Rollins

Rollins College Conference

Easing your transition to college and surrounding you with the support you need to thrive at Rollins and beyond

First impressions are everything. That’s why we developed Rollins College Conference (RCC) courses—seminar-style classes that all first-year students take during their first semester to get the feel for the liberal arts at Rollins. You and about 16 of your fellow first-years will be paired with a professor who will not only teach the course but will also serve as your first faculty advisor. You’ll explore an interesting topic through an array of educational and experiential activities, and you’ll partner with peer mentors, second-, third-, and fourth-year Tars who help smooth your transition to college life and academics. By the end of the semester, you’ll not only have a baked-in support network of friends and faculty, but you’ll also have the blueprint to success for your next four years.

A student taking notes in a greenhouse.

Fascinating Foundations

Believe us when we say that these aren’t your typical course topics. Recent RCC classes include Science Goes to the Movies, where students put the physics of popular film and television shows to the test, and Student Life Hacks: Becoming a Rollins Student, which explores the values and customs embedded in our campus culture. Every RCC course is not only both fun and relevant, but it’s also designed to help set you up for success.

A peer mentor helps a first-year student in class.

Mentors Who Understand

Your RCC peer mentor is a second-, third-, or fourth-year student who can’t wait to pass along their Rollins know-how. They’re not simply a guide—they’re someone who has recently walked in your shoes and understands all the pressures first-year college students face. Think of them as a cool older pal who always has your back.

Students in Dave's Boathouse.

Live and Learn

When we say living-learning community, we mean it. Most first-year students live in a residence hall with their RCC classmates. You’ll spend the semester exploring life-changing topics both inside and outside of the classroom through co-curricular enrichments that enhance the course. In fact, students have even been known to keep the conversation going in some of the res hall common areas.

Rollins peer mentor Michelle Rodriguez portrait

A Seamless Transition

Hear from peer mentor Michelle Rodriguez ’24 in her own words about how the Rollins College Conference course acts as a roadmap for your Rollins journey.

More from Michelle

Cool Classes

RCC courses change from year to year depending on current events, cutting-edge research developments, shifting worldviews, and more. They’re designed to reflect the moment and tackle the problems of the future. One thing they all have in common, though, is that they’re totally cool. Look, we could tell you about some of the awesome RCC classes Rollins has offered, but we’d rather just show you.

Rollins Intersession 2024 classes

Learning by Doing

Each year between the fall and spring semesters, enterprising students return to campus a little early to participate in Intersession, a weeklong course dedicated to an interesting subject not typically offered during the regular semester.

A grid of students and professors at Rollins College

Set Up for Success

Hear from peer mentor Michelle Rodriguez ’24 in her own words about how the Rollins College Conference course—RCC for short—acts as a roadmap for your Rollins journey.

Rollins College English professor Jana Mathews engages students in class discussion.

Inside a Rollins Classroom

In small classes, big things happen. Through open discussion, hands-on learning, and close-knit mentorship from faculty who know your goals and dreams, you emerge as a confident critical thinker ready to make your mark.

A Rollins professor leads a discussion in an outdoor classroom.

See for Yourself

Get a feel for Rollins’ unique brand of engaged learning and personalized attention through one of our virtual or in-person visit experiences.

Take a Closer Look