After working with many of the honors organizations on campus, Danielle Coulter wanted another way to give back to the university community.
By serving for the executive committee of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC), Coulter said she is able achieve her personal mission statement: getting honor students’ opinions off campus and recognized at the national level.
NCHC is a group of students and professionals who are dedicated to the honors program and who have become a vital resource for honors programs around the country.
“I wanted to run for the executive committee because I wanted to contribute on a larger level and give honors students a voice when it comes to changes, additions and the like in their honors programs,” Coulter said.
Now in her fifth year as a psychology and pre-med/dental major, Coulter has participated in many campus organizations including serving as president of the Student Honors Council, working as a reporter and editorial board member of The Odyssey, an Honors College publication, as well as mentoring other honors students.
“I felt that I had seized every opportunity that was available to me through the Honors College at Ball State, and I thought my personal experience could bring a fresh, yet knowledgeable, perspective to the executive committee,” she said.
Coulter’s credentials, along with those of other applicants for NCHC executive council, were posted online for members to vote on who they felt would best represent universities across the country.
“She’s one of those who give their own time to make the out-of-the-classroom honors experience work. We’re very proud to have her represent Ball State on the executive committee of the NCHC,” James Ruebel, dean of the Honors College, said. Ruebel wrote Coulter’s letter of recommendation for the application.
Out of the 24 members on the NCHC national board, only six are students. The members meet twice a year for a week at a time.
“I am always interested in the uniqueness of the honors culture as it varies from state to state, and I knew that by actually having the chance to meet these individuals, I would learn that there is no such thing as a ‘typical honors student,’” Coulter said.
NCHC is similar to student government in many ways, she said, with small committees taking care of their department’s concerns and problems.
“My main goal on the national level is to not only be a sounding board for student concerns and suggestions but to then relay this feedback to the executive committee and serve as a liaison. Moreover, I want to encourage student involvement and increase awareness of the vast opportunities and rewards that are available to students,” Coulter said.
She will continue to serve on the NCHC executive board through 2006.
“The typical honors students are just like anyone else with social lives. Some of which have very active social lives, normal study habits and a wide variety of other interests and hobbies,” Coulter said.
An application to join NCHC is available online and requires a $35 fee. Visit www.nchchonors.org for more information.
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