Gary
“I didn’t have any intention of being an honors student. To me, the idea of honors seemed hard and distant, but I also had no idea how beneficial and within my reach it really was.”
About Gary
- Highline GPA: 3.78 GPA
- Transferred to: University of Washington, Tacoma
- Masters at John Hopkins University
- Major: Computer Engineering and Security
- Graduation from HCC: Spring 2007
- Financial Aid: NASA Space Grant
- Of Note: “Running Start” student who went on to John Hopkins University
Gary on the Honors Program
In Honors 100, Dr. Clinton encouraged us to take advantage of our opportunities, so I decided to give the Honors Scholar Program a try. At first I didn’t know if I could make it, but I slowly continued making progress. Looking back, it was a challenge that I devoured, yet it was easier than I had made it out to be.
The Honors Program was more than just a challenge that I enjoyed, however. It brought me in contact with people and resources that I otherwise would have been unknown to me. I got to know my professors better as I collaborated with them on my Honors Projects and thus established several academic references. I established contacts with some of the many distinguished speakers we had the privilege of hearing from. I got to know Dr. Clinton: an excellent teacher, coach, and reference. I learned “how to play the game” of academia and developed a portfolio that would sell.
Today, I continue to walk through doors that the Honors Program helped me to open. I graduated from the University of Washington-Tacoma in Computer Engineering, after having my way paved with scholarships such as the Washington NASA space grant. Now I am at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, continuing on in my studies after earning my MS degree in Security Informatics.
The Honors Program is not beyond your reach. Like all good things, it requires work, but you’ll be glad you did it. I am.