Michael Wynn | Social Community Manager
Linda Kobylarz, director of the Honors Program, has been selected as the 2023 Honors Professional of the Year Award recipient by the Northeast Regional Honors Council (NRHC). She is the fifth administrator to receive this award, which recognizes individuals who show a commitment to and passion for both honors students and honors education at their institution. Kobylarz was presented with the award on April 2 at the NRHC annual conference held in Pittsburgh.
For more than a decade Kobylarz, who established the University’s Honors Program in 2012, has led its growth and development, including the program’s expansion to include online students in 2019. Having less than 100 main campus students as members in 2012, the program has rapidly grown to more than 2,000 main campus and online students in 2023.
Since 2020, qualifying students studying online at the University have had the opportunity to take more than 20 honors designated courses. Online students pursuing a bachelor’s degree can also apply to and join the Honors Program, which, in addition to taking honors designated courses, includes enrichment and professional development programming, all of which are offered virtually.
Among her many noteworthy achievements, Kobylarz has mentored and supported many students who have graduated with Honors Program Academic Distinction and Honors Program recognition, including several of the University’s valedictorians.
“Linda is a notable example of how Post University makes is personal for a student,” Post University Provost Dr. Elizabeth Johnson said. “She truly wants each and every student in the program to succeed. Beyond her dedication to the program, her charisma and passion is what captures students to join the program. She gives light to creative service projects, academic endeavors and countless new relationships.”
In her letter nominating Kobylarz for the award, senior Accounting major Jenna Abeyta recognized how truly dedicated Kobylarz is to her students.
“She has been an inspiration to me since my freshman year because she is compassionate, insightful, dedicated to student success, and stalwart,” Abeyta wrote. “She has encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and explore new things […and] I have become a more well-rounded individual with [her] influence.”