James Patterson Honors Program Information

The James Patterson Honors Program (JPHP) at Manhattan University prepares a select community of motivated students for lives of leadership, purpose, and ethical impact. Through interdisciplinary coursework, mentorship, and experiential learning, the program connects academic excellence with meaningful engagement beyond the classroom. JPHP students benefit from personalized academic opportunities, mentorship, and priority access to an extensive alumni mentoring network. The program emphasizes communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and leadership development while encouraging students to connect their studies with community and global impact. During their first year, students participate in a two-semester cohort course sequence that builds a strong sense of community while developing foundational leadership and communication skills. These courses fulfill existing degree requirements, allowing students to participate fully in the honors experience without adding extra coursework. After the first year, students can pursue additional honors seminars, interdisciplinary courses, and leadership-focused learning opportunities. The honors experience culminates in a senior capstone or industry-based project presented at the annual JPHP Student Showcase. Signature experiences include the James Patterson Speaker Series, which brings accomplished leaders to campus for lectures, networking opportunities, and mentorship conversations that extend learning beyond the classroom. Students also participate in professional development workshops on topics such as resume development, communication skills, personal branding, and leadership presence. Additional benefits include peer and alumni mentoring within the honors community, priority course registration, and honors recognition on students’ academic transcripts at graduation.