Wondering how to do it all?
The Malone University Learning Cluster brings students together in multiple general education courses, social adventures, and service projects during their first semester of college.
At Malone, we believe that deep belonging in a learning community is the foundation of academic excellence. The deepest sense of belonging for first-year students happens in the Learning Cluster.
The Learning Cluster:
- Connects you with peers while building friendships
- Connects you with professors in an active and unique learning environment
- Connects you with resources for academic and social success
- Connects you with opportunities to build leadership skills
- Connects concepts from class to help you make sense of the real world
About the Learning Cluster
Experience the benefit of taking three important general education classes with the same group of friends.
Participants are welcomed from a wide range of abilities and experiences. Professors who teach these classes will be working as a team, and the content and the assignments within the courses will be linked together. Space is limited to 40 students with participation on a "first-come/first-served" basis.
Students will register for:
- GEN 100 -- College Experience
- HIST 112 -- World History II: The Modern World
- POL 212 -- Introduction to World Politics
Why have the Learning Cluster at Malone?
Researchers have found that when students participate in learning communities they establish meaningful friendships, are more likely to have strong academic and social experiences, are more likely to continue in college, and are better able to see how different courses connect with each other. Additionally, class participation is increased because students feel comfortable around and build trust with others in the Cluster.
Does it cost more?
No, but it has plenty of benefits!
Can everyone do it?
Any first year student can, but not everyone can. Space is limited to 40 students so participation is on a "first-come/first-served" basis.
Will it take extra time?
Besides classes, the Learning Cluster will have a number of outside-of-class experiences (and adventures). Some of these will be evening activities or meals together, or spending time together off campus. At the same time, the Cluster can "save" time through shared assignments across classes, the benefit of outside activities for in-class work, and the nature of developing collaborative relationships for studying, checking notes, and working on assignments.
What do Cluster students say?
I really didn't know what to expect when I came here in August: who I would meet, what classes would be like, etc. The Cluster helped ease me into this whole new environment by giving me a group of people to identify with. Being with a set group of freshmen that shared my situation was comforting, and it lessened the shock of my first couple of months away from home. — Andrew
The Learning Cluster is a great way for incoming freshmen to quickly meet new people and build strong friendships. Coming to campus for the first time can make students anxious but it was nice to have a large chunk of my schedule with people I was familiar with. The activities that Learning Cluster offers allow students to build strong relationships with both students and professors, which makes the whole transition into college much smoother. Everyone in the Cluster eventually gets so close that being around this group of people was very easy. I would never take back being in the Cluster my first semester - it was too much fun and I met too many good people! — Nick
The Cluster, for me, was an incredible experience. Academically, the Cluster alleviated so much stress from the first semester that I almost felt bad for my non-Cluster peers! Having the same group of classmates (who, by the way, all knew each other quite well from Cluster activities) was absolutely beneficial. Not only did I benefit from having the same classmates for three courses, but the fact that the professors of those classes worked together as well made things phenomenally better. The collaboration on the part of the professors to achieve a successful Cluster was key in my experience.
People from the Cluster met frequently for study groups and homework help - a result that directly stems from the fact that we were all VERY comfortable with one another. The bonding and the friendships that formed that first semester were undoubtedly because of the opportunities afforded to us from the Cluster. And, contrary to what others may assume, this type of exclusivity did NOT prohibit us from integrating with the rest of our freshman class. We were immersed into college life just as everyone else was. The difference was that we had developed a core - a tight knit group of colleagues and friends in the process.
The Cluster was foundational in my college experience. It made lasting memories for me and taught me what college is all about: Growing - academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. — Lee
Where can I find more information?
- Marcia Everett at (330) 471-8335 or meverett@malone.edu
- Jay Case at (330) 471-8282 or jcase@malone.edu
- Scott Waalkes at (330) 471-8396 or swaalkes@malone.edu