Learning Communities
Join a community at TCC and get the most out of college!
What is a Learning Community?
In Learning Communities, two or more of your classes are joined into one, and teachers
work together to connect their content and support and mentor you.
- Get to know people and make friends in your major or area of interest right away
- Develop a supportive network with other students, peer mentors, and professors
- Undecided? Learn about degree and career options
- Complete needed credits for your major in a supportive environment
- Complete exciting projects that are linked to your major and community
Our Exploratory Learning Communities combine ENGL&101 with COL 101 (College Success). These Learning Communities are themed around our career clusters (STEM, Business, Health and Wellness, Arts & Communication, People & Communities). Some also have a third class, like Communications 101 or Sociology 101.
College Success Class
To learn more about our new College Success (COL 101) class, which you can take by itself or as part of one of our Exploratory Learning Communities, watch this video:
I liked how the teachers connected their assignments and knew how to support me – I actually enjoyed coming to class. ”
Exploratory Learning Communities Winter 2025
TCC offers Learning Communities in various fields that are designed to fit your career or educational pathway.
To enroll, please contact the instructors directly to request permission. (Please Note: Read through ALL OPTIONS before making your choice.)
College & Career Pathways Academy (CCPA)
Completely integrated, supportive and interactive learning community. Helps students with career exploration and allows them to get college credit in required classes while still completing prerequisites.
15 credits/Hybrid
Instructors:
Career Clusters/Areas of Interest:
Best Fit: All PathwaysCourse Schedule:
COL 101 College Success / ABE 19 Navigating College T/TH – 9:30-10:20; hybrid ABE 71 Occupational Ed / ENGL& 101 T/TH – 10:30-11:20; hybrid CMST& 101 Introduction to Communications T/TH – 11:30-12:20; hybrid Students are now able to self-enroll into Learning Community (LC) classes! Just make sure you add all LC classes to your cart before trying to enroll. Please use this form if you experience any difficulties self-enrolling.
Learning Community 1 – Learning While the World is on Fire
In this interactive class, we will explore environmental justice issues and complete exciting projects that are linked to your life and community.
10 or 12 credits/Hybrid
Instructors: Blaine Hunt and Carla Davison
Career Clusters/Areas of Interest:
Best fit: Science, Engineering and Math
Also fits: All PathwaysCourse Schedule:
COL 101 College Success / ABE 19 Navigating College (required) M/W – 9:30-10:20; hybrid ENGL& 101 English Composition or ABE 77 Environmental Science (required) M/W – 10:30-11:20; hybrid WRITE 095 Tools for Reading and Writing (recommended) M/W– 11:30-12:20; hybrid Students are now able to self-enroll into Learning Community (LC) classes! Just make sure you add all LC classes to your cart before trying to enroll. Please use this form if you experience any difficulties self-enrolling.
Learning Community 2 – Caring for Self; Caring for Community
Develop awareness of caring for self, others and community as you read, research and write for ENGL& 101. Refine skills for college and career success.
10 or 12 credits/Hybrid
Instructors: Michelle Butler and Alisa Ulferts Birkenstein
Career Clusters/Areas of Interest:
Best fit: Healthcare
Also fits: All PathwaysCourse Schedule:
COL 101 College Success (required) T/TH – 10:30-11:20; hybrid ENGL& 101 English Composition (required) T/TH – 11:30-12:20; hybrid WRITE 095 Tools for Reading and Writing (recommended) T/TH – 12:30-1:20; hybrid Students are now able to self-enroll into Learning Community (LC) classes! Just make sure you add all LC classes to your cart before trying to enroll. Please use this form if you experience any difficulties self-enrolling.
Learning Community 3 – S.T.A.R.S – Students Together Achieving Rising Statuses
Explore your and other students’ rich cultural identity. Experience community and build your academic success with the help of faculty of color who will serve as models and mentors.
15 or 17 credits/Hybrid
Instructors: Andrew Cho and Latoya Reid
Career Clusters/Areas of Interest:
Best fit: Education, Social & Behavioral Sciences.
Also fits: All PathwaysCourse Schedule:
ENGL& 102 (required) M/W – 9:30-10:20; hybrid SOC 205 (required) M/W – 10:30-11:20; hybrid Students are now able to self-enroll into Learning Community (LC) classes! Just make sure you add all LC classes to your cart before trying to enroll. Please use this form if you experience any difficulties self-enrolling.
Learning Community 4 – EAP1: English Language Learners & Adult Basic Education – Non-Exploratory
Develop awareness of college Reading and Writing as you work on your Communications knowledge and skill.
15 credits/Hybrid
Instructors: Don Ramage and Rachelle McGill
Course Schedule:
EAP 100 Advanced Composition and Reading / ABE 94 College Bound Reading and Writing M/T/W/TH/F – 10:30 a.m. -12:20 p.m.
CMST& 101 Introduction to Communications M/W – 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Students are now able to self-enroll into Learning Community (LC) classes! Just make sure you add all LC classes to your cart before trying to enroll. Please use this form if you experience any difficulties self-enrolling.
Learning Community 5 – EAP2: English Language Learners & Adult Basic Education – Exploratory
Develop awareness of academic English and College/Career Exploration as you study themes of Occupational Education and Reading and Composition.
15 credits/Hybrid
Instructors: Emilie Coates-White and Lori Davis
Career Clusters/Areas of Interest:
Best fit: All PathwaysCourse Schedule:
COL 101 College Success & ABE 19 Navigating College M/W/F – 9:30-10:20; hybrid ABE 71 Occupational Reading / EAP 99 Reading and Composition M/T/W/TH/F – 10:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Students are now able to self-enroll into Learning Community (LC) classes! Just make sure you add all LC classes to your cart before trying to enroll. Please use this form if you experience any difficulties self-enrolling.
Learning Community 6 – Allied Health Exploration
Gain an introduction to the delivery of healthcare services and explore the various Allied Health professions while strategizing and sharing successful strategies for the college classroom, clinical environment, and taking care of your own emotional and physical wellbeing.
8 credits/hybrid
Instructors: Melissa Stoddard & Danielle Ritter
Career Clusters/Areas of Interest – Allied Health/Healthcare
AH 100 – Allied Health TH – 9:30 AM - 11:20 AM; hybrid COL 101/ABE 19 – College Success TH – 11:30 AM -1:20 PM; hybrid
Students are now able to self-enroll into Learning Community (LC) classes! Just make sure you add all LC classes to your cart before trying to enroll. Please use this form if you experience any difficulties self-enrolling.
Learning Community 7 - Medical Terminology
Explore the building blocks of medical language and body systems while learning principles of written and verbal communication in a supportive environment.
8 or 10 credits/Hybrid
Instructors: Danielle Ritter and Jacque Visel
Career Clusters/Areas of Interest:
Best fit: HealthcareCourse Schedule:
HIT 130 Medical Terminology (required) M/W – 10:30-11:20; hybrid ENGL& 101 English Composition (required) M/W – 11:30-12:20; hybrid WRITE 095 Tools for Reading and Writing (recommended) M/W – 12:30-1:20; hybrid
Students are now able to self-enroll into Learning Community (LC) classes! Just make sure you add all LC classes to your cart before trying to enroll. Please use this form if you experience any difficulties self-enrolling.
Exploratory Learning Communities Spring 2025
TCC offers Learning Communities in various fields that are designed to fit your career or educational pathway.
To enroll, please contact the instructors directly to request permission. (Please Note: Read through ALL OPTIONS before making your choice.)
Learning Community 1 – S.T.A.R.S – Students Together Achieving Rising Statuses
Explore your and other students’ rich cultural identity. Experience community and build your academic success with the help of faculty of color who will serve as models and mentors.
15 or 17 credits/Hybrid
Instructors: Andrew Cho and Sopang Men
Career Clusters/Areas of Interest:
Best fit: Education, Social & Behavioral Sciences.
Also fits: All PathwaysCourse Schedule:
ENGL 280 - Literatures of Diversity M/W – 9:30 am - 11:20 am SOC 265 - Sociology of Asian Americans M/W – 11:30 am - 12:20 pm Students are now able to self-enroll into Learning Community (LC) classes! Just make sure you add all LC classes to your cart before trying to enroll. Please use this form if you experience any difficulties self-enrolling.
Learning Community 2 – EAP1: English Language Learners & Adult Basic Education – Non-Exploratory
Develop awareness of college Reading and Writing as you work on your Communications knowledge and skill.
15 credits/Hybrid
Instructors: Don Ramage and Rachelle McGill
Course Schedule:
EAP 100 Advanced Composition and Reading / ABE 94 College Bound Reading and Writing M/T/W/TH/F – 10:30 am -12:20 pm
CMST& 101 Introduction to Communications M/W – 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Students are now able to self-enroll into Learning Community (LC) classes! Just make sure you add all LC classes to your cart before trying to enroll. Please use this form if you experience any difficulties self-enrolling.
Learning Community 3 – EAP2: English Language Learners & Adult Basic Education – Exploratory
Develop awareness of academic English and College/Career Exploration as you study themes of Occupational Education and Reading and Composition.
15 credits/Hybrid
Instructors: Emilie Coates-White and Lori Davis
Career Clusters/Areas of Interest:
Best fit: All PathwaysCourse Schedule:
COL 101 College Success / ABE 19 Navigating College M/W/F – 9:30-10:20; hybrid ABE 71 Occupational Reading / EAP 99 Reading and Composition M/T/W/TH/F – 10:30 am - 12:20 pm
Students are now able to self-enroll into Learning Community (LC) classes! Just make sure you add all LC classes to your cart before trying to enroll. Please use this form if you experience any difficulties self-enrolling.
Learning Community 6 – Science
Gain an introduction to the delivery of healthcare services and explore the various Allied Health professions while strategizing and sharing successful strategies for the college classroom, clinical environment, and taking care of your own emotional and physical wellbeing.
Instructors: TBD
Career Clusters/Areas of Interest – Science
Science 105 M/T/TH – 9:30 am - 10:20 am Science 105 Lab W – 9:30 am -11:20 am
ABE 74 / ABE 94 M/T/TH – 10:30 am - 11:20am
Learning Community 7 – Allied Health Exploration
Gain an introduction to the delivery of healthcare services and explore the various Allied Health professions while strategizing and sharing successful strategies for the college classroom, clinical environment, and taking care of your own emotional and physical wellbeing.
8 credits/hybrid
Instructors: Melissa Stoddard & Danielle Ritter
Career Clusters/Areas of Interest – Allied Health/Healthcare
AH 100 – Allied Health TH – 10:30 am - 11:20 am; hybrid COL 101/ABE 19 – College Success TH – 11:30 am -1:20 pm; hybrid
Students are now able to self-enroll into Learning Community (LC) classes! Just make sure you add all LC classes to your cart before trying to enroll. Please use this form if you experience any difficulties self-enrolling.
Learning Community 8 - Medical Terminology
Explore the building blocks of medical language and body systems while learning principles of written and verbal communication in a supportive environment.
8 or 10 credits/Hybrid
Instructors: Danielle Ritter and Jacque Visel
Career Clusters/Areas of Interest:
Best fit: HealthcareCourse Schedule:
HIT 130 Medical Terminology (required) M/W – 10:30-11:20; hybrid ENGL& 101 English Composition (required) M/W – 11:30-12:20; hybrid WRITE 095 Tools for Reading and Writing (recommended) M/W – 12:30-1:20; hybrid
Students are now able to self-enroll into Learning Community (LC) classes! Just make sure you add all LC classes to your cart before trying to enroll. Please use this form if you experience any difficulties self-enrolling.
Meet your Exploratory Experience team – Alisa Ulferts Birkenstein and Michelle Butler.
Alisa and Michelle have taught at TCC for more than a decade each. They work together to make sure you get the chance to explore your options for what to study and what career path to choose. If you have a question about a Learning Community, reach out to Michelle. If you have a question about a College Success class, reach out to Alisa. We look forward to hearing from you!