1. Home
  2. Student Life
  3. Student Housing and Residential Life
  4. Housing Options
  5. Theme Communities

Theme Communities

Residential communities shaped around a shared interest.

Image of campus buildings
Housing Options

Connect Through Community Living

Theme Communities at Cal State Monterey Bay bring students together around shared interests, identities and academic goals. These living communities create supportive environments where residents connect with peers, participate in meaningful programs and engage with faculty and campus partners connected to each theme.

Living in a Theme Community offers the opportunity to build relationships, explore your interests and feel a strong sense of belonging within your residential experience.

Why Join a Theme Community?

Students who participate in Theme Communities benefit from:

  • A focused and supportive living environment
  • Opportunities to form study groups and academic connections
  • Programs and events connected to shared interests
  • Access to campus resources, faculty engagement and career pathways

A Closer Look at Theme Communities

Learn more about our individual residential communities.

All of the communities listed below are open to first-year students and are designed to support a successful and connected start to your college experience.

First-Year Success

This community supports students as they transition to college life. It is especially welcoming to first-generation students, TRIO participants, CAMP students and anyone seeking additional guidance in their first year. Residents connect with campus traditions, discover academic resources and gain strategies for success at CSUMB.

Otters in Science

Designed for students interested in the sciences, this community fosters connections with peers and faculty while supporting strong study habits and academic success. Located near the Chapman Science Center and the library, residents benefit from proximity to key academic resources.

Lavender Living

Lavender Living is a gender-inclusive community that celebrates diversity and supports students who wish to connect with the LGBTQIA+ community. It provides an affirming environment where residents can live authentically and build meaningful connections.

Learn more about Lavender Living.

Health and Wellness

This community is designed for students committed to holistic wellness — including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Residents explore personal wellness goals while building a supportive network of peers.

Africana Heritage Scholars

This community centers the identities and experiences of the African Diaspora, including African, Caribbean, Black, African American and Afro-Latinx communities. Through a Pan-African lens, residents explore identity, heritage and culture while building strong academic and social connections.

All of the communities listed below are open to continuing and transfer students and are designed to support connection, belonging and success beyond the first year.

Lavender Living

Open to continuing and transfer students in suite and apartment communities

Lavender Living offers a gender-inclusive and affirming space for students seeking community within the LGBTQIA+ experience. Residents connect through shared values, mutual respect and meaningful engagement.

Learn more about Lavender Living.

Transfer Community

In partnership with the Transfer Student Success Center, this community supports students transitioning to CSUMB. Located in Promontory Apartments, it provides connection, guidance and access to campus resources tailored to transfer student success.