New Living Learning Communities are designed to deepen belonging and student formation
By Monique Kleinhuizen ’08, GS’16, content specialist
February 17, 2026 | Noon
This fall, Bethel University is introducing a new residential option designed to help students grow intentionally and directly connect what they’re learning in the classroom to who they’re becoming.
Living Learning Communities (LLCs) bring together groups of students who share common interests, goals, or academic pathways and invite them to live and grow together during their first year at Bethel. Each community—housed within Bethel’s eight existing residential areas—integrates residential life, academic support, and intentional programming to help students build strong habits, meaningful relationships, and a sense of purpose from the start.
— Julie Finnern, associate provost for teaching and learning
“Living Learning Communities bring together high-impact practices in ways that deepen learning and strengthen belonging,” says Julie Finnern, associate provost for teaching and learning. “When classroom experiences and community life are integrated, students belong sooner, engage more deeply, and persist longer. This is exactly what we mean at Bethel when we say students belong and become.”
A growing national model with proven impact
The launch of LLCs fits nicely with Bethel’s mission to equip students to “lead lives of impact through transformative academics in a Christ-centered community.” Academic excellence and supportive relationships have always been part of our DNA. It also reflects a growing national trend in undergraduate education.
While models and themes vary, learning communities—sometimes called living learning programs or LLPs—typically involve faculty and staff who teach, mentor, and advise a group of students who have the same major, share an attribute, or play a common sport. Many pair academic or leadership experiences with a residential component that reinforces learning outside the classroom.
Research that measures student engagement and benefits from attending college, such as the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), consistently shows that these communities support student success.
“Research shows that living learning communities increase faculty interaction, collaborative learning, and use of academic supports—outcomes that align with Bethel’s commitment to community, academic growth, and intentional spiritual formation,” Finnern says.
Three communities launching this fall
Bethel’s first LLCs reflect the university’s commitment to whole-person formation, academic preparation, and Christ-centered leadership. While more LLC options may be added in the future, these build nicely on existing student networks:
The Bridge
The Bridge is a first-year LLC designed to support students as they transition to college. The community focuses on building academic skills, strengthening relationships, and helping students develop confidence in their faith and callings. It’s designed for students who have few or no college credits before beginning at Bethel, and complements the Royal Bridge summer program—although participation in that experience is not a requirement for acceptance into the LLC.
“My vision is for students to find a deep sense of belonging so they can truly become who God created them to be,” says Rahn Franklin Jr., vice president of inclusive excellence. “We want to reflect the ‘house of God’ in how we look, feel, think, and act—creating a space where every student flourishes by affirming their God-given gifts.”
Given the focus on thriving in college, students in The Bridge will engage in sessions that elevate academic determination, engaged learning, diverse citizenship, social connections, positive perspective, spirituality, and sense of purpose. Examples of specific experiences include:
- Academic workshops: developing capacity to be outstanding scholars
- Vocation & gift workshops: identifying unique strengths and how to use them
- Neighbor-focused service: opportunities to engage with the community, putting faith and learning into action for the common good
The transition from high school to college can be transformative. Our goal for the Bridge LLC is to challenge and support students in that transition, and for every first-year student to thrive academically, psychologically, physically, socially, and spiritually. The Bridge helps students embrace the process of becoming who God created them to be—and use their education for His glory and the good of our neighbors.
Rahn Franklin, Jr., vice president of inclusive excellenceHonors
The Honors LLC brings together first-year students who are intellectually curious and eager to explore questions of virtue, character, and purpose in a collaborative residential setting. Students engage with coursework in the Pietas Honors Program* and continue those conversations through shared experiences outside the classroom. (*Honors students are given priority, but students outside of the Honors Program may be accepted to the LLC as space allows.)
The community invites students to think deeply, grow personally, and pursue intellectual excellence rooted in faith. Student experiences will include film screenings and the annual Honors bonfire.
I am looking forward to the Honors LLC providing students with the opportunity to take their rigorous interdisciplinary academic coursework into a shared living experience, where classroom conversations can extend into late-night dorm debates or musings over breakfast—a place where scholarly community can meet up with social and faith community.
Lex Thompson, professor of art and design, co-director Pietas Honors ProgramImpact
Impact is designed for first-year students who want to develop Christ-centered leadership as they begin building their careers. Through mentoring, professional networking, and leadership-focused programming, students learn how to integrate faith, vocation, and service in an increasingly complex world. Impact is a great option for students in leadership programs like The 25, Jeremiah 29 Scholarship Program, or Bethel Student Government.
Student experiences in this community will include:
- Service projects with local community partners like EveryMeal
- Learning Leadership Live nights: panel discussions with Bethel faculty and industry professionals, followed by networking opportunities
- Career exploration sessions with the Studio for Vocation and Calling
Impact provides a space for emerging leaders to live together, to serve and make an impact in a range of ways together, to explore and experience leadership ideas together, and to proactively take those early tentative career building steps, together.
Jo Saxton, executive director Leadership InstituteLiving out Bethel’s mission in the residence halls
While each community has a distinct focus, all share a common goal: extending Bethel’s strong record of student success to help students become who they are called to be.
LLCs are optional and designed to complement—not replace—Bethel’s other residential options and broader campus experience. Students in LLCs can still participate fully in athletics, clubs, campus ministries, and student life opportunities. Paired with the efforts of the Studio for Vocation and Calling and the wider atmosphere of support at Bethel, residence halls become more intentional spaces for discovery, leadership development, and faith in action.
“Living Learning Communities extend Bethel’s mission by connecting classroom learning with experiences and relationships beyond the classroom—and bringing those experiences back into the classroom,” says Finnern. “We’re excited to see how these communities support students as they belong and become, while strengthening our campus as a whole.”
Explore living options at Bethel
Applications are now being accepted for fall 2026 LLCs, and the housing process begins soon for Bethel’s other residence areas.