The popularity of residential learning communities (RLCs) has increased exponentially across campuses, but do stakeholders understand the essential role collaboration plays in RLC success? Academic and student affairs collaborations are the foundation of Inkelas et al.’s (2018) RLC best practices model. In this webinar we will review results of a multi-institutional study that defines collaboration in the context of RLCs. We will discuss this definition, created with the help of academic and student affairs leaders, and additional findings that emerged. We will also introduce a guide for campuses to assess elements of their own collaborations.