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Go further — with purpose.

ÃÛѨÊÓƵ's LEAD Honors Program brings together intellectually curious, civic-minded students from every major to think ethically, build lasting relationships and turn ideas into action. Scholars learn in small cohorts guided by two faculty mentors from different disciplines — preparing to communicate across differences, adapt to a changing world and contribute to the greater good.

Quick facts: Cohorts of up to 16 | Two faculty mentors | Open to every major | Renewable LEAD scholarship

An honors program built for this moment

Many honors programs are defined primarily by advanced courses. LEAD is different. In a world reshaped by AI, social division and complex problems, academic achievement alone isn’t enough. Students need judgment, range across fields, and the human skills to work across differences.

LEAD combines the rigor of honors with ethical reasoning, interdisciplinary learning and hands-on leadership. From the start, scholars put those capacities to work—in their cohorts, across campus and in the community. They learn to see where leadership is needed, step into the gaps others leave behind, and use their talents in service of something larger than themselves.

LEAD in action

The LEAD Forum — Students don't just take the curriculum. They build it.

Each spring, Scholars turn campus and McMinnville into a learning laboratory through student-designed workshops, debates, performances and community projects.

The LEAD Lounge — A hub for leadership, creativity and civic-minded collaboration.

The Lounge empowers students to design projects that benefit the greater community. Rooted in purpose and connection, it invites students to brainstorm big ideas, build meaningful initiatives and support one another through shared resources — the physical home of LEAD, open to student leaders across ÃÛѨÊÓƵ.

Example projects: Breaking College Barriers (demystifying college for rural high schoolers) · Perk Up Parks (community improvement) · LEAD Out Loud (student podcast) · Adopt a Grandparent (intergenerational learning).