ASU Downtown Gordon Commons building during the day

Barrett Downtown campus

City honors: urban living and learning

Welcome from Dean Davis

Greetings and welcome to Barrett, The Honors College at the Arizona State University  Downtown Phoenix campus!

We are enormously happy to have you at Barrett. You have selected us and we are proud you are here with us at Barrett—and ready to begin a new academic chapter!

Each one of you is here for a reason. You are prepared to reach for your academic dreams and we are here to assist you in making those dreams a reality. You belong here in Barrett at ASU Downtown Phoenix campus.

You are now a part of the Barrett Honors College community. We are a Community of Care deeply committed to enhancing your experience with personalized support throughout your honors academic career.

We look forward to having you join us for great activities and events that are planned for your enjoyment, community involvement and personal growth. I, personally, look forward to meeting each and every honors student of our Downtown Phoenix campus.

Please do not hesitate to contact my staff at the Downtown Barrett Suite to assist as you become acclimated to your new home at the ASU Downtown Campus. Wishing you success, wonderment in your learning process, and healthy living while staying safe and well.

Best Regards,

Associate Dean Olga Davis, PhD

Barrett Downtown Dean Olga Davis


Get social

Residential experience

The residential community is a key component of the Barrett experience. Honors students live in the Barrett residential college for their first two years and many choose to live on campus all four years.

The Mercado on Fifth and Van Buren streets in downtown Phoenix is home to the Barrett Suite, which is open to all Barrett students. The Barrett Suite includes classrooms, a computer lab, access to free printing of academic materials and a lounge for socializing and studying.

Benefits of living with Barrett include:

  • Proximity to faculty and staff, whose offices are within the community
  • Connections with other honors students in a variety of majors and from a wide range of backgrounds
  • Easy access to programs and events that enhance your experience
  • Ability to fully immerse yourself in the Barrett community

Housing

Housing for students at the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus is designed with comfort and convenience in mind. Gordon Commons is the residential community for first-year honors students. Second-year honors students have the option of living in Gordon Commons or Fusion on First, Downtown’s newest apartment-style residential community, which opened in 2021.

Dining

Gordon Commons Dining Hall resides in the center of the Downtown Phoenix campus. A variety of food stations offer menus that change daily to accommodate every dietary need.

There are also numerous coffee shops, markets, healthy, and fast food options on the downtown campus to help fuel your Barrett experience.

Safety resources

View emergency contacts and information available at your campus.

Student leaders

Barrett Downtown’s student leaders are your best source for advice, guidance, connections and resources that can help you maximize your time at ASU and the honors college. These leaders assist you in navigating all areas of your university experience with confidence. Student leaders at Downtown also host a variety of engagement opportunities that are uniquely Barrett.

Barrett Downtown student engagement staff

Mentors and student engagement

Barrett Mentors on the Downtown Phoenix campus serve as student leaders within the college. They are knowledgeable about college resources and are able to connect students with a variety of engagement opportunities. Barrett Mentors serve both on-campus and off-campus students with a focus on the first-year experience, yet are dedicated to helping all Barrett students make the most of their Barrett experience.

When attending a Barrett Downtown event, chances are you will see a member of our student engagement staff. These students work with our professional staff and faculty to plan and execute the vast engagement opportunities here at Barrett Downtown. They also help contribute to the welcoming environment of the Barrett Suite. They can assist you with getting involved on campus, whether it’s attending events like our monthly Fri-Yays, or joining a student club.

Barrett Downtown Peer Academic Leaders

Community Assistants and Peer Academic Leaders

Community Assistants (CAs) work directly with students living in the residence halls to not only ensure a safe and responsible environment, but also to intentionally forge connections that build an engaging Barrett experience. Your CA, who lives within your community, will serve as a mentor, help you actively build relationships with other students and get involved. Their friendly faces and caring dedication to you are just a knock away!

Peer Academic Leaders (PALs) are undergraduate student leaders who assist residential students in their college program. Barrett PALs help bring together the community in their residential areas and help students learn academic skills that are important for achieving overall student success. PALs host programs, share upcoming college specific information and act as a referral resource to get you the support you need.

Upcoming Downtown events