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 center around areas of study, areas of interest, and affinity/identity. 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 courses are paired in the fall and students take one course together in the spring to promote student success. 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 and completing the Joining the Pod Survey (This was sent to you and can be found in your Message Center within the Student Center).
Students who are interested in participating in a Theme Community can make selections 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:
- Bedford & Dr. Irene Pinkard Living-Learning Community
- Healthcare Living-Learning Community
- Michele Serros Living-Learning Community
- What’s Left for Gen Z? Opportunities, Oppressions, and the "American Dream" Living-Learning Community
- Islands Living-Learning Community
- Theme Communities:
- Outdoor Adventures
- Geek Life
- Transfer Student
For additional information regarding Learning Communities offered, please visit the Learning Communities page.
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. 
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.
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.
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.
What's Left for Gen Z? Opportunities, Oppressions, and the "American Dream" Living-Learning Community
How much control do we have over our own lives? Is life "what you make of it", or do social forces shape the landscapes of our lives? These are among the most important questions Gen Zers can consider today, as they prepare themselves for futures in an uncertain world. SOC 100 will investigate how individual lives are shaped by social structures, distributions of power, and cultural conceptions, considering topics like social mobility; inequalities of race, gender, class, and sexuality; globalization; political activism; and education. We will develop the ability to understand how society and individuals influence each other, and what this means in terms of opportunities for Gen Z’s mobility and social change. Our class will include discussions, mini-lectures, active learning exercises, and "mini research" activities where students serve as of investigators of the social world asking questions, gathering evidence, and reaching conclusions – thus experiencing firsthand the gifts of Sociology.
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.