If you’re looking to join a community that helps you learn alongside other students who share your passion for the education profession, joining the Education Living Learning Community might be the perfect opportunity for you.
Located in Maple Hall on USF’s Tampa campus, the Education Living Learning Community allows first-year students at USF to explore career paths in education, network with leaders in the profession and build lifelong friendships with peers who plan to dedicate their careers to helping others learn and grow.
Maple Hall on USF’s Tampa campus
What is a Living Learning Community?
Living Learning Communities — or LLCs, for short — are on-campus residential communities designed to provide you with a cohort living experience alongside fellow students who share similar academic, career and co-curricular interests.
While living in an LLC, you’ll have the opportunity to make friends with similar aspirations, connect with faculty and staff in your major and enjoy experiences personalized to your interests.
The Education LLC is open to all first-time in college (FTIC) students at USF who plan to study education or earn their degree in one of USF’s teacher preparation programs. Each year, the LLC opens its doors to 30 students who aspire to become an educator and make a lasting impact on the lives of their future students.
What are the requirements for living in the LLC?
Living in the LLC is a great fit for you if you meet the following eligibility criteria and expectations:
- Intend to major in education at USF
- Can enroll in and complete an exclusive course, Educators Rising, in the fall semester
- Can enroll in a special section of the course, “Introduction to the Teaching Profession” in the spring semester
- Participate in the eMentor program that partners LLC residents with upper-division education students
- Participate in education-related service learning & volunteer opportunities
- Attend the LLC’s kick-off events in the fall and spring
- Remain actively engaged in the community
What are the benefits of living in the Education LLC? Read on to hear from past residents about why they’re glad they joined the on-campus living experience.
Join a close-knit community and connect with like-minded peers
Students living in the Education LLC are surrounded by peers who share a like-minded goal — to become highly-effective teachers who positively transform the lives and learning outcomes of their students.
By joining the LLC, you’ll start making new friends right away and have a group to join at USF events and activities, like USF Week of Welcome, sporting events and other campus activities for current students.
"The LLC helps you find connections with others in the College of Education,” said Adryenne Booker, an Elementary Education major at USF. “It’s where I’ve met my best friends!”
Students in the Education LLC attend the College of Education’s homecoming parade watch party.
Attend events and workshops to support your growth as an educator
Students living in the LLC have access to exclusive activities throughout the year that support their growth as future educators and help them create lifelong memories during their time at USF.
Some examples of past activities hosted by the LLC include game nights, USF Homecoming Parade watch parties and service-learning opportunities in local schools. Students are also invited to an annual breakfast and receptions with the advising team in Student Academic Services, faculty and the dean of the college.
“We focus on education — and have a lot of fun, too,” said Nina Pramberger, an Elementary Education major at USF. “I love going to USF’s Riverfront Park for the ropes course, celebrating holidays together and relaxing before finals week with a pancake breakfast!”
USF student Austin Bennett leads a lesson while volunteering with Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay.
Gain exposure to different career paths in education
By living in the LLC, you’ll get to learn where you live. There are plenty of opportunities throughout the year for students to network with leaders in the education profession, including USF faculty, mentor teachers and College of Education alumni who have made an incredible impact in the field.
Being a part of the LLC can also help you explore the boundless career paths available to education majors, says Lindsey Williams, PhD, assistant director for recruitment and retention for the College of Education and the in-hall advisor for the LLC.
“A lot of what we talk about as part of the LLC is the profession of education, and some people are of the belief that a degree in education leads to a career as a classroom teacher — and they put a period at the end of that sentence,” Williams said. “We like to say ‘yes, absolutely, but have you thought about higher education? Or guidance counseling? Or maybe administration and working in a lot of different careers that are related to helping others, teaching others and leading others? So, if you are thinking about how you might want to explore that as your journey in higher education, you can join our living learning community and we’ll help you figure out if it’s right for you.”
USF student and resident assistant Samantha Gregg welcomes Alanna Culver to the LLC on move-in day.
Receive in-hall advising and mentorship throughout the year
Living on campus is a great opportunity to get a holistic college experience and participating in the Education LLC will provide additional support through in-hall academic advising and mentorship from fellow students.
In addition to on-site advising, you’ll also have support from your resident advisor (RA) and upperclassmen who stay connected with the LLC to help incoming freshmen navigate their first year at USF.
"The LLC is an easy way to make friends,” said Elementary Education Major Fátima Ruiz-Reyes. “Plus, if you have any questions, you can get them answered immediately by knocking on an upper-class member’s door!"
LLC residents snap a group photo with staff from Student Academic Services and College of Education Dean R. Anthony Rolle, PhD, during a special networking event.
Network with College of Education faculty and local leaders in education
Networking is about more than finding a job — it’s also an opportunity to meet new people in your profession and build relationships that can support you throughout your career.
While studying at USF provides plenty of opportunities to connect with employers and industry professionals, living in the LLC can offer access to exclusive networking events with leaders in the education sector, like school principals, school district talent managers and superintendents in USF’s partner districts.
On top of having useful connections to reach out to when it’s time to start your job search, networking can also help you prepare for your career through job shadowing, getting advice on how to perfect your resume and opportunities to practice your interviewing skills with hiring managers.
"Being a part of the LLC helped me develop my skills as a leader, gave me opportunities to interact with our dean and faculty, and provided me with the ability — and confidence — to speak at a conference in front of hundreds of attendees,” said Alicia Miller, a Mathematics Education Major at USF who also served as RA of the LLC.
APPLY TO LIVE IN THE EDUCATION LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY
Interested in living in the Education Living Learning Community? The Education LLC is open to all first time in college (FTIC) students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the USF College of Education. For more information, visit the USF Housing and Residential Education website or contact Dr. Lindsey Williams at lnwilliams@usf.edu.