John Martinson Honors Program

March 25, 2025

Newsletter link: https://mailchi.mp/siue/this-week-in-honors-march-25-2025

Special Registration edition!

Registration is coming up! Make sure that you’ve finished your advising appointment or hold release request, whichever applies. Check out the Course Navigator to get access to course descriptions that will help you follow your interests rather than choosing blindly.

Something to note: we’ve got a Fly High workshop TONIGHT, this time on Active Learning, specifically "Developing a Growth Mindset & Your Professional Why's"

• From the Director Course Navigator
• This Week in Honors
• Advising Updates
• Service Updates
• Honors Student Association
• Outside of Honors

From the Director Course Navigator

We’re stealing this space from Dr. Ruckh this week to remind you of the availability of the Fall 2025 Course Navigator! NEW AND IMPROVED!

This fall’s Navigator includes more than just course descriptions and keywords. This time, we’ve asked faculty to include information about their anticipated reading lists and class projects, so that you have a clearer picture of the class and its expectations.

Never just pick a class because of its time. Look into what the class is about: that’s part of the benefit of participating in honors.

This Week in Honors

TONIGHT!  Active Learning  workshop in the evening.  

•  Save the Date: Fly High workshops will prepare you for  life-skills, not just classroom skills.  Employers want people who can get the most out of what they are taught and can communicate effectively what they know to other people.  It doesn't hurt to be ready for your classes, either. :D

Advising Reminders

• Ian wouldn't sit still long enough for us to take an advising picture in his office.  He has now been promoted to Honors Cryptid.  Send your wild Ian sightings to vhovers@siue.edu and be entered for a silly prize.  Use your imagination and creativity! Drawing in 1 month.
• Course Navigator is now available.  Check out course descriptions before you register.  Follow your interests!
• Freshmen and Sophomores, you need to have scheduled your Honors advising appointment before you can register.  
• Juniors and Seniors, you need to complete your hold release before you can register.
• Changes in Regisgration Day(s)! It's coming close. Read about the changes to Registration Day(s) here! This does impact everyone in honors, so be sure to read the details!
• Walk-In Palooza! Walk-In hours change this week to:
  • Thursday 1-4pm
  • Friday 9-11am,  1-4pm
  • Monday 1-4pm

Service Updates

• March 28th: Make dog toys from recycled materials
• March 28th: SIUE Serves: Soup N Share & Gateway Pet Guardians
• March 31st: Transgender Day of Visibility & SIUE Serves Project
• April 4th: SIUE Serves: Gateway 180
• April 26th: An opportunity through an Honors alumnus!  We're happy to share a service opportunity with Waigand Wheels, a community service organization in Kirkwood, MO. They are hosting an event called the Speedway Spectacular on Saturday, April 26th, and are asking for JMHP volunteers! Volunteer work they are asking for ranges from setting up and breaking down the event, helping guests park at the venue, helping operate various raffles, tending bar, and helping with the derby races. This is a great chance to get service hours for a great cause! If you are interested, please send an email to Hannah Sheahan at hannah667@gmail.com.

Honors Student Association

• Calling all dog lovers! If you're interested in giving back to our furry friends, HSA is hosting a community service event This Friday where we will be making dog toys out of recycled materials! 
• Calling all investigators! The HSA Escape Room is back THIS SATURDAY, with this year's theme being Murder Mysteries. Will you be able solve the puzzles and answer the mysteries before time runs out? Registration is filling up quick. Your last chance to see the Escape Rooms is this Saturday, March 29th so make sure to register while you still can! With any questions, please contact dhindri@siue.edu 
• Have questions about upcoming events, HSA, or college life in general? Come talk with an HSA Representative at our Kimmel desk! Reference this calendar for specific times and representatives: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/2?cid=c2l1ZWhzYUBnbWFpbC5jb20 
• Nominations are now open for executive positions! If interested in running for president, vice-president, treasurer, or secretary, please fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/ciUdRSQqRhmhuHki6 
  • Nominations will remain open until Friday, April 11^th at 11:59 PM. 
• Looking for a way to get involved with both HSA and JMHP? We are currently seeking nominations for the next University Honors Advisory Committee (UHAC) student representative. In this role, students act as an intermediary between students and Honors faculty and serve as a meaningful connection between UHAC and HSAB. If interested in running, please fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/u8DpBnV9C3fTYDFv8 
  • Nominations will remain open until Friday, April 4^th at 11:59 PM. 
  • Learn more about UHAC here: https://www.siue.edu/provost/honors/about/uhac.shtml

Outside of Honors

• Free test prep for graduate professional school, usually hundreds of dollars, now free through the University.  This is kind of a big deal.  Check your siue email for more details, or as always, contact V at vhovers@siue.edu. 
  • What test prep courses are included?
    • The course options available will vary depending on their degree level. See the full list of courses offered at go.kaplan.com/illinois
  • How much does it cost students to participate? 
    • Nothing— the courses are free, with no charge to students
  • When does the free access start?
    • The portal to enroll and begin courses  is available now. Students can enroll whenever they are ready by visiting go.kaplan.com/illinois
  • Where should I direct students to learn more information?
    • Learn more at go.kaplan.com/illinois where students will be directed with further instructions to sign up through our school portal
    • Students must sign up using their school email address to get free resources