Many distinguished leaders and innovators in higher education who are calling for curricular reform in order to increase student engagement and retention cite learning communities as a powerful model for change. In this article, the term "learning communities" refers to "the purposeful restructuring of the curriculum by linking or clustering courses that enroll a common cohort of students. This represents an intentional restructuring of students' time, credit, and learning experiences to build community and foster more explicit connections among students, faculty and disciplines." Learning communities are built on the premise that learning is a social endeavor and that quality learning is enhanced by quality relationships. This article discusses the benefits of learning communities to students, faculty, college and community.