The Honors College
The Honors College is designed to encourage students inside and outside the classroom in an increasingly competitive academic environment. The small classes and close-knit community create a supportive environment.
Of the 34 Community and Technical Colleges in Washington State, Shoreline has the most robust Honors College. This unique opportunity is designed to support students in their academic journeys and as they plan to transfer to a four-year institution.
For more information, please email TheHonorsCollege@Shoreline.edu or visit FOSS 5336.
Julia PhippsJulia was a member of the Honor’s College at Shoreline in 2024. She participated in the Research Track and presented her research on mass incarceration at the UW Undergrad Symposium in May of 2024. After a 10-year gap in her education, she returned to community college with the goal of becoming a Criminal Defense Attorney. Since then, she has been determined to make a difference by meeting with members of legislation to work toward making policy changes for sentencing guidelines and rehabilitation. During this time, she also started a clothing brand, Heart of Gold, with her husband, Lane, who is currently incarcerated. The couple hopes one day to open a boutique that provides employment for those affected by incarceration.
2024, Majoring in Criminal Justice (Pre-Law)Transfer School: University of Washington, Tacoma
Joshua FoxIn Joshua's two years at Shoreline Community College, he was awarded the 2023 $41,000 Martin Achievement Scholarship through UW-Seattle and was awarded a Top 16 position in the 2024 All-Washington Academic Team. Though Joshua utilized most classroom research assignments to conduct drug addiction research, in psych 225, Joshua had the opportunity to research the role of Epigenetics in opioid addiction and continued this same research while in the Honors College Research Track. After this rigorous three quarter program, Joshua feels prepared and grateful for the opportunity to use his gained knowledge to continue his research at Ferguson Labs to further research the biological underpinnings of drug addiction while breaking societal stigmas and exploring new options for drug addiction treatments. Joshua would like to personally thanks Susan Ferguson, Michael Overa, Laurel Ecke, Anura Shah, and Lauren Bryant for their support and role in his success at Shoreline.
2024, Majoring in Neuroscience
Avery JayeAvery Jaye is a student, advocate, and writer whose life experiences have shaped her deep commitment to resilience, growth, and social justice. Raised in Houston, TX, she faced significant adversity related to her identity, including periods of homelessness and poverty. Once uncertain if college was within reach, Avery is now graduating with honors from Shoreline Community College, where she found both academic success and a sense of purpose.
Her studies focus on marginalized experiences and the systems that shape them, with the goal of fostering empathy and social change. At Shoreline, she co-authored a literature review as part of the Honors College research track on housing policy and displacement in Seattle, which she presented at the University of Washington Undergraduate Research Symposium. Avery is proud to be a member of the Shoreline Honors College, to serve as Shoreline’s 2025 commencement speaker, and to continue her education at Seattle University this fall, pursuing a degree in philosophy. Avery graduated in 2025 and wil be pursuing a degree in Philosophy at Seattle University
Shohei OgawaAs a student in Shoreline’s Honors College, I’ve had the chance to engage deeply with
complex global issues through independent research and collaborative learning. My Honors Research Track project focused on sustainable economic growth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We examined trade policy, income inequality, and the challenges of entrepreneurship in developing nations. This research not only strengthened my academic skills but also shaped my long-term goal of using economics to promote inclusive development around the world.
Being part of the Honors community gave me a strong foundation in critical thinking, learning across different subjects, and research which I was totally new to. I’m especially grateful for the mentorship I received from Professor Overa, whose guidance and support helped me succeed throughout my Honors journey and, Professor Andrew, who helped me develop a deeper economic perspective.
Outside of the classroom, I served as an International Student Leader, helping to supportand connect Shoreline’s diverse student body. I was also engaged in student clubs, co-founding the Stock Investment Club, serving as Vice President of DECA, and
representing Shoreline at the national DECA competition after winning first place at the state level. I was honored to receive the Student Service Award 2024-2025 in recognition of my contributions to campus life.
I will continue studying Economics at UC Berkley, and I’m incredibly thankful to the Honors College for preparing me for the next chapter.
How Do I Join the Honors College?
All students are encouraged to apply! Applications can be submitted at any point during the year. To apply, students are asked to complete the application form at www.shoreline.edu/honors, submit unofficial or official transcripts, and submit written responses to three questions.
There is a quarterly fee of $295, which helps support the operating costs of the Honors College.
Your financial aid may cover the fees for domestic students. For more details, please get in touch with the Financial Aid Office. Ongoing and annual scholarships are available through the Shoreline Community College Foundation.
Once accepted to the Honors College, students meet with our dedicated academic advisor to map out classes. Students also attend an Honors College Orientation, which provides more information about the overall benefits of the Honors College.
1. Why Join the Honors College?
Not only does the Honors College bolster individual learning and academic success, but Honors Alumni have transferred to competitive four-year institutions, including the University of Washington, University of California Irvine, UCLA, USC, Reed College, and Western Washington University, among others.
Additional benefits include:
- The opportunity to transfer directly into Washington State University’s Honors Program
- Dedicated Academic Advising
- A Second Year Transfer Seminar
- A First-Year Support Seminar
- Paid membership in the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society (for qualified students),
- Leadership opportunities through the Honors Student Council
- Special Events and Volunteer Opportunities
- A dedicated Honors Lounge
2. About the Honors College
A small number of faculty founded the Honors College with a generous gift from Walter and Denise Day. The mission of the Honors College is to prepare students for transferring to four-year institutions by fostering critical thinking skills and interdisciplinary thinking. The Honors College is a cohort-based model that allows for additional academic support.
Students choose from 15 “Honorized” courses that meet graduation requirements. Honorized classes are capped at twenty students, allowing in-depth learning and increased collaboration with faculty and fellow students. These classes show up on student transcripts as designated Honors courses.
The Honors College also offers a year-long Research Track culminating with presentations at the University of Washington Undergraduate Research Symposium.
3. Who Joins the Honors College?
Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution are encouraged to apply to the Honors College. Honors College alums include International Students, Domestic Students, Veterans, Running Start students, and Non-Traditional students.
The Honors College is an incredibly diverse group of students who share their backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints to advance the overall community on campus and in the Honors College.
Alums have included members of the Student Government, Valedictorians, and All-Washington Academic Nominees.
Upon graduation, students are recognized at three different levels, depending on participation:
- 15-29 credits receive “Honors Recognition.”
- 30 or more credits receive “Honors Graduates.”
- Completion of the Honors Research Track receives “Honors with Distinction.