Cohort & Team Building Guide

Overview

Creating opportunities for students to connect outside of the academic context helps to form strong interpersonal bonds and a sense of shared identity. These non-academic touchpoints encourage students to decompress, have fun, and feel part of a supportive community.

Suggested Activities

• • Weekly game nights featuring board games, trivia, or video game tournaments
• • Outdoor activities like volleyball, frisbee, or field day-style games
• • Movie nights with discussion or themed snacks
• • Off-campus excursions such as beach days, bowling, or local attractions
• • Team scavenger hunts or escape room challenges
• • Ice cream socials or shared meals

Tips for Implementation

• • Keep activities low-pressure and optional to reduce stress or social fatigue
• • Schedule events at consistent intervals (weekly or bi-weekly) to build routine
• • Encourage student input and leadership in planning events
• • Include faculty or program staff occasionally to increase student-faculty engagement
• • Document and share highlights via newsletters or private social platforms to strengthen community identity

Student-Faculty Connections

Including program coordinators, faculty, or mentors in select social activities helps humanize instructors and builds student trust. Consider casual participation like joining a movie night, attending a cookout, or playing in a faculty-student volleyball match.