Joining a Learning Community Means Joining an Environment to Thrive In

Learning Community applications are due in just seven days on April 17, 2017! Don’t delay, apply here now! For more information about Learning Communities, visit this website.

Before you apply, read a short post from Marlena (Harley) McNeal, a first-year student in the John Glenn Civic Leadership Community. In this post she shares with us the ways in which Learning Communities support student success…

There is no denying that Ohio State is one of the largest universities in the country. Along with this comes many resources and opportunities, but if you are anything like me, you might be wondering how to thrive at such a big school. What I quickly learned is that despite its intimidating size, Ohio State has endless ways to help students quickly find their place while growing as a student and a person.

Joining a Learning Community helped me adapt to college life. I entered Ohio State without a declared major but was drawn to the John Glenn Civic Leadership Community (JGCLC) because of its focus on public policy, service, and leadership. At first I was nervous that its focus would be too specific for someone still exploring majors, but I was thrilled to find a group of ambitious students with a vast array of career goals who simply shared the common passion of growing as leaders to impact the world around them.

Early arrival weekend, when JGCLC first-year members arrived to campus a few days before school started, was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had at Ohio State thus far. Much of it consisted of bonding activities, from icebreakers to rope course exercises. The focus on team building definitely paid off, and in the process it built trust. This weekend also included a service project in Columbus. We explored the John and Annie Glenn Museum and learned about public policy too. By spending time working and learning together, a tight-knit community developed between people who were complete strangers just a few days prior.

Even once classes started and everyone grew busy with school and other extracurricular activities, the close environment in the JGCLC remained. We all shared the same public affairs class once a week, and had plenty of opportunities to participate in events outside of class. We did service projects and were able to take a tour of the Ohio Statehouse. We also just returned from Washington, D.C. During this during trip we visited historical monuments, networked with Ohio State alumni, and connected with members of Congress. We also visited the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The JGCLC was quick to make me feel comfortable in my new environment, and even better, it continually provides more opportunities for me to grow!

Some of the students in the John Glenn Civic Leadership Community preparing for Community Commitment, a day of service-learning at Ohio State!

Some of the students in the John Glenn Civic Leadership Community preparing for Community Commitment, a day of service-learning at Ohio State!

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