Honors Program Directory

General Information

The ACES James Scholar Honors Program is administered by Dr. Bill Simmons, the ACES Honors Dean, and Rob Chappell, M.A., the Honors Program's Office Support Specialist.

Behind the Scenes: Who's Who in ACES James Scholardom

Office Location

Office Hours:

Weekdays 8:30 AM-12:00 N and 1:00-5:00 PM Central Time (Excluding All-Campus Holidays)

Dean Simmons is the Chairperson of the Honors Council, and Rob serves as the Council's Recording Secretary.

Dean Simmons (right) and Rob Chappell (left) pose with a Sansevieria ("Mother-in-Law's Tongue") plant in front of Dean Simmons' office window in August 2007. (Photo Credit: Katie Murray, Class of 2009)

Faculty Caucus of the Honors Council

Each of the seven ACES departments has a faculty member who serves as its Honors Coordinator. This person also represents the department on the ACES Honors Council. An additional faculty member, appointed by the Associate Dean for Academic Programs, represents the ACES Academy of Teaching Excellence. These eight individuals constitute the Faculty Caucus of the Honors Council.
The departmental Honors Coordinators assist ACES James Scholars with major-specific questions, provide guidance in preparing the Honors Completion Plan, and certify seniors to graduate from the College of ACES with James Scholar Distinction. The faculty members currently serving on the Honors Council are as follows:

ACES Academy of Teaching Excellence
Dr. Michael Plewa
Office: 364 National Soybean Research Center
Phone: (217) 333-3614
Email: mailto:mplewa@illinois.edu

Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE)
Dr. Richard Cooke
Office: 332J Agricultural Engineering Sciences Building
Phone: (217) 333-0944
Email: mailto:rcooke@illinois.edu

Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE)
Dr. Michael Mazzocco
Office: 302A Mumford Hall
Phone: (217) 333-1816
Email: mailto:mmazzocc@illinois.edu

Animal Sciences (ANSC)
Dr. David Miller
Office: 328 Animal Science Lab
Phone: (217) 333-3408
Email: mailto:djmille@illinois.edu

Crop Sciences (CPSC)
Dr. Robert Hoeft
Office: AW-101 Turner Hall
Phone: (217) 333-9480
Email: mailto:rhoeft@illinois.edu

Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN)
Dr. Manabu Nakamura
Office: 439 Bevier Hall
Phone: (217) 333-1267
Email: mailto:mtnakamu@illinois.edu

Human and Community Development (HCD)
Dr. Constance Shapiro
Office: 2004 Christopher Hall
Phone: (217) 333-4078
Email: mailto:chshapir@illinois.edu

Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES)
Dr. Donald Briskin
Office: 380 National Soybean Research Center
Phone: (217) 244-1115
Email: mailto:dbriskin@illinois.edu

Departmental Honors Coordinators interact with ACES James Scholars during a panel discussion at the Honors Program's Eighth Annual Symposium (April 13, 2007). From left to right: Dr. David Miller (ANSC), Dr. Manabu Nakamura (FSHN), Dr. Michael Mazzocco (ACE), Dr. Constance Shapiro (HCD), Dr. Donald Briskin (NRES), and Dr. Donald Bullock (CPSC).
(Photo Credit: Kim Wangen, Class of 2009)

Student Caucus of the Honors Council: Academic Year 2007-08

Each year, the Honors Dean appoints six exemplary ACES James Scholars to represent the sophomore, junior, and senior classes on the Honors Council (two scholars from each class). Together with the Honors Secretary, the Student Caucus forms the Honors Symposium Subcommittee, which plans the Honors Program's annual on-campus retreat. The names and affiliations of the 2008-09 Student Caucus members will be announced in early September.

Representing the Class of 2011 (Sophomores)

Names TBA

Representating the Class of 2010 (Juniors)

Names TBA

Representing the Class of 2009 (Seniors)

Names TBA