Living Learning Program
The Living Learning Program consists of Residence Learning Communities and Learning Clusters, each having an intentional curriculum design. The program is designed to extend opportunities for learning and development beyond the classroom.
A Residence Learning Community (RLC) is a themed residence community where students live on the same floor and share a common interest, major or coursework.
Learning Clusters (LCs) provide students with the opportunity to engage in programming with others who share a common interest while living in a traditional residence community. Students participating in a Learning Cluster will be placed in the same residence building on different residence floors, participate in their own floor's programming, but have the added benefit of tailored programming based on the theme of their Learning Cluster.
What Can You Expect To Do in an RLC or LC?
- You’ll have the opportunity to connect with faculty and alumni based on the theme of your learning community.
- You’ll have the opportunity to develop stronger relationships with peers who share the same program or interests as you.
- We’ll connect you with the Career & Co-op Centre so you can edit your resume and cover letter to help you get your first job.
- We’ll host study sessions and academic skills workshops so you have all the tools and training you need to achieve academic success.
- You'll have the opportunity to connect with local organizations within the Waterloo and Brantford communities to learn by engaging in real world problems and scenarios.
- You'll have the opportunity to reflect more deeply on your values and interests in order to more clearly define your role as a leader and member of the community.
Why Live in an RLC or LC?
- "I absolutely cannot imagine what my university experience would have been if I hadn’t been part of an RLC."
- "It was a great experience living with a group of like-minded individuals whose aim was to have friends to go on this self-discovery journey with.”
- "From living in this community, I’ve learned the importance of communication, the value of respect, and what it means to be part of a family.”
- "I have so many things in common with my floormates. I learn from them, and the group activities benefit me personally and academically.”
- "I think the best part about being in an RLC is the sense of togetherness. It feels like we are a family, and we sincerely care about each other.”
- "Our community has gone on trips that have greatly contributed to my learning and enjoyment of my first year at Laurier."
Applying to an RLC or LC by June 3
RLC and LC residents need to be active members of the community who positively contribute to the growth and support of their peers. Each RLC and LC has specific admission requirements and criteria.
If you are interested in applying for one of the RLCs or LCs, you will need to complete the Residence Learning Communities/Clusters section within the online residence application, and answer the three questions.
Your completed residence application must be submitted by the June 3 deadline.
Selections and placements will be completed in mid to late July. You will be notified by email if you are successful in receiving a space in an RLC or LC.
There is a cost of $40 due upon move-in for members of RLCs and LCs to cover the costs of learning experiences throughout the year.
Participants in Residence Learning Communities have the opportunity to earn Laurier Experience Record (LER) credit. In order to obtain LER credit, students must actively engage in the RLC, through attending learning experiences and programming hosted by residence learning community dons and by completing a reflection on the learning gained through this experience.
Waterloo Campus RLCs
Do you want to see first-hand how you can use your business or economics degree after university?
Do you want to meet other students from your program and help each other succeed in first year?
Do you want to network and meet professors, alumni, and business leaders after hours in fun and casual settings?
As a Business & Economics RLC student, you’ll be immersed in a close-knit community that brings your learning from the classroom to the walls of residence so you can hit the ground running in today’s world. At Laurier, we like to say you don’t just get a business degree, you live a Laurier business degree. Meaning you are going to be tackling real-world problems, rubbing shoulders with awesome alumni and participating in training that will help you think critically! In this RLC you’ll be surrounded by people with the same interests, goals, drive, and excitement within the heart of Waterloo Region, down the street from one of the largest start-up ecosystems in Canada! Combine all those elements together and you have the perfect combination of people, experiences, and opportunity ahead of you. Not sure how to apply for Co-op or make a LinkedIn account? No, problem! Your RLC Don has you covered.
Who are your faculty partners?
- Dr. Ken Jackson, Associate Professor
- Sofy Carayannopoulos, Associate Professor
What will you be doing in the Residence Learning Community? Check out a few examples:
- We’ll bring in alumni from start-ups, to law-firms, to marketers, and finance professionals so you can figure out which career path is right for you.
- Facilitated study sessions to prepare for midterms and final exams
- Social events with your faculty partners
Okay, now that you're convinced, here's what you need to know to apply:
- You must be in your first year of study and registered as a full-time undergraduate student with a major in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics.
- You need to be an active member of the community who positively contributes to the growth and support of your peers.
Do you feel a desire to make a difference in the world and want to meet others who feel just as passionate as you are?
Do you want to learn the tools for changemaking so you are equipped to change the world for the better?
Have you been part of, or do you want to be part of, local community initiatives or projects that are working to affect change in your own city or our own Canadian backyard?
As a Changemakers RLC student, you’ll live within a community of invested, passionate, driven and creative innovators like yourself, who want to test the boundaries of the status quo and make a difference in the world around them. There is so much work to be done to tackle the world’s most complex problems such as climate change, poverty, disease, human rights violations, social and environmental justice, racism, hunger and famine, and more. We need people like you who feel compelled, or at the very least care about, what the future holds and want to be armed with the confidence and skills to create a sustainable future for us all.
Laurier is one of only seven AshokaU Changemaker campuses in Canada, meaning social innovation is a core value within our programs and our students. You’ll find community engagement opportunities woven throughout the fabric of our school and the interests of our students, which start right away in the Changemakers RLC. Here, you can also contribute to Laurier’s culture of social innovation while being mentored by upper year students, professors, and start-up founders who happen to be Laurier alumni. Together, with the changemakers on your floor, you’re not only going to learn what you need to do to be successful in university, but you’re going to be driven to change the world around you.
Faculty Partners
- Ehab Abdou, assistant professor, Global Studies; Ashoka Fellow, Egypt
What will you be doing in the Residence Learning Community? Check out a few examples:
- We’ll get you into the most innovative spaces on campus like the Makerspaces, the Purpose Lab and Laurier’s Community Hub, designed for creators like you.
- Engage in activities that address global issues and current events.
Okay, now that you're convinced, here's what you need to know to apply:
- You may be a first-year student in any undergraduate program at Laurier.
- You need to be an active member of the community who positively contributes to the growth and support of your peers.
Are you a Faculty of Music major who is interested in making fast friends in your program who play different instruments?
Do you want to live, work and have access to rehearsal space in the comfort of your own room?
Do you want to meet established musicians and alumni who have been in your shoes starting out?
As a Faculty of Music RLC student, you’ll be steps away from the music building, surrounded by other musicians, creators and enthusiasts who love using music to share stories and experiences like you. Within this community, you’ll have the chance to meet real-world musicians who can share their wisdom and skills, professors who can teach you the fundamentals, and upper-year mentors who love music as much as you do! Regardless of your long term career goals in music, be it teaching, music therapy, composing or something else, we’ll help you start out on the right foot. Your RLC don will be an upper year music student who has experienced everything you’re about to go through (masterclasses, facilitation, recitals, theory tests) and has built connections that will get you where you want to go, with the support of a close-knit, fun and musically inclined community space.
Who is going to be your future faculty partner?
- TBD
What will you be doing in the Residence Learning Community? Check out a few examples:
- Practice and perform when needed in your own space for your coursework.
- Share original songs with your friends at community coffee houses or recitals.
- You might visit local music spaces like the Jazz Room, watch performances by local musicians, or visit a historical music exhibit.
- You’ll get to give back to the community in impactful ways through sharing your musical talents with the community.
Okay, now that you're convinced, here's what you need to know to apply:
- You need to have a passion for music and be registered in a Laurier Faculty of Music program (BA Music or Community Music).
- You need to be an active member of the community who positively contributes to the growth and support of your peers.
Do you want to see first-hand how you can use your science degree beyond your undergraduate degree?
Do you want to meet other students from your program, learn how to write lab reports, have study buddies for exams and help each other succeed in first year?
Do you want to network and meet professors, alumni and upper-year students after hours in fun and casual settings?
In the Science RLC, you’ll be exposed to world-leading research to foster career exploration and networking opportunities. Whether you’re a Psychology student who wants to learn how the mind works; or you’re a Health Sciences student who wants to go into medicine; or maybe you want to jump into Computer Science and learn how to code and write algorithms that will help Google with their cyber security, this RLC is for you. You’ll benefit from being among other science students because you’ll be registered in similar courses throughout your first-year and will build connections with students outside of the classroom. In the Science RLC, you’ll create connections with upper-year mentors, known as RLC Dons, who are also science majors and are trained to deliver programming that aligns with your coursework. Their job is to provide you with the stepping stones you need to excel in first-year and beyond.
Who is your faculty partner?
- Dr. Erin Leonard, Assistant Professor
What will you be doing in the Residence Learning Community? Check out a few examples:
- We’ll connect you with professors who are leading ground-breaking research in their field.
- You’ll be able to connect with alumni who were in programs just like yours to explore future career paths.
- As a female Science student, we’ll connect you with leaders in our Laurier Centre for Women in Science (WinS) who are breaking the glass ceiling and propelling themselves into new fields, like you could too!
Okay, now that you're convinced, here's what you need to know to apply:
- You must be in your first year of study and registered as a full-time undergraduate student with a major in the Faculty of Science.
- You are required to have a Faculty of Science major (Examples: Chemistry, Psychology, Data Science, Biology, Health Sciences, Math, Computer Science, and so on.).
- You need to be an active member of the community who positively contributes to the growth and support of your peers.
Do you have a desire to be creative and want to try your hand at film-editing, acting and production?
Do you want to be in a community of like-minded people who share the same interests and passions for film, media creation and storytelling?
Do you love movies so much that award shows like the Oscars and Golden Globes are an annual event for you?
As a Film & Media RLC student, you’ll be immersed in a community of innovators and creative thinkers who are unified in their passion for the extraordinary impact of film and media. From Rocky Horror Picture Shows at the local Princess Cinema to intriguing independent film showings at the Apollo Theatre, the Waterloo Region and surrounding area are home to some of the best independent theatres and productions that will allow you to dive into your passion for film. You’ll get to travel to places, engage with the owners, and get a private tour to learn more about how these landmarks have become a part of Waterloo and the surrounding area. As an RLC student, you’ll build relationships with the professors who can get you into the world of film and media. From writing publications to directing films, this RLC is for you!
Who are your faculty partners?
- Dr. Jing Jing Chang, Associate Professor
What will you be doing in the Residence Learning Community? Check out a few examples:
- You’ll participate in weekly film screenings with other friends in the community where you can dissect everything from the way the actors talk, to lighting, to the social impact of the film.
- You’ll get to apply the skills you’re learning in some fun and creative filmmaking competitions.
- Explore the world of journalism and hold a writing position within our Laurier Student Publications to develop a portfolio and tell important stories.
- If you are planning on majoring in either English or Film Studies, or you have an interest in the subject matter, this community is for you.
- You need to be an active member of the community who positively contributes to the growth and support of your peers.
Are your long-term goals focused on going to medical school and becoming a doctor, but you’re not sure how to get there?
Do you love helping people and believe that a career in healthcare after university will feel meaningful?
Are you nervous about what first-year coursework will look like in university and you’re hoping you find a community of friends who will help you through?
As a Healthcare RLC student, you’re going to be exposed to what career possibilities exist in healthcare while working alongside all science students who are taking the same courses as you. The field of healthcare is much larger than one career pathway as a physician and we want to show you the opportunities ahead of you: Nursing, Chiropractic, Naturopathy, Paramedic, Health Administration, Research, Virology, and so much more. Your RLC don will be an upper year student with connections to the faculty and experience navigating the challenges of being a science student.
Who is going to be your future faculty partner?
- Dr. Renee MacPhee, Associate Professor, Health Sciences, Kinesiology and Physical Education
What will you be doing in the Residence Learning Community? Check out a few examples:
- Participate in networking events with healthcare professionals.
- Create study buddy groups to work through the challenging assignments and help each other ace your exams.
- Travel to local organizations, clinics or hospitals to see the real work firsthand.
- Step into Laurier’s synthetic cadaver lab and get a better understanding of how the human body works.
Okay, now that you're convinced, here's what you need to know to apply:
- You must be in your first year of study and registered as a full-time undergraduate student with a major in the Faculty of Science.
- You are required to have a Faculty of Science major (for example, Health Sciences, Kinesiology, Psychology, Chemistry, Biology, Data Science, Math, Computer Science, and so on).
- You need to be an active member of the community who positively contributes to the growth and support of your peers.
Do you want to know more about the people, forces, and events that have made us who we are today?
Are you fascinated by how states have risen and fallen over the years or how wars have been won and lost? Or are you interested in how regular people have lived their lives at different points in history?
Are you anxious about adjusting to the demands of university-level work? Do you have questions about what writing a university-level essay will be like and how you'll manage all of your courses?
Do you want to experience your first year in an especially supportive residence environment with other students who like History?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then take a deep dive into the past with Laurier's Historical Worlds RLC! You are eligible for this RLC as long as you are taking 1.0 credits (two courses) of History in your first year. We have a number of first-year courses on offer each term. Your faculty partner may have recommendations based on the special interest of the RLC each academic year.
Who is your faculty partner?
- Dr. Blaine Chiasson, Associate Professor
What will you be doing in the Residence Learning Community? Check out a few examples:
- You will meet regularly with your faculty partner, both as a group and, if you like, individually.
- You will participate in various RLC group events: You might travel to local historical museums and sites within the Kitchener-Waterloo community (THEMUSEUM; Doon Heritage Village – WWI; Woodside National Historic Site), or you might attend guest lectures on a variety of interesting topics.
- You will also meet directly with experts from across the university who can help you succeed in your courses (for example, Writing Centre staff, academic advisors, time management specialists).
Admission Criteria:
- All students who are registered in 1.0 credits of history (two courses) in their first year are eligible. Your faculty partner may recommend courses based on the theme!
Contact:
- For questions about the RLC generally, please contact the residence education unit at residenceeducation@wlu.ca.
Are you someone who feels inspired by movement and more energized when you're active?
Do you have a fitness or wellness activity that drives everything you do, and you can't imagine your life without it?
Do you think it's important to take care of your body AND mind?
As a Recreation & Wellness RLC student, you are going to be surrounded by others who understand the importance of taking care of themselves through movement, exercise and mindfulness. How many times have you felt inspired after you hit a new personal record (PR) in the gym, felt the thrill of testing your limits in a new outdoor activity, or fell in love with movement through the practice of yoga and dance? Imagine feeling that emotion every day with the people you live with you.
In this community, you'll find people like you who want to better themselves physically and mentally through daily movement and practice. In partnership with our Athletics and Recreation department, this community will have full access to the resources and facilities available for future athletes, gym-goers, teammates, or those simply focused on maintaining a balanced lifestyle that will help them through first-year.
Who is going to be your future faculty partner?
- Sarah Broderick, Manager, Recreation & Wellness
- News Article: "Athletics and Recreation Welcomes Sarah Broderick", 2019
What will you be doing in the Residence Learning Community? Check out a few examples:
- Participate in recreational activities like yoga, dance, intramurals, and fitness classes with a group of new friends who are as committed as you are.
- Attend workshops focused on managing anxiety, depression and mindfulness to help cope with the new university environment.
- Volunteer with elementary school students during our on-campus school day program to show others how to love being active just like you.
Okay, now that you're convinced, here's what you need to know to apply:
- There is no specific program requirement but you need to have a passion for recreation, exercise, wellness and collaboration.
- You need to be an active member of the community who positively contributes to the growth and support of your peers.
Brantford Campus RLCS
Are you interested in discovering your leadership philosophy while living in residence?
Are you passionate about developing your interpersonal skills and ability to work with people?
Are you looking to participate in a residence community that explores the importance of collaboration and inclusive leadership?
The LEAD (Learn, Engage, Develop and Act) Residence Learning Community is tailored to developing leadership skills in our first-year student, and encourage them to discover their leadership philosophy, their values, understand relationship dynamics with family, friends, peers, mentors, and colleagues, and how to use obtained leadership skills in residence, academics, and extracurriculars. As a first-year student in the LEAD RLC, you will learn what leadership means to you. The Residence Learning Community has facilitated learning experiences that are designed to inspire, challenge, and develop first-year students by providing tools for leadership development, practice-based learning of leadership, such as participating in the Leadership Certificate workshops, and learning how to apply this in your day-to-day life, with peers in a community living environment and exploring the value of inclusive leadership.
We invite you to apply if you:
- Are a student on the Laurier Brantford Campus.
- Would enjoy working with a faculty member in a residence setting to explore the importance of relationships and leadership.
- Want to connect with professionals who work in dynamic team settings and hold leadership roles on campus and in the community
What will you be doing in the Residence Learning Community? Check out a few examples:
- You will engage in the First Year Leadership Program Leadership Certificate as practice-based learning of key leadership pillars (values, choices, collaboration, and resiliency).
- Engage with various campus and community leaders who are making an impact and difference in the Brantford region.
- Explore leadership clubs, associations, and initiatives on the Brantford Campus to join and participate in
Who will be your future faculty partner?
- Dr. Lisa Kuron, Assistant Professor, Leadership
Okay, now that you're convinced, here's what you need to know to apply:
- You need to be a registered first-year student on the Brantford Campus.
- Interested in developing your leadership skills and exploring your values.
- Be a team-oriented person and willing to learn from peers, mentors and faculty
Brantford Campus LCs
Are you registered in the Business & Technology Management program at Laurier?
Are you passionate about solving real-world business problems?
Are you looking to explore business and technology opportunities outside of the classroom?
The Business Technology Management (BTM) Learning Cluster is a program-specific experience offered to students enrolled in the BTM program and living in residence. In collaboration with faculty and campus partners, the BTM Learning Cluster supplements learning in the classroom with engaging social and educational programs outside the classroom. With the help of the Learning Cluster Advisor (an upper year BTM student) students will work together throughout the year to build community and friendships. The facilitated learning experiences are designed to develop critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills, collaboration skills, inspire students, and provide tools for success in the program.
We invite you to apply if you:
- Are a student in the Business Technology Management program.
- Would enjoy working with BTM faculty and engaging in innovative programming.
- Want to connect with industry leaders across the province.
What will you be doing in the Residence Learning Cluster? Check out a few examples:
- Trips to Toronto and Kitchener innovation hubs
- Meet the Faculty Night
- Cluster study groups
- Guest speakers
Who will be your future campus partner?
- Dr. Oliver Masakure, Program Director and Area Coordinator, Business Technology Management (BTM) and Director, Tshepo Institute for the Study of Contemporary Africa
Okay, now that you're convinced, here's what you need to know to apply:
- You must be a registered student in the BTM program on the Brantford Campus.
- You need to be passionate about solving real-world business problems in creative and innovative ways.
- You should be someone who enjoys collaboration and learning from others.
Are you the friend who always knows the perfect game to play for any occasion?
Do you want to be a community-builder in your residence and bring people together?
Do you want to design and create your own games or learn more about some of your favourites?
As a first-year student in the Game Changers Learning Cluster, you will connect with peers who share your passion for game innovation and design and connect with peers over a shared passion for gaming. Complimenting your coursework in the Game Design and Development or User Experience Design programs, you will explore different ways that games create excitement, can be used as educational tools, and build community. With the guidance of the Learning Cluster Advisor, an upper-year student in the Game Design and Development or User Experience Design programs, you will get experience building and testing your own games and analyzing the different components that make games feel fun, challenging, and rewarding to play.
We invite you to apply if you:
- Are registered in one of the following programs: Game Design and Development or User Experience Design programs.
- Would enjoy working with a Game Design and Development or User Experience Design faculty member in a residence setting.
- Want to connect with professionals and leaders in the Game Design or and User Experience industry.
What will you be doing in the Residence Learning Cluster? Check out a few examples:
- Design your own games with other students in the Learning Cluster.
- Play video games and analyze the mechanics.
- Connect with upper-year students, alumni & professionals in the field.
Who will be your future campus partner?
- Dr. Maurita Harris, Assistant Professor, User Experience Design
Okay, now that you're convinced, here's what you need to know to apply:
- You must either be registered in the Game Design Development program or the User Experience Design program.
- You need to be an active member of the community who positively contributes to the growth and support of your peers.
Are you a future lawyer who's planning on studying both at home and overseas through the Laurier-Sussex exchange program?
Do you want an early start at getting to know the classmates who are planning on going abroad with you?
Do you want extra practice analyzing cases, understanding the Canadian justice system and discovering which branch of law you might be most interested in?
As a first-year student in the Laurier-Sussex Law Learning Cluster, you will meet classmates who are also interested in studying law overseas in Sussex. In addition to getting to know one another, you will also hear from other students who are currently overseas and learn more about what the program is like from people who are participating themselves. With the guidance of the Learning Cluster Advisor, an upper-year Laurier-Sussex Law student, first-year students will develop strategies to develop confidence in case studies, assignments, midterms and final exams, and learn key strategies to be a successful pre-law student.
We invite you to apply if you:
- Are registered in one of the following programs: Criminology, Human Rights and Human Diversity, Humanities with Leadership Foundations or Law and Society.
- Your intention is to complete your Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Laurier and a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom.
What will you be doing in the Residence Learning Cluster? Check out a few examples:
- Connect with lawyers who are currently practicing law.
- Talk to upper student year students from the program who are already at Sussex.
- Participate in mock trails and case competitions.
Who will be your future campus partner?
- Julie Pong, Manager, BA/LLB Sussex Partnership
Okay, now that you're convinced, here's what you need to know to apply:
- You must be registered in one of the following programs: Criminology, Human Rights and Human Diversity, Humanities with Leadership Foundations or Law and Society.
- Your intention is to complete your Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Laurier and a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom.
- You need to be an active member of the community who positively contributes to the growth and support of your peers.
Are you registered in the Bachelor of Social Work program at Laurier?
Are you passionate about human rights and social justice that empowers members of society?
The Social Work (BSW) Learning Cluster is a program-specific experience offered to Laurier-Brantford students enrolled in the BSW program and living in residence. With the guidance of the Learning Cluster Advisor, an upper-year BSW student, first-year students will work together throughout the year to build community, focus on the balance of academic and social programming, and connect students to campus and community resources.
The Learning Clusters’ facilitated learning experiences are designed to inspire, challenge, and develop first-year students by providing tools for success in the program, and explore the practice-based learning of BSW, which includes: the principles of human rights and social justice to empower members of society, particularly those who are disadvantaged by the social dynamics of class, race, gender, age, and ability.
We invite you to apply if you:
- Are a student in the BSW program.
- Would enjoy working with a BSW faculty member in a residence setting.
- Want to connect with professionals and leaders in the Social Work industry.
What will you be doing in the Residence Learning Cluster? Check out a few examples:
- Engage with alumni of the BSW program.
- Get to know local organizations and businesses in the Brantford region.
- Explore career opportunities beyond the BSW program.
Who will be your future campus partner?
- Dr. Jennifer Root, Associate Professor
Okay, now that you're convinced, here's what you need to know to apply:
- You must be registered in the BSW program on the Brantford Campus.
- You need to be an active member of the community who positively contributes to the growth and support of your peer.