Passion to Action: Living & Learning Communities

Fostering communities for the public good.

The Living and Learning Communities (LLCs) brings together first-year students, a Faculty Mentor, and staff who all share a common interest. Together, students live in the same hall, learn in a sequence of classes, and take part in events – both in and out of the classroom. The program helps students build life-long friendships and explore their passions through a mix of fun-filled retreats, time with faculty and staff mentors, guest speakers, performances, field trips, and more. 

LLCs are ideal communities for students who want to explore more about a specific topic area, learn with a community of peers and mentors, and discover ways to turn their passions into action. The class sequence is a pathway to an academic minor or certificate. 

Stay in the Know

Want to know what's going on with the LLCs? Check out our updates and Instagram to see what our students are up to!

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    LLC Instagram

    Follow us to check out current programs, department updates, and what our LLC students are up to! This includes our current events and other updates!

    @du_llc

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    LLC Application 25-26

    We will have our LLC application live starting in January 2025! We encourage for you to apply when our application is live if you are interested in our different Living and Learning Communities (LLCs). More info to come soon!

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    Fall Quarter Events

    For this fall quarter, the LLCs have the following events:

    • Play Night - "Bone Hill": Wednesday, September 25th, 2024 from 7:30-9:30pm
    • All-LLC Retreat: Saturday, October 19th to Sunday, October 20th 
    • Relax Night: Monday, November 11th from 5-7pm
    • Weekly LLC snack time: Wednesdays at 2pm
environmental sustainability students volunteering during class

Your Passion

Every quarter, LLC students take seminar classes that relate to that theme. These classes are taught by DU professors and credits from these courses can be applied to relevant minors or certificates. Each LLC has a Faculty Mentor and a Program Coordinator who is passionate about providing a co-curricular experience that will heighten the LLC student’s first-year experience. Our programs include an engaging learning environment, guest speakers, field trips, overnight retreats, and engagement with the greater Denver community.

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Your Community

You'll live alongside other LLC students with similar interests and diverse experiences. Our dedicated staff and faculty are committed to supporting you each step of the way throughout the year. This allows connecting to others during your transition to DU easier as you have several opportunities to get to know your peers. It's a great way to meet like-minded Pioneers and get a head start on your academic path.

In addition, specific LLC and all-LLC events will be facilitated throughout the year for intentional learning as well as to connect with other LLC students. Below are examples of our all-LLC events to promote strong community connections:

  • Fall quarter: Fall Retreat and Fall Movie Night
  • Winter quarter: Winter Community Changemaker Speaker Night
  • Spring quarter: Spring Onward Celebration
  • Throughout the quarter: weekly LLC snack time and relax night before finals week
Four female-presenting students standing on top of a mountain together

Your Future

Gain exposure to new ideas that will broaden your worldview. Intentional co-curricular activities and events are designed that relate to the topic of the LLC to enhance the learning experience. Over the course of the year, students discover more about the issues that really matter to them – matter so much that they're inspired to take action. And once inspired, the program helps students explore ways to connect their unique combination of knowledge, dreams, skills, and talents to pursue their passions. By the end of the year, students identify pathways from the LLCs to internships, research, community service, and other applied experiences, turning their passion into action.  

Benefits of participating in an LLC

  • Built-in community of support 
  • Create an intentional action plan for your time at DU
  • Dedicated faculty & staff such as the Faculty Director and Program Coordinator
  • Networking opportunities
  • Life-long friendships
  • Activities that allow you to experience Denver and beyond
  • Off-campus retreats

Which community do you want to explore?

Sustainability

Solve environmental challenges.

Explore the Sustainability LLC

Global Mental Health

Advocate for mental health and thriving for all. 

Explore the Global Mental Health LLC

Eco-Wellness

Care for people and the planet.

Explore the Eco-Wellness LLC

Gaming De-Coded

Turn game theory into innovation.

Explore the Gaming De-Coded LLC

ChangeMakers

Inspire community change.

Explore the ChangeMakers LLC

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Ready to get started?

Apply Today!

Questions You Might Still Have

  • How do I apply and application process?

    To be considered for the LLC program, you must submit an application. The application includes two short essay questions for each LLC you are interested in joining. For example, if you are interested in joining either the Social Change and Health Promotion LLC, you can apply to be considered for both communities. Your response to each question must be at least 150 words. The questions are:

    • Describe why you're interested in [this LLC issue]. Give at least one example to illustrate your interest.
    • Describe why you think it's important for students to learn about and work on [this LLC issue] together.

    You can access the application here. No other formal documents, letter of recommendations, or interviews are needed for our application process. 

  • Can I apply to multiple LLCs?

    YES! We encourage this so you have a higher likelihood of acceptance. Please apply to all programs that interest you!

  • Do I have to pay extra to be in the Living and Learning Communities?

    No! This program is FREE and adds value to your college experience.

  • Do I have to be a certain major to apply for an LLC?

    No! Every community welcomes students from all majors, including undecided.

  • Do my LLC credits apply to majors or minors?

    LLC credits can be applied towards corresponding minor or certificate. Please refer to the individual LLC websites for more information. However, it is optional to earn the minor. The credits can also be applied to elective credit needed to graduate.

  • What is the housing process?

    If you are accepted, you will need to officially apply for housing and the LLC office will then work with Housing and Residential Education to place you in your designated residence hall. It is important to complete your housing application as this helps the LLC office and Housing and Residential Education on the LLC housing process. 

    We recommend getting your housing application completed once you have accepted your LLC spot.

  • How can I request or find a roommate?

    Regarding the roommate process, your roommate will need to be another LLC student from your specific LLC (e.g., Environmental Sustainability, Global Mental Health, etc). The LLC office will reach out to admitted LLC students and provide contact information of other LLC students to be able to reach out to each other about being a roommate pairing. The LLC office will ask admitted LLC students if they have a roommate request and will work with Housing and Residential Education on the roommate pairings. 

    You are able to complete your housing application before submitting your roommate request to the LLC office. 

  • What is the time commitment and requirements for joining an LLC?

    Every LLC requires your enrollment in a 2-credit hour weekly class each quarter. In addition, you are expected to participate in community-engaged learning and formal events throughout the quarter related to your LLC theme. This includes attending one all-LLC event per quarter. You'll of course enjoy the spontaneous friendships and activities that emerge on the floor, adding to the many opportunities you have for social networking. 

  • Does an LLC do beyond the first year?

    There is no required coursework past the first year! If you are interested being involved in our program past the first year, please reach out to llcs@drordi.com. We are always wanting alumni to connect with the new cohorts during retreats and LLC events to further develop cross-connections.

  • Do you have to be an international student to join the living and learning community?

    No. Some of the students may be international, but many are from the United States. This community encourages anyone interested in exploring different cultures and international issues to apply.

  • Can I be in both the LLCs and PLP Program?

    No. Both LLCs and PLP have a living requirement, so you can enroll in only one. You are welcome to apply to both and decide which is the right fit!

  • Can I be in the Honors Program and an LLC?

    Yes! The Honors Program has an OPTIONAL community living space. If you are in both, you will be required to live on the floor with the LLC.

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Visiting Campus?

The Office of Undergraduate Admission offers a variety of ways to visit campus, including in-person admitted student visits and virtual open house days. Click here to learn more about Admissions offerings and to register to visit DU's campus! 

The Living and Learning Communities will participate in the 2025 Virtual Open House. Please click here to watch the LLC webinar from last year's Virtual Open House. 

We look forward to meeting you! Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions to LLCs@drordi.com or to schedule an individual appointment.

Contact

 

Living and Learning Communities

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