Overview

The Rex Honey Human Rights Fellows Program offers current, enrolled University of Iowa undergraduate students an opportunity to engage in meaningful, project-based work that advances human rights education and awareness on campus and in the broader community. The program is designed for students who have already developed an academic foundation in human rights and are eager to apply their knowledge through hands-on learning and community engagement.

Fellows work collaboratively with UI Center for Human Rights (UICHR) staff in a given semester to design, develop, and implement projects that promote human rights education, civic engagement, and public awareness. Through this experience, students gain practical skills in project planning, communication, event development, and human rights education while contributing to the Center's mission. 

Fellows will receive $500 in scholarship funding for the semester to support their UICHR work.  Note that scholarship funding is factored into cost of attendance. Please view the University of Iowa Scholarship and Grant Policies for more information.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be a current, enrolled University of Iowa undergraduate student who has completed a minimum of 24 semester hours of academic credit at a college or university.   
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. 
  • Students do not need to be enrolled in a specific academic program to apply, although coursework or related academic experience in human rights is required.  
  • Have a strong interest in advancing human rights education and awareness. 
  • Be available to dedicate approximately 10 hours per week in a hybrid work environment. 
  • Demonstrate reliability, professionalism, initiative, and the ability to work collaboratively with others. 

Application Process

To be considered for the current cycle, applicants must submit the following via email (uichr@uiowa.edu) or on Handshake by September 15, 2026:

  1. A current résumé.
  2. A letter of interest (maximum one single-spaced page) addressing the following: 
    • Why are you interested in human rights education and the work of the Center?
    • What academic experiences have prepared you for this position?
    • How will you actively contribute to the program’s projects and goals?
    • Confirmation of your availability to participate for approximately 10 hours per week throughout the semester. 

Applications will be reviewed by Center staff. Depending on the applicant pool, selected candidates may be invited for an interview.

Rex Honey Fellow Details

Fellows will work on a semester-long project that supports the Center's educational mission and fosters campus and community engagement. Projects are structured to provide guidance while allowing students significant room for creativity, leadership, and individual interest. Fellows receive supervision, mentorship, and guidance throughout the semester. Staff work closely with students during both the project development and implementation phases, helping fellows build professional skills while fostering creativity, collaboration, and leadership.

Up to two fellows will be selected each semester.  Fellows may be eligible for a single-semester renewal. 

Examples of projects may include:

  • Planning and implementing Human Rights Day programming.
  • Organizing educational events or film screenings.
  • Developing community engagement initiatives.
  • Creating awareness campaigns related to contemporary human rights issues.
  • Designing new programs that promote human rights education and dialogue.

Background

The program was created in 2011 in memory of Professor Rex Honey who sought to give undergraduates the opportunity to gain knowledge and practical experience in the field of human rights. Professor Honey was a co-founder of the UI Center for Human Rights, along with Burns Weston, Dorothy Paul, and Gina Crosheck. Over the years, his work to sustain the Center’s position as a vital university entity was invaluable. He helped to found the newly-launched human rights certificate program that the Center now maintains, and he served on its Faculty Advisory Board. He was intricately involved in many programs that served the university, the state, and the world.