Living Learning
& Theme Communities
West Chester University offers Living Learning Communities and Theme Communities exclusively for incoming first year and transfer students. Housed in WCU Managed resident halls, Living Learning Communities and Theme Communities allow students with a shared academic or personal interest to live on the same floor in the same residence hall.
By living in these communities, you’ll be surrounded by other Golden Rams who share your interests, making it easier to take what you learn in classes, co-curricular, or life and connect it to your future career putting you on the fast track to success.
How to apply for an Living Learning Community or Theme Community:
1. Apply for WCU Managed Housing
- The 2025-26 First Year and Transfer Student Housing Application opens mid-March 2025
- Apply for Housing
2. Apply to the LLC/Theme Community
- Each LLC has a unique application process and eligibility requirements. Specific instructions for applying are listed below
Living Learning Communities (LLCs)
A Living Learning Community (LLC) connects students with shared academic or personal interests live together. LLCs foster a supportive environment that aims to enhance academic success and personal growth.
Through theme programming, shared courses, and collaborative activities, residents in Living Learning Communities engage in a unique, immersive educational experience within the comfort of their living space. To participate and continue to live in the community students are required to actively participate based on the LLC application and agreement.
Students who participate in LLCS are more likely to succeed academically and socially and have a higher graduation rate than students who choose not to participate.
Sustainability & Social Justice Leadership
Description
West Chester University’s Sustainability & Social Justice Leadership Living Learning Community (LLC) provides a unique opportunity for students to become engaged leaders in a world that faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Participants live together in a wing of a residence hall where they investigate what it means to live sustainably while participating in activities designed to enact a vision of the future characterized by high quality of life and wellbeing for all; meeting the needs of present and future generations; justice and equity; and living within ecosystem limits. In partnership with WCU’s Office of Sustainability and its Sustainability Peer Educators, members of the Living Learning Community will participate in professional development as well as applied campus and local sustainability projects that lead to meaningful change. Field trips and tours, events, creative activities, hands-on work, food tastings, research talks and many other possibilities may be part of this unique living arrangement. The Sustainability and Social Justice Living and Learning Community is open to all students in all majors who are interested in developing sustainability and social justice leadership skills in their personal, academic, civic, and professional lives. This is a brand-new LLC, which means selected students will have the opportunity to shape sustainability living and learning at WCU, both for themselves and future participants.
Sustainability & Social Justice LLC Location
To Be Determined
WCU Managed Housing
Eligibility
- The Sustainability and Social Justice Living and Learning Community is open to all students in all majors who are interested in developing sustainability and social justice leadership skills in their personal, academic, civic, and professional lives.
- This is a brand-new LLC, which means selected students will have the opportunity to shape sustainability living and learning at WCU, both for themselves and future participants.
Application
- Students can apply through the WCU Managed Housing application by choosing WCU Managed Housing as their preferred housing provider within the Application for On-Campus Living.
- To be considered, students must indicate their preference before June 1, 2025.
Contact for More Information
- Paul Morgan, pmorgan@wcupa.edu
Chemistry
Description
Through a collaboration between the Chemistry Department and Residence Life, we are offering a Chemistry Living and Learning Community (CLLC) for first-year and transfer students enrolled within the Chemistry Department. The CLLC is an on-campus community that is designed around the values and vision of WCU which emphasize scientific/quantitative literacy, collaborative approaches to service, effective communication, and inclusive engagement in diverse communities. Students that are a part of the CLLC will take part in the following activities: 1) developing successful and collaborative study strategies with other members of the CLLC with peer and faculty mentors, 2) cultivate an identity in STEM through community–building and career–oriented events both on and off campus, and 3) contribute meaningful service to the community and department to develop a sense of shared responsibility.
Chemistry Location
To Be Determined
WCU Managed Housing
Eligibility
- Students should have selected a Chemistry Department Major (Chemistry, Biochemistry, Forensic and Toxicological Chemistry, Chemistry-Biology, Pharmaceutical Product Development).
Application
- Students can apply through the WCU Managed Housing application by choosing WCU Managed Housing as their preferred housing provider within the Application for On-Campus Living.
- To be considered, students must indicate their preference before June 1, 2025.
Contact for More Information
- Zachary Voras, zvoras@wcupa.edu
Psychology Living Learning Community for Incoming First-Year Students
Description
When starting WCU, new Psychology students take many of their first semester courses together – as part of our Psychology Learning community. Psychology students can also expand this opportunity to include a living community. The Psychology Department Living Learning Community gives incoming first year students the opportunity to forge meaningful connections with other psychology majors and have access to resources to help increase a sense of academic and social belonging during the transition to college. These resources will include social events, information sessions and mentoring coordinated by psychology peer mentors and faculty throughout the academic year.
Psychology Living Learning Community for Incoming First-Year Students Location
To Be Determined
WCU Managed Housing
Eligibility
- Any student with a Psychology major
Application
- Students can apply through the WCU Managed Housing application by choosing WCU Managed Housing as their preferred housing provider within the Application for On-Campus Living.
- To be considered, students must indicate their preference before June 1, 2025.
Contact for More Information
- Karen J. Mitchell, kmitchell@wcupa.edu
Honors Living Learning Community
Description
The Honors College is a community of students and faculty who share a commitment to excellence both inside and outside the classroom. By engaging deeply with the big questions facing our world today, we prepare students to be leaders in their communities and to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
At the heart of the Honors College is a customized curriculum that counts toward the general education requirements for graduation. Our Honors classes are not about writing longer papers or spending more time in the library. Instead, they are about meaningful conversations between many different perspectives on the issues that matter most. Honors classes provide both the challenge and support to help you reach your full potential. It is no surprise that our Honors graduates routinely attend outstanding job placement upon graduation, as well as acceptances to top medical, law, and graduate programs.
The Honors College floor has a dedicated music room, computer lab and lounge. Honors College students participate in roommate matching and room self-selection with their cohort of students.
Honors Living Learning Community Location
Allegheny Hall, 7th Floor
USH-Affiliated Housing
Eligibility
- Students that are accepted into the Honors program will have the possibility of living in this community.
Emerging Technology
Description
Embedding technology into student learning experiences helps them gain skillsets and become better critical thinkers; simultaneously, many technological resources are forgone in the college experience for theory and frameworks, leaving the technological-skills to internships, capstones, and off-campus experiences. Students in the Emerging Technology Living Learning community (ETLLC) will be involved in an immersive experience throughout their first year at WCU. The ETLLC brings students together to be surrounded in a technology-centric environment, helping support an educational experience connected to the fields of communication, media, digital humanities, journalism, computer science, and other related areas. This program is designed for students with technology-based interests housed in any degree program. The theme of Emerging Technology offers the opportunity for students to engage with novel methods of using media to communicate, in addition to promoting original and creative thinking toward the development of new future-oriented forms of media.
Emerging Technology Location
To be determined
WCU Managed Housing
Eligibility
- Students of any major are welcome to join.
Application
- Students can apply through the WCU Managed Housing application by choosing WCU Managed Housing as their preferred housing provider within the Application for On-Campus Living.
- To be considered, students must indicate their preference before June 1, 2025.
Contact for More Information
- Adam Rainear, arainear@wcupa.edu
Academic Success Program
Description
The Academic Success Program offers the option for first-year students in the program to participate in a learning community. The learning community consists of other first-year ASP students. Participation in the learning community is optional.
Academic Success Program Location
To Be Determined
WCU Managed Housing
Eligibility
- Students must be accepted into the Academic Success Program to be eligible.
Application
- Students can apply through the WCU Managed Housing application by choosing WCU Managed Housing as their preferred housing provider within the Application for On-Campus Living.
- To be considered, students must indicate their preference before June 1, 2025.
Contact for More Information
- John B. Craig, jcraig@wcupa.edu
Theme Communities
Theme communities in residence life are organized around a specific theme or common interest. These communities are designed to create a more immersive and focused living experience for students who share a particular passion, interest, or lifestyle. Theme communities aim to enhance the overall residential experience by fostering a sense of belonging and creating opportunities for like-minded individuals to connect.
Lavender Garden
Description
The Lavender Garden themed living floor is a community open to first-year students and a small group of returning students looking for an affirming, inclusive, and supportive living experience. Lavender Garden is open to students of any gender identity or gender expression. Residents can look forward to participating in social and educational programming. These programs are designed to embody the values of belonging, social justice, intersectionality, and wholistic wellness as well as learning how to access resources on campus. There are two gender inclusive bathrooms on the floor, including shower facilities.
Lavender Garden Location
Killinger Hall, 2nd Floor
WCU Managed Housing
Eligibility
- Students that support a welcoming, and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of sexuality, gender identity/expression, or other identities.
Application
- Students can apply through the WCU Managed Housing application by choosing WCU Managed Housing as their preferred housing provider within the Application for On-Campus Living.
- To be considered, students must indicate their preference before June 1, 2025.
Contact for More Information
- Kristin English, kenglish@wcupa.edu
FAQs
What is the difference between a living learning community and a theme community?
- Living learning communities have a a specific focus that includes an academic connection to those that live in the area. The living experience will be like other areas residential communities however, LLC Communities will have additional programs, support, and connection to their academic faculty and classes.
- Theme communities are open to all first-year students who are looking for a living interest with a specific focus. Each community has a certain focus and by being placed in these communities you agree to participate in community living.
What theme communities does WCU offer?
- Lavender Garden (only choice)
What living learning communities are offered?
- Sustainability & Social Justice Leadership
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Honors Living Community
- Emerging Technology
- Academic Success Program
Who can apply?
- Eligibility requirements for each community can be found in the description area on our website.
How do I apply, when and what is the deadline to apply?
- Students must preference their living learning community or theme community within the WCU Managed.
- Students can apply through the WCU Managed Housing application by choosing WCU Managed Housing as their preferred housing provider within the Application for On-Campus Living and completing the Community Preference portion of the application.
What are the benefits of theme/living learning communities?
- By living in these communities, you’ll be surrounded by other Golden Rams who share your interests, making it easier to take what you learn in classes, co-curricular, or life and connect it to your future career putting you on the fast track to success.
Does it cost extra?
- Living Learning Communities and Theme Communities do not cost any additional dollars to be a member of as it is just a special offering we provide students.
Are there Living Learning Communities available WCU Managed and USH?
- Living Learning Communities in WCU Managed Residence Halls include:
- Sustainability & Social Justice Leadership
- Psychology
- Emerging Technology
- Academic Success Program
- Living Learning Communities in USH Affiliated Residence Halls include:
- Honors College
My major doesn’t have a learning community? Now what?
- Unfortunately, all majors may not have a living learning community. We encourage students to make connections with their professors in the classroom and establish connections with peers in the academic environment.