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First-Year Learning Communities (Fall Semester)

To serve our diverse CSUSM student community, First-Year & University Programs coordinates a range of first-year learning communities and specialized GEL 101 sections. Each first-year learning community or specialized section addresses an exclusive theme with unique learning outcomes tailored to a specific student population. Examples of first-year learning communities and specialized sections include:

Residential Learning Communities

  • San Marcos Experience Residential Learning Community:  A civic-engagement learning community for first-year students living on campus!  Emphasis is on development of leadership skills, serving the community, and involvement in campus life.  Students will share a floor in North Common with a dedicated Residential Assistance (RA) & Residential Peer Mentor (PM) specific to the San Marcos Experience and they will take at least 2 core courses together – increasing student learning and engagement beyond the classroom by creating a vibrant community of students who live and learn together. For questions about this section, please contact First-Year & University Programs at fyup@csusm.edu.
  • Chemistry & BioChemistry Targeted (Residential) Learning Community:  Designed to increase first-year students’ success among Chemistry & Biochemistry majors, our CBT(R)LC students will share a pod in North Commons with other Chem & Biochem students and they will take at least 2 core courses together (GEL 101 + CHEM 101 + CHEM 150) – increasing student learning and engagement beyond the classroom by creating a vibrant community of students who live and learn together.  Students in our Chemistry Biochemistry Targeted Learning Community, now Chemistry & Bio Chemistry Residential Learning Community, will receive substantial benefits from participating in the program. Some specific benefits are: priority enrollment for chemistry courses, multifaceted mentoring by peers and faculty, mentoring by industrial professionals aimed at increasing employment potential, enhanced opportunities for undergraduate research and professional development, and a planned pathway for 4-year graduation.  For questions about our CBT(R)LC please contact:  fyup@csusm.edu

Learning Communities

  • First-Year Business Learning Community:  In partnership with the College of Business Administration, the FYBLC is an intentional learning community for students planning to major in Business Administration. Students in the FYBLC will take at least two courses together in their first semester, GEL 101: The Student, The University, The Community and BUS 101: Introduction to Business.  For questions about this section, please contact the College of Business Administration at 760-750-4230 or cobaadvising@csusm.edu.
  • First-Year Biological Sciences Learning Community:  In partnership with the College of STEM's Department of Biological Sciences, this learning community is for first-year students majoring in the Biological Sciences.  Students in the First-Year Biological Sciences Learning Community will take at least two courses together in their first semester, GEL 101: The Student, The University, The Community and BIOL 101: Introduction to Biology.  This course pairing is designed to further inspire a love of and curiosity for research, discovery, and innovation in the Biological Sciences while supporting our first-year students in their academic transition to CSUSM. 
  • Sociology Learning Community:  In partnership with the College of Humanities, Art's, Behavioral & Social Sciences' Sociology Department,  this learning community is for first-year students majoring in Sociology.  Students in the Sociology Learning Community will take at least two courses together in their first semester, GEL 101: The Student, The University, The Community and UNIV 280-1: Introduction to Sociology.  This course pairing is designed to further inspire a sense of identity and belonging among your first-year Sociology student-scholars while supporting our first-year students in their academic transition to CSUSM.

Specialized GEL 101 Sections

  • CSUSM Student Athletes & College Athletics:  Specialized sections for our first-year CSUSM student athletes. These sections support our students athletes in their degree goal setting and achievement while supporting them as athletes, teammates, and assets to CSUSM's Athletics Program.   Cougars thrive!  For questions about this section, please contact David Nathanson at dnathanson@csusm.edu
  • STEM Scholars:  Specialized sections for first-year students planning to major in STEM majors. This section works in partnership with College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics to further inspire a love of and curiosity for research, discovery, and innovation. For questions about this section, please contact College of STEM's Laurie Schmelzer, Director of Student Services & Programming at lschmelz@csusm.edu.
  • Connections to Kinesiology:  These specialized sections for first-year Kinesiology majors offer integrated curricular connections to our Kinesiology degree pathways and offer students the space to explore professional opportunities in the field.  These sections are offered in partnership with the College of Education, Health, and Human Services. For questions about this section, please contact Shannon Cody at scody@csusm.edu.
  • Undeclared Learning Community:  These specialized sections have students explore interests, passions, and community issues through Service Learning.  Designed for students who have not yet chosen a major, these sections incorporate a transformational learning component of service-learning wherein students will engage in reflective civic-oriented activities and assignments.  For questions about this section, please contact Dr. Ashley Gragido at agragido@csusm.edu
  • EOP Student Communities:  These specialized sections are for first-year students who are also enrolled in CSUSM's Educational Opportunity Program.A specialized section for first-year students who are also enrolled in the EOP program at CSUSM.  Designed to facilitate relationship building among first-year EOP cohorts and a sense of belonging to CSUSM through EOP engagement.  For questions about this section, please contact Early Education Opportunities at CSUSM at eop@csusm.edu.
  • TRIO's First-Year Community:  This specialized section is for first-year students for students who are also enrolled in the TRIO/SSS program at CSUSM. Designed to facilitate relationship building among first-year TRIO SSS cohorts and a sense of belonging to CSUSM through TRIO SSS engagement.  For questions about this section, please contact Perla Rivas at pmrivas@csusm.edu

For further information on our first-year learning communities please contact First-Year & University Programs directly at fyup@csusm.edu