Engagement
Engagement & Community Service Requirements
In the Honors College we strive to build a sense of community, the kind you get at a small liberal arts college, but with all the resources of a major public university. Community begins with your engagement.
Engagement can take many shapes and forms, from building more intentional relationships with faculty and playing in a music ensemble, to seeking service opportunities and being more academically involved. The events, workshops, and activities that are part of the Pathway are curated with the purpose of enriching your life and giving you an experience that transcends mere classroom learning.
Students can track their engagement requirements progress and see upcoming events via Panther Connect, Additional events, activities and non-event opportunities can be found in our weekly Honors College email and Instagram @FIUHonors. Students can track engagement and service every academic year from the beginning of Summer B/Early Fall to the end of the Spring semester.
Overview
All Honors College students must complete a minimum of 8 engagement activities and 20 service hours (virtual or in-person) each academic year (Summer B – Spring).
Engagement activities and service progress are reviewed each semester. Students who do not meet the minimum requirements will receive priority registration two days later.
KEY DEADLINES
| Deadline Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Fall Graduate Progress Report | Wednesday, October 15, 2025 |
| Fall Graduate Deadline | Tuesday, November 18, 2025 |
| Progress Report | Monday, December 01, 2025 |
| Junior/Senior Alternative Engagement | Friday, December 05, 2025 |
| Engagement Alternative Engagement | Thursday, February 20, 2025 |
| Tier Review Deadline | Saturday, March 15, 2025 |
ENGAGEMENT CATEGORIES
| Category | Blue Tier | Gold Tier | Dean’s Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic, Research & Scholarship | 2 | 2+ | 5+ |
| Career & Professional Development | 2 | 2+ | 5+ |
| Personal & Social Wellness | 2 | 2+ | 5+ |
| Honors College Week | 2 | 2+ | 5+ |
| Total Engagement Activity | 8 | 9-11 | 11+ |
TIER BREAKDOWN
| Tier | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Blue | Standard Honors Benefits, Honors Designation at Graduation |
| Gold | Blue Tier Benefits, Certificate of Achievement, Leadership Opportunities |
| Dean’s | Blue & Gold Benefits, Exclusive Honors Events, Award Nominations, Formal Recognition |
Mid-Year Engagement Alternative
Students who have completed 20 service hours by the beginning of Spring Semester but are missing engagement activities may complete an alternative opportunity which allows students to focus on two engagement categories of interest to fulfill remaining requirements.
Junior/Senior Engagement Alternative
Juniors or Seniors who completed their upper-division Honors coursework by Summer B are not required to complete the standard engagement and service requirements. They may instead participate in an alternative engagement activity that algins directly with their academic or professional goals.