Community of Learning at Rockford University

Learning does not take place in isolation, but in a community. This tenet may have been one of the main principles of Jane Addams’ community at Hull-House and throughout her career. A community of faculty determines the goals for student learning, and achieves those goals through the curriculum. A community of staff professionals connects learning in the classroom with manifold additional forms of personal growth. The campus community as a whole creates the lived experiences that imbue knowledge with meaning and purpose for students – as individuals and as members of communities on and beyond the campus. (Many of the means we use to promote the Rockford University Community of Learning are described in this guide.)

At Rockford University, we foster learning that connects students to faculty, staff, each other, and the local and global communities. Three centers focus our experiences in common:

• The Jane Addams Center for Civic Engagement draws on the heritage of our renowned alumna to explore the meaning of learning for democracy through civic engagement.
• The Office of Global Affairs builds on the University’s relationships with Kobe College in Japan, Regent's College in London, and others to develop the knowledge and skills to be global citizens.
• The Rockford University Center for Learning Strategies provides tutoring and education programs and workshops to our students and community members.

All first-time University-attending students have an opportunity to participate in programming specifically designed to support their transition from high school to University to facilitate their success as University students. The academic integrity and quality of our community are supported through an academic honor code and the presence of several academic honor societies, notably, the oldest and most prestigious national honor society, Phi Beta Kappa.

Along with our focus on traditional-aged, residential undergraduate students, Rockford University has a large commuter student population, and is an active partner in the area through adult and graduate programs that attract interest especially in education, business and nursing. In addition, the University actively seeks creative partnerships with community organizations to enrich the life of the campus and the city through agile and flexible relationships.