As a full-time Psychology major, Phi Theta Kappa Officer and Student Representative on the GCC Honors Board, Arwen King has woven himself into the fabric of Greenfield Community Collegee—not just as a learner, but as a leader.

With long-term plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Library Sciences, Arwen is driven by a desire to bridge the gap between knowledge systems and human behavior. “I’m passionate about these fields,” he shares, “and I find there is a significant overlap between them.”

That same passion led Arwen to the Honors Scholar Program at GCC, encouraged by a mentor who recognized his potential. “My professor and advisor, Joshua Becker, suggested I apply after seeing my work in Intro to Psychology,” Arwen recalls. “I have been a proud Honors Scholar ever since.”

The Honors Scholar Program has been more than just an academic designation for Arwen, it’s been transformative. “Being an Honors Scholar has been incredibly fulfilling,” he explains. “It’s allowed me to delve deeper into materials, and to learn beyond the boundaries of a typical class.” Two standout experiences so far have been completing a 15-part literature review and presenting a research paper at the Massachusetts Undergraduate Research Conference at UMass—achievements he says would not have happened without the program’s support.

Beyond the academic growth, Arwen emphasizes the strong relationships he’s formed with faculty through honors projects and deeper classroom engagement. “I’ve been able to make strong connections with my professors that will guide me through my academic journey,” he says. “The program helped me become a better student overall. Things I used to struggle with are now second nature.”

Looking ahead, Arwen remains focused on his academic goals, with plans to eventually pursue a Master’s in Library Sciences through the Simmons University’s School of Library and Information Science degree program, hosted at GCC. He hopes to become a librarian or archivist, a role he sees as central to helping future scholars thrive. “I believe that freedom of information and library work are both extremely important, now and for the future of humankind,” he shared.

GCC itself holds a special place for Arwen. “It allows me to connect with others and build a community,” he reflects. “There’s a sense of closeness at GCC—you can feel it in the classroom, the food pantry, even in the hallways. If I ever trip in the hallway, someone’s always there to ask if I’m okay. That’s not something you find everywhere.”

To students considering joining the Honors Scholar Program, Arwen offers heartfelt encouragement: “Go for it! There’s pretty much nothing to lose, and you might find that you thrive when you're challenged to go deeper.”