Faces and Spaces: Belonging in a Thriving Campus Community

The Faces: The Role of Campus Community in Student Success

Today’s college experience is about more than just academics—it’s about finding a sense of belonging, forming relationships and building a foundation for personal and professional growth. For students, connection starts with the faces they see every day—whether it’s friends, professors or their friendly campus and dining staff, building these connections is essential to student well-being and success.

At Sodexo, we understand how important it is to foster relationships as a way to help students feel like they belong. Sodexo’s 2024-25 Student Lifestyle Survey reveals how institutions can create an environment where students thrive through inclusive campus dining services, technology innovations and a focus on building campus community.

Supporting Student Well-Being with Moments that Matter

Gone are the days of impersonal, cafeteria-style dining lines. Today’s students seek personalized experiences and meaningful interactions. They want more than just meals—they want moments. A thoughtful, people-first service model brings our team members out of the kitchen and into the campus dining spaces, creating opportunities for genuine connection. Whether it’s topping a made-to-order pizza with fresh basil and parmesan or simply saying hello, these small gestures offer meaningful moments that matter in each student’s day.

Sodexo’s Foodiverse resident dining offer brings this vision to life by combining fresh, exciting menu options with authentic human connections. At the new "East End Dining" Hall at Texas Christian University, our feature food stalls aren’t just about showcasing diverse and delicious meals. Here, our teams connect and engage with students, turning each meal into an opportunity to share a smile, spark a conversation and strengthen the campus community.

Campus Community Starts in Dining Halls

Dining halls serve as social hubs where friendships are forged, ideas are exchanged and community is built. In fact, according to the Student Lifestyle Survey, 30% of students say sharing meals and dining experiences on campus is the top contributor to building community. This shows how much students value campus dining as more than just a place to eat, but as an opportunity to find where they belong.

This desire for connection within a dining environment underscores the need for campuses to go beyond academics, creating spaces that encourage social engagement and collaboration. Engagement programs like Sodexo's Spark Strategy demonstrate how intentional changes on campus can strengthen connections and enhance overall student well-being. From interactive experiences like Perfect Palates and Meet Our Mascot to themed celebration nights like Big City Bites and Campus Kitchen Clash, Spark creates opportunities for students to step outside their comfort zones, make new friends and build their campus community. These events and promotions turn ordinary days into lasting memories.

The Spaces: Creating Places that Inspire Connection

The dining hall is so much more than a place to grab a meal—it’s a space where connections are made, ideas are shared and community comes to life. Whether it’s a quick snack between classes, a late-night study break or a chance to catch up with an old friend over lunch, these everyday moments are what help students feel grounded and supported on campus.

Colleges that invest in their dining programs are creating spaces where students not only feel nourished but also engaged and connected, helping them thrive academically and socially. In fact, students on meal plans consistently report higher satisfaction with their overall college experience. They also cite campus dining as a critical factor in forming relationships, making it an essential part of fostering student well-being and creating a supportive campus community.

 

At Sodexo, we believe in creating spaces that bring people together in meaningful ways and helping students flourish. We build out spaces intentionally by bridging the gap between dining and infrastructure, delivering the experience this generation needs. Sodexo’s One & All resident dining offer uses space to intentionally bridge the gap by transforming dining spaces into tailored student support hubs. From community tables and charging stations to private dining rooms, we create environments where students can choose to share experiences, connect with others or enjoy a quiet moment to study—making every meal an opportunity to empower each student's unique journey.

Another great example of this is SUNY Oneonta’s etiquette class, which is hosted over a meal in the dining hall and helps students build confidence for future professional settings, blending life skills with an opportunity to form connections within the campus community. With every meal, every interaction and every smile, we’re proud to help campuses transform dining spaces into welcoming, vibrant hubs of connection that foster student well-being.

Bridging the Gap with Thoughtful Technology

While technology has the power to transform campus dining, its true value lies in how thoughtfully it’s integrated to enhance the student experience. It’s not about tech for tech’s sake—it’s about creating tools that improve convenience and access to meet students where they are.

For example, mobile ordering systems or meal plan tracking apps can help students better manage their time on busy days, reduce stress and make their campus routines smoother. More importantly, well-designed technology can free up staff to engage in meaningful face-to-face interactions with students, offering balance in the day between innovative technology solutions and genuine social connection. When students feel supported both digitally and in-person, you’re fostering a strong campus community that extends far beyond the dining hall.

Emerge as a Leader by Prioritizing Connection

As colleges continue to adapt to students’ changing needs, investing in a welcoming, supportive campus community has never been more important. In fact, 84% of students say a friendly atmosphere is a top priority when choosing a college.

When institutions invest in spaces and experiences that prioritize connection, and in foodservice partners who value the same, they are positioning themselves as leaders and building communities where students can learn, connect, belong and truly thrive.