Learning Communities: Home

• Anderson, S. G., & Blankenberger, B. (2023). Validation and living learning communities: An evaluation case study. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 25(1), 76-100. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1521025120970934?casa_token=3facZVJA46AAAAAA:rmkmuY-6hi_-QjAfcUtKCLS3KSxxwjgl-uywPYzjzMjFPvT7qzj-5PDZ0RqzHSgFTKlaQ21Dgt5yJw
• Banks, T., Dohy, J., Petty, N., Moore, J., Fish, C., Mukenge, M., ... & Grill, L. (2021). Persistence and opportunity: Leveraging Living Learning Communities to ensure equitable access for all students. Multicultural Learning and Teaching, 16(2), 129-144.https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1112861.pdf 
• Caviglia-Harris, J. L. (2022). Community is key: Estimating the impact of living learning communities on college retention and GPA. Education Economics, 30(2), 173-190. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09645292.2021.1958167?casa_token=mARl09eGnOwAAAAA:6b3RrOGApN1xXfUx0laAtMRM-4Xuf3Psaf5ZhG95fHlz76oDQCD6f1vm2lYpKwQHT8nWSsWDMNIzkQ
• Choset, R. L. (2021). Are Living Learning Communities Beneficial?. Journal of Student Affairs, New York University, 17, 64-70.
• Dahl, L. S., Duran, A., Hooten, Z. J., Stipeck, C. J., & Youngerman, E. (2020). Investigating the Influence of Residential Learning Communities on Student Experiences. Learning Communities: Research & Practice, 8(1), 6.https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1251572.pdf
• Eidum, J. E., & Lomicka, L. L. (2023). Introduction to Faculty Engagement in Living–Learning Communities. In The Faculty Factor (pp. 3-14). Routledge.
• Eidum, J., Lomicka, L., Chiang, W., Endick, G., & Stratton, J. (2020). Thriving in Residential Learning Communities. Learning Communities: Research & Practice, 8(1), 7. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1251578.pdf
• Howell, K., McCaslin, S., & DeLancey, L. (2023). Libraries and Living Learning Communities: Exploring strategies for outreach and programming. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 49(3), 102657, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0099133322001732?casa_token=A_NS-WRwMTUAAAAA:8K--wuNn1hRtwS8B4oaN03mHaUcRQ6PjS07GqJjygzjwAgmMHhkhQJGwLW-0BvZvatH6Thb_VGc
• Hurtado, S. S., Gonyea, R. M., Graham, P. A., & Fosnacht, K. (2020). The Relationship between Residential Learning Communities and Student Engagement. Learning Communities: Research & Practice, 8(1), 5.https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1251590.pdf
• Inkelas, K. K., Benjamin, M., & Jessup-Anger, J. E. (2024). Living-Learning Communities in Practice: A Guide for Creating, Maintaining, and Sustaining Effective Programs in Higher Education. Taylor & Francis.
• Inkelas, K. K., & Weisman, J. L. (2003). Different by design: An examination of student outcomes among participants in three types of living-learning programs. Journal of College Student Development, 44(3), 335-368. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/42895/pdf?casa_token=aCZJ07VRK80AAAAA:suFFm-q6vvPPXU5Qa96lu5FWasXpCz4ZW-BzTM68mZEmcJ99sYpEHN2vaGtfPIiVi1_S4lgt-p8
• JOHNSON, JUDITH L., and STEPHEN J. ROMANOFF. "HIGHER EDUCATION RESIDENTIAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES: WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR STUDENT SUCCESS?" College Student Journal, vol. 33, no. 3, Sept. 1999, p. 385. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A62839447/AONE?u=anon~8624ee59&sid=googleScholar&xid=fe43d0ef. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
• Love, A. G. (2012). The growth and current state of learning communities in higher education. New Directions for teaching and learning, 2012(132), 5-18. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ987098
• Purdie, J. R., & Rosser, V. J. (2011). Examining the academic performance and retention of first-year students in living-learning communities and first-year experience courses. College Student Affairs Journal, 29(2), 95. https://www.proquest.com/docview/903807610?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true&sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals
• Stassen, M. L. (2003). Student outcomes: The impact of varying living-learning community models. Research in higher education, 44(5), 581-613, https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1023/A:1025495309569.pdf
• Stier, M. M. (2014). The relationship between living-learning communities and student success on first-year and second-year students at the University of South Florida. https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/5133/
• Tinto, V. (2003). Learning better together: The impact of learning communities on student success. Higher Education monograph series, 1(8), 1-8 https://www.seattleu.edu/media/center-for-faculty-development/files/LearningBetterTogether4874.pdf

These papers were sourced and synthesized using Consensus, an AI-powered search engine for research. Try it at https://consensus.app

Learning Communities on College Campuses: Enhancing Student Engagement, Retention, and Success

Learning communities (LCs) are widely recognized as high-impact practices in higher education, designed to foster collaboration, engagement, and a sense of belonging among students. These communities take various forms, from linked courses and residential programs to faculty learning groups, and are implemented to improve academic, social, and personal outcomes for diverse student populations.

Types and Structures of Learning Communities

Learning communities can be thematic, professional, residential (living-learning), or based on linked courses. They often involve interdisciplinary collaboration, active teaching methods, and group work under the guidance of faculty from different disciplines. LCs are structured to promote both academic and social integration, with some models focusing on first-year experiences, STEM retention, or faculty development (Sharanova, 2021; Thomas, 2023; Stassen, 2003; Braunreiter et al., 2021; Sipple et al., 2023; Paige et al., 2017).

Table: Common Learning Community Models

Figure 1: Comparison of learning community models and their target groups.

Impact on Student Engagement, Retention, and Outcomes

Participation in LCs is consistently linked to higher student engagement, satisfaction, and retention rates. LCs foster academic and social support networks, improve first-year GPA, and narrow equity gaps, especially for underrepresented and international students. While direct effects on long-term academic gains may diminish over time, benefits for retention and graduation often persist (Zhao & Kuh, 2004; Rocconi, 2011; Stassen, 2003; Johnson et al., 2022; Gwebu et al., 2021; Weiss et al., 2015; Atobatele et al., 2024). However, the effectiveness can vary based on program design, student demographics, and institutional context (Guanlao et al., 2025; Cheng et al., 2025; Gokpinar-Shelton & Pike, 2021; Brouwer et al., 2022).

Special Populations and Institutional Change

LCs are particularly beneficial for first-generation, low-income, and international students, supporting their integration and success. Cross-functional professional learning communities among faculty and staff can also drive institutional culture change, promoting inclusive practices and broader student success (Kezar et al., 2024; Gokpinar-Shelton & Pike, 2021; Atobatele et al., 2024).

Research Evolution and Key Papers

• 2002
  • 1 paper: (Minkler, 2002)- 2003
  • 1 paper: (Stassen, 2003)- 2004
  • 1 paper: (Zhao & Kuh, 2004)- 2011
  • 1 paper: (Rocconi, 2011)- 2015
  • 2 papers: (Weiss et al., 2015)- 2017
  • 1 paper: (Paige et al., 2017)- 2020
  • 1 paper: (Sharanova, 2021)- 2021
  • 4 papers: (Gokpinar-Shelton & Pike, 2021; Braunreiter et al., 2021; Gwebu et al., 2021; Artime et al., 2021)- 2022
  • 3 papers: (Thomas, 2023; Johnson et al., 2022; Brouwer et al., 2022)- 2023
  • 1 paper: (Sipple et al., 2023)- 2024
  • 2 papers: (Kezar et al., 2024; Atobatele et al., 2024)- 2025
  • 2 papers: (Guanlao et al., 2025; Cheng et al., 2025) Figure 2: Timeline of research on learning communities in higher education. Larger markers indicate more citations.

Summary

Learning communities on college campuses are effective in enhancing student engagement, retention, and satisfaction, with particular benefits for marginalized and international students. Their impact depends on thoughtful design and institutional support, and they remain a promising strategy for fostering inclusive, supportive, and academically successful environments in higher education.

These papers were sourced and synthesized using Consensus, an AI-powered search engine for research. Try it at https://consensus.app

References

Sharanova, Y. (2021). Learning Communities in the U. S. Higher Education. Theoretical and Methodical Problems of Children and Youth Education. https://doi.org/10.32405/2308-3778-2021-25-2-226-234

Zhao, C., & Kuh, G. (2004). Adding Value: Learning Communities and Student Engagement. Research in Higher Education, 45, 115-138. https://doi.org/10.1023/b:rihe.0000015692.88534.de

Rocconi, L. (2011). The Impact of Learning Communities on First Year Students’ Growth and Development in College. Research in Higher Education, 52, 178-193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-010-9190-3

Thomas, K. (2023). On college student success, living-learning communities, and self-regulated learning: an interpretative phenomenological analysis. **. https://doi.org/10.17760/d20618664

Weiss, M., Mayer, A., Cullinan, D., Ratledge, A., Sommo, C., & Diamond, J. (2015). A Random Assignment Evaluation of Learning Communities at Kingsborough Community College—Seven Years Later. Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness, 8, 189 - 217. https://doi.org/10.1080/19345747.2014.946634

Guanlao, R., Pax, J., Wei, Y., & Zhang, W. (2025). A meta-analysis of community engaged learning and thriving in higher education. Frontiers in Education. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1525176

Cheng, T., Lee, Z., & Tsai, C. (2025). EXPLORE THE CORRELATION BETWEEN LEARNING COMMUNITIES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS. The EUrASEANs: journal on global socio-economic dynamics. https://doi.org/10.35678/2539-5645.3(52).2025.586-592

Kezar, A., Hallett, R., Corwin, Z., & Hypolite, L. (2024). Moving Toward Institutional Culture Change in Higher Education: An Exploration into Cross-functional Professional Learning Communities. Innovative Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-024-09753-1

Stassen, M. (2003). Student Outcomes: The Impact of Varying Living-Learning Community Models. Research in Higher Education, 44, 581-613. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1025495309569

Gokpinar-Shelton, E., & Pike, G. (2021). Strategies to boost international student success in US higher education: an analysis of direct and indirect effects of learning communities. Higher Education, 84, 279 - 297. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-021-00767-8

Minkler, J. (2002). ERIC Review: Learning Communities at the Community College. Community College Review, 30, 46 - 63. https://doi.org/10.1177/009155210203000304

Braunreiter, C., Sudhanthar, S., Riley, B., Armstrong, K., Mavis, B., & Gold, J. (2021). Utilizing learning communities to deliver an integrated undergraduate medical education curriculum. Medical Education Online, 27. https://doi.org/10.1080/10872981.2021.2011606

Johnson, M., Margell, S., Goldenberg, K., Palomera, R., & Sprowles, A. (2022). Impact of a First-Year Place-Based Learning Community on STEM Students’ Academic Achievement in their Second, Third, and Fourth Years. Innovative Higher Education, 48, 169 - 195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-022-09616-7

Gwebu, K., Compton, J., Holtman, K., Kollasch, A., Leptien, J., Pistilli, M., & Shelley, M. (2021). Learning Communities: A Sound Investment in Higher Education. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 26, 176 - 193. https://doi.org/10.1177/15210251211067714

Artime, T., Buchholz, K., & Jakupcak, M. (2021). Engaging stakeholders for change: A learning community methodology for implementing evidence-based, trauma-focused care on college campuses. Psychological trauma: theory, research, practice and policy. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001079

Weiss, M., Visher, M., Weissman, E., & Wathington, H. (2015). The Impact of Learning Communities for Students in Developmental Education. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 37, 520 - 541. https://doi.org/10.3102/0162373714563307

Brouwer, J., De Matos Fernandes, C., Steglich, C., Jansen, E., Hofman, W., & Flache, A. (2022). The development of peer networks and academic performance in learning communities in higher education. Learning and Instruction. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2022.101603

Sipple, S., Lightner, R., & Cox, M. (2023). Developing Faculty Learning Communities at Two-Year Colleges. **. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003444152

Paige, S., Wall, A., Marren, J., Dubenion, B., & Rockwell, A. (2017). The Learning Community Experience in Higher Education: High-Impact Practice for Student Retention. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315279695

Atobatele, F., Kpodo, P., & Eke, I. (2024). A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF LEARNING COMMUNITY IMPACTS ON INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUCCESS. International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.51594/ijarss.v6i3.967