Our Mission

The mission of the UIS Capital Scholars Honors Program is to provide a challenging, interdisciplinary, educational experience in which well-qualified, motivated students gain understanding and leadership skills to engage the world.

The program provides academically well-prepared and motivated students a unique opportunity to develop creative thinking, problem-solving and leadership skills through a high-quality educational experience based in the liberal arts. Focusing on the student’s total growth in the personal, academic, social and civic arenas, the Capital Scholars Honors Program features interdisciplinary and collaborative learning and is designed to develop student talents through small classes that encourage lively exchange between students and professors.

Students learn actively, applying their skills to real community concerns. Problem solving and research skills are emphasized throughout the program.

Director's Greeting

Our Philosophy

At the heart of the Capital Scholars Honors Program is an understanding that the problems facing today’s world are complex, and often cannot be adequately understood or resolved from narrow disciplinary perspectives. Instead, a broad perspective and the application of knowledge from multiple disciplines are needed. For that reason, the program focuses on teaching and learning of interdisciplinary writing and research strategies. Development of leadership skills is also a major emphasis of the program. Honors courses not only incorporate the study of leadership, but there is also a curriculum-wide focus on collaborative learning. Skills learned in UIS Honors courses can be applied via numerous internship opportunities in community agencies and organizations.

Program Advantages

The Capital Scholars Honors Program offers many great advantages and program features for its students. Among them are:

People

  • A smaller campus guarantees that each student is a person, not a number
  • Faculty instructors are well-recognized in their fields
  • Small classes encourage lively exchange with classmates and faculty
  • Students can interact with faculty on a casual, first-name basis
  • Students live, study, work and play together in a living-learning community – the Lincoln Residence Hall
  • Many develop close relationships that may last a lifetime
  • Students proudly demonstrate diverse interests, cultures, and background

 Possibilities

  • Unique courses provide an alternative to the traditional liberal arts education
  • Students can choose from a wide variety of majors and minors
  • Honors-level work is an advantage when seeking employment or applying to graduate programs
  • Each major offers great facilities specific to the department
  • A wide selection of minors helps students personalize their degrees

Action

  • On-campus organizations look good on a resume and help students make friends and have fun
  • Students can intern with state and other local organizations
  • Students have opportunities to get involved with community and political action
  • Study Abroad programs open doors to exciting opportunities in foreign countries
  • Movies, performances, festivals, events— Visit UIS Life to find your experience!

In recent telephone exit interviews with CAP Honors graduates, 96% agreed or strongly agreed they were very satisfied with their overall experience in the program.