Welcome to the DC-UP Scholars Learning Community

Q: What is a learning community?

Learning communities provide spaces and structures for people to share goals. Effective communities are both aspirational and practical. They connect people, organizations, and systems that are eager to learn and work across boundaries, while holding members accountable to common agendas, metrics, and outcomes. These communities enable participants to share results and learn from each other, thereby improving their ability to achieve rapid yet significant progress.-- Harvard University

Q: Is there any extra cost associated with being in the DC-UP learning community?

No. DC-UP Learning Community students are charged the same rate as other students at UDC (depending on residency status).

Q: Does the DC-UP learning community last the entire four years of college?

Yes. DC-UP scholars are expected to participate in DC-UP activities throughout their undergraduate matriculation, and have access to their assigned academic coaches.

Q: Are DC-UP scholars eligible for the Honors program?

Yes. All DC-UP scholars are eligible to join the University Honors Program, provided they meet the requirements.

Q: Do DC-UP scholars still have to meet with their academic advisors if they are meeting with their academic coaches?

Yes. DC-UP scholars are required to meet with both their academic advisors and academic coaches throughout the academic year.

Q: Are specific classes required to belong to the learning community?

No. Scholars’ registration is based on their degree program requirements.

The DC-UP learning community at the University of the District of Columbia is an intentional, leadership community formed around academic programs, service learning, and career services. The learning community integrates the institution’s vision that promotes critical thinking, creative thinking, effective communication, and community involvement. DC-UP invites this group of exceptional students to integrate their learning with shared curricular and co-curricular experiences. This learning community cultivates holistic student growth and enhances learning by fostering collaborative and enduring connections among students, faculty, and staff.

Scholarship Eligibility

Program Learning Outcomes

Meet the Academic Coaches

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a learning community?

Learning communities provide spaces and structures for people to share goals. Effective communities are both aspirational and practical. They connect people, organizations, and systems that are eager to learn and work across boundaries, while holding members accountable to common agendas, metrics, and outcomes. These communities enable participants to share results and learn from each other, thereby improving their ability to achieve rapid yet significant progress.

-- Harvard University

The DC-UP learning community is beneficial for multiple reasons, helping to:

develop a sense of belonging in the University community
increase curricular and cocurricular collaborative interactions with other students, faculty, and staff
demonstrate improved critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills
demonstrate improved knowledge and skills related to career opportunities
demonstrate a better understanding of differences and similarities among people
experience a higher level of satisfaction with the University experience

Is there any extra cost associated with being in the DC-UP learning community?

No. DC-UP Learning Community students are charged the same rate as other students at UDC (depending on residency status).

Does the DC-UP learning community last the entire four years of college?

Yes. DC-UP scholars are expected to participate in DC-UP activities throughout their undergraduate matriculation, and have access to their assigned academic coaches.

Are DC-UP scholars eligible for the Honors program?

Yes. All DC-UP scholars are eligible to join the University Honors Program, provided they meet the requirements.

Do DC-UP scholars still have to meet with their academic advisors if they are meeting with their academic coaches?

Yes. DC-UP scholars are required to meet with both their academic advisors and academic coaches throughout the academic year.

Are specific classes required to belong to the learning community?

No. Scholars’ registration is based on their degree program requirements.

What if DC-UP scholars do not meet the 3.0 GPA requirement after their first semester?

All DC-UP scholars are required to achieve a 3.0 grade point average by the end of the second semester of their sophomore year, excluding the summer term.