Welcome to the University! Summer Honors Program immerses new generation of student scholars into college life

A new program at SUNY New Paltz is helping high-achieving high schoolers from underrepresented populations get a taste of collegiate life before they enroll.  

The first Summer Honors Program saw 29 rising seniors spend one week doing things that define the day-to-day of a New Paltz student: taking courses across a range of subject areas, spending time with peers in residence halls, attending workshops on financial literacy and academic planning, sampling the cuisine at campus dining halls, and even exploring regional attractions like Historic Huguenot Street.  

“The Summer Honors Program aims to attract high-achieving students from a diverse array of multicultural backgrounds, including students from underrepresented minorities, first-generation college students, and students from low socioeconomic means,” said Stella Turk, vice president for enrollment management. “The goal is to offer a university experience along with a deep understanding of the college search process, financial literacy, academic planning, and other ‘soft skills’ to make them successful in their college transition. Through interactions with faculty, peer mentors, staff, and administrators, we have created this authentic opportunity for these students to get to know SUNY New Paltz. The students leave the program with new friendships and great memories along with a conditional acceptance to New Paltz.” 

The innovative program is designed to help high school students see themselves fitting in on a university campus. It aims to build their confidence at a pivotal moment in their lives, as they approach high school graduation and the corresponding choices about continuing their education and advancing toward their professional goals.  

“I was looking for a program where I could engage in thought-provoking discussion in a small, tight-knit community, and I’ve had it here,” said Hannah Simkus of the Knox School in St. James, New York. “This is the ideal experience I would like to have in college.”  

All students who are accepted into the Summer Honors Program simultaneously earn conditional acceptance to SUNY New Paltz – all they need to do is complete the SUNY or Common Application and related materials, and they are guaranteed admittance to the University after completing their senior year of high school.  

“I feel like I’ve gotten a strong sense what classes are like once you go to college,” said Emily Maresca of West Islip High School in West Islip, New York, “and it certainly doesn’t hurt to have this experience on a nice campus in a nice town.” 

Families interested in the Summer Honors Program at SUNY New Paltz are invited to learn more at this link. Applications for the summer 2025 cohort will open in December 2024.