A few colleges, seminaries and other higher education institutions are beginning to re-explore the idea of a college as a mutually supportive community of students living together in a rhythm of study, work, and worship. Usually this takes place within the sphere of what is known as “student life.” Often this kind of creativity involves a dialogue between housing entrepreneurs and representatives from the institutions involved. A number of folks are experimenting with these ideas. Check them out!

  • Vista House (South Carolina)
  • Missional Wisdom Foundation (a few experiments in different places, some of which have connections with higher education)
  • Consortium of Christian Study Centers (some of these are residential centers bringing folks together in intentional community of study and worship)
  • The Elzinga Residential Scholars Program (Virginia) is part of the Study Centers Consortium
  • Amselm House (University of Minnesota — another Christian study center-ish expression)
  • Friendship House — Partners USA (these folks link intentional community, college life, and shared life among persons with disabilities)
  • University Christian Union (Seattle)
  • Chesterton House (Ithaca, NY)
  • The Blackburn House (North Carolina — a rural internship program)
  • Eden Fellows (Abilene, TX; Live, learn, grow together — cohorts with ties to Abilene Christian University)
  • The Farminary (at Princeton Theological Seminary — theological education and an intentional farming community)
  • Project Neighborhood (Calvin College — Housemates invest in intentional urban communities share house responsibilities, and participate in service in the nearby community)
  • The Foundry (North Carolina — linking Wake Forest University divinity students with Crossnore School and Children’s Home in an intentional community environment)
  • Brazos Fellows (Waco, TX) — Connecting cohorts of students with deep tradition. Affiliations with ACNA.
  • The Emmaus Program (Whitworth University, Spokane, WA) – Students live together in year-long communal discipleship program.