H2O: Honors to Opportunities

Your second year of college should be one of exploration and action. Honors to Opportunities (H2O) is an interdisciplinary Honors Learning Community at UConn Storrs that is focused on providing a unique experience for the second-year UConn Honors student. Building on the knowledge you acquired in your first year, membership in this Honors community will push you to redefine what it means to engage with your peers, classes, and the broader UConn community. We want you to grow in your confidence as a critical thinker and leader on campus as you help build a strong social and academic community.

Living Community

H2O's residential community is a co-curricular learning component where peers, Resident Assistants, and Floor Mentors help to build a cohesive sophomore Honors community devoted to exploration and community engagement. Floor Mentors host exciting and engaging events for the community and hold spaces for studying and dialogue.

As a member of H2O House, you will live on a dedicated floor in Werth Tower. The building features a variety of other Learning Communities and amenities such as the Learning Community Innovation Zone (LCIZ ) makerspace.

Outcomes and Expectations

The H2O experience helps students:

  • Co-create a sense of Honors belonging by being an active member of the H2O community through engagement in activities and events.
  • Develop their passions through self-exploration of opportunities and programs available at UConn.
  • Discuss the benefits of community engagement and identify methods for sustainable community development rooted in group dynamics and emotional intelligence.

To meet these goals, H2O residents must be active community members. They will be expected to participate in community events put on by the H2O Floor Mentors.

Interested?

All current first-year Honors students who will be on the UConn Storrs campus for their second year are welcome to apply to the H2O community. See the "How to Apply" tab (above) for details and deadlines.

  • On your Residential Life Housing Application, select "Honors To Opportunities/H2O (Honors sophomores only)" from the learning community drop-down menu.
  • Your supplemental application to the H2O community will be emailed to you after the end of close of housing applications. You will have approximately 1 week to return that application.
  • Any student not selected to live in H2O will have the opportunity to select another Honors upper division housing space if they wish.

Be a Floor Mentor!

Current H2O members are encouraged to consider becoming a Floor Mentor for the following academic year. Our Floor Mentors are the foundation of our community and support H2O by planning engaging programs and events.

Interested in becoming an H2O Floor Mentor? Read the position description here.

To apply, follow the process to apply to the H2O community within the standard Housing Application. (More details.) If you list H2O as your preference in the housing app, you will receive a Supplementary Application for prospective Floor Mentors after the housing application window closes. This means that you will not be able to submit an official application for this position until mid-February. Should you not be selected for this position, you will be able to switch your housing preferences and are not obligated to live in H2O or other upper division Honors housing. For more information, please contact us.

Be a Floor Mentor!

Current H2O members are encouraged to consider becoming a Floor Mentor for the following year. Our Floor Mentors are the foundation of our community and support H2O by planning engaging programs and events. The Floor Mentor role is an unpaid student leadership position.

Floor Mentors will be expected to:

  • Reside in the H2O community for the full academic year
    Floor Mentors have the option of selecting a single room in the community; single room rate applies
  • Attend Peer Mentor Kickoff Training before fall semester
  • Complete a three credit-hour peer mentorship course, EPSY 3020: Peer Counseling
    This requirement is waived if you have successfully completed EGEN 3200
  • Attend regular meetings with the H2O faculty advisor and H2O RAs
  • As a group, host at least five events a semester and track student attendance and event participation
  • Hold some form of open office hours every week

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Full-time status as a UConn Honors student in good academic and community standing
  • Previous membership within a Learning Community for at least one year
  • Ability to maintain confidential and professional boundaries with community members
  • Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
  • Ability to work collaboratively and with minimal supervision
  • A high level of maturity and the ability to think critically and make community-oriented decisions

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Prior experience in a mentoring, tutoring, or teaching position
  • Prior experience as a UNIV Facilitator
  • Demonstrated investment in the academic, social, and emotional health of the H2O community
  • Experience with event planning and an interest in student programming

To apply to be a Floor Mentor, follow the process to apply to the H2O community, then click the button indicating your interest in the Floor Mentor position. You will receive a Supplementary Application specifically for prospective Floor Mentors.