Freshman Learning Community

"I would recommend the learning community to anyone entering the department. It helped me find long lasting friends." -Kathryn M.
"The trips were fun and I had a great time. All in all it was a great experience." -John S.

Are you new to Iowa State and majoring in Animal Ecology or Forestry? Are you looking for something more out of Iowa State? To increase your opportunities? Are you looking for ways to enhance your academic success?

Join the NREM Freshman Learning Community!

What a learning team can do for you

  • The benefit of having your classes clustered.
    You are guaranteed to get into the classes you need for your major. The English 150 class has taken field trips to further their study.
  • The benefit of living with people who are taking the same classes as you.
    You have study buddies for everything at all times of the day.
  • The benefit of having professional people come and talk to you about careers.
    You can get a head start in the career you choose and make contacts in your field.
  • The benefit of having a peer mentor.
    You have an older NREM student living on the floor to help answer questions about classes and advise students about choices.

Freshman Learning Community

  • A residential-based year-long program for freshmen majoring in Animal Ecology or Forestry
  • Provides a positive social setting
  • The opportunity to make life-long friends
  • Peer mentors available in Residence Halls
  • Opportunities to go on trips to zoos and state parks
  • Social events, including trips such as hockey games and snow tubing

Enhances academic success

  • Clustered required courses
  • Informal study groups
  • Academic Success Center presentations
  • Improved time management skills
  • Better grades

What's happening with the Learning Community

The fall 2007 semester was a banner semester. The freshmen learning community experienced a lot of exciting things. In September, members of the learning community got to experience the Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo in a way that most people do not. Members were treated to behind the scene tours of the Desert Dome, Aquarium, Giraffe Complex and Cat Complex. While taking these tours members got up close to many types of animals, they learned a little about how the zoo works and the daily duties of the zookeepers. Members also went camping alongside the mighty Missouri River at Wilson Island State Park. In October, members got a little muddy while crawling through the twenty plus limestone caves at Maquoketa State Park in Eastern Iowa. Members also laughed at the jokes told by comedian Carlos Mencia and were thrilled by the excitement of an ISU men’s hockey game. We are looking forward to continuing our momentum and having an exciting spring semester.

For more information

John Burnett
515-294-3681
jburnett@iastate.edu