Honors Program Director Kat MacDonald Named NCHC Fellow

Congratulations to Professor Kat MacDonald, Director of the Monroe Honors Program!

Professor MacDonald was recently named a Fellow of the 2025 Class of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC). This prestigious distinction recognizes individuals whose leadership, service, and enduring commitment have significantly advanced honors education and student success.

 

Professor MacDonald was formally honored during the NCHC Awards Ceremony in San Diego, Calif., on November 8.

“Receiving a recognition like this certainly validates the hard work that goes into the role I serve,” said MacDonald. “This is not a job that is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — it includes evenings, weekend outings and taking students away for extended overnight trips. It is truly a part of my identity.”

Since joining Monroe in 2008, Professor MacDonald has played a vital role in strengthening the university’s academic community. After becoming a full-time faculty member in 2010, she quickly immersed herself in teaching and mentoring honors students. Under her leadership, the Honors Program has expanded dramatically, growing across Monroe’s campuses in the Bronx, New Rochelle, St. Lucia, and online. Today, students at any Monroe location can enroll in honors courses known for their rigor, experiential learning, and emphasis on community engagement. Honors students participate in cultural excursions, service initiatives, conferences, and collaborative projects with partner institutions.

Professor MacDonald’s impact reaches far beyond Monroe. She has served on the executive board of the Northeast Regional Honors Council (NRHC) since 2018 and helped found and edit the organization’s undergraduate journal Illuminate, which has showcased the work of many Monroe students. She continues to co-chair the NCHC Publications Board, contribute actively to NCHC publications, and mentor students presenting research at regional and national conferences.

“Professor MacDonald’s commitment to her students and honors education cannot be overstated – she continues to be the driving force behind our program, one that has become nationally known and celebrated,” said Dr. Karenann Carty, Senior Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. “Professor MacDonald’s recognition as an NCHC Fellow is a testament to the exceptional quality of our faculty and the caliber of Monroe’s Honors Program.”

MacDonald previously received the Sam Schuman Award for Excellence at a Four-Year Institution from NCHC in 2017 — an honor she once described as “the most notable of my professional career.” Becoming an NCHC Fellow, she noted, is “even more special,” as it reflects the esteem of colleagues across the country.

“My path in honors has come full circle from honors student to honors administrator,” MacDonald said. “I hope to give back to the honors community by mentoring future honors professionals and continuing to be a resource and source of support for honors students wherever they may be.”