The River Hawk Experience Distinction (RHED) is a signature program at UMass Lowell that offers undergraduate students the opportunity to blend a personal interest with their academic major and receive recognition. Upon graduation, students earning the River Hawk Experience Distinction receive a red academic cord to wear at Commencement and an official transcript notation that highlights their Distinction.
The program centers on five key topics called Distinctions. Students can choose from 1 of the 5 Distinctions.
- Community Engagement
- Entrepreneurship
- Global Engagement
- Leadership
- Sustainability
How it works.
- Join RHED by selecting your chosen distinction through the RHED portal.
- Complete 2 pre-approved courses within your chosen distinction.
- Participate in 2 approved experiences.
- Complete guided written reflections for each of your courses and experiences.
Need more reasons to join? With RHED you can...
- Showcase your experiences on your transcript and resume.
- Build confidence in articulating your skills, goals, and growth.
- Stand out when applying for jobs, grad school, or fellowships.
Want to customize your RHED experience?
Students can also propose custom-designed experiences or request course approval by contract.
Questions?
Reach out to RHED@uml.edu with any questions or to schedule a meeting with someone from our team.