The FSU Engineering Living-Learning Community (LLC) class held in Magnolia Hall at Florida State University. (Scott Holstein/FAMU-FSU College of Engineering)
Florida State University’s Living Learning Communities program ranked No. 7 among public universities and No. 1 in Florida on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Learning Communities list.
The Engineering Living-Learning Community, one of FSU’s 10 residential learning communities, serves students at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and combines residential learning with hands-on experience to help first-year engineering students build the foundation for academic and professional success.
Creating Connections That Last Beyond Graduation
Kassie Ernst, director of the FSU Engineering LLC, attributes the program’s success to its focus on peer relationships and academic engagement.
“Our LLC students engage more with academic resources and consistently outperform the average student during their first year,” Ernst says. “This is a proactive environment that enables students to establish essential relationships with their peers—friendships that will support them throughout their academic journey and beyond.”
The FSU Engineering LLC houses students in Magnolia Hall on FSU’s main campus, creating a residential community specifically for engineering students. FAMU engineering students have their own LLC on the FAMU campus, with both programs sharing opportunities at the joint FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.
“We actually have two programs, one through FSU and one through FAMU,” Ernst said. “Each of the LLC groups live in their own dorm and do much of their work at their residence hall classrooms at their respective universities. They have lots of opportunities to interact in their classes located on the joint engineering campus.”
Bridging Theory and Practice Through Hands-On Learning
The FSU Engineering LLC integrates practical experiences with pre-engineering coursework from day one. During their first month, students gain access to the Innovation Hub, located steps from Magnolia Hall, where they work with 3D printing, virtual reality tools and emerging technologies on real-world engineering projects.
Students collaborate on semester-long design projects, moving beyond theoretical concepts to create innovative prototypes. The program provides exclusive access to industry-leading facilities, including the High-Performance Materials Institute and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, connecting students with faculty researchers and professional organizations.
Building Professional Networks Early
From the start of their college careers, LLC students interact with local engineers and alumni, creating pathways to internships and research opportunities. These early professional connections help students understand career possibilities and begin building the networks they’ll rely on throughout their engineering careers.
Student Perspectives: From First Year to Senior Year
Kassandre Moise, a senior in civil and environmental engineering, reflects on how the LLC shaped her college experience.
“What stands out the most about my time in the engineering LLC are the incredible friendships I forged with fellow students who were navigating the same bewildering yet exciting journey. In fact, I’m still living with one of my closest friends from that transformative time.”
She credits Ernst as a mentor who profoundly shaped her college experience. Moise said the LLC was more than an academic space—it was a vibrant support network where students tackled pre-engineering courses together, learned and collaborated in unexpected ways, and forged bonds that went beyond textbooks.
“I’m truly grateful for those unforgettable experiences, and the strong connections formed during that time continue to enrich my life today,” she said.
Zachary Prager, a first-year electrical engineering major, says joining the LLC was one of his best decisions. The program provided him invaluable opportunities to connect with professors, mentors and fellow students who share his enthusiasm for engineering.
Prager said his favorite aspect has been engaging with upperclassmen who have navigated the same path. Their wisdom and firsthand experiences about research, internships and coursework have made all the difference, he said.
“The experiences and connections I’ve cultivated through the Engineering LLC have truly catapulted my journey at FSU into a realm of possibility and excitement,” Prager said.
Preparing Engineers to Address Global Challenges
Beyond individual academic success, the Engineering LLC prepares students to contribute meaningful solutions to society’s pressing challenges. The program’s seminar component allows students to explore significant global issues while developing collaborative and critical thinking skills.
The LLC curriculum serves as a pathway to the FAMU-FSU National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges Scholar Program, which engages students with engineering’s most important challenges.
“The LLC curriculum is structured to feed into the Grand Challenges curriculum,” Ernst said. “More students can join the Grand Challenges Scholars Program beyond the LLC, so it’s a bit broader and students can complete the Grand Challenges outside of their first year.”
As the Engineering Living-Learning Community continues to grow, it demonstrates how combining academic rigor with practical application and peer support can transform the first-year engineering experience. Students in the program aren’t just preparing for degrees—they’re developing the skills, connections and mindset to become the problem-solving engineers society needs.
Editor’s Note: This article was edited with a custom prompt for Claude Sonnet 4.5, an AI assistant created by Anthropic. The AI optimized the article for SEO discoverability, improved clarity, structure and readability while preserving the original reporting and factual content. All information and viewpoints remain those of the author and publication. This article was edited and fact-checked by college staff before being published. This disclosure is part of our commitment to transparency in our editorial process. Last edited: 01/21/2026.
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