Living-Learning Communities, by design, help to facilitate conversation and learning far beyond the traditional classroom setting and allow students to engage in profound discussion, dialogue, and meaningful interaction in the place where students spend the majority of their time—in the residence halls. Studies show that students who participate in learning communities, in general, and in living learning communities, in particular, have more frequent interactions with peers and faculty, higher classroom attendance rates, higher cumulative GPAs, a greater sense of engagement with the campus community, and higher participation rates in faculty and peer mentorship programs than their non-learning community peers. Living-Learning Communities promote a sense of “belonging”—to the campus, to others who share similar interests, and to the academic community of the University. Each Living-Learning Community has a dedicated Faculty Associate, who works closely with the course instructors and Resident Assistant to develop engaging extra- and co-curricular activities that expand and enhance learning in the associated courses.

Wilkes University has developed three Living-Learning Communities. Two of these communities, Learning Through Leadership and MOSAIC – Maximizing Opportunities for Students to Achieve an Inclusive Campus, have welcomed first-year students for the past two years. Our newest Living-Learning Community, the Sustainable Living-Learning Community (SLLC) will welcome its first members this coming fall. Each Living-Learning Community has a dedicated FYF component. Learning Through Leadership is associated with the FYF course of the same title; the FYF course for MOSAIC is entitled “Cross-Cultural Dialogues,” and the FYF course for the SLLC is “Topics in Urban Sustainability.”

Leadership harnesses the talents and imagination of the group to deal with the important issues of community, nation or world. This learning community is a unique opportunity for any student who has an interest in leadership. This learning community approaches leadership from the standpoint that anyone can effectively lead if they genuinely understand themselves, the situation, and the members of the group to be lead. For more information contact us via email at learning@wilkes.edu.

Requirements Students interested in this LC must be enrolled in the Leadership Studies FYF course. If you choose to live on-campus, you will be housed in Evans Hall, as this is a residential learning community. Space is limited and selection will be made based on FYF enrollment.

Newly formed, this unique community offers students an intercultural living environment that embraces all forms of diversity. Students will be encouraged to engage in dialogue about social justice, diversity, and inclusivity and develop tools to move beyond tolerance to understanding and empathy with people of different backgrounds or situation. For more information contact us via email at learning@wilkes.edu.  

Requirements Students interested in this LC must be enrolled in the Cross Cultural Dialogue FYF course. If you choose to live-on campus, you will be housed in Evans Hall, as this is a residential learning community. Space is limited and selection will be made based on FYF enrollment.

Wilkes University’s Sustainable Living-Learning Community (SLLC) is an on-campus student residence focused on environmentally sustainable living. The SLLC will serve as a classroom and laboratory in support of student leadership and stewardship as students focus on individual impact on the community, region, nation, and environment. Students accepted into the SLLC will commit to reducing the university's carbon footprint, serve as role models for other students, and take part in an active outreach program to promote sustainable practices on campus and in the local community. The SLLC will act as a tangible symbol of environmental responsibility for the Wilkes community and as further means to reduce the university’s carbon footprint as pledged in the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). The SLLC relies heavily on Wilkes students to reduce their impact on the environment by changing the way in which they live from day to day. Students play a pivotal role in shaping the SLLC program through their own ideas, improvements, and initiatives. 

Evaluate strategies for reducing their carbon footprint in order to adopt new or improve upon current practices. Provide a working model of environmentally sustainable conservation that may then be expanded to other residence halls. Write reflective journals at each midterm and at the end of each term, which will address changes in consumption, overall attitudes, and future goals. Develop and implement educational outreach programs on campus and in the local community. Community members will be supported in all activities and responsibilities by the FYF instructor, the SLLC Faculty Associate, the Wilkes VISTA Coordinator, and the SLLC Resident Assistant.

Requirements Students participating in this Living-Learning Community must be enrolled in the “Topics in Urban Sustainability” FYF course. If you are selected for this community and choose to live on campus, you will be housed in Evans Hall. Space is limited and selection will be made based on FYF enrollment.