Student retention begins long before academic challenges arise. For many students, the decision to stay at an institution is influenced by whether they feel welcomed, connected, and part of a community. But how can colleges create a stronger sense of belonging during the critical first weeks of a student’s campus journey? At Parkhurst Dining, we implement intentional dining activations to help students build friendships, interact with faculty and staff, discover campus resources, and create meaningful connections that strengthen their sense of belonging. These seemingly small moments help contribute to a larger student retention strategy rooted in community.
Creating Campus Connections
At Parkhurst, our 100 Days engagement philosophy focuses on identifying critical moments when connection matters most for students and developing dining spaces and opportunities that promote relationship-building, socialization, campus connections, and memorable experiences. By partnering with Student Affairs, Orientation, Residence Life, and other campus organizations, we can create experiences that help foster a sense of belonging for students in their campus community.
Colby College – Welcome Wagon
At Colby College, our Parkhurst team helps create early connections for students through welcome-focused dining initiatives and welcome wagon gifts before classes even start. Some examples include early touchpoints that help families feel comfortable and informed during move-in and orientation processes, such as gift bags for students, treats for parents, and dining hall meal vouchers. Not only does this help provide support for the students, but it also offers reassurance for their families.
Additionally, early initiatives help establish that dining venues are more than just a place for meals. They are community hubs where students can meet peers, interact with faculty and staff, engage with campus organizations, and foster meaningful relationships. While academics are critical, a student’s overall sense of support and belonging plays a strong role in realizing retention goals.
Loyola University Maryland – Welcome Week Activities Fair
Since dining is often one of the first campus departments students interact with regularly, our team at Loyola University Maryland participated in the annual Activities Fair to create a gateway to campus involvement. Approximately 2,000 students attended the event and had the opportunity to engage with campus organizations, clubs, and programs participating throughout the space.
Additionally, Loyola Dining used the event to launch its “Switch to Grubhub” campaign. This promotion generated more than 100 new social media followers in approximately two hours while encouraging students to connect meal plans to Grubhub. By meeting students where they are during orientation and involvement fairs, dining programs help connect them to campus life while creating ongoing engagement opportunities.
Marietta College – Give Us the Scoop Pop Up
Our team at Marietta College created Give Us the Scoop, a low-pressure opportunity for students to engage, share their experiences, and connect with others in the community. During this event, students could enjoy ice cream while sharing something about themselves as well as something they are excited about for the upcoming year. By encouraging students to share personal stories and aspirations, this shared food experience not only sparks meaningful conversations, but it also allows students to feel seen and heard, transforming a simple dining interaction into a community-building opportunity.
Cedar Crest College – Coffee Week Guest Baristas
Intentional dining activations and events also offer a way to bridge connections between students and campus leaders. For example, Cedar Crest College, in partnership with the Office of Student Engagement, hosted a week-long event where faculty and staff volunteers shared an hour working alongside Starbucks team members to prepare and serve beverages to students. This initiative offered a way for students to interact with faculty members in an informal setting. Approximately 30 to 50 students participated each day.
Not only did this initiative create natural opportunities to break down barriers and foster impactful interactions between students, faculty, and staff, but it also allowed students to develop a sense of belonging by building relationships beyond the classroom.
Contributing to Student Success
Dining is one of the few touchpoints students encounter daily. Through intentional programming and partnerships, dining can become a powerful contributor to student success, helping students develop the relationships that make a campus feel like home.
With our 100 Days approach, we develop intentional dining activations that engage students and offer relationship-building opportunities during key milestones of the student lifecycle, making a positive impact on student retention.
This early approach is one of many ways Parkhurst Dining brings intentional dining experiences to campuses to help students feel welcomed, connected, and supported from their very first day through graduation! Follow us on Instagram to see more.
