Learning Communities

Community Overview

The American Sign Language (ASL) Learning Community is for students who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, First-Year ASL/English Interpreting majors, and First-Year Dual ECE/Deaf Education Program majors. The ASL Learning Community gives students the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in ASL, as well as prepare to work with the deaf and hard of hearing population after graduation. Participants in this Learning Community will also have the opportunity to live in the vicinity of one another in the same residence hall, take required courses together (one per semester), and experience interactions with faculty, upperclassmen, and alumni within their chosen field.

Community Details

Director

• Dr. Jessica Bentley-Sassaman

Major(s)

• ASL/English Interpreting; Dual Early Childhood Education / Deaf Education

Admission Criteria

• Open to ASL majors and students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Focus

• Connects students with other students and faculty in these majors.

Community Overview

The Creative Arts Learning Community (CA LC) welcomes students with a passion for the arts: theatre, music, dance, visual arts, and creative writing. Many of our members are majoring or minoring in the arts fields. However, we also have students in other majors or who are currently undeclared. The thing they all have in common is a love of the arts. And while it is not required, many CA LC members live in Northumberland Hall, one of the smaller residence halls on lower campus, which further helps to foster a sense of community.

CA students participate in on-campus events as well as have the opportunity to attend off-campus trips to museums and performances. Recent field trips include visits to Museum of Modern Art in NYC, the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, and the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. We also take advantage of nearby resources too. During a recent semester, students read the novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, and then attend a stage version of the work at The Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, our local live professional theatre.

CA LC students take a fall semester class together which examines the idea of art via a variety of media including literature, video, film, and visual art. CA LC students often quickly develop into leaders of the Bloomsburg University arts community, taking on major roles in theatre, music, and dance performances, and creating significant works in the literary and visual arts.

The most important thing about our Learning Community is that it provides an atmosphere where students can gain the opportunity, support, and experience needed to flourish at BU. Trained peer mentors work closely with Learning Community members, organizing activities, leading study groups, and providing guidance to navigate college life.

Community Details

Director

• Ron Lambert

Major(s)

• All

Admission Criteria

• Open

Focus

• To provide a vital link between BU and the Bloomsburg Community by showcasing students artistic endeavors.

Community Overview

The Education Learning Community (EDU LC) welcomes first-year students who are Education majors. This Learning Community is a wonderful conglomerate of all education majors and provides great support for those pursuing a teaching career.

• Connect with education students
• Receive guidance from educational faculty
• Become acquainted with professional groups such as SCEC, SLED, SPSEA, ACEI, and MENC
• Attend Praxis Training and Teaching Seminars

Community Details

Director

• Dr. Craig Young

Major(s)

• Education

Admission Criteria

• Open

Focus

• Connects students with other education majors and education faculty.

Community Overview

The Frederick Douglass Social Justice Learning Community (FDSJ LC) welcomes all first-year students of any major or those presently undeclared. The FDSJ LC promotes academic excellence in a culturally diverse setting. Students who want to learn how to communicate and work with individuals of a variety of backgrounds, which is an important skillset for any career, will especially find this LC beneficial to their college experience. We will focus on developing students to be socially conscious, self-advocating, and critical thinkers and will provide a platform for those who are passionate about social justice issues related to a myriad of identities (e.g., ability, age, gender identity, sex, sexual identity, nationality, race, religion, socioeconomic status, class).

Students who sign up for the FDSJ LC will be involved in monthly programs (i.e., speaker events, concerts and plays, academic advising, professional development workshops), undergraduate interdisciplinary conferences, field trips, and other social and educational events. Participating in the FDSJ LC can offer students opportunities to develop the skills that they need to create positive change within themselves, on the Bloomsburg University campus, and in the larger global community.

Community Details

Director

• Dr. Erin Brummett

Major(s)

• All

Admission Criteria

• Open

Focus

• Emphasizes cross-cultural relationship building, promoting diversity, and breaking down social barriers across cultural differences.

Community Overview

The Health & Medical Sciences Learning Community (HMS LC) aims to provide an environment in which students can achieve academic success in their discipline. In the HMS LC, you will be able to connect with other students in your major while engaging in learning opportunities outside the classroom. Examples include but are not limited to:

• “Behind the Scenes” of your Majors
• Scheduling How-Tos
• Structured Review Sessions
• Study Halls

Community Details

Director

• Dr. Jennifer Venditti-Roadarmel

Major(s)

• Biology
• Bio-Medical Sciences
• Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Exercise Sciences
• Health Sciences
• Medical Imaging
• Pre-Sciences (examples: Pre-PT, Pre-PA, Pre-Pharmacy, etc).

If you don’t see your major listed above, please call our office for guidance on which Learning Community is the best fit for you.

Admission Criteria

• Open

Focus

• Provides an environment for students to focus on scholarship, service, and social activities, enhancing their academic experience.

  By invitation only.

For more information and to apply, please visit the Eileen G. Jones Honors College page.

Community Overview

The Eileen G. Jones Honors College Learning Community draws from first-year students with a GPA of 90 or above.

• Be challenged to perform at the highest level of excellence and encourage independent thinking and learning
• Engage in a rigorous, coherent, integrated academic experience with a high degree of student-faculty interaction
• Develop creativity, intellectual independence, analytical thinking and problem solving and the growth of communication skills through a strong emphasis on reading, writing, and research
• Participate in symposia, experiential learning and independent study

Community Details

Director

• Dr. Peter Doerschler

Major(s)

• All

Admission Criteria

• Invitation Only
• First-Year Students Minimum Qualifications:
• GPA of 95 or above (no essay required)
• GPA of 90 – 94.9 (essay required)

Focus

• Offers small classes, service opportunities, and community.

Community Overview

The Breiner School of Nursing Learning Community is open to First-Year Nursing Majors. The Nursing Learning Community aims to provide an environment and community in which students can achieve academic and professional success within this health science discipline. In the Nursing Learning Community you will be able to:

• Connect with other nursing students and upperclassman peer mentors.
• Gain a collaborative learning experience through Faculty and Students.
• Take a common course with other Nursing Learning Community Members.
• Engage in co-curricular activities designed to support your interests.

Community Details

Co-Directors

• Dr. Pamela Cook
• Dr. Rebecca Toothaker

Major(s)

• Nursing majors only

Admission Criteria

• Open

Focus

• Helps students connect to others in their major while preparing them for the requirements of their major.

Community Overview

The Science & Technology LC (S&T LC) is designed to help foster a sense of community amongst first-year students who are interested in science and technology fields of study such as computer science, digital forensics, physics, chemistry, environmental and natural sciences, etc. Students in the S&T LC have access to personal, professional and academic enrichment opportunities, including the following:

• Developing connections with S&T students and faculty through common courses and out-of-class opportunities
• Attending various workshops and seminars
• Attending group and peer-led study sessions
• Participating in team building, community service and social activities

This year-long experience will allow you to learn and connect with other students who share similar interests with you through experiences both in and out of the classrooms.

Community Details

Director

• Dr. Jennifer Whisner

Major(s)

• Computer Science
• Digital Forensics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Environmental and Natural Sciences

If you don’t see your major listed above, please call our office for guidance on which Learning Community is the best fit for you.

Admission Criteria

• Open

Focus

• Connects students with faculty and students in these majors.

We enhance business insight and professionalism, promote interdisciplinary and community awareness, and guide students through their first year in college.

Community Overview

The Zeigler College of Business Learning Community (ZCOB LC), in collaboration with the Zeigler Institute for Professional Development (ZIPD), welcomes incoming first-year students who have declared a business major. First-year LC members (mentees) receive guidance from upperclassmen mentors and the LC director with the goal of thriving academically, professionally, and socially. Mentees take at least one course together that fulfills a graduation requirement along with voluntary enrollment into ZIPD to enhance their professionalism. ZCOB LC programming offers tutoring, guest speakers, professional development, networking, community service, and field trips to places like New York City. Your success is our BUSINESS!

• Take courses that fulfill requirements for your business major
• Receive direction to help determine the right business track
• Establish connections that help start your business career
• Attend seminars with local business leaders
• Make trips to local businesses

Community Details

Director

• Mr. Jacob Kehres

Major(s)

• Business

Admission Criteria

• Open

Focus

• Expands the range and impact of a major in business through career exploration.

A Learning Community is a group of students who share common interests and participate in a variety of programs and field trips, take a cluster of general education courses, and are provided upperclass mentors all under the direction of a faculty/staff member. Students and faculty develop close relationships in and out of the classroom that lead to greater academic success, a broader view of education, livelier and more integrated university experiences and a great sense of commitment.

• To find help and encouragement from folks living around you.
• To have a more enriching and meaningful college experience.
• To have FUN!
• For increased access to faculty.
• To make friends with people who share your same interests.
• Receive help and assistance from upper class mentors.

Yes! All LC courses earn credit toward graduation. Check with your LC faculty director for more details.

LCs provide the opportunity for upperclassmen to serve as peer mentors to next year's incoming class. Students in their sophomore year and beyond can serve as Community Assistants in the residence halls. Contact the faculty director of your LC for more information.

Many functions within a particular LC are optional - thus students are often not required to attend. Students are generally free to choose those activities that best fit within their respective schedules. However, it's important to understand that any activity - be it an LC, an intramural team, or a club - is only as good as the time and energy you are willing to put into it. So, the more energy and effort you contribute to your LC and your peers, the more rewarding this experience will be.

No. Each learning community has a separate academic director and its own selection process. The individuals making the selection decisions have no knowledge of which other communities you applied to. The more programs you apply to, the better your chances of being accepted into one of them.

No. Each learning community is placed in designated buildings. It is more important that you select an LC based on your interests and goals.

You can room with someone outside of your Learning Community. If your roommate is not a member of any LC, they will live with you in your assigned residence hall. However, both of you must request each other as roommate in MyHousing Self-Service.

If you want to room with a student in a different LC than your own, you must decide together which LC residence hall you will live in. Once you've decided, contact the Learning Communities office to let us know. You'll still need to request each other as roommates in MyHousing Self-Service.

It varies from community to community whether you will have the opportunity to return to your LC as an upperclassman. Most LCs are only designated for first-year students. Check with your LC's faculty director.

You will be notified via your Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg email account about your LC acceptance. Please watch your university assigned email address (@huskies.bloomu.edu) for your acceptance and other important emails. Your actual housing assignment and roommate information will be available on MyHousing Self-Service in early August. Specific hall and room placements are not available until that time.

The LC process is separate and needs to be updated manually. Please watch for emails at your university assigned email address (@huskies.bloomu.edu) for information about the LC you’ve chosen.