Inspiring Graduate | Meg Honnold

When Meg Honnold arrived for classes at The University of New Mexico it was the first time she'd been in a typical public school classroom. From kindergarten through high school, she had been homeschooled and never expected to attend college.

Honnold will graduate this week from UNM with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a concentration in Human Services and Social Policy summa cum laude in her second major, American Studies.

Entrance into the public education system from homeschooling was a challenge for Honnold.

"The transition from rural homeschooling to a public university, for me, was jarring. Alongside the many practical adjustments was an impostor syndrome that diminished gradually with incremental wins: moments like entering my first traditional classroom, taking my first in-class exam, and studying with peers were very special…"

"Get scrappy! Take ownership of your undergraduate experience by advocating for yourself, whether it's seeking out academic opportunities and funding, asking for clarifications in class, or accessing mental and physical health resources and accommodations. Also, attend office hours to get to know your faculty members and explore your interests!"

- Meg Honnold

Besides excelling at her studies, Honnold has made a name for herself in undergraduate research and pursued a subject that reflected her life experience. She started research late, in her third year, after transferring from Central New Mexico Community College.

With the help of faculty members and the staff at the Undergraduate Research, Arts, and Design Network (URAD) staff, she was able to quickly get involved, "which significantly enhanced my sense of belonging on campus and my purpose in research… I've come to realize how unique UNM is for its wide range of programs, funding, and support for undergraduates interested in research."

"My entry point into research was through office hours. I made it a priority to meet with professors early and often to brainstorm study directions."

Honnold also carefully curated her course load around the subject.

"One standout was Dr. Ryan Goodman's Social Movements class, which not only contextualized homeschooling as a movement but also allowed for dual-purpose assignments that I used to chisel away at my inquiry. Early on, I attended a Getting Started in Research workshop hosted by URAD. This workshop gave me momentum and it led me to apply for and secure funding through ASSURE (Arts & Sciences Support for Undergraduate Research Experience). Over the next several semesters, I delved into homeschool research, gradually refining my project proposal and crafting a literature review."

That phase was crucial in identifying gaps in the existing homeschool knowledge base and shaping Honnold's research questions.

"My research to this point and going forward is motivated by children's perceptions and insights into their own stories, specifically among homeschool students. I'm inspired by the efforts of fellow homeschool alumni to center student and child voices. I'm working for their lived experiences to be recognized as legitimate in both academic and public conversations about homeschooling."

In May 2023, she presented her research at UROC (Undergraduate Research Opportunity Conference) in the UROC 180 competition, which, like an elevator pitch, challenges students to present their research in just 180 seconds to the general audience with no background in the research area.

Honnold received first place and a $500 scholarship with her presentation on The American Homeschool Movement: A Review of Prominent Research Topics, Leading Voices, and Emerging Studies.

The experience helped her expand her network and open doors for collaboration in following semesters.

"My work then evolved to include an inter-university quantitative analysis and my own qualitative analysis, both examining homeschool student testimonials (the latter partially funded by the Undergraduate Research Scholarship). My undergraduate research culminated with a final interdepartmental honors thesis on the co-construction of homeschooling with notions of family and childhood in the United States. Each opportunity helped clarify my focus on the student experience of homeschooling, developed my value of research as a form of child advocacy, and equipped me for the next phase of graduate school."

As fulfilling as undergraduate research has been for Honnold, the process has at times been "daunting and vague." This year she became an Undergraduate Research Ambassador with URAD in the program's first cohort, helping simplify the process for fellow students to get their own research underway. In this position she promoted research opportunities through classroom visits, orientation events, and a workshop she designed titled How to Find, Choose, and Work with a Faculty Mentor.

Besides Goodman, Honnold named faculty mentors Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Criminology Lisa Broidy and Associate Professor of American Studies Kathleen Holscher, Jennifer Chamberlin Payne with URAD, and the faculty of the Sociology and American Studies departments.

She also cited her husband Philip, who will be cheering her on at graduation, for his "enthusiastic belief that convinced me to apply for college."

Looking back at her own experience, Honnold offered some advice to fellow UNM students: "Get scrappy! Take ownership of your undergraduate experience by advocating for yourself, whether it's seeking out academic opportunities and funding, asking for clarifications in class, or accessing mental and physical health resources and accommodations. Also, attend office hours to get to know your faculty members and explore your interests!"

Looking ahead, Honnold is currently applying to graduate programs with the goal of earning a Ph.D. and preparing for a career in homeschool research and child advocacy.

"I'm a non-traditional student who once doubted my ability to pursue higher education and I am proud to have earned my bachelor's degree as a former homeschooler."

Photo credit: Andres Salazar 505

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