Along with being born just minutes apart, triplet sisters Angela, Benita, and Jessica Okafor are each excelling as Honors students at Kennesaw State University. Despite sharing the same birthday, they have chosen different academic paths: Jessica is studying management for a Bachelor of Business Administration, Angela is working toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Animation, and Benita is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. All three plan to graduate in May 2026.
Jessica Okafor explained her decision to attend KSU by saying, “We saw that KSU had everything we had an interest in, and when we did the tours, the open house, the orientation, I was blown away by how beautiful the school was. I saw my future in just a few seconds.”
The sisters are now seniors enrolled in three separate academic colleges at KSU. They say their experiences as Honors students have both challenged them academically and provided a sense of community. “I think the Honors College emphasizes the growth of a student,” said Benita Okafor. “It wants their students to succeed and be mindful of their success.”
Kennesaw State’s Honors College is marking its 10th anniversary this year while focusing on plans for continued growth and impact. The university has identified advancing its Honors program as part of its strategic plan aimed at achieving national recognition for academic excellence, research innovation, partnerships with the community, and economic opportunity.
“The Keeping Sights Upward Journey Honors College isn’t just preparing students for the future – we’re empowering them to shape it,” said Dean Karen Kornweibel. “And as they rise, so does Kennesaw State.”
The college was created in 2015 after Kennesaw State merged with Southern Polytechnic State University. Ralph Rascati served as founding dean before Rita Bailey took over in 2016; she brought experience from building an Honors model at Illinois State University. Unlike some programs that require specific courses, KSU’s model allows students to tailor their Honors experience based on personal interests and career goals.
Students can participate in study abroad opportunities at sites like Montepulciano, Italy or join cohorts such as Ancient and Modern Classics or President’s Emerging Global Scholars (PEGS). These programs encourage leadership development through coursework and involvement beyond campus.
Honors Discovery courses also allow students to explore unique topics connected to current events or popular culture outside their main curriculum.
“I’m grateful to Dr. Bailey for having built that uniqueness into the Honors College’s foundation,” Kornweibel said. “I want to be known for the quality of the experiences that our students have.”
Financial support has played a key role in expanding opportunities within the college. Atlanta philanthropists made what was then KSU’s largest single-donor gift ever; combined with matching contributions and support from the university foundation, these efforts resulted in $25 million dedicated to endowments for scholarships.
One initiative funded through these gifts is the Wellstar-Tom and Betty Phillips Elite Honors Nursing Scholars program. It offers scholarships plus conditional freshman-year acceptance into nursing studies at KSU’s Wellstar School of Nursing for highly qualified applicants who also conduct research projects related to nursing.
In spring 2025 alone, there were 331 graduates from KSU’s Honors College—a record number—while enrollment grew from 1,691 students three years ago under Kornweibel’s leadership to more than 2,600 today; there are plans to reach 3,800 by 2027.
Beyond increasing enrollment figures, Kornweibel aims for each student to develop as lifelong learners who lead collaboratively and contribute civically on campus or within broader communities.
More students are now applying for competitive awards like Goldwater or Fulbright scholarships due partly to changes within core Honors courses that integrate guidance from KSU’s Office of Prestigious Undergraduate Awards (OPUA). This office helps undergraduates set goals and prepare applications not only within honors but across all majors—including alumni seeking such recognition.
“Sometimes students might not pursue awards – not because they lack ability but because they don’t believe ‘prestigious awards’ are meant for them,” said Jamie Elliott, associate dean at Journey Honors College. “We are creating a cultural shift where more students recognize their potential… [and] understand that KSU offers a strong ecosystem designed to support their success.”
Applications by undergraduates for external awards rose sharply—from 46 during 2023-24 up to 529 during 2024-25—an eleven-fold increase over one year.
Over ten years Kennesaw State undergraduates have received multiple honors: thirteen Fulbright awards; six Goldwater Scholarships; sixty-five Gilman International Scholarships; among recent recipients are junior Siam Sarower (Goldwater) along with alumni Bon Varlet ’25 and AKeera Ford ’24 (Fulbright).
“These achievements reflect the excellence of KSU students… dedication of faculty… vision of our leadership… [and] momentum… on the national stage,” Kornweibel said.
Kornweibel noted that undergraduate participation in hands-on research distinguishes Kennesaw State from many other universities: “Our Honors students and other high-achieving undergraduates are helping fuel research enterprise at [KSU]. One… key point I share when recruiting… is [the] opportunity…to engage in meaningful faculty-led research as early as their first year.”
Honors graduate Maya Patel ’25 contributed research toward developing an app promoting blood donation among young people while completing her biology degree with top grades over three years. Patel also held leadership roles—as ambassador for Honor’s College advisory committee founder—and joined new initiatives like Excellence Society while balancing two jobs alongside academics.
Reflecting on her time at university Patel stated: “College is what you make it…and [KSU] has so many opportunities…” She added: “I really am thankful for [the university] giving me everything I wanted…”
This article appears in Summit Magazine.
