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Living-Learning Communities

Students sitting in a circle as a learning community

“Living in a Learning Community has allowed me to meet some of the best people I've ever met. I have been able to live and grow during my freshman year with people that have the same interests as I do. Being in a Learning Community has connected me with great resources and friends." -Michaela S.

Live. Learn. Loyola.

Are you an incoming first-year student? Do you want to explore your passions and make friends who share your interests? Learn more about LLCs at Loyola

In a Living-Learning Community, you will get to:

  • Live together in a residence hall with other students who share your interests. You'll immediately be part of a tight-knit community within Loyola, making it easy to develop close friendships right away. You'll attend a monthly meeting, participating in activities that help you learn and bond.
  • Participate in events related to the theme of your community. You may take a field trips to arts events in Chicago, engage in coding competitions,  and hear from faculty on how to navigate college.
  • Take courses together. Participants will be automatically enrolled in 1-2 specific linked courses related to the LLC theme. 

Why Join a Living Learning Community?

  • Living-Learning Communities are considered a High-Impact Educational Practice by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, because they increase student engagement, retention, and persistence.
    • Research shows that students who participate in a Living-Learning Community report significantly higher ratings in:
        • Report higher overall engagement
        • Graduate at higher rates
        • Show higher gains in intellectual and social development
        • Have more social interaction with peers
        • Show increased gains in critical thinking and reading comprehension
        • Have more interaction with faculty
      • Selected Sources: Zhao and Kuh (2004), Brower, Golde, and Allen (2003), McCabe et al. (2008), Tinto (1999)
    • At Loyola, students who participate in a Living Learning Community report higher ratings in:
        • Sense of belonging at Loyola
        • Feel more connected to their residential community
        • Stronger connections to LLC participants
        • Connection to faculty and professional staff outside of the classroom
        • Overall satisfaction with their residential experience
      • Sources: Residence Life Living Learning Community Mid-Year Survey, 2025, Residence Life Survey 2019, 2018, 20217, EBI Survey 2016-17, Survey of Integrated Living-Learning Programs 2016-17

Still have questions about LLCs? Email us at livelearn@luc.edu

Live. Learn. Loyola.

Are you an incoming first-year student? Do you want to explore your passions and make friends who share your interests? Learn more about LLCs at Loyola

In a Living-Learning Community, you will get to:

  • Live together in a residence hall with other students who share your interests. You'll immediately be part of a tight-knit community within Loyola, making it easy to develop close friendships right away. You'll attend a monthly meeting, participating in activities that help you learn and bond.
  • Participate in events related to the theme of your community. You may take a field trips to arts events in Chicago, engage in coding competitions,  and hear from faculty on how to navigate college.
  • Take courses together. Participants will be automatically enrolled in 1-2 specific linked courses related to the LLC theme. 

Why Join a Living Learning Community?

  • Living-Learning Communities are considered a High-Impact Educational Practice by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, because they increase student engagement, retention, and persistence.
    • Research shows that students who participate in a Living-Learning Community report significantly higher ratings in:
        • Report higher overall engagement
        • Graduate at higher rates
        • Show higher gains in intellectual and social development
        • Have more social interaction with peers
        • Show increased gains in critical thinking and reading comprehension
        • Have more interaction with faculty
      • Selected Sources: Zhao and Kuh (2004), Brower, Golde, and Allen (2003), McCabe et al. (2008), Tinto (1999)
    • At Loyola, students who participate in a Living Learning Community report higher ratings in:
        • Sense of belonging at Loyola
        • Feel more connected to their residential community
        • Stronger connections to LLC participants
        • Connection to faculty and professional staff outside of the classroom
        • Overall satisfaction with their residential experience
      • Sources: Residence Life Living Learning Community Mid-Year Survey, 2025, Residence Life Survey 2019, 2018, 20217, EBI Survey 2016-17, Survey of Integrated Living-Learning Programs 2016-17

Still have questions about LLCs? Email us at livelearn@luc.edu