Lloyd International Honors College

Major(s)/Minor(s): Majoring in chemistry, concentrating in research, and minoring in mathematics

Hometown: Mebane, North Carolina

How did you know the Honors College was right for you?
To be honest, at first, I didn’t know if the Honors College was right for me. I did well in high school but I rarely pushed myself beyond what was required of me, so when UNCG gave me the opportunity to apply for Honors I was hesitant. I am now three years removed from my decision to join Honors and it is impossible to ignore the positive effects it has had on the trajectories of my academic life, my professional life, and my personal life. The setting, staff, and students cultivate real world success and meaningful connections that will last a lifetime. The early registration, exclusive classes, and the chance to study abroad are all just added bonuses. For anyone who is undecided, I implore you to take this once in a lifetime opportunity.

What has been your favorite Honors experience so far?
At first, the obvious answer was studying abroad. I spent a semester on the small Mediterranean island of Malta, and it was incredible. Experiencing a culture far different from my own was a fascinating and liberating experience that made me a more culturally understanding and educated person. However, I realized I do something equally as gratifying almost every day. Being an Honors student makes me someone my peers can look up to as a mentor, a tutor, a leader, and a friend. I appreciate the opportunity I have to make an impact on others’ lives, and I cherish the experiences I have had in doing so. These two outcomes are what the Honors College is all about, the betterment of the individual and the community.

What does “Honors” mean to you now that you are here at UNCG?
When I joined Honors, I believed Honors meant harder classes and more work so that my resume was more appealing to employers, and at the time I was content with those benefits. What I have learned through actually being in Honors is that Honors is how you should live your life. You should always take leaps of faith when there is opportunity, always make meaningful and lasting connections with those around you, always look to expand the cultural capacity of your mind, always look to be a role model to others, and always do anything to benefit yourself and your community. Honors went from being something I was content with doing, to teaching me not to be content with anything, and my future is bright because of it.