Third-year Engineering student Thomas Ackleson officially assumed his role as chair of the Honor Committee April 7 at noon. He succeeds Laura Howard, former Committee chair and fourth-year College student. Among his key priorities for the upcoming term, Ackleson hopes to strengthen engagement with the University community, highlight the work of the Committee, recruit a balanced support officer pool and ensure accountability among Committee members.
Ackleson’s commitment to the Honor System began early in his time at the University. He described how attending convocation had a profound impact on him, inspiring a deeper appreciation for the University’s values and motivating him to take a more active role in the honor system.
“[Honor] really started to feel real at convocation … it was a really powerful moment to see all of my peers pledging to this collective promise,” Ackleson said. “That was the moment where I was like, ‘Wow, this is a real thing’ … it was the first instance of seeing people really buy into [honor].”
Ackleson joined the support officer pool in his first year, serving as an investigator and counselor where he would gather information and represent parties during the case process. He then won a seat on the Committee representing the Engineering School in his second year at the University, later serving as the vice chair for operations. In this role, Ackleson oversaw the Committee’s $5 million endowment, $200,000 annual budget and all of its co-sponsorship efforts with different contracted independent organizations on Grounds.
The co-sponsorship program is intended to support the Committee’s outreach efforts by providing funding to various University-affiliated clubs and groups, particularly during major events, in exchange for opportunities to advertise and promote the Committee’s message. The Committee has previously co-sponsored events with the University Judiciary Committee, the Black Student Alliance and the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, among a range of other groups.
Ackleson shared that the Committee was able to triple the co-sponsorship program’s budget from $25,000 to $75,000 when he was vice chair for operations and has committed to continue the Committee’s efforts to engage with students and organizations on Grounds as chair.
“Tripling [the co-sponsorship budget] in the end was something I was really proud of and continuing that over the next term is really critical,” Ackleson said. “I think that's one of the most effective ways you can do that meaningful outreach, where we're actually making a difference in people's experiences here at the University, and we're contributing to student life.”
As Chair, he hopes to deepen the Committee’s engagement with the University community by continuing the monthly newsletter and the Honorable Mention shoutout where a member of the University community can be nominated and then recognized for their actions upholding the community of trust.
“I think bringing back [the Honorable Mention] in the newsletter in particular is really important to highlight,” Ackleson said. “You should be recognized for being an honorable person and participating in the community of trust.”
He also expressed interest in increasing the Committee’s transparency and continuing the release of case statistics. He plans to release such statistics outlining the number of reports and informed retractions on a much more frequent basis in the Committee’s monthly newsletter to the University instead of at the end of each semester.
“It’s about being really clear with the student body that we're a real organization that has a pretty important role to play,” Ackleson said. “[Releasing statistics] throughout the term so people are as updated as possible … [makes] Honor feel like a living, breathing thing.”
As part of his effort to strengthen the Committee’s effectiveness, Ackleson also discussed his vision for the recruitment process. He hopes to craft a well-balanced support officer pool — with selected recruitment based on qualifications — that is tailored to the needs of the Committee at any given time. Ackleson said that he does not have a particular ideal size for the support officer pool, but will aim to recruit the best students possible who are accountable and take their positions seriously.
Ackleson said that he will promote accountability among the Committee members themselves by upholding the Committee’s attendance policy, which requires that representatives and members make reasonable efforts to attend meetings and trainings, facing suspension if they do not. According to Ackleson, attendance fluctuated significantly this past term, which is something he hopes to alleviate.
“People on the Committee need to remember that they were elected or appointed by the Honor Committee … and they have a job to do,” Ackleson said. “There are people that they're representing on the Committee, and showing up for them is honestly the most important part of the job.”
Reflecting on his own role within that system of responsibility, Ackleson expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead. He noted that his role is not to direct or command, but rather guide and lead.
“I'm just humbled to have the opportunity to give back to the community of trust and hopefully increase the meaning and impact that it has on the community,” Ackleson said.
He will serve as chair until April 7, 2026.
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