Through a US Department of Education grant, GGC launched a STEM Living Learning Community (LLC) specifically for Informational Technology (IT) and Health Science (HS) programs that offers competitive housing awards and academic and career readiness support for two cohorts of 16 students pursuing these degrees each year. Our LLC program builds on GGC’s record of successfully preparing STEM students by providing intensive academic support, proactive advising, career planning, and high impact practices such as undergraduate research opportunities. The overarching goal of our LLC program, with its critical residential component, is to implement evidence-based strategies proven to increase STEM access, retention, and graduation rates, and preparation for post-graduation placement of low-income, academically talented students in the STEM workforce or graduate studies.
Living-Learning Communities align directly with the GGC Strategic Plan (2023-2025), Goal 1: Expand Academic Access, Engagement and Success, Objective B. 7: Expand the current Learning Communities, including Living Learning Communities, with a curricular and co-curricular focus on targeted academic disciplines and relevant career fields.
Objectives:
1) Increase access for college residential living for enrolled IT and HS majors.
2) Increase retention and graduation of LLC scholars in IT or HS, as appropriate.
3) Prepare LLC Scholars for post-graduation placement into relevant STEM careers or graduate programs.
Obj. 1), Activity 1 - Award 2 pilot cohorts of 16 each, a maximum housing award of $17,418 in year 1 per LLC Scholar; Activity 2 - Award 2 pilot cohorts of 16 each, a maximum housing award of $14,490 in year 2 per LLC Scholar.
Obj. 1), Measure 1 - 64 LLC Scholars will be supported with financial awards to cover housing and meals.
Obj. 2), Activity 1 - Conduct a 3-day residential enrichment program for LLC Scholars to jumpstart their college career and build an academic community of peers, mentors, and professional advisors; Activity 2 - Establish a cluster of academic enrichment and support services to promote student success in degree completion; and Activity 3 - Establish an academic community to positively impact student learning and performance.
Obj. 2), Measure 1 - Retain at least 75% of LLC Scholars as declared IT or HS major between 2nd and 3rd year; Measure 2 - Graduate at least 75% of LLC Scholars in IT or HS major within six years.
Obj. 3), Activity 1 - Provide opportunities for undergraduate research, summer internships or similar experiential learning opportunities; and Activity 2 – Build a professional network beyond Georgia Gwinnett College.
Obj. 3), Measure 1 - At least 62.5% of LLC Scholars will participate in undergraduate research or a similar high-impact practice during the academic year; Measure 2- At least 62.5% of LLC Scholars will pursue a summer Research Experience for Undergraduates or STEM internship or a similar experiential learning experience; Measure 3 - At least 75% of graduated LLC Scholars will enroll in a STEM graduate degree program or secure employment in a STEM position.
Our objectives are assessed at the conclusion of each academic year. Current (Fall 2024) LLC program results in progress are:
ITEC LLC: 7 students in ITEC 2140
HSCI LLC: 7 students in BIOL 2451
Returned from Fall 2023 – Fall 2024*:
ITEC LLC: 11/13 students (approx. 85%) returned Fall 2024
HSCI LLC: 9/11 students (approx. 81%) returned Fall 2024
*Based on transactional data; final data not yet available to confirm.
December 2024: The LLC students will participate in an experiential learning field trip to Washington, D.C.
The college will look at the requirements of what IT and HS students can participate in this LLC grant and see if we can loosen requirements where more students are eligible to participate, consistent with the commitments of the grant. In addition, the college plans to launch three (3) LLC tech labs in each of the college’s three (3) residence halls in spring 25.
The college hopes to receive a no cost extension on this grant and continue the work into 2025, 2026 and beyond. In addition, we look to expand the number and types of LLC available to students.
Over the past 12 months, the college has seen a significant transition in grant leadership. This transition includes three (3) different faculty PIs and a new Director and Associate Director of Student Housing. This transition in leadership has caused issues in effectively moving the grant forward. In addition, there was difficulty recruiting a new cohort of IT and HS students during summer 24. These issues in recruitment stemmed from the grant’s very specific requirements on which IT and HS students can participate in the LLC.
