Sophomore Year Community

The Sophomore Year Community (SYC) is a collaborative initiative between the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach, University Housing and Residence Life, Academic Affairs, and other departments within the Division of Student Life as well as the Denton Community. In an effort to continue providing academic and social support to students in the living learning community program, students will receive all of the benefits available to LLC students while participating in programs targeted towards the needs and demands of sophomore students. Students will apply and are selected in the spring semester of their freshman year. The group of selected students will consist of various second year students with priority given to students previously involved in Living Learning Communities.

The SYC program provides an integration of campus resources focusing on elements that will enhance participants’ ongoing transition and success in college. Desired outcomes for the SYC program include gaining a greater understanding about career tracks and life after college, continued academic focus within on campus housing beyond the first-year, greater understanding of and commitment to local and global issues, increased retention from sophomore to junior year, and increased GPA during sophomore year. Community members will reside in Lowry Woods Community and will hold a contract agreement to monitor their involvement and success throughout the year.

The ultimate goal of the program is to enhance student learning with the desired outcomes of improved retention and student well-being.

Program Model

• Career Exploration - exploration and management, partnering with career services and academic departments
• Personal and Professional Development - utilizing various student life departments such as Counseling Services, Career Services, and Academic Affairs
• Community Service - utilizing various campus and community resources such as the Center for Student Development and the City of Denton
• Cultural Appreciation and Diversity Education - utilizing various campus resources including a partnership with the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Outreach
• Leadership Involvement - utilizing the Leadership Institute, SGA, and RHA
• Faculty and staff involvement - monthly faculty lunches with members of the community

Sophomore Year Community Program

• Resident Assistant for the floor(s) will be junior level or higher, 2nd year RA. RA will be alumni of Living Learning Communities.
• Peer Advisor for the floor(s) will be junior level or higher, 2nd year PA. PA will be alumni of Living Learning Communities. PA will be responsible for:
  Maintaining status of each contract
  Facilitating study groups
  Fulfilling programmatic requirements, in conjunction with RA
  
  
• Faculty and staff involved as guest speakers
  Monthly faculty lunches with members of the community – different faculty each month, from various departments to talk about majors within that department – Living Learn Community budget pays for faculty lunch

Program Eligibility

• Be eligible to live in Lowry Woods Community
• Have a total of 30-59 completed credit hours
• Full-time enrollment status taking at least 12 hours at TWU

Requirements

• Contract/agreement of Participation: Residents of this community will sing a contract or agreement with stated learning outcomes and specific goals for the year, based on the programmatic model. Those who accomplish stated goals will be recognized at the Living Learning Community banquet in April
• Participants will be required to complete the online Sophomore Year Community application
• Participants will be required to pay the annual $50 Living Learning Community fee

Application

Sophomore Year Community Application

Contact

For more information, contact:

Michelle Prudhomme-Coleman
Associate Director
Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Outreach
Jones Hall, Suite 200
(940) 898-3679
MPrudhommeColeman@twu.edu