Finding Community in Dorm Life

9 colorful logos representing individual clubs
All logos designed by students
June 10, 2021
Sydney Bernardo ('22)

At Gonzaga, LLCs are not a business distinction – they are “Living and Learning Communities” that help new students find their home while living in campus housing. There are nine to choose from, each with programming spearheaded by resident assistants and faculty with related academic expertise.

The first LLCs, though the term was not yet coined, were the Alliance and Lincoln houses – dubbed “positive choice housing” for residents devoted to not possessing or using alcohol. In 2002, then Dean of Student Services Beth Hellwig-Olson suggested an LLC for engineering students in Dillon and Goller halls. When Marian Hall was acquired in 2006, this outdoor-themed LLC connected students to the beauty of the Inland Northwest through recreational activities. The newest is the Solidarity and Social Justice LLC in Kennedy Apartments, thriving since 2017.

Students who are a part of Living and Learning Communities report higher satisfaction, more meaningful relationships and greater individual development than non-LLC students.

 2 individual club logos

Learns 2 Lead (L2L)

LOCATION: Coughlin Hall (2nd floor)
DEMOGRAPHIC: Young leaders
PERKS: Partnered with the Payne Center for Leadership Development
NOTABLE: Leadership and service opportunities, plus an annual retreat. Alumni of this LLC go on to become active leaders on campus.

Coughlin’s Learns 2 Lead (L2L) and Cura Personalis are the most popular LLCs year after year.

Cura Personalis

LOCATION: Coughlin Hall (3rd floor)
DEMOGRAPHIC: Students motivated by the Latin phrase meaning “care for the whole person”
PERKS: Holistic wellness programming, focused on developing the mind, body and spirit
NOTABLE: Known for intramurals, wellness challenges and spiritual development

2 individual student club logos 

Women 4 Others

LOCATION: Coughlin Hall (4th floor)
DEMOGRAPHIC: Women devoted to serving others PERKS: Students actively engage with the Spokane community
NOTABLE Members dedicate 20 hours of community service each semester

Solidarity and Social Justice

LOCATION:  Kennedy Apartments
DEMOGRAPHIC:  Second-year students
PERKS:  Connection to sociology, women’s and gender studies, Native American studies
NOTABLE:  Fosters active support of these communities and environmental justice

2 separate club logos

Pre-Health

LOCATION: Lincoln Hall
DEMOGRAPHIC: Students studying life sciences or health care
PERKS: Priority access to campus pre-health programming and events
NOTABLE: Intentional focus on wellness

Honors

LOCATION: Crimont Hall
DEMOGRAPHIC: Honors Program members
PERKS: Students learn how to succeed both in and outside the classroom
NOTABLE: An energetic community centered on intellectual inquiry and creative expression

3 individual club logos 

Engineering and Computer Science

LOCATION:  Goller Hall
DEMOGRAPHIC:  Students pursuing a degree in engineering or computer science
PERKS:  Access to in-hall classroom tutoring
NOTABLE:  In 2019, the LLC collected toys and adjusted the mechanics to be more accessible for children with disabilities.

Outdoor Pursuits

LOCATION:  Marian Hall
DEMOGRAPHIC:  Adventure-seekers bonded by their passion for the outdoors
PERKS:  Students go on skiing and camping trips
NOTABLE:  Priority access to excursions and Gonzaga Outdoors rental equipment

Global Citizenship

LOCATION:  Coughlin Hall (5th floor)
DEMOGRAPHIC:  Students dedicated to global understanding and diversity
PERKS:  Intersectionality embraced
NOTABLE:  Involvement in cultural clubs on campus

Spread the Word!

Residential life is a key factor for many students choosing a college. Know a highschooler who might find one of these LLCs attractive? Encourage them to Be a Zag!
gonzaga.edu/BeAZag