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Aerial view of Court Street and the Courthouse

Learning Community Programs News

Welcome to the first Learning Community Programs Newsletter. We are seeking to connect with you as a previous student leader or instructor with Learning Communities. As someone who helped students transition into Ohio University, we thought you may be interested in learning about some of the things that have been going on.

During the fall 2023 semester there were 246 Learning Communities and 3 Campus Connection sections for Transfer and Relocate students. Almost 200 instructors and 247 student leaders engaged and supported the new Bobcats. Over 98% of first year students are in a learning community, which has been consistent since 2017! Since that time though we have added an additional 20 learning communities to support the growth in the first-year class.

Fall Training

On Friday before classes start you know where you will find over 240 student leaders – in Learning Community Leader and Peer Leader training! What a great crew of folks who were eager to engage with their instructor and launch the year.

New Student Leader Role

The Learning Community Leader Coordinator (LCLC) is a new student leader position. This position was created in 2022 to create an opportunity for seasoned student leaders to enhance their leadership skills and support the Learning Community Leaders (LCL). They are instrumental in giving advice to LCLs who may need a spark in planning their next event. The LCLCs share their experience and guidance at Success Team Meetings (STMs) and through individual outreach. They are also key to helping manage all of the components to recruitment, selection, and training that keep the office busy in the spring semester.

Enhanced Experience Fund

Wouldn’t you have liked to have taken your Learning Community to the Center for Science and Industry museum (COSI) or have gone to a theater production in Columbus?

Through the generous donations to the Learning Community fund, these additional opportunities are now possible. Instructors and LCLs apply to take advantage of the many opportunities around the SE Ohio area. The Learning Community Fund makes these adventures a reality.

Fine Arts Community attends Rocky Horror Picture Show live at Garden Theater in Columbus.

Business students attended the International Night dinner.

Please consider supporting the Learning Community Fund to keep these experiences going for future Bobcats.

$25 will support a student learning from one of the local business leaders over dinner
$100 will support one student going to museum in Columbus, with transportation
$2,000 supports a whole class going on a trip to Columbus

See what some of the communities have been up to and consider making a contribution in support of future communities.

Support the Learning Community Fund

Mark your calendar for
OHIO University Giving Day 2024
on April 9!

Take a look at Giving Day 2023.

Update Your Information

We want to stay in contact, we ask that you update your email address with Advancement. We will not fill up your inbox, you can expect two newsletters a year.

Please click here to update your email address.

Instructor Highlight: Dr. Valerie Young

Dr. Young is a long-time UC 1900 Learning Community Seminar Instructor. When asked what she loves about being an instructor, here is what she had to say:

I love hearing from new students what they are interested in and excited about, and what they hope to do in the future.
I feel good when I can help a student connect with a support resource, a student group, or the right major. I like being part of making OHIO feel like home for them.
I love knowing so many students in our program from their first week of classes all the way until their graduation. Seeing the transformation from high school student to engineer is motivating and fulfilling to me.
I love working with the student Learning Community Leader, hearing their ideas and getting their insight and perspectives into the student experience, and seeing them grow in their interpersonal and organizational skills.
I enjoy the chance to connect with people from across the university who are committed to a positive first year experience, to share and try different approaches and ideas.

Dr. Young also serves in the following capacities:

Faculty Senate Representative for Russ College of Engineering & Technology
Co-Chair, Russ College Committee for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging
Accreditation Coordinator, Bachelors Program in Chemical Engineering
Advisor, OHIO D2 Ice Hockey
Advisor, Anime Club of Ohio University
Associate Professor, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Student Leader Highlight: Niamh Buckley

Positions held: Learning Community Leader and Learning Community Leader Coordinator

Major: Psychology, minor in Business Administration

Favorite memory: One of my favorite memories within the Learning Community Programs is the 2023 spring training. At this training I became closer with my fellow coordinators, and I got the opportunity to meet our learning community leaders for the year.

Skill strengthened while serving as a student leader: A skill I have strengthened through working with Learning Community Programs is public speaking. As a Learning Community Leader, I became more comfortable with speaking to a large group after presenting to my students regularly. Then, my role as a Learning Community Leader Coordinator helped me to strengthen my skills of running a staff meeting.

Honey for the Heart

This was the 10th year anniversary of Learning Community Programs supporting Honey for the Heart. Passion Works studio celebrated their 25th anniversary of this event with a birthday party theme.