The goal of the honors program is to recruit academically talented students and to provide them with opportunities so that they graduate as engaged, thoughtful, and well-rounded students. The program engages students in classes with smaller enrollments, student-centered learning, and coursework aimed at enhancing critical and creative thinking, problem solving, communication skills, interdisciplinary study, innovative research, and experiential learning. Interpersonal communication, civic engagement, and social skills are required outside of the classroom to help students gain leadership skills through service, on and off of the SPSU campus.
Dr. James Sotiropoulos, the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) at Southern
Polytechnic State University commissioned a study to ascertain the viability of an
Honors Program in 1999. A committee of six faculty members researched the University
Honors Program in the fall of 1999 and the spring of 2000. This committee created
policy and procedures for the program. In the fall of 2002, Dr. Sandy Pfeiffer, the
new VPAA, began implementation of the program. A new Honors Committee was created
with seven members in accordance with the policy and procedures set by the first committee.
This committee hired Dr. Nancy Reichert as director to begin in January of 2003. The
first class of Honors students began their coursework in the fall of 2003. Dr. Reichert
stepped down from running the honors program in the spring of 2013. At this time
Dr. Iraj Omidvar was hired to run the program.
You can contact the Honors Office by calling 678-915-3931 or by e-mailing honors@spsu.edu.
Dr. Iraj Omidvar, Director
Ms. Ann Parker, Assistant Director
Ms. Alda Wood, Administrative Assistant