Residential Learning Communities (RLC)

RLC Overview

The Office of Residence Life is dedicated to providing more than just rooms — we want students to truly feel at home. We are dedicated to ensuring our buildings are safe and vibrant environments that help foster student learning and development. We see educational opportunities all around us in the residence halls, from the fantastic programming our Resident Assistants offer, to the life skills students obtain when successfully navigating a roommate conflict.

Residence Life has partnered with multiple academic and administrative departments to design Residential Learning Communities (RLCs). Residential Learning Communities are comprised of groups of students who choose to live in a shared residential community. Learning opportunities are focused on a specific interest, academic area or major.

Participation in Residential Learning Communities offers several benefits, including:

Living with other students who share similar majors or interests
The opportunity to develop close relationships with other students in the community
Focused programming opportunities related to the Residential Learning Community theme
The opportunity to interact closely with faculty and staff members
Resident Assistants (RAs) chosen specifically for membership in the Learning Community

RLCs can assist in transitioning to Saint Joseph’s University and help students feel connected to the many resources offered on campus. Research shows that students who participate in Learning Communities are more likely to live in an enjoyable community, achieve a higher level of academic success from mutual discussion and study, and have stronger relationships with faculty and staff members due to unique and creative programming opportunities.

The Common Good RLC

Participants in the Common Good RLC will engage in programming focused on belonging, community, inclusion and Jesuit Values. Students in the The Common Good RLC are strongly encouraged to register for University required INT 151 for the fall semester as this will serve as a common learning experience for all participants. Additionally, students are encouraged to register for a service-learning course to further their engagement with relationship-based service and their understanding of topics discussed in the Common Good RLC programming.

Collaborating Department: Faith-Justice Institute

Location: Sister Thea Bowman Hall

Emerging Leaders RLC

The Emerging Leaders Residential Learning Community is meant to provide first-year students with the opportunity to develop meaningful leadership skills that will assist them in their transition to college as well as in future leadership positions and careers. Students living in this RLC will be able to interact with other campus leaders, gain a rich understanding of campus activities and involvement and will participate in events, programs and leadership workshops that will assist them in developing mature leadership skills. Past events have included:

Involvement panels with current Saint Joseph's student leaders
Leadership workshops with faculty members
Resume building
Interview tips
Networking nights

Location: Sister Thea Bowman Hall

GEN F1RST RLC

The GEN F1RST RLC is a dedicated community designed to support first-generation students (a first-generation college student refers to an individual whose parents did not earn a four-year bachelor's degree). This community provides a combination of academic, social, and holistic support, with the goal of easing their transition to SJU. Students in the RLC live in community with other first-generation students and will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, events, and mentorship opportunities. The goal is to help students build a strong sense of community and create a support network to help them be successful during their time on campus.

Collaborating Department: Office of Student Success

Location: Sister Thea Bowman Hall

Health Professions RLC

The Health Professions RLC is designed to provide unique programs, mentorship, advising, social and educational opportunities for students preparing for careers as healthcare providers. This community strives to bring health professions students together in a dynamic and engaging environment, while fostering exploration and connections, both on campus and within our surrounding communities. Priority for this community is given to students within the School of Health Professions and the School of Nursing and Allied Health.

Location: Sister Thea Bowman Hall

RLC Application

The 2026-2027 RLC Application is now open. Applications are due by 9 am July 2, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

If you have any questions, please email rlc@sju.edu.

FAQs

Have a question about RLCs? Refer to this page for some of our most frequently asked questions about the RLC application process. If you have a question that is not reflected here, please contact Residence Life at rlc@sju.edu or by phone at 610-660-1060.

Residential Learning Communities (or RLCs) are communities provide the opportunity to live with students and Resident Assistants (RAs) who are majoring in a similar discipline, or share a common interest. All RLCs offer convenient study and social groups and community-building activities. First-year students have the opportunity to join one of four RLC (The Common Good RLC, Emerging Leaders RLC, GEN F1RST RLC, or Health Professions RLC).
RLCs are a great place for students to meet like minded students as well as receive mentoring from upperclass RAs. RLCs can help ease the transition to college by providing an instant connection and commonality with a roommate and fellow community members. More formally, there is at least one RLC specific program a month focused on the RLC theme/topic. Please visit each RLC page for additional information about events/programming.
You can access the RLC application here:
- 2026-2026 First Year RLC Application
RLC applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. To ensure your best chance of getting into an RLC, please apply early. Acceptances will be emailed to your Saint Joseph’s email account throughout late May and June, after completing the Housing Agreement. Once accepted, all members must respond to their offer email, confirming their space in the community and removal from the general housing selection process.
Each RLC has a capacity of 44 students.
Students in Residential Learning Communities are administratively assigned to a room in Sister Thea Bowman Hall prior to the general housing selection process. All accepted RLC students will be removed from the selection process and will be automatically assigned a space with another RLC participant. Students accepted into an RLC can pair up with other residents who have been accepted into that RLC and will have the opportunity to indicate that they would like to live together.
Students in Residential Learning Communities are administratively assigned to a room in Sister Thea Bowman Hall prior to the general housing selection process. All accepted RLC students will be removed from the selection process and will be automatically assigned a space with another RLC participant. Students accepted into an RLC can pair up with other residents who have been accepted into that RLC and will have the opportunity to indicate that they would like to live together. If your desired roommate does not apply/is not accepted to the RLC, you will not be able to request them.
While you would be able to attend some of the programs, a large portion of the community development happens by living in the community, so we are not able to offer an RLC membership to those who choose to live in a different building on campus.
Connection through social media, orientation and the housing portal ‘search feature’ are the best ways to find fellow RLC students. While there is no search field in the housing portal for RLC membership, you can include it on your profile and it will be visible to other students. During the RLC housing selection process, many students enter the RLC knowing that they will have the RLC interest in common with any potential roommate.