This is the gist of this article https://www.chronicle.com/article/i-did-feel-seen
Theme:
Psychology professor Regan A.R. Gurung at Oregon State University emphasizes the importance of perceived social support—the sense that help is available even if it's not sought—especially in large classes.
Key Practices Gurung Uses to Foster Connection:
He reaches out to students before the course begins, introducing himself and inviting them to office hours.
He attends convocation ceremonies for new students, wearing distinctive purple University of Washington regalia, encouraging students to speak with him and even taking a group photo to display during class.
In lectures, he personalizes the experience by calling students by name, sending tailored batch emails recognizing performance, and actively moving around in class, telling stories, and incorporating interactive practice—moves that help students feel more than just a face in the crowd.
Impact on Students:
Megin Turi, a biohealth sciences junior, shared that even in a small 15-student honors microbiology course, the supportive feeling Gurung creates is rare—it’s the only time besides Gurung’s class that she felt like she could approach a professor.
Zoe Sherman-Bundy, a sophomore who transferred universities, described walking into Gurung’s massive lecture hall as initially overwhelming. Yet, she remembers thinking: “I did feel seen.” His clear syllabus, engaging presentation, and inclusive style helped her feel genuinely acknowledged—and ultimately inspired her to major in psychology.