Purdue Honors College dean to chair national honors committee

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Rhonda Phillips, dean of Purdue University's Honors College, will co-chair National Collegiate Honors Council's Large Research University Committee with Mark Law, director of the University of Florida Honors Program.

The 51st annual NCHC Conference begins Wednesday (Oct. 12) in Seattle.

"NCHC has an opportunity to support large universities and research to build effective honors education by convening R1 institutions," said Hallie Savage, executive director of the NCHC. "Through the collaborative work of these institutions, we will engage a broad range of expertise in honors programs and colleges." 

Phillips has built the Purdue Honors College to a scholarly community of 2,200 students in just three years. Under her direction, the college has growing enrollment and a new academic home. The 324,000-square-foot, $90 million Honors College and Residences opened in August. It houses learning studios, faculty and staff offices, a STEAM lab and large community gathering spaces. 

"I look forward to working with colleagues from around the U.S. to examine the needs of honors colleges at large research institutions and explore opportunities for serving our students," Phillips said. "Right now, honors education has a great deal of momentum. More students and families are recognizing the added value we provide.  We want to refine honors programming, while ensuring that sustainable growth continues."

The National Collegiate Honors Council is a professional association of undergraduate honors programs, colleges, directors, deans, faculty, staff and students. With more than 1,300 members in the U.S. and abroad, it provides support to institutions and individuals as they develop and expand honors education.

About Purdue Honors College

The Honors College, which admitted its inaugural class in 2013, brings together students from all areas of study across campus, along with faculty, staff, alumni and organizational partners, in pursuit of academic excellence. Fostering transformative scholar and leadership development, the college is a community of scholars who learn together and explore ways to connect to Purdue and to the world beyond through engaged service.  

Contact: Lindsay Perrault, 765-427-1923, lindsayperrault@purdue.edu

Sources: Rhonda Phillips, 765-494-2929, rphillips@purdue.edu

Hallie Savage, 402-472-9150, hsavage2@unl.edu