Learning Communities for AY 2025-26
-
This community honors the continued legacy of Bedford and Dr. Irene Pinkard, founders of the Ventura County Chapter of Black American Political Association of Californiaand 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 thatimpactthe 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.
Eligibility/Condition:Open to all first-year students.
-
If you have declared a major in Biology, you must rank this as one of your Learning Community choices on the Joining the Pod survey.Students in this community will be introduced to the biology of organisms including ecology, evolution,diversityand human impacts. Along with Principles of Organismal & Population Biology, you will take a critical thinking course in which you will develop quantitative, information and scientific literacy and oral and written communication skills. This course introduces students planning on a major in the sciences to CI’s interdisciplinary approach to scientific, evidence-based reasoning. Students in the community will take Statistics for Biologists together in the Spring. Taking all three courses and the BIOL lab together will allow you to start conversations and projects in one course and carry them into these others, giving you the opportunity to learn and create together. Your community will also include a peer mentor who will help you navigate the courses and your transition to college.
Eligibility/Condition:Only first-year students who are enrolled at CSUCI as Biology Majors are eligible for this Learning Community.
-
This community is for students interested in Nursing, HealthScienceand related areas of study. This is designed to help students explore the many career paths and options within the growing healthcare industry. You willparticipatein 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.
Eligibility/Condition:This learning community is limited to first-year students who have declared a major in Health Science or expressed an interest in Nursing.
-
This community welcomes students who are interested in coding and computer science. The community will create opportunities for students who share interests in gaming, design, development, and expression of algorithms. Along with Intro to Programming, you will take a First-Year Seminar together in the Fall semester and Professional Communication in the Spring. Taking all three courses together will allow you to start conversations and projects in one course and carry them into these others giving you the opportunity to learn and create together. Your community will also include a peer mentor who will help you navigate these three courses and your transition to college.
Eligibility/Condition: Open to all first-year students. Meets requirements for Computer Science, Information Technologyand Math majors.
-
Jointhe Department of Dance, Music and Theatre's Learning Community that is open to ALL majors.You will have an anchor class specific to Dance, Music or Theatreas well as guaranteed access to the GE Oral Communication requirement that will help with your confidence and performance skills.Gain a deeper understanding of the world through the lens of dance, music or theatre! This is an excellent LC for new Dance, Music & Theatre majors or minors. Develop community with those who love the performing arts.
Eligibility/Condition: Open to all first-year students. Meets requirements for Dance, Musicand Theatre majors.
-
Students in this community will be introduced to theories and research in Psychology. You will have the chance to explore together some of the big issues in the field of psychology, whatdifferent typesof psychologists do and how to critically evaluate psychological literature. Along with Intro to Psychology, you will take a First-Year Seminar together in the Fall semester and Public Speaking in the Spring. Taking all three courses together will allow you to start conversations and projects in one course and carry them into these others giving you the opportunity to learn and create together. Your community will also include a peer mentor who will help you navigate these three courses and your transition to college.
Eligibility/Condition:Open to all first-year students. Meets pre-nursing prerequisites and requirements for Health Science and Psychology major.
-
This community isfor students interested in teaching once they graduate from college. The community is designed for those studying Early Childhood Studies who are interested in teaching elementary school students.Students who have not yet decided on a major but are considering working toward a multiple subject teaching credential are also welcome.A peer mentor will be embedded in the anchor course to help you adjust to college life and share resources you need to succeed.
Meets requirements for Early Childhood Studies majorsis open to anyone who wants to be a teacher.
-
This community is for students interested in Nursing, HealthScienceand related areas of study. This is designed toprovidea unique opportunity to explore the many career paths and options within the growing healthcare industry. You willparticipatein 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.
Eligibility/Condition: This learning community is limited to first-year students who have declared a major in Health Science or expressed an interest in Nursing.
-
The Infinity Dolphins:Neurodiversity andNeuroinclusionLearning Community welcomes students from all majors interested in the politics and ideals of neurodiversity. We investigate how neurodiversity and neurodivergence shape cultural assumptions, habits, practices and politics. Emphasizing political engagement, public service, critical contemplation of narratives and dynamic interactions between political ideals and political realities, this learning community combines study of governments, fiction and the public sector.
Eligibility/Condition: Open to all first-year students.
-
Join the Island Community at CSU Channel Islands for an exploration of the world around us. Whether you are passionate about science, culture, the environment or are simply eager to learn outside, there's a place for you here. Our adventures take us into our local environment, and we'll hone skills for college and beyond. From hands-on, no-cost field trips to the Santa Rosa Island Research Station in Channel Islands National Park to kayaking and local excursions, our community will provide support as you discover and deepen your understanding and connections to each other and the world around you. No prior experience necessary!A peer mentor will be embedded in the UNIV course to help you adjust to college life and share resources you need to succeed.
Eligibility/Condition:Open to All Majors and Undeclared students.
-
This community is named for Michele Serros,celebratedChicana 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.
Eligibility/Condition: Open to all first-year students.
-
If you have declared a major in business or economics, you must rank this as one of your Learning Community choices on the Joining the Pod survey.In this community, students in the Martin V. Smith School for Business & Economics (MVS) will engage with the idea of business as a force for good and in the study of how individuals make "rational" economic decisions. The BUS courses will be combined with a one unit first-year seminar. A peer mentor will be embedded in the UNIV course to help you adjust to college life and share resources you need to succeed.
Eligibility/Condition:Open to all first-year students. Suggested for undeclared majors or students considering a major in Business or Economics.
-
Sociology is the scientific study of society, how individuals both shape and are shaped by society. Sociologists study everything that makes up our society - couples, families, businesses, elites, churches, countries and many more.This community, “Sociology in Action,” will help us understand how we create society and the impact society has on us, our communities and others. This course uses a practical, real-world approach to explore and address social and community issues, making the class material relatable and applicable to everyday life and current events. We will explore and connect key sociological concepts like social structures, culture, family, deviance, health and inequality to our own and community’s experiences.As a learning community, you will partake in hands-on experiences such as in-class activities, engaging in conversation with guest speakers and visiting sites across CI, in orderto develop a deeper understanding of the complexities of societal issues and the potential for social action. In these engaged experiences, a peer mentor will be embedded in your anchor course to help you learn how best to use campus resources and be successful in class.
Eligibility/Condition:Open to all first-year students.Meets requirements for Sociologymajors.