Scholars Institute

Phi Beta Lambda Officers

Fall Semester Scholars Institute Members: sitting: Kylie Willet, Patricia Orozco and Tasha McFarling; standing: Director Dr. Robert Engelson and Ashley Schuerr.

The Scholars Institute is Ashford University's honors program, in which members have the opportunity to participate in seminar-style, interdisciplinary courses; take any of their regular courses with an honors option; work closely with senior University faculty on joint research projects; and have increased opportunities for field trips, enhanced internships and attendance at conferences and workshops. We would enjoy having you involved in our efforts to create a vibrant community of scholars on campus.

Requirements for Admission:
  • Fill out an application for admittance into the Scholars Institute.
  • Submit a sample of your formal writing, either new or from a previous class.
  • Possess a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

All Current Members Must:
Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and a minimum of 3.5 in honors courses. Take a minimum number of hours of SI or honors-designated courses, a percentage of which must be at the 300 or 400 level. It is also strongly recommended that at least half of the courses be the designated SI courses offered each semester.

The Lambda Alpha Phi Chapter was first organized in 1979. The driving force behind this chapter was students Kenly Jones, Dan Phelan and advisers Dr. Charles Bright and Larry Roller. Jones and Phelan believed that there should be some way for the business students to gain experience outside of their classrooms and to meet others interested in business careers. The University of Northern Iowa sponsored the local chapter on February 8, 1980, and the Lambda Alpha Phi Chapter of Phi Beta Lambda was officially installed.

Students have three options for fulfilling membership requirements:
  1. take the regularly scheduled SI course;
  2. take one of their regular courses with an "honors option," which would be worked out between the student and the professor; and
  3. do a "special topics" research-oriented project where the student and professor would work collaboratively on the parameters and requirements for the project.

For more information, please contact Kelly Franklin at 563.242.4023, ext. 7744, or Dr. Engelson at 563.242.4023, ext. 7826.