Park University residents have another opportunity to connect and learn from others this fall semester.

The university has enhanced its residential life experience by implementing new developments in its Residential Learning Communities program. Students now have the option to participate in the Business,

Leadership Challenge or the Honors Academy RLC to help expand their learning and living experiences.

Freshman Noel Patterson, a member of the honors academy RLC, said the major benefit of the program is the sense of community.

“Not only does the RLC help students focus on their major outside of the classroom, but it also builds a close community and support system for the residential students,” he said.

Students accepted into the Business, Leadership Challenge or the Honors Academy Residential Learning Communities will experience enhanced learning through a “cohort” of learners living and taking classes together.

They will also have greater access to faculty and academic support and tailored and special programming beyond that already offered to the on-campus community. RLCs also have a resident mentor.

The aim of the RLC program is to get students connected with the entire community and support them along their journey. The success rate of programs such as Park’s RLC program shows an increased retention among residential students, according to Diana McElroy, dean of student life.

“The retention rate of Park residential students is 10 percent higher than the retention rate of commuter students on the Parkville campus in the same period,” she said. “Living on campus plays a significant role in student success and graduation rates.

“I think that all Park students are natural leaders,” she said. “Our (LCRLC) goal is to help nurture that while making Park a more vibrant campus.”

Cohn said she felt honored to be a part of this program.

“It’s a cool experience as a faculty member because you really feel like you’re helping students and you get to teach a class that is one of your passions,” she said. “My learning community focuses on leadership—I love exploring that idea and working with new students who are interested in that topic. If

I can help keep students in college at Park, then I feel like I have helped the Park community and helped students succeed.”

Cohn went on to reflect of her first experience at Park.

“When I first came to Park, Dr. McElroy gave me a t-shirt that said ‘It’s about the student. Period.’ I love that shirt, because it summarizes our goal- put the student first. It’s the WWJD, what would Jesus do, of Park and it’s true of the learning communities.”

The honors academy has a tailored program that will focus not only on leadership, but also on service learning and global issues. Students accepted into the honors academy participants consist of either High School scholars that have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and an ACT score of 25 or an SAT score of 1260.

The FYRE, first year residential experience, and LRC’s predecessor, was not as successful in the past, however, the LRC’s program leaders are optimistic for their new and improved program.

Ben Dewberry, the director of residence life and education, said he was excited about the new additions to residential life.

“The RLC’s mantra is living to learn, learning to live,” he said. “The major benefit of this program is the extra attention that these students will receive.

On any other larger campus, students would be paying more for a program such as this. That is not the case at Park. We want to invest in you and watch you succeed.”

Clarinda Creighton, vice president for student affairs, said the RLC is an asset to the university.

“Larger universities have thematic floors but have to compete with sororities and fraternities, but we don’t have that at Park,” she said. “The RLC gives residential students a chance to connect.”

Freshman Annel Perez, a member of the leadership program and a Kauffman Scholar, has been involved with leadership courses since seventh grade. She said she sees the LCRLC as an opportunity to expand on that experience.

“More students need to get out of their comfort zone and become leaders,” she said.