white paper

The Campus Catalyst

The Campus Catalyst: Fostering Community for Student Success explores how higher education leaders, campus planners, and architects can transform their built environments into student-centered environments that promote well-being and academic success.

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building thriving,
resilient campus communities.

Drawing on decades of campus design experience, this paper explores how thoughtful university architecture, student housing design, and campus planning can improve mental health, foster community, and support holistic student development.

As anxiety, loneliness, and disconnection rise among students, the built environment plays a vital role in creating safe, supportive, and inclusive spaces. The Campus Catalyst presents a flexible pathway that helps universities align space with purpose to build thriving, resilient campus communities.

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Fostering community for student success

Grounded in research and real-world experience with higher education institutions, the white paper introduces three core components: Programmatic Synergy, the Neighborhood Plan, and Campus Integration. Each component is paired with creative design strategies and project case studies from recent campus work, including residence halls, dining commons, and other spaces that hold student programming.

This white paper asks:

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Why do universities need the Campus Catalyst approach to campus planning?

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How can intentional design improve student belonging, mental health, and academic engagement?

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What steps can higher education leaders take to create their own Campus Catalyst?

Whether you are building new student housing, reimagining academic spaces, or planning an entire campus district, The Campus Catalyst provides practical insight into designing environments where students can thrive—socially, emotionally, and academically.