University Residences annually recognizes excellence among faculty, staff and students who participate in learning communities.
An important component of the residential campus experience, particularly for first-year students, learning communities allow students to take classes together and live in the same residence hall to build connections around similar interests. Participants in learning communities are provided with opportunities to connect with faculty, gain increased exposure to university resources and make connections in the Greater Lafayette community and beyond. Social events, study sessions, one-on-one connections with faculty and opportunities to connect with professionals in their field of study are among the hallmark experiences of living in a learning community.
Contributing to this community are a diverse array of faculty, staff and students representing instructors, researchers, resident assistants and more. This community works closely together to provide a living and learning home for the more than 3,000 Boilermakers who participate in learning communities.
This year’s learning community award winners are listed below. View more photos from the event by hovering over the photo at the bottom of the page and clicking the right arrow to advance through the gallery.
Dennis Buckmaster, a professor in agricultural and biological engineering, was named the Learning Community Instructor of the Year. Buckmaster serves as an instructor for the Exploration in Ag Intelligence Learning Community. The award is presented to an instructor who displays an uncommon commitment to learning, demonstrating exceptional involvement with their learning community and provides opportunities for connection.
Amanda Deering, an associate professor of produce food safety, was named the recipient of the Student Impact Award. Deering serves as an instructor for the Women in Agriculture Learning Community. The award honors an instructor who demonstrates exceptional success in connecting students to peers, faculty and professional staff, campus resources and the community at large.
The Residence Life Connection Award was presented to Caroline Curtis, a resident assistant (RA) who is pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. She works closely with the Women in Engineering Learning Community. The award honors an RA or residence life staff member who goes above and beyond their duties to support and increase sense of belonging among students in learning communities.
AJ Collins, an RA in McCutcheon Hall, was voted the winner of the Student Choice Award. Collins is an RA in The Data Mine Learning Community. This award is nominated and selected by students.
The Data Mine Learning Community was selected for the Academic Connection Award, given to a learning community that plans events which provide for seamless learning both within and outside of the classroom.
The Women in Business Learning Community was named the Learning Community of the Year. The award recognizes the learning community that has made a lasting impact for their students in all areas this year. Women in Business was also recognized as having provided the Exceptional Signature Experience in learning communities, which is awarded based on event(s) that were engaging, exciting and integral to student learning, development and sense of belonging during their first semester at Purdue.
The Gender Inclusive Learning Community earned the Community Impact Award, given to a learning community that made a significant impact on campus or within their students’ residence hall community.
