Northern Arizona University
ER-T2-4: Themed Housing

Learning Community (LC) Peer Mentors are chosen through an application and interview process coordinated by Residence Life staff. These students mentor first year students who self-select to be part of one of our sustainability-related Learning Communities: Eco-House (Sustainability)and SEED (Sustainable Environments and Engaged Democracy). The Peer Mentors for the LCs are trained in a similar manner to our Resident Assistants. After being selected, they enroll in a for-credit pre-service mentoring class during the spring semester. They also participate in a multiple day training prior to the start of the fall semester. Each Learning Community is assigned a faculty or staff mentor to help guide the Community Mentor in providing programming relevant to the community's topic of focus. The Community Mentor has regular meetings during the academic year with both their supervisor and the Faculty/Staff Liaison. The Eco House LC is a residential and academic community that focuses on making positive environmental change through environmental research and education, community engagement, and personal change. The 20 Eco House residents examine their personal impact on the environment and use this knowledge to promote environmentally sustainable living within the university and Flagstaff community. This LC is ideal for students who are considering majoring in environmental science, environmental studies, biology, forestry, geology, and related fields. Eco House students also take a class together that has a environmental focus. Sustainable Environments and Engaged Democracy (SEED) is a freshman residential and academic community that fosters awareness of and engagement with challenging ecological and social issues of our day. SEED enables students to learn and work with people of diverse backgrounds in order to foster creative and beneficial change in the world. This LC is ideal for students who are considering majoring in environmental studies, politics, anthropology, sociology, ethnic studies, education, women studies, and related fields. This LC also has a paired course that the community members take together.