Learning Community Programs News

Russ College of Engineering and Technology "Egg-Drop" Competition

Some experiences are truly that – experiences! The Enhanced Experience Fund is designed to provide additional funding to communities which identify experiences that help build affinity toward a major or explore options for majors through experiential learning. During Fall 2024 additional funding was awarded for 19 activities which impacted 28 Learning Communities, and almost 500 students! These activities had a variety of focus, from a panel of formerly undecided alumni describing the processes they used to explore majors, an Engineering egg drop, pre-law students touring the State Courthouse, to our art students enjoying an interactive art experience at Otherworld!

Pre-Law Courthouse Visit

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Lisa loves being part of the team that introduces new students to the potential of what their Bobcat years can be.  As a Bobcat herself, she loves hearing the stories and seeing the pictures of students engaged in their LC brings.  Lisa coordinates and supports all of the instructors that teach UC 1900 each year- usually around 200 colleagues from across campus.  She is a relationship builder who answers their questions, helps to troubleshoot items and ensures they have what they need so the students have the best experience possible.  She loves puzzles, so her work in fitting 250 sections of UC 1900 into the students learning community cluster is always a very big puzzle.  A special experience that sticks out in her mind comes from one of her first LCs that she taught.  The group became a tight-knit community as a class.  She would see them over the years around campus.  During commencement she saw five of them sitting together, as Business graduates.  That is the magic that Lisa sees in the impact of LCs each year- helping students connect and be successful.

Cody brings energy, creativity, and a deep sense of purpose to his role as a Learning Community Seminar Instructor. Known for organizing hands-on events like the Mechanical Engineering Egg Drop, Cody loves creating opportunities for students to explore engineering in fun, collaborative ways. He’s also the Coordinator of the Sustainable Infrastructure Hub, where he blends his passion for innovation and sustainability with student mentorship. Cody is all about connection, whether it’s sharing meals in the dining hall, guiding student teams in groups like SAE Baja and Battle Cats, or encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones at events like Honey for the Heart. He’s especially proud of helping students build both technical skills and personal resilience through experiential learning. One of Cody’s favorite parts of the job is watching students grow—from their first semester all the way to graduation. He sees Learning Communities as a launchpad for life, helping students build confidence, manage transitions, and form lasting relationships. For Cody, the real reward is seeing students light up when they realize they belong.

Megan is a senior in Engineering Technology & Management and has been a Learning Community Leader (LCL) for three years, bringing enthusiasm and heart to her work with first-year students. She loves welcoming new Bobcats to campus, helping them explore their major, and building connections that make the transition to college feel a little less overwhelming. Megan is all about creating community. She is most proud when students begin forming friendships and study groups on their own, proof that the foundation she helped build is strong. One of her favorite experiences has been mentoring students who later became LCLs themselves, allowing her to work alongside them in her final year and pass the torch to the next generation of leaders. Outside of Learning Communities, Megan is president of OHIO’s Swim Club and an active member of the Society of Women Engineers. She credits her LCL experience with helping her grow in confidence, communication, and event planning—skills she’ll carry with her well beyond graduation. For Megan, being part of Learning Community Programs means being a familiar, reliable face on campus and helping new students discover what being a Bobcat is all about.

On Oct. 25 at 5 p.m., Passion Works Studio will be hosting the annual Honey for the Heart Parade! Each year brings a different theme to the parade; this year the theme is "In the Garden." This Fall marks the 12th year of Learning Community Programs partnering with Honey for the Heart and Passion Works studio! Our Learning Communities participate in out of class activities in collaboration with Passion Works to help design and prepare for the event. In Fall 2024, 96 Communities and close to 1800 first-year students assisted with constructing of props for the parade.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OHIOLearnComm

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ohiolearncomm

Email: learning.communities@ohio.edu

Phone: 740-593-1953

Chubb 060 – Learning Community Programs