North Dakota State University has announced 30 incoming students selected for the inaugural cohort of the NDSU Honors College.

Representing exceptional academic achievement, leadership and curiosity, these students will form the foundation of a bold new academic experience designed to explore the ethical, technical and societal dimensions of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and human progress.

“We are grateful to welcome a group of outstanding students to the Honors College,” said James Brown, executive director. “We begin our journey with gratitude and an abundance mindset where their curiosity, imagination, and bold thinking will push the boundaries of what is possible.”

The cohort includes a student from Chanhassen: Lily Christensen, who plans to study biology and Spanish

The Honors College was created to prepare the next generation of leaders and innovators through a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary approach. Students will interrogate how emerging technologies are built, governed and experienced — learning from leading faculty while collaborating across disciplines and engaging directly with national and global thought leaders. Guest lecturers from leading institutions and companies will help shape a curriculum designed to challenge students to think critically about the frameworks guiding technological progress.

Students in the Honors College will engage in a unique curriculum that blends classroom learning with hands-on research, mentorship and real-world problem-solving. Drawing from a wide range of disciplines, the program emphasizes collaboration across fields to address complex global challenges.

In addition to academic opportunities, students selected for the Honors College receive a scholarship designed to support their educational experience and remove financial barriers, allowing them to focus fully on their studies and research.