New Leadership to Enhance Opportunities for Regis Students
The Regis College Honors Program offers an academic experience enriched by intellectual and civic involvement of the university’s most academically driven and motivated students. The curriculum provides academically qualified students with the opportunity to engage in intellectually rigorous classes and participate in a number of rewarding service engagement and personal enrichment projects. Honors students are also encouraged to pursue their academic interests through special research projects and/or the writing of an honors thesis.
“The Regis Honors Program is an intellectual and creative community that gives academically qualified students the opportunity to explore complex issues of civic responsibility and global citizenship, and develop skills to contribute to the betterment of society—a central goal of the university’s mission. From convocation to commencement, the Regis Honors Program molds its students as learners and critical thinkers that are trained to engage with the global world,” said Kate Edney, PhD, Associate Provost for Institutional Assessment, Accreditation, and Research.
Additional benefits of the Honors Program include: designation of Honors Program courses on students’ transcripts; priority registration for classes; selected service-learning component that enriches each student’s personal and professional development; acknowledgment at Baccalaureate and Commencement; the opportunity to meet, work, and socialize with other Honors Program students; networking opportunities with Honors Program alumni; Honors Program advising and peer-mentoring; special Honors Service Distinction as well as Honors recognition at graduation for students who successfully complete all requirements of the service program.
Undergraduate first-year students who have been accepted to Regis with a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, are invited to participate in the Honors Program. Students who are not yet in the Honors Program and who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher after at least one year at Regis may apply for admission to the program. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.45 to remain in and graduate from the program.
Beginning in August 2023, Assistant Professor Marie Gabour, PhD and Associate Professor Erin McQuaid, EdD will begin work as the new co-directors of the Honors Program. They replace Assistant Professor Mary L. Murphy who oversaw the program for four years. Murphy vacated the role to become president of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston.
“Professors Gabour and McQuaid are amazing faculty, both deeply committed to undergraduate students, the idea of the common good, and the values of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. I'm very excited to be working with them as the Honors Program moves into its next era,” said Edney.
Dr. Gabour teaches health professions instruction classes in the School of Health Sciences. Her research interests include physical activity, emotional intelligence, minority health, health promotion, disease prevention, global health promotion, and health education. She has presented posters on her research at several area conferences. Gabour is a member of the American Public Health Association and American College of Sports Medicine. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist and Certified Nutrition Coach by the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Dr. McQuaid teaches chemistry in the STEM department of the School of Arts and Sciences. Her research focus is on the effects of student involvement on science identity and science self-efficacy. She has presented this research at several area conferences. McQuaid also teaches STEM Methods, an education course designed to shape and develop students’ skills as future STEM educators. She has served on several faculty standing committees and task forces at Regis. She annually chairs the Mass. Middle School Science Fair for Region V hosted on the Regis campus.
