Dear Editor,
This is in response to an “Diversity or lack thereof in the Batten Honors College” written by MJ Matthews, published last issue.
I have been passionate about volunteering with the Batten Honors College (BHC) since my first semester to give back to the program that provided me with many opportunities to better my professional and personal skills. Some of these unique opportunities I have taken advantage of through the BHC include attending distinguished lecturers at the Norfolk Forum, having access to internship opportunities at the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) and studying abroad twice. All of these experiences have enabled me to grow as an individual, widening my worldview and exposing me to perspectives that differ from my own.
I have been working in the BHC Office for two years. Through this experience, I have gained insight into the processes of admission into the BHC. The BHC accepts approximately 40 students per cohort year, emphasizing the educational journey that the group will take together. These 40 students matriculate as first-year students at the beginning of their college experiences in September and will graduate together after earning their medallions at a ceremony, celebrating their completion of the program.
Beginning and completing this journey as a cohort is fundamental to the BHC. For this reason, admitting students into the program in their second year or beyond goes against the mission of the BHC. With regards to some of the required coursework associated with the program, HON 110: Contemporary Environmental Issues and HON 210: Self & Global Leadership, are to be taken with your entire first-year cohort during a student’s first and second semesters. Not only does this allow students to bond with their peers, but it also prepares students for the rest of their academic journey as BHC students. Any students who would enter the program at a later point would have missed out on fundamental bonding with their cohort.
In terms of equity, it is unfair to the students who are already in the program for students to be welcomed to the BHC as second-year students. The BHC holds three in-person competitions during students’ senior year of high school for them to compete for and earn their spot in the program. We also offer virtual competitions for students who do not have the option to come to campus to compete. Thus, students have ample opportunities to research the program in its entirety before the final BHC application deadline, which is in February of their high school senior year. As an honors college, we expect students to be able to conduct research. When researching ‘Honors Programs in Virginia’, the BHC is the eighth link to populate; It can be argued that any student would be able to sift through these programs and find the BHC if they are actively searching for a college program of this nature. Especially for students who are already planning to attend VWU by January, the BHC is not hard to find on the website. Students who are accepted to VWU and qualify for the BHC based on their GPA also receive an email notifying them that they are eligible for the program and are encouraged to apply.
Any student who is faced with making the big college decision has likely viewed their college website. If you visit vwu.edu and click on the first undergraduate screen, you are immediately shown the following in the Academics Menu: “Virginia Wesleyan’s academic program is administered through the Batten Honors College, the Birdsong School of Social Science, the Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, the Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities, the D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies, and VWU Global.” The Batten Honors College is not only the first program listed on the screen, but it also links to the program page where students can research more about the BHC.
Being a part of this BHC community is a privilege, rewarding high-achieving students with scholarships and special opportunities. In terms of marketing the BHC, of course, there is always more work to be done, but as an institution, we have not been ‘flailing’ or ‘failing’ with recruiting students of diverse backgrounds and identities. The current BHC first-year students, the cohort of 2024, are our most diverse class of students yet, emerging from three continents. 6 of the 40 students in this cohort are from outside of the United States. The BHC consistently aims to expose students to perspectives that differ from their own because that is one of the most valuable aspects of a college education. Being surrounded by unfamiliar cultures, religions and identities in a college setting helps students to more fully develop an understanding of global citizenship.
The Batten Honors College aspires to continue building diverse student cohorts and enriching academic experiences for students. If you would like to volunteer with the BHC for recruiting events, please reach out to the Director of Enrollment, Nikki Nieves. We are actively recruiting the next cohort of Honors students. As a member of the BHC community, it is also your responsibility to spread the word and the program and help to recruit the kinds of students that you want in your living & learning community. If you know someone who is seeking to change the world and would make a great addition to the BHC community, spread the word. If you want to make a difference in who you see coming into the program, you have a role to play, too.
By Mikayla Dayton
