ASU Downtown Gordon Commons building during the day

Barrett Downtown campus

City honors: urban living and learning

Welcome from Dean Williams

Dear Students,

Welcome to your honors experience at the Arizona State University Tempe campus. Barrett Honors College is here because you are here.

You are an integral part of this honors community, where you can connect with other engaged students as you learn, grow and thrive personally and professionally. The Barrett Tempe faculty and staff are excited to get to know you and support you in achieving your goals as an undergraduate and beyond.

I hope you will take advantage of all that Barrett has to offer, including student-centered programs and organizations, opportunities for community service and involvement, professional internships and undergraduate research, global engagement and study abroad, and much more. I look forward to seeing you at honors events and activities on the Tempe campus, from the Mark Jacobs Dining Hall to the Barrett Student Center and from the Great Court to the Gold Dome. Meeting with students is always the highlight of my day!

With warmest wishes,
Dean Tara Williams, PhD

Tempe Barrett Dean Tara Williams

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Residential experience

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

The AZ Center on 3rd and Fillmore 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

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 student engagement team from Downtown campus

Mentors and student engagement

Barrett Mentors on the Downtown Phoenix campus serve as student leaders within the college and provide insight that help our students succeed. They are knowledgeable about college resources and are able to connect students with a variety of engagement opportunities that will enrich their time in Barrett. Barrett Mentors send weekly outreach and host programs for students who live off-campus - they are dedicated to helping all 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 variety of programs 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.

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.

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