Learning Communities

Do you want to make friends and study partners your first semester of college?

Do you want to take interesting classes at great times from professors dedicated to helping you succeed at KSU?

If so, enrolling in a first-year learning community (LC) may be a great option for you!  Each year, approximately 1,500 incoming first-year students decide to begin their college journey at KSU by enrolling in academic learning communities. We encourage you to review the LC descriptions.

  • A learning community typically consists of 20-25 first-semester students who co-enroll in two or more courses that are linked together with a common theme. Some learning communities are for specific academic focus areas or majors, such as architecture, science and math, or theatre and performance studies. Other learning communities are for specific student populations, such as Honors students. The courses in learning communities count toward university degree requirements and are taught by faculty dedicated to working together to help KSU’s newest students achieve academic success and a sense of belonging at the university.

  • Research at both the national and campus levels shows that, on average, first-year students who enroll in learning communities:

    • Earn higher grades
    • Express greater satisfaction with the university experience
    • Make more friends and study buddies
    • Are more likely to “make it” to their sophomore year
    • Take greater advantage of campus services and resources
    • See more connections between what they are learning in and out of the classroom
    • Are more likely to perceive faculty and staff as friendly and supportive 
  • You can register for a learning community at Ignition, KSU’s new student orientation. Advisors will help you with the process.  After you enroll in the learning community of your choice, you can register for additional General Education courses to complete your schedule.

First-Gen Owls: Lifting Off into Higher Education

Are you a first-generation college student (i.e.: neither parent has graduated with a 4-year degree)? “First-Gen Owls: Lifting Off into Higher Education” is a learning community designed with you in mind!

First-gen students possess valuable strengths and skill-sets that can aid their success in college and beyond. In this learning community, students will have the opportunity to develop a strong foundation for achieving their higher education goals, and build a lasting network of fellow first-gen peers, professors, and mentors who can help them make the most of their time at KSU.

In their classes, students will learn about common aspects of the first-gen experience through the study of multimedia narratives by and about other first-gen students. Assignments will include a community-based learning project, where students will pass on their knowledge about college life to prospective university students. Additionally, professors will help students connect with scholarship, internship, and employment opportunities, as well as co-curricular experiences like undergraduate research, publishing, and study abroad.

If you’re looking for an edge as you take flight on your college journey, the “First-Gen Owls” Learning Community is here to welcome you to KSU! For additional information, call the Department of First-Year and Transition Studies at (470) 578-2471.

Past Learning Communities Descriptions

Our Learning Communities offer first-year and targeted students the opportunity to engage deeply in thematic coursework that integrates academic and personal development. These past communities include diverse themes, from performance and production in the arts to global studies with a virtual experience in Tuscany, and specialized programs supporting African American male students and dual enrollment high schoolers. With dedicated faculty guidance and a collaborative environment, students have built foundational skills in their chosen fields while fostering strong peer connections and preparing for future academic success.