Joining Forces: Students Work Together to Succeed

In an effort to increase student achievement and retention, Rockland Community College has launched "Learning Communities," a program where students work collaboratively and move together as a group through two linked courses.

Studies show that students who bond to a college, a faculty member, or a group of students have a better chance not only of staying in college, but also in succeeding at that college as well, according to RCC President Cliff L. Wood. Learning Communities can help in establishing that all-important bond. RCC is expanding its successful "Learning Communities" pilot program launched in Spring 2010 from three communities to eight in Fall 2010.

The three learning communities available last spring consisted of three English Skills courses, each linked with a course in another discipline. Taking both courses as one group gave students the opportunity to work more effectively with each other on assigned projects. In addition, peer mentors were trained and then assigned to the learning communities. 

The student mentors were required to meet personally with their mentees twice a month and to maintain weekly contact through e-mail, text or phone. Mentors created and presented workshops in areas such as time-management, study skills and essay writing.

"Mentoring, including peer mentoring, can dramatically help students be more successful and achieve more," Wood said.

Examples of learning communities available in Fall 2010 include the pairings of English Composition with American History; English as a Second Language with Sociology; and English Skills with Psychology.

To register for a Learning Community, or to learn more about the program, contact Martha Rottman, Division Chair, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Science, at 845-574-4166 or mrottman@sunyrockland.edu

Enrollment is  underway for the Fall 2010 Semester, which begins Sept. 1. For more information, visit www.sunyrockland.edu or call RCC Admissions at 845-574-4224. Financial aid and child care available, according to RCC.