Learning Communities
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences boasts a variety of learning communities ranging from Agricultural Business to Women in Science and Engineering. Learning communities help students create a sense of belonging and develop collaborative interactions between students and staff during their first year at Iowa State.
How to get involved
How to join
Look through the 20 CALS-specific learning communities to pick which one suits your needs best. Some communities are housed together in residence halls; some focus on an area of study, such as horticulture or food science and human nutrition. Can’t find a program that’s just the right fit? Ask a learning community coordinator for help.
Peer mentors
Once a student has completed one year in a learning community, they can choose to help others have the same great experience they did by becoming a peer mentor. Peer mentors are upperclassmen who provide leadership and guidance to first-year students in learning communities.
Faculty and staff involvement
Faculty and staff that are dedicated to student learning can serve on committees, establish connections between students and faculty, and assist the learning communities in a variety of ways.