Honors College Changing Under New Leadership

New director Dr. Christopher Weeks seeks to build community within the program.

The Honors College has experienced changes following its recent shift in leadership. Notably, students will now live in the newly renovated dorm Ratliff Hall as opposed to University Place. However, the change in housing is merely a reflection of a much deeper change taking place within the Honors College. Dr. Christopher Weeks, the program’s new director, has resolved to establish a newfound sense of community among the students. 

Dr. Christopher Weeks addresses students at the 2024 Honors College convocation. (Photo Credit: Kathryn Moss)

While students accepted to the program before the 2024 academic year will continue to live at University Place, the developing change in housing has been met with positive reception. “This fosters tight-knit community within the cohorts,” said Gracie Bassett, a senior in the Honors College. “I believe MC’s honors college will be able to continue fostering this community while better promoting involvement on campus by moving the freshman and future cohorts back to the main campus.”

“He’s also creating an Honors space within Ratliff, which is fostering a sense of community in the current freshman cohort that I believe will eventually develop into connections deeper than are present in any other cohort that I’ve seen,” said one member, a sophomore, who requested to remain anonymous. “Plus, the addition of an honors work/study space will optimize work on group projects.” 

Freshman Honors College students have already seen the benefits of these changes within their cohort. “The freshman cohort is actually really close,” said Emma Braese. “I think it will be very beneficial… in providing us with a secondary family that we can trust and lean on.” 

Weeks is also forming a student advisory council as a way for students to formally have a voice in the program. “The creation of this council has assured us that our leadership is invested in what we think about the program and, ultimately, makes MC feel even more like home,” Bassett said.

During this year’s Honors College convocation, Weeks expressed that his vision for this academic year is gratitude. Each student received a gratitude journal in which they may record the things that they are thankful for. “The biggest blessing is, of course, the opportunity to study for no cost to me or my family,” said program alumni Mary Margaret Freeman. “For this, I am always grateful and 100% indebted to MC.” 

Having Weeks assume leadership of the Honors College has brought physical changes to the program, but ultimately, it has brought renewed emphasis on the importance of community.

Honors College students learn & grow together in small cohorts over the course of their 4 year education at MC. The program hopes to emphasize this unique facet through its forthcoming changes. (Photo Credit: Kathryn Moss)