Living & Learning Communities

Fostering communities with the purpose of advancing the public good.

The Living and Learning Communities (LLCs) are first year programs that combine academic learning, residential life, and hands-on experiences. Our LLC students can expect to contribute to an intentionally designed residential community and participate in a credit-baring academic course on a specific topic together. LLCs are ideal communities for students who are interested in living with other students passionate about a specific topical area and learning together in the academic space.

Through retreats, individual time with faculty and staff, engaging guest speakers, and opportunities to meaningfully connect with the larger community, these programs deepen your learning and establish lasting friendships.

 

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!

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 a collaborative learning environment, project-based learning, guest speakers, field trips, overnight retreats, and engagement with the greater Denver community.

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Your Community

You'll live alongside a floor of students with similar interests and diverse experiences. Dedicated staff and faculty support and care about your success. 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
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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. The LLC will help to connect you with opportunities for research, internships, student organizations and clubs, and future career connections to achieve your dreams.

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?

Environmental Sustainability

Contribute towards a regenerative future for our planet. 

Explore the Environmental Sustainability LLC

Global Mental Health

Work together to ensure mental health for all - both locally and globally.  

Explore the Global Mental Health LLC

Health Promotion

Engage individuals and communities to promote comprehensive, holistic health and wellness.

Explore the Health Promotion LLC

Racial Justice

Organize together to build a more just and equitable world. 

Explore the Racial Justice LLC

Social Change

Take action to become a powerful social change agent in your communities. 

Explore the Social Change 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?

    Most LLC credits can be applied towards corresponding minors. 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@du.edu. 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@du.edu or to schedule an individual appointment.

Contact

 

Living and Learning Communities

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