Orange County Museum of Art, Disneyland, Whale watching. These were just some adventures on the °µTV Honors Program annual trip to California, offering students a unique blend of culture, fun, and nature. Dr. Kenny Miller, Director of the Honors Program, said the trip aims to build community among honors students. Eight students signed up for the journey, which "allows the students to see each other in a different light and bond with fellow scholars outside of the classroom," Miller said. "It's also an educational and cultural experience." Past trips to California have included The Getty Museum and the Japanese Garden.
Nicole Daw had never been to Disneyland. She and the other Disneyland newbies stuck with honors scholar Tatum Berrington, a regular at Disneyland who served as an impromptu tour guide. "She helped us organize ourselves so we could go on all the rides," Daw said. "I took classes with Tatum and Sammy but didn't know anyone else. On the drive to California, we all started to get to know one another."
Originally from Gallup, New Mexico, Daw put school on hold while her husband was in the military. Her husband left the military after 10 years and they moved back to Phoenix, where he grew up. "I wanted to go back to school, and I liked the atmosphere at °µTV," said Daw, who works full-time as a Health Information Specialist. "In my first semester, I had a 3.5 grade point average. I heard about the Honors Program, so I reached out and was able to join."
In his director role, Miller is eager to address misperceptions of elitism toward honors programs and alleviate imposter syndrome lurking among students who feel they don't qualify if their parents or siblings didn't attend college. Miller and the honors staff create monthly pop-ups to unite the honors community. Last year, the theme was "Tell Your Story," with workshops for students to storyboard their lives. The upcoming year's theme is "Spark the Arts" and is focused on innovation and creativity in the classroom, with pop-up events on campus and field trips to the Phoenix Symphony.
"The °µTV honors program was amazing," Daw said. "I was worried when I started the honors classes because I had to take them in person. I thought it would be tough, and I wouldn't understand everything, but it was fun and informative." Daw also appreciates the professors’ interest in getting to know her and staying in touch after the semester. "They even offered to write letters of recommendation," she said. With an Associate of Art from °µTV, Daw is transferring to ASU Barrett Honors College with a full scholarship for military dependents. She's pursuing a bachelor's in health science, focusing on law and regulation. After graduation, she plans to shift into compliance in the health field.
After the fun of Disneyland, the group spent the next morning exploring the Orange County Museum of Art, where thought-provoking exhibits sparked discussion and inspiration. The highlight of the weekend trip was an unforgettable whale-watching excursion off the
coast of Newport Beach with a marine biologist, where the group encountered a feeding frenzy involving hundreds of dolphins and a rare sighting of a pod of fin whales—the second-largest species on Earth. "At the beginning, it was nauseating and terrifying," said Jose Avila Ochoa. "I wasn't used to being on a boat. After 30 minutes of sitting down, I overheard someone say, Just let your body go side to side. Once I did that, I was completely fine, standing on the front deck looking out in the water." Ochoa just completed his first year of a four-year IT bachelor's degree program and felt like going out of state for a few days. "Why not?" He said, "See how it goes and make a friend or two."
The trip offered students a chance to expand their academic and personal horizons, reinforcing the program's commitment to experiential learning and community building. Miller emphasized that the Honors program is focused on scholars and provides a diverse and inclusive experience for students from various backgrounds. Students take the honors designation with them on their transcript. Yet, the scholarships allow honors students to earn a degree without worrying about funding. Miller noted that if a high school student chooses one of °µTV’s Bachelor degree programs right out of high school , with a cumulative 3.25 grade point average (GPA), and submits an honors application and their official transcripts, they will end up with a bachelor's degree with all four years of tuition covered by a Presidents' Honors Scholarship if they maintains a 3.25 GPA. Current students are encouraged to meet with honors program staff to discuss their eligibility for other scholarships as an Honors Achievement Scholar.
While the California trip widens the scholars' worldview and encourages them to be more analytical and curious, it also enables them to have a good time and enjoy each other's company. "It's cool to see this group of disparate students come together and form friendships," Miller said. After the van ride back, Daw said she and her honors companions shared their Instagram accounts and plan to stay in touch as they continue their educational journeys.
If you are a recent high school graduate or returning to college after years out of school, The Honors Program provides you with the financial support and community to be successful and engage with other motivated students. Reach out to Program Director Kenny Miller at (602) 285-7675, advisor Safia Sampson at (602) 285-7661, the Honors office at (602) 285-7305 or email °µTV-Honors@phoenixcollege.edu.