Those from marginalized populations, many of whom are first-generation college students (FGCS), often face barriers to accessing secondary education (Pitre & Pitre, 2009). Additionally, when students from such groups do successfully enroll in post-secondary educational opportunities, their graduation rates remain low (DeAngelo, Franke, Hurtado, Pryor & Tran, 2011; Engle, 2007). At the same time, there appears to be a correlation between positive social and academic assimilation, family support, and college success (Falcon, 2015). One promising intervention aligned with the goal of fostering social integration for FGCS and the focus of this research, is a living-learning community (LLC). LLCs are college living communities in which students have access to faculty and professional staff as well as opportunities to bond with their peers. The purpose of this study was to identify the role LLCs had on one group of FGCS' transition to their next academic year in relation to feeling socially and academically integrated on their campus and to help professionals in higher education understand how critical it is for first-generation college students to find a sense of belonging on their campus. This study's qualitative results illuminated how the LLC model provided a bridge between students' academic and non-academic lives, addressing specific learning focus and enhancing their university experience. It also provided the students with a space for intentional support on how they can better integrate in their college. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]