The Perceived Experience of Students of Color in Living and Learning Communities at a Predominately White Institution

Living and learning communities are a high impact practice that colleges and universities have used to increase retention on campus. These communities have positive benefits including higher sense of belonging and connectedness, higher retention rates, and increased satisfaction in the campus community. While there is a large body of research on living and learning communities, research about the way students of color experience them is a noticeable gap. This qualitative research study sought to understand the perceived experience of students of color in living and learning communities at a predominately white institution.This narrative study looked at six students who participated in a living and learning community during their first year of college to understand their perceived experience. The methodology used was a narrative inquiry and case study approach with the study participants to gather data through in-depth interviews. Data was analyzed through thematic coding, and three themes emerged. The first theme highlighted sense of belonging and connectedness. The second theme highlighted the overall positive residential experience and campus climate. The third theme explored the importance of summer bridge programs. From these findings, recommendations are suggested to continue positive experiences for students of color in living and learning communities.