Dec 11, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Distinction Programs


The Global Fellows Program

Contact: Dr. Amy McNichols, Director of Global Fellows Program and Associate Professor of Spanish, World Languages, Literature, and Cultures

The Global Fellows Program is an academic and co-curricular opportunity to enhance academic study in any discipline by formally acknowledging a student’s commitment to global learning and providing a comprehensive way for that student to develop fully as a global citizen. Throughout a structured three-year program, Global Fellows will deepen and broaden their understanding of global issues, develop heightened intercultural competency, and cultivate the skills and attitudes necessary to lead successful personal and professional lives in a global context.

Students will apply to the program in the spring semester of their first year and commence the program in the fall semester of their sophomore year.

To satisfy the co-curricular requirements of this program, Global Fellows will regularly participate in workshops to develop intercultural competency and professional skills that will serve them in a global context and allow them time for meaningful reflection on their own identity as global citizens.  They are encouraged to collaborate to do community outreach. They plan and participate each semester in a Global Issues Colloquium: a gathering open to the public for attendees to have in-depth discussions of current, major issues that are global in scope.

The academic requirements for Global Fellows are: proficiency in a world language equivalent to at least the fifth semester of college study (demonstrated through placement or coursework), more international courses (with more breadth) than what is required by the McDaniel Plan, the completion of a study/experiential learning abroad program (short or long term), the completion of a Senior Capstone Experience in the major that is connected to the student’s global learning, and finally, the submission of a “Global Learning Portfolio”, which will provide an opportunity for reflection on the student’s global education throughout his or her career at McDaniel College.

At graduation, students will receive a special notation on their transcripts to reflect their completion of the Global Fellows Program.  This notation will be accompanied by a letter explaining the program for presentation to prospective employers, and for inclusion in graduate and professional school applications.

International students and Global Bridge students may discuss a proposal for an alternative experience to the study abroad requirement, in recognition of having already lived both within and outside of the United States. 

Questions regarding the Global Fellows Program should be addressed to the Director of the Global Fellows Program, Dr. Amy McNichols.

The McDaniel Honors Program

Contact: Dr. Corey Wronski, Director, and Associate Professor of English

At a college recognized for changing lives, the McDaniel Honors Program challenges students to develop their intellectual potential. The program opens doors to challenging courses in many disciplines, often taught in innovative ways. In addition to enriching electives, McDaniel Honors students enjoy priority registration, extended library loans, a special study lounge, connections with accomplished alumni, support to present research at conferences for honors students, and a unique opportunity to study abroad as early as their first year at McDaniel Europe. The Honors Program is designed to complement any major or student-designed program. Because honors electives usually fulfill one or more general education requirements, completing the honors curriculum offers a flexible, customized path through the liberal arts experience.

Students who complete the following program requirements receive the designation of College Scholar.

  • Overall GPA of 3.5 or better
  • Demonstrate intellectual and moral character befitting a member of the Honors Program
  • HON 1102 Honors First Year Symposium (2 credits; fall of 1st year)
  • HON 1200 Honors: My Design (2 credits; Jan Term of 1st year)
  • HON 2201 Great Works (4 credits; spring of 1st year)
  • HON 3200 Honors Journal Club (2 credits, fall or spring of 3rd year)
  • Three honors modules (12 credits), selecting from among the following options: (a) Honors electives (4 credit courses that may also fulfill general education requirements; may sometimes fulfill a major or minor requirement as well; must meet one or more of the four student learning outcomes; (b) Honors-enriched experiences (maximum of 2 allowed; may range from 1-4 credits; at least one should be in the major field of study; (c) Study abroad (each semester abroad counts as one honors modules.
  • HON 4491 Honors Senior Colloquium (2 credits; spring of senior year)
  • Completion of a College Scholars Project

National Security Fellows

Contact: Dr. Francis Grice, Program Coordinator, and Associate Professor of Political Science and International Studies

The National Security Fellows Program is a combined curricular and co-curricular program that provides students with a platform of learning and experience in the field of National Security, as preparation for future careers or graduate studies. The Program has been crafted to supply a robust foundation of knowledge, skills, and experience in the discipline, as well as the ability to specialize in specific areas of interest, such as homeland security, counter-terrorism, intelligence, great power conflicts, regional wars, civil wars, cyber security, peacekeeping, democratization, nuclear proliferation, and human rights.

Students apply to the program at the end of the Fall semester of their freshman (recommended) or sophomore year. They then commence the program in the following semester.

To fulfil the curricular components of the Fellowship, students will complete a core course in Security Studies, as well as choose from a variety of electives relating to national security from a range of academic disciplines, including political science, sociology, computer science, and history. They will also complete six credits of pre-professional experiences, such as internships, professional conferences, and security simulations. To accomplish the co-curricular side of the program, students will attend events and other activities with national security themes, including lectures by guest speakers from government, defense contracting firms, other security related companies, and non-profit organizations, Foreign Service Exam preparatory exams, off-campus talks, and more besides.

To be selected for the National Security Fellows program, students must demonstrate a strong interest in national security and a commitment to completing the requirements of the program. There is no minimum GPA requirement, but the selection process is competitive and does take GPA into account.

Students who complete the National Security Fellows program will receive a special notation on their transcripts at graduation. Students will also have benefitted throughout their time in the program from heightened opportunities to gain new knowledge, experience, and skills, as well as to meet successful professionals in the field of national security – including McDaniel alumni.