Living Learning Communities (LLCs) are a great way for students to immerse themselves in a topic of interest. LLCs are centered on a specific theme or academic area. Studies have shown that these communities help students be successful, not only by providing them with peer and faculty connections, but through access to workshops and seminars centered around their theme or academic area of interest. At UMD, we have the BizDogs Living Learning Community.
The BizDogs community is a group of first-year, pre-business students who choose to live in a community with one another in UMD's residence halls. They take classes, study, and attend LSBE events together.
Students interact with LSBE faculty and alumni who guide them through figuring out any hurdles they may experience during their first year. They are able to participate in events, only open to members of their community.
Students are encouraged to establish professional goals for their collegiate career. A tutor comes to the BizDogs community to help students with their classes and can motivate students to form their own study groups.
Growing & Learning
Kaleb Mether, from Taylors Falls, Minnesota, majoring in accounting and finance, is a first-year student by age but has already accumulated third-year level credits. Kaleb will be graduating in three and a half years. Kaleb was motivated to attend UMD because he enjoys the campus size, the surrounding outdoor landscape of Duluth at his fingertips, as well as the high accreditation of LSBE.
He has big plans for his post-undergraduate career, helping people with their finances. “I hope to take the Certified Public Accountant exam and get my CPA certification. After that, I hope to work for one of the Big Four accounting firms in the United States. Someday, I think it would be really fun to open my own tax accounting or financial planning business.”
Kaleb has always strived for success in everything he does. When he heard about the BizDogs option and the strong reputation of living learning communities, he “thought it would be helpful to be surrounded by other young business professionals trying to do the same thing.” All of the academic services were appealing to him as well.
He has made a lot of strong connections with his peers, from the beginning of his time as a BizDog. “My favorite part of BizDogs has been meeting a bunch of other business students who have similar aspirations as myself. Moving in with the other BizDogs two days earlier than everyone else made it easy to make some new friends right away.” (Read More)