Residential Curriculum at GW

Image of a Hippopotamus in a blue Metro hat, holding a DC transit map and standing in front of the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument. At the top of this image is the text "Rev Up @ Home, Residential Curriculum Guide," and at the bottom of this image there are icons of transit systems such as buses or trains.

What is a Residential Curriculum?

Mapped Out: Rev Up Your GW Journey

At GW, we recognize that every student’s journey is unique. Our Residential Curriculum is designed with purpose and guided by five core learning goals: connection, exploration, empathy, conflict resolution, and personal growth.
Our curriculum empowers residents to build meaningful relationships, develop essential life skills, and strengthen their self-awareness. It supports students in growing throughout their time at GW and well into the future.

Why do we use a Residential Curriculum approach?

Student learning and development extend beyond the classroom. Our Residential Curriculum is designed to create meaningful, equity-driven learning opportunities in the spaces where students live.

Key Reasons We Use this Approach:

Develops the Whole Student: Students develop new skills, build relationships, and learn about themselves through meaningful experiences outside the classroom.
Creates Cross-Department Alignment: Our Residential Curriculum is grounded in the Division for Student Affairs Guiding Principles— Community, Exploration, Empathy, Curiosity, and Critical Thinking— which ensures consistency and connection across departments in support of a unified student experience.
Supports Growth Throughout College: The curriculum is designed to meet students at each stage of their college experience, helping them learn and grow as they progress through their time on campus.
Fosters a Strong Sense of Belonging: Through shared experiences and intentional engagement, students build meaningful connections with peers, staff, and faculty. This sense of belonging can contribute to a supportive community and positively impact student satisfaction, engagement, and retention.

Educational Priority Statement

CLRE encourages and supports students as they navigate through learning tracks to build the knowledge, skills, and self-awareness needed to support their personal, interpersonal, and community development. Through this journey, they will build resilience, practice empathy, manage conflict, and cultivate a sense of belonging and purpose that supports their growth during and beyond their time at GW.

Learning Goals and Narratives

Community: The Community Track centers belonging as the foundation for an inclusive and meaningful GW experience. It supports students in building connections in their residence halls and across campus by fostering shared moments of pride, fun, and school tradition. Through relationships, campus resource awareness, and reflection, students develop habits of mutual responsibility, care, and contribution to the GW community.
Personal Growth: The Personal Growth Track supports student success by building the capacity to engage with new ideas while navigating academic and career experiences. By developing skills such as self-awareness, goal-setting, and decision-making, students are better equipped to manage their academic journey, personal development, and campus involvement. This track encourages continuous growth as students shape their path with intention and purpose.
Conflict Resolution: The Conflict Resolution Track empowers students to navigate interpersonal challenges through restorative approaches that emphasize accountability, empathy, and being in community. By reflecting on the impact of their actions and engaging in open dialogue, students develop skills in problem-solving, communication, and mutual understanding. This track supports personal and community success by fostering resilience and moving through conflict.
Empathy: The Empathy Track encourages students to explore their own identities and those of others through an intersectional and inclusive lens. By engaging in dialogue, reflection, and shared experiences, students build emotional intelligence, deepen cultural understanding, and strengthen their capacity for connection across differences. This track supports the development of compassionate, self-aware community members who contribute to a more inclusive GW experience.
Exploration: The Exploration Track empowers students to discover and care for their well-being in all its dimensions— emotional, social, spiritual, and beyond. Rooted in personal growth and resilience, this track supports students in navigating challenges, setting healthy boundaries, and making decisions that promote balance and self-awareness.

Our Strategies to Help Students Engage and Learn: