Ten Clemson students are set to make an impact through a new Honors College program designed to turn their ideas into action.
The Action Scholars Program brings together a group of first- and second-year Honors students to research, build and implement plans to address community needs or challenges.
“Honors students are already engaged, with many of our students working to make a difference throughout campus and in their communities,” said Kristine Vernon, associate dean of curriculum and faculty affairs at the Honors College. “This program brings 10 of those students together each year to share ideas, learn together and support each other as they pay it forward in their communities.”
Action Scholars will receive ongoing mentorship, professional development and unique learning opportunities throughout the three-to-four-year program. In their first year, scholars take an introductory course to help them identify community needs and begin to plan their projects. In their second year, scholars will participate in events, courses and other activities to help them finalize their plans before implementation.
Scholars will then enroll in a capstone Action Scholars course in their junior year before building a portfolio of their achievements and what they have learned. They will also receive mentoring for their post-graduation plans, including preparation for major fellowship applications such as the Rhodes, Marshall or Truman scholarships.
The end goal is for scholars to develop a framework for a project that will have a meaningful, real-world impact while building lifelong skills such as mentorship, initiative, mindfulness and service.
A new cohort will be announced each year, according to Vernon. “Our hope is that subsequent cohorts are mentored by the inaugural cohort, and so on, so that they form a critical mass of support.”
Clemson faculty and community members will also be engaged to help scholars fully explore their action ideas and facilitate connections with community leaders or other experts.
The project furthers the University’s land grant mission by building future leaders who are making a difference in communities throughout the state.
2026 Honors Action Scholars
