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Global Honors

Honors student at Commencement.

Honors at Mercy

The Mercy University Global Honors Program is a special academic program whose mission is to transform highly motivated and talented students into intellectually sophisticated and civically-minded college graduates through an integrated curricular and co-curricular program that emphasizes interdisciplinary, collaborative, experiential, and self-directed learning. Undergraduate students from all majors and programs at Mercy who meet the eligibility requirements are welcome to apply to the Global Honors Program.  

Inquiries can be directed to Co-Directors Irina V. Ellison, Ph.D. and K. Patrick Fazioli, Ph.D. at: honors@mercy.edu.  

Students in the Global Honors program.

Advantages of participating in the Global Honors Program include, but are not limited to:

  • Enrollment in small, engaging, seminar-style classes that allow for close interaction with hand-picked Honors faculty as well as other highly motivated students 
  • Priority registration 
  • Opportunity to participate in unique learning experiences and established High Impact Practices, including common reads, service learning, linked Learning Communities, independent research, study abroad, and participation in undergraduate conferences 
  • Opportunities to participate in special co-curricular activities and events, including receptions, invited speakers, and trips to local cultural and historical attractions 
  • Mentorship from students and faculty in the Honors Program
  • Official recognition at Commencement 
Students on Campus

Getting Started

If you are interested in joining the Global Honors Program we encourage you to reach out to us with questions honors@mercy.edu or complete the online application.

Apply Now!

Admission to the Global Honors Program

Admission to the Mercy University Global Honors Program is through application only. Students are evaluated holistically based on their reflective essays, history of academic success, and commitment to service and engaged leadership. To be eligible to apply for admission to the Global Honors Program, students must be full-time and be registered for a majority of their classes at a physical on-campus location (fully Distance Learning students are currently not eligible for admission to the Honors Program). 

Students applying to the program after High School must have a minimum High School GPA of 85. 

Students applying to the program after completion of credits at another undergraduate institution must have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and must be transferring 12-75 credits towards their Mercy University degree completion. Students transferring more than 75 credits towards their Mercy University degree are not eligible for application. Students transferring fewer than 12 credits will be evaluated on their High School GPA. 

Continuing students at Mercy University may apply for admission to the Program after a minimum of 12 credits and up to a maximum of 75 credits have been completed at Mercy University. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.2.  Students must submit one letter of recommendation from Mercy University faculty. 

Maintaining Satisfactory Progress in the Global Honors Program

Global Honors students must make adequate progress in achieving program expectations to remain in Good Standing. Satisfactory progress is defined as: 

  • Maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above. 
  • Maintaining an Honors course GPA of 3.2 or above. 
  • Completing a minimum of twenty hours of community service per academic year. 
  • Attending a minimum of four Honors-approved Mercy University academic events per academic year. 
  • Demonstrating the academic and behavioral standards of Mercy University students. 
  • Completing approximately one Honors course per semester. 

If adequate progress is not maintained, a student will be placed on Honors Program probation for one semester. If satisfactory progress is not resumed, the student may be dismissed from the Honors Program thereafter. 

Graduation Ceremony

Successful Completion of the Global Honors Program

In order for students to be recognized at graduation as successfully completing the Mercy University Global Honors Program they must: 

  • Complete their degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 of above. 
  • Complete their Global Honors Program curriculum with a GPA of 3.2 or above. 
  • Earn a grade of C or above in all Global Honors Program courses. 
  • Complete all service and engagement requirements of the program. 
  • Complete a Global Honors Capstone project. 

Students who entered the program as Freshmen must additionally: 

Complete a minimum of 24 credits of Global Honors courses (no more than 6 credits can be completed as Global Honors contracts). 

Students who entered the program as Transfers or Continuing students must additionally: 

Complete a minimum of 15 credits of Global Honors courses (no more than 6 credits can be completed as Global Honors contracts). 

Global Honors Courses

Global Honors courses foster a unique learning environment where students are given focused opportunities to deepen learning and develop skills in collaboration and self-directed learning. All Global Honors courses share a common set of learning outcomes (in addition to the other course student learning outcomes) that are included on the course outline and that are assessed in these courses. 

Students who complete Global Honors courses should be able to: 

  1. Examine an issue or theme related to course material through two or more distinct disciplinary lenses (Interdisciplinarity); 
  2. Demonstrate effective collaboration with peers in pursuit of a shared goal (Collaboration); and 
  3. Reflect upon how experiential learning has deepened their understanding of course material (Experiential Learning). 

Global Honors courses are generally reserved for students admitted to the program. However, students who have completed at least 15 credits at the University and who have a Mercy GPA of 3.2 or higher may enroll in Honors courses, if space is available. 

Student using computer

Global Honors Contracts

A Global Honors contract is a means by which students can earn three honors credits in lieu of taking a Global Honors course.  It entails production of an additional project (e.g., research paper, annotated bibliography, presentation, laboratory experiment, etc.) that deepens the student’s knowledge of course material and promotes skills in self-directed learning.  All students who engage in a contract are required to present at the Global Honors Symposium in that semester.  Students seeking to engage in a contract should visit the Global Honors Program Blackboard course shell for complete instructions and presentation guidelines.  

Members of the Honors Advisory Council

  • Delia Amsterdam, PACT Bronx Representative 
  • Dorothy Balancio, School of Social and Behavioral Science Faculty Representative 
  • Trisha Beharry, Admissions Representative
  • Thelma Collado, Program Manager, Global Honors Program
  • Haley Collazo, Library Representative
  • Irina Ellison, Honors Program Co-Director 
  • Patrick Fazioli, Honors Program Co-Director 
  • Saul Fisher, Office of the Provost Representative  
  • Raj Kumar, Student Success/PACT Representative 
  • Peter Minorsky, School of Health and Natural Sciences Faculty Representative  
  • Victoria Núñez, School of Education Faculty Representative 
  • Celia Reissig-Vasile, School of Liberal Arts Faculty Representative 
  • Sabrina Timperman, School of Health and Natural Sciences Faculty Representative 
  • Bogdana Vladescu, Student Affairs Initiatives Representative 
  • Mahmud Wazihullah, Director of Business Honors Program

To learn more about the Honors Program or to schedule an appointment with an Honors Program representative, please contact us by email: honors@mercy.edu