Living Learning Communities Smooth Transition to College

Another important aspect of Rollins Explorations is the Living Learning Communities (LLC), a campus residence concept designed to increase contact and connection among students. Students may be housed in one of the 17 Living Learning Communities, which means they'll live and study with the same core groups of students from their RCC course. The combination of RCCs and LLCs increases the chance that every student will make a few close friends almost immediately.

Director of Living Learning Communities and Faculty in Residence Gabriel Barreneche stresses that Living Learning Communities are, first and foremost, communities. “LLCs are where new students begin to get a sense of belonging,” said Barreneche. “It’s where freshmen start to find their little niche in the Rollins world.”  Read more about Gabriel Barreneche and his experience as the latest Faculty in Residence. 

Beyond helping students to adjust and bond, LLCs also aim to keep the learning energy going even after students step outside of the classroom by cultivating learning experiences and opportunities inside the residence halls. Students in LLCs have their tutoring sessions, group study sessions, and a variety of other academically-based activities conducted in the same place that they rest their head each night.

“I believe learning outside the classroom fosters the concept of life-long learning,” explained Barreneche. To this end, Barreneche encourages RCC faculty to plan at least one activity inside an LLC that engages not only their RCC students, but the entire residence hall as well. In the past, professors have coordinated expert panels, discussion forums, and guest speaker visits along with pot luck dinners and movie nights.

“While classroom learning provides students with a solid foundation of critical thinking, co-curricular studies and experiential education together offer ‘real life’ preparation for future careers,” Harte echoed.

Read more about Living Learning Communities.