Enhanced Learning Communities at the University of New Haven

What it is: A community for future engineers who love solving problems and building ideas.

Community focus: Innovation, teamwork, and real-world design thinking.

Experiential learning: Engineering ELC students connect classroom concepts to real systems through site visits, design-focused challenges, and faculty-guided exploration of how engineering principles show up in everyday environments.

Adventures: Engineering ELC students visit Six Flags New England to explore how real-world engineering principles come to life through roller coasters and large-scale amusement rides. Students examine the physics behind motion, speed, and force, learn how mechanical systems are designed to withstand extreme stress, and discover how engineers use data, modeling, and testing to ensure rider safety.

After breaking down the science, students get to experience it firsthand—riding the coasters they just studied and seeing engineering in action at full speed.

Faculty: Robert Harvey, M.S

What it is: A community for students interested in crime scene investigation, forensic analysis, and the science behind solving real-world cases.

Community focus: Critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific discovery.

Experiential learning: Forensic Science ELC students bridge classroom theory with real investigative work through hands-on simulations, professional site visits, and faculty-guided exploration of how forensic science supports the justice system.

Adventures: Forensic Science ELC students tour a working forensics lab and learn how DNA, toxicology, ballistics, and trace evidence are analyzed to support criminal investigations.

Faculty:
Dr. Marisia Fikiet
Dr. Samantha Sawyer

What it is: A community for students interested in understanding human behavior, mental health, and how the mind influences decision-making, relationships, and well-being.

Community focus: Empathy, self-awareness, ethical practice, and scientific inquiry.

Experiential learning: Psychology ELC students explore how theory comes to life through interactive workshops, community-based learning, and faculty-guided experiences that examine behavior in real-world settings.

Adventure: Psychology ELC students participate in a guided goat yoga and mindfulness experience designed to reduce stress, increase emotional regulation, and promote overall well-being. Students explore how animal-assisted interactions, movement, and mindfulness practices support mental health while learning the psychological science behind stress reduction, mood regulation, and social connection.

Faculty:
Dr. Fadia Narchet
Dr. Johanna Hellgren

What it is: A community for students passionate about public safety, fire behavior, emergency response, and investigation.

Community focus: Leadership under pressure, teamwork, service, and applied problem-solving.

Experiential Learning: Fire Science ELC students connect classroom learning to real emergency environments through hands-on demonstrations, professional site visits, and faculty-guided experiences that explore fire dynamics, rescue operations, and community risk reduction.

Adventures: Fire Science ELC students visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum to honor the bravery, sacrifice, and service of the firefighters and first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty. Through guided exhibits and reflection, students learn about the role of the fire service during one of the most defining moments in U.S. history and the lasting impact on emergency response, training, and public safety.

Following the memorial visit, students spend time exploring New York City—visiting landmarks, sharing a group meal, and experiencing the energy of the city together—creating space for connection, reflection, and community after a powerful and meaningful experience.

Faculty: Richard Fontana, Practitioner in Residence

What it is: A community for students preparing for careers in law, public safety, corrections, government, and advocacy who want to explore how justice is pursued in real-world systems.

Community focus: Law, ethics, and social responsibility.

Experiential Learning: Criminal Justice ELC students connect theory to practice through courtroom observations and interactive experiences that explore how the justice system operates in real-world environments.

Adventures: Criminal Justice ELC students visit a historic correctional facility to explore the evolution of punishment, incarceration, and prison reform in the United States. Through guided tours and exhibits, students examine how justice philosophies have changed over time and how past practices shaped today’s correctional system.

Students reflect on ethical questions surrounding incarceration, rehabilitation, and human rights while gaining a deeper understanding of how social, legal, and political forces influence criminal justice policy.

What it is: A community for students passionate about the ocean, ecosystems, sustainability, and protecting the natural world.

Community focus: Sustainability, ecosystems, scientific inquiry, and environmental stewardship.

Experiential Learning: Marine & Environmental Sciences ELC students connect classroom concepts to real ecosystems through field research, conservation projects, and immersive site visits that explore how science is used to protect our planet.

Adventures: Marine & Environmental Sciences ELC students explore conservation through aquarium visits, boat trips, and botanical garden visits that highlight the connection between land and sea ecosystems. From learning how marine animals are rehabilitated to observing shoreline habitats up close, students see how science and sustainability protect our planet.

They also take part in a Beach Clean Up, making waves in sustainability by helping protect our shoreline—gloves, good vibes, and real impact included.

Faculty: Dr. Jean Paul Simjouw

What it is: A community for students preparing for careers in healthcare and wellness.

Community focus: Leadership, teamwork, and holistic well-being.

Experiential Learning: Health Sciences ELC students explore how science, technology, and human care intersect through clinical simulations, professional site visits, and hands-on learning experiences across a wide range of health-related fields.

Adventures: Relax and recharge through nature hikes, apple picking, and friendly cooking challenges that promote wellness, connection, and balance. Students also go behind the scenes in local hospitals and healthcare facilities, gaining an inside look at real-world patient care and the many career paths within the health sciences. Along the way, students hear directly from healthcare professionals who share their career journeys, advice, and insight into the future of the field.

Faculty: Dr. Jhinelle Dawson

What it is: A community for students interested in entrepreneurship, management, marketing, finance, and how organizations grow and succeed in today’s economy.

Community focus: Leadership, innovation, collaboration, and ethical decision-making.

Experiential Learning: Business ELC students connect classroom concepts to real organizations through company site visits, networking opportunities, and hands-on challenges that explore how ideas become successful enterprises.

Adventures: Business ELC students take a behind-the-scenes tour of a professional arena or stadium to explore how large-scale events are planned and managed. Students meet with professionals in event operations, ticketing, marketing, branding, and facility management to see how business strategy, customer experience, and logistics come together to create memorable events.

What it is: A community for highly motivated students who enjoy deep thinking, meaningful dialogue, and interdisciplinary exploration across academic fields.

Community focus: Intellectual curiosity, leadership, collaboration, and global perspective.

Experiential Learning: Honors ELC students engage in immersive cultural, academic, and civic experiences that connect ideas from the classroom to real-world issues, encouraging critical thinking and purposeful leadership.

Adventures: Honors ELC students dive into the vibrant arts and culture scene of New Haven through unforgettable trips to the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, the Yale Peabody Museum, and the iconic Shubert Theatre. From live performances and cutting-edge exhibitions to historic stages and immersive galleries, these experiences bring learning to life outside the classroom. Students explore bold ideas, spark creativity, and share moments that inspire new ways of thinking—making the city itself an extension of the Honors classroom.

Faculty: Dr. Matt Wranovix

What it is: A community for students who love music—whether they perform, compose, produce, or simply want to understand how music connects people and cultures.

Community focus: Creativity, collaboration, self-expression, and confidence.

Experiential Learning: Music ELC students connect classroom learning to live performance, production, and the music industry through immersive concerts, workshops, and behind-the-scenes experiences.

Adventures: Music ELC students explore the world of live performance through experiences at both local concert venues and on Broadway in New York City. By attending a live concert, students see how musicians connect with a crowd, share their stories, and create powerful moments through music. On Broadway, they experience professional productions that showcase world-class musicianship, storytelling, and stage design.

Together, these experiences highlight how passion, collaboration, and creativity come together on every stage—from local venues to iconic theaters—showing students the many ways music brings people together and inspires audiences.

Faculty: Dr. Eddie Davis

What it is: A community for students who are still discovering their academic interests and want the space to explore different majors, career paths, and passions before choosing a direction.

Community focus: Curiosity, self-discovery, confidence, and growth.

Experiential Learning: Exploratory ELC students sample a wide range of academic fields and career experiences through interactive site visits, hands-on workshops, and guided reflection that help them clarify interests and build a sense of purpose.

Adventures: Exploratory ELC students engage in diverse academic, career, and co-curricular experiences that help them uncover their interests and build confidence in their direction. With exposure to multiple fields and interactive learning opportunities, students gain insight into their strengths, values, and future possibilities. As interests become clearer, students may participate in trips offered by other ELCs to further explore a specific pathway.

What it is: A community for students who are passionate about music, performance, and being part of a dynamic ensemble that represents school spirit and artistic excellence.

Community focus: Collaboration, discipline, leadership, and creative expression.

Experiential Learning: Marching Band ELC students connect musical instruction with real-world performance experiences through rehearsals, game-day performances, campus traditions, and faculty- and staff-guided exploration of music as both an art form and a leadership experience.

Adventures: Marching Band ELC students participate in performances at athletic events and campus celebrations, engage in leadership and team-building workshops, and explore opportunities such as regional performances, special exhibitions, and behind-the-scenes insights into music production and performance preparation.