Creating Living and Learning Community on a Diverse College Campus

Xiaoyuan Wang

doi:10.23977/aetp.2020.41002

Abstract

In order to provide a well-rounded education for college students, diversity on campus plays an important role. Establishing an environment which broadens a student’s perspective has been determined by universities and colleges by increasing the amounts of diversity among their campuses. In order for students to gain a diverse education and benefit, the institution must support and believe the benefits of a diverse education as well by providing support for diversity on campus through its programs and activities. This study focus on creating a living and learning community designed for targeted groups on a diverse college campus, which creating an environment outside of the classroom for students taking a common course and live in close physical proximity, increases interactions outside of classes. A living-learning community instills a sense of belonging, foster an appreciation and understanding of diversity, and provide skills to enhance student ability to effectively work with diverse individuals. We propose a systematic and careful documentation and evaluation process of the program from beginning to end which evaluate what effect this program has on participants and whether and how dialogue achieves desired goals.

Highlights

Introduction of Living and Learning CommunityA sense of community is an important factor in a college student’s experience
By providing support for diversity on campus through its programs and activities, institutions can begin to show that they believe in the benefits of a diverse education
Severiens, and Born (2010) found that “a sense of belonging primarily predicted academic progress for White students where as others found that sense of belonging was linked to student persistence among White, African American, and Latino students. ” [29]

Summary

Diversity among higher education

Students entering into college today are the most “racially and ethnically diverse in this nation’s history” [3]. The second part, educational impact, asks, “What is the impact, educationally and personally, on students from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, of attending college with fellow students from diverse backgrounds” [15]. Many students feel that in order to receive a well-rounded education, diversity on campus plays an important role. According to Melissa Paquette and Barbara Schlafer in their article, The Many Benefits of a Diverse Campus Community (2005), students who hail from a racially and ethnically diverse student body, they “learn better, think deeper, and are better prepared to become active participants in society once they leave school” [25]. Research suggests that in order for students to gain a diverse education and benefit, the institution must support and believe in these benefits as well. By providing support for diversity on campus through its programs and activities, institutions can begin to show that they believe in the benefits of a diverse education

Introduction of Living and Learning Community

Living and Learning Community Initiative

Evaluation

Outcomes