Christopher Newport University wants every student to have the best possible experience, and getting off to a good start is the first step toward that goal.

As a way of giving every entering freshman a good start, we've developed a learning community (LC) program. Every freshman student enrolls in an LC of 15 to 30 students and, as a member of that learning community, you take between two and four courses together. Each LC is a set of courses based on an area of academic interest or a theme that sets you on the path toward graduation in four years. When we choose the courses for the LCs, we reserve the best times and days and choose courses from the liberal learning core curriculum. Students in a learning community will live in close proximity to each other.  Freshmen who do not live on campus will have an association with residential students in their learning community.

Benefits of LCs at CNU

  • Increases comfort with classmates, allowing students to take intellectual risks and participate more fully in their classes
  • Provides a smoother transition to the college experience by giving students an easily identifiable peer group
  • Increases student interaction with faculty and out-of-class experiences
  • Increases student participation and ownership in the classroom
  • Integrates knowledge more effectively through linked courses that have a common topic or address a "big question"
  • Increases retention rates for first-year students through connections to campus activities
  • Guarantees two to three courses necessary for student progress toward degree completion
  • Provides tools to balance students' academic and social lives

Expectations of Members of Learning Communities

  • Attend LC-related functions
  • Touch base with the instructors for the courses in your LC at least twice a semester
  • Keep academics -- studying and homework -- first, but get involved, and stay involved in an on-campus activity
  • Work with your LC members as much as possible; you are all sailing the same ship!
  • Ask questions!
  • Most importantly, be yourself, but have an open mind and challenge yourself and your LC mates to set consistently higher academic goals.

Remember, the journey is often more important than the destination -- make the most of it! Here's to a semester of teamwork on the open waters of possibility!

If you have questions about LCs at CNU, please don't hesitate to contact us at lc@cnu.edu or (757) 594-8848.