What are Living-Learning & Theme Communities?
First Year Freshmen have a variety of Living-Learning Community (LLC) and Theme Community (TC) options to support academic success and integration into the life of the university, both inside and outside of the classroom. First-Year Communities align with CSUCI's Mission Pillars: Multicultural, International, Integrative, and Community Engagement. Participating in these communities is shown to improve student learning, persistence to the second year, time to graduation, and stronger relationships with peers and faculty. Additionally, we offer a Theme Community with the Transfer student in mind. Our goal is student success. There is no additional cost to participating in these communities.
In Living-Learning Communities, students share a common intellectual and residential experience with an academic focus. Two or more courses are paired to promote student success and align with a CSUCI Mission Pillar. All of the courses count for either General Education (GE) credit, a graduation requirement, or a requirement in a major. Most students are housed with other students in their learning community. Activities are aimed at blurring the boundaries between living and learning, and improving students’ transition to college life. Students are in fixed cohorts in specific sections of the courses listed, and once accepted, will be enrolled in those courses by the Registrar's Office before Orientation. You will have a chance to learn more about your Housing community at Orientation.
In Theme Communities, students with common interests engage in extra-curricular activities aligned with a CSUCI Mission Pillar without an intentional academic focus. Students living on campus who engage in a TC will be housed together.
All freshman Living-Learning and Theme Communities will be assigned to Santa Rosa Village. Students participating in the Transfer Student Theme Community will be assigned to Anacapa Village.
Please note that when demand exceeds capacity, priority for room assignment is determined by a random lottery process for all students who submit a confirmed Housing application by the priority deadline.
For more information about LLCs & TCs, including answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the campus Learning Communities page.
How to Apply
Admitted students interested in participating in a Learning Community can learn more information by visiting the Learning Communities website.
Students who are interested in participating in a Theme Community can make selection on the designated pages located in the student housing application. Depending on demand, you may be placed into any one of the preferences provided.
We are pleased to offer the following options:
- Living-Learning Communities:
- Theme Communities:
For additional information regarding Learning Communities offered, please visit the Campus Learning Communities page.
Michele Serros Living-Learning Community
This community is named for Michele Serros, celebrated Chicana author/poet, who was from the City of Oxnard in Ventura County. This community engages students in critical dialogue on educational empowerment, creativity, community advocacy, multiculturalism and social justice and equity, fostering a sense of familia and support for all its members. A peer mentor will be embedded in the UNIV course to help you adjust to college life and share resources you need to succeed.
Bedford & Dr. Irene Pinkard Living-Learning Community
This community honors the continued legacy of Bedford and Dr. Irene Pinkard, founders of the Ventura County Chapter of Black American Political Association of California, and their work in the underserved communities of Ventura County. The goal of this community is to develop leadership and mentoring skills to encourage a sense of belonging at CI, critically analyze issues that impact the Black and other vulnerable populations of the world and to imagine and create more inclusive futures. A peer mentor will be embedded in the UNIV course to help you adjust to college life and share resources you need to succeed.
Windows on the World (WOW) Living-Learning Community
This community is focused on international themes in history and today. In the Fall semester you will take two courses together. A World History course that examines world civilizations from both regional and global perspectives and an introductory Philosophy course that will help you learn to use logic in various academic and professional disciplines. Your community will continue the conversations you began in Fall with a Spring World Literature course. The courses in this community introduce students to CI’s interdisciplinary “ways of knowing.” A peer mentor will be embedded in the PHIL course to help you adjust to college life and find resources you need to succeed.
Islands Living-Learning Community
This collaboration between the Santa Rosa Island Research Station (located in the Channel Islands), the Anthropology program, and Environmental Science & Resource Management program. You will have the opportunity to participate in multiple field trips, including trips out to the Channel Islands. These experiences provide you with unique ways to understand the natural and social processes that shape our world and lives, as well as building essential skills for exploring and expanding your horizons. A peer mentor will be embedded in the UNIV course to help you adjust to college life and find resources you need to succeed.
Performance & Politics Living-Learning Community
Performance and Politics invites artists and appreciators to engage in a community in celebration of the rich, vital relationship between performing arts and democracy. Come explore the beauty of civil engagement through public expression, and public expression through civil engagement. Students in this learning community will be involved in the production of Arts Under the Stars in Spring 2024. Your community will also include a peer mentor who will help you navigate these three courses and your transition to college.
Understanding Space & Belonging Community
This community will examine how people think about space and identity across disciplines. Students will spend part of the semester examining space as it is depicted in a range of fiction and non-fiction texts. They then will craft a reflective multi-modal project on a space they’re familiar with, either their hometown and/or Ventura County. In this project, they can draw upon information from their linked courses. Both professors will emphasize how different disciplines both analyze and write about the environment and its impact on its inhabitants. Through analysis and writing, first-year students will be able to build a deeper connection to CSUCI – as a physical space, a community and a place of intellectual growth. A peer mentor will be embedded in the ENGL course to help you adjust to college life and find resources you need to succeed.
Healthcare Living-Learning Community
This community is for students interested in Nursing, Health Science and related areas of study. This is designed to provide a unique opportunity to explore the many career paths and options within the growing healthcare industry. You will participate in field trips and have opportunities to meet and interact with healthcare professionals. A peer mentor will be embedded in the anchor course to help you adjust to college life and share resources you need to succeed.
Outdoor Adventures Theme Community
Students with common interests engage in extra-curricular activities without an intentional academic focus. Outdoor Adventures allows students to explore the outdoors at their own pace, with no course requirements. Take a personal challenge. Step out of your comfort zone. Try something new. Outdoor Adventures lasts through the entire academic year.
Geek Life Theme Community
This Theme Community is built around Gaming, Animation, Digital Adventures, and all things "geek chic", without course requirements. Potential activities include panels, CI Con, gaming tournaments, floor art show, or a group trip to a local comic con. Geek Life lasts through the entire academic year.
Transfer Student Theme Community
This community is designed specifically with the Transfer student in mind. This community focuses on transitioning the student in CSUCI and is open only to transfer students. Students interested in this community should select it via the drop-down list on their student housing application. Students participating in these community will be assigned to Anacapa Village.