Find Your Circle
Living Learning Communities provide students the opportunity to connect with someone as soon as they arrive on EKU’s campus. LLC’s consist of a group of students with similar majors or interests who live on the same floor or floors of a Residence Hall.
In many cases, students who participate in a Living Learning Community are more likely to stay in college and tend to have higher GPA’s than those who do not participate in these communities. Because of their LLC experience, students are also better able to connect with each other, along with all of the faculty and staff connected with LLC’s. Finally, LLC’s give students the opportunity to explore the region, participate in shared coursework and start the path towards academic success at EKU.
Take a look at all of the living learning community options and look at the LLC Highlights to see what might be a great fit for you.
*LLCs are subject to change year to year.
How to Apply for an LLC
Prospective Students
- Students interested in participating in LLC’s will indicate interest on their EKU Housing Applications (available when the Housing Application opens).
- Please follow the instructions on the EKU Housing Application, including the 150 word statement describing your interest in the LLC(s) you selected.
- Students will begin receiving acceptance e-mails to their EKU e-mail account starting in early Spring on a rolling basis from when the LLC application was submitted.
- If accepted, you will select a space within your LLC during First-Year Room Selection in the Summer.
- In order to ensure participation in a LLC for the 2023-2024 academic year, your EKU Housing Application must be complete by the end of May.
Current EKU Students
- LLC Applications are due February 20, 2023 at 11:59 PM. Current students can apply for LLC’s by completing their housing application and paying the $100 Housing Commitment Fee.
- Choose your LLC on interest on your Housing Application and check your EKU E-mail for acceptance. You must respond to the e-mail to be admitted to the LLC.
If you have any questions, please contact Housing and Residence Life.
Academy Scholars
Previously known as Freshman Academy
Who? For students accepted into the Academy Scholars Program.
What? The Academy Scholars LLC is an interactive learning experience that promotes the retention of all students, with particular focus on minority students. It is designed to provide first year students with the information, encouragement and direction they need in order to navigate college life and reach their academic, personal, and professional goals at Eastern Kentucky University.
Where? The Freshman Academy LLC is located in Palmer Hall.
LLC Highlights
- This community hosts career building workshops, discussion groups on contemporary topics, and engaging social events.
- The Academy connects first-year students with their fellow classmates, and introduces them to EKU faculty, staff and student leaders who will provide on-going support throughout their college career at EKU and beyond.
American Sign Language
Who? EKU students or incoming students who can communicate (at least a little) in ASL.
What? Events with ASL faculty, staff, and students to help build a relationship with the department and immerse in the ASL language and Deaf culture.
Where? The American Sign Language LLC is located in Walters Hall.
LLC Highlights
- Programs focused on connecting students to professionals and alumni in the area, including opportunities to connect with Interpreters in the area to hear about their professional journey
- ASL Story Night, Mock Interviews for the Interpreter Education Program, Movie Nights, holiday parties and special events.
- Ability to engage with the American Sign Language Student Association
Colonel's Barracks
Who? Students who are planning to participate in ROTC on campus.
What? Students build strong bonds with fellow cadets and participate in scavenger hunts, physical challenges, and campus leadership opportunities.
Where? The Colonel’s Barracks LLC is located within Telford Hall.
LLC Highlights
- Challenge yourself on the repel tower.
- Collaborate with and help organize the annual 9/11 Memorial Service and event held in Keene Hall
- Special events for members of Colonel’s Barracks centered around the values of the Army and what it means to be a member of The Colonel’s Battalion
- Meet your Military Science and Leadership faculty at the annual ROTC breakfast.
Academic Course
- Students who participate in the Colonel’s Barracks LLC will have the opportunity to participate in a clustered course with fellow residents.
Colonel Pride
Who? EKU students or incoming students interested in living in and advocating for a safe environment for gender identity, gender expression, and sexuality.
What? This community is intended for students who identify as LGBTQIA+ or as their allies. The space will also serve as a think tank for ways to effect change toward social justice on campus.
Where? The Colonel Pride LLC is located in Telford Hall.
Education
Who? Students who are majoring in education.
What? Informational events/activities related to education (ex. Emotional support animals supporting students, meeting and learning the roles of College of Education faculty members, etc.) and fun activities with your learning community members (plant your own cacti, paint your own clipboard, movie nights, etc.)
Where? The Education LLC is located in McGregor Hall.
LLC Highlights
- Workshops solely for Education majors focused on what it takes to be a successful first-year student in the major
- Informational events related to education where members of the learning community learn further about topics specific to them as an education major and future educator.
Academic Course
- Students who participate in the Education LLC will have the opportunity to participate in a clustered course with fellow residents.
First Colonels
Who? First-generation college students (first to come to college in their family)
What? EKU is committed to your success as a First Generation college student. The First Colonels LLC team helps students navigate your first year of college and will help you connect to resources on campus. We regularly communicate important dates and programs that are coming up, help you network with various departments on campus, and begin to build a support system.
Where? The First Colonels LLC is located in Telford Hall.
LLC Highlights
- We do social and academic events. In the past, we have had mixers, snack and chats, and have set up a dinner with faculty and staff who were also First Generation college students.
- Academic support workshops including time management, study strategies, test anxiety, stress management, and more.
- Ability to connect with fellow First Generation students and faculty/staff at EKU committed to the success of First Generation students.
- Residents have the option to connect with mentors from a variety of academic departments and programs at EKU as well as peer mentors.
Flight Deck
Who? For students accepted into the Aviation Program in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics or Department of Applied Engineering and Technology.
What? The Flight Deck LLC is a unique opportunity for Aviation students to live and learn together during their time at EKU.
Where? The Flight Deck LLC is located in Clay Hall.
LLC Highlights
- Annual events at the Madison County Airport, giving students the opportunity to connect with professionals and faculty members in the Aviation department
- Trips and behind the scenes tours of various airports/aviation spots in the surrounding area (previous trips have included the Louisville International Airport)
- Meet and Greet with a variety of aviation experts
- Movie night at the Central Kentucky Regional Airfield
- Free tutoring services provided in Clay Hall, with a focus on courses for Aviation students
Academic Course
- Students who participate in Flight Deck will have the opportunity to participate in a clustered course with fellow residents.
ForSci
Who? Students majoring in Forensic Science at EKU
What? This LLC helps connect Forensic Science students to faculty they may not meet until later in their college careers, and is a great place to find study groups and social events based around Forensic Science.
Where? The ForSci LLC is located in Clay Hall.
LLC Highlights
- Monthly Sherlock Seminar Series in the residence hall and hosted by Forensic Science faculty and professionals in the field
- Opportunities to visit forensic and crime labs across the region
- Yearly semester kick off cookout
- Relax with movie nights
- Special events at the Forensic Science Crime House, including a Murder Mystery Night, and events with the Forensic Science student club
Academic Course
- Students who participate in the ForSci LLC will have the opportunity to participate in a clustered course with fellow residents.
Health Sciences
Who? Anyone planning to major in an area under the College of Health Sciences.
What? The Health Sciences LLC is unique to students learning and interests in the health sciences, we want to assist your transition to college and finding the major that is right for you. If you are interested in the health and wellbeing of yourself and others then this is the LLC for you. The HSLLC prides itself on faculty focus, personal and one on one interactions to assist in learning, advising and registration, and finding the perfect major and career path!
Where? The Health Sciences LLC is located in Clay Hall.
LLC Highlights
- Trips across campus and the Richmond/Lexington communities to connect with professionals and alumni from the College of Health Sciences
- Opportunities to visit practice labs with faculty and staff to get hands-on experience
- Special study groups and tutors in the residence hall specializing in College of Health Sciences courses and Gen Ed’s
Academic Course
- Students who participate in the Health Sciences LLC will have the opportunity to participate in a clustered course, HSO 100, with fellow residents.
Honors
Who? Any student who has been accepted to the EKU Honors Program. Students may apply for EKU Housing and the Honors LLC before they receive their official acceptance to EKU Honors.
What? The Honors LLC provides honors students the opportunity to live and learn together in a tight-knit community. Housed in Burnam Hall and Martin Hall, the Honors LLC provides specific programs and activities for honors students, allowing these students to get connected to EKU as soon as they set foot on campus.
Where? The Honors LLC is located in both Burnam Hall and Martin Hall.
LLC Highlights
- RAs who are honors students and have been through the same honors experiences, providing guidance and mentorship.
- Interest groups created by RAs with buy-in from residents to provide programming in a wide variety of areas (cooking, crafts, outdoor activities, gaming, etc.)
- Monthly “Honors Hour” events hosted by honors program faculty and staff on a topic of importance to the honors community.
Academic Course
- Students who live in the Honors LLC have the opportunity to participate in a clustered course with fellow residents.
Justice and Safety
Who? Students with majors in the College of Justice and Safety (Justice Studies and Safety, Security, and Emergency Management)
What? The Justice and Safety Living Learning Community provides students the opportunity to live on the same floor as other students in their major. Through unique opportunities, coursework and fun events, these students form a close-knit community with each other and faculty/staff from the College of Justice and Safety. We would love to have you check out our Justice and Safety LLC.
Where? The Justice and Safety LLC is located in Martin Hall.
LLC Highlights
- Monthly opportunities to connect with faculty and staff members in the College of Justice Safety
- Activities connecting students with College of Justice and Safety alumni and professionals in the field
- Annual events such as the 9/11 Tribute (traditional event at EKU) and a welcome back BBQ
- Trips to various Justice and Safety sites in the Kentucky/Ohio/Tennessee region
- Spring career fair opportunities for our Justice and Safety majors. This College Career Fair has over 40 local, state and federal attendees to recruit our students every March. This is a great networking opportunity for internships and co-ops.
- We offer advising and tutoring, guest speaker lectures and much more!
Academic Course
- Students who participate in Justice and Safety LLC will have the opportunity to participate in a clustered JSO 101 course with fellow residents.
Outdoor Pursuits
Who? Students interested in Recreation and Park Administration or who simply enjoy spending time outdoors.
What? The Outdoor Pursuits Living Learning Community is a collaboration between the Office of Residence Life, Campus Recreation and the Department of Recreation and Park Administration. Outdoor Pursuits provides residents with the opportunity to engage in the larger Richmond, Lexington and Kentucky communities and experience all the outdoors has to offer.
Where? The Outdoor Pursuits LLC is located in Telford Hall.
LLC Highlights
- Learn about wilderness survival skills, compete in wall climbing challenges, and take trips to surrounding scenic hikes with your fellow LLC residents.
- Opportunity to participate in an Outdoor Pursuits-only trip through Campus Recreation’s Adventure Programs
- Monthly programming that allows students to connect with each other and faculty/staff from across EKU
PGA Golf Management
Who? Any student accepted into the Professional Golf Management program in the College of Business
What? The PGM Living Learning Community is a partnership between the Office of Residence Life and the PGA Golf Management Program. The PGM LLC provides students with the opportunity to live with others in their program, while also providing students with the ability to connect with various faculty, staff, and golf professionals.
Where? The PGM LLC is located in Martin Hall.
LLC Highlights
- Weekly golf competitions at the Arlington Golf and Country Club.
- Opportunities to connect and engage with faculty members in the PGA Golf Management Program.
- Alumni networking events as well as fun social opportunities, like the Masters Watch party.
- Activities in the residence hall focused on success as a member of the PGA Golf Management Program, including resume reviews with alumni and connections with internship opportunities.
Academic Course
- Students who participate in the PGM LLC will have the opportunity to participate in a clustered course (BTO 101) with fellow residents.
STEP
Who? Any incoming transfer Sophomores – Prior First Colonels – Prior Rising Leaders – Rising Sophomores
What? The STEP (Second-Year Transition Experience Program) Living Learning Community provides second-year students the opportunity to explore who they are and who they want to be. The LLC focuses on getting students connected to opportunities on EKU’s campus, both socially and academically
Where? The STEP LLC is located in South Hall.
LLC Highlights
- Activities in the residence hall focused on exploring career and major interests, as well as personal interests
- Opportunities to engage in service and volunteer projects at EKU and in Richmond/Lexington
- Monthly dialogues on issues and trends important to the members of STEP
- Opportunity to participate in a mentoring program with the Rising Leaders Living Learning Community
- Career Readiness Development Workshop Series with certification of completion.