Honors Program
In keeping with the philosophy and mission of the College the Honors Program offers enhanced and advanced study to those students who show exceptional academic achievements and motivation.
Our Purpose
The purpose of honors classes is to provide an innovative, creative approach to learning in an atmosphere conducive to meeting the challenge to higher levels of academic excellence.
Spring 2027 Honors Seminar
Congressional Theories of Representation
This course examines the development of the concept of representation in the United States Congress beginning with the colonial period and the ratification debates that shaped the Constitution to modern theories of congressional behavior, particularly David Mayhew’s Congress: The Electoral Connection and major critiques of his approach. Throughout the course, students will analyze how constitutional design, electoral incentives, and competing theories of representation influence congressional behavior, polarization, and gridlock.
Meet the Instructor
Dr. Michael Baggs earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and History, a Master of Arts in both History and Political Science, and a Doctorate in Political Science from the University of Kansas. In his teaching career, he has taught subjects such as American history, Western Civilization, and Federal and State government. Academically, however, he has studied a wide variety of topics from American politics and Congress, to International Relations Theory, International Organizations, Conflict, and Terrorism.
Admittance Requirements
Interested students may apply to join the honors program if they meet one of the following criteria:
- New, incoming student with no previous college credit
- Current student with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Transfer student with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Dual-credit or dual-enrollment high school student with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
Experience the Benefits of Joining the Honors Program!
- One-on-one faculty instruction
- Opportunities to explore fields of study not typically offered at the community college level
- Tailor-made educational opportunities that allow you to control what you learn and how you learn it
- A chance of being awarded a $500 scholarship
- A certificate of recognition at the Student Excellence Awards (upon completion)
- Recognition at commencement (upon completion)
- An excellent addition to your resume
Honors Credit for a Course
Students may choose, with instructor recommendation and with program director approval, to make application for an honors contract to earn honors status for a course.
Honors Contract Instructions Begin Honors Contract Complete Honors Contract
