On-Campus Experiences

“I was drawn to Rising Scholars because it is such a unique entry point into the university experience. It gives us the opportunity to meet students early (which I have loved for those that end up coming), shape their expectations of college, and help them see themselves as capable of succeeding in a college classroom. I also love the creativity it allows in course design. My Taylor Swift and Marketing course allowed me to connect academic concepts to things students are genuinely excited about.”
– Jennifer Golden
Associate Professor, Department of Management Sciences

Battle of the Gods: Mythology and Religion in the Ancient Mediterranean 
Department of History and Global Studies

From Percy Jackson and the Olympians to Hadestown and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, ancient Greek mythology is having “a moment” in current pop culture and media. The myths and stories about Greek and Roman gods may have emerged in the distant past in a culture very different from our own, yet they continue to inspire us to ask deeply human questions about who we are and the kind of world we inhabit. But what did people in the ancient Mediterranean world actually believe about the gods? What kinds of religious practices were associated with these gods? In this course, we will examine the relationship between “mythology” and “religion” in the Greco-Roman world in order to better understand communities of the past. This exploration will also shed light on the unique beliefs and practices of early Christians, which stood at odds with Greco-Roman religious devotion.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Government and Criminal Justice

Step into the world of forensic science and discover how investigators use evidence to solve crimes. In this hands-on course, you’ll learn how crime scenes are secured, documented, and investigated while exploring fingerprints, DNA, trace evidence, impression evidence, and other physical evidence. You’ll also discover how evidence is collected, preserved, and presented in court. Through interactive activities and crime scene practicals, you’ll put your skills to the test and experience what it’s like to think like a real forensic investigator. Perfect for students interested in forensic science, law enforcement, criminal justice, or the legal field!

Changing the World, One Student at a Time
School of Education

Teachers hold the power to transform lives and shape communities. In this course, students will explore the vital role educators play in inspiring learning, fostering creativity and building supportive environments. Through visits to local sites, Rising Scholars will discover innovative teaching strategies and gain hands-on insight into how educators create meaningful, dynamic classrooms.

This experience invites students to understand the many ways teachers influence academic growth and personal development – preparing the next generation to lead and serve with passion and purpose.

Exploring Allied Healthcare Professions: Integrating Practice and Faith 
School of Nursing

When it comes to healthcare, where do you start? Which career field is best for you? How do you live out your mission? This course will explore various allied healthcare professions (nurses, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physical therapists, counselors, etc.) through case studies, specific job descriptions and content, and first-hand healthcare experience in our simulation lab. Integrating Christian principles into a field of service will teach us all how to make a difference in healthcare.

Faith Under Fire: The Courage and Witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Government and Criminal Justice

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and theologian in the twentieth century, when Hitler and the Nazis gained power in Germany and even influenced Christians and churches. Despite some of his friends urging him to stay away for safety and to carry on his ministry, Bonhoeffer returned to his country to defend the church and resist the Nazi regime, whose agents ultimately executed him. In this course, we will learn about Bonhoeffer’s remarkable life and ministry, his work with the Confessing Church and with Germans who resisted Nazism, gleaning lessons for our own preparation and call to be witnesses for Christ.

Livestock, Agriculture & Faith 
Department of Agriculture and Environmental Science

What does it take to care for a cow, horse, goat, sheep, pig, or chicken? Spend the week getting hands-on at ACU’s Rhoden Farm as you explore the science, skills, and stewardship behind today’s livestock industry! Students will learn about animal anatomy, nutrition, behavior, and health while gaining real-world experience working with livestock. Along the way, we’ll connect the science of agriculture with a Christian understanding of stewardship and what it means to care for God’s creation. This is an opportunity to get outside the classroom, work with animals, experience life on the farm, and discover how faith and agriculture come together.

Making a Difference: Social Work, Service and Social Justice
School of Social Work

What does it really take to change a life or transform a community? In this hands-on course, students will step into the world of social work through simulations, role-playing, and a community-based experience while exploring real-world challenges such as basic needs insecurity, youth mental health, and social inequality. Students will build practical skills in empathy, active listening, advocacy, and ethical decision-making, then work in teams to create and pitch their own solution to a social issue. Rooted in service and purpose, this course challenges students to move beyond simply identifying problems and discover how they can become change-makers in their communities.

Thinking Morally: An Introduction to Ethics
Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry

What is the right thing to do? What does it mean to be a good person? Are there “right” answers to moral questions, or is morality entirely subjective? In this course, students will explore foundational questions and theories in the world of ethics, with special attention given to the ways that Christian faith informs how we think about our moral decisions. Students will explore some important thought experiments in the world of moral philosophy and consider how moral philosophy informs contemporary debates on important moral issues.

Wildcat Stars Under the Spotlight
Department of Theatre

Step onto the theatrical stage and let your light shine. Whether you are a seasoned thespian and want to polish your audition technique or are new to the world of theatre, you are invited to step into the spotlight and spend a week training for a musical theatre performance. Students will be exposed to theatre technique for the singer, actor and dancer, through musical theatre song breakdown, actor/singer coaching, improv and choreography. The week will culminate with a showcase performance with ACU Theatre Wildcat Stars Under the Spotlight!