• Students experience academic achievement; student learning is at a deeper level
• Learning Community theory is a national movement that works, nationally developed pedagogy
• Opportunity for additional support; scholarship is awarded and supported
• Benefit to WSU: Increased retention

Funding Criteria:

In keeping with the vision, the main criteria for funding Learning Communities will be:

• Programs that foster an integrated curriculum in which course content is connected and course participants interact. These programs promote innovative pedagogy, and may incorporate cooperative learning strategies, interdisciplinary teams, and/or service learning.
•  Programs that have a specific, comprehensive assessment plan that addresses clearly articulated, intended learning outcomes for students.
• Programs that integrate a well-defined plan for peer mentors.
• Programs that demonstrate plans for sustainability and demonstrate college and/or departmental financial support.