Living Learning Communities (LLCs)

Rider's Living Learning Communities (LLCs) are an excellent way to connect with likeminded peers who share similar interests or academic majors. You’ll forge new and lasting friendships as you work together toward common goals with members of Rider’s faculty and the staffs of student life and residence life. 

Why join a Living Learning Community (LLC)?

• Designed for First-Year Students: Exclusively for incoming students to ease the transition to college life and build lasting connections.
• No Additional Cost: Participation is included in your housing rate—no extra fees required.
• Stronger Academic Outcomes: Students in LLCs often earn higher GPAs, are more likely to persist to graduation, and report greater satisfaction with their college experience.
• Built-In Support & Advising: Access academic help and faculty mentorship right in your residence hall. Engage in dialogue outside the classroom about academic and social issues.
• Community & Connection: Choose from six themed communities and enjoy exclusive programs tailored to your interests.

A separate request and approval process is required for students who would like to join an LLC: 

1. Make Your Housing Deposit: All students must pay the housing deposit before they can submit a housing application or request for specialty housing.
2. Take Note of Important Dates: Visit the New Student Housing Process page for important deadlines and application instructions. 
3. Apply for Housing: Complete the online housing application and submit a request to join an LLC program. You must agree to all program requirements of the LLC. (LLCs are available to New Students only.)
   1. Regardless of when you submit your LLC request, housing assignments are on a first-come, first-served basis according to your housing deposit date. 
   2. Following an approval, students will receive an automated e-mail signifying that you will be assigned to your space upon the space suggestions of LLC administrators. 
   3. Roommate requests can be considered for students accepted into the program; otherwise you will be assigned with another LLC student.

Questions? Contact our office at reslife@rider.edu.  

Learning Communities for New Students

Baccalaureate Honors Program (Honors LLC)

Residence Hall Location: 1st Floor, Ziegler Hall 

The Honors LLC fosters intellectual growth and a social community among students in Rider's Baccalaureate Honors Program (BHP). Taking honors gateway courses together allows students to study some common texts, do similar assignments, and participate in co-curricular events.

Media Arts (Media Arts LLC): New for Fall 2025

Residence Hall Location: Newly renovated Centennial Hall 

The Media Arts LLC will bring academic and social programs directly to where our majors live - it is a hub for students interested in Media Arts, TV & radio, game design, film and TV. Activities are designed to unite students and faculty outside the traditional classroom through interesting films, guest speakers, trips, career-building workshops, and informal social gatherings.

Open to freshman majors in Media Arts, Music Production, Game Design, Film and TV. Students in this LLC will be assigned to the Centennial Residence Hall.

Fine Arts (Fine Arts LLC)

Residence Hall Location: 1st Floor, Lake House 

Lake House is the creative hub for freshmen in the School of Communication, Media, and Performing Arts. State-of-the-art practice rooms and a keyboard lab allow music instruction and mentoring to occur where students live and learn. Additional practice rooms are also located in Kroner Hall. Open to freshmen majors in Acting, Arts & Entertainment, Dance, Dance Science, Music Production, Musical Theatre, and Theatre. 

Norm Brodsky College of Business (Business LLC)

Residence Hall Location: 2nd and 3rd Floor, Ziegler Hall 

The Norm Brodsky College of Business's Learning Community incorporates cohort learning with community living in Ziegler Hall (2nd & 3rd floors). The Business LLC program is open to Freshman business majors and fosters intellectual and social growth. The learning community incorporates the "Business in Action" program—a hands-on learning experience where students are provided starting capital to develop and execute a business concept. Read more information about the Business LLC.

Westminster Choir College (WCC LLC)

Residence Hall Location: 1st Floor, Kroner Hall 

Westminster Choir College of Rider University is one of the world's leading music schools. At Westminster's core is a four-year music college and graduate school that prepares men and women for careers as performers and as music leaders in schools, universities, churches, and professional and community organizations. This freshman learning community in Kroner Hall (1st floor) allows students to interact with faculty and participate in programming and activities focusing on student success. Open to freshmen majors in Music, Music Education, and Voice Performance.

Psychology LLC

Residence Hall Location: 1st Floor, Switlik Hall 

The Psychology LLC is a self-selected group of first-year students who will enjoy the benefits of sharing common residential and academic experiences while making new friends, exploring common interests, and being a part of a close community of peers. Students will benefit from special programs and having residence life staff provide assistance with your transition to Rider. The LLC will assist you in exploring your interests in Psychology while bonding with fellow Rider students. Students accepted into the community will live in 1st floor of the Switlik Residence Hall.