Residential Curriculum at GW

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:


Campus Quest: Your GW Journey Starts Here!
Campus Quest is an interactive experience designed to help first-year residents discover campus resources, connect with their community, and make the most of their GW journey.
- Grab Your Map
Pick up your Campus Quest map at your first residential meeting or directly from your Community Coordinator (CC) or Community Engagement Advisor (CEAd).
- Explore the Stops
Visit key locations across campus, learn about the resources available to you, and start building your GW network.
- Collect Your Stickers
Check in with your CC or CEAd at each stop to earn a sticker for your map.
- Win Prizes
The more stops you complete, the greater your chances of winning exciting prizes!

Why Join the Quest?
Campus Quest is about elevating your GW experience.
By participating, you’ll:
- Get connected with essential campus resources
- Meet student leaders and staff who are here to support you
- Build community from the very start of your journey
Ready to ride the Quest? Let’s go!