Honors Council of the Illinois Region

Welcome!

HCIR offers grants and conference opportunities for undergraduate students, faculty and staff from member institutions in Illinois. Honors directors and staff from two and four-year colleges and universities share governance of the state council, in association with the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC).

Upcoming Meetings & Conferences

2025

HCIR Student Symposium – March 1 - Hosted by Governors State University

HCIR Directors Meeting - September 19 - Virtual (Hosted by Northeastern Illinois University)

NCHC25 Conference - November 6-9 - San Diego, CA

2026

HCIR Student Symposium – March 7 - Hosted by DePaul University

HCIR Directors Meeting - September 25 - TBD

NCHC26 Conference - November 2026 - New Orleans, LA

2027

HCIR Student Symposium – February 27 - Hosted by Northeastern Illinois University

HCIR Directors Meeting - September 24 - TBD

What is the HCIR Student Symposium?

The annual HCIR Student Symposium in February brings undergraduates together from all across Illinois and often the surrounding region. Students present original research and scholarship, and they enjoy meeting their peers from other institutions.

The conference provides a welcoming, constructive environment in which undergraduate students can discuss their work and grow from the experience. Honors faculty, directors and students preside over the student sessions and also meet with one another to share ideas and concerns about honors education.

A different college or university hosts the symposium each year.

Note: For on-site symposiums, HCIR can reimburse institutions up to $200 per institution, as needed, for costs of creating posters for poster presentations at the conference.

Honors Directors: Become a member or renew membership in HCIR!