Living Learning Communities
Emerging Leaders Community
The Emerging Leaders Living Learning Community is designed for first-year students who want to explore leadership, discover their strengths, and create positive change. Through mentorship, leadership programming, service opportunities, and a dedicated residential community, students develop the skills and confidence to lead throughout their time at Miami and beyond. No previous leadership experience is required; just a willingness to learn, grow, and get involved.
The Emerging Leaders LLC is supported by the Wilks Institute for Leadership and Service. Participants will have priority consideration for participation in the U-Lead pre-semester program. Participation is limited, and a minimum of 25 Emerging Leader LLC students will be admitted to U-Lead.
Other Events and Activities
- Participation in unique programming run by the Wilks Institute for Leadership and Service.
- Priority consideration for participation for limited space in the U-Lead pre-semester program; 25 spots will be held for Emerging Leader participants.
- Access to our recommended course: EDL 290E: Emerging Leaders.
- This is a two-credit course for students interested in exploring multiple approaches to leadership and building capacity for socially responsible leadership. The course involves engaged learning through community action work, skill building, reading, writing, analysis, and dialogue. This course is exclusively for students living in the Emerging Leaders LLC.
Scholar Leader Community
The Scholar Leader Community is an upper-class living learning community for students who want to strengthen their leadership abilities, academic engagement, and campus involvement. Residents live together in historic Elliott and Stoddard Halls while participating in leadership development, service projects, community-building experiences, and collaborative programming. Students selected for the community also receive a partial housing scholarship through room endowments.
Each year, approximately 75 students are invited to join the Scholar Leader Community after a multi-stage application and selection process. Advised by staff in the Wilks Leadership Institute and Office of Residence Life, the Scholar Leader Community encourages resident-guided programming, academic involvement, service learning projects, and the opportunity to explore leadership through intensive group engagement.
Applications for the 2027-2028 academic year will open at the end of the fall 2026 semester.
As a Scholar Leader, you live in the heart of campus in historic residence halls, Stoddard, and Elliott. Through programming, biweekly meetings, semester retreats, and EDL 290W, you will build connections with peers, faculty, and staff.
During the year, you will build lifelong friendships and make a lasting impact on campus and in Oxford. Scholar Leaders also complete a minimum of five community service experiences each semester through events hosted by fellow Scholar Leaders or in the Oxford community. These experiences help you build connections, create memories, and support the community.
In addition, Scholar Leaders receive resources and opportunities on campus and in Oxford. You can shape your experience through clusters, small groups where Scholar Leaders plan programs together.
You can see some of what we have been up to this year and start engaging with us now through our Instagram, @MU_ScholarLeaders.
There is a formal application process for the Scholar Leader program. Further details will be shared at the end of the fall 2026 semester.
Want to Learn More Before Applying?
Stay tuned and feel free to follow us on Instagram @MU_ScholarLeaders or email WilksInstitute@MiamiOH.edu.
Harry T. Wilks Institute for Leadership and Service
