
Ascend Toward Excellence with The Mahurin Honors College
The Mahurin Honors College
The Mahurin Honors College (MHC) at Western Kentucky University is a leader in honors education for academically talented, creative, and high-achieving students. As the first independent Honors College at a Kentucky public university, we are dedicated to fostering excellence in all forms of expression through research and experiential learning, critical thinking, active citizenship, and international engagement.
Why Join The Mahurin Honors College?
A great question, but maybe not the most applicable for the next step in your educational process. We know your real question is "How will the MHC help me achieve my future goals and dreams?"...or simply put Ascend Toward Excellence.
MHC scholars (like you) are offered a multitude of opportunities, all with the focus of helping you continue your own personal ascent toward excellence. This is not a one size fits most program. From atteding our Honors Freshmen Orientation Retreat (H4) to the completing a senior Capstone Experience/Thesis (CET), our scholars find the only limit to their opportunities is typically the time in the day!
In honors courses, MHC scholars are surrounded by peers who have similar passions to them. With smaller class sizes, our scholars get to know their faculty, have collaborative discussions on topics, and expand their knowledge base.
Learning is not limited to the classroom however, as our scholars explore their passions through research, study abroad, and internships. Additionally, certain scholarships, grants, and dormitory spaces are exclusively associated with the MHC.
The Mahurin Honors College combines the academic experience of a small, highly selective institution with the affordability and opportunities of a large public university, all at the price tag of a state supported institution.
Some unique resources around the Western Kentucky University campus include the only Chinese Flagship Program in the state of Kentucky and the Office of Scholar Development, which assists students applying for nationally-competitive scholarships related to student research and creative innovation. Weaving together life-changing academic experiences allows Honors students to create an education that is personal to their ambitions and future objectives.
Through advising appointments and a culture of professor mentoring, MHC scholars have personal guidance navigating their academic journey. With this additional institutional support, MHC scholars have written and presented original research, interned abroad, and built self-designed programs of study.
In short, we are here to help you Ascend Toward Excellence, in whatever form that may take.
Join The Mahurin Honors College at WKU
We hope this website will help you in this important decision. Know that we are here to help you through any and all steps of the admissions process.
Speaking of the admissions process...what are the next steps?

Apr 21st, 2020
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Feb 6th, 2020
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Scholar Spotlight
Feb 17th, 2021 Langley Williams is utilizing her passions and creativity to develop Virtual Escape Rooms for the KHR conference this spring....
Alumni Spotlight
Feb 2nd, 2021 Bryson Keltner is a 2017 graduate of the MHC and WKU, and is currently the International Recruitment Admissions Counselor for Global Learning...
Faculty Spotlight
Sep 15th, 2020 Laura is a 2020 alum of the MHC and WKU, as well as our new admissions counselor!...
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