Living Learning Communities (LLCs) are generally available for students who have had the experience of living on a college campus for a year, students who are 21 or older or who have earned more than 18 credits taken on the campus of a college or university. In their first-year at UAA, students participate in the First-Year Residential Experience (FYRE) Program to support their transition to college. First-year students from rural areas have the opportunity to join the Rural-Alaska First-Year Transition (RAFT) community, which will be part of the FYRE program. 

LLCs are dedicated residence hall floors where students with similar interests live together and participate in programs that address their personal and academic needs. Together with academic programs and University departments, Residence Life provides opportunities for residents to interact with their peers, staff and faculty to facilitate their academic goals and explore new experiences. The Resident Advisor (RA) for each LLC is intentionally selected and, as much as possible, is a member of the community’s group to ensure they are well equipped to meet the needs of the residents. 

Students will be a part of a close-knit, learning-centered “neighborhood” focused on safety, developing a supportive and inclusive community, and fostering wellness and leadership in each participant. This rewarding residential experience also opens the door for residents to explore common interests with mentors.

Each LLC has its own personality and unique identity with events and activities that encourage academic and social growth through positive and respectful contributions to the community. Most of all, living in one of our LLCs is a fun and exciting way to enhance your college experience.

Common LLC Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes help students understand the purpose of a program or educational activity and what they are supposed to learn from them. The following learning outcomes are common to all LLCs at UAA:

• Strengthen the residents’ sense of belonging at the institution and their connection to the community.
• Expose residents to leadership and other engagement opportunities available to them in the community, including connections to University administrators and faculty members eager to mentor and assist residents in reaching their potential.  
• Connect residents to scholarships, grants, awards and other funding opportunities to cultivate a community of students with college payment plans that extend through degree completion.  

Academic Honors Living Learning Community

Campus Partners: 

• Office of Admissions: The UA Scholars Award is a $12,000 scholarship awarded to Alaska high school students who are in the top 10% of their class at the end of their junior year as determined by their school. The Award may be used at any University of Alaska campus and is distributed in the amount of $1,500 per semester for eight semesters provided the Scholar remains eligible.
  • Enrollment Services Center (ESC)
  • 907-786-6471
  • admissions@uaa.alaska.edu

• University Honors College: The University Honors College offers customized pathways of coursework and experiential learning designed to meet students' unique academic goals. Because being an Honors student is about a lot more than success in classes and a strong GPA, Honors students choose a track in community engagement, global and multicultural studies, leadership, or research and creative activity. Our highly motivated Associate and Bachelor degree students enhance their education in a way that is meaningful to them by working with Honors faculty to design a program of coursework, extracurricular activities, and immersion projects that enriches their college experience. Honors College graduates are deep thinkers, collaborative learners, and passionate individuals with advanced skills and experience in their chosen fields of study, which will distinguish them from their peers when they enter the job market or seek postgraduate education.
  • Donna Aguiniga - Chair, Honors Faculty Board
  • Office: PSB 222C
  • 907-786-6906
  • dmaguiniga@alaska.edu

LLC Description:

Exclusively open to UA Scholars and students in the University Honors College, the Academic Honors Living Learning Community (LLC) provides students the opportunity to live with other academically-focused residents, as well as access to programs and services tailored to their needs. Residence Life collaborates with staff and faculty from across the institution to make this community a fun and scholarly place to live and learn. 

Learning Outcomes:

• Encourage balance and healthy living through thoughtful social programming that is responsive to the rigors of college-level courses, in addition to programming designed to support educational, academic and personal success.
• Equip residents with the skills and resources necessary to maintain eligibility for the Honors College and the UA Scholars award including opportunities to participate in developmental, leadership and creative activities. 
• Foster relationship building between faculty and students, especially faculty teaching upper division and honors courses, to create a source for academic support, internships, research projects and networking opportunities.

Eligibility:

• Student in active status with the University Honors College.
• Recipient of the UA Scholars award.

Benefits:

• Connection to resources and services that understand and are designed to assist residents in maintaining eligibility for the University Honors College and UA Scholars award.
• Environment conducive to studying and learning among educationally-focused peers. 
• Professional networking, internship, leadership and research opportunities tailored to UAA’s best and brightest. 
• Learn about scholarships that recognize academic excellence and achievements. 

Student Housing Programs

In addition to the LLCs, the Department of Residence Life coordinates a number of housing programs to meet the housing needs of a specific organization or group of students. While housing programs do not have the same programmatic or resource offering as the LLCs, they provide students with an enhanced experience in student housing specific to their organization or group.