Administrative Policies

Procedure for Approval of an Honorary Degree

The following steps are to be followed for the approval of an honorary degree:

Step 1 - Local College President

• Notifies the KCTCS Chancellor in advance.
• Establishes a local committee to make recommendations to him/her concerning the award of an honorary degree.
  • Nominations for an honorary degree are reserved for rare occasions; recommendations for such should be based upon exceptional and well-documented merit.
  • Criteria for determining such a recommendation shall include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following areas:
    • The nominee has made exceptional, outstanding, lasting contributions to the community as a notable life achievement over the course of his/her career.
    • The nominee has made exceptional, outstanding, lasting contributions to the college and/or KCTCS as a notable life achievement over the course of his/her career.
    • The nominee has made exceptional, outstanding, lasting contributions to the state, national, or international community as a notable life achievement over the course of his/her career.
  • Obtains college support for a request for an honorary degree.
  • Submits a letter of recommendation, including a strong rationale (exceptional contributions) for the honorary associate degree, to the KCTCS Chancellor.
    • The letter shall include:
      1. The name of the individual being nominated.
      2. Address. 
      3. Current position/endeavor.
      4. Exceptional contributions that support the recommendation.
      5. Any other information of interest, identifying any special connections to KCTCS or the college.

Step 2 - KCTCS Chancellor

• Reviews the request and rationale submitted.
• Makes a recommendation to the KCTCS President, if supported.
• Notifies the college president and returns the request, if not supported.

Step 3 - KCTCS President

• Reviews the Chancellor’s recommendation as well as the request and rationale submitted.
• Places the name on the Board of Regents KCTCS Colleges’ Candidates for Credentials list for consideration, if supported.
• Notifies the Chancellor and returns the request to his office, if not supported.

Step 4 - KCTCS Board of Regents

• The Academic Affairs and Curriculum Committee reviews the Board of Regents KCTCS Colleges’ Candidates for Credentials list, including the proposed honorary degree.
• The Academic Affairs and Curriculum Committee makes a recommendation on the KCTCS Colleges’ Candidates for Credentials list to the KCTCS Board of Regents.
• The KCTCS Board of Regents takes action on the KCTCS Colleges’ Candidates for Credentials list