Honors Thesis Workshops

This series of workshops gives students an excellent overview of what to expect, and how to prepare for, the Honors Thesis. The content for each workshop is distinct and is meant to address specific needs students might have in their thesis planning process.

The exact dates and topics covered for the academic year 2026-27 workshops can be found below. 

Honors Thesis 101: The Basics of Planning a Thesis

Tuesday, September 29, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m, via Zoom

Join Commonwealth Honors College faculty and staff for an overview of the Honors Thesis Process, including identifying a thesis topic, developing a plan, and navigating challenges. Then, there will be an open forum addressing your questions and concerns on any aspect of the thesis experience. This workshop is intended primarily for juniors who will be planning their Honors Thesis this year and sophomores who are planning ahead, but all interested Honors College students are welcome to attend. 

“What I Wish I’d Known”: Student Panels on the Honors Thesis

Due to popular demand, we are expanding our Student Panel Thesis Workshops to include a fall semester panel of students who completed Research Manuscripts and a spring semester panel of students who pursued Creative Portfolios. 

Student Panel on Research Manuscripts

Tuesday, October 27, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m, via Zoom

Our fall panel will feature students from a wide range of majors and colleges who chose to do Research Manuscripts shaped by different interests, methods, and goals. Panelists will offer candid insights into their processes, share lessons learned, and reflect on what has helped them move their projects forward. Come hear their perspectives, gather practical advice, and get your thesis questions answered!

Student Panel on Creative Portfolios

Tuesday, February 23, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m, via Zoom

This spring, join us to demystify what it’s like to do a Creative Portfolio for your thesis. Panelists represent a wide range of majors, colleges, and projects, offering varied perspectives on how they shaped their work and navigated the process. They’ll share candid insights, lessons learned, and practical advice, so make sure to bring your questions!

Not sure which thesis path is right for you? Even if a Research Manuscript feels like the safer choice, come hear how a Creative Portfolio might open new doors and take your thesis in directions you never expected.