Thiel’s Honors Program Sparks Curiosity Instead of Competition

Members of the Thiel College Dietrich Honors Institute take free trips to many regional and national attractions like this trip to the Pittsburgh Asian Lantern Festival.

Whether they’re looking for an academically enriching experience or simply curious about new possibilities, students will find a welcoming environment in Thiel College’s Dietrich Honors Institute (DHI). For those who felt the pressure of high school honors courses—or never imagined themselves in an honors program—Thiel’s Honors Institute offers an inclusive, relationship-focused approach that values curiosity, creativity, and real-world engagement over academic stress.

Programs like Thiel’s Dietrich Honors Institute, founded in 2012 with a generous gift from Pittsburgh industrialist and philanthropist William Dietrich II, provide learning through experiences such as trips and service projects, undergraduate research opportunities, and faculty mentorship. Honors education offers the individual attention and intellectual challenge that create purpose-driven leaders capable of tackling complex challenges.

“I’ve noticed recently that incoming students are yearning for a different kind of honors experience—one that will not burn them out but rather help them recognize their potential and passions,” said Sheila Gross, Ph.D., who returned to her alma mater in 2020 as a professor in the English Department and now serves as the director of the honors program. It’s a phenomenon she’s observed not just at Thiel, but in conversations with colleagues at the Northeast Regional Honors Council Conference.

Seniors in Thiel College’s Dietrich Honors Institute took a moment to celebrate after they presented their research projects to the campus community in April. Each DHI student conducts an independent research project. Sheila Gross, Ph.D., DHI Director, is pictured on the right.

Instead of piling on more academic pressure, Thiel’s program is designed to spark curiosity and prepare students to be leaders in their fields and communities.

“What if honors meant more personal enrichment, not more pressure?” said Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Sheila Nowinski, Ph.D., who previously directed the Dietrich Honors Institute. “That’s the question we asked when reimagining the program. We believe it represents the future of honors education—a space where intellectual drive and personal growth go hand in hand.”

A transformative $12 million gift from the Dietrich Foundation—the largest in the school’s 158-year history—is funding this radically different approach to honors education.

Each year, students from the Dietrich Honors Institute join the campus community in a daylong celebration of research. Classes are cancelled and students discuss their research and make presentations to the faculty, staff and students on campus.

“Curiosity and passion are the next-generation of honors traits. They’re what places like Google, NASA, and top graduate programs are looking for,” Nowinski said. “At Thiel, we’ve moved beyond test scores as the sole measure of potential. The Dietrich Honors Institute is built around adaptability, initiative, and the drive to make meaningful connections. These are the skills that will define future leaders.”

A Foundation Built on Relationships, Not Rankings

The Dietrich Honors Institute doesn’t operate like a traditional honors program. While a 3.7 high school GPA is the baseline for admission, it’s not the only factor. “If I’m talking with a prospective student who is really interested in the experience of Dietrich Honors and they seem like they’d be a good fit, they’ll be considered for admission,” Gross explained.

This inclusive approach stems from a philosophy that values passion over pure academic achievement. “In the DHI, we value and encourage curiosity,” Gross said. “We encourage our students to pursue experiences inside and outside of the classroom that allow them to reflect on what they’ve learned and apply it in unique ways.”

Thiel College graduate and Dietrich Honors Institute member Emily Irons is teaching in Uganda with the Peace Corps. As part of her experience, she is fundraising to repair the school facilities where she is teaching.

Hayden Tucker

Class of 2026 honors student Hayden Tucker said Thiel’s program is designed to push its students. “These challenges are what drove me to become not just a better writer, but also a better speaker and orator to my peers. The faculty seeks to give you the tools to hold your own in a competitive world, and I feel I am better for it.”

Among the Thiel honors graduates from 2025, 96 percent are employed in their field or enrolled in graduate school.

Emily Irons, a 2024 graduate, is a teacher in Uganda working for the Peace Corps. “The honors program at Thiel College dives beyond GPAs and résumés as it values students as unique individuals,” she said. “From submitting my application to walking across the stage, I have never been a number to Thiel College, but rather Emily, who has specific strengths, weaknesses, and goals.”

Real-World Applications

The program’s commitment to practical application sets it apart. The Lectern, an undergraduate research review sponsored by the DHI, welcomes submissions from any Thiel student and has earned first place at the Northeast Regional Honors Council Conference. Other colleges have asked for Thiel’s advice in launching similar publications.

Seneca Valley High School alumna and health systems major Sarahy Lopez walks to this May’s commencement wearing the Dietrich Honors Institute medal that is given to graduates.

The program incorporates real-life experiences, like a planned fashion show focused on professional attire. Through partnerships with Penn Northwest’s Future Leaders initiative, Dietrich Honors students gain access to development opportunities that extend beyond the classroom.

Hayden said that as a pre-med student, finding places to shadow or volunteer was critical. “Everyone I reached out to for help within the department would go above and beyond to introduce me to meaningful individuals looking for people just like me.”

In addition to supporting academic and career development, the program helps reduce stress. Thiel offers $1,000 scholarships to all DHI members and provides free access to regional trips and cultural experiences in cities like Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland. “These trips are not required, so students sign up if they’d like to partake,” said Gross.

A New Higher Education Model

As colleges nationwide face declining enrollment and increasing student burnout, Thiel’s approach offers a compelling alternative. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. colleges experienced a 15 percent decline in enrollment between 2010 and 2021.

“A goal of mine is to have the Dietrich Honors Institute become a main reason why some students want to attend Thiel,” Gross said. She’s focused on creating an environment where intellectually curious students can explore their interests without the pressure that often characterizes honors experiences.

The program’s emphasis on relationship-building and real-world application reflects what students need to succeed in life—not just school. “What distinguishes Thiel and Dietrich Honors is the relationships students and faculty have with one another,” Gross said. “When students come to Thiel, a lot of them say they did so because it just felt like home.”