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Special Interest Housing: Live Where Your Passion Lives

 Your living space is where you build your community and fuel your purpose. SEMO offers Special Interest Housing Communities where you can connect with classmates who share interests, academic goals, or life experiences. 

In these communities, your neighbor becomes your collaborator and future colleague. Many of these communities occupy entire dedicated floors, and the Visual and Performing Arts Community takes an entire building. Study, grow, and thrive in a group of people who all share your interests.

SEMO’s 11 Special Interest Housing Communities:

  • Agriculture
  • Arts and Media Collective
  • Business and Business Plus
  • Honors
  • Humanities and Social Services
  • Nursing and Health Sciences
  • Professional Pilot
  • Technology Hawks
  • The Commons
  • Tomorrow’s Teachers and Beyond
  • Visual and Performing Arts (VPA)

Why Live in a Special Interest Housing Community?

  • Events tailored to your interests
  • Instant connection with like-minded students
  • Supportive environment where friendships flourish
  • Smoother transition for new students
  • Faculty and staff engagement beyond the classroom
  • Built-in study groups and academic support
  • Professional networking with peers and mentors

Each community is designed in partnership with faculty, staff, and Residence Life to enhance engagement, promote success, and help you develop the confidence to be fearless, both inside and outside the classroom.

How to Apply

To join a Special Interest Housing Community, complete the Special Interest Housing Application when submitting your housing contract. Approval is required before requesting a room in one of these communities.

Questions? Let’s connect.
(573) 651-2274
learningcommunities@semo.edu

Special Interest Housing Communities at SEMO

Location: LaFerla Hall
Residents: First-year and returning students
Major Requirement: Any major within the Department of Agriculture

Connect with peers and faculty through hands-on events and shared classes that support your future in agriculture.

Location: Vandiver Hall 
Residents: First-year and returning students
Major Requirement: Any major within the Holland College of Arts and Media 

Live in a creative space designed to inspire and connect you with faculty and fellow artists.

Location: LaFerla Hall 
Residents: First-year students returning students
Major Requirement: Any BSBA major within the Harrison College of Business and Computing 

Prepare for your future career with faculty-led events, networking opportunities, and shared classes.

Location: Vandiver Hall 
Residents: First-year and returning students
Major Requirement: Any major in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Join a community focused on preserving culture, history, and human connection.

Location: LaFerla Hall 
Residents: First-year and returning Honors students
Requirement: Verification as a member of the Jane Stephens Honors Program

Enrich your academic journey with faculty involvement, field trips, and service projects.

Location: LaFerla Hall (New location for Fall 27 Spring 28)
Residents: First-year and returning students
Major Requirement: Professional Pilot or Aviation Management

Connect with instructors and peers through aviation-focused activities and support.

Location: Vandiver Hall 
Residents: First-year and returning students
Major/Career Path Requirement: Nursing & Health Sciences

Collaborate with faculty and healthcare professionals in a community built for future medical leaders.

Location: LaFerla Hall
Residents: First-year and returning students
Major Requirement: Majors in Department of Computer Science and the Department of  Engineering and Technology 

Dive into hands-on learning and connect with faculty in your field.

Location: LaFerla Hall
Residents: First-year and returning students
Major Requirement: Any Education major

Build your future in education through shared classes, faculty interaction, and peer support.

Location: Dobbins River Campus Center
Residents: First-year and returning students
Major Requirement: Any major in the Holland College of Arts and Media

Live in a dedicated creative space where your passion for the arts is celebrated and supported.

Accounting student, Hannah Kroencke, wears a Redhawk shirt and stands in front of LaFerla Hall.

Hannah Kroencke, student

Hear from one of our students

My favorite thing would have to be the Learning Community housing options offered in the dorms. I lived in the Business Learning Community my freshman year and was able to meet some of my best friends. I was also able to get more involved in the Harrison College of Business and Computing. I have lived in this community for three years now and am currently serving as the RA, so I have been able to grow in leadership ability and involvement each year through this program.
Harrison College of Business and Computing

Phone

Office

(573) 651-2274

Location

Office

Towers Complex 102

Mailing Address

One University Plaza, MS 0055
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701