HC IMPACT Week of Service
I loved the variety of service projects we were able to do through HC IMPACT and the variety of lessons we could pull from them. The ability to get to know my peers and HC staff was also a really helpful experience. Between the people and the experiences, I was reassured I made the right choice to leave my home state and come to MSU.
- Develop your MSU community
- Connect with local service organizations and make a difference
- Work closely with Honors College faculty, staff, and classmates
- Earn 2 credits with a connected Fall semester course
HC IMPACT (August 22-29, 2021), the Honors College's service week, is open to 40 incoming HC members who will be introduced to a variety of focus areas related to social inequity and inequality (such as, but not limited to, poverty, health, education, and environment) and complete service with various community organizations in the Greater Lansing area. Each day will conclude with engaging reflective discussions to connect the day's materials and participation in social activities further introducing you to the MSU and Greater Lansing communities.
The program will extend into the academic year with connection to an Honors first-year seminar course (UGS 101H) and an Honors English course (ENG 211H). The first-year seminar is a 2-credit course in the Fall semester focusing on topics covered during the summer program that provides the opportunity to continue the service experience with a community organization of your choice that addresses social inequity in the city of Lansing. The English class can serve as an Arts & Humanities (IAH) substitution or a Tier I Writing course, depending on what is needed. While enrollment in both courses is expected, participants will work with an HC academic advisor during New Student Orientation to determine if ENG 211H is necessary based upon AP/IB/dual-enrollment credits.
HC IMPACT Participant Eligibility & Timeline:
HC IMPACT is open to any first-year student whose first semester in the Honors College is Fall 2021. Please note, any student needing to participate in New Student Orientation activities from August 23-26, 2021 cannot participate in HC IMPACT due to schedule conflicts; for students who pay their deposit to MSU by July 2, there should be no orientation conflicts with HC IMPACT.
- March 1: Applications open (applications must be submitted via the Google Form)
- May 9: Applications close
- June: Applicants will be notified of their status via their MSU e-mail account
Download the 2021 HC IMPACT Participant Application Packet for a preview of this year's application.
HC IMPACT & COVID-19
Our primary focus in determining if the program will run virtually vs. in-person is the health & safety of participants, staff, and members of the community organizations we engage with. Program staff will continue monitoring the situation in collaboration with institutional leadership and the direction MSU will take in following CDC recommendations for events & meetings during Summer 2021.
As of April 2021, program staff are preparing for virtual and in-person iterations of HC IMPACT and a final decision about the format will be communicated to selected participants during June/July.
We may expand the program size to include 50 total participants should the program be offered virtually.
HC IMPACT Mentor Eligibility & Timeline: 
Mentor applications for the 2021 program have closed. Mentor applicants for the 2022 program must be planning to enroll for classes at MSU at least through Fall 2022.
- December 2021: Applications open
- January 2022: Applications close and résumés due
- Early February 2022: Interviews
- Mid/late February 2022: Mentor candidates notified of selection
Visit this page for further details.