Themed Living-Learning Communities

The Academic and Career Exploration Themed Living-Learning Community is designed to support the transition of new college students as they explore and develop their academic and career goals. Students will gain valuable insight as to how their own interests and abilities can translate to their academic path and professional aspirations. This community offers resources, mentorship, and opportunities to help students build a strong foundation for success.

Academic and Career Exploration location: Hewett 8

Faculty Mentor:

• Karen Huseman, University College

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Programming designed to explore major and career options, highlighting the University’s Keys to Academic and Career Success: academic achievement, experiences and involvement, transferable skills, and networking.
• Activities that support personal growth and discovery.
• Social and academic interactions with academic and career advisors, as well as alumni in various disciplines.

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the Academic and Career Exploration TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Participate and engage in a minimum of two major/career related programming events.
2. Students who declare a major while living in this community will finish out their housing contracts for the academic year and will be expected to continue participation and engagement in the floor programming. However, they will need to select an alternative residence hall or TLLC for the following year.

A residential experience created to enhance the marching band experience for Illinois State University Big Red Marching Machine members.

Big Red Marching Machine TLLC Location: Manchester 13

Faculty Mentor Name and Contact Information:

• F. Mack Wood, Big Red Marching Machine, School of Music

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Networking for students of all different majors within BRMM
• Opportunities to interact with alumni who participate in similar career fields
• Opportunities to develop concepts of leadership and service
• Volunteer opportunities throughout the ISU and Bloomington/Normal communities

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the Big Red Marching Machine TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Residents must be registered and actively participating with BRMM.
2. Residents must abide by all community guidelines and standards.

The Business Themed Living-Learning Community is for students pursuing a major or minor in the College of Business.

Business TLLC location: Hewett 3

Faculty Mentor: Ginny Smith, Pronouns: She, Her, Hers, College of Business

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Exclusive meetings with representatives of College of Business student organizations with opportunities to apply for membership early in their college experience.
• Scheduled social and academic interactions with College of Business faculty outside of the classroom.
• Programming to enhance your discovery of the diverse field of business.
• Opportunities to interact with professionals and alumni who are currently pursuing careers in business.

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the Business TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Participate in two business-related educational programs.
2. Attend two social programs.
3. Attend one cultural dinner each year.
4. Remain in good judicial standing with Illinois State University.

The Co-Sciences Themed Living-Learning Community is for students majoring or minoring in biology, chemistry, geology, environmental systems science and sustainability, or physics.

Co-Sciences TLLC location: Hewett 11

Faculty Mentors:

• Dr. Jay Ansher - Physics
• Dr. Rebekka Darner - College of Arts and Sciences

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Programming to enhance your discovery of the field of biology, chemistry, geology, environmental systems science and sustainability, or physics.
• Opportunities to interact with professionals and alumni within the co-sciences field.
• Field trips to support career exploration.
• Study sessions for classes.

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the Co-Sciences TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Residents must be biology, chemistry, geology, environmental systems science and sustainability, or physics majors or minors and enrolled in at least one major course.

The Engineering Themed Living-Learning Community is for students pursing a major in the College of Engineering to support their academic and social growth!

Faculty Mentor Name & Contact Information:

Branden Delk, College of Engineering, bedelk@ilstu.edu

  Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Interactions with residents who share your major to facilitate collaboration and personal connections.
• Scheduled social and academic interactions with College of Engineering faculty and industry partners outside of the classroom.
• Programming designed to enhance your understanding of the engineering field.
• Field Trips to help guide your career development in engineering.
• Study sessions for engineering and engineering related classes.

  Community Requirements:

Residents must:

1. Have a major in College of Engineering.
2. Participate in two engineering-related educational programs.
3. Attend two social programs.
4. Attend one cultural dinner each year.
5. Support and respect all TLLC members.

The Fine Arts Themed Living-Learning Community is for students majoring or minoring in art, creative technologies, music, theatre, and/or dance.

Fine Arts TLLC location: Manchester 10 and 11

Faculty Mentors:

• Anmol Shrivastava – Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Opportunities to meet with professionals and alumni who are currently pursuing careers in fine arts.
• Volunteer opportunities to share your increasing expertise in the fine arts field with the Bloomington-Normal community.
• Field trips to support career exploration in fine arts.
• Study sessions for fine arts classes.

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the Fine Arts TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Residents must have a major or minor in the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts.
2. Attend a University Gallery sponsored event, i.e. Gallery Walk, etc.
3. Attend a School of Music Performance in the Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall.
4. Attend a School of Theatre and Dance production held in the Center for the Performing Arts.

The Health & Wellness Themed Living-Learning Community is a space for students who are passionate about wellness to connect with like-minded peers. The Health & Wellness Floor promotes the development and maintenance of a healthy body, mind, and spirit through a wide range of programs. Programs will be focused on important college health issues, such as sleep, nutrition, physical fitness, and stress and anxiety management.

Health & Wellness location: Hewett 16

Faculty Mentors:

• Jim Almeda, Health Promotion and Wellness
• Anjie Almeda, Department of Health Sciences

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Wellness programming designed to help you improve your well-being.
• Social and academic interactions with faculty, professionals, alumni and advisors in Health Promotion and Wellness and in the Department of Health Sciences.
• Introductions and early opportunities to engage with student organizations that focus on health and wellness.

Community Requirements:

Students residing in the Health & Wellness TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Participate in a minimum of one wellness-related program.
2. Participate in a minimum of one social program.
3. Attend at least one university sponsored social event.
4. Support and respect all TLLC members.

The Honors Themed Living-Learning Community is designed to promote community between students who have been accepted into the Honors Program.

Honors TLLCs locations: Manchester 5 (all gender), Manchester 6 (female), and Manchester 7 (all gender).

Faculty Mentors:

• Dr. Linda Clemmons (Manchester 6), Honors Program
• Doug McGraw (Manchester 5 and 7), Honors Program

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Interactions with residents in a community that enhances personal and academic development.
• Close proximity to others with strong academic ambitions, as well as interests in co-curricular and service activities.
• Availability of upper-class Honors students and Resident Assistants who can share their Honors experiences.

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the Honors TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Residents must be Honors students.
2. Students who are academically ineligible to continue in the Honors Program after the fall semester may finish out their housing contracts for the academic year, but will need to select an alternative residence hall or TLLC for the next year.

The Information Technology Themed Living-Learning Community is for students majoring or minoring in computer science, information systems, cybersecurity, or network and telecommunications management.

Information Technology TLLC location: Hewett 17

Faculty Mentor:

• Dr. Tahmid Rashid, School of Information Technology

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• High-quality programming to enhance your discovery of the field of information technology.
• Opportunities to interact with professionals and alumni who are currently pursuing careers in information technology.
• Field trips to support career exploration in information technology.
• Study sessions for Information Technology classes.

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the Information Technology TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Residents must be a School of Information Technology major or minor.
2. Residents are limited to the registration of five wired devices.

The International Themed Living-Learning Community is for students who have been accepted into the International House program. International House strives to promote international education and cross-cultural understanding by creating an immersive living and learning experience where international and domestic students come together.

International TLLC location: Manchester 8

Faculty Mentor:

• Matt Schwab, Office of International Studies and Programs

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Meet and learn from native speakers from different countries around the world. 
• Interact with faculty and staff outside of the classroom.
• Field trips to support career exploration.
• Volunteer to share your increasing expertise in your field of study with the Bloomington-Normal community.

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the International House TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Residents must be accepted into the International House program. An attempt will be made to assign students to rooms with students from other countries. (Roommate requests not meeting this policy may not be honored.)
2. Residents must attend a minimum of two International House programs.

The Leadership Themed Living-Learning Community is designed for students who want to increase their leadership potential through community service, experiential trips, and mentoring relationships.

Leadership TLLC location: Manchester 17

Faculty Mentor:

• Tashay Dennie, Dean of Students - Student Involvement, Leadership Education and Development

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Several community opportunities will be offered per semester and residents are encouraged to participate in all opportunities.
  • Three leadership learning sessions
  • Three community/floor events

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the Leadership TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Remain in good judicial standing.

The Mathematics Themed Living-Learning Community is for students majoring or minoring in mathematics.

Mathematics TLLC location: Hewett 5

Faculty Mentors:

• Cindy Pulley, Department of Mathematics

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Opportunities to interact with professionals and alumni who are currently pursuing careers with their math degrees.
• Programming to enhance your discovery of mathematics.
• Ability to meet and learn from upper-class students and faculty who are currently in the mathematics department.
• Study sessions for mathematics classes.

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the Mathematics TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Residents must be mathematics or mathematics education majors or minors and enrolled in at least one mathematics course.

The Nursing Themed Living-Learning Community is for students pursuing a major in the Mennonite College of Nursing.

Nursing TLLC location: Hewett 13

Faculty Mentors:

• Jill Howell, Mennonite College of Nursing

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Social and academic interactions with College of Nursing faculty and staff outside of the classroom.
• Opportunity of gaining early membership into the Student Nurses Association.
• Opportunities to meet with professionals and alumni who are pursuing careers in the nursing field.
• Study sessions for nursing classes.

Community Requirements:

Students residing in the Nursing TLLC must complete the following requirements each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Participate in two nursing-related educational programs (i.e. meet the Administrative Team, lunch with the Deans, Health and Safety Compliance Meeting, Externship discussion, Think Like a Nurse discussion, and other programs as communicated via email). Note that some programming will be “required” versus optional.
2. Attend two social programs (i.e. SNA meeting, SNA activity, or other social program communicated via email).
3. Check ISU email regularly for updates regarding nursing programming.
4. Remain in good judicial standing with Illinois State University.

The Music Themed Living-Learning Community is for students majoring or minoring in music.

Music TLLC location: Manchester 12

Faculty Mentor:

• Lydia Sheehan, School of Music

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Access to five practice sound modules equipped with pianos in the area.
• Opportunities to interact with faculty, professionals, and alumni who are currently pursuing careers in music.
• Field trips to help guide career exploration in music.
• Volunteer opportunities to share your passion for music with the Bloomington-Normal community.

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the Music TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Residents must have a major or minor in Music.

The Rainbow Floor Themed Living-Learning Community is designed for students interested in a living community supportive of LGBTQ+ identifying students. This could include individuals who identify with the community along with those who identify as allies.

Rainbow Floor TLLC location: Manchester 16

Faculty Mentors:

• Joshua Newport – Milner Library
  • Pronouns: he/him/his

• Hope Morris – University College
  • Pronouns: they/them/theirs

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Working closely with the PRIDE Registered Student Organization and attending events, specifically events centered around community, wellness, and identity affirmation.
• Working closely with the multicultural center and attending events, specifically events centered around identity and belonging, such as Safe-ish.
• Social support and professional development opportunities from members of the ISU and Bloomington-Normal community through events which will be exclusive to residents of the rainbow floor.

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the Rainbow Floor TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Attend at least one PRIDE educational event each semester.
2. Attend at least one PRIDE social event each semester.
3. Attend at least one university sponsored social event each semester.
4. Attend at least one event sponsored by the multicultural center.
5. Support and respect all TLLC members and support other members of the LGBTQ+ community across campus.

The Social Work Themed Living-Learning Community is designed for students interested in a living community supportive of social work and/or who are majoring or minoring in the social work program.

Social Work TLLC Location: Hewett 12

Faculty Mentor:

• Laura Roehm, School of Social Work

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Opportunities to meet with professionals and alumni who are currently pursuing careers in social work.
• Interaction with faculty outside of the classroom.
• Volunteer opportunities to share your increasing expertise in the social work field with the Bloomington-Normal community.
• Field trips to support career exploration in social work.
• Study sessions for social work classes.
• Introductions and early opportunities to engage with student organizations that focus on social work.

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the Social Work TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Residents must have a major or minor in the School of Social Work.
2. Attend two social programs.
3. Attend one cultural event each year.
4. Remain in good judicial standing with Illinois State University.

The Sophomore Themed Living-Learning Community is designed to provide experiences in regard to career development, social networking, and personal development.

Sophomore TLLC location: Hewett 9

Faculty Mentor:

• Megan Patterson, Career Services

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Ability to develop relationships with sophomore peers and advisors.
• Opportunities to enhance your discovery of potential majors and career paths.
• Programs targeted towards cultivating self-knowledge, personal reflection, and growth.

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the Sophomore Experience TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Residents must be categorized as a sophomore by the university.

The Special Education Themed Living-Learning Community is for students majoring or minoring in Learning and Behavior, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, or Low Vision and Blindness.

Special Education TLLC location: Hewett 15

Faculty Mentors:

• Dr. Yehyang Lee, Specialist in Learning and Behavior

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Ability to meet and learn from other peers in the special education department.
• Opportunities to interact with professionals, faculty, and alumni who currently hold careers in special education.
• Field trips designed to help career exploration.
• Study sessions for classes.

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the Special Education TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Residents must be Special Education majors in Learning Behavior Specialists (LS), Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH), or Low Vision or Blindness (LVB).

The Teacher Education Themed Living-Learning Community is for students majoring or minoring in teacher education.

Teacher Education TLLC location: Manchester 15

Faculty Mentor:

• Dr. Miranda Lin, School of Teaching and Learning

Opportunities within the TLLC:

• Interaction with faculty outside of the classroom.
• Opportunities to explore internships to enhance experiences with teaching and child development.
• Opportunities to interact with professionals and alumni who are currently pursuing a teaching career.
• Field trips to support major and career exploration.
• Personal and floor volunteer opportunities related to your interests.

Community Requirements:

Students residing on the Teacher Education TLLC must complete the following expectations each semester to be considered a resident in good standing:

1. Residents must be education majors. If you change your major, you will be required to change communities at the end of the academic year.
2. Residents are required to attend one community social and one educational program a semester in order to remain on the floor for the following semester.
3. Curriculum and instruction majors/minors must maintain a minimum 2.4 cumulative GPA while living on the community.

• I am eligible for my major/minor based TLLC, and I have roommate-matched, but I cannot select it in the Housing and Dining portal; why is that?
• If you are already roommate-matched, you may not be able to select a room on the TLLC that you are eligible for because the roommate you matched with might not be eligible for the floor.
• I am eligible for multiple TLLC floors based on my major, minor, and interests. What floor should I choose?
• Each TLLC floor has a different feel based on the residents and the area that it is focused on. That being said, consider which of the floors matches your overall graduation goals and future career path.
• When is the TLLC priority room selection?
• The dates change each year, but for new, first-time in college students, the TLLC priority room selection will take place in June. Specific TLLCs open at different times, and those dates will be released closer to room selection.
• Is there an extra charge to live on a TLLC floor?
• No, since all of our TLLCs are housed in Hewett and Manchester Halls, living on a TLLC floor will not affect the price of your housing contract.
• I am having issues trying to find my TLLC floor on the Housing and Dining portal during room selection, what do I do?
• Call our main Housing Office at 309-438-8611.
• How are TLLCs created?
• Through support from residents and campus partners, departments can sponsor floors within the residence halls to create a themed living-learning community. For more information about the process, please contact Liz Thomason.