Freshmen majors and minors in

History and secondary education

Political Science

Global Studies International studies, Islamic studies, Judaic studies, or Genocide Studies

•         HPIA Learning Community Fellows take two courses per semester for their major/minor on issues of Global Justice and Human Rights

•         HPIA Fellows live in prime single or double suite housing in CF Lynch Freshmen Hall or Witherspoon International & Honors Hall

• HPIA Fellows meet Holocaust survivors, diplomats, war refugees, activists, government officials; and learn valuable analytical, communication, and leadership skills

• One year, residential program open to entering UNC Charlotte freshmen

For more information or an application: Dr. Oscar Lansen, director: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
To sign up for HPIA Learning Community: lcap.uncc.edu

What is a Learning Community?

A learning community is a small group within a large university. Rather than having to find your own way, learning communities place students with similar interests or majors together. The HPIA Learning Community is a one-year program organized by and exclusively for majors and minors in the departments of History, Political Science and Public Administration, and Global, International, and Area Studies (International Studies, Islamic studies, Judaic Studies, Holocaust, Genocide, Human Rights).

Why a Learning Community?

Majors in a Learning Community have higher GPAs, live in better dorms, are less likely to drop out, and are happier being at a university than their non-Learning Community peers. As a HPIA Fellow, you live together with like-minded freshmen, learn and get guidance from an experienced faculty mentor, get better courses, and do fun stuff together. In other words, the perfect transition to college.

Why the HPIA Learning Community?

If you like History, Political Science, or Global/international/Area Studies, the HPIA Learning community gives you by far the best freshmen experience. You get to look in the kitchen of history, politics, and human rights with great instructors and eyewitnesses who were there. You learn to research and lead in real time. You get to hang out with faculty and your peers. HIPIA graduates go on to careers in law, politics, business, diplomacy, international affairs, teaching, leadership, public service, history, military, and international non-governmental organizations. We love this program, and hope you will too.

How much does it cost?

NOTHING. It’s free.

The university picks up the tab for this program as learning communities are an effective way to help you succeed in college and graduate on time. To ensure a solid transition from home/high school to college, the HPIA LC is a residential learning community. You will need to live on campus in Lynch or Witherspoon Halls for your freshman year. Contact Dr. Lansen if you have a friend you like to room with for possible arrangements

How do I learn more or apply?

1.       Send Dr. Lansen an email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it that you are interested, and whether you would like to live in a single suite (four single rooms to one suite/apartment) or a double suite (two double rooms to one suite/apartment. You will be placed on the candidate-fellows list

2.       Sign up for the HPIA Learning Community at lcap.uncc.edu.  Select the History, Politics, International Affairs LC as your FIRST choice. 

3.       As soon as we have received your housing application, and your housing deposit, Dr. Lansen will review your application in order received. So don’t delay!

For your parents or guardians

Students are most at risk of succeeding at college in their freshman year. High school often inadequately prepares them for the academic rigor and individual responsibilities of the university. A freshman in college can easily feel overwhelmed by the sheer size of the campus and the student body. Finding your way, making the right choices, living away from home, connecting with likeminded friends can be challenging for the best of student.

The History, Politics, Global Studies Learning Community is the home away from home. Twenty four students live, work, and play together under the guidance and mentorship (not supervision) of an experienced faculty member and several former learning community fellows. HPIA Fellows live in freshmen or restricted housing in one cluster together. They take a seminar on the Holocaust and a follow up course on Children in War and Conflict that integrates the learning skills they need to succeed in college. Furthermore, HPIA Fellows receive dedicated academic advising, reserved seats in core courses, and learn leadership and interactive skills in a series of extracurricular fun activities.  We highly recommend this program. It creates solid friendships, bonds with great instructors/advisors, and well-prepared students.

The HPIA Learning Community program is a joint initiative of the Department of History http://history.uncc.edu/ and the Department of Political Science and Public Administration http://politicalscience.uncc.edu/; in collaboration with the Department of Global, International, and Area Studies. http://gias.uncc.edu/