Building community from day one

A student’s first year at Kansas State University can be many things: exciting, invigorating, overwhelming, challenging and full of growth. That first-year experience sets the stage for students’ university career, which is why K-State has invested in innovative, interdisciplinary programs to help students lay the foundation for success.

The Better Together Initiative and the newly imagined Boyd Hall Honors Housing community are both unique collaborations with partners from across the university that set K-State’s first-year experience apart.

Better Together: Building community one conversation at a time

Spearheaded by K-State First, Staley School of Leadership and the Morrison Family Center for Student Well-being, Better Together is an initiative centered on relationship-building among peers. Open to all students, especially first-year students, the program combines large- and small-group conversations guided by trained facilitators.

The idea sprang from the 2025-2026 K-State common read, “Together” by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. Despite living in an age where technology is at our fingertips, loneliness is at an all-time high and genuine connections are harder to come by.

“Loneliness is one of the biggest challenges college students face, but at K-State, we’re doing something about it,” said Mariya Vaughan, assistant director of K-State First. “We’re creating opportunities for students to have meaningful, face-to-face conversations with their peers. Better Together is more than just the name of the event. It’s the key to solving loneliness: we are more resilient, more fulfilled and more successful when we’re connected to others.”

Students’ sense of belonging and community is more than a feel-good experience. It’s directly linked to student success and the likelihood that they will persist to graduation. Fostering these connections ultimately helps students achieve their academic and career goals more successfully.

In fall 2025, 1,100 students participated in Better Together across 102 small groups, with support from 148 facilitators and volunteers.

“Better Together was a transformational experience for me,” said Natalie Brenneman, a freshman in the School of Health Sciences and 2026 Better Together participant. “It was my first semester on campus, and I was still working to find my community. I loved the ability to really talk to other students about things that were important to us. I’ve even kept in touch with some of my group members!”

The program is the result of many partners working towards a common goal: helping students succeed. Supporting offices are K-State First, Staley School of Leadership, Student Programs and Involvement, DOW Center at K-State Libraries, Health Promoting University, Morrison Family Center for Student Well-being, DASSA, the English department and the K-State Student Union.

“One of the things I think is really powerful about Better Together was the cross-campus support for the program,” said Tamara Bauer, director at the Institute for Community Health and Well-being. “At K-State, we emphasize how essential community-building is, and programs like this showcase what we mean by that – that there is a strong commitment across the entire institution to support students in developing their sense of belonging, in meeting others, and really learning how to take those steps and build the skills to create a real community for each other here.”

An innovative academic support home for the honors community

Boyd Hall is the latest outcome of an innovative partnership between Housing and Dining Services and the University Honors Program. Late last semester, Boyd Hall reopened to residents after an extensive renovation.

Now, residents can enjoy newly updated amenities and thoughtful features. For the first time ever, the UHP offices will are Boyd Hall, creating a unique living experience for honors students.

“One of the amazing things about the honors program is the ability to connect with other students,” said Sara Luly, director of the University Honors Program and associate professor of modern languages. “In the past, we’ve lacked a comfortable, convenient space for our students to gather. Now we have this amazing space where students can meet with honors staff, other students and still be in the comfort of home.”

Although the co-location won’t be officially completed until summer 2026, the benefits of the partnership are already coming into focus.

Since Boyd reopened this spring, the Strong Community has hosted several events, including a monthly Sunday Funday Popcorn Bar, Boyd Galentine’s Party, karaoke night and the Strong Community Block Party.

“I can definitely say that the renovations in Boyd have directly related to increased residence engagement in both programming and natural resident connection,” said Garrett Satterly, community coordinator for Housing and Dining Services.

Already this semester, the Honors Program has hosted events and activities that enhance the honors experience. Group advising events aimed at helping students map their honors trajectory, as well as social activities such as fall fest, board game nights, and bowling nights, have all shown increased attendance.

“While the honors program has always strived to create community, this new partnership has elevated our ability to do so,” said Luly. “It’s a great example of how K-State leverages collaboration to enhance the student experience.”