Age: 19

Sophomore

Hometown: Cottage Grove, Minnesota

Major: A.A. with Emphasis in Psychology

Extracurricular activities: Phi Theta Kappa

Transfer plans: University of Minnesota, fall 2019, majoring in psychology

LCOM: 18 and Nowhere to Go, fall 2017

How has your Learning Community helped with your academic life at Inver Hills?

Since I took my LCOM my first semester, the experience really helped me learn that there are people at Inver Hills and in your classroom who are willing to help you out. Being with the same group of students for two classes in a row has really helped me be more outgoing and willing to seek assistance from other peers.

What would you tell students thinking about joining a Learning Community?

Definitely do it! The experience helps you get two classes done in one. A lot of the assignments overlap so instead of having a big paper for English and then another big one on psychology, the instructors used the same paper. The LCOM also helps you make stronger connections with everyone in the community, which can help you out in the future as well.

Age: 19

Sophomore

Hometown: Austin, Minnesota

Major: A.A., Psychology Transfer Pathway

Extracurricular activities: VIBE president, Psychology Club secretary, Phi Theta Kappa, Psi Beta

Transfer plans: Metropolitan State University to earn bachelor’s in psychology; Saint Mary's University to earn master’s in family and marriage counselingy

LCOM: 18 and Nowhere to Go, fall 2017

How has your Learning Community helped with your academic life at Inver Hills?

My learning community has made me realize that people in my own communities are struggling much more than I had known before. My LCOM has made me want to take classes with community based learning as part of its curriculum, and eventually move onto volunteering outside of getting class credit for it. Because of this, I joined VIBE club (Volunteering Individuals Bring Empowerment) and became the president.

What would you tell students thinking about joining a Learning Community?

Absolutely do so! It was great going into college and having a group of people that you get to know better than in most classes. And, the LCOM is a great way to stay connected to the real world and community in a way that most other classes would not touch on.

Age: 18

Freshman

Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota

Major: A.A. with plans pursue nursing or hospitality

Extracurricular activities: Master dancer, Mexican folkloric dance group, Los Alegres Bailadores

Transfer plans: University of Minnesota potential option

LCOM: Write Now!, spring 2018

How has your Learning Community helped with your academic life at Inver Hills?

The learning community has helped me in so many ways. Having two important classes aside from the main English 1108 class has helped me be more successful and confident. We take apart what we learn in the main 1108 English course to fully understand and have more time to go over areas where we need support. Having two classes that help with the main course allows me to be more engaged and confident in 1108 because we have already gone over everything more than once.

I feel ahead of the game in so many ways. The learning community has also opened a whole new door of friendships because the classes are smaller and we are able to get more comfortable with our classmates. I’d say we are more of a family than classmates—and I’m so thankful for the bond that was created.

What would you tell students thinking about joining a Learning Community?

You’ll have no regrets about joining a learning community. It’ll help you in so many ways and will teach you things you’ll apply to other classes. Be open-minded and absorb all the information; you’ll easily be on the way to success after that.

Age: 19

Sophomore

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Major: Generals for Nursing program, fall 2019

Extracurricular activities: Basketball

Transfer plans: Metropolitan State University for MANE or University of Minnesota with goal to become a travel nurse

LCOM: Psychology & Research, fall 2017

How has your Learning Community helped with your academic life at Inver Hills?

The learning community has helped with my academic life a ton. I was shocked when they we were using society and the environment and tools around us to enhance our learning.

What would you tell students thinking about joining a Learning Community?

It's a great place to be around amazing people who want to help you succeed and do better. The only way to the top is with the learning community.

Age: 20

Sophomore

Hometown: Bremond, Texas

Major: A.A., Psychology Transfer Pathway

Extracurricular activities: Phi Theta Kappa and LGBTQ+ Club

Transfer plans: Metropolitan State University, St. Cloud State University or the University of Wisconsin-River Falls to become a psychological counselor or therapist

LCOM: 18 and Nowhere to Go, fall 2017

How has your Learning Community helped with your academic life at Inver Hills?

My learning community helped me with my academic life by introducing me to a wide range of resources that are available here on campus. The structure of the community gave me two classes where I knew my fellow classmates very well. This made class discussions and activities less scary because we knew the people we were talking too.

I know having taken these courses together with the people I got to know makes it easier having some familiar faces that you see when walking to class or even in other classes. The two courses worked off each other so what we learned in one could be applied in the other. This exposure made it easier to do this in my other courses. I also made deeper connections I otherwise wouldn't have made.

What would you tell students thinking about joining a Learning Community?

Learning communities are a good way to work on two classes together so they can build off each other. You also get to know other students who have something in common with you.