The Mahurin Honors College

Western Kentucky University's Mahurin Honors College (MHC) uniquely combines the academic rigor of a selective institution with the affordability and opportunities of a large public university. The MHC is tailored to propel students towards their goals and dreams. It offers a diverse range of opportunities for curricular and experiential customization. In honors courses, students benefit from smaller class sizes, fostering connections with peers and faculty, facilitating collaborative discussions, and expanding their knowledge base. Beyond the classroom, MHC scholars explore their passions through research, study abroad, internships, and leadership with dedicated support from our academic advisors.

When I was looking at schools, I noticed Western had a pretty solid Environmental Science Program with impressive outreach,” he said. He discovered the Mahurin Honors College during his research and decided to apply. “In a purely educational aspect, it’s been super helpful,” he said. He discussed how the honors classes he has taken so far have been more intimate and allowed him to develop a better relationship with the professors. Outside of an education standpoint, he’s been able to find a sense of community with other members of the honors college.

From Caves to Community: Noah Jennings' WKU Experience in Science and Sustainability, News from The Mahurin Honors College

Benefits and Opportunities

Membership Fee

MHC Housing

Chinese Language Flagship Program

The Chinese Language Flagship Program at WKU became the 9th such program in the nation, and the only program in Kentucky, in 2009. Our program is sponsored by The Language Flagship, an initiative of the National Security Education Program within the Defense Language and National Security Education Office.

Office of Scholar Development

The Office of Scholar Development (OSD) team mentors students applying for national scholarships for “academic extras” beyond what’s covered by tuition, such as study abroad, research, professional experience, and more.

WKU Global

Studying abroad with WKU Global can be one of the highlights of your career at WKU and is an excellent way to achieve personal, academic, and professional development. Wonderful and challenging experiences await you as you travel across the globe for an internship, service-learning project, or academic program that fits into your degree plan.

Information for High School Counselors

We look forward to partnering with you to empower the next generation of leaders. Explore the possibilities available to your students at Mahurin Honors College today!

History of MHC

Finding Their Rhythm: Mycal Caster's First Year at WKU
Mar 24th, 2025
Mycal Caster, a WKU first-year, majors in Dance and Psychology, balancing performance ambitions with a future in clinical psychology. Active in campus life, they aim to merge dance...
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Ava Lich: From Farm Fields to Cave Floors
Mar 10th, 2025
From farm life to cutting-edge research, Ava Lich studies carbon capture in Mammoth Cave, blending geology, math, and biology. A WKU scholar, she’s shaping the future of...
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Lily Martin: A Future in Financial Planning Shaped by Family and Campus Involvem...
Mar 3rd, 2025
Lily Martin, a WKU finance major, combines her passion for business and math in financial planning. Through her Honors capstone, she revamped WKU’s financial coach training,...
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From Caves to Community: Noah Jennings' WKU Experience in Science and Sustainabi...
Feb 28th, 2025
Noah Jennings, a WKU Environmental Science major, is turning his passion for nature into hands-on research. From spelunking in Kentucky caves to studying water velocity with...
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More Spotlights

For any questions, contact the WKU Mahurin College Team.