Resource:Leading a Living Learning Community

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Examples of Living Learning Communities

Living Learning Communities (sometimes called Residential Learning Communities, Themed Housing, or Theme Communities) focused on innovation and entrepreneurship are available at many universities. The communities listed below are a small sample, and may provide ideas for forming a living-learning community at your college or university. Because these communities combine housing (living) with academic or extracurricular opportunities (learning), they provide a social environment and access to resources that can catalyze creativity and innovation among residents.

The list below documents features, events, opportunities, and requirements listed by the websites located for each community.

Texas A&M's Startup Aggieland

• http://startupaggieland.com/
• Texas A&M's Startup Aggieland hosts a "dormcubator" for 44 freshmen students
• LLC Features:
  • One-day orientation at the beginning of the semester
  • Free pizza & Red Bull in the dorm for LLC students, 
• Events/Opportunities:
  • "Fireside chats" with serial entrepreneurs and faculty
  • Partnerships across different colleges
  • Roadtrip tour of tech companies in Austin and San Antonio (one each semester)
  • Non-dilutive seed funding
  • Professional pitch coaching
• Requirements:
  • 1-hour course in Entrepreneurship for two semesters
  • Participation in 3 Day Startup or Startup 101

University of Maryland's Hinman CEOs

• http://www.hinmanceos.umd.edu/
• University of Maryland College Park
• Aims to "foster an entrepreneurial spirit, create a sense of community and cooperation, and develop ethical leaders"
• 90 students going through a 2 year program
• LLC Features:
  • 25% of participants found companies
  • Undergraduate focus
  • On-demand mentorship from staff
• Events/Opportunities:
  • Weekly speaker series
  • Social events
  • Executives-in-residence
  • Non-dilutive seed funding
  • Internships with local startups
• Requirements:
  • 12 credits of 4 required courses over 2 years (covering opportunity analysis, marketing high-tech innovations, legal issues facing entrepreneurs, and financial leadership of new ventures)

Clemson University's IDEAS

• http://housing.clemson.edu/clemsonideas/
• 24 students
• LLC Features:
  • Open to any major
  • Mentorship from entrepreneurs
  • Incubator space open to any majors
• Events/Opportunities:
  • Tours of regional incubators/accelerators/economic development organizations
  • Social activities aiming to create "fearless leaders"

University of New Haven's Entrepreneurial Engineering LLC

• http://www.newhaven.edu/student-life/residential-life/llc/entrepreneurial-engineering.php
• LLC Features:
  • Affiliated with KEEN initiatives
  • Tutoring servicesa available to students
• Events/Opportunities:
  • Certificate offered for participation over 4 years.
  • Monthly discussion dinners
  • Engineering challenges
  • 24 hour "Imagination Quests"
  • Company tours

Arizona State University Polytechnic's Startup Village

• http://www.asustartupvillage.com/
• https://engineering.asu.edu/livehere/startup-village/
• LLC Features:
  • Houses in a cul-de-sac (not dorms!)
  • Community spaces (a community house) for extra work/event space
• Events/Opportunities:
  • Weekly meetings with entrepreneurship faculty and mentors
  • Connection with entrepreneurial programs at ASU through Changemaker Central
  • Direct involvement with leading ASU Entrepreneurship efforts (see "Requirements")
• Requirements:
  • Sophomore standing or higher
  • Become certified through ASU Startup School
  • Plan/lead ASU Startup Weekend
  • Provide office hours for mentoring other students
  • Implement programs useful to other student entrepreneurs (e.g. field trips, events, lectures, workshops)