Building Community Together at NIU
The Social Cohesion Project at NIU invites students, faculty, staff, and the general public to attend a series of Living Room Conversations.
LRCs are small, facilitated discussions that aim to create safe spaces for sharing personal stories, deep listening, and exploring diverse perspectives. These conversations strengthen social bonds, build empathy, and foster a sense of belonging among our campus community members.
How It Works
Each Living Room Conversation lasts about 75 minutes and is facilitated by trained undergraduate students. Sessions are designed to create a safe, welcoming space where participants can share personal stories, practice active listening, and explore diverse perspectives. Topics are flexible and relevant, allowing discussions to connect to student interests, campus life, or broader social and environmental themes.
Why Participate?
Build Connections: Meet new people, share experiences, and strengthen your sense of belonging at NIU.
Practice Empathy: Engage in meaningful conversations that help you understand perspectives different from your own.
Support Community: Contribute to a more inclusive and connected campus by fostering dialogue and understanding.
Learn Through Conversation: Explore important topics in a safe, facilitated space while developing communication and listening skills.
Be Part of Research: Help undergraduate researchers study how social connections and trust grow on campus.
Contact us to set up a conversation for your group, organization, or class
- Melissa Burlingame Greenhagen: mburlingame@niu.edu
- Tori Smith: Z1957533@students.niu.edu
- Serena Perez: Z1907095@students.niu.edu
Credits:
Created with images by toeytoey - "Close up calendar on white tone." • Studio Romantic - "Diverse people listening to therapist sitting in circle in group therapy session. Patients talking, sharing concerns, coping with anxiety, dealing with psychological problems and insecurities together" • fizkes - "Multiethnic young people talk at psychological group training"