Published August 5, 2026

MONROE, La. – The University of Louisiana Monroe Honors Program earned two national honors at Pathways 2026, a student success conference hosted by Suitable in Philadelphia, Penn., from July 22-24. The Honors Program received both the Distinguished Program Award and the Highest Engagement Award, recognizing the innovative design and exceptional student participation of the Honors FLIGHT Program. Suitable is a software platform and app that assists universities in boosting student engagement outside the classroom.  

FLIGHT (Forging Leaders, Inspiring Growth, and Harnessing Talent) is ULM Honors' nationally recognized experiential learning curriculum. Through guided pathways, students intentionally develop competencies in research, leadership, cultural engagement, civic responsibility, career development, and school pride while building a comprehensive record of learning beyond the classroom. As students master each competency, they earn digital badges that communicate their achievements to employers, graduate and professional schools, demonstrating not only what they have learned, but how they have applied that learning in meaningful ways. 

The Distinguished Program Award recognizes institutions that have demonstrated the highest level of excellence in implementing Suitable to advance student success. According to Suitable, the award honors programs that align their platform with institutional mission, create innovative student experiences, and make a lasting impact on student engagement. 

“The Distinguished Program Award recognizes the vision behind the FLIGHT Program,” said Dr. Joshua Stockley, director of the ULM Honors Program. “From the beginning, our goal was never simply to track student involvement. We wanted to create a culture where every honors student intentionally connects classroom learning with leadership, research, service, and professional growth. We're honored that Suitable recognized not only the outcomes we have achieved, but also the intentional design and long-term commitment that made those outcomes possible.” 

The Honors Program also received the Highest Engagement Award, recognizing programs that achieve exceptional levels of sustained student participation. The FLIGHT Program has maintained 100 percent student engagement for three consecutive years, placing ULM among a select group of programs nationwide to accomplish this distinction. 

During the past academic year alone, honors students completed nearly 10,000 experiential learning activities across more than 1,600 unique opportunities, ranging from undergraduate research and academic conferences to community service, internships, leadership development, and professional networking. 

“While achieving 100 percent engagement is certainly an accomplishment, what makes me most proud is what those numbers represent,” Stockley said. "Our students have built a culture where learning extends well beyond the classroom. They are conducting research, serving their communities, participating in internships, developing professionally, leading organizations, and embracing opportunities that prepare them for lives of purpose. Engagement has become part of who our students are, and that culture is what these awards truly recognize.” 

Since its implementation, the FLIGHT Program has become a defining feature of the ULM Honors experience and has received multiple national recognitions for innovation and student success. The program has also served as a model for expanding experiential learning and digital badging initiatives across the university, state, and nation. 

About the FLIGHT Program 

The FLIGHT Program (Forging Leaders, Inspiring Growth, and Harnessing Talent) connects students to campus and community activities through a point-based system, awarding digital badges that showcase competencies on résumés and professional profiles. Powered by Suitable, the program helps students track progress, engage in events, and build co-curricular transcripts, equipping them with practical and relational skills valued by employers, graduate schools, and competitive opportunities worldwide. 

For more information, visit: ulm.edu/honors/honors-flight.html 

About the ULM Honors Program 

The ULM Honors Program is a nationally recognized, award-winning program that attracts intellectually curious students eager to challenge themselves with new ideas and collaborate with like-minded peers. Open to all majors, the program integrates seamlessly with any degree path. Honors students engage in deeper academic exploration, benefit from close faculty mentorship in smaller classes, and participate in experiential opportunities such as the FLIGHT Program. 

For more information about the Honors Program, contact Dr. Joshua Stockley at stockley@ulm.edu or (318) 342-3216, or visit ulm.edu/honors.