Honors News Room

Student Research Forum

The University of Memphis Student Research Forum is an annual event which showcases the diverse research of undergraduate and graduate students. The purpose is to provide an outlet for students matriculating at the University of Memphis to present their research to a panel of faculty judges in their respective disciplines. This forum enables students to develop their presentation skills and present their research in a formal, supportive environment.

Honors Study Abroad Tour

Every year the Honors College organizes an Honors Study Tour. The Study Tour is led by UofM faculty and is part of a course that is offered during the Spring semester the travel component during Spring Break or the Maymester. Recent countries visited include France, Italy, Greece, Japan, England, South Africa, Brazil, and Costa Rica.

Phi Kappa Phi Scholarship Winner

“I am honored to be awarded this prestigious Phi Kappa Phi graduate fellowship. It is an achievement that reflects the excellent guidance and encouragement I received at the University of Memphis, the Department of Psychology, the Language and Behavior Lab, and the Helen Hardin Honors College. Thank you all for your dedication and service to student success.”

- Elaine Mooney, Class of 2025

Honors Summer Research Fellows 2025

Each year the Honors College provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to work with UofM faculty on research projects throughout the summer months. In addition to receiving a stipend to conduct research over the summer, the students also receive funding to travel to state and national conferences to present their research during the 2025-2026 academic year.

National Conference for Undergraduate Research

"The UofM has long valued undergraduate research, but offering more research opportunities for undergraduate students is now part of the university’s strategic plan. Sending our students to NCUR has been a long-standing tradition of the Honors College. This is the largest national research conference for undergraduate students, so the students have the opportunity to gain experience presenting their research while building their networks and enhancing their resumes."

- Dr. Melinda Jones, Director of the Helen Hardin Honors College

Posters at the Capitol

Each year a group of University of Memphis students presented their research to state legislators and the public at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. The University of Memphis cohort joins undergraduates from public universities across the state to participate in the event to increase understanding of the importance of undergraduate research in the education of our students. The students selected for this prestigious event represent the best of undergraduate research in STEM disciplines at their own institutions. 

Goldwater Scholarship Winner

University of Memphis sophomore Blake Robinson has been awarded the 2025 Barry Goldwater Scholarship, one of the oldest and most prestigious scholarships for natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics students in the United States. This year the Goldwater Scholarship Foundation awarded 441 new scholarships, selecting scholarship recipients from a pool of 1,350 outstanding undergraduates nominated by 445 institutions.

Park Partnership

The Honors College will be partnering with the Audubon Park and Memphis City Beautiful for a series of service events throughout the Spring 2025 semester. Volunteers will assist Suzanne Shown and Memphis City Beautiful with park maintenance, planting, and clean-up. Ms. Shown adopted the park in recent years and transformed it into a certified arboretum. Students can sign-up to volunteer on TigerZone.

Reflections: Honors Study Abroad

Associate Professor Benjamin Graham Recounts Recent Honors Study Abroad to Italy & Greece in the 'History Happenings' newsletter published by the Department of History at the University of Memphis.

Works in Progress Symposium

Hosted by the Helen Hardin Honors College, the Works in Progress Symposium (WIPS) is an annual event at which undergraduate students present their research in a formal, juried setting. This year, WIPS featured 47 presentations by students at the UofM. Presentations are grouped into disciplinary categories and cash awards are provided for the most outstanding presentations in each category.