Mahurin Honors College
Mahurin Honors College at Western Kentucky University
The Mahurin Honors College is a community of ambitious students from every major at WKU. MHC Scholars explore the world as it actually is: the health of people in the places they live, the civic life of communities that need informed leaders, and the relationship between human beings and the land they depend on. The MHC connects scholars with the funding, mentorship, and community to pursue work that matters, positioning them for an exciting future.
Explore your passions through
research, study abroad,
internships, & leadership
as an MHC Scholar.
Current or Transfer Student? It's not too late to apply!
Students who have transferred to WKU or currently enrolled non-honors students can still apply to the Mahurin Honors College.
Themes for Exploration
The Mahurin Honors College offers three ecosystems of thought, or themes, for scholars to explore through specialized courses, activities, guest speakers, study away/abroad trips, research, and more. The themes are designed to attract scholars from any major, and scholars are not limited to a single theme or set of activities.
Continue reading to learn more about each of the three themes for exploration.
Health Humanities
Although healthcare training is often associated with STEM fields, scholarship in the humanities contextualizes healthcare and prompts important questions. Through Health Humanities offerings, the MHC offers opportunities to explore the intersections of health, ethics, religion, history, storytelling, the fine arts, and more.
Community Connections
A public university should always benefit the local community. Community Connections prompts MHC students to explore local businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations to identify community needs, become involved in community work, and gain a greater understanding of the place they live.
Living on the Land
The land provides food, adventure, living spaces, commerce, and sometimes perilous weather. Living on the Land offerings ask questions such as: What does it mean to be good stewards of the land? What changes are needed to ensure a sustainable future for the next generation? What can we learn from the natural spaces we inhabit?
Why should you choose Honors?
Western Kentucky University's Mahurin Honors College uniquely combines the academic rigor of a selective institution with the affordability and opportunitiesof a large public university. In honors courses, students benefit from smaller class sizes, fostering connections with peers and faculty. Beyond the classroom, MHC scholars explore their passions through research, study abroad, internships, and leadership with dedicated support from our academic advisors.
Take your university experience to greater heights with the Mahurin Honors College at WKU.
Mahurin Honors College News
Sep 28th, 2026
Campbell Lahman’s FUSE research on authoritarian nostalgia in South Korea is helping her discover her curiosity, confidence, and the possibilities of undergraduate research....
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Sep 14th, 2026
Natalie Strader turned a “no” into an unforgettable geology field experience in Scotland, discovering her passion for fieldwork, international study, and a future in environmental conservation....
View Article
Aug 24th, 2026
Neema Angelique’s two weeks studying business in Japan over the summer built her confidence, expanded her global perspective, and inspired new possibilities for her future....
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Aug 10th, 2026
Marcus Lum, a Marine veteran, father and WKU student, is turning his experiences in law enforcement, Chinese language study and two trips to Taiwan into a path toward a career fighting human trafficking....
View Article
- (270) 745-2081
- honors@wku.edu
Western Kentucky University
Mahurin Honors College
1586 Normal St
Bowling Green, KY 42101
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