Nine students from the college are participating in the inaugural Honors Residential College (HRC), a new type of living environment where students can engage with peers, faculty, staff, and community members within a residence hall. The arrangement brings together the academic and residential parts of campus to promote deep, sustained learning and engagement. “The HRC is an excellent place to live,” said geography major Kate Jones. “The opportunities for students to interact with faculty in a living-learning environment are always present, and I think the HRC is revolutionizing modern-day education.”

Located in East Ambler Johnston Hall, the HRC houses both undergraduate and graduate students, with returning students often serving as mentors and leaders. It includes live-in faculty, professional staff, and a number of offices occupied by faculty of the new Center for 21st Century Studies. Residents enjoy traditional and suite-style rooms along with living rooms, classrooms, meeting places, a theater, library, and fitness area. “They strive to pull everyone together as a community,” said Genevive Pegram, a wildlife science major. “Once I started socializing at honors events and meals, I found that I liked it a lot. The faculty-staff interactions as well as interactions with other honors students are a big plus.”

While the HRC houses only members of the University Honors Program, Virginia Tech plans to open a second residential college in fall 2012 that will be available to all students regardless of major, year, or honors status.

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