UNC Charlotte sets goal to grow honors to 10% of undergraduates

UNC Charlotte has set a goal to grow its honors population from 3.4 percent of all undergraduates today to 10 percent by the 2029-30 academic year.

As of fall 2026, there are 1,094 honors students across 30 honors programs. The goal is for the University to have more than 2,800 honors students by 2029-30.

To reach that goal, the University will invest a total of $3.5 million over the next four years to support the staffing, undergraduate research, programming, curriculum development and technology needed to expand honors opportunities.

The funding will be phased in over four years as the University significantly grows the interdisciplinary University Honors Program and the Business Honors Program.

Additional work begins this fall with a call for proposals from colleges. Proposals will help identify opportunities to grow existing honors programs or create new ones.

Funding will be tied to growth metrics, with about half of the annual investment used to expand or create honors programs in students’ fields of study through college proposals.

“It’s an exciting time for honors at the University,” said Malin Pereira, dean of the Honors College. “As University Honors and Business Honors both grow, I look forward to seeing what growth is proposed in other existing and new honors programs.”

Proposals are due Thursday, Oct. 15. All proposals should be coordinated and submitted through the colleges; faculty or departments with an idea for their college’s proposal should speak with their dean or associate dean. Proposals submitted outside of a college will not be considered.

Colleges with approved proposals will need to make any necessary curriculum and program changes in Curriculog by the Thursday, Dec. 31, deadline established by the University.

The Honors College serves as the hub for honors across the University, including the interdisciplinary University Honors Program and honors programs connected to students’ fields of study.

Learn more about the Honors College and the goal to grow honors to 10% in these frequently asked questions.

Written by: Bernie Petit