Annenberg Honors Program (AHP)

Message From The Director

"Welcome to the Annenberg Honors Program (AHP) in the School of Communications at Howard University. Established through an Annenberg endowment, this program provides academically strong students with the opportunity to engage in rigorous and rewarding activities, including academically challenging research that culminates in a thesis on a communications topic.

Over the years, AHP students have presented their thesis research to external audiences, with some projects even resulting in publications or facilitating direct admission to doctoral programs—demonstrating the high quality of research produced in the program. The Annenberg Honors Program, however, is not solely focused on academic research; it also emphasizes meaningful community engagement. Students are active participants both within the university and in surrounding communities, representing the School of Communications and Howard University in various initiatives and fulfilling several hours of required outreach.

The program is proud of its tradition of academic excellence and service, and we invite you to learn more about our mission and activities."

- Associate Professor Jennifer Thomas, Director, Annenberg Honors Program (AHP)

Senior Research Thesis / Project

Scholars must complete a research project and 6-credits of AHP research courses  

All honors students, intending to graduate with the Annenberg Honors designation on their transcript, are required to write a Senior Research Thesis or conduct a Senior Research Project under the supervision of a faculty mentor/advisor. The thesis provides an opportunity to thoroughly investigate a subject of the scholar’s choice. The research can be quantitative (surveys, experiments, content analyses) or qualitative (interviews, focus groups, textual analyses) research. This research is completed over the span of the scholar’s time in the AHP and is honed during their time in various AHP research courses.

The thesis/research project is comprised of five chapters. Sophomores learn the basics of communications research and general research. They cover the thesis manual and research proposal, then complete the introduction or chapter one. Juniors complete chapters two and three focusing on the literature review, theoretical framework, and methodology/sampling. During the senior year, students are prepared to conduct research and analyze the collected data. 

Community Service

Scholars must take part in 20 hours of off-campus service per semester

AHP Scholars are required to complete 20 community service hours per semester served with a group or individually. An altruistic activity intended to promote goodness or improve human quality of life, through helping, assisting, and serving others, with no payment for services. Volunteer service with a department or organization associated with Howard University is prohibited. There should be positive benefits for the volunteer as well as positive improvement for the person or community served.

AHP graduates have moved on to major achievements:

Dr. Rochelle Ford, was the former 8th President of Dillard University. 

Dr. John L. Jackson, Jr. Former Dean of Walter H. Annenberg School of Communication and a University Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Some of our previous students have been admitted directly into graduate and doctoral degree programs at UPenn.

Depelsha McGruder, Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Treasurer of the Ford Foundation

Victoria Kirby York, Director of Public Policy and Programs, former Deputy Executive Director, National Black Justice Coalition, completed her Annenberg Honors thesis that was later published as The Lavender Report by Harvard University. It viewed as a historical documentation of the LGBTQ+ community on Howard's campus.