![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/news-Unlocking-the-benefits-of-an-online-honors-degree-800x450-1.jpg?resize=744%2C419&ssl=1\")
<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nOn the fourth floor of Oregon State University\u2019s Learning and Innovation Center, stacks of welcome boxes are being assembled and will soon be sent to the doorsteps of honors students around the world. Traveling as far as Kiev, Ukraine, and South Africa, these boxes represent an exciting new chapter for Oregon State’s Honors College<\/a> \u2014 the first Fall cohort of students who will earn their honors bachelor\u2019s degrees 100% online with OSU Ecampus<\/a>.<\/p>\n Their sender?<\/p>\n Leanna Dillon, the brand-new Honors College Ecampus coordinator \u2014 in collaboration with her colleague Courtney Lira, recruitment and student engagement coordinator.<\/p>\n Dillon is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable advisor, who has worked with the Honors College since 2011. When Oregon State began offering honors degrees online, Dillon jumped at the opportunity to work with Ecampus students.<\/p>\n \u201cI am so invested and doing this with such joy,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Every Ecampus student who is accepted into the Honors College meets one-to-one with Dillon before officially enrolling. This gives her an opportunity to set expectations and learn more about each student’s research interests and career goals.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Ecampus students I\u2019ve met with so far are really intentional and directed in their learning and goals,\u201d she says. \u201cThey\u2019re asking me tough and relevant questions. They want to understand the benefits.\u201d<\/p>\n Leanna Dillon is the new Ecampus Coordinator for Oregon State’s Honors College.<\/p><\/div>\n Below, Dillon gives more context for how the Honors College adds value for Oregon State\u2019s online learners through its prestigious degree program.<\/p>\n The honors thesis is a critical component of the honors degree \u2014 not just a requirement that\u2019s fulfilled at the end of your studies. Dillon advises students to take the Stage 1 thesis course<\/a> as early on as possible.<\/p>\n Assignments for the thesis course help students explore their own research interests more deeply. It then prompts them to find faculty members working and researching in that field. The course also teaches students hard skills like how to write a strong introduction email and how to best ask for a faculty member\u2019s time.<\/p>\n \u201cI talk a lot about how to leverage the thesis and how to make sure you\u2019re making that connection with that faculty member,\u201d says Dillon. \u201cBecause the faculty member will be the best person to be a reference for you, or to write recommendation letters for you in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Many Ecampus students seek opportunities to become more involved in university research. The Honors College does a lot to facilitate these connections.<\/p>\n Once per term, the college hosts live, virtual Faculty Research Showcases, where OSU faculty speak about their overall research interests, what they\u2019re currently working on, and opportunities available to students. The showcases are recorded and archived on the Honors College website and on the Ecampus Honors College Canvas page. Dillon advises students to think of these sessions as opportunities to connect with potential faculty mentors for their thesis.<\/p>\n Skills learned throughout the thesis process directly translate to a student\u2019s r\u00e9sum\u00e9, but Dillon will also provide career development through co-curricular activities.<\/p>\n This academic year, she\u2019s collaborating with Kevin Stoller, the Honors College assistant dean of external relations and student engagement, to organize a series of career seminars. These virtual Q&A talks will feature alumni and other community members, who are working in fields relevant to the Ecampus cohort. Professionals will speak about their own career paths and experiences and answer student questions.<\/p>\n The Honors College also places a strong value and emphasis on experiential learning. As part of this, they offer short-term study abroad opportunities that students can pair with their honors courses.<\/p>\n Recent trips include places like London and France<\/a>. Students who want the experience, but struggle with financing, can apply for funding<\/a> through the Honors College.<\/p>\n Additionally, if students choose to pursue a study abroad experience outside of the Honors College, they can apply up to 3 credits toward the honors elective requirement.<\/p>\n A lot of Ecampus students that Dillon meets are seeking more connection across the board. This has become a strong focus of her initial coordination.<\/p>\n Dillon organized an Ecampus Honors Canvas page that serves as a more formal hub for students. This includes discussion boards, a Padlet wall and links to resources like scholarships, event calendars and past event recordings. This page will work in tandem with a more informal Discord channel that she set up for the cohort, at the suggestion of an incoming student.<\/p>\n “<\/span>Everything I do with this particular group of students, I want to be very intentional that they can leverage it for their future,”<\/span> says Dillon<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cPart of my goal is that Corvallis, Cascades and Ecampus are not treated separately,\u201d says Dillon. \u201cWe are all mingling together. We are all going towards one goal. We are working through the thesis process together. And we can find community altogether.\u201d<\/p>\n Dillon wants to be strategic about how she builds connections and extra co-curricular activities for Ecampus students.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything I do with this particular group of students, I want to be very intentional that they can leverage it for their future,\u201d says Dillon<\/p>\n As a working mom and Ecampus student herself, Dillon knows firsthand how many time commitments modern students have outside of school. She emphasizes her openness to feedback about what\u2019s working \u2014 or not \u2014 in this new online experience.<\/p>\n \u201cMy advice to Ecampus students is to be as involved as you possibly can,\u201d says Dillon. \u201cAnd reach out. I am 100% here to support each of these students individually.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Leanna](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Leanna.jpg?resize=240%2C320&ssl=1\")
So what are<\/em> the benefits of an honors degree?<\/h2>\n
Honors thesis<\/h3>\n
Research opportunities<\/h3>\n
Professional development<\/h3>\n
Studying abroad<\/h3>\n
Faculty and peer connection<\/h3>\n
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