Honors Program

at Cornerstone University

Enduring Ideas. Innovative, Influential Leadership.

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A Distinctive Christian Honors Experience

Students who are curious, academically driven, and eager to engage great ideas and great minds, will find a singular community in the Cornerstone University Honors Program. Our selective program is designed for high-achieving students who want a challenging academic experience that enhances their major and career opportunities. Small cohorts learn and grow together to become Christ-centered influential leaders, innovative thinkers, and purpose-driven professionals.

Through close mentorship with Cornerstone’s most distinguished faculty, students examine the great ideas and enduring questions of humanity, through the lens of Christian truth. Honors students graduate with distinction, including a built-in Minor in Influence & Innovation, preparing emerging leaders to influence industries and communities.

Benefits and Leadership Skills in the Honors Program

Influence & Innovation Minor: Develop and refine your marketplace intelligence through cutting-edge coursework, advanced mentoring, and professional practice. Foster and deploy robust capabilities in executive presence, strategic thinking, collaboration and problem solving intelligence, and the wise use of applied artificial intelligence.

Integration with Your Academic Pathway: The program complements every major and The Cornerstone Core™, Cornerstone’s distinctive Christ-centered general education curriculum.

Interdisciplinary Honors Seminars: Small, discussion-based seminars that explore enduring ideas across disciplines through robust exchanges and exploring the faithful and sophisticated application of a Biblical Christian worldview.

Distinguished Faculty & Leadership Engagement: Learn from Cornerstone’s most distinguished faculty, scholars and leaders across business, science, technology, healthcare, ministry, education, and other industry domains.

Structured for a Full College Experience: Credit hours and priority registrations are designed for students to journey together in small cohorts while balancing majors, athletics, internships, and other commitments.

Honors Minor in Influence & Innovation

Honors students will complete three courses and six Honors Seminars to earn the Minor in Influence & Innovation. Through robust seminar-style discussions with Cornerstone’s most distinguished faculty and scholars, students explore great ideas and enduring questions applied to real-world challenges, developing market-ready abilities in public communication, ethical decision-making, systems and design thinking, and problem-solving from a Christian worldview.

Minor Courses Great Ideas Seminars Honors Program Eligibility

Minor Courses

Executive Presence for Public Influence

Develop and demonstrate rhetorical skill, communication confidence, and Christian presence across public settings. Training includes speaking, interpersonal communication, media readiness, and influence strategies rooted in truth, courage, and integrity.

Wisdom and Applied Artificial Intelligence

Develop and apply principles of wisdom and Christian/Biblical anthropology in the use of applied artificial intelligence and related technologies.

Innovation and Design Strategies

Develop and apply design thinking intelligence to create and deploy solutions to complex organizational and social problems.

Christ & the Great Ideas I-VI

Students engage foundational Christian truth and the great ideas and enduring questions of humanity guided through readings, Socratic dialogue, and the mentoring of Cornerstone’s most distinguished faculty and scholars through our series of Great Ideas Seminars. Students will complete six semesters of seminars.

Great Ideas Seminars

Experience small cohort seminars led by Cornerstone’s most distinguished faculty and scholars from industry and ministry, exploring the great ideas and enduring questions about humanity. Guided by the Socratic learning method—discussion, questioning, dialogue, and inquiry—students wrestle with questions such as: Who is God? What is truth? What does it mean to live and lead wisely? How should influence and innovation be used responsibly?

Students are mentored by Christ-centered leaders who challenge them to think through a discerning Christian worldview and apply ideas and solutions that benefit industry and humanity.

Honors Program Eligibility

Admission to the Cornerstone University Honors Program is selective. Only honors students are eligible to earn the included Minor in Influence & Innovation credential and distinction. The program seeks high-achieving students who demonstrate academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and leadership potential. Students considered must demonstrate:

3.6 or higher cumulative high school GPA
Intellectual curiosity and initiative
Interest in leadership and meaningful influence across fields such as business, ministry, healthcare, education, technology, and the sciences
A desire for deeper academic engagement within a Christ-centered learning community

How to Apply to the Honors Program

Students may apply to the Honors Program located on our campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan after being admitted to Cornerstone University and follow these steps:

Submit the Honors Program application

Complete the short online application. 3.6 or higher cumulative high school GPA required.
Record a brief video essay (2–3 minutes)

Share your interests, leadership potential, and why the Honors Program appeals to you.
Faculty review

Applications are reviewed by Honors faculty, and selected students will be invited to join the Honors cohort.

Ready to pursue deeper questions and meaningful leadership through the Cornerstone Honors Program and Minor in Influence and Innovation?

Apply to the Honors Program

Honors Program Distinguished Faculty & Scholars

Eric Metaxas

New York Times bestselling author, The Eric Metaxas Radio Show host

Ryan Bomberger

Co-founder of The Radiance Foundation, Emmy-Award Winner

Joanna Ng

IBM Master Inventor, Artificial Intelligence Expert

Ian Rowe

Educator, Co-founder of Vertex Partnership Academies, American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow

Kristin Collier

Director of the University of Michigan Medical School Program on Health, Spirituality and Religion

Dr. John G. West

Vice President, Discovery Institute, Distinguished Scholar of American Government and Christian Civic Engagement, Cornerstone University

Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño

President, Cornerstone University

Dr. Nathan Lanning

Dean of the School of Health, Science & Technology, Cornerstone University

Dr. Douglas Groothius

Distinguished University Research Professor of Apologetics and Christian Worldview, Cornerstone University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cohort size for the Honors Program?

You’ll join a selective, close‑knit honors cohort designed to give you strong mentoring and a high‑quality peer community located on our beautiful campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Launch Year Cohort (Academic Year 26-27): 25–30 students
Future Cohorts: About 40 new honors students each year, plus returning upper‑division honors students

This structure ensures you get the attention, support, and exclusive experiences that set the Cornerstone Honors Program apart.

Is the Honors Minor exclusive to Honors Program students?

Yes. The 15‑credit Honors Minor in Influence & Innovation is available only to students admitted to the Honors Program. If you’re accepted, you’ll earn a distinctive academic credential that is not open to the general student body.

Do I need a specific major to apply?

No. You can pursue any major at Cornerstone and still apply to the Honors Program. Whether you’re interested in business, ministry, education, healthcare, STEM, psychology, communication, technology, social sciences, or the creative arts, you can grow as a Christian leader and innovator through this program.

What makes the Cornerstone Honors Program unique?

You’ll experience a combination of benefits you won’t find in a typical honors program. Cornerstone’s Honors Program includes executive mentoring, an exclusive honors‑only minor, hands‑on leadership and innovation training, and a cohort community shaped by a Christian worldview and real‑world readiness. It’s designed to help you lead with integrity and influence.

How will the Honors Program help me with internships, grad school, or future careers?

You’ll build a strong leadership portfolio through hands‑on experiences, professional networking, and a mentored senior capstone project. These experiences give you a competitive advantage when applying for internships, graduate programs, and early‑career roles in business, ministry, education, healthcare, tech, nonprofits, and more.

Do Honors Program students receive priority course registration?

Yes. As an Honors Program student, you receive priority course registration each semester, allowing you to secure the classes and schedules that best fit your academic plan.

Will I participate in field trips or off‑campus experiences as part of the Honors Program?

Yes. As part of your courses, you may participate in periodic field trips or off‑campus learning experiences each year. These visits are designed to help you see Christian leadership and innovation in action—whether through local organizations, ministries, nonprofits, or industry partners. Field trips vary by year and availability, but they are a meaningful way for you to connect your coursework with real‑world leadership opportunities.

How do service hours work in the Honors Program?

All Cornerstone students are required to complete 15 service hours each year, and the Honors Program makes this experience more meaningful and collaborative. Honors students have the option to complete these service hours as a cohort, participating in group service projects with local organizations, ministries, nonprofits, or community partners. This means you can serve alongside your peers, build relationships, and apply Christian leadership and influence in real community settings—all while fulfilling your annual service requirement.

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