Agriculutural Business Learning Community

The Community Current Peer Mentors Photos Outcomes Typical Schedules (Fall & Spring) Why join a Learning Community Become A Peer Mentor University Learning Communities Contact us Got a question or comment. Contact us at (515) 294-5436 or e-mail luvaga@iastate.edu.	Agricultural Business Learning Community The department of economics has been actively involved with the learning community program since its inception in 1995. The Ag Business learning community is mostly for first-year students enrolled in either Agricultural Business or Economics. Members of this community are usually dividend into learning teams of 13-16 students. Each Team will take 4-5 classes such as English Composition, Mathematics, and Economics together. Some of these courses have curricular connections or linkages, as well as opportunities for Supplemental Instruction and tutoring. Each Learning Team is also assigned 1-2 peer mentors, upper level agricultural business students, who meet with the learning team students at least once every week during fall semester. Besides being available to answer student questions, these mentors also plan and coordinate a variety of programs and interactive activities that help bring student and faculty together. In addition, learning communities have helped students gain/refine academic proficiencies, develop career interests, and adapt more easily to college life while forming new friendships. What is a Learning Community? Learning communities at Iowa State University are characterized by small groups of students (typically 10-15) who generally take several courses together and/or may live together (or near each other) in the same residence hall. Peer mentoring and faculty involvement are also a very important aspect of ISU's learning communities which started in 1995. Today, there are over 70 learning communities and more than half of ISU's entering first-year students participate. Being in a learning community does not take any more time than a student would expect to spend as a successful student at ISU. Learning communities can actually help students manage their schedule and time by providing built-in opportunities for study groups and building connections with classmates and faculty.	CONTACT INFO If you need any information about the Ag Business Learning Community, this website, or the Ag Business Program itself be sure to contact: Dr. Ebby Luvaga luvaga@iastate.edu Phone: 515-294-5436 Living Options Agricultural Business Learning Community members can concurrently belong to the College of Ag ACES Learning Community, which provides a residential living option. Signing up All Agricultural Business and Economics Majors will be given an opportunity to sign up for a Learning Team during summer orientation or at the time they sign up for fall semester classes.