SMITHFIELD, RI – Among several new initiatives designed to enhance the campus learning environment for women students, Bryant University has announced creation of a Living-Learning Community (LLC) for first-year women. This newly-designated space, ready for occupancy in fall 2019, will be located within Bristol House, one of 17 campus residence halls that offer a variety of progressive living options, from traditional first-year housing, to suites, to townhouse-style apartments for upper-class students.
The LLC will provide space for women in the incoming Class of 2023, selected from the largest group of applicants in Bryant history. Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Wendy Samter, Ph.D., and Kelly Boutin, assistant director of Bryant’s PwC Center for Diversity and Inclusion, and coordinator of the Hochberg Women's Center and Pride Center, will oversee a variety of special interest programming for students living in the space.
"The initiative ... will incorporate best practices from both academic and student life models of women’s leadership programming."
According to Samter, “This specifically dedicated space is being designed to enhance the academic excellence and student success for women who choose a residential living option created with this goal in mind. The initiative will draw inspiration from successful programs at other leading universities and will incorporate best practices from both academic and student life models of women’s leadership programming.”
Goals for the living space and programs to be featured there include:
- creating a strong sense of belonging through living with other high-achieving students who share common goals and interests;
- developing and advancing leadership skills;
- providing a supportive network of peers and mentors including faculty, Bryant alumnae, and staff;
- empowering occupants to develop their sense of self and potential for contributions to the Bryant community and beyond.
The Bryant University experience is widely noted for its immersive, 24/7 learning environment that prepares students with real-world innovation and leadership and skills. Campus housing is available to Bryant students for all four years, and more than 95 percent of the University’s first-year students choose to live on campus.
Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., is a leading private university offering an innovative and uniquely integrated business and liberal arts education. The University's 3,700 undergraduate and postgraduate students study in an intensive and immersive learning environment that has been purpose-built for high achievement. Bryant’s groundbreaking academic programs have been nationally recognized by organizations including the Davis Educational Foundation and Hanover Research. Founded in 1863, Bryant is recognized as a leader in international education and regularly receives top rankings from U.S. News and World Report, College Factual/U.S.A. Today, Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, and Barron’s. Visit www.bryant.edu to learn more.
