SLU's Living Learning Community

Story by Betsy O’Leary

Photos by Johnny Chauvin

Enrolling in college is less of a rite of passage to some incoming freshman and more of a personal milestone, as they may be the first ones in their family to enter university. Incoming students face the challenge of the classroom and the stress of acclimating to campus life, which can be overwhelming.

Charity Bryan, Department Head of Kinesiology and Health Studies, and Lindsay Domiano, Department Head of the School of Nursing, work together to make the transition easier for some incoming freshmen entering the healthcare professions.

Bryan noted that this fall semester marks the fourth year of the cohort-based “LLC” program, which stands for the Living Learning Community, co-sponsored by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and Southeastern University Housing. The program is designed to meet one of the college's strategic goals regarding Interprofessional Practice and Interprofessional Education.

The Health Professions LLC accepts 26 entering freshmen who have already chosen a major in Health and Human Sciences, Kinesiology and Health Studies, or Nursing. Those selected are housed together on the 4th floor of Twelve Oaks, the newest residence hall on campus. “These students receive an immersive introduction to college with academic and social support enhanced by participation in the LLC,” Domiano stated.

The two department heads agree that participation in the LLC brings together a diverse group of people, allowing them to live together and learn their commonalities. The LLC cohorts share basic classes like Biology and English, regardless of having different majors. This gives them immediate access to both an academic and social support system. It also allows the faculty to quickly identify at-risk students and ensure they get the support they need to succeed.

The students get to know their cohort class well through team-building exercises and events over the year, like the end-of-summer swim party at “Mama Domiano’s” house. LLC students also volunteer at Our Daily Bread, teaching them the practical value of giving back to their communities.

Statistics Bear Out Success

The initial pilot year of the LLC was more about ensuring the students were supported at each step. However, the project leaders got serious about data collection in the second year. Every semester, the freshman LLC students have academically outperformed their non-LLC classmates and received more academic honors. They also had higher retention rates.

LOOKING AHEAD

Domiano is excited about introducing Nursing’s EDGE program, which stands for Early Decision Guaranteed Entry. Qualifying students are guaranteed acceptance into the nursing program when they enter as freshmen. They can remain in Nursing if they maintain a 3.0 GPA and receive a “C” or better in all courses.

The program incentivizes enrolling at Southeastern Louisiana University; EDGE is designed to attract highachieving students to the School of Nursing.

Southeastern Louisiana University has been producing top-notch graduates for the last 100 years. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences Health Professions LLC is proof positive that proactive intervention and community support profoundly affect student success.

Jessica Jemison is a graduating senior majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She was part of the first CNHS Health Professions LLC in 2021. Jessica was recently accepted into Southeastern Louisiana University's CSD (Communication Sciences and Disorders) Graduate program, which she will begin in 2025.

“Being part of the Nursing and Health Sciences LLC allowed me to meet people who have been with me throughout my college journey. The friendships I built during that first year provided me with a support system, both in and out of the classroom, which has been invaluable. Having a close-knit group of people with the same academic goals helped me navigate the challenges of college. Living in a community that fosters personal and academic growth is a huge advantage for any first-year student.”

Southeastern.edu