The Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy

PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

THE PELL SCHOLARS HONORS PROGRAM

APPLICATION FOR THE CLASS OF 2012

Overview of Program
Criteria for Admission
Pell Honors Classes
Young Building Living Experience
Extra-Curricular Activities
Student Experiences
Program Staff

Overview of Program:

The Pell Scholars Honors Program was created to serve as an interdisciplinary honors program that focuses on international relations and public policy. It was created to honor the life and work of former United States Senator Claiborne Pell (RI-D, Ret.).

Senator Pell was the longest serving United States Senator from Rhode Island, serving six consecutive terms over 36 years. His career included serving on the Foreign Relations Committee for 34 years with 17 of those years being as its chair or ranking member. Senator Pell was instrumental in the creation of Pell Grants, which provide direct deferral funds for low and middle income students seeking higher education. He was also the driving force behind the establishment of both the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, which support arts and humanities programs throughout the United States.

The goal of the Pell Honors Program is to create a learning community of students from different disciplines. The honors education is an enhancement of the core curriculum with a focus in international relations and public policy emphasizing civic responsibility and action. Students are required to take classes together, participate in either an internship or study abroad experience, and write and publicly defend a senior thesis.

Criteria for Admission:

Admission to the Honors Program is open to the following groups of students:

High school students eligible for the Presidential, Trustee’s, or Dean’s Scholarships.
High school students not eligible for these scholarships but who are nominated by the Admissions Office as likely to do well in and benefit from participation in the Honors Program.

These students will receive an application for admission to the program. They are expected to prepare a 250-500 word essay from a list of topics. This essay and application will be reviewed by the Director of the Pell Scholars Program. The admission decision will be made by the Director of the Pell Scholars Program and members of the Honors Council as necessary.

Additionally, students can enter into the program after their first semester of first year through recommendation of a faculty member. Faculty will be asked to make recommendations to the Director of the Pell Scholars Program during the first week of November. Recommendations should be based upon the student’s academic ability, character, and perceived benefit from experience within the program.

Once a recommendation is received, progress reports will be collected from the student’s professors and the student with be interviewed by the Director of the Pell Scholars Program or Graduate Assistant Coordinator. Conditional acceptances, pending final semester grades, will be offered to those students who meet the criteria of the program.

Pell Honors Classes

First Year Classes:
Pell Scholars are required to complete Pell Sections of the following classes:

GST 110: New Student Seminar I
GST 112: New Student Seminar II
GST 150: Portal- Seeking Wisdom
ENG 150: What It Means to Be Human

Pell Scholars are also required to take two out of the following three classes in Pell Sections:

POL 120: World Politics
HIS 111 or HIS 112: Interpretation of American History
SOC 110: The Sociological Perspective

These classes help the student to fulfill their Social Science core complement requirements.

It is also important to note that Pell Scholars are required to complete the Pell Center Program Associate once during their four years of study:

GST 085: WKSP: Pell Center Program Associate

The Pell Center Program Associate is a one-credit workshop in which students are required to attend at least three Pell Center lectures, participate during the question and answer session, and prepare a short paper about their experience. It is recommended, but not required, that students complete this one credit during their first or second year.

Second Year Classes:

Pell Scholars in their second year will be asked to take one Pell Special Topic in each semester. The offerings will vary each semester with topics that are both contemporary and diverse. Students must take the following classes:

PEL 299: Special Topic- Fall
PEL 299: Special Topic- Spring

Additionally, Pell sections of the following classes will be offered:

RST 210: Christianity in Dialogue with World Religions
PHL 220: Philosophy and Responsibility

Pell Scholars are recommended to take these classes in Pell sections but it is not required.

Third Year Classes:

The third year class requirement is:

PEL 350: Research Methods

This class will prepare students, by giving them the necessary skills and direction, to successfully write and defend a senior thesis.

Fourth Year Classes:

During the fourth year students will write and defend their thesis as well as participate in the university’s Capstone Experience. The required classes for the fourth year are:

PEL 450: Honors Senior Thesis- Independent Study
GST 450: The Capstone Experience

Young Building Living Experience

During the second year, Pell Scholars and their selected roommate(s) will have the opportunity to live in the Young Building, which is attached to the Pell Center. Scholars will have first choice of rooms before the building is opened to rest of the campus. The experience is designed to enhance the community within the program while additionally allowing scholars greater access to the Pell Center.

Basic Guidelines of the Program:

All Pell Scholars are required to keep a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3 (B+ average).
All internships must be linked to public policy, public service or international relations and approved by the Director of the Pell Scholars Program.
The thesis must address themes of the Pell Scholars Honors Program.

Benefits of the Program:

Enhanced learning experience
All Honors Courses are labeled on the student transcript as well as including a note attesting to the fact the Pell Program is an academically challenging program
Letter of recommendation from the Director of the Pell Scholars Program to any graduate school attesting to the academic rigor of the program
The option of semester-long study abroad during second semester sophomore year
Young Building Living Experience
Opportunities for internships abroad

Extra-Curricular Activities:

The Pell Scholars Honors Program recognizes that learning does not end when students leave the classroom. The Program seeks to provide students with extra-curricular activities that build community within the program while providing students with an opportunity to learn. These activities include, but are not limited to, speakers, movies, dinners, and trips. Students will have opportunities to visit places such as the United Nations, Washington D.C, and Providence with the honors program.

Student Experiences:

“In the Pell Program I have found constant opportunity and companionship. I have traveled the globe, met inspiring individuals and formed friendships with peers who remind me the difference each person can make in the world. I have found continual guidance and support from distinguished members of the academic world and have authored a thesis supporting the Pell mission that I take pride in. The Pell Scholars Program was the driving force behind my decision to attend Salve Regina University and has proven to be the most rewarding experience.”

Kaithlyn Kayer ‘06
Cultural and Historic Preservation

“In keeping with the University’s tradition of preparing students to serve the community, The Pell Scholars Honors program has enhanced my educational experience by challenging me in unique courses of specialized interests. I have interned with Congressman Kennedy and studied in Rome , Italy . The program provides an interdisciplinary approach to a liberal education by creatively fulfilling general education requirements that augment my coursework in the politics and art departments.”

Bobby Gondola, Jr. '06
Double Major Politics and Painting

"The Pell Scholars [Honors] Program has given me the opportunity to advance my studies beyond that of the typical student. It provided unique and engaging courses that have stimulated my academic thinking and discourse. Beyond that, its dedication to international relations and public policy had strong impressions on my career path as I am now continuing my post-graduate studies in Europe. Even outside the classroom, the Pell Scholar program provided the opportunity to meet and converse with many of the prominent guests that visit or lecture at the university. Further the program introduced me to students who shared the same interests as me which has led to lasting friendships."

Steven Farina ‘05
B.A. Politics
Currently pursuing a M.A. in International Relations at Central European University in Budapest Hungry

more student experiences

Program Staff

Director: Dr. Stephen Trainor, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, (401) 341-3183, trainors@salve.edu
Academic Advising Coordinator: Valerianne Trainor (401)-341-2125, valerianne.trainor@salve.edu

APPLICATION FOR THE CLASS OF 2012

VIEW THE BROCHURE