Learning Community? What's That?

Here at Laurier, our residence buildings are more than just a place to sleep and study. We have established a tradition of building strong communities that encourage personal growth, development, and success. Since the fall term of 2006, we have been able to offer a new initiative that focuses on building communities upon shared student interests: Learning Communities!

A Learning Community (LC) is a themed residence environment designed specifically for first-year students. These communities are founded upon a specific set of interests that are structured to give students a high level of involvement in their first year at WLU. Wilfrid Laurier University is pleased to offer four LCs; the Leadership Community, the Global Engagement Community, the Active Living Community and the School of Business & Economics Academic Community. Our LCs are designed to extend opportunities for learning and growth beyond the classroom to a select group of students who share common residential and personal interests. Living in an LC is very similar to living in a traditional style residence community. The main difference is that the LC Residence Life Dons tailor their candidates together in a community to form the LC.

Our Leadership Community has been active since 2006 in Regina St. Residence and will continue to exist under the watchful eye of Kyle Lethbridge. The Active Living Community is a brand new LC located in Bricker Residence which will be managed by Ryan MacDonald. The School of Business & Economics Academic Community is also new for this year, and will be housed in Waterloo College Hall with our main man Mark Hamilton.

The Global Engagement Community (GEC), which was first created in 2007 and housed in Bricker Residence for two years, has changed its location for years to come. Dr. Harris, an extremely generous member of the Kitchener-Waterloo community, has graciously donated his residence and practice to Laurier in order to accommodate our GEC and further the institution’s efforts to engage in and support the growing diversity of our campus. Located one block south of the Laurier campus at 102 Albert St., the Harris Hope House will be home to ten senior and graduate students. Miriam Fine, a former Don in Laurier Place and Bricker, will take the reigns as the Graduate Advisor of the GEC. Please check the following link out for further information: