What is the GPS Residential Learning Communities Program?

GPS Residential Learning Communities Program is a partnership between the Gateway Program Seminar and Residential Housing designed to provide students in Residential Housing with an immersive experiential learning experience that will better help students to develop a sense of community and belonging, persist through their first-year of college, and gain valuable experiences that will help students both academically and socially.  

Students enrolled in the Residential Learning Community Program will live-and-learn as a cohort--by residential theme--and will begin their UCCS experience by enrolling in the required first-year seminar (GPS) course designed to "Explore Colorado." 

Space is limited, so if you are interested in participating in a residential learning community, please read more below and speak to your Academic Advisor about enrolling today!

RESIDENCE LIFE AND HOUSING AT UCCS 

If you are a first-year student living in residential housing, beginning with the fall 2026 semester, the Residential Learning Communities Program may be of interest to you. Using proven co-curricular programming, students are engaged in support that better assists them in "Thriving in Residence at UCCS." 

 
"Thriving in Residence" is built on a foundation of Relationship, is Intentional in its objectives, and Influential on the student's residential experience. 
 
 
"Thriving in Residence" is based on the 5 scales of The Thriving Quotient. The Thriving Quotient is measurable and is grounded in positive psychology and the flourishing literature. There is also a strong connection to Strengths-Based philosophies. This 5 scales are listed below, along with the areas of the Rooted in Wellbeing initiative.
 
Engaged Learning – A measure of the degree to which students are meaningfully processing what happens in class and energized by what they are learning. Sample item: “I feel energized by the ideas I am learning in most of my classes.” (residential experience specific... I feel energized by what I am learning by living on campus) - Purpose Wellbeing, Intellectual Wellbeing
 
  • Academic Determination – A measure of students’ goal-directedness, investment of effort, and regulation of their own learning and use of time. Sample item: “I am confident I will reach my educational goals.”(residential experience specific... living in a Cucharas Residential Learning Community helped me stay engaged with my academic goals) - Intellectual Wellbeing
     
  • Positive Perspective – A measure of students’ optimism and explanatory style. Sample item: “I look for the best in situations, even when things seem hopeless.” (residential experience specific... my RA has helped develop a positive living environment on my floor) - Purpose Wellbeing, Emotional Wellbeing, Community Wellbeing
     
  • Social Connectedness – A measure of students’ involvement in healthy relationships and social support networks, whether on or off campus. Sample item: “I feel like my friends really care about me.”(residential experience specific... I met so many of my closest friends this year and became aware of clubs and organizations that helped me find my people. I feel like I belong here at UCCS by living on campus) - Social Wellbeing, Community Wellbeing, Physical Wellbeing, Purpose Wellbeing
     
  • Diverse Citizenship – A measure of students’ desire to make a difference in the community around them, as well as their openness to differences in others. Sample item: “I value interacting with people whose viewpoints are different from my own.”(residential experience specific... I feel fortunate that my RA helped build community among so many different people living on my floor. I don't think I would have had so many thought-provoking conversations if I hadn't lived on campus) - Purpose Wellbeing, Community Wellbeing, Social Wellbeing

Are you a first-year residential student interested the following areas: 

Nursing and Healthcare, Engineering and Game Design, Business -- Professional Golf Management and Sports Management or Leadership? 

First-Year students in the Residential Learning Community will begin their first-semester by enrolling the in the required first-year seminar course. This course is part of the general education requirements at UCCS and counts as 3-credits toward degree completion. 

Students in the Residential Learning Community will have an opportunity to select from the following in-person GPS courses:

  1. GPS 1010 011.  Mission to Mars [Engineering]*

Faculty: Julie Albertson / Peter Gordor 

   2. GPS 1010 027.  LC: Sports Management/PGM* 

Faculty: Rebecca Pyles Munoz / Jon Husby Pyles 

   3. GPS 1010 020. LC Healthcare-Nursing*  

Faculty: Kimberly Humphrey / Kiley Cahil  

  4. GPS 1010 039. LIVE: Leadership** 

Faculty:  Noelle San Souci 

For more information on any of the GPS Residential Learning Course, please visit the Fall 2026 Courses page.

 *Admissions Consent is Required to enroll in any of the GPS Residential Learning Community Courses. 

**LIVE: Leadership GPS course is reserved for Chancellor's Leadership Scholars.

If you have any questions, please e-mail GPS@uccs.edu. 

 

 
 
 

Students enrolled in the Residential Learning Community Program will benefit from enhanced student engagement opportunities, including those designed to foster great academic support and achievement, as well as student life and social competencies. 

Beginning in the required GPS course students will be introduced to the following program goals -- designed to increase their academic success and student engagement: 

Residential Learning Community Program Goals
1. Begin to build community and belonging through shared learning and at least three co-curricular experiences in a cohort model  
2. Introduce students to a lasting community of peers, faculty, and campus contacts  
3. Provide at least one opportunity for students to enhance career readiness through course planning activities or co-curricular experiences  
4. Introduce students to campus resources such as the Student and Family Connections, Advisors, Career Center, Wellness Center, Office of Student Life, Kraemer Family Library, and Excel Centers.  
5. Guide students through beginning to establish academic, career, social, and wellness support networks on campus to meet the expectations of college and beyond through curriculum or co-curricular experiences  
6. Plan and provide at least two meaningful cross-disciplinary connections in the course work of each LC linked course. If possible, provide students an opportunity to translate and apply learning experiences into new contexts   
7. Provide at least one opportunity for respectful civil discourse through a curricular or co-curricular experience.  
8. Provide students at least one opportunity for collaboration and leadership development through a group project, event planning, etc.  
9. Provide students monthly opportunities for collaboration and program assistance/support within residential housing.

Students interested in the Residential Learning Communities will have the unique opportunity to live in a single dormitory that is configured to best support academic and student support. Learning Communities are arranged as  follows: 

Cucharas Residential Learning Communities 
NURSING AND HEALTHCARE --Available capacity: 32 beds on the 6th Floor, 31 residents plus an RA
ENGINEERING --Available capacity: 34 beds on the 5th Floor, 33 residents plus an RA
GAME DESIGN --Available capacity: 34 beds on the 4th Floor, 33 residents plus an RA
SPORT MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL GOLF MANAGEMENT --Available capacity: 34 beds on the 2nd Floor, 33 residents plus an RA
LEADERSHIP-- 34 beds on the 3rdFloor, 33 residents plus an RA
 
GPS courses will be held in Cucharas 105 -- first-floor of residential housing to create greater synergy and support between residential housing placement and required courses.