The Residential College Environment
Can a building change your college experience?
Architecture and environment shape experience, and the residential colleges at Ambler Johnston were designed to foster co–curricular learning and community engagement. Once a traditional residence hall, Ambler Johnston has been renovated to provide places where residents can engage with peers and faculty members. Common areas and shared spaces between the Honors Residential College and the Residential College at West Ambler Johnston include living and game rooms, classrooms, meeting spaces, a theater, a library, a fitness area, and a large kitchen to encourage interaction around meals. The residential colleges have refurbished, air–conditioned student rooms, including a mix of traditional, suite–style, and apartment–style rooms. Homes for two faculty principals, two student affairs staff members, and several faculty offices will be located in the community to encourage a collaborative atmosphere that integrates academic work and collegial life. Residents shouldn't be surprised when they get invited to attend a reception, lecture, or other event right in their faculty principal's home.
Residential College at West Ambler Johnston
The Residential College at West Ambler Johnston will house approximately 800 students in a community made up of four smaller houses (consisting of approximately 200 students per house). Each house will be led by a live–out "Associate Faculty Principal." Leading the entire college will be the Faculty Principal who also lives in West Ambler Johnston.
One of the aspirations of the college is that students "know and are known". Therefore, to further promote a sense of community among residents, each member is assigned to one of four houses within the residential college. The houses are comprised of approximately 200 students each, and are located throughout the quadrants of West Ambler Johnston Hall.
The four houses are:
Each house is named for a tree that grows in Virginia. We chose four trees that start with H to represent Virginia Tech's background as a land-grant institution and its ties to the 4-H Club and extension education.
Your assignment to a house is for your entire duration of living in the residential college. While you have the option to change rooms from year to year, this will always be within the floor and quadrant of your respective house.
