Learning Communities
Your place in the world. Your place on the campus.
Find both within Loyola University's Learning Communities. Each Learning Community (LC) places students together in a living environment by interest or major – all with the goal of encouraging personal and academic growth and fostering relationships. Explore the learning communities listed below:
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Learning Community (LC)?
- What are the benefits of living in a Learning Community?
- Where are Learning Communities housed?
- How do I apply to live in a Learning Community?
What is a Learning Community?
A Learning Community (LC) is a community that seeks to engage residents more actively in the academic and social fabric of Loyola’s campus. LCs encourage academic and personal growth through intentional programming and collaboration with academic departments, administrative units, faculty, and professional staff members at Loyola.
What are the benefits of living in a Learning Community?
- Improved academic and social opportunities,
- Improvement in your GPA,
- Greater opportunities to meet with faculty and staff throughout Loyola,
- Greater involvement in your own learning process, and
- Increased satisfaction with your Loyola University experience.
Where are Learning Communities housed?
LCs are housed in 12-story Buddig Hall. Most LCs can be found on the 9th through 11th floors. These suite style double rooms have shared bathrooms and individual heating and air-controls. Each floor has a study/TV lounge and a full kitchen on the 12th floor.
How do I apply to live in a Learning Community?
Students interested in being part of the English and Literature, Faith/Justice, International Experience, Psychology, Wellness, or WILL Communities may indicate this on their Residential Life Housing Contract. The general Housing Contract may be downloaded above, and is the first step in every student’s application process for on-campus housing.
Students interested in participating in the Cardoner Fellows LC cannot apply for that programs through Residential Life. Please contact the program organizers to do so.
The Learning Communities
Often, LCs are tied to a for-credit class. Students living in such a community are required to participate in a related course, bringing together the residential, academic, and social aspects of the students’ college experience.
Cardoner Fellows Learning Community is for scholar-students who attend class together, live together, plan and attend programs in the residence halls and surrounding New Orleans Community that support their academic pursuits, and support each other through their first year of college. This LC is tied to a (required) 3-Credit class that must be taken in order to live on the floor. Cardoner Fellows are selected through a competitive application process that is managed by the Cardoner Fellows Program Coordinator and the Admissions Office. Availability is limited to 20 residents. If you would like to learn more about the Cardoner Fellows program, please contact:
Jessica Murphy
Assistant Director of Co-Curricular Programs
504-865-3622
jdmurphy@loyno.eduStudents who have been admitted to the Honors program have the privilege of living in a community where they are surrounded by their peers from the Honors program. Students work closely with Honors faculty to design programs and social interactions that support and expand on their Honors coursework. Study groups are formed and maintained through the student and staff’s academic commitment. Honors students are selected through their application to the Honors Program. Therefore, non-Honors students are not eligible to live on the Honors Floor. Availability is limited to 40 residents. Further information about the Honors Program can be found at The Loyola Honors Webpage. If you would like to learn more about the Honors Community, please contact:
Dr. John Sebastian
Assistant Professor
Deputy Director, University Honors Program
504-865-2277
jtsebast@loyno.edu
For more information on the following LCs please contact:
Reagan Sidney
Assistant Director of Residential Life 504-864-7098 rgsidney@loyno.eduThe FJ Learning Community was created to explore “a faith that does justice.” This diverse student population will make room for inter-faith dialogue about spirituality, service, and purpose beyond self. Members of this community can expect to have close interactions with Residential Life staff, Resident Chaplains, Mission & Ministry staff, and a wide variety of community service organizations. Availability is limited to 20 residents.
The International Experience Learning Community brings together students from all over the world in a community designed to facilitate intercultural understanding and communication. International students and U.S. students, of all ages and class standings, will explore different cultures and gain cross-cultural communication skills through a variety of academic, cultural and social programs. Availability is limited to 20 residents/participants.
The Psychology Learning Community is for students who are interested in the field of psychology. These students need not have declared psychology as their major but, should have an interest in the field. Those who have declared psychology as their major will also attend the Learning Community class (SPSTALRC) together. Some of the benefits of living in the Psychology LC will include: Exposure to career opportunities in psychology, living in a community with other students who take the same type of classes, and participating in programs centered on psychology and issues within the field. Availability is limited to 20 residents/participants.
The Wellness Community attracts students who choose to live lifestyles free of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. These students enjoy seeking balance between school, family, work, and social life, and are committed to living well. Students in this community will sign the Wellness Community Contract to commit to keeping their community free of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs, and will learn the skills needed to hold themselves and each other accountable to that commitment. Further information about the Wellness Program can be found on the Residential Life Wellness page.
Women’s Initiatives in Learning and Leading (WILL)
The Women’s Intiatives in Learning and Leading community will provide women with an opportunity to have meaningful dialogue and turn that dialogue into action. This floor will allow women to explore, define, and express their identities with the ultimate goal of fostering a positive connection with others living/working in surrounding communities in which they live. They will engage in discussions about gender, sex-role stereotypes, college success, leadership, and identity.
The Writing and Literature Learning Community offers a distinctive campus experience for first-year students declaring English as their major or minor. As one of the most active and enthusiastic majors at Loyola, this LC provides an enriching environment for those with interests in creative writing, journalism, film, critical analysis, and all that is literary. The Writing and Literature LC collaborates on a group publication that chronicles the first-year experience at Loyola with images and words.
Literary activities on campus include Open Mic Nights, Revisions literary journal, Reader Response academic journal, film screenings, and guest lectures by faculty and national scholars. Off-campus trips are geared toward New Orleans’ rich literary tradition and vibrant contemporary literary scene, which includes our own 1718 Reading Series.
