ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces principles for designing such learning community (LCs) and discusses the importance of building institutional partnerships for creating and sustaining powerful LCs. There are usually trigger events that cause institutions and individuals to decide to create an LC; often it is perceived to be the answer to a charge or concern from within or without the institution. The selection or creation of a stated purpose can guide the group toward what type of LC should be created to support intended outcomes. Potential stakeholders are also part of the environment, and they can become either barriers to LC success or solutions that can help guide the process and support the creation of an LC that is strong, effective, and sustainable. Institutional researchers, acknowledged as the institutional planning and assessment experts at most colleges and universities, must play a leading role in order for the comprehensive approach to optimal LCs to become a reality.
