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Watch the full recording!

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NLCA | Learning Community Essentials in Higher Education: Models and Practices

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JuliA Metzker (she/her), Evergreen State College - I direct the Washington Center

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DOWNLOAD SLIDESHOW

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JOIN THE NLCA!

Academic Advising and Learning Communities: Opportunities and Challenges (28 Mar 25)

Community of Practice (monthly)

Newsletter & Google Group

2025 Conference & CFP

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National Learning Communities Conference (NLCC) 2025
Cultivating Collective Success: Learning Together, Achieving More Ames, IA - November 3 - 5, 2025
Join us to engage in discussions and presentations of inclusive practices, innovative pedagogies, and collaborative experiences designed to

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Programs and Services

Learning Community Program Directory

Monthly Newsletter

Free Monthly Workshops

Annual Curriculum Planning Retreat

Consulting & Institutes

Information Session March 7

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Washington Center for Improving Undergraduate Education

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Events & Services | Washington Center for Improving Undergraduate Education

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The Washington Center supports the work of higher education faculty, staff, and administration through a range of customizable services and events facilitated by our network of Resource Faculty and other partners with specialized expertise in curriculum design, pedagogy, assessment, and administration.

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Jodi H. Levine (Author), Nancy S. Shapiro (Author)

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Creating Learning Communities: A Practical Guide to Winning Support, Organizing for Change, and Implementing Programs

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Creating Learning Communities: A Practical Guide to Winning Support, Organizing for Change, and Implementing Programs [Levine, Jodi H., Shapiro, Nancy S., Shapiro, Nancy S.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Creating Learning Communities: A Practical Guide to Winning Support, Organizing for Change, and Implementing Programs

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2008 - Kuh - High-Impact Educational Practices What they are, who has access to them and why they matter

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Evidence-Based Improvement in Higher Education

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Each year, the National Survey of Student Engagement publishes results of its annual surveys. Find out what we’ve learned this year.

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LC HIPs Touchstones Handout: What makes a high impact learning community?

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Graziano et al (2016) A Workbook for Designing, Building, and Sustaining Learning Communities + Appendices 

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Living-Learning Communities in Practice: A Guide for Creating, Maintaining, and Sustaining Effective Programs in Higher Education

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This book offers a roadmap for developing, growing, and sustaining living-learning communities (LLCs) that promote student success and enhance the undergraduate experience.
Drawing on the Best Practices Model presented in Living-Learning Communities That Work, as well as updated research and rich, real-life examples from LLC administrators, the authors offer a revised and improved model for effective LLC practice. Nuanced typologies guide stakeholders in developing and growing their own programs

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Join the 2025 Best Practices Symposium on Friday, April 4 (near Chicago)

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Consortium of Illinois Learning Communities

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Consortium of Illinois Learning Communities

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Welcome to the Consortium for Illinois Learning Communities site. Please note that membership is also open to any institution or individual members outside of Illinois. See Membership page for more information. Additional member benefits can be found here. CILC Member Benefits

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Matthews et al. - 2012 - The evolution of learning communities A retrospec

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Henscheid - 2015 - It Is Time to Count Learning Communities

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Tami Boday (she/her)

Colorado State University

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George J. Hill - Academic Counselor (Advisor) at Hudson County Community College, New Jersey

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Olivia Heeter (she/her): Faculty Assessment & Instructional Design Coordinator at Peninsula College in beautiful Port Angeles, WA.

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Lori Throupe - Christopher Newport University

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Rick Cazzato Jr. (he/him), Assistant Director for Residential Area Engagement @ Northwestern University

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Ken Harris, Indiana University Southeast

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Micala Larson (she/her)

Highline College

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Miranda Meyer McCarty (she/her)

Purdue University

I am the Early Start Outreach Coordinator.

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Amanda Spada (she/her), University of Connecticut School of Business, Associate Director of the Business Connections Learning Community

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Alyssa Dwyer (she/her) Assistant Coordinator for Residential Learning Communities, San Diego State University

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Nathan K. Mitchell, Ph.D. QEP Director at Prairie View A&M University

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Courtney Barbour (she/her): Advisor at Iowa State University, Ames, IA

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Rickey Jackson, Learning Communities Coordinator, Northland Pioneer College, Winslow, AZ

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Jared Leising, Cascadia College

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Pattie Dillon, PhD (she/her) - Dean, Undergraduate Education, Spalding University

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Kyle Holtman - Assistant Director of Learning Communities at Iowa State University

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Citklali Ibarra (she/her/ella), Associate Director of Academic Engagement & Curricular Learning - San Diego State University

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Stacey Parker (she/her) - Associate Director at Lloyd Scholars for Writing and the Arts - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

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Tuyetnhi Nguyen, University of Southern Mississippi, Assistant Director of Academic Partnerships & Initiatives

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Sue Riddle, eLearning Faculty, Olympic College in Bremerton, WA.

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Dane Sawyer (he/him/his)

University of La Verne

Instructor, Philosophy and Religion, Honors Program;

Summer La Verne Experience and Freshman La Verne Experience Lead

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Lisa Kamody (she/her)

Ohio University

Assistant Director of Instructor Engagement Learning Community Programs

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Christina Brady (she/her)

Iowa State University

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Delight Yokley (she/her/ella)

Asst Provost for Student Success

I run the First Year LC under our QEP

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

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Mimi Benjamin (she/her): Professor in the Student Affairs in Higher Education program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania

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Calista Herrera (She/Her)

Florida Polytechnic University

Housing & Residential Life Coordinator

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Hazel Hooker - Assistant Dean for Student Success, Honors College, Florida International University

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Nic Mangal, Senior Assistant Director of Advisement at Hudson County Community College in Jersey City, NJ!

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Paul DeBell - Fort Lewis College

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Dr. Carlos Cervantes

Dean, Academic & Career Services, University of La Verne (Southern California)

FLEX Learning Communities: https://laverne.edu/orientation/learning-communities/

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First-year Learning Communities- FLEX for short-are your introduction to The La Verne Experience. Over 25 FLEX Learning Communities place incoming freshmen with similar interests into the same set of two classes designed to lay the foundation for success in and outside the classroom. FLEX's unique educational opportunities help students engage with faculty and classmates in linked classes-two distinct disciplines and a smaller writing class. As students study each subject in depth, they also touch on common themes in a coherent educational experience.

Foundational to The La Verne Experience, each FLEX Learning Community links two classes which include select coordinated activities that encourage you to interact closely with classmates and faculty in active learning outside the classroom. A series of co-curricular activities are designed to supplement what you are learning in your classes.

Part of each FLEX Learning Community's goal is to introduce students to the core values that have guided La Verne's mission since 1891: A Values Orientation, Community and Diversity, Life-Long Learning, and Community Service. The One Book, One University shared freshman reading program contributes to this goal.

Simplify your registration and maximize your educational value!

Most individual FLEX courses grant subject credit in General Education breadth requirements, and in some cases you can even earn major credit. FLEX Learning Community courses must be taken together for a total of 8-10 semester hours (in some cases a bit fewer). Although you may select any FLEX for registration, we expect you to select one that corresponds with the major you are considering.

Review the FLEX choices in advance of your chosen SOAR date and come prepared with a list of FLEXs you might want to take (let's call these your top choices). Make sure you check off all the pre-SOAR items in the application portal, and take note of your top choice FLEXs ahead of SOAR. At SOAR, you can reference your top-choice FLEXs at registration with the help of an academic advisor. During your meeting, you will complete your registration by selecting a third and fourth course (usually writing and math, based on placement). If math is not available then an adequate replacement course in the major or elective credit can be chosen.

If you have already submitted your tuition deposit, log in to your application portal to get started on this process now.

It's easy to review your top choice FLEX Learning Communities

Review the Master FLEX List by Major for times, dates, and instructors (these lists are subject to change without notice) (Fall 2024).

Review the Recommended Third or Fourth Class by Major (Fall 2024).

Take note of your top choice FLEXs and bring your notes to SOAR where you will register for fall courses.

After you complete the steps in your application portal, your checklist will be updated and you will be able sign up for a SOAR date.

At SOAR you will meet with an academic advisor to register for a FLEX and your 3rd and 4th courses.

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FLEX's unique educational opportunities help students engage with faculty and classmates in linked classes. Learn more today.

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Jen Leptien

Director of Learning Communities

Iowa State University

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Melissa Chaffe (she/her), Residence Area Manager, Western University

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Jennie Ziegler, University of North Florida, First Year Experience Coordinator and Assistant Chair of English

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Melissa Foreman

University of Connecticut

Director, LC Program

Assistant Director, FYP, LCs, Academic Achievement Center

Innovation Zone makerspace

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Mary Schlarb (she/her)

Asst. Vice Provost, Student Success

SUNY Cortland

Cortland, NY

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Kathleen Klompien (she/her)

Faculty Director Learning Communities

English Faculty

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA

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Learning Communities - Academic Programs - CSU Channel Islands

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First-year students at Cal State Channel Islands participate in our Learning Communities (LC) program involving General Education and/or academic program requirement classes in both Fall and Spring semesters. The Learning Communities program supports students in their transition to campus through faculty mentorship and peer mentor engagement both in and out of the classroom. Learning Communities at California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) are designed to support student success as a scholar and campus community member. Students who participate in Learning Communities report a greater sense of belonging on campus and increased confidence in their academic abilities.

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Stacy Kesselring, Faculty Living-Learning Programs, Cornell University

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Ethan Stephenson, Director of Faculty Living-Learning, Cornell University

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Abigail Fusaro (she/her)

Wayne State University

Sustainability Learning Community Coordinator

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Amy Cooper (ao4919@wayne.edu)

Happy Friday from Wayne State University in Detroit MI. Happy to be in this session with everyone, thanks JuliA and Nathan for providing this opportunity.

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Hi everyone, I'm Linda van Ooijen-van der Linden, educational psychologist, researcher of Higher Ed at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, currently investigating the microprocesses of curriculum co-creation.

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Sharon Spence-Wilcox (she/her)

Seattle Central College

Library Faculty and Learning Communities Coordinator

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Kari Fernholz- Assistant Director, FIGs, UW-Madison

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Kay Lewis (she/her)

House Assistant Dean, West Campus House System, Cornell University

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Dallas Schmidt (Student Academic Success) University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL

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Inda Watrous Academic Advisor at UConn. I teach a First-Year Experience course for the English major and Senior Year Experience open to most majors.

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Good morning from Spokane Community College! It's Angela Bonilla Rasmussen (she/her), Teaching and Learning Center Director.

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Carey Stewart (she/her) Assistant Director for Intercultural Learning and Program Director for Mozaiko Living-Learning Community, Virginia Tech.

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Guava Jordan (she/her) Policy Associate for Faculty Development, WA State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

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Leticia Schneider, Eastern New Mexico University

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Joceline Franco Dall'Agnol (she/her) I am Faculty Developer at the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba, Southern Brazil

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Glen Ryland, Assoc. Professor in General Education and pioneering Learning Communities at Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada.

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Linda Sheehan, Assessment & Evaluation Coordinator at University of California -Merced, Division of Undergraduate Education

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Tailma Venceslau (she/her), member of the CTL at Insper - Institute of Education and Research, Brazil

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Cathy Miller (she/her): Learning Communities Coordinator and English Department faculty, Grossmont College, San Diego, CA

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Bryan Garcia, Farmingdale State College

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Our university is thinking about starting FIGs (first-year interest groups). Does anyone have this model at their schools?

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There are several Regional Learning Community associations as well!

Washington Learning Communities Consortium - https://sites.evergreen.edu/wlcc/

Consortium of Illinois Learning Communities - https://www.consortillc.org/

Atlantic Center for Learning Communities (East Coast) - https://atlanticcenterforlearningcommunities.org/

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Sandy Kendell

Instructional Designer

Austin Community College

Austin, Texas

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Lauren Gatto Assistant Director of FYE and Peer Leadership Programs University of Nevada Las Vegas

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What have peers done to keep faculty interest and attitudes "high" or at least "level" toward LCs (and avoid or reverse "fatigue"). Thanks.

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Does anyone have "academic mentor" type positions of student leaders who live in the residence halls and complete academic support programs rather than the traditional RA role?

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Karen Weathermon: Director of First-Year Programs at Washington State University, Pullman campus

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Shayla Wiggins

Associate Director, Center for Teaching Excellence

Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas

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I've found this book to be a good resource for those looking to utilize peer mentors. Developing Effective Student Peer Mentoring Programs | A Practitioner'

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Developing Effective Student Peer Mentoring Programs | A Practitioner’

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At a time when college completion is a major issue, and there is particular concern about the retention of underserved student populations, peer mentoring

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What methods of recruitment do you use for recruiting applications for peer leaders? We heavily use student peer leaders in our Los and applications are lower than normal this year. Thanks in advance!

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How do we update/make changes in the directory. Thanks

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Hello! Michelle Butler - Faculty Learning Communities Coordinator at Tacoma Community College

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Nathan, Can you tell us more about the First Year Interest group? I am thinking about creating an advisory committee through academic senate and am wondering if this would be a better option.

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The importance of intentionality and support structures/programs for faculty :)

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Thank you! It was a great refresher on research, but also about the other support networks out there!

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The importance of intentionality and landing in the transformative learning space. Thank you all!

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Thanks for the touchstones assessment tool!

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Value the overview offering prompts for designing LCs

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As a novice to the LLC world, I appreciate this community. Thanks for the great presentation. I look forward to connecting with the group in the future.

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Lovely to see so many people from all over the world wanting to do this vital work! Thanks, All!

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Great presentation and good reminder of the basics as we introduce program to new participants. This will be super helpful to share with my colleague who will be coming in to direct the program next year (she is home with a sick child today and was unable to attend with me). Thank you!

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Thank you. I am taking away more research to read as we continue to build and grow our LC.

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To the point about partnerships with administrative units, the Washington Center's Learning Communities and Student Affairs: Partnering for Powerful Learning (Fall 2007) offers some useful guidance.

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Malnarich and Lardner - 2003 - Designing Integrated Learning for Students A Heur

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Good morning - Kate Hope from Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Arizona.