Environmental Design LLC

ENVD LLC photo collage

The Environmental Design (ENVD) Living Learning Community (LLC), housed in Willard Hall, is a residential community for first-year ENVD students to engage in regular programming that will supplement the academic rigor of their design education. As part of the ENVD First-Year Experience Program, students will create meaningful connections with their cohort, engage in social and academic events, as well as develop a deeper understanding of the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and allyship.

ENVD Instructor Jade Polizzi speaking to a student

Building Connections & Community

We designed our living learning community to help students transition into higher education by building strong, foundational connections among their cohort, the larger ENVD community, and the CU campus community. Students will engage in weekly events that are targeted towards developing academic and professional skills, building networks and creating a better understanding of our connections to Environmental Design.

Mentoring programs have proven to result in strong retention and persistence within students transitioning from their first year to second year and beyond.

 

ENVD has averaged a 90 percent retention rate of current undergrads across three years

   

We welcomed our largest, most diverse class in fall 2023

 

Participating in one ENVD FYE event a month increased GPAs by at least one point higher

Support, Mentorship & Confidence

The ENVD LLC is directed by Jade Polizzi, ENVD teaching professor, and Rachel Lee, ENVD assistant teaching professor, along with a team of friendly and highly skilled first-year mentors, who will provide support and mentorship from a peer-to-peer lens. Our mission is to provide students with the tools and community to continue their design education career in confidence beyond the first year.

Program Directors

Jade Polizzi
Co-Director of ENVD FYE & LLC
Teaching Professor & ARCH Coordinator
jade.polizzi@colorado.edu

Rachel Lavine
Co-Director of ENVD FYE & LLC
Assistant Teaching Professor
rachel.lavine@colorado.edu

First Year Mentors

All first-year students will be paired with and collaborate regularly with our friendly ENVD First Year Mentors.

Benefits of Living in the ENVD LLC

  • 10 first-year mentors for 1:1 mentoring during first-year activities
  • 4 minute walk to ENVD building from Willard Hall
  • 97% rentention rate from year one to year two for those pursing a B.EnvD
  • $500 first-year engagement scholarships awarded to 15 students at end of first year