Colleges and universities across the country are looking for innovative ways to promote student learning, student retention, and student success. One of the most successful approaches has been Learning Communities (LCs). Learning Communities are based on the principal that students learn very well from other students. Each LC is centered on a theme and is usually restricted to a limited number of students (22-25). Students enroll in several courses together and in most cases live together in the same residence hall so connections with faculty outside the classroom can occur. Building a relationship with a faculty member often facilitates student success. A Learning Community permits this type of informal student-faculty interaction. Learning Communities at UW-Whitewater have already demonstrated positive results. Historically, students enrolled in our LC program return to UW-Whitewater for the second year of school at a higher rate than students not involved in the learning community program.
Learning Communities
UW-Whitewater invites first-year students to live and study with peers who share similar interests. In a Learning Community, about 20-25 students live together, take courses together, and have a faculty or staff member from their area of interest lead them through their first year. Fall 2025 students, if you are interested in joining a Learning Community, please indicate your interest in the housing contract (starting October 1), and our office will contact you with more information. For questions, contact Christina Schwab, Manager of Learning Communities, at 262-472-3175 or LC@uww.edu.
Fall 2025 Learning Community sign-up happens March 1 through May 28. After May 28, you can sign up at SOAR. Spots are limited, so sign up today!
What Is a Learning Community?
Colleges and universities across the country are looking for innovative ways to promote student learning, student retention, and student success. One of the most successful high impact practices has been Learning Communities (LCs). Learning Communities are based on the principal that students learn very well from other students. Each LC is centered on a theme and is usually restricted to a limited number of students (20-25). Students are enrolled in 2-3 courses together and live together in the same residence hall. University faculty or staff members serve as Learning Community Coordinators so connections outside the classroom can occur throughout the first semester on campus. Building relationships with a faculty members and like-minded peers often leads to student success.
The LC office will pre-enroll students in the classes taken with their Learning Community. In order to remain a member of your Learning Community, you MUST stay enrolled in the one credit course, New Student Seminar, with your Learning Community Coordinator.
Advantages of Joining a First Year Learning Community
- Exploring your academic and career options
- Developing leadership skills
- Organizing activities and leading committees within the Learning Community
- Connecting with a faculty or staff member in your area of interest
- Finding your passion in life
- Off campus experiences related to your Learning Community theme
- Building friendships that will last a lifetime
To promote your success in the Learning Community, you will be required to:
- Live in the residence hall assigned to your Learning Community (if living on-campus)
- Take select courses related to your Learning Community
Find a Learning Community
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about Learning Communities? We've got answers for you!
For the 2025-2026 academic year, there will be 17 learning communities on campus.
Each year varies with the amount of Learning Communities offered on our campus, but generally, about 20-25% of our incoming class participate in Learning Communities.
Sign-ups for Learning Communities will begin March 1st on the Learning Communities website. If there are questions prior to this date, please contact the office directly at 262-472-3205, or at LC@uww.edu.
The residence hall location for each Learning Community is listed with each description. Students can identify a roommate preference on their housing application (the roommate listed must also complete the housing application prior to assignments being made, and must list you as a roommate preference). Depending on the Learning Community and its location, your preferred roommate may need to be a member of a Learning Community in that building. Please make sure you communicate your roommate preference with our office whenever possible, as your roommate selection could impact your participation in a Learning Community.
Yes. All Learning Communities are located in co-ed scattered residence halls.
No, you can only enroll in one Learning Community for your Freshman year. For example, if you are an Honors student, but are planning on going into Accounting, you could sign up for the Honors LC OR Financial Futures, but not both.
There is no additional fee for joining a learning community. Just another great reason to participate in our program!
Unfortunately, Learning Communities are for Freshman starting in the Fall semester. At this time, we do not have Learning Communities for transfers.
If you do not want to participate in the Learning Community you signed up for, please contact us via email at LC@uww.edu, or by phone at 262-472-3175.
You are required to take certain classes with your learning community, but the remainder of your schedule is open for your choices. You will be pre-enrolled in those classes before you arrive for your Warhawk SOAR session in the summer. Then you can enroll in other courses that do not conflict with your LC classes.
At this time, we do not allow switches in learning communities at semester. Because each group takes classes that are recommended by your coordinator, we would recommend that you either remain in the LC, or step away from the program if you are no longer interested.
The classes you take with your learning community are all courses that will count toward graduation. Depending on the community you join, you may obtain access to classes that Freshmen would not normally be able to register for in their first semester.
Many of the courses you take with your learning community will count toward your 120 credits for graduation regardless of your major. You can continue in your learning community in the spring semester, even if you change your major.