Doug Gruenewald was recently appointed Iowa State University’s special assistant for learning communities in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

In his new position, Gruenewald will co-chair the learning communities program with Corlice Petersen Brooke.

“My job is to focus on the learning communities program from a Student Affairs perspective,” Gruenewald said.

He said the learning communities program tries to link together students within the same college or major department.

“[The learning communities program] is primarily geared toward freshman students to help them make the transition into college,” Gruenewald said. “We hope it promotes the bonding and group cohesiveness that happens right from the start.”

Gruenewald said each learning community is set up a little bit differently. Students participating in the program may take courses together or, in some cases, may live in the same residence hall.

The learning communities program is designed to give students in-class and out-of-class experience together, Gruenewald said.

He said learning communities offer students the opportunity to work with peer mentors or tutors, interact with faculty and explore career options.

Gruenewald will also work with Howard Shapiro, vice provost for undergraduate programs, to advance the learning communities program at ISU.

Learning communities are being promoted through the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and the residence halls, said John McCarroll, director of University Relations.

He said the program has already seen tremendous growth since it began in 1995. During the past four years, the number of participants rose from 342 to 1,350. Although each college does not offer a program, ISU sponsors 59 learning communities on campus.

Gruenewald will continue to serve in his current position as ISU’s assistant director for academic services in the department of residence.