Axe ’Em, Jacks!
Residential Learning Communities
Find friends who share your interests
Think of Residential Learning Communities (RLCs) as an inside connection to friendships, fun and the kind of support that can help you be a successful student.
RLCs are made up of students who hold common interests. Those interests might be academic subjects, like math and science. They can be social, like communities focused on leadership. Or they can be cultural, like communities that emphasize diversity and international perspectives.
Activities with a purpose
RLC members live in the same residence hall and participate in relaxed learning and social activities year-round. If you choose the Natural Resource Management community, for example, you might find yourself hiking in the East Texas Piney Woods. And if you’re in the Community Service community, you might send military troops cards as part of a service project.
Not only are RLCs a great way to enhance your university experience, they can also help you better understand your classes’ subject matter while you get to know faculty and staff.
First-year Residential Learning Communities
Education
Are you interested in becoming a teacher? If so, this is the RLC for you! Learn with fellow education majors what it takes to become a teacher or a leader in the education field. This community will allow you to interact with faculty and participate in activities related to your major.
Requirement: Must be an education major.
Participants live in Steen Hall.
Freshman Leadership Academy
This community is designed for students enrolled in special sections of our specialized leadership course, SFA 101. In the RLC, you’ll collaborate on major service projects to boost your leadership skills.
Requirement: Student in this RLC must be a part of the Freshman Leadership Academy. Please visit the FLA web page for details.
Participants live in Steen Hall.
Generation Jacks
This community is a part of the Generation Jacks Program and designed to provide additional support to first generation students entering their first year of college. Students who participate in this RLC will interact with fellow first generation students and faculty while participating in programs geared towards academic success, service, and community.
Requirement: Students in the RLC must be a part of the Generation Jacks Program. Please contact GenJacks@sfasu.edu for information regarding Generation Jacks and becoming a part of the program.
Participants live in Steen Hall.
Natural Resource Management
This community provides learning opportunities and service activities that complement a major in forestry, environmental science or spatial science.
Requirement: Students interested in this RLC must be a Forestry, Agriculture, Environmental Science or Spatial Science major in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. Please contact John Kidd at kiddjb@sfasu.edu for more information about this RLC.
Participants live in Steen Hall.
Pre-Health
Are you interested in a pre-health profession? Join a community of other students who are interested in learning what it takes to go into a pre-health profession. This RLC will give you the opportunity to network with faculty and current health professionals, learn what it takes to continue in the Pre-Health Professions program, preview the professional/graduate school application process and participate in service and volunteer options!
Requirement: Contact SFAPHP@sfasu.edu for application information.
Participants live in Steen Hall.
Pre-Nursing
The Pre-Nursing RLC will emphasize preparing first-year students for admittance into the Richard and Lucille Dewitt School of Nursing at SFA. Students will be introduced to potential careers in nursing through peer interaction with current nursing students and faculty/staff interaction.
Requirement: Students interested in this RLC must be a nursing major.
Participants live in Steen Hall.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
If you’re interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), this community will provide a supportive environment. You’ll pick up valuable study tips, be exposed to collaborative efforts of various STEM areas and gain an understanding of STEM-related fields with your fellow residents.
Requirement: Students interested in this RLC must be majoring in a STEM-related field, preferably in the College of Sciences and Mathematics.
Participants live in Lumberjack Landing.
Upperclassmen Residential Learning Communities
Community Service
Work with various organizations on campus to help improve the quality of life for others. This RLC is a great way to earn community service hours and gives you the opportunity to really make a difference.
Participants live in Lumberjack Lodge.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
If you’re interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), this community will provide a supportive environment. You’ll pick up valuable study tips, be exposed to collaborative efforts of various STEM areas and gain an understanding of STEM-related fields with your fellow residents.
Requirement: Students interested in this RLC must be majoring in a STEM-related field, preferably in the College of Sciences and Mathematics and must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Participants live in Lumberjack Lodge.
Transfer
Are you a new transfer student interested in getting involved and learning the SFA Way? Well this RLC is for you! Interact with students and staff while adjusting to your new transition.
Requirement: This must be your first semester attending SFA as a transfer student.
Participants live in South Hall.
Mixed Residential Learning Communities
These RLCs are mixed with both first-year and upperclassmen students.
Honors
If you’ve decided to delve into SFA’s School of Honors curriculum, this community will provide an academically enhanced learning environment. In this RLC, you will share learning and social activities with other members of the School of Honors.
Requirement: Residents must be preapproved by SFA’s School of Honors. Please visit the School of Honors web page for details.
First-year participants live in either Lumberjack Landing or Wisely Hall; Upper class participants live in Wisely Hall.
Global Interest
Interested in other cultures? This RLC will introduce you to students from around the world during social and learning activities. This community will give domestic and international residents ways to interact with and befriend students from different parts of the world and develop a cross-cultural understanding. The Global Interest RLC is ideal for students studying foreign languages, students interested in world affairs, students in exchange programs, and students who are planning to study abroad, returning from study abroad, or are unable to go abroad during their college careers.
Requirement: There are no requirements for this RLC, but it is preferred that first-year students take the SFA 101 – Global Interest section.
Participants live in North Hall.
Applying for a Residential Learning Community
There isn’t a separate process for applying to an RLC. Just follow the normal residence hall application process and indicate which RLC you wish to apply to at that point.
Learn more about applying for housing.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an extra charge to participate in an RLC?
No. You can participate in an RLC, and it’s included in your room rate.
If I join an RLC, can I still pick my roommate?
Yes, but you will need to pick from within the same RLC.
Where are the RLCs located?
RLCs are located in a specific wing within the other residence halls.
Additional Questions?
For more information about our RLCs, email rlc@sfasu.edu.