Students Join AAMU's Second Largest Honors Class in Program History

130 students recently took center stage as they were inducted into Alabama A&M University’s Honors Program, the second largest class in the program’s history. The Ernest Knight Center brimmed with proud families, cheering friends, and supportive mentors, all gathered to celebrate achievement and the promise of what lies ahead. The ceremony also ushered in 16 new members of the 2025–2026 Honors Executive Board, student leaders ready to guide their peers through a year of growth, innovation, and service.

Moderated by Assistant Director Carla Draper-Holloway, the event was a testament to the strength and vision of the Honors Program. Senior scholar Nathanael Glenn shared his reflections on the transformative impact of the program, while Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Douglas Lavergne and newly appointed Interim Honors Program Director Dr. Tonya Davis offered inspiring words of encouragement to the scholars and board members.

The keynote address was delivered by alumna and attorney Jadyn Steave, a 2021 Honors graduate whose leadership as Executive President helped shape the program during her time on The Hill. A political science major with a minor in English, she recently earned her Juris Doctor from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Steave credited the Honors Program with laying the foundation for her success, noting that the lessons in leadership and service continue to guide her pursuit of justice and advocacy for marginalized communities across the South.

Since its inception in 1993, the Alabama A&M University Honors Program has been dedicated to recruiting and nurturing academically gifted students, guiding them to become extraordinary citizens who lead with integrity and service. Today, the program counts more than 350 members, the vast majority of whom receive scholarships. Honors scholars excel both academically and athletically, with student-athletes making up 15% of the program. Graduating seniors consistently post an average GPA of 3.60, contribute thousands of hours in community service, and maintain a 97% graduation rate – evidence of a culture that blends academic rigor, leadership, and service.

Admission into the program is competitive, with incoming freshmen required to have at least a 23 on the ACT or SAT equivalent and a 3.3 high school GPA, while rising sophomores must maintain a minimum 3.3 GPA. The application cycle for the 2026–2027 academic year will open from November 2025 through May 2026, inviting new students to join a tradition of excellence and become part of a community devoted to leadership, scholarship, and service.