Living Learning Programs

Kentucky State University (KSU) is excited to continue its residential programming to include Living-Learning Communities (LLCs).  Our Living Learning Communities are aligned with peer-reviewed and researched high-impact practices shown to enhance the undergraduate experience leading to increased retention and college completion.  KSU will launch a innovative Wellbeing Living Learning Community in Whitney M. Young Residence Hall beginning in Fall 2026.

What is the benefit of participation?

Students typically participate in living learning communities centered around shared interests, whether career- or lifestyle-driven.  In all of these communities, students can live with other students who share like-minded interests or similar career goals.

Research has shown that LLC participants tend to experience:

  • Increased academic success
  • Successful progress toward degree
  • An increased sense of belonging, thus increasing chances of continued enrollment
  • Opportunities to connect with faculty, staff, and peers

Fall 2026 Living Learning Programs

  • Whitney M. Young Wellbeing Living Learning Community
  • 1890 Scholars

Whitney M. Young Wellbeing LLC

Whitney M. Young Residence Hall is more than a place to live. It is a living tribute to the legacy of Whitney M. Young Jr., one of Kentucky State University's most distinguished alumni and one of the nation's most influential civil rights leaders. His life's work was dedicated to expanding opportunity, creating pathways to success, giving a voice to the voiceless, and inspiring hope among those who faced adversity. Today, his legacy continues to inspire a residential community built on academic excellence, wellness, leadership, and personal growth.

As Kentucky State University continues to prepare for the next generation of scholars and leaders, Whitney Young Residence Hall offers a premier living environment for students who are committed to achieving their highest potential. Designed as an Academic Excellence and Wellness Community, the residence hall provides a tranquil atmosphere where students can focus on their studies, prioritize their well-being, and develop the skills necessary for lifelong success.

To maintain the hall's culture of academic achievement and personal responsibility, students seeking residence in Whitney Young Residence Hall must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Incoming first-year students may qualify based on having a 3.0 non weighted high school grade point average, while returning residents must qualify and maintain a 3.0 grade point average. This standard reinforces the residence hall's commitment to fostering a community of students who are dedicated to their educational goals and personal growth. Students must maintain no violations of KSU Community Standards and Housing Policies to maintain residency the Whitney Young.

A hallmark of Whitney Young Residence Hall is its commitment to 24/7 quiet hours, creating a peaceful and distraction-free environment that supports academic achievement, mindfulness, rest, and mental wellness. In an increasingly fast-paced world, students benefit from a residential experience intentionally designed to promote focus, balance, and personal development.

The Whitney Young experience is centered on four core pillars:

 

Academic Excellence

Residents are immersed in a culture that values scholarship, intellectual curiosity, and achievement. Through dedicated study spaces, peer support, and a community of motivated students, residents are empowered to excel inside and outside the classroom.

Wellness and Mental Health

Student success begins with well-being. Whitney Young Residence Hall promotes healthy lifestyles through wellness programming, mindfulness practices, stress-management resources, and an environment that supports emotional and mental health.

Leadership and Service

Inspired by Whitney Young's example, residents are encouraged to become leaders who serve others, advocate for positive change, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Community and Belonging

The residence hall fosters a supportive and respectful environment where students can build lasting relationships, find encouragement, and thrive among peers who share a commitment to excellence.

Community Expectations

To preserve the unique mission and atmosphere of Whitney Young Residence Hall, residents are expected to:

  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Adhere to 24/7 quiet hours throughout the academic year.
  • Demonstrate respect for fellow residents and shared community spaces by adhering to zero tolerance for any volition of Community Standards and/or Housing Policy
  • Participate in wellness, academic, and leadership development opportunities.
  • Uphold the values of integrity, scholarship, service, and personal responsibility.

Whitney M. Young Residence Hall represents the best of Kentucky State University's mission and values. It honors a historic alumnus whose impact transformed communities across the nation while providing today's students with an environment where they can pursue academic success, cultivate wellness, and prepare for lives of leadership and service.

At Whitney Young Residence Hall, excellence is not simply encouraged—it is expected. Wellness is not an afterthought—it is prioritized. Leadership is not a title—it is a responsibility. This is a community where students are empowered to succeed, inspired to serve, and challenged to become the leaders of tomorrow.

1890 Scholars

Participants in the 1890 Scholars community will have the opportunity to live and learn with other students receiving the USDA 1890 Scholarships.  Students will receive mentoring and research opportunities from School of Agriculture faculty, participate in USDA-focused organizations, and collaborate with students in the community to assist in the facilitation of special events sponsored by the School of Agriculture, including Ag Round-Up.