Fostering Student Connection through a Town Hall Meeting Program

• In Event: The Importance of Teaching Citizenship and Participation in Today's College Classroom

Abstract

This study examines the impact of a Town Hall meeting program, integrated into introductory U.S. government courses at a large public university, on students’ sense of community and peer connection within the classroom. While existing research on civic engagement initiatives in educational settings typically emphasizes outcomes such as political efficacy, interest in politics, and intentions for future civic participation, we contend that peer connectedness can serve as a mediating factor in achieving these outcomes. To assess this, we employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data from student surveys administered in courses both with and without the Town Hall component, all taught by the same instructor.

Authors

• Lori M. Weber, California State University, Chico

• Scott J Spitzer, California State University, Fullerton