HC IMPACT Week of Service
HC IMPACT is an annual opportunity for incoming first-year Honors College and Academic Scholars Program (ASP) students to experience their new community through service with various community organizations.
Benefits
Participating in the HC IMPACT program helps incoming first-year Honors and ASP students:
- Develop an MSU community before the semester starts
- Connect with local service organizations and make a difference
- Work closely with Honors College faculty, staff, and classmates
- Earn two credits with a connected fall semester course
- Get acquainted to campus with an early move-in date
Field Experience
Classroom Experience
The program will extend into the academic year with an Honors first-year seminar course (UGS 201H). The first-year seminar is a two-credit course in the fall semester focusing on topics covered during the summer program. Students will be provided that change to continue the service experience with a community organization of their choice that addresses social inequity in the city of Lansing.
For HC members, the UGS 201H course may count toward the eight total Honors experiences required by graduation. For ASP members, UGS 201H is eligible to serve toward the first-year experience requirement and one of the two Honors experiences required by the end of the academic year.
While enrollment is strongly encouraged, participants will work with an ASP/HC academic advisor during New Student Orientation to determine how best the course may fit their schedule.
Participant Eligibility & Timeline
2026 HC IMPACT is open to any first-year student whose first semester in the Honors College or ASP is Fall 2026. Please note, any student needing to participate in New Student Orientation activities from August 17-19, 2026 cannot participate in HC IMPACT due to schedule conflicts; for students who pay their acceptance fee to MSU by July 1, there should be no orientation conflicts with HC IMPACT.
- March 1, 2026: Applications open (applications must be submitted via the Google Form)
- May 10, 2026: Applications close
- June 2026: Applicants will be notified of their status via their MSU e-mail account
Download the 2025 HC IMPACT Participant Application Preview for a preview of last year’s application.
Mentor Eligibility & Timeline
Mentor applicants for the 2026 program must be planning to enroll for classes at MSU at least through Fall 2026.
- December 2025: Applications open (must be submitted via Google Form)
- January 25, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m. ET: Applications close and résumés due
- February 9-13, 2026: Interviews
- Late February/early March 2026: Mentor candidates notified of selection
As a mentor, it’s been so rewarding to guide all these other students to seeing those connections and having that service-learning experience where they really integrate themselves with these incredible organizations and non-profits that are doing such incredible work.
ELI FLIKKEMA, FORMER HC IMPACT PARTICIPANT AND MENTOR
Event Coverage
2025
2024
2023
2022
- Photo album (comprehensive)
- Photo album (highlights)
- Honors service program addresses equity issues in Lansing
2019-2021
Please direct any questions about HC IMPACT to Program Coordinator Erika Crews.