Rhodos Fellows

Empowering Future Innovators: Fostering Creativity, Collaboration, and Excellence in Information, Design, and Computing.

What is a Living and Learning Community?

A Living Learning Community (LLC) in higher education is a residential program that brings together a group of students who share common interests, academic goals, and career aspirations. These communities are designed to enhance the overall college experience by creating a supportive and immersive environment where students can live, learn, and collaborate with peers. These communities provide a way for students to immerse themselves in a focused and supportive environment that aligns with their passions, which can greatly enhance their college experience and contribute to their academic and personal success. Key features of the Rhodos Living Learning Community include:

LLC participants live together in Building 2 of Campus Village. Living in close proximity to other Rhodos Fellows fosters a sense of community, facilitates academic and personal interactions, and encourages students networking.

LLCs often revolve around a specific academic theme, major, or interest area. The community's theme is tied to academic courses, workshops, and events that align with the chosen focus. For Rhodos this theme is an interest in Information, Design, and Computing. Note that this is a very diverse community, with over 20 majors from across campus represented.

LLCs typically involve faculty, staff, or mentors who actively engage with the students in the community. These individuals might teach courses, facilitate discussions, organize events, and provide guidance related to the theme of the community.Rhodos is managed and supervised by a Faculty Principal and Assistant Principal who guide and manage the operations of the community.

Living Learning Communities offer unique educational opportunities beyond traditional classroom settings. Students often have access to workshops, guest speakers, field trips, research projects, and experiential learning activities that directly relate to the theme of the community.

Because LLC members share common interests, they are more likely to collaborate on academic projects, study together, and engage in meaningful discussions outside of formal class settings. This peer support can lead to stronger academic performance and a more enriching college experience.

Living Learning Communities contribute to students' personal growth by encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones, interact with diverse perspectives, and build valuable skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership.

Beyond academics, LLCs also help students develop a sense of belonging on campus. By living and learning with like-minded peers, students often form strong friendships and feel more connected to their university community.

Goals for Rhodos Living Learning Community:

Connect to Faculty Principal – Enhance resident students’ living and learning experience by encouraging interactions and connections with Faculty Principal.
Support Academic Attainment- Provide supportive living and learning environments that promote academic attainment of resident students.
Connect students to university and community resources- Connect resident students to USC opportunities and activities both as part of the living learning community and outside of the community to cultivate a sense of belonging with the university.
Promote academic and professional pathways in information, design, and computing – Provide interdisciplinary opportunities for students to pursue academic and professional pathways related to information, design, and computing.

What are you Making?

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.