Living-Learning Programs

Blending the Academic and Residential Experience

It’s one thing to read, study, and discuss an issue in class. It’s another to join a community of students who live together in a residence hall, take a class, do research, travel off-campus, and become engaged in a topic on a deeper level. Students engage in the community, have deep conversations, build friendships with a diverse group of students, and find mentors in dedicated faculty members.

U.S. News & World Report Ranking

The University of Richmond was ranked No. 20 on the "Learning Communities" list in the U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges 2020 guide, highlighting the opportunity for students to take multiple courses as a group, deepening connections with each other and their professors.

The Richmond Endeavor

The Richmond Endeavor is the University of Richmond’s premiere living-learning experience for first-year students. Endeavor is designed for students to create meaningful bonds and friendships with their fellow classmates, develop a relationship with a faculty member during their first year at Richmond, and connect their interests both inside and outside of the classroom. 

8

different topics of classes to choose from

180

first-year students particiapting in Endeavor

Three students gathered together in a dorm room on campus to study.

Sophomore Scholars in Residence

The Sophomore Scholars in Residence program (commonly called SSIR) combines a traditional academic course with co-curricular learning activities throughout a student’s entire sophomore year. A signature element of SSIR classes are fully-funded short-term trips that directly connect to what students are studying. Students spend their spring semester working on a collaborative group project connecting their travels and classroom experiences. 
8

different topics of classes to choose from

16

students per class

Themed Communities

Themed communities provide opportunities for students to live in an intentional residential community, centered around a topic. Each themed community has an advisor and access to funds to plan community events on-campus, in the Richmond region, and beyond. 

2

different communities to choose from

20

students per community