Communities of Learning (CoL) is an innovative summer orientation program that shows new students just how much UPSem cares about making their seminary experience a successful one! 

CoL is designed to help new students transition into seminary by better preparing them to engage UPSem's academic curriculum and its processes of spiritual and vocational formation.  The program offers new students the unique opportunity to participate in online theological study and discussion in a supportive, small-group setting—a ‘community of learning’ comprised of not only other new students but faculty advisors and alumni mentors as well--during the summer prior to beginning their degree program. 

Click on the VIDEO above to learn more about the program from students, faculty, and alums who participated in CoL this past summer!

Flexible Online Study and Conversation

The CoL Program includes students from all three UPSem learning platforms—the Richmond campus, the Charlotte campus, and the Extended Campus Program.  And, because these community discussions take place online, students can participate on their own schedules and from wherever they happen to be during the summer, as long as they have internet access.

The program also includes an optional weekend event on the Richmond campus where students, faculty advisors, and alumni mentors gather for a time of study, worship, fun, and fellowship—in person, for a change!

Community Building

CoL’s strong emphasis on relationship-building seeks to instill in participants a sense of connectedness to one another and a deeper appreciation for differing perspectives and the value of collaborative learning—qualities that will serve them well not only in their theological studies but also in their future ministry.

Join us!

Participation in the CoL program is not required, though highly encouraged!  Students, faculty, and alums alike have found the CoL experience to be a most rewarding one!

CoL is offered to students at no additional cost and is designed so as to fit comfortably into almost any summer schedule--even an already busy one!

To learn more about the program and/or to sign up as a new student or alumna/us mentor, please contact:
Sandy Irby, Director
Communities of Learning Program
(804) 278-4272
sirby@upsem.edu