The Connected Learning Program offers students the chance to shape their own learning experiences outside of the traditional classroom. During the academic year, CLP students work in teams to develop projects—ranging from research trips and lecture series to music performances and film-making workshops—that enrich the intellectual climate of the university as well as the lives of individual participants. Equipped with a budget of up to $1,000, each project reaches out to other campus organizations, classes, and community groups to produce exciting connections and unique learning opportunities. The result is a year filled with intellectual challenges, cross-disciplinary collaborations, group-directed teamwork, and self-directed learning.

Students have two ways of getting involved in the Connected Learning Program: they can either propose a project of their own, or they can join an existing project. Students who propose a project serve as mentors who work with their team members to advance their vision and to create a dynamic group experience. All program participants live together in Cobb, a newly-remodeled residence hall in north campus where they enjoy social and educational programming throughout the year.

Connected Learning Program projects must have an academic component and contribute to the intellectual life of UNC. Approaches might include—but are certainly not limited to—the following:

• Joining the expertise of various academic departments to explore a common topic through discussions, lectures, film viewings, concerts and performances, or other related activities;
• connecting students international experiences to the UNC community;
• supporting, exhibiting, and contributing to original student research or artistic activity;
• fostering a deeper understanding of contemporary issues and how to address them.

Mentors
Upper-class students serve as project team leaders and mentors to first year students in the Connected Learning Program. Mentors are expected to develop and implement a project, either on their own or with fellow mentors, and actively engage first year students in the project.

First Year Students and Transfer Students
Incoming first year students and transfer students will have the opportunity to join a project team organized by a mentor. Mid-year transfer students may apply to the program and will be matched with a project already in progress.

Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff can participate in the Connected Learning Program, either by getting involved in a student-run project, or through the development of a project that students choose to join.