching in different ways. As an undergraduate, my experience in the Texas A&M Honors Programs nurtured my growth as a scholar, encouraged independent thought, and allowed me to gain experience in scientific research, which started me on my path to becoming a scientist. As a faculty member, I now have the amazing opportunity to pay it forward by mentoring my own high-achieving undergrads, both in the classroom and the laboratory. I was intimately involved with the University Honors Program all throughout college. As a freshman biochemistry major, one of the very first classes I attended was the Honors Life Sciences Learning Community. This was a small group of students who met weekly to talk about current topics in biochemistry, learn about cutting-edge research in the department, read scientific papers, and discuss issues relevant to college students such as building good study habits. This was my first toe dipped into honors, and I never looked back.