Living Learning Program EDLIFE Designed to Develop Future Educators

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Video by UK Public Relations and Marketing

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 23, 2014) — At the University of Kentucky, campus living has become an integral element of the learning process.  With currently 13 Living Learning Programs, or LLPs, on campus experiencing tremendous success, the university will open six more in the upcoming year. EDLIFE, an LLP designed for undergraduates in the UK College of Education, will be one of them.

Opening this August for the Fall 2014 semester, EDLIFE will bring together undergraduate students majoring in education, giving them opportunities to learn, discover, study and network with other students, faculty, staff and educators who share their career interests.

"EDLIFE is dedicated to providing first year and returning UK students with a supportive community designed just for them to explore teaching from early childhood through secondary education," said Mary John O'Hair, dean of the College of Education."From day one, entering freshmen and peer mentors will work with faculty and school leaders to identify, analyze and help solve real world education problems.  EDLIFE students will be connected to innovative schools across Kentucky as well as globally to bring critical knowledge and skills, innovation and creativity to life."

Located within Champions Court I, EDLIFE will house about 85 undergraduates.  Coordinators Eve Proffitt and Rose Boulay expect to double that number by fall 2015.

Proffitt, who is co-director of the UK College of Education-based Kentucky P20 Innovation Lab, says the program will be a “professional learning community” for future educators.

"We want our students to build networks with their peers, upperclassmen, faculty members, and teachers in the community," said Proffitt. "Having these networks will make their learning experience more engaging and they will be better prepared for their careers."

Boulay, director of the College of Education’s Office of Student Engagement, Equity and Diversity, says the program will also ensure students know exactly what to expect when pursuing an education degree.

"EDLIFE students will have a strong awareness of what’s required for them to succeed, and how to meet these requirements,” Boulay said. “We will have advisors readily available, with regular office hours taking place within the residence hall.  It is also highly recommended that education students begin preparing for their Praxis exam (the standard teacher preparation test) as early as their freshman year. EDLIFE’s goal is to make sure its students are becoming well-prepared during their early college years.”

In addition to courses that will take place in the residence hall, EDLIFE will also offer its students various academic and career-development opportunities.

"We will bring in speakers and hold panel discussions with superintendents, teachers, politicians and others involved in education,” said Proffitt.  “We want to expose students to the topics and issues that are part of this career path.”

Students can participate in service projects, internships, site visits and study abroad programs as part of the EDLIFE experience. This includes working with “innovation school districts” and partners through the college’s P20 Innovation Lab.

The creation of EDLIFE was a response to what UK education students said they wanted in their college learning experience.  After hundreds were surveyed last fall, it was clear there was a strong desire for a living learning community focused on education.

"Students said they want to be close to the College of Education buildings, close to their advisors, while still being around their peers," said Boulay. "EDLIFE satisfies all three of those needs."

An LLP focused specifically on education and teacher training is also unique in higher education.

"We found there are very few other colleges with a program like this,” said Proffitt. "UK will be one of the first universities with a living learning community designed for future educators."

EDLIFE is currently accepting housing applications for College of Education students. The priority deadline for returning students is Feb. 1.   More information is available at

http://www.uky.edu/Housing/undergraduate/llp/edlife.html

Interested students may also contact Rose Boulay (rose.boulay@uky.edu) or Eve Proffitt (eve.proffitt@uky.edu).

Celebrating its 25th year on campus in fall 2014, the Living Learning Program at the University of Kentucky provides students with an environment to learn where they live and to live where they learn. The Division of Student Affairs Office of Residence Life, creators of the program, collaborated with academic and other student success partners to complement the classroom experience. Through Living Learning Communities and Residential Colleges, UK offers students an opportunity to live and learn together in an integrated academic residential environment.

This dynamic residential experience offers specialized programming, interactions with UK faculty and staff, and a supportive community that focuses on student success. The program has grown exponentially in recent years with 965 students participating in 13 programs this fall. Six more programs will be added in fall 2014, nine times more than in 2008.

For more information, visit http://uknow.uky.edu/content/students-live-and-learn-uk.