This fall, Honors College students will have the opportunity to maximize their honors experience while preparing for life after college. The Honors College Trajectory courses will bring in top faculty and experts to help students explore innovative career fields and take concrete steps toward their professional goals. 

A new course will take honors students inside Highlands Oncology for a weekly seminar examining the many moving parts of a highly successful medical practice transforming cancer care in Northwest Arkansas. From the founders of Highlands Oncology Group (HOG) to the architects who designed its facilities, from doctors and nurses treating patients to social workers supporting wellness and financial experts navigating complex insurance regulations, the course provides a broad perspective on HOG's impact on the region. Students will gain insight into medical practice development, cutting-edge cancer treatment, research, philanthropy, business operations, public relations and more.  

This course requires an application, which is due by 5 p.m. March 13. Seats are limited, and interested honors students from all majors are encouraged to learn more and apply through the course pages linked here.

"The modern medical practice demands adaptable, innovative practitioners who balance patient-centered care with administrative acumen," said Patrick Travis, M.D., and medical oncologist at HOG who will be leading the honors course. "It also means hiring the right people to work with you to achieve great outcomes for the patient and practice."  

A returning offering, Catapult, is designed to put ambitious, high-achieving students on a path toward nationally competitive awards and graduate or professional programs. Led by Vice Provost Suzanne McCray, the course will be offered during the August intersession. 

"Catapult is a great way to learn strategies for applying to post-graduate opportunities," said McCray, who has worked with hundreds of U of A students on nationally competitive awards and graduate school applications. She has personally advised all 62 of the university's Goldwater Scholars, all 13 Udall Scholars, all four Gates Cambridge Scholars, 20 of 26 Truman Scholars, five of eight Marshall Scholars, two of 11 Rhodes Scholars and both Schwarzman Scholars, as well as many NSF Graduate Research Fellows and Fulbright Scholars. 

"The class does not create excellent students who are making a difference on our campus and beyond, but it does provide guidance on how passionate and engaged students can effectively frame their accomplishments," she added. 

Honors College Trajectory Courses continue to provide students with meaningful opportunities to connect their academic passions to real-world experiences. Whether gaining firsthand insight into the complexities of medical practice or refining their approach to post-graduate applications, students will leave these courses better prepared to navigate their future careers with confidence and purpose.