Explore Your Potential. Challenge Your Limits. Honor Your Future.

The Smittcamp Family Honors College, recognized as one of the top programs of its kind in the western United States, was established in 1998 with a generous $1 million gift from the late Earl and Muriel Smittcamp, founders of a prominent Central Valley agribusiness and longtime supporters of Fresno State. The Honors College, which admitted its first cohort of 50 President’s Honors Scholars in August 1999, is unique in the 23-campus California State University system.

Who We Are

The Smittcamp Family Honors College is home to a small group of exceptional students. President’s Scholars are a highly motivated group of learners who are dedicated to achievement in the classroom and the community. We accept 50 incoming freshman each year, who are rewarded with the President's Honors Scholarship and receive honors recognition upon graduation.

A Unique Learning Experience

The Honors College offers a substantially different learning environment than most honors programs. President's Scholars are recognized as the university's leading learners. They study together in small honors courses for four years and receive personalized attention from faculty and administration. Our goal is to develop today's honors students into tomorrow's leaders.

Honors Curriculum

A hallmark of the Smittcamp Family Honors College is its innovative and challenging curriculum. Honors College courses fulfill the appropriate sections of the University's General Education requirements while providing our scholars with cutting edge curriculum.

In the Smittcamp Family Honors College, being at the front of the class means being at the front of the world of learning.

A Community of Learners

The Honors College welcomes a new 50-student cohort each year, enrolling approximately 200 students a year. This small group dynamic allows our scholars to learn from each other and form bonds that can last a lifetime.

Community Service

The Honors College values giving back to the community. Our scholars are provided with many different community service opportunities to serve different organizations and groups in Fresno.

Study Abroad

With today's geopolitical realities, it is important that students learn about other cultures and the differences among societies. Through the university, our students are offered a large variety of study abroad opportunities that allow them to broaden their cultural knowledge.

How to Apply

The President's Honors Scholarship application opens every fall, with new cohorts admitted for the fall semester of the following year.Learn More

News

Visit our blog for the lastest news and stories from the Smittcamp Family Honors College.Visit Our Blog

Support the SFHC

By cultivating new and ongoing partnerships, the Smittcamp Family Honors College will continue to attract the best and brightest young minds in the Central Valley and beyond.Learn More