Bringing New Students Together at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
September 28, 2023
The transition to college life isn’t an easy one, so providing opportunities for students to connect with each other is critical to their success. And because young people ages 18-24 report the highest levels of loneliness, making connections is even more important than ever.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) recently brought Project UnLonely’s Campus Colors & Connection workshop to their new student Orientation, giving students a chance to connect through creative expression and sharing. Six workshops were held with 136 students participating!
Joe Behen, PhD, Dean of the Wellness Center, said, “Colors & Connection was an excellent addition to our new student Orientation. It provided a creative, welcoming, and fun way to ease students into college life, helping them meet other students and connect through creative activities. It also provided us with an opportunity to ensure that students were aware of ALL the mental health resources and support available to them on campus. I highly recommend it to other schools.”
What did the students say?
Students said that their favorite parts of the program were connecting with their peers, meeting new people, and expressing their feelings through creativity. Of those who completed a post-workshop survey:
91% said they felt more in touch with their emotions.
82% felt more connected to others.
77% said they felt less lonely.
Want to facilitate a Colors & Connection workshop on your campus? We can train you! Find out more here. You can also register for our Facilitator Training webinar on October 26, 2023.
