Community Living

Residents are encouraged to explore and identify a living community which fits their personal interests and academic pursuits. Communities are a great way to make connections based on common interests and allow our residents to feel safe in their space.

We want every student to know that they belong at Stan State, and our interest-based and living learning communities are just one of the ways we achieve that.

Come see us (and our cats). Schedule a tour to learn how we incorporate community into everything that we do and why we aren't the type of dorm you see on television. 

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First Year Living Communities

These living communities are available exclusively to first year, freshman students.

  • First-generation college student? Check out Elevate - you'll score guaranteed enrollment in certain classes and additional advising opportunities!
  • Interested in Ethnic Studies or Social Justice? You won't want to miss the Social Justice community that guarantees enrollment in two Ethnic Studies courses - satisfying your GE requirement - plus your faculty mentor is in charge of Stan State's Ethnic Studies department!
  • Not really interested in the whole "community" thing? All first year students are part of First Year Experience so, don't worry, you'll still get all the assistance helping you adjust to college life!

View the available room types for first year students, including floor plans, on the Rates & Dining page.

We understand that the transition from high school to college is a big one, so let us help you adjust to Stan State and better understand college life.

  • Create your roadmap to graduation, including classes and what you want to achieve during your time at Stan State
  • Get assistance choosing and registering for classes, managing your time, and learning where everything is
  • Connect with your roommates, neighbors, and get to know people all over the Village

The purpose of First Year Experience is to build a solid foundation during your first year of college. This community will help you make new friends, understand the campus, and learn how to be academically successful. Students in this community may be enrolled in a First Year Experience MDIS course.

The Elevate community provides first-generation college students a high level of support from Stan State faculty and Housing staff to help students create a success plan and roadmap for their time at Stan State.

  • Guaranteed enrollment in an English course
  • Guaranteed enrollment in a First Year Experience course
  • Faculty Mentor
  • Additional Advising Opportunities

This community is ideal for first-gen students who want extra guidance, advising, and support in their college journey.

The Social Justice living learning community provides a space for students interested in Ethnic Studies or who value diversity, identity, and empowerment.

  • Guaranteed enrollment in two Ethnic Studies courses that satisfy a GE Requirement
  • Faculty Mentor

If you are interested in Ethnic Studies, Sociology, or Criminal Justice, or want to connect with others who want to be the change, this may be the community for you. 

Live with other students who are active members of the University Honors Program or who strive to achieve academic success during their time at Stan State.

Honors students will take courses and have mentors through the University Honors Program. Housing Scholars students will receive a higher level of mentorship and support from a Peer Academic Coach.

This community is designed for students who are focused on their academics and finding success in their studies.

  • What time management or study habits can I form to make the Dean's List?
  • How do I get into the Honors Program?
  • Want to form a study group?

Residents may want to join Housing Scholars if they are currently part of the university Honors Program or hoping to join. This is also a great community for anyone who is looking to connect to campus resources that will help them succeed in their classes.

The Black Residential Scholars community is dedicated to creating a welcoming and celebratory experience for students who are part of the Black and Pan African community, and students who interested in supporting the Black community experience at Stan State.

Residents have an opportunity to participate in activities and spaces supporting community, togetherness, and joy. This community will also focus on connecting residents with staff and faculty who share these experiences and interests.

Rainbow Alliance is dedicated to providing a safe, pride-filled community for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, non-identifying, questioning, queer, and asexual, and allied students.

Residents have an opportunity to engage in cultural, educational, and social community activities that explore the needs and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community and connect with students, staff, and faculty who share these experiences and interests.

Second Year & Upper Division Communities

These communities are only available for sophomore and upper division students. 

View available room types for sophomore and upper division residents on the Rates & Dining page.

With your first year of college behind you, you're probably starting to think about what you want to achieve during your time at Stan State and beyond:

  • What's next, and how do I get there?
  • How do I get involved and make the most of my college experience?
  • How can I manage my finances to afford to stay in college, or better budget my money?

The purpose of Second Year Experience is to connect sophomore students and showcase all of the resources at Stan State, building on their first-year foundation. Let us help you continue to acclimate to college life and better utilize the campus services that are available to you.

As part of the Second Year Experience community, you will live with and nearby fellow sophomore students.

Elevate First-Gen, Second Year focuses on career-readiness and helping sophomore students achieve their post-graduation goals.

  • What majors am I interested in?
  • What's a minor and should I get one?
  • I know I want to do this certain job when I graduate, but what can I do now to better prepare for it?

This community was initially designed to offer second-year support to Elevate residents and first-gen college students, but now all second year residents who are looking to explore their interest areas are invited to participate. Members of this community are also supported by a faculty mentor.

The Transfer Student community provides a place for transfer students to build connections with each other.

  • What campus resources are available, and where do I find them?
  • How do I use the learning platforms that are different from my previous school?
  • Want to find our classrooms together?

Expand your social circle and transition to Stan State with the help of your Resident Assistant and Peer Academic Coach.

This community is designed for students who are focused on their academics and finding success in their studies.

  • What time management or study habits can I form to make the Dean's List?
  • How do I get into the Honors Program?
  • Want to form a study group?

Residents may want to join Housing Scholars if they are currently part of the university Honors Program or hoping to join. This is also a great community for anyone who is looking to connect to campus resources that will help them succeed in their classes.

Connect with international students, learn about other countries, and meet other students who are also considering studying abroad.

  • What's it like studying in another country?
  • Where can I study abroad?
  • How is Stan State different from an international college?

The Study Abroad/International Students community is designed for international students or students interested in learning about other cultures or studying abroad in the future.

Rainbow Alliance is dedicated to providing a safe, pride-filled community for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, non-identifying, questioning, queer, and asexual, and allied students.

Residents have an opportunity to engage in cultural, educational, and social community activities that explore the needs and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community and connect with students, staff, and faculty who share these experiences and interests.

The Black Residential Scholars community is dedicated to creating a welcoming and celebratory experience for students who are part of the Black and Pan African community, and students who interested in supporting the Black community experience at Stan State.

Residents have an opportunity to participate in activities and spaces supporting community, togetherness, and joy. This community will also focus on connecting residents with staff and faculty who share these experiences and interests.

A Safe Place for All

At Stan State, we welcome students from every background, age, gender, and identity and are proud to call them our friends, colleagues, classmates, roommates, and fellow Warriors.

Gender-Affirming Housing is offered in all of our Housing communities to reaffirm that gender diversity is an important aspect of campus life and integrated into our community’s culture. Here, students can feel comfortable and free to be their authentic self.

What is Gender-Affirming Housing?

Gender-affirming housing is for students who are transgender, genderqueer, non-binary, gender non-conforming, or otherwise do not identify along the gender binary. By indicating you want to have a Gender-affirming housing placement, you are comfortable sharing your space with students of ALL genders. Your roommate(s) may not be of a gender identity that aligns with yours.

Can I connect with other students who want to live in Gender-Affirming Housing prior to moving in?

In the housing application, students can select that they would like to live in a Gender-Affirming space. Shortly after completing their application, they will be able to view resident profiles of other students who also selected Gender-Affirming Housing, message with them, and form a roommate group to live together, if desired.

Students requesting gender-affirming housing are assigned housing placements with others who make similar requests. There are gender-affirming options throughout the housing community and select unit types.

Our friends at the Warrior Cross Cultural Center "WCCC" host a variety of inclusive events and diverse groups, including the Male Success Initiative, Undocumented Student Services, Social Justice Book Club, and more.

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Updated: February 29, 2024