New Business Living-Learning Community serves as college’s ‘front porch’ to incoming freshmen

Mark Zeigler, director of first-year experience programs at the Florida State University College of Business, points to "a great group" of students in the first cohort of FSU's Business Living-Learning Community.
Photo by Kallen Lunt/College of Business Click to enlarge

Top-notch residence hall in the heart of campus? Check. 

Elite and excited students? Check. 

Energetic faculty and staff? Double check. 

The latest vehicle to student success from the Florida State University College of Business has started its engine. It’s a Living-Learning Community for incoming freshmen who intend to pursue one of nine undergraduate business majors. 

“We’re ready to roll,” said Mark Zeigler, a senior lecturer and the college’s director of first-year experience programs. 

The Business Living-Learning Community, or LLC, launches this month at Azalea Hall, among the newest and most desirable residential facilities on campus. The LLC features 76 students who jumped at the chance to spend their first year at FSU living and taking classes with students who share an interest and likely a strong future in business. 

More than 200 students applied for acceptance into a community that College of Business officials see growing significantly in coming years. 

“We’ve got a great group, and the students are very excited,” Zeigler said.  

A place to ‘belong, grow, and thrive’ 

Tara Lambert, left, a Business LLC member who plans to major in accounting, said she sees the LLC as “a perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded peers and immerse myself in the vibrant culture of Tallahassee and FSU.”  

“It's not just about finding a place to live,” she said. “It's about finding a community where I can truly belong, grow, and thrive.” 

Lambert made those comments in an essay section of her application to the LLC. The college selected students based on the quality of their application. 

Jonathan James, right, a Business LLC member who plans to major in finance, wrote in his application essay that the LLC would help students learn about “interpersonal connections but, more importantly, we will learn more about ourselves, what interests us, and what we are good at.” 

“This growth will give LLC students confidence from our experiences that will translate to the real world,” he added. 

The Business LLC expands a proven concept at FSU, which launched its first such community in 1997 and now boasts LLCs for a range of student interests, including music, nursing, other health professions, engineering, women in STEM, global and public affairs, exploration and discovery, and entrepreneurship and innovation – plus an LLC for first-generation students.  

Graphic by Tony Watts Jr./College of Business Click to enlarge

Through shared academic interests and pursuits, the LLCs aim to help incoming students bond, boosting retention and graduation rates. Students live together and take one or two classes together, usually in or near their residence hall. 

Officials say they want the new Business LLC to immediately connect incoming students to the college. Students typically don’t get accepted into the college until their junior year, so they generally lack engagement with its programs or faculty members during their first two years at the university.  

The Business LLC aims to change that via, for starters: 

• A required colloquium course during the fall and spring semesters that focuses on academic planning and career preparation 
• An Introduction to Financial Accounting or a Business Communications course, each a prerequisite required for admission into one or more of the college’s majors, during the spring semester 
• Exposure to speakers and alumni from the college and university 
• Mentoring from upper-division business students 
• Access to Zeigler, one of the university’s most beloved, respected and versatile faculty members 

“We’re excited about our new Business LLC and the sense of community and belonging it will give business-intent students from the moment they arrive on campus,” said Michael Hartline, dean of the college. “We thank our colleagues in Undergraduate Studies and University Housing for their support in launching our first LLC, and we thank our college’s faculty and staff members, led by Mark Zeigler, for their work and commitment to make this important initiative a reality.” 

Zeigler said Hartline asked him last year to use the LLC to “build a front porch on the College of Business.”  

“I really liked that,” Zeigler said. “If we engage students early on and they already have friends, they already know faculty members, and they know what their major's about after their freshman year, they're more likely to stay and finish at FSU.” 

He added: “And their encounters with successful alumni and current outstanding undergrads will leave them with a clear path to their success beyond the College of Business.” 

‘Commitment from faculty and staff’ 

Zeigler came to the college in June 2023 from FSU’s School of Communication, where he served on the faculty for almost 30 years. An award-winning lecturer and expert in leadership, public speaking and professional communication, he also has served since 2009 as head marshal for FSU’s commencement ceremonies – announcing the name of every graduating student.  

From 2020 through early 2023, he oversaw an FSU Living-Learning Community that focused on general exploration of interests, majors and career paths in Bryan Hall. He did so through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a time when students took all classes online. That inspired him to make daily visits to Bryan Hall and give students in-person access to a faculty member. 

Zeigler’s background made him ideal to launch the Business LLC and to lead first-year experience programs, including Engage 100, in the college’s Business Career Services, renamed from the Center for Professional Success. He also will teach the Business Communications course to students in the Business LLC. Allen Blay, the EY professor and chair of the accounting department, will teach the LLC accounting course. 

“I’m really enthusiastic about the College of Business,” Zeigler said. “The main thing I’ve seen here is the level of commitment from faculty and staff members to get students engaged and get them the skills they need and make sure they know, in 3 ½ to 4 years, where they’re going and have a career lined up.” 

"The college's emphasis on boots-on-the-ground success has really inspired me," he added. 

As he did at FSU’s Bryan Hall LLC, Zeigler plans to maintain a steady presence at Azalea Hall. Two to three days a week, he’ll spend two or so hours answering questions, offering reassurance and pointing students to other university resources.  

“There has to be a person who is keeping the community going,” Zeigler said. “I’m going to be around, and the students are going to see me.” 

The college plans to eventually offer an LLC for each of the nine undergraduate majors and another for undecided business students. 

“We’re trying to ramp it up gradually,” said Rick Morton, the college’s associate dean for Academic Operations and Julian V. Smith Family Professor of Business Administration. “The scope of what we’re talking about is unprecedented for Living-Learning Communities at FSU.” 

The enthusiasm of the first cohort points to a powerful launch. 

Lambert, the incoming freshman who plans to major in accounting, said she’s poised to help “establish a supportive community” for FSU business students and to contribute “my ideas and experiences to help set the foundation for a thriving program.” 

James, the prospective finance major, said: “I look forward to making the Florida State community my home.” 

-- Pete Reinwald