Learning communities in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) help students build connections, feel supported, and succeed academically from their first semester on campus. Through shared courses and intentional peer networks, students connect with classmates and faculty throughout their ABE experience.
Types of Learning Communities in ABE
Academic Learning Communities
As a first-year ABE student, you will be placed into an academic learning community during orientation. These communities help students build friendships within their major and develop a supportive network with peers and professors. We reserve seats for ABE students in general education courses typically taken in the first two years—ensuring students take classes together and see familiar faces, even in the largest lecture halls.
Residential (Live-in) Learning Communities
Students can be members of both live-out and residential learning communities, sometimes referred to as live-in learning communities. Residential learning communities build on these connections by bringing students together both academically and socially. These are students who not only take courses together but also live together—developing friendships as part of an innovative cooperative learning program. The process for joining a live-in learning community is laid out below.
Process for Joining ABE Residential Community
Choosing to be part of a Residential Learning Community is easy! Access your Housing Portal. In your housing contract, list the residential community you wish to join. Our department has two live-in communities—Technology (for AST and ITEC students) and Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering (for AE and BSE students). Our live-in communities are located in Helser and Maple. View information, photos, and current rates for Helser Hall and Maple Hall through the Department of Residence.
Already signed a housing contract? That’s okay—participation is optional. But if you change your mind, you can log back into your Housing Portal to add a community. Spaces are limited, and the deadline to request a learning community is May 1.