The Contributions of Living-Learning Programs on Developing Sense of Civic Engagement in Undergraduate Students

Abstract

This study examines the influence of elements of the college experience, specifically participation in a living-learning (L/L) program, on students’ self-reported sense of civic engagement. The researchers examined a nationally representative sample of students (n = 1,474) including those who participated in civic engagement themed L/L programs, noncivic-engagement L/L programs, and students who lived in the traditional residence hall environment. The most significant predictors of sense of civic engagement were not students’ participation in L/L programs, but their precollege perception of the importance of cocurricular involvement, and students’ college participation in activities such as community service and student government.