Learning Communities

Engineering Learning Community Boats
Students putting paint handprints on a banner during LC Welcome
Belltower
Live. Learn. Connect.

What is a Learning Community?

Learning Communities are groups of students with a shared academic interest and/or experience. Members of a Learning Community:

  • live together, often on the same residence hall floor
  • learn together through at least one shared class
  • connect to students, upperclass student mentors, and faculty with shared interests
  • prepare for the future through exclusive academic, social, and professional activities and events
  • benefit from academic support programs
  • take field trips and participate in community service projects
Student smiling in Res hall room

What Do Students Say?

  • Makes the transition from high school to college so much easier when you have a large group of friends on the first day.
  • The professors involved in my learning community are awesome!
  • Honestly it was the single best decision I made as a freshman in college. I felt more at ease in my classes, I loved my res hall life, and if I needed help with anything I knew I had a floor full of people who had my back.
  • A great way to meet people in similar situations!
  • I met 90% of my closest friends in my learning community. I wouldn't trade it for anything and encourage new students to get involved with a learning community.
  • Best money my dad has spent on college thus far!

Who Can Be In a Learning Community?

Trad residence hall

Learning Communities are open to any interested student during their first-year at UNL. Our Learning Communities are focused on many different academic interests, as well as one—University Exploration—for those who aren’t yet sure about their academic home at UNL. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To apply for membership in a Learning Community, indicate your preference on your Housing Contract.

In addition, participation in Scholar Communities is possible by invitation or alternate application processes. Please see individual Scholar Community pages for more specific application/invitation information.