Mission/History
The Learning Community Program is being developed to enhance student persistence through offerings that foster academic and social integration so that students will experience a sense of belonging to a special community of learners.
Academic Affairs and Student Services faculty and staff launched two Learning Community Links for Spring 2008 for new students starting out in Basic Writing Skills 2 (WRT 040). Participation in these learning communities connected new students with other new students, dynamic teachers, enrichment activities, small group learning opportunities and much more. Research proves that students in learning communities succeed in college, do well in their courses and are more engaged in the process. Other benefits to enrolling in this special program included money to help pay for books, group trips and extra help from tutors. Learning Community Links was initially funded in part by a CTEA Grant.
Fall 2007 on our Middletown Campus
Kingsborough Community College came to SUNY Orange to share their ten years of experience teaching with learning communities. All faculty and staff were invited to attend a joint division meeting on Monday, October 22, 2007 for an overview of Kingsbourough Community College Learning Communities.
On Tuesday, October 23, a follow up workshop day was presented by the Kingsborough group. Topics included the following:
- How to build a Learning Community
- The role of Student Services
- Steps in the process of building a learning community
- Developing an integrative assignment
- Sustaining Learning Communities
Spring 2008 at our Newburgh Campus
In April, representatives from the Kingsborough group met with instructors and staff who were active in the Spring 2008 Learning Community Links at SUNY Orange. Instructors elaborated on their learning community goals.
Student Learning Outcomes for Learning Community Link 1
Student Learning Outcomes for Learning Community Link 3
Fall 2008 and Spring 2009
The following Learning Communities were available to students for the Fall 2008, and Spring 2009 semesters.
- LINKS brochure Fall 2008(PDF)
- LINKS brochure Fall 2008 (Plain Text)
- Learning Community Spring 2009 Bulletin Info(PDF)
- Learning Community Spring 2009 Bulletin Info (Plain Text)
Fall 2009
- Learning Community Courses in Middletown and Newburgh Fall 2009 (PDF)
- Learning Community Courses in Middletown and Newburgh Fall 2009 (Plain Text)
Fall 2010
Three learning communities are offered at the Middletown campus and one at the Newburgh campus. More details will be available about courses, students and teaching teams.