Our Communities

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, diversity and 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 the others, giving you the opportunity to learn and create together.   Eligibility/Condition: Only first-year students who are enrolled at CSUCI as Biology Majors are eligible for this Learning Community.

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, expressions of algorithms and computer and cybersecurity. Along with Intro to Programming, you will take a First-Year Seminar together in the Fall semester and Object-Oriented Programming in the Spring. Taking all three courses together will allow you to start conversations and projects in one course and carry them into the others giving you the opportunity to learn and create together.

The First-Generation Scholars Learning Community is designed for students who are the first in their families to attend college. In this supportive cohort, you will strengthen your writing, research and critical thinking skills while exploring themes of identity, opportunity and educational journeys. Together, you’ll build the academic confidence and strategies needed for university success while connecting with peers who understand the first-generation experience. This community honors where you come from while helping you build a strong foundation for where you’re going.

This community is for 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.   Meets requirements for Early Childhood Studies majors and is open to anyone who wants to be a teacher.

This learning community is open to students interested in Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) cultures, communities and global perspectives on health and well-being. Students will explore how culture, history, communication and social systems shape understandings of physical, mental and community health across different societies. Through dialogue, experiential learning and community-based activities, students will build meaningful connections with peers while examining issues of cultural identity, community care and health equity. This learning community may be especially valuable for students interested in community health, communication and social impact, including students pursuing health-related careers who want to better understand the role of communication in health, communities and professional settings, though students from all majors are welcome. Participants will also have the opportunity to join a thematic travel experience in the spring to extend their learning.

This community supports transfer students in their transition to CSU Channel Islands while exploring academic, personal and professional pathways. Through interactive workshops and guest speakers, students build skills in time management, goal setting and navigating university resources while gaining insight into majors, careers and opportunities for global engagement at CI and beyond. This course provides a supportive space to connect with peers, develop a plan for success and make the most of your transfer experience.

This community is designed for students interested in Nursing, Health Science and related healthcare fields. You will explore diverse career pathways within the growing healthcare industry while building a strong academic foundation for success in health-focused majors. Through field trips and engagement with healthcare professionals, you’ll gain insight into real-world practice and emerging opportunities in the field.   Eligibility/Condition: Limited to first-year students who have declared Health Science or expressed interest in Nursing.

The Infinity Dolphins Learning Community welcomes students from all majors who are interested in exploring neurodiversity, neuroinclusion and the politics of belonging. Through literature, public policy and cultural analysis, students examine how neurodivergence shapes assumptions about ability, identity and who is considered fully human. A featured text, Chicano Frankenstein by Daniel A. Olivas – set in a near-future California and connected to CSUCI – invites students to explore questions of embodiment, citizenship and inclusion through science fiction, political satire and romance. Students will also create their own work of neurofuturism, imagining more inclusive futures grounded in community, critical inquiry and public engagement.

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!

This community honors the legacy of Bedford and Dr. Irene Pinkard, founders of the Ventura County Chapter of the Black American Political Association of California, and their commitment to advocacy in underserved communities. Students will develop leadership and mentoring skills, build a strong sense of belonging at CI and critically examine issues impacting Black communities and other historically marginalized populations. Through dialogue, reflection and engagement, participants will imagine and help create more inclusive futures. This community also provides a strong foundational pathway for students interested in exploring Black Studies as a major or minor.

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.

Students interested in service, social justice, environmental issues and Native American traditions will thrive in the Serve It Up learning community. Using an interdisciplinary approach that connects to any major, students explore Indigenous perspectives on land, healthcare and language while engaging with Native American histories and philosophies. In partnership with local Indigenous communities, including the Chumash, students examine the ongoing relationships between Native peoples and their traditional territories through community-engaged learning. This community emphasizes service, activism and critical reflection, challenging students to expand their perspectives and ways of thinking.