Learning Communities at OBU

In the Fall of 2013, OBU is offering eleven Learning Communities to incoming freshmen. However, there are spaces for less than half of the freshman class. And since each LC will have a maximum of 25 members, to insure that you get into one of your favorites, you must apply NOW! Only two hundred forty-eight 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 17-25 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 people saying about Learning Communities?

Coming into college as a freshman, I was nervous I would not know anybody in my classes, and would have to form new relationships after Welcome Week was over. Being in a learning community was great because right off the bat I was meeting people who were going to be in my core classes. Our small learning community became very close, and being a part of this wonderful group of people made transitioning to college much easier. I enjoyed learning communities so much that even after finishing my freshman year, I still find ways to be involved with them. I was a peer leader and sat in on a community for a semester. I was a voice of someone who had been through the beginnings of college before, and could give some insight to what being a student looked like a little further into this educational journey. I would strongly recommend being in a learning community to everyone coming to OBU regardless of the size of your high school, intended major or how prepared you feel for school. Everyone can benefit from being a part of one!

Jessa Manner, junior '13
Cross-Cultural Ministry Major
Topeka, KS

Learning Communities facilitate the university mission of transforming lives by providing students with a network of support, encouragement and accountability. Because students in learning communities are better connected with each other, they're more fully engaged and more productive in everything they do here at OBU. I think learning communities help both students and teachers do their best work, love and serve others and live faithfully.

Dr. Charles Swadley, Associate Professor of English and Spanish
The Unified Life LC
 
Click here to learn what others are saying about learning communities!

Apply Here!

Priority Deadline for Learning Community Application is Friday, April 19, 2013. 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 405.585.4120.