Incentives for living in a living-learning community at Old Dominion University:
- Resident Assistants (RAs) with academic interest similar to the LLC
- Programs designed to ease students transition to college
- Specific programming related to academics
- Additional social activities to help connect with other students within the LLC
- Additional opportunities for interaction with faculty members outside of the classroom
- Engagement in academic opportunities that can contribute to future endeavors
- Opportunities to learn about academic resources and utilize these services
- Opportunities to connect with other students with common academic interests
Designed for Your Success
Here at Old Dominion University, we believe students should have every possible opportunity to succeed! The variety of living-learning communities (LLCs) allows students access to educational resources (academic and social in nature) and extra-curricular activities that enhance their residential experience. In collaboration with Academic Affairs and Student Engagement & Enrollment Services, LLCs provide distinctive opportunities to help students gain knowledge and skills to be successful in the classroom and greater ODU community. These communities provide a notable enhancement to the quality services and programs provided in all of our residential communities.
Living-Learning Communities create a residence hall experience that emphasizes and supports students' learning. Research shows students who participate in a Living Learning Community have higher retention rates, are more engaged with faculty members, and have greater satisfaction with the overall college experience. Read about our living-learning communities to determine which is right for you!
Engineering Community
| Participation Requirement |
|---|
| Must be an Engineering major in order to participate. This community is designed for first-year students only. |
| Community Location |
| Gresham Hall |
Students in the Engineering LLC are a community of scholars committed to academic excellence in engineering. In partnership with the College of Engineering, this LLC is comprised of students interested in a variety of engineering fields (Civil & Environmental Engineering; Electrical & Computer Engineering; Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering; Engineering Technology; Modeling, Simulation & Visualization, etc.). Students will have the opportunity to interact with engineering faculty and to learn about a variety of career paths while networking within the local engineering community. The LLC staff hosts programs and activities designed to enable students to focus on issues engineers face in the growing competitive marketplace. Living in the Engineering living-learning community allows students to connect with others in the same engineering core courses, utilize academic support programs, and engage in opportunities related to the engineering field.
Health Professions Community
| Participation Requirement |
|---|
| Must be in a health or health-related major. This community is designed for first-year students only. |
| Community Location |
| Gresham Hall |
The Health Professions LLC provides an opportunity for students in health and health-related majors to live, network, and study together. In partnership with the College of Health Sciences (COHS), this LLC is ideal for students interested in health professions (nursing, medicine, dental hygiene, physical therapy, community and environmental health, medical laboratory and radiation sciences, etc.). COHS provides a "study buddy" program and activities to expose students to career-related opportunities and community service. Students will also have opportunities to further their understanding of local public health needs, best practices, and global health challenges.
Honors Living Community
| Participation Requirement |
|---|
| Must be admitted to the Honors College (please visit the Honors College for specific information on criteria and requirements). This community is designed for all ODU students; first-year through senior. |
| Community Location |
| Virginia House |
Students admitted to the Honors College have an opportunity to live in this LLC. The Honors LLC is an environment with students of a similar academic focus, opportunities for mentoring, study groups, and peer advising from upper-class honors students. The Honors College also offers special sections of general education courses, including English composition, literature, history, biology, physics, astronomy, oceanography, information literacy, as well as courses related to "peer leadership" and undergraduate research.
College of Sciences Community
| Participation Requirement |
|---|
| Must be a College of Sciences major in order to participate. This community is designed for first-year students only. |
| Community Location |
| Rogers Hall |
This community is a fantastic opportunity for students interested in the scientific process. In partnership with the College of Sciences, this community is created to give first-year science students support and resources to be successful in their transition into ODU. Students participating in this community will have opportunities for study groups, tutoring, college workshops, and advising for Biology and Psychology majors. Students will also have the opportunity to create relationships with students with similar academic/career goals in the college. Students in this LLC will take the same sections of SCI 101 and PSYC 201. For those students who are Biology majors, and qualify for BIOL 115, they will take the same sections of SCI 101 and BIOL 115 lab.
Explorers Living Learning Community
| Participation Requirement |
|---|
| Must be a undecided major in order to participate. This community is designed for first-year students only. |
| Community Location |
| Whitehurst Hall |
This is the ideal community for first-year students who are investigating their major and career options. Students who are part of the ODU Explorers LLC will have the opportunity to live in an environment that intentionally exposes them to the myriad of options available to them while also facilitating their own self-exploration. Students will be engaged in the exploration process through programming in their hall, guest speakers, field trips, and collaboration with offices across campus. Students will be enrolled in "ODU Explorers Only" section of UNIV 120: Career Exploration (a one-credit course for students who are undecided on a major).
The Lavender Floor Living Learning Community
| Participation Requirement |
|---|
| This community is designed for first-year and upperclassmen students. |
| Community Location |
| Virginia House |
This inclusive community provides opportunities for students to learn more about an aspect of ODU's diversity and enjoy the social and academic support of living with peers with shared experiences and interests. This living learning community brings together lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students and straight allies in an inclusive environment where community members are able to freely explore issues of identity, sexuality, and gender. In this safe and affirming environment, students are able to freely express themselves. The Lavender Floor LLC programming provides opportunities for individual exploration, fosters opportunities for community building, and provides a venue where students can advocate for social change.
Students will enroll in the common course ENGL 211C. If the ENGL 211 requirement was previously fulfilled, the student will enroll in WMST 303 (Queer Studies).
Getting Down to Business Living Learning Community
| Participation Requirement |
|---|
| This community is designed for first-year and upperclassmen students. |
| Community Location |
| Rogers Hall |
In partnership with the College of Business and Public Administration (CBPA), an interactive learning environment designed to promote community and enrich the student experience with opportunities for experiential learning. The CBPA LLC provides and atmosphere where first-year CBPA students can gain hands-on knowledge with peers who share similar interests. This community is ideal for students interested in business majors and/or minors (Accounting; Business Analytics; Economics; Finance, Personal Financial Planning, Real Estate, & Risk Management; Information Technology; Management; Maritime Supply Chain Management; Marketing). Students will enroll in BUSN 110 - 14616 & IT 150G - 19313 (lecture); 15945 (recitation). BUSN 110 meets business curriculum and CBPA Admissions requirements. IT 150G meets university general education requirements for Information Literacy.
W.I.S.E. (Women in Science and Engineering)
| Participation Requirement |
|---|
| Must be a female student with engineering as a declared major. This community is designed for first-year students only. |
| Community Location |
| Gresham Hall |
Perfect for the budding scientist, mathematician, or engineer; programs for this LLC are designed to support the success of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). In partnership with the College of Engineering, this LLC brings together first-year women in a residential environment to provide encouragement and support in pursuing a career in traditionally male-dominated fields. Women will learn about careers in STEM fields, share their academic experiences and career goals, and learn about resources and opportunities that support their academic and personal pursuits.
