LLC & Theme Housing Options
Here at Winston-Salem State University, students can sign up for living-learning communities (LLCs) and Theme Housing. By living in an LLC/Theme Housing, you’ll discover an avenue for making friends, enhancing your studies, and connecting with the campus community. These communities are the perfect place to embrace your sense of adventure, broaden your horizons, and make the most of your college years.
What it's all about
- Blending the residential and academic experience
- Trying new things, making new friends, and challenging yourself
- Getting a good education, but also growing as a person
- Connecting with peers, mentors, and campus resources
- Interacting with professors and university staff members
- Opportunities for shared coursework
- Taking trips to events on and off campus
How Do I Choose?
We have over 16 unique Living-Learning Communities (LLC) & Theme Housing Options. There are a wide variety of options to choose from. Check out a brief description for each LLC/Theme Housing Option and look at some sample programs to get a feel for what each community is all about. When selecting your room during the room selection process, choose an LLC or Theme community of your interest.
Why Participate?
Your Resident Advisor and Hall Director will plan events throughout the year related to your LLC or Theme community topic. The wide range of social and educational events offered enhances the academic experience and provide opportunities for community development. Research shows students who get involved in LLCs/Theme Housing are more likely to:
- Stay in college
- Earn a higher GPA
- Experience a greater degree of satisfaction with their overall college experience
Your on-campus experience will be shaped by the living-learning community you choose. In your LLC/Theme Housing, you will be surrounded by students who are passionate about your interests—ensuring you will make fast friends. You will gain valuable experience and preparation to be a student leader on campus.
How to Apply
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors will self-select during the Housing Selection Process. By selecting, you agree to participate in the additional programs made available for you. For certain LLCs or Themes participation in a particular program previously is required (i.e., Renaissance 2, and Upperclass Honors)
Freshmen will provide their first three preferences for LLC/Theme Housing options and the housing staff will do its best to accommodate.
For More Information
Please contact Housing and Residence Life at 336-750-2400 or email housing@wssu.edu
Theme Housing and Living Learning Community Options By Year
Living-Learning Communities & Theme Housing Options
ARTS COLONY
Who: Freshmen Students
Where: Martin-Schexnider Hall
What: Anyone interested in writing, composing, the visual arts, performing arts, or who simply wants to live in a creative community where residents share their work and talents with others should consider living in the Arts Colony. Programs and events are determined by the residents working in partnership with their resident assistant and academic advisor. Residents may create showcases for their talents such as coffeehouses, poetry slams, art shows, campus events, and black box theater performances.
BUSINESS EXPLORSION
Who: Sophomore Students
Where: Gleason Hairston Terrace
What: Students who have an interest in the business field qualify to live on this wing. Special events and programs on the wing may include business-related workshops and lectures. Other activities may include field trips, attendance at University cultural events, and participation in intramural sports.
FRESHMEN YEAR RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE (FYRE)
Who: Freshmen Students
Where: Martin-Schexnider Hall / Brown Hall
What: The Freshman Year Residential Experience (FYRE) Program is a unique living option designed for incoming freshmen. Students inhabit a living-learning environment specifically designed to meet the needs of first-year students. Participants have increased access to faculty and staff involvement, programs relating to transitions issues, involvement in community service, and a peer mentoring program. This experience is for the student who elects to have more structure and guidance to assist with college life and studies.
FRESHMEN HONORS COLLEGE
Who: Freshmen Honors Students (invited by the University)
Where: Martin-Schexnider Hall
What: Honors Program is a unique living option designed for incoming freshmen who qualify based upon admission criteria and are invited by the University Honors Program. Students in the WSSU Honors Program receive personalized instruction from highly-qualified faculty who encourage critical and creative thinking. Faculty also supervises student research and prepares students for professional conference presentations
UPPERCLASS HONORS COLLEGE
Who: Upperclass Honors Students
Where: RAMs Buildings 2 & 3
What: Honors Program is a unique living option designed for continuing students who qualify based upon admission criteria, current G.P.A. and are invited by the University Honors Program. Students in the WSSU Honors Program receive personalized instruction from highly-qualified faculty who encourage critical and creative thinking. Faculty also supervises student research and prepares students for professional conference presentations
SOPHOMORE EXPERIENCE (Be-more, Do-more, Sophomore)
Who: Sophomore Students
Where: Wilson Hall
What: The Sophomore Experience is designed to meet the needs of students who are making the transition into their second year of college. A student's sophomore year can be both a challenging and anxiety-producing experience while they start to think about their future personal, academic and career goals. This anxiety can lead to a slippery slope for students who have yet to determine a major or career aspiration. Sophomore Experience at WSSU is a program that aims to help students learn more about themselves and provides resources for their future aspirations which will allow them to take advantage of the many opportunities the University has to offer.
FUTURE EDUCATORS
Who: Sophomore Students
Where: Gleason Hairston Terrace
What: Students who have an interest in the k-12 education qualify to live on this wing. Special events and programs on the wing may include k-12 education-related workshops and lectures. Other activities may include field trips, attendance at University cultural events, and participation in intramural sports.
S.T.E.M. (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS)
Who: Freshmen Students (invited by the University)
Where: Martin-Schexnider / Atkins Hall
What: Students invited by the University to participate in the STEM program are those who are interested in studying Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics. STEM students include pre-majors in Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biotechnology and Mathematics. The students will work in the WBA Atkinson Science building and live together as a learning community. The Provost's Summer Immersion Program is currently recruiting students through an application process. Accepted students will be invited to participate in the program. Students will receive extra support in this area and will participate in various enrichment activities to further their understanding and appreciation of Science and Mathematics.
W.I.S.H. (Women in Science and Health)
Who: Sophomore Women
Where: Wilson Hall
What: Are you a woman majoring in any of the science or health fields? Women who participate in HRL's theme housing W.I.S.H. will have the opportunity to take advantage of special programming, peer mentoring, and live in a designated living area together, to name a few of the advantages of participation in this program. Just remember when you W.I.S.H. your dreams can come true!
LEADERSHIP FLOOR
Who: Upperclass Student Leaders
Where: RAMs Building 4, 2nd Floor
What: Through partnerships with local agencies and the original initiatives of floor members, residents may participate in opportunities to gain leadership skills and opportunities for the application of those skills through projects both on campus and in the Winston-Salem community. Additional activities may include attending on-campus workshops and performances.
GREEN ADVENTURE
Who: Junior and Senior Students
Where: Foundation Heights Hall
What: The Green Adventure Living Thematic Housing Option is for students who want to work to reduce the carbon footprint and to enjoy the splendor of the natural world around us. Students will have the option to participate in outdoor excursions, create initiatives that will help the sustainability/green efforts on campus, locally, and regionally. Programming about wildlife and the outdoors will be available to the students of this particular community throughout the academic year.
LIVE TO SERVE
Who: Freshmen Students
Where: Atkins Hall
What: Simon Atkins Green famously said that WSSU students will, “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve,” their communities. Those involved in the Service Housing option will be involved in service throughout the year, building connections to local and regional outreach groups, finding ways to serve while at WSSU those who need the help of our community. They will also initiate their own service opportunities for campus and help to make Simon Atkins Green’s wish for the WSSU students a reality.
RENAISSANCE PROGRAM
Who: Freshmen Men (application required)
Where: Brown Hall
What: The WSSU Renaissance Program is designed to meet the needs of a targeted group of incoming underrepresented male freshmen and transfer students. The program will focus on retention/academic readiness, mentorship, identity/self-esteem, leadership, community involvement and cultural enlightenment. At the same time, it creates an unwavering brotherhood that supports and expects academic excellence without excuse.
RENAISSANCE 2
Who: Sophomore Men (limited to those who participated in Freshmen Renaissance Program)
Where: Gleason Hairston Terrace
What: “Renaissance 2” is designed for those who participated in Renaissance one and continue to want to work together to hold each other accountable for their success as students and as young men.
W.I.L.D. (WOMEN INVOLVED IN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT)
Who: Freshmen Women
Where: Atkins Hall
What: W.I.L.D. is a thematic living opportunity offered to our students in Atkins Hall. W.I.L.D. allows first year women the opportunity to live together and participate in W.I.L.D. activities and events. Events will include leadership activities, events with women leaders from the WSSU community, reading leadership books; attend programs and workshops on developing your leadership skills and developing as a leader.
PEOPLE ENGAGED AROUND CULTURAL EXPERIENCE (P.E.A.C.E)
Who: Upperclass Students
Where: Gleason Hairston Terrace
What: Residents will be a part of an engaging community of fellow WSSU students who share an interest in exploring cultural opportunities that include; information about study abroad, international issues/experiences, as well as enriching cultural opportunities here in Winston Salem such as the symphony, ballet, and cultural festivals and events. PEACE will challenge your senses and experiences as you become more aware of opportunities available to you as a global citizen. The program will allow students to be broader thinkers, learn from others, and feel more prepared when they depart WSSU to participate in the global economy and community.
