Learning Communities at OBU

In the Fall of 2011 OBU is offering ten Learning Communities to incoming freshmen. One hundred and ninety members of the entering class will have the opportunity to participate in a Learning Community (LC) which will provide an opportunity to make connections between academic disciplines, classmates, and faculty members.

What is a Learning Community?

An LC consists of a group of 15-20 freshmen taking 3-4 courses in common. The courses may revolve around a theme (Interdisciplinary) or be connected to one’s major. Most Learning Communities are centered around Success 101 which is a Strengths’ based course designed to aid new students in their transition to college.

To see a list of your LC options, click here.

What's in it for me?

  • You can develop a supportive network of classmates, professors, and peer mentors.
  • The LC experience can help you to connect quickly with a community of fellow students, upper class students, and faculty.
  • LCs ease the transition to college and establish a solid foundation for long term collegiate success.
  • Participation in an LC will allow you to extend the community developed during Welcome Week beyond the first few day on Bison Hill.
  • LCs encourage you to engage in interdisciplinary or major specific learning through connections with faculty and between courses.
  • LCs promote engagement, involvement, and success in learning.
  • LCs provide unique opportunities to interact with fellow students and professors outside of the classroom through service, career exploration, study groups, social interaction, and/or experiential trips.

What are students saying about their Learning Community experience?

"My Learning Community my first semester was utterly fantastic. I was so blessed to find myself with the same group of people in my Welcome Week activities and in four of my funnest classes! I also loved getting to know my Learning Community professors both in class, and sometimes out. I remember one Saturday in particular when our entire Learning Community loaded up on OBU vans for a hiking trip in the Wichitas. All of our Learning Community professors went along and I definitely feel that I know them all on a personal level just from that one trip. We hiked together, marveled at interesting lizards, raced through boulders, even got lost together, and at the end of the day we all scarfed down large burgers at the famous Meers’ burger joint together. In fact, I was so hungry from all the excitement and energy, (now this is a secret so don't tell everyone you know) I ate my own monstrous burger, and my okra, and half of the burger of my friend sitting next to me! I can honestly say of all the fun, and completely random trips I took my first semester, that was by far the best. Half of my closest friends I made in the Learning Community and I still love to say ‘hi’ and catch up with many of the others!"

Rachel Maxwell
Freshman, English Education Major
Eakly, Oklahoma

“I chose to be in a Learning Community because I wanted to be able to know the people I would be in class with. Learning Communities did that for me because from the very first thing that we did on campus for Welcome Week I knew the people in my group who were also the people in my classes. I loved how well I got to know Dr. Blue, who was my Success 101 leader and who lead some Learning Community activities and I don't think that I would have gotten that chance had I not been in a Learning Community. I would highly recommend being in a Learning Community because the curriculum is the same as it would be if you were not in a Learning Community and you only have something to gain. Meeting people and getting connected on day one helps make the transition into college very nice! My favorite Learning Community memory is going to a corn maze, carving pumpkins and having a bon fire.”

Jessa Manner
Freshman, Cross Cultural Ministry Major
Derby, Kansas

Apply Here!

Priority Deadline for Learning Community Application is Friday, April 15, 2011. Applications will be accepted following that date as long as openings exist within individual Learning Communities. Placement in Learning Communities will be based in part upon date of acceptance to OBU and date of Learning Community Application. The application will request your top three choices as well as your reasons for your top choice.

Have questions???? Need more information???

Email or call 405.878.2258