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A closeup shot of the entrance to the Baker Center on campus.

Baker LLC

The Baker Living & Learning Community (LLC) offers an welcoming environment for first-year students interested in public policy and public service. Students of all majors and backgrounds are encouraged to participate in this interdisciplinary experience. Students accepted into the BLLC live together in a university residence hall and take courses together their first year, which also fulfills Volunteer Core requirements for many majors.

Named after former US Senator from Tennessee and US Ambassador to Japan, Howard H. Baker, Jr., the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy & Public Affairs serves as a place for engaged learning. This close association with the Baker School gives students access to the research, programs, conferences, and events in various policy areas such as leadership and governance, energy and environment, and global security.

The Baker LLC has socials and professional development events focused on teaching students about careers and opportunities in public policy. Join us and share your passion for public service as you learn more about government and policy and how you can make an impact.

For more program details, visit the Baker website.

The Baker LLC will be located in Clement Hall for 2026-2027. All LLC locations are subject to change. The Baker School building is conveniently located just across the street from the residence hall.

Learn With Us

Baker LLC students develop strong bonds while taking common courses, forming study groups, participating in tutoring sessions, building teamwork skills, and building connections within the Baker School community. Students are encouraged to participate regardless of their major.

Fall Semester

  • FYS 101 – The UT Experience (1 hour)
  • IAC 101 – Engaging Civically (3 hours) is now both a Global Citizenship US and an Engaged Inquiry course for Vol Core.

Spring Semester

  • HBS 101 – Solving Public Problems (3 hours): Social Sciences Vol Core Requirement

Lead With Us

Baker LLC students will be provided with opportunities to attend professional development workshops, network with individuals that have careers in public policy and public service, participate in civic engagement initiatives (i.e. Vols Vote), and take on leadership opportunities within the Baker School that will help build the skills and knowledge necessary to become future community leaders.

For more program details, visit the Baker website.

Contact

Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy & Public Affairs
Erik Simons, Advising Coordinator
1640 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: 865-974-9395
Email: bakerstudents@utk.edu