Cleveland State sophomore Sadie Lane will be one of the first graduates of the college’s new Honors College. Lane will be moving on to Missouri Valley College in the fall with scholarships for academics, as well as cross-country, track and competitive cheer.
After signing a historic agreement between Cleveland State Community College and Lee University this past week, the Honors College at Cleveland State has soared high in a short amount of time.
This past Wednesday, Cleveland State President Dr. Bill Seymour and Lee University President Dr. Paul Conn met to sign an articulation agreement for honors curriculum between the two institutions. Then, January saw the first full term of the Honors College at Cleveland State officially get underway.
“Our Lee University relationship is perhaps the strongest it has ever been,” said Dr. Seymour. “We our proud of our partnership and collaboration to provide excellence in education over the full spectrum of educational needs in our community and beyond. This articulation focused on honors students is a perfect fit for our two institutions.”
Since the Honors “Program” at CSCC first launched in 2015, the venture has grown its robust offerings and increased in enrollment by nearly 600 percent. While there are many reasons for this growth, Dean of the Honors College and Academic Enhancement Dr. Victoria Bryan chalks much of it up to the quality of students who choose CSCC in the first place.
“Cleveland State has a student body that likes to show what they’re capable of,” Dr. Bryan said, “The Honors College is one of many opportunities our campus offers students to seek out a challenge.”
One of those students, who is ready to graduate this May, has already shaped a successful collegiate career on a well-rounded path of collegiate offerings. Ringgold High School (Ringgold, GA) Class of 2018 graduate Sadie Mae Lane will receive an honors diploma this May from Cleveland State. The Criminal Justice major, and student-athlete, is well on her way to earning her law degree.
Thanks to her academic success in CSCC’s Honors College, Ms. Lane was offered a generous academic scholarship to continue her education at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo. Additionally, she earned scholarships for cross-country, track, and competition cheerleading. The Viking athletic programs compete in the NAIA Division I Heart of America Conference.
“Cleveland State’s Honors College courses have helped push me to perform and develop my leadership skills,” Ms. Lane said. “Thanks to this program, I believe I’m very prepared to tackle my four-year institutional goals.”
With such passion and drive, Dr. Bryan trusts Ms. Lane will have no problem achieving her ultimate goal of becoming an attorney. But Bryan doesn’t just want Lane to find academic and career success.
“Above all, I hope she’s happy,” Dr. Bryan said. “She works so hard and takes on so much for the betterment of others. She deserves the joy that comes with that work.”
While all Cleveland State students receive an excellent base from which to launch into careers or continued education, Honors College students add extra vigor and intensity to their two-year programs. Additionally, Honors College students have the opportunity to travel and perform research, undergo special leadership training, and engage in service.
Students who participate in the Honors College choose from a range of focuses. Though they choose different tracts, all Honors College students are highly motivated, engaged in their coursework and extracurricular activities, and are serious about their futures.
According to Dr. Bryan, students in the Honors College come from all walks of life. All are bright and hungry to learn, but those who take advantage of the smaller class sizes and more challenging content of Honors College courses are unique individuals with big plans.
With this commitment to academic excellence and student well-being, it’s no wonder Cleveland State’s Honors College produces such quality, prepared graduates.
To learn more about Cleveland State Community College’s Honors College, visit ClevelandStateCC.edu or call 423-472-7141.