The Science Learning Community (SLC) is housed in Manchester Hall. This Living-Learning Community is for students majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field of study (Pre-Med, Pre-Pharm, Med. Tech, Bio Tech). The SLC is specially designed to address the learning, transitional, and social needs of students who have been historically underrepresented in the sciences and science-related fields of study. Participants will engage in a variety of activities to build a strong academic foundation for success in science classes, to develop healthy and productive relationships with peers, science faculty and staff, and to prepare for a rewarding career in their field.

Benefits of participating in the SLC:

• Opportunities to share and develop partnerships with students who have similar academic interests and career aspirations.
• Special programming centered on the student needs which may include group dinners, speakers from fields of student interests, student panels, and first year experience workshops to assist students to successfully transition into college.
• Interaction with faculty through departmental tours, faculty rap sessions in the residence hall, and academic advising.
• Intrusive academic support, instructional sessions, and advising
• Participation in a community of people designed specifically to help first year science majors transition into Kent State and succeed throughout their time at the University.
• Potential to earn a book scholarship to offset costs of books, etc.

Any student with an interest in the above stated fields; an emphasis is placed on recruiting first-generation college students who intend to major in a natural science, science education or related major regardless of race, ethnicity or gender. Woman and minority students are encouraged to apply because these groups are underrepresented in the sciences.

Students are selected based on their interest in the specified fields, eligibility requirements, and a combination of measures that indicate a student’s readiness to enter into college level science coursework. Those measures include the COMPASS results, high school grade point average, short answer essays and ACT/SAT scores.

To learn more about the departmental requirements please click on the appropriate link:

• Biology majors or biology related majors: http://www.kent.edu/biology/
• Chemistry majors or chemistry related majors: http://dept.kent.edu/chemistry/
• Physics majors or physics related majors: http://phys.kent.edu/
• Pre-medicine majors or pre-medicine related majors:
  http://bioweb.biology.kent.edu/UndergraduateStudy/Pre-professional_Medical_Programs.html
• Other related fields are zoology, pre-pharmacy, conservation, botany etc.

Students must complete the SLC application. Applications are sent to all incoming students who express an interest in majoring in the specified science fields. Once students complete the PASS program, they will be notified of their selection and admission into the SLC. Interested students should send or fax their application to SLC Coordinator.

Dana Lawless-Andric
Science Learning Community Coordinator
217 Michael Schwartz Center
PO Box 5190
Kent, Ohio 44242-0001
Phone: 330-672-2920
Fax: 330-672-5339
Email: dlawless@kent.edu

Tasha Slay, Science Learning Community Graduate Assistant
217 Michael Schwartz Center
Phone: 330-672-2920
Fax: 330-672-5339
Email: tslay@kent.edu