Go beyond the classroom with the Lee Honors College
The Lee Honors College is your opportunity to gain a more impactful college experience with smaller, seminar-style classes, personalized honors advising and high-impact experiences that help you engage with your discipline in a more meaningful way. As an honors student, you’ll complete a senior thesis on a topic that matters to you, embark on study abroad or “Study in the States” programs and connect with a community that’s as curious and driven as you are.
Most students are invited to the honors program based on GPA, but if you’re interested in joining, we would love for you to apply! Once you’re in, you’ll have access to exclusive scholarships (including our full-ride Medallion Scholarship), research opportunities, and networking and social events. Being part of the WMU Lee Honors College isn’t just about prestige. It’s about purpose, growth and a future that’s shaped by you.
Join the Lee Honors College
If you’re curious, driven and excited about learning, we’d love to hear from you. Our goal is to empower you to reach beyond your comfort zone and challenge yourself with learning experiences such as travel immersion courses, research and service that makes a big difference in your life path. To apply, you’ll be asked to send us a completion plan to let us know how you intend to follow through on your honors requirements.
Why should you join the Lee Honors College?
As an honors student, you’ll have access to an abundance of academic, professional and personal growth opportunities, plus a built-in support system and a solid community to call your own on campus.
- Highly-engaged, experience driven learning courses: Explore the world and your passions alongside a small group of your honors friends with exclusive Lee Honors College courses. Plus, you can complete some of your WMU Essential Studies requirements at the same time.
- Exclusive scholarships: Access funding dedicated to honors students. These scholarships can make study abroad, research, creative work and conference travel more affordable, expanding where your education can take you.
- Access to the Lee Honors College building: Study, recharge or meet friends in a LEED Silver Certified space designed just for honors students. With a full kitchen, lounge and dedicated study areas, you’ll have a comfortable home base at the heart of campus.
- Regular networking and social events: Join weekly professional development workshops and social events for honors students that help you build your network, strengthen leadership skills and form friendships that last well beyond your time at Western.
- Priority course registration: Customize your class schedule each semester with priority registration. Honors students get access to the coursework portal several days before non-honors students can register, allowing you to build your schedule to meet your individual needs.
Featured Quote
“Being in the honors college has positively impacted me by providing many engaging opportunities to be a part of the community through volunteering, academic programs and other amazing activities. The honors college has become a home away from home, and I hope it becomes one for you too!” Maddy Mill '26
The Lee Honors College experience
Distinctive capstone
Every honors student completes an honors thesis. You’ll choose a topic that excites you and then work one-on-one with a faculty member to develop, research and present your capstone project. Plus, all theses are published in ScholarWorks, a repository where your work can be referenced and contribute to the larger body of work in your field. This experience builds a portfolio that sets you apart for competitive jobs, graduate programs and scholarships.
Dedicated advisors and faculty
As an honors student, your support team will have a few extra members. Alongside your major advisor, you’ll work with an honors advisor and a thesis mentor, plus peer mentors who are here to help you feel at home. Together, they’ll help you plan your path, explore your passions and make the most of your time at WMU.
Exclusive travel opportunities
If you’re eager to travel and learn more about the world around you, the honors college offers a variety of both national and international travel experiences—five Study in the States courses and two study abroad trips annually. Most recently, these trips have taken students from Washington, DC, and New Orleans to Lisbon, Portugal; Querétaro, Mexico; and beyond.
Graduation advantage
Students who start in the honors college as first-year students have a 23% higher 6-year graduation rate than non-honors Broncos.
LHC video
Your future, our focus
At the Lee Honors College, we’re here to help you grow into the leader, scholar or changemaker you want to be. We believe in asking big questions, chasing bold ideas and building lives of meaning and impact.
Scholarships
Honors scholarships
The honors college is here to support your big ideas, and not just with hands-on opportunities, but also with the funding to help you take them on. Each year, we award more than $30,000 in scholarships to help students study abroad, dive into research or bring a creative idea to life. You’ll also be considered for additional merit- and need-based support along the way.
We offer two WMU Prestigious Scholarship programs. Through either the Medallion Program or the Foundation, you’ll receive funding to explore an area of interest (scholars have mentored middle schoolers and led sustainability initiatives on campus), with the goal of making a positive impact through service.
Meet some Alums
Meet honors college alumni
Lee Honors College graduates are researchers and teachers, artists and engineers. They’ve gone on to graduate school, won Fulbright awards, launched nonprofits and led companies. And they all have one thing in common: They started right here at WMU.
LHC News
Lee Honors College news
Emily Brown
Honors marketing student, Emily Brown, is the Grand National Twirling Champion! Congratulations, Emily!
David Dombrowski
Honors college alum, and president of baseball operations for the Philadelphia Phillies, David Dombrowski credits his honors thesis for propelling him toward success.
Shelby Wilmot
Among the newest Michigan State Police Troopers are a few honors college alumni, including Shelby Wilmot. Read how WMU's Cold Case Program is helping steer them in MSP's direction.
Grace Mulock
Spring 2026 honors college grad, Grace Mulock, turned her internship into a full time position with Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes.
Honors college events
From faculty lectures and thesis workshops to cultural programs and networking opportunities, the Lee Honors College events help students explore new ideas and connect with the world beyond the classroom.
Designed to spark curiosity and build community, these exclusive experiences bring honors students together to learn, grow and get more involved on campus.
Explore upcoming events and discover how the Lee Honors College can enrich your WMU experience!