LEAD Learning Community
The LEAD Living and Learning Community is made up of a community of students who have similar academic and professional goals of being an ENGINEER. Learning community members take an orientation course together and often enroll in one or more other courses together. The community provides an environment where students share common interests and develop a supportive network of peers, faculty, staff and industry professionals while exploring engineering disciplines. Are you interested in joining? Contact Dr. LeQuetia Ancar via phone, 515-294-0690, or email lancar@iastate.edu.
What are the benefits of joining a learning community?
Students who participate in LCs have a higher graduation rate (than non-participants) and are more satisfied with many aspects of their academic experience, including their overall experience at ISU.
Also, LC students have reported greater satisfaction with their opportunities to interact closely with faculty, participate in study groups, apply their learning to real world problems, and work with other students.
What makes the LEAD Learning Community unique?
The LEAD Living and Learning Community is designed to support first year and transfer African American, Native American, Latino/a, Asian American, and multiracial students in the College of Engineering in their transition to Iowa State University. Participants in the program take an orientation course together, have the opportunity to live on the same residence hall floor, and develop a strong academic, professional, and social support network.
If you are interested in living and taking classes with other multicultural engineering first year and transfer students, having mentors who provide a supportive academic environment, and participating in a variety of out-of-class professional and social experiences that help you become better connected to students, faculty, and staff, then the LEAD Living and Learning Community is for you.
What do students have to say?
“LEAD has set a structured schedule for us to do the things that we would not normally think of doing. For instance, going out to have a conversation and a cup of coffee with a professor in our major.”
-Alma, Chemical Engineering
“LEAD has helped me academically by giving me a stable place to study at in Marston. LEAD has also introduced me to guest speakers as well as resources here on campus which have helped me learn proper study habits, places to study on campus, etc. Socially, LEAD has helped me by introducing me to multiple multicultural students who have become my friends.”
-Deon, Construction Engineering
“LEAD has definitely helped me in all aspects of my college transition. Being part of the LEAD learning community has helped me make connections with peers that you just don’t get in a regular class.”
-Justin, Chemical Engineering
“LEAD has helped me learn about many opportunities available on campus as well as allowed me to increase my social network exponentially. In addition, I feel my professional communication has improved.”
