Community and Creativity: The Heart of a Queens Education

Ever wonder what makes a college education truly transformative? At Queens University, it’s all about the Learning Communities, or QLCs. These aren’t your typical classes. They’re a powerful, intentional way to learn that connects the dots between different subjects, helping you see the big picture and giving you a “launching pad” for success. This semester alone, there are 18 QLCs with a diverse range of topics, including “The New South,” “Thinking Through Film,” and “Religion and Identity in America.”

“Learning communities are one of the most powerful practices in higher education,” says Shawn Bowers Buxton ’01, the new director of Queens’ General Education program. A proud alumna herself, Bowers Buxton believes QLCs give students a unique, multi-faceted approach to learning by allowing them to explore a single, compelling topic through multiple perspectives, fostering a deeper level of understanding.

More Than Just a Class: A Culinary Journey

This year, Bowers Buxton is bringing her passion for storytelling to the classroom. She’s teaching a QLC called “The Creative Gastronomy of Identity.” It’s a course that dives deep into the powerful connection between food, memory, and culture.

“Teaching this class and learning about the unique identities of our students is very rewarding for me,” Bowers Buxton shares. “We learn a lot about each other by talking about family traditions or recipes that have been handed down. We discuss how, through each generation, food becomes a part of who we are.”

Her course is paired with “Nutrition for Health and Sport,” taught by Dr. Maureen Walsh Koricke. While Bowers Buxton’s class explores the emotional and cultural side of food, Dr. Koricke’s course focuses on the scientific and ethical aspects of nutrition, especially for athletes.

A Student’s Perspective: The Perfect Recipe for Success

For senior business major and dance team member Elyse Wallace ’26, the QLC model is a game-changer. This is her second time taking classes in a learning community, and she’s a firm believer in the program. “It’s a cool approach to general education,” she says. “This year, I’m taking Professor Bowers Buxton and Dr. Koricke’s classes, and I like how they give both a logical and ethical perspective on food. They contrast each other while still complementing the overall goal.”

Despite her focus on business, Wallace values Queens’ strong liberal arts foundation. She believes that diversifying her academic “palette” is key to her success. “As a knowledge seeker, I’ve noticed a lot of crossovers in market behaviors and how they affect other industries,” Wallace explains. “I like to see business from different perspectives – those that offer more personal insight and real stories, not just data and profit.”

Queens University’s learning communities challenge students to connect diverse fields of study and explore complex topics, inspiring critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world. The learning community model cultivates students who are not only prepared for a career but are also intellectually curious global citizens ready to make a meaningful impact in the world.