The latest buzz word on campus seems to be
“LLC” which stands for Living Learning Community. The concept of the LLC is having “a community within a community” where students live on the same floor in the residence halls and have a common academic interest such as pursuing a degree in healthcare. In Fall 2010 the College of Health Sciences partnered with the College of Nursing to teach the LLC course titled “Healthcare in the 21st Century.” The goal of this course as outlined in the syllabus was “to introduce first year university students to the opportunities and rigors of higher education, as well as ease the transition of freshman students into the academic setting, to establish patterns of success, and to explore future opportunities in health related disciplines.”Clinical Instructor Heidi Plach (OT) co-taught with tenure Professor Aaron Buseh (Nursing) and states that “the LLC was a win-win situation as students were introduced to resources for university life, diversity and healthcare while observing first- hand the benefits of interdisciplinary partnerships.”
Professor Buseh’s reflection on the concept includes, “The LLC process fits into the whole mission of the university as it not only helps to recruit but also to retain students. The LLC is a great strategy in working with students early on to identify both strengths and weaknesses for survival in college. Students come from various educational exposure where training in high school varied, so a course like the LLC taught by Mrs. Plach and myself blends the university essentials of academics and socializing.”
Special thanks to Kate Brondino (CHS) and Robin Jens (College of Nursing) for initiating the collaboration.
Picture Description
Left to right front row: Dayken Nash, Molly Blum, Genna Wollersheim (all LLC students)
Left to right back row: Prof. Aaron Buseh (College of Nursing), Kayla Johnson (LLC student), Emmalee Vander Zanden (LLC student), Heidi Plach (College of Health Sciences) and Sylvia Forbes (College of Nursing)
Student Testimonials
"Soumya [instructor] kept us interested and focused and the class flew by."
"I really enjoyed this class. It helped me find the right major."
"If you don't know what you want to do as a career you will definitely have ideas after the class."
"Yes, I would [recommend this course to a friend]. It helps you gain more focus and understanding of what to do as a freshman."
-Students in the fall Creating Your Futures course
LLC Blog
Want to know what students think about what's going on in the LLCs right now? Check out the LLC blog.