Participants of Living Learning Communities marked a year of outstanding leadership, volunteering and academic contributions with a celebration on Monday, April 10 in Alphie’s Trough.

The event recognized students who shined during their first year living in a Living Learning Community (LLC).

A Living Learning Community aims to integrate students who share similar academic disciplines or broader interests.

Each LLC offers specific programming and support that aligns with interests of that particular community.

Third-year Concurrent Education student Caitlyn Hillman lived in the Con Ed LLC as a first-year student and has spent the past two years working as an LLC peer mentor.

“Living in an LLC in my first year was one of the best experiences I could have asked for,” she said. “The LLC provided many forms of support with new friends, an approachable peer mentor and an engaging environment within residence. I love the opportunities the LLC program provides students in residence.”

The year-end celebration saw certificates of excellence awarded to one member from each LLC in recognition of their contributions to their residence community. Recipients included Sarah Hodgson, Heather Spooner, Janaan Sinnadurai, Alex Hunter, Elizabeth Wong, Jack Baille and Sarah Vaz.

The Department of Residences will be offering nine Living Learning Communities for the 2017-18 academic year.

Six LLCs are academic discipline focused: Accounting, Business, Concurrent Education, Co-op programs, Political Science and Sport Management.

Three LLCs appeal to those with broader interests: Arts House, Fitness Fans and Health Plans, and Volunteerism and Leadership.