21st Century Honors Program: Relevance, Challenges, and Opportunities in Modern Society Higher Education

Honors programs and colleges are becoming increasingly common in U.S. higher education, offering talented students enriched learning experiences beyond standard classrooms. Over the past two decades, the number of honors colleges at U.S. universities has surged by 140%, more than doubling in size. However, despite their growth, there is a lack of comprehensive research on honors education. The specific relevance and role of honors programs in today's academic landscape remain unclear. As enrollment in higher education declines, some institutions have cut their honors programs, raising concerns about their future and significance. Additionally, public honors programs often struggle to attract a diverse range of students, as many perceive them as elitist and exclusive. This situation underscores the need for a deeper understanding of honors education's place in modern colleges and universities, particularly as they adapt to changing student demographics and educational demands.

In an era where today's teenagers are more likely to question the value of higher education than previous generations, the future of honors colleges and programs appears uncertain. This issue is compounded by the perception that public honors programs are elitist and exclusive, making them less accessible to a broader range of students. Nevertheless, many institutions are actively reinventing their honors offerings, recognizing their potential to attract high-achieving students and enhance institutional reputation. For example, some universities have rebranded their Honors Programs as "Honors Experience" to foster a more inclusive atmosphere. Additionally, these programs are increasingly emphasizing transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives, encouraging collaboration across various academic fields. The leadership structure within honors programs has also evolved, with roles like Associate Dean of Research and Programming Innovation and Coordinator of Student Engagement and Recruitment now common. These changes reflect a significant transition in honors education over the past few decades. It is, therefore, crucial to explore this evolving landscape in higher education. This Research Topic aims to examine the characteristics of 21st-century honors education, focusing on its demographics, origins, growth, relevance, challenges, and opportunities in today's academic environment.

This Research Topic invites submissions on all aspects of honors education, with a focus on the challenges and solutions faced by honors colleges and programs in institutions with significant underrepresented minority populations. We particularly encourage contributions from administrators at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Article types aligned with journal guidelines are welcome. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

- Demographics and characteristics of honors programs

- The impact of honors education on student success

- Curriculum development for honors education

- Fundraising strategies for honors colleges

- Student self-efficacy and identity in honors settings

- Diversity, equity, and inclusion in honors education

- Professionalization of honors education

- Transformative student outcomes

- Faculty and student perceptions

- The influence of honors education on academic performance and career prospects

- Development of faculty and leadership in honors colleges

Keywords: Honors College, honors program, honors education, Historically Black College and University (HBCU), student excellence, African American education

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.