Simply putting students in the same room doesn’t build connection. If higher education leaders want to strengthen peer relationships, retention and persistence, we need to actively lower the social risks of student engagement.
In an era marked by intense competition for enrollment, retention and degree completion—compounded by social polarization—meaningful student connection isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s an institutional necessity.
Belonging is frequently cited as critical to retention, yet it remains frustratingly uneven—felt deeply by some students while leaving others completely isolated. What’s missing usually isn’t a lack of effort, passion, or resources; it’s a lack of intentional structural design.
The issue has only grown more urgent. Today’s students came of age with social media as their primary mode of interaction, endured formative developmental years disrupted by COVID-19, and are now navigating a world where artificial intelligence is routinely used for information, advice, and companionship. While these technologies offer extraordinary tools, they can’t replace core human qualities like empathy.
We know students genuinely want to break down the barriers that divide them—whether cross-cultural, religious, or political. But they’re navigating a hyper-monitored social landscape, where saying the wrong thing or admitting what they don’t know carries real and perceived social ramifications.
To protect themselves, many stay quiet, convinced that participating in community dialogue is simply too high-risk.
Shifting from high-risk to low-risk engagement
To change this dynamic, campuses need to design experiences where students feel safe enough to engage. At Case Western Reserve University, we launched Spartan Spirit Dinners—an interfaith program built to tackle this challenge head-on.
Co-hosted by Student Affairs and various student organizations representing Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and other faith traditions, these dinners don’t replace existing educational efforts; they enhance them.
Rather than relying on costly outside speakers or offering another lecture, students serve as the primary hosts, introducing their peers to their traditions, observances, and lived experiences in a personal, welcoming setting.
Setting the norm: Leadership accountability
While students drive the content and lead the conversation, executive leadership provides the structural frame. As vice president for student affairs, I open each dinner to set the tone and explicitly establish four clear ground rules that all attendees agree to follow:
- Focus on collaborative, peer-to-peer learning. We aren’t here to judge, debate, or convert anyone. Be curious and keep an open mind and heart.
- Assume goodwill and extend grace. None of us have all the answers, and someone might say something the “wrong” way. Practice patience and educate one another.
- Participate. Share your perspective but be mindful to leave space for other voices.
- Be present. Silence or put away your phone to show respect for your peers.
I always ask if anyone wants to add another expectation, but that’s it: four straightforward rules. In post-program feedback, students consistently note that this simple framework lowers their anxiety and makes them feel comfortable diving into real discussion.
Low-cost model with meaningful outcomes
The model is intentionally lean: each 90-minute dinner costs around $600 for food and room setup, requiring minimal resources to run. Following the student presentations, facilitators offer open-ended prompts to guide small-group, face-to-face conversations.
That’s another intentional choice. Because many students feel hesitant initiating peer interactions, we give them a clear entry point to start and sustain a conversation.
The results across our first six dinners have been consistent. Attendance averages around 55 students per dinner (ranging from 42 to 80), drawing a broad cross-section of our campus population.
Students tell us they value these dinners because they feel safe, meet new people, and can explore deep topics without fear of judgment or social penalty.
More importantly, those connections don’t end when the dinner is over. Students who previously didn’t know one another—and had little natural overlap—are building lasting friendships, collaborating on campus programs, and forming real community.
What this approach reveals
Students don’t need to be convinced that belonging matters—they’re simply looking for places where it feels possible.
When institutions build environments that reward curiosity, leave room for human imperfection, and reinforce mutual respect, students show up. They speak more openly, form real relationships, and feel a genuine connection to campus.
Spartan Spirit Dinners demonstrate this simple truth—not because the model is complex, but because it’s intentional. Belonging isn’t a byproduct of packed event calendars or high attendance numbers. It’s the direct result of how we design the moments when students encounter one another.
When we design those moments thoughtfully, students do more than show up. They engage. They learn. They build lasting relationships. And they stay.
