Small Cohort. Big Access. Presidential Scholars Honors Program
Presbyterian College’s Griffith Scholarship Competition identifies some of the most accomplished students in each incoming class. Students selected as Griffith finalists are invited to join the Presidential Scholars Honors Program, a distinctive academic and leadership experience designed to extend that opportunity throughout their years at PC.
An Honors Experience Built Around you
The Presidential Scholars Honors Program is intentionally small, giving Scholars opportunities to build meaningful relationships with faculty members, College leaders, mentors, and an ambitious group of peers.
Direct connections
Build relationships with the President, Dean of Academic Affairs, faculty mentors, campus leaders, visiting professionals, alumni, and other accomplished guests.
Early start
You shouldn’t have to wait until your junior or senior year for meaningful opportunities. As a Presidential Scholar, you’ll begin building relationships, developing leadership and research skills, and taking advantage of exclusive Scholars benefits from your first semester.
Priority Registration
Get earlier access to the courses, professors, and class times that fit your academic goals. Presidential Scholars receive priority course registration throughout their PC experience.
close-knit cohort
Learn alongside peers who are motivated to challenge themselves, pursue opportunities, and make an impact.
What You’ll build
The Presidential Scholars experience is designed to help you develop skills that will serve you throughout college and long after graduation.
- Leadership & Decision-Making
Develop the confidence and skills to lead teams, projects, organizations, and initiatives — on campus and beyond.
- Research & Inquiry
Learn how to ask meaningful questions, investigate complex problems, and work alongside faculty mentors as you build toward research opportunities of your own.
- Service-Learning
Put what you’re learning into practice by applying your skills to real needs in communities beyond the classroom.
- Professional Relationships
Build meaningful connections with faculty mentors, campus leaders, alumni, distinguished speakers, and visiting professionals well before graduation.
Your Presidential Scholars Experience
Leadership Seminars
Begin with a first-year seminar centered on leadership, research, and service, taught by Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Will Harris.
A follow-up seminar is planned for your sophomore year, allowing you to continue developing your leadership skills, research experience, and service-learning foundation alongside your Scholars cohort.
Monthly Scholars Gatherings
Throughout the academic year, Presidential Scholars come together for lunch-and-learns, conversations, professional development opportunities, and special events.
These gatherings create additional opportunities to learn from faculty, campus leaders, alumni, and visiting professionals while strengthening relationships within the Scholars community.
Peer Mentoring
Every Scholar enters PC with a built-in support system.
Upperclass Presidential Scholars are paired with incoming and sophomore Scholars to help students navigate the transition to college, make connections, and stay on track academically.
As you progress through the program, you’ll have the opportunity to provide that same guidance to future Scholars.
Access to PC Leadership
Get to know President Gustafson and other campus leaders through special gatherings, conversations, and events, including opportunities hosted at the President’s House.
You’ll also meet distinguished speakers, industry leaders, alumni, and other guests who bring new perspectives and professional experiences to campus.
Early Research Opportunities
Explore undergraduate research beginning early in your PC experience.
You’ll develop research skills, connect with faculty mentors, and receive support and encouragement as you work toward an honors research project of your own.
Priority Registration
Build your schedule earlier with priority course registration reserved for Presidential Scholars.
Before your first semester, once you submit your enrollment deposit and complete your Advising Questionnaire, you’ll work with someone in the Provost’s Office to begin planning your fall schedule.
After you matriculate, you’ll receive the same registration priority as seniors, giving you earlier access to courses, professors, and class times as you plan each semester.
It’s another way the Presidential Scholars Honors Program gives you greater access and flexibility to shape your PC experience around your goals.
Who Is Eligible?
Exclusively for Griffith Finalists
Students selected as finalists in the Griffith Scholarship Competition are invited to participate in the Presidential Scholars Honors Program. No additional application is required.
Offers are made on a rolling basis and include a response deadline. Once available spots are filled, eligible students may be placed on a waitlist.
Your path to
Presidential Scholars Starts Here
Presidential Scholars don’t wait for opportunity. They pursue it, create it, and use it to make an impact on the people and communities around them.
Apply to Presbyterian College and explore the Griffith Scholarship Competition for your opportunity to join this exceptional community.