The University Honors Student Experience
University Honors is more than a set of classes or requirements. It is a connected student experience designed to make a large university feel smaller, more personal, and more intentional. From living in community with other honors students to meeting with an Honors coach, finding campus resources, serving in leadership roles, and participating in events, students build a college experience rooted in belonging, purpose, and growth.
As a University Honors student, you are part of a community of peers, faculty, and staff who care about your goals and want to help you make the most of your time at UT. University Honors brings together academic challenge, personal support, leadership development, and student connection so that you can thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
University Honors Living Learning Community
The University Honors Living Learning Community helps students begin their UT experience with a strong sense of belonging. Beginning in Fall 2027, first-year Honors students will live in the brand-new Torchbearer Hall. There, students live alongside other motivated honors students while participating in programming, coaching, and shared experiences designed specifically for the Honors journey.
More than a place to live, Torchbearer Hall will be a place to build friendships, connect with support early, and transition to college with a built-in community.
What is it?
A first-year residential experience that connects students to honors peers, staff, coaching, and community-based programming.
Who is it for?
First-year students in the Chancellor’s Honors Program and Haslam Leadership Scholars.
What do students gain?
A close-knit peer community, a stronger first-year foundation, honors-specific programming, and a more connected start at UT.
Get strategic support from day one
University Honors Coaching
Honors coaching is a strategic support system available to every Honors student as part of their Vol Success Team. Through specialized coaching, students can think intentionally about their academic direction, strengths, goals, and next steps while learning how to make the most of the University Honors curriculum and the wider UT experience.
Whether a student wants to build better habits, clarify goals, prepare for research or competitive opportunities, or connect with the right campus resources, Honors coaching provides a place to plan ahead with purpose. It is not just an appointment service. It is a personalized, strengths-based support experience that helps students navigate Honors with intention.
Students can also use coaching to connect with the broader support network across UT, including academic support, career exploration, research and fellowship pathways, and other campus resources aligned with their goals.
What is it?
A personalized coaching experience that helps Honors students reflect, plan, and make decisions about their academic, personal, and professional growth.
Who is it for?
Every University Honors student is assigned an Honors Coach as part of their Vol Success Team.
What do students gain?
Clarity, accountability, stronger decision-making, better use of campus resources, and a more intentional Honors experience. Honors Vols who participate in Honors coaching their first year are 87 percent more likely to be successful in Honors.
Lead, serve, and shape the Honors experience
Leadership & Engagement Opportunities
Leadership and engagement are an important part of the University Honors experience. Through ambassador roles, peer mentoring, student councils, advisory leadership, service, and other high-impact opportunities, Honors students build community while developing the skills and confidence to make an impact on campus and beyond.
Whether a student wants to represent University Honors, mentor other students, help shape the Honors experience, or take part in meaningful service and experiential learning, these opportunities extend learning beyond the classroom. They are not just extracurricular activities. They are part of how Honors students grow as leaders, collaborators, and engaged members of the UT community.
Through leadership and engagement, students can strengthen communication and planning skills, deepen their sense of purpose, build relationships with peers and staff, and connect their Honors experience to future academic, personal, and professional goals.
What is it?
A connected set of leadership, mentoring, service, and engagement opportunities that help Honors students contribute to the community while growing as leaders.
Who is it for?
University Honors students who want to get involved beyond the classroom through leadership roles, peer connection, service, and high-impact experiences.
What do students gain?
Confidence, communication and leadership skills, stronger community connections, meaningful involvement, and opportunities to shape the Honors experience for themselves and others.
A connected Honors experience
Together, these opportunities create a student experience that is both ambitious and supportive. Honors students are challenged academically, but they are also surrounded by structures that help them connect, grow, and lead. Housing builds community from the start. Coaching helps students think strategically about where they are headed. Resources provide practical support. Leadership opportunities invite students to represent, strengthen, and shape the Honors community.
That is what student life in University Honors is meant to feel like: connected, purposeful, and full of possibility.