LEARNING COMMUNITIES

Learning communities are small groups of students who work closely together, each group a “community of learners” within the larger community of the university. These groups make the university feel small and at the same time the learning community members can take advantage of everything a large university offers.

Each learning community is built around a theme. That theme can deal with a particular department, such as Agronomy, or with a more generalized topic such as Agriculture, or with women following science and engineering majors. Certain communities are designed for first year students and others are meant for upper class students.

Members of some learning communities take core classes together. Other communities are housed on the same dormitory floors and may or may not take a set of the same classes but have interests in common. Socializing and learning about topics such as career opportunities or taking a field trip are typical events in the life of a learning community student. There is no extra cost for these “extras”.

Regardless of the glue that holds the community together, members will have the opportunity to easily meet other like-minded students and the chance to have added interaction with staff and faculty. Learning communities can contribute to an enhanced education and fun at Iowa State University!

Please click here to learn more about ISU Learning Communities in general. You can also follow the links below to learn more about various departmental learning communities in the College.