Theme and interest housing in demand by Wright State freshmen

Wright State offers Residence Hall Communities for students majoring or interested in the fields of community engagement, business, education, engineering and computer science, health, fine arts, theatre, motion pictures and STEM.

Studying late with other students of the same major, having a similar schedule as other athletes and networking with students with similar GPAs are among the reasons why interest in Wright State’s many Theme and Interest Floors has grown.

Incoming freshmen showed a record-breaking interest in themed housing options, which motivated Residence Life and Housing to restructure its themed housing communities. More than 920 first-year students showed interested in living in a themed community.

Wright State currently offers Residence Hall Communities for students majoring or interested in the fields of community engagement, business, education, engineering and computer science, health, fine arts, theatre, motion pictures and STEM. Additionally, housing options are available to nontraditional students and students in the Honors Program. Each program is assigned a resident assistant (RA) of the same major or interest.

“I think more students are coming to college knowing what they want to do,” said Jen Attenweiler, the associate director of Residence Life and Housing. “I think students are having a better understanding of what they want to do, and I think students are interested in (themed communities) because it helps connect them to their major.”

“I think the sense of community is a lot better since they know they’re with people that have the same major and you’re around them a lot more,” said Samantha Wank, a nursing major who is an RA in Hamilton Hall, a housing community for STEM and engineering majors.

The housing communities offer a variety of amenities and benefits based on the theme of the community floor.

There are a 3-D printer, computers with engineering software and classrooms with tutors in Hamilton Hall, said Hannah Livingston, an electrical engineering major and RA in Hamilton Hall.

The themed community for theatre students provides space for dancing and practicing singing, said Caroline Brendsel, a music education major who is an RA in the Honors Community.

“They have each other to practice their lines with and having those peers around helps them to learn better,” she said.

The Honors Community is available for students majoring in health, community engagement, engineering, theatre and motion pictures.

The Woods Community is designated for students interested in fine arts, education and business. Residence Life and Housing plans to expand the community space for students in the education and business themes.

Other benefits include living close to campus, meeting with on- and off-campus organizations in the field, exam reviews with RAs and having access to computer software and resources in your field.

“There is research that shows that students who live on campus are more likely to graduate on time and have a higher GPA living with people that are in the same theme and interest communities,” Attenweiler said. “That helps them be more successful with their classes and studies.”

More information on campus housing and Theme and Interest Floors is available on the Residence Life and Housing website.