SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Feb. 19 — The University of Rhode Island plans to introduce a new Honors living and learning community model in the 2026–27 academic year, creating Honors “cluster communities” inside each academic LLC. The shift is designed to give Honors students a stronger sense of connection without removing them from their academic college communities.

Under the new structure, students will continue to be placed by academic major or college, but Honors students will live in designated floor sections or wings with peers who share both their academic program and their participation in the Honors program. 

The process will not require a separate application, according to Housing and Residential Life (HRL). Instead, students will be placed “during our standard room assignment process,” Kayla Mosko, Associate Director of HRL, said.

The new model is expected to launch in fall 2026, with Honors resident assistants serving a role similar to LLC RAs. They will help share information, support students academically and socially, and collaborate on Honors‑related events.

Programming is still in early development, but may include coffee‑and‑chat sessions, faculty‑led programs, and social gatherings, according to Mosko. They also plan to collect student feedback to shape future events and strengthen the connection between residential life and the Honors curriculum.

“We are hoping implementing Honors clusters will increase students’ connection to other Honors students, and to the Honors program overall, while still providing their academic college LLC experience,” Mosko said.

-Anxhelika Deda