Environmental Science and Sustainability Living-Learning Community
The Environmental Science and Sustainability Living-Learning Community (ESS LLC) is a program in which freshmen and sophomores who are interested in environmental science, sustainability, agriculture, ecology, environmental justice, and other related fields live together on campus, participate in shared courses, enjoy fun social activities outside the classroom and engage in career development and exploration opportunities.
As a member of the Environmental Science and Sustainability LLC, you will:
- Move into a shared residence hall early with other living-learning community peers.
- Participate in a special move-in orientation.
Connect with a group of students from different walks of life who share your interests. - Be able to invite your parents/families to attend a special orientation to learn how to best support your transition into college.
- Take classes with LLC peers to learn and grow together.
- Attend outings and social events with fellow ESS LLC peers.
- Network with peers, faculty, and community members tailored to your career interests.
- Come to know yourself better through building community, while strengthening academic success.
- Have experiential learning experiences over two summers tailored to your career interests and goals.
- Participate in an internship your senior year.
In addition to the above, funding through the TExAS FAST grant program is available to support 23 LLC members each year through room and board scholarships ($8,619, Flores Hall, meal plan B) for two years, provide $1,000 monthly stipends for 24 months, two expenses paid summer research experiences, and a paid internship ($4,000). All applications to the LLC will be considered for funding and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Once 23 spaces have been filled, students may apply to be part of the ESS LCC, but will not receive the funding listed above.
Eligibility
To be eligible for participation in the program, potential scholars must declare a major OR minor in ESS and be an admitted incoming Freshman to OLLU. Additionally, to be eligible for funding, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, have a high school GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Applications are now open. Students can apply for both the TExAS FAST Scholar Program and the Academic Scholarship. Twenty-three (23) spots in the scholars program are available and 10 academic scholarships. Priority deadline for both scholarships is March 1, 2024. The applications will close March 31. Students will be notified of awards on a rolling basis after March 1.