Julius Chatman Living Learning Community (JCLLC)

Named in honor of the first black student at Alma College and housed in Gelston Hall, the Julius Chatman Living Learning Community (JCLLC) is a space for first-year students to foster leadership development and a sense of belonging by providing academic, social, and cultural support for students of color and their allies. First-year students accepted into the Campbell Scholars Program will live together in the JCLLC during their first year and continue to participate in the Campbell Scholars Program during their 4 years at Alma College. Contribute to this fund to support programming for these Alma students as they successfully transition to college.

Living Learning Communities (LLCs) are a relatively new concept at colleges and universities. They allow for students with common academic, cultural, or social interests to live together in on-campus housing and receive various supports guided by their goals. There are several examples of LLCs at colleges and universities around the United States, based on ideas such as environmentally sustainable living, interfaith spirituality, entrepreneurship and second languages. Alma also offers LLCs for transfer students and those involved in local service. Damon Brown, vice president of student affairs at Alma College, explains that “The Chatman LLC will help students on our campus … so that they can grow and be successful inside and outside the classroom here at Alma College.”