Information for Parents

• Stay on campus early: Spend your first few weekends on campus to get to know your community. This is a key time to build friendships, form connections and start feeling at home at UNC Charlotte. Students who feel connected are more likely to stay engaged and graduate on time.
• Get involved right away: Take advantage of opportunities like clubs, study groups, office hours, guest speakers and professional development events. Everything is here for you, you just need to take the first step.
• Use campus resources: The W.S. Lee College of Engineering and the university offer a wide range of support services for academics, wellness and success. If you’re unsure where to start, your academic advisor or resident advisor can help guide you.
• Connect with your advisor early: If you run into academic or transition challenges, meet with your major advisor. They can help you navigate concerns and connect you with the right support.
• Build strong habits early: Develop your own system for managing time, deadlines and communication. Learning these skills now will help you succeed throughout college and beyond.
• Stay connected to Niner Nation: Attend events like Parents Weekend and other campus activities to stay engaged and become part of the broader UNC Charlotte community.

Got Success?

The Engineering Freshman Learning Community (FLC) offers many benefits to students who choose to join and actively participate. Our goal is to connect students with key resources, help them build a strong sense of community within the college and provide opportunities to explore engineering so they can confirm their academic and career path. Research shows that support in these areas contributes to student success, but the effort, commitment and engagement must come from the student.

Engineering FLC students participate in both dedicated events and shared campus experiences. While many activities are designed specifically for FLC students, they also take courses with the broader university community, allowing them to build connections with students and faculty outside of engineering.

A key part of the experience is ENGR 1300 – Exploring Engineering and Technology with Success, taken together during the first semester. This course introduces students to all majors within the W.S. Lee College of Engineering through guest speakers from each department. Students also hear from the Career Center about internships, co-ops and job fair preparation, and participate in workshops from the University Center for Academic Excellence (UCAE) focused on study skills and time management. Academic advisors also help students prepare for future course registration, while discussions highlight engineering topics in the news and opportunities for campus involvement.

Alongside academics, there is also time to build community and have fun. Residential Assistants organize social programming that helps students connect, build friendships and feel at home on campus.

Got Results?

Historically students who live and participate in the Engineering FLC have a slightly higher GPA than engineering students who do not. The difference is more evident when you look at graduation rates. Students who participate in the Engineering FLC have higher 4-year and 6-year graduation rates than engineering students who did not. We attribute this difference to their developing a sense of community and better study skills that pull them through their degree programs.

Looking into the Engineering FLC for a Fall 2026 student?

Learn more about the program. Information sessions offered in conjunction with UNC Charlotte Explore Open House events.

Engineering students are not automatically placed in the Engineering Freshman Learning Community.

The steps needed to participate in the Engineering Freshman Learning Community

• You must be accepted to the University as an engineering, engineering technology, or construction management major.
• Complete a Housing Application for Hawthorne Hall.
• Complete the Learning Community application before June 1. Applications open in February.
• Accept your offer through the application portal to make it official.  <==This step is often overlooked!
• Complete the New Student Orientation requirements and read your University emails.
• Attend New Student Orientation

Space available is on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply early!

There is no additional charge for living in a Learning Community. On campus housing costs range from $4,595 – $5,845/semester, mainly a factor of space and privacy.  Hawthorne Hall’s housing rate is currently To Be Announced following our renovations this past year (will be announced for the 26-27 school year). All rooms in Hawthorne Hall are suite style housing with two, 2-person bedrooms sharing a bathroom and living space.