FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Students in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences participate in Bumpers College Living Learning Community events to connect with students, staff and resources at the U of A within their major and the college.

The learning community is considered beneficial to students as they transition to college life.

"The focus of the LLC is to engage and encourage students to be their best by connecting them to resources and opportunities across the campus," said Lucas Simmons, senior academic adviser and student experience coordinator.

First-year animal science student Jimena Rodriquez believes the LLC is a great opportunity to "build connections."  

Students in the Bumpers College Living Learning Community have taken advantage of career development opportunities, community-building events and stress-relieving activities. This year, students have had the opportunity to carve pumpkins, meet with professionals from the National Agricultural Law Center and meet the Keith Stokes Family, caretakers of Tusk, the official live mascot of Razorback athletics.

The Tusk event took place on Oct. 16. The intent of the Tusk event was to "learn about the requirements to raise, maintain and promote the best live animal mascot in the SEC," said Simmons.

Rodriquez participated in the Tusk event.

"I honestly did not know that we even had a live mascot,' said Rodriguez.

On top of just getting to meet the mascot, she also enjoyed learning about the daily maintenance and breeding process.

The Bumpers College LLC is well thought of among faculty and students.

"I would highly recommend the LLC," said Rodriguez. According to Rodriguez, the living learning community is beneficial because it provides opportunities around campus and helps build relationships with peers and faculty.

It has allowed her to connect with students and staff, and build important relationships.

To get involved with the Bumpers College Living Learning Community, entering freshmen should apply when selecting housing.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among fewer than 3% of colleges and universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.