A Strong Community and Leadership Development

Students who select to live in the Health Professions Residential College and participate in the CLASS Program enjoy many benefits including:

Community strength:

• Provides peer support and a positive living-learning environment
• Creates a fun and supportive smaller community within the larger community of CMU
• Start college with a group of motivated students who value education and are goal-oriented
• Live with a core group of students who value healthy lifestyles and have agreed to live "alcohol and tobacco free"
• Enjoy a sense of pride and commitment in being part of this special community of future health care providers

Leadership development:

• Opportunity to interact in small groups and one-on-one basis with staff, faculty, and health care professionals
• Many leadership opportunities including involvement with the HPRC Student Advisory Board, participation in Leadership Institute offerings, pre-professional Registered Student Organizations, and other university and community networks
• Gain an inside perspective on health care and health care trends in order to be in sync or even ahead of the employment market
• Establish a portfolio/resume for graduate school and career placement beginning in freshman year

Academic Success and Student Engagement

Academic success:

• Academic and peer support from students taking the same or similar courses including access to an online network of HPRC students through Blackboard (“ANSWER System”)and in-hall study groups
• Easy access to guidance and direction from program director, peer mentors, and upper-class students
• Education and assistance in learning how to access available resources through the community and HPS 101 including tutoring, math and writing centers and other supports
• The opportunity to explore a potential career early in the educational process and learn about other career choices to determine educational and career direction

Service engagement: 

• Participate in community service activities with other HPRC students and leaders to build confidence and gain experience in human service
• Network with community agencies and university and community leaders
• Enjoy the countless benefits of working with other HPRC and CMU students in helping others on campus, in the community and across the nation!

Scholarly involvement: 

• Learn and grow outside of the classroom through participation in educational programs offered on campus, research opportunities, and on-campus conferences
• Enjoy college “field trips” to educational and cultural events organized by the HPRC Peer Mentors, RAs, MAs or Student Advisory Board leaders
• Begin to build a network with health professions professors and other contacts to become part of a growing network of future health professionals for internships, research opportunities, and potential job in the future