Conference
Conference
The 2026 Georgia Collegiate Honors Conference, hosted by the Georgia Collegiate Honors Council (GCHC), is a celebration of the achievements of honors students in the areas of innovative research and creative presentations from across disciplines.
Join us in Kennesaw at Kennesaw State University on February 20–21, 2026, for two days of academic presentations, posters, and the creative arts as we explore the theme of "Honors in Action: Civility in the Marketplace of Ideas."
The event will feature a keynote talk from Sonia Toson of Kennesaw State University on our conference theme.
We invite honors students from Georgia and beyond to submit abstract proposals for oral presentations, academic posters, and/or creative activities.
The abstract submission portal and registration portal will open soon.
Questions or concerns? Just email us at honors@kennesaw.edu.
THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM WILL BE LINKED HERE WHEN AVAILABLE.
Abstracts
Abstracts can be submitted in the following areas of study:
- Humanities and Arts
- Social Science, Business, and Education
- Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Health Sciences
- Engineering, Architecture, and Computer Science
Students may choose to submit in one of four formats.
Oral Presentation
Oral presentations may cover research on any academic topic. Oral presentations should be no more than 15 minutes long to allow the audience time to ask questions. Because the audience at GCHC is multi-disciplinary, students should explain jargon or technical terms and provide background knowledge when necessary. Students may use visual presentations with video embedded. To avoid technical difficulties, we recommend you save your presentation or PowerPoint in an easily accessible online format, such as Google Drive.
Poster Presentation
Poster presentations may cover research on any academic topic. Posters should be printed in advance of the conference. KSU will provide the stand; you just bring the poster! Posters should be 36” x 48”. Presenters must be present during the poster session to discuss their research.
Performance Presentation
Performance presentations may include drama, dance, music, or other kind of live performance. Performances may be up to 15 minutes long. Students submitting performance presentations should include information about the space needed for presentations. Students are expected to bring all necessary materials with them.
Visual Arts Presentation
Visual presentations may include film, photography, artwork, or other creations. Students submitting a visual presentation should include information about the equipment or space needed for viewing and be prepared to provide these materials (computer, platform for artwork, etc.).
Best Essay Awards
Students who wish to be considered for the Best Essay Awards must upload their full essay for consideration in the abstract submission portal by the deadline. Essays should be between 10–12 pages (not including bibliography and title page) using 12-point font. Only students who submit a conference presentation or poster are allowed to submit for the Best Essay Award.
One award will be given for essays submitted in each of the four academic categories listed above.
Registration
Registration: $80/student and $95/faculty or staff
STUDENT REGISTRATION
FACULTY AND STAFF REGISTRATION
Presentation
Day-Of Presentation Information
Choose one of the four presentation formats as outlined below. The conference program will be available online and a copy will be provided to you at registration.
Should you have any questions or require additional equipment, email
honors@kennesaw.edu.
Oral presentations may cover research on any academic topic. Oral presentations should be no more than 15 minutes long to allow the audience time to ask questions. Because the audience at GCHC is multi-disciplinary, students should explain jargon or technical terms and provide background knowledge when necessary. Students may use visual presentations with video embedded. To avoid technical difficulties, we recommend you save your presentation or PowerPoint in an easily accessible online format, such as Google Drive.
Poster presentations may cover research on any academic topic. Posters should be printed in advance of the conference. KSU will provide the stand; you just bring the poster! Posters should be 36” x 48”. Presenters must be present during the poster session to discuss their research.
Performance presentations may include drama, dance, music, or other kinds of live performance. Performances may be up to 15 minutes long. Students submitting performance presentation should include information about the space needed for presentations. Students are expected to bring all necessary materials with them.
Visual presentations may include film, photography, artwork, or other creations. Students submitting a visual presentation should include information about the equipment or space needed for viewing and be prepared to provide these materials (computer, platform for artwork, etc.).
Travel
Coming soon!
Schedule
The conference will kick off on the evening of Friday, February 20, 2026 from 6:30 – 8:15 PM with a keynote speaker and welcome reception. On Saturday, February 21, we will host student presentations throughout the morning and afternoon with a break for our awards lunch and GCHC Business meeting. We will share the full conference schedule in the GCHC program in the coming weeks.
Conference events will take place at the Kennesaw campus of Kennesaw State University located at 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Specific information about campus locations for the Friday evening reception and keynote and Saturday panels and posters will be provided soon.
Welcome Reception & Keynote: Friday, February 20, 2026
The welcome reception and keynote will be from 6:30 – 8:15 PM. Conference registration will open at 6:00 PM, followed by a reception from 6:30 – 7:15 PM and a keynote talk from 7:15 – 8:15 PM.
Conference: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Conference registration will open at 7:30 AM. Sessions will begin at 8:00 AM and conclude at 3:00 PM. More details will be provided in the full conference program, but the planned agenda is as follows:
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:30 – 8:00 AM | Check In & Continental Breakfast Open |
| 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Panel Session 1 |
| 9:15 – 10:15 AM | Panel Session 2 |
| 10:30 – 11:30 AM | Poster Sessions |
| 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Lunch |
| 12:30 – 12:45 PM | Awards Ceremony |
| 12:45 – 1:45 PM | GCHC Directors Meeting |
| 12:45 – 1:45 PM | Panel Session 3 |
| 2:00 – 3:00 PM | Panel Session 4 |
| 3:30 – 4:30 PM | Optional workshop on Reflective Structured Dialogue |