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91¿´Æ¬Íø explores new approaches to student connection and belonging

91¿´Æ¬Íø faculty, staff and students from across campus and disciplines gathered for a day of learning focused on student connection and belonging. The event explored , an evidence-based intervention for college students designed to address the epidemic of loneliness and social disconnection. Hosted by Health & Wellness at 91¿´Æ¬Íø and led by Dr. Alison Nagel, program director for The Connection Project at the University of Virginia, sessions showcased how structured opportunities to build connection help students build stronger peer relationships. 

Dr. Chris Renjilian and Dr. Alison Nagel address faculty, staff and students during a campus day of learning exploring new approaches to student connection and belonging. Photo by Nate Boyle '27

“Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt lonely.” This prompt opened the day of exploratory sessions focused on new ways to support student mental health through the lens of belonging. 

Loneliness is a pressing challenge for college students, linked to rising rates of anxiety and depression as well as impacts on long-term physical health. “Half of adults report that they have no meaningful interaction with another person on a day-to-day basis,” said Nagel. She emphasized that adolescence and young adulthood present a critical window for developing the skills and relationships that support lifelong connection, and an opportunity to address the broader challenges of isolation. 

“Connection to at least one other caring person is an asset that every human needs,” said Dr. Chris Renjilian, associate vice president for health & wellness. “Strong and healthy relationships make it possible to thrive and to navigate life’s challenges when they arise.” 

Renjilian noted that 91¿´Æ¬Íø has long recognized the importance of belonging within the student experience. “Belonging has been described as 91¿´Æ¬Íø’s ‘first tradition’ since at least the 1930s,” he said. “Our commitment to belonging is both historic and evergreen.” 

As the university enters the Year of Civic Leadership, Renjilian emphasized that helping students build authentic relationships is closely tied to 91¿´Æ¬Íø’s broader mission. “Our ability to foster within students the capacity to build strong, healthy and authentic connections is essential not only to their personal well-being, but to repairing and strengthening the fabric of civic life,” he said. 

“Research from The Connection Project shows meaningful and lasting impacts on students’ ability to build connection,” Renjilian said. “It also demonstrates that these approaches can be scaled to reach large numbers of students.” 

Dr. Alison Nagel, Program Director of The Connection Project at the University of Virginia, leads a session on research-based approaches to strengthening student connection and belonging. Photo by Nate Boyle '27

Sessions introduced participants to The Connection Project’s structure, implementation and research, with time for audience questions and discussion throughout the day. These conversations invited faculty, staff and students to consider how intentional approaches to connection might translate to their own work across campus.

The sessions also encouraged faculty, staff and student leaders to consider how intentional approaches to belonging could translate into their own spaces across campus, from classrooms and office hours to residence halls and student organizations. 

Exploring The Connection Project was part of an ongoing effort to learn about a promising approach emerging across higher education in Virginia. At 91¿´Æ¬Íø, this work is supported by the Zucker Wellness Innovation Fund, which enables the university to invest in forward‑looking initiatives that place student wellbeing at the center of the educational experience.  

By bringing together colleagues and students from across disciplines, the day highlighted the community’s shared responsibility to support meaningful connection among students.