What are First-Year Communities?
First year students have a variety of options to support academic success and integration into the life of the University, both inside and outside of the classroom. Each community is made up of a group of 20-25 students who are enrolled in the same general education courses (two classes in the fall and in one or two clases in the spring semester of your first year). Each community is supported by a faculty member and a peer mentor.
Learning Communities
Similar to Living-Learning Communities, students take three courses together (two in Fall and one in Spring); however, there is no housing component to these communities. All are welcome.
Living-Learning Communities
In these communities, most students live on the same floor in housing. However, living on campus is not a requirement to be in these communities. All are welcome, and participation in community activities accommodates students whether they live on-campus or off-campus. Students in these communities take three courses together in their first year (two in Fall and one in Spring - all fulfill your general education or major requirement courses).
What is a Peer Mentor?
Your mentor will be embedded in one of the courses in your LC and meet with you and your classmates outside of class in small groups every other week to promote transition to University life. They will connect you to available university resources and student life opportunities to support your success both in and out of the classroom. The mentor also collaborates with faculty and a Resident Advisor (RA) in housing (if you live on campus).
Learning Communities for 2024-5
- Bedford & Dr. Irene Pinkard Living-Learning Community
- Biology Learning Community
- Business & Economics Learning Community
- Computer Science Learning Community
- Discovery: Exploring the Social Sciences
- Discovery: Writing Exploration
- Healthcare Learning/Living-Learning Community
- Island Living-Learning Community
- Michele Serros Living-Learning Community
- Politics & Public Service Learning Community
- Strange New Worlds: Real & Imagined Integrative Learning Community
- Understanding Space & Belonging Learning Community
- Windows on the World (WOW) Living-Learning Community
- Future Teachers Learning Community
- Infinity Dolphins Learning Community
- Disco Dolphins Learning Community
- Chemistry for Health Careers Learning Community
- What's Left for Gen Z? Opportunities, Oppression & the "American Dream" Living-Learning Community