| Student News :: Spotlight |
Davis Honors ChallengeAll incoming and on-campus freshmen are eligible to apply to the Davis Honors Challenge (DHC); acceptance is based on answers to a series of essay questions. "We're looking for students who take initiative and are creative thinkers," said program director Jessica Utts, a statistics professor. Once accepted, honors challenge students have the option of living in the program's new building in Tercero South during their freshman year. They are expected to participate in a number of honors classes, seminars, special sections to regular classes and independent projects, culminating in a yearlong team project to be completed in the fourth year. "The DHC gives students the opportunity to get a more personal experience at UC Davis," says Program Assistant Lindsay Hass, "including getting to know their professors better in a small–class setting. The program allows students to explore their interests and learn information that they might not typically get in a regular lecture class. The DHC gives students the opportunity to be more socially involved on campus and within the program and be able to meet new people. A big part of the DHC is working in groups and being able to present ideas to large audiences, allowing students to improve their communication and team work skills." Hass, the first DHC point of contact for students, faculty and the public, advises interested students to attend a DHC information session and also learn all they can about the DHC program goals and ideals. Says Hass, "The application process consists of answering three short essay questions focused on determining whether the applicant has an understanding of the DHC and whether being in the DHC program is a good 'fit' for them." The information sessions will occur during the winter and spring quarters; days and times will be posted on the DHC Web site." Unlike the Integrated Studies honors thesis, which is more research-oriented, students completing the Davis Honors Challenge project learn how to work with others to solve real-world problems. Kirstin Woody, a neurobiology and classics double major who graduated spring 2006, did one such project. Working on a team with four other students, Woody spent her fourth year laying the foundation for a class to help incoming students get comfortable with the university. The group, sponsored by then–Vice Provost Fred Wood and Diane Russell, associate student housing director, dubbed their proposed class "University 101: Understanding the Research University." They completed their year–long project in spring, 2005, and saw their efforts bear fruit a year later with the debut of a freshman seminar carrying the same title. Woody said the experience of working closely with a group to accomplish a goal was a rewarding one. "It was a full team experience," she said. "We were so grateful that we were working together. We all felt that the person to the left of us did just as much as us." |