Imagine earning college honors credits while participating in a Māori welcoming ceremony in New Zealand. Or how about working with your local community on climate solutions? At Chaminade University, the Experiential Honors Program offered for incoming students who achieve high grades is reshaping traditional academic practices and encourages students to step outside the classroom and into the world.
When the program launched in 2020, Experiential Honors Coordinator Mindy McDermott wanted to create more than an honors program for students who received high grades in school.
“My hope was to create something that went beyond traditional academics, to get students outside into our community,” McDermott said. “I wanted students to engage in real-world issues, apply their learning in meaningful ways, and develop leadership skills rooted in service and cultural understanding.”
One of the program’s most notable opportunities has been its fully funded study abroad trips for juniors. Over the past two years, students traveled internationally during spring break to strengthen their learning of global sustainability. Destinations have included been New Zealand and Australia, where students engaged with local communities and studied environmental initiatives.
Ethan Langkilde, a senior at Chaminade who has been an active member in the honors program for all four years, and attended the trip to New Zealand last semester to study at the University of Waikato. He was drawn to the program because he was intrigued at the opportunity to study abroad, and he knew the program could strengthen his resume for future opportunities.
“Being immersed in New Zealand’s many different cultures helped me reflect on my own culture and identity,” Langkilde said. “Experiencing how strongly their traditions are incorporated into daily life made me think about my values and how I want to share them with others.”
This unique experience was supported by a private donor, but as the funding period has concluded, the program hopes to operate by fundraising events by program members or efforts through Chaminade’s United Nations Association in the future. The trips have provided a transformative opportunity for students, according to McDermott, which can hopefully be made possible for future members.
“The most important thing I learned from New Zealand and studying abroad was how deeply their culture is integrated into nearly every decision and aspect of daily life,” Langkilde said. “For example, when we arrived at the university, they held a welcoming ceremony rooted in Māori tradition. They also start gatherings by saying everyone’s cultural greetings, such as ‘Tālofa lava’ (Samoan), ‘bula’ (Fijian), ‘kia ora’ (Māori).”
Students in the Experiential Honors Program benefit not only from these unique opportunities but also from a supportive academic community; a welcome retreat, service projects, campus clubs, and exclusive CIFAL events are intended to help them build bonds with one another while developing leadership skills, according to McDermott.
The Experiential Honors Program is inspired by and based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders in Hawaii (CIFAL Honolulu). Chaminade University hosts the only CIFAL center in the Pacific region and provides a unique opportunity for students to engage in projects related to climate action, social inclusion, economic development, and environmental sustainability.
This year, the program welcomes a new leader, Christopher Padesky, who joins McDermott as co-director. Padesky has been at Chaminade since 2022 and serves as the Assistant Professor of Education, bringing a strong background in student mentoring. He will help guide the program’s curriculum and mentor students while further incorporating the SDGs into the foundation of the program.
This four-year program begins during a student’s freshman year. Invitations to apply are presented only to first-year students, and in addition to receiving priority registration for classes, those accepted participate in a variety of academic and service experiences, including 12 honors credits over four years and frequent field research opportunities. They are also expected to complete 10 service hours per semester, attend monthly meetings, and remain active in campus and community events that encourage global sustainability.
As the program nears its fifth anniversary, it aims to prepare students to lead with empathy, cultural understanding, and a commitment to sustainability.
“We want our students to see themselves as part of something bigger,” McDermott said. “They’re not just earning honors credits; they’re learning to be global citizens.”