Celebrating 60 Years – Charting Partnerships and Collaborations to Inspire Honors

Date: November 6-9, 2025

As we gather for NCHC25 in San Diego, California, we have the extraordinary opportunity to celebrate a milestone—60 years of the National Collegiate Honors Council. This theme invites us to honor the rich history of the honors community while looking toward the future. It underscores the importance of partnerships and collaborations as the driving force behind innovation, inclusivity, and impact within honors education.

Over the past six decades, NCHC has brought together educators, students, and institutions to advance the honors experience. The theme reflects our commitment to fostering connections that transcend disciplines, campuses, and geographic boundaries. Partnerships—whether between institutions, between faculty and students, or between honors and the broader community—serve as the cornerstone for developing programs and opportunities that challenge, inspire, and transform.

Collaboration is at the heart of what honors education aspires to achieve. In the face of evolving challenges, from shifting demographics to growing scrutiny of higher education, this theme encourages us to work together creatively and strategically. It calls on us to:

• Elevate Excellence: Build networks that share best practices, amplify voices, and create innovative models for honors education.
• Embrace Diversity: Foster partnerships that center inclusivity, representation, and equity in honors programs.
• Expand Reach: Collaborate with external organizations, businesses, and communities to enhance experiential learning and real-world application of honors education.
• Empower Students: Equip the next generation of leaders to think critically, act compassionately, and collaborate effectively in a globalized world.

As we celebrate 60 years of progress, NCHC25 invites us to chart a course for the future, leveraging the power of partnerships and collaborations to continue inspiring the honors community. By coming together, we not only commemorate our shared history but also lay the foundation for the next 60 years of excellence in honors education.