Learning Communities

Learning Communities are two or more classes, often in different departments, designed to be taken together by the same group of students. Learning Communities connect students to each other, their instructors, the college and student learning.

In Learning Communities, students participate in groups to share ideas and help each other learn while exploring topics that are relevant to them. Faculty members assist learning and innovation as everyone works together to create community in a positive learning environment. Learning Communities offer students extra guidance and access to resources while challenging them as they reach for their goals.

Some are support programs aimed at helping students increase their proficiency in English and prepare for success in college, work and life. They include special courses that incorporate culturally appropriate materials and a mentorship program.

A group of 20 Skyline faculty participated in a Learning Communites 2.0 retreat on March 28 and 29. Dr. Joye Hardiman, a consultant affiliated with the Washington Center, the National Resource Center for Learning Communities, led the faculty through workshops in which they developed learning community plans that addressed Skyline’s general education requirements. Faculty also designed learning community curriculum and assignments that integrated two or more disciplines under a guiding course theme or question.

Interested? Check out the communities and programs below!

• African-American Success Through Excellence and Persistence (ASTEP) Program - A program designed for African-American and other students to increase their chances of remaining in college. This program offers students an exciting and unique opportunity to select courses from a curriculum with an African-American emphasis.
• Career Advancement Academy - a series of industry specific courses and support systems that create bridges to higher-wage careers and paths to additional opportunities in higher education. The program also helps students pursue their desired career path by identifying clear points of entry and providing relevant job certification through industry recognized certificates.
• Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) offers services to students with learning disabilities, psychological disabilities, and long or short term physical disabilities.
• First Year Experience (FYE) Learning Community is a yearlong program in which a group of students (cohort) stay together in a set sequence of classes. Counseling and case management are linked with math, fitness and other required courses to provide a holistic foundation for success. The FYE program is geared toward full-time students who want support transitioning into college-level classes while completing the algebra sequence. The program is also a good choice for those who would like to transfer and/or receive an AA/AS degree as quickly as possible.
• Hermanas a sisterhood suporting academic achievement in the Latina culture.
• Hermanos a brotherhood supporting academic achievement in the Latino culture.
• Honors Transfer Program for highly motivated students who seek a challenging academic experience for intellectual and personal growth.
• International Students for international students enrolled from other countries.
• Kababayan is a transfer and community support program for students interested in Filipino culture with the goal of increasing proficiency in English skills for success in college, work and life. Filipino Cultural Night
• Psychological Services offers brief confidential individual counseling, crisis intervention, mental health and substance abuse assessments and community referrals.
• Puente is a two-semester program that links together students, a counselor, an English instructor, community mentors, the University of California and other colleges in an effort to increase the number of students who transfer from two- to four-year colleges.
• The Scholar Athlete Program groups student-athletes in a learning community, focused on reading and writing proficiency, that provides the basis for students to pursue their athletic and academic goals at the university level.
• Student Success Program - A two step program designed to assist students who are either experiencing academic difficulties or have falled into probation or dismissal status and want to improve their academic performance in college.
• Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) provides support, encouragement and assistance to students with math- and science-based majors.
• TRIO-STAARS (Student Transfer, Academic Achievement, and Retention Services): provides intensive academic and counseling support for students who meet the program criteria (low income, first generation in family to have attended college, or disabled, either physical or learning).
• Women in Transition helps adults who have been away from school transition back to the academic environment.