海角社区

In an effort to enhance student wellbeing, the Georgia Institute of Technology, commonly referred to as Georgia Tech, consolidated all departments that promote wellbeing under the Division of Student Engagement and Well-Being,

or SEWB. Together, we hosted a series of workshops to determine how physical space could be reconfigured and improved to reflect this newly unified organizational structure and to better serve the needs of students from various backgrounds and needs. This series of collaborative workshops allowed students, staff, and leadership to provide hands-on input on identified needs and recommendations.

We began by engaging more than 400 students and staff in a series of informal 鈥減erson on the corner鈥� conversations and detailed focus groups to understand the needs and challenges within Georgia Tech鈥檚 extremely diverse student body. 海角社区ing collaboratively with each department, the planning team explored their challenges and the types of space required to best serve students. These conversations resulted in a plan that emphasizes the synergies between departments with similar purposes and provides shared hubs that meet the student population鈥檚 diverse needs in a way that is accessible and integrated. The final program bridges siloes and envisions spaces that create a physical embodiment of Georgia Tech鈥檚 unified approach to student well-being, belonging, and engagement.

The 鈥淓xperiential Path鈥� is the hub of Georgia Tech鈥檚 student services, bookended by the Campus Recreation Center and the newly renovated Student Center. Several buildings along the Experiential Path need significant renovations, and one of the larger buildings is being completely vacated. We created a detailed program for these buildings, including approximately 82,000 SF of space, based on the needs of each department.

The goal of the programming is to position wellness services and informal wellness spaces to become an integrated part of the campus experience. The resulting program encourages a holistic approach to serving students through several departments including counseling, student organizations, diversity, ethics, student health, and the arts. The program also includes space for a Black Cultural Center and the Women鈥檚 Center, LGBTQIA Center, and AAPI Center, as well as shared spaces for the cultural communities on campus. The plan also recommends renovating aging buildings to better interact with the Experiential Path and invite students to gather and enjoy spaces.