Environmental Stewardship Living Learning Community

Tackle key environmental issues in the classroom and in the residence hall, and in the local and global community with fellow students.

In a Living Learning Community (LLC) at Cedar Crest College, you can enjoy a fuller, deeper learning experience by living in a residence hall with other students who share similar interests. The mission of Living Learning Communities at Cedar Crest College is to integrate curricular and co-curricular experiences to foster characteristics of women’s leadership, civic engagement, and global connectivity.

Now in its second year, the Environmental Stewardship Living Learning Community—under the leadership of faculty coordinator John Cigliano, Ph.D., associate professor of biological sciences and director of the biodiversity & conservation biology program, and a student peer academic leader—examines our relationship with and responsibilities towards nature on the local, national and global scale.

By the end of the course, you will:

• Understand the underlying causes and consequences of major global ecological environmental issues and be able to discuss one major environmental issue in depth
• Develop an understanding of the major theories of environmental ethics and a deeper understanding of their values and beliefs
• Be able to articulate which of these theories, if any, best describe your belief of your relationship towards nature

Environmental Stewardship LLC members meet weekly for discussions and field trips, and spend at least 28 hours during the spring semester in community service. Last year, students spent a great deal of time caring for animals and creating educational programs at a local farm, and assisting at several other service organizations. Students also work on projects related to environmental stewardship and contribute to Cedar Crest’s annual Earth Day celebration.

Learn more about participating in a Living Learning Community at Cedar Crest.

While each LLC on campus is unique, they share the core values of promoting global awareness, creating student-faculty connections, and encouraging active learning, critical thinking, collaboration, leadership and an understanding of diverse viewpoints and cultures.

As one Living Learning Community graduate noted: “The difference with the living learning community is that you don’t feel silly talking about these issues, because everyone around you cares about them. It’s a group of people who really have a heart for the world.”

Program Mission Statement

The mission of Living Learning Communities at Cedar Crest College is to integrate curricular and co-curricular experiences to foster characteristics of women’s leadership, civic engagement, and global connectivity. Living Learning Communities cultivate interactions among students, faculty, and staff by building a community of scholars who share common interests.

Environmental Stewardship LLC Mission Statement

The Environmental Stewardship Living Learning Community at Cedar Crest College is dedicated to the process of having students explore their own values in the context of individual responsibility to local, regional and global communities. Consistent with the mission of the College, this Living Learning Community seeks to provide students with a liberal arts perspective that is committed to preparing students to become leaders who will strive to alleviate social oppression and environmental degradation through advocacy for environmental stewardship and environmental justice.

Total number of credits required by program: 6 credits