First-Year Family
Bauer House First-Year Living Learning Community Creates Social, Academic Support System
As freshmen transition into the university environment, the C. T. Bauer College of Business has several programs to help ease the adjustment period, including the Bauer House First-Year Living Learning Community (LLC).
Located within Cougar Village I, this is the first academic year Bauer College has offered an LLC specifically designated for freshmen students. Participants in the program are introduced to other business students who live in their hall at the start of the semester and are guided by Bauer College staff and their resident adviser throughout the school year. Through programming, the LLC aims to socially, professionally and academically accelerate the students who participate.
“This is a great opportunity for them to be with their peers,” Program Manager for Student Life Lyssa Gonzalez said. “They're already in a lot of the same classes, but I think living with each other makes those bonds even stronger, especially when they're engaged in the same programs. It further solidifies those connections.”
Business freshman Thijs Vuyk said meeting new people and forming relationships has been the most enjoyable part of the program, but he’s also seen other benefits.
“Having the ability to talk to people that share the same interests as you just by being close together is a great way to feel more situated in college life,” Vuyk said. “It definitely helped me improve my grades as well. Having people around you that share your goals is 100 percent a great way to raise grades. It's nice to work on homework together, as well as study for tests.”
On a day-to-day basis, the LLC students are guided by their resident adviser Indra Aguilar, a Bauer senior studying management information systems and entrepreneurship. Drawing from her own experience in their shoes a few years ago, Aguilar said she’s able to relate and give students advice.
For her, it’s important to plan LLC events that are tailored to the students who are living in and engaging with the program.
“A big part of connecting with residents is having that empathy, and that comes with understanding where they come from,” Aguilar said. “I get to know who they are, what their goals are, what their majors are, who their friends are and ultimately what they want out of the LLC and out of UH.”
Students can learn more about Bauer House and apply here.
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