Pete P. Peters Honors Program

Why join the Honors Program

This pathway is for students from all majors and pathways. Students with a minimum 3.5 GPA (weighted or unweighted) and an intention to transfer to a four-year college or university are eligible.

Upon successful completion of the Honors Program, students will earn a Certificate in Honors.

Admissions Procedures:

Interested students who meet the eligibility requirements must submit an application to apply for the coming Fall semester during the application filing period for priority admission—October 1 - February 1. 

If selected as a potential candidate for the Honors Program, students will be contacted about scheduling an interview. Final candidates will be selected based on their application and their interview. Students granted admission will become a part of an Honors Program cohort.

Pete P. Peters Honors Program Opportunities

• an opportunity to apply for a $1000-$1,500 scholarship upon successful completion of the Honors Program via the Certificate in Honors, contingent upon funding
• an opportunity to apply for a $1,000 scholarship each Spring semester upon successful matriculation in the Honors Program and contingent upon funding—only students enrolled in the RC Honors Program are eligible to apply for the Pete P. Peters Foundation Honors Scholarship.
• membership in the UCLA Transfer Alliance Program (TAP), which provides priority admission consideration at UCLA for Reedley College Honors Program students who earn their Certificate in Honors and their transfer degree from Reedley College
• membership in the Honors Transfer Council of California, which provides scholarship opportunities and opportunities for transfer to over thirty-five universities throughout the country
• priority registration at Reedley College
• small classes taught by dedicated, research-minded instructors
• choice of Honors courses each semester
• special transfer counseling
• opportunities to experience interdisciplinary research forums
• an opportunity to present research at the Central Valley Honors Symposium

In order to be eligible for college transfer agreements, like the UCLA TAP (Transfer Alliance Program), for example, students need to meet the following criteria:

• Students must be admitted into the RC Honors Program.
• Students must be pursuing a degree or transfer from Reedley College.
• Students must remain an active and engaged participant of our Reedley College campus community.

For the UCLA Transfer Alliance Program:

• students are certified after completing the RC Honors Program and given priority consideration for admission to UCLA
• while the UCLA TAP gives students the opportunity to enhance their ability to transfer to UCLA, it is not a guarantee.

Honors Research Symposiums

The annual Central Valley Honors Symposium is an opportunity for students taking Honors courses throughout the State Center Community College District (SCCCD) to apply to present their research at this event. This event occurs throughout the SCCCD and is hosted by each sister campus on a rotational basis.

Through Honors courses, students are mentored and guided by faculty and learn how to engage in research as undergraduates. Through this enhanced educational opportunity, students learn how to conduct research properly and to submit their proposals.

On the day of the symposium, students whose proposals have been accepted, display their posters by standing next to them and discussing their research with conference attendees and addressing questions about their projects. The posters are adjudicated by impartial representatives from each campus with a specific rubric. Awards are given to the top student presenters.

Certificate in Honors

In order to earn the Certificate in Honors, students must fulfill the following criteria:

1. Maintained a cumulative 3.0 GPA
2. Earned grade of “C” or better in all Honors courses
3. Successfully completed at least 15 units of Honors designated courses with at least one of those courses being an Honors forum course—Honors 3A, Honors 3B, Honors 3C, or Honors 3D
4. Strictly adhered to the guidelines for academic honesty from the Reedley College catalogue
5. Maintained active participation in the Honors Program and Reedley College through Honors Program activities, student clubs, community service activities, campus employment, or student government
6. Maintained a portfolio of capstone projects completed in Honors coursework
7. Successfully presented the completed portfolio at an exit interview

Students must apply for the certificate via Self-Service on their RC student portal by October 1 for Fall completers or by March 1 for Spring completers.

About Pete P. Peters

The youngest son of Armenian immigrants, Pete P. Peters, known as “Uncle Pete” to many, got his start running Fresno’s Valley Foundry and Machine Works.  During that time, the business manufactured wine grape crushers, but shifted to ship winches and valves during World War II.  Fresno Foundry later was sold to Amatek, where Mr. Peters continued his career as Vice President of the company. Although he longed to attend college, he worked hard, instead, and gained a reputation as an honest businessman.

Success spurred Mr. Peters to form his own charitable foundation. The Pete P. Peters Foundation is guided by the words of Mr. Peter’s late father: “Give back to the community.” He believes that strong education and health care are integral components that make good communities great.