Powerful and Life-Changing Learning Communities

Abstract

For over 2 decades, the Learning Community Program has impacted students at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), with its emphasis on critical thinking, community, belonging, and student success. Faculty teaching this high-impact practice (HIP) not only implement an integrated curriculum in 2 paired courses representing different disciplines, but also strive to build community among the students and teachers, setting up activities and an atmosphere so that students of diverse backgrounds can build relationships and understanding. At CCBC, we typically have general education learning communities for first year students in the general college population, as well as ESOL learning communities that link ESOL classes with a general education requirement and allow preacademic ESOL students to earn credit. In 2019, our Learning Community Program reached new heights, as a Mellon Foundation Humanities for All grant paved the way for summer travel themed learning communities to Atlanta, Montgomery, Birmingham, and later New Orleans, as well as taking a deeper look at our own Baltimore during the pandemic. In these settings and with the support of their learning community faculty, students explored culturally relevant themes, formed a community bond as they journeyed together throughout the country, and gained both academic success and a life-changing experience.