Now in its 25th year, the University Scholars Program is one of NC State’s largest, most successful and most established Living-Learning Communities. The USP promotes the intellectual engagement, personal growth and leadership development of its students and provides them with an enriched undergraduate experience through a range of carefully designed out-of-class experiences.
Residential Experience
Sullivan Residence Hall is the home to approximately 500 University Scholars. Sullivan is one of the most popular and dynamic residence halls on campus. Scholars Village Assistants, select upperclass students living in Sullivan, arrange a variety of activities for students—such as dinners with alumni, educational field trips, outdoor leadership experiences, stimulating conversations about current events, discussions with distinguished faculty and the occasional study break with pizza and a movie. Additionally, the Scholars Council arranges a host of social and service activities for University Scholars and Sullivan residents. The University Scholars Program Offices, the Scholars Lounge, a classroom and a state-of-the-art computer lab are all located in Sullivan Hall.
Life in the Scholars Village
University Scholars have the opportunity to live in the Scholars Village in Sullivan Hall, a dynamic living-learning community that enhances the intellectual exploration and personal development of its residents. The Village, a collaborative effort between the University Scholars Program and University Housing, is one of the most important components of the University Scholars Program. Life in the Village centers around a wide range of social, cultural and educational activities, all designed to help University Scholars to become informed citizens, ethical leaders and active contributors to our campus and community. From broomball competitions to discussions about stem-cell research, the Scholars Village provides a supportive community filled with unique, fun and challenging experiences.
The Scholars Village provides a home for University Scholars from all of NC State’s colleges. A large majority of our first-year students choose to live in the Village, and find it beneficial because:
- Students are part of a community that reflects and promotes a diversity of academic interests and viewpoints.
- Scholars Village Assistants, specially trained students, live in Sullivan Hall and organize a variety of educational and community-building events, from Sullivan Cookie Nights (which had regular turnouts of over 200 residents), to student-led discussions on topics such as Intervention in Africa and the Israel-Lebanon conflict.
- The USP Office is located in Sullivan Hall, and USP professional staff are available to assist students and help them make the transition to college life.
- Sullivan Hall houses a state of the art computer lab, a multimedia classroom, and is located near Fountain Dining Hall;
- The USP Office provides free copies of the New York Times, USA Today, and the Raleigh News & Observer to students in the Village;
- The Scholars Council organizes a wide range of social and service activities for Village residents, including a Halloween Carnival, an annual USP Semiformal dance, volunteer opportunities with Service Raleigh and Relay for Life, and the End-of-the-Year Games & Picnic.
Academic Experience
The University Scholars Program (USP) provides personal, professional and leadership development for academically talented students. The USP enriches the undergraduate experience through a series of carefully designed experiences that introduce students to the visual and performing arts, encourage them to consider contemporary issues drawn from the sciences and politics, offer them opportunities to connect their academic and career goals, and challenge them to be leaders and active contributors to our society. Students enroll in the Scholars Forum (HSS 110/111), a 0 credit hour course, for three semesters. The course features lectures, performances and presentations by accomplished speakers and performers. Scholars also have access to a wide range of courses which feature small class size, excellent students and instruction by distinguished faculty. They may also apply for special internships reserved for University Scholars.
“I thoroughly enjoyed all of the opportunities the USP
has given me in the classroom, the community, and with other Scholars… Activities
with the USP always brought me closer to those around me and provided
new perspectives on important issues in the world.”
-Anna
Edens, Biological Sciences
VIA (Village in Action!) Program
Incoming University Scholars living in the Scholars Village have an exciting opportunity—to join a VIA (Village in Action!) group. VIA groups attend six specially-planned Scholars Forum events together over the course of the semester. There are multiple VIA groups to choose from—interested students pick the group they find most appealing during New Student Orientation in the summer. Students who sign up for a VIA group will move-in a day early. This early start provides the opportunity to jump right into the action—to meet the other VIA participants, meet the VIA group leaders, and get settled into the Scholars Village.
Scholars Village Features
- Scholars Village Assistants
- Dinners with alumni and faculty
- Outdoor education and leadership opportunities
- Frequent social and service activities
- TV Lounge and multimedia classroom
- State-of-the-art computer lab
- Proximity to Fountain Dining Hall
Contact Information
Mr. Ken Johnson
Assistant Director
University Scholars Program
Phone: 919-513-2449
Mr. Hassel Morrison
Assistant Director
West Campus Housing
Phone: 919-515-1890