DSO Special Project & Initiatives: Mattering Initiative

Mattering Initiative

Office of Culture and Community
Students at round tables hearing from Jenni Wallace at the Mattering Retreat.

About 

Mattering consists of two fundamental experiences: feeling valued by self and others, and adding value to self and others. When students feel that they matter, they deepen connections, have a sense of meaning and purpose, and are less likely to experience loneliness, anxiety, and depression. We hope that integrating the mattering framework into our community at Harvard College can promote well-being and strengthen our community.

Get Involved

Questions or more information? Email us at mattering@fas.harvard.edu

Harvard College Launches ‘Mattering’ Initiative

On a cold yet brilliant January day in Stowe, Vermont, dozens of Harvard students and staff gathered at a mountain lodge to imagine a campus where every student feels they matter.

More about the mattering retreat
A student shares their table's work with the larger group during the 2025 Mattering Retreat.

Photo by Adam Frehm

Photos from retreat

In January 2025, a group of students, faculty, and staff retreated to Stowe, VT, with the founders of the Mattering Movement to talk about how we could build a culture of mattering at Harvard College.

A student at the mattering retreat shares her table's notes.
Students and staff discuss topics of mattering at their table during the retreat.
John Harvard Statue, Hand holding postcard of statue.
A facilitator looks out at the attendees of the mattering retreat as a group discussion ensues.
Students listen attentively as the facilitator talks to them at the mattering retreat.

Mattering & Intellectual Vitality

The Mattering initiative relates closely to another key College initiative, Intellectual Vitality. We believe that a sense of mattering is foundational for relating to one another with curiosity and respect.

Learn about Intellectual Vitality at Harvard
Ari Kohn shares her thoughts on mattering with the room on the mic during the retreat.

Hear from students about Mattering at Harvard College

Mattering Notes

In the spring of 2025, we are piloting Mattering Notes. Students are writing notes of gratitude to peers and staff and delivering them through door boxes.

More about the Mattering Movement
Mattering postcards of gratitude with Crimson envelopes laid out on a desk.

Notes of Gratitude hit the Residential Community

Students at a Thayer Hall entryway spend their study break writing notes of gratitude to other members of their Harvard community.

First-year students in Thayer Hall hold up their mattering notes.
A first-year student in Thayer Hall writes a note of gratitude during a study break in his entryway.
First-year students in Thayer Hall hold up their mattering notes.

About the Mattering Initiative Advisory Board (MIAB)

This collective of undergraduates work with the College and C&C team to design and lead programming related to the College’s Mattering Initiative. 

Their charge is to:

  • Contribute to developing the mission and goals of the initiative, take part in crafting an overall strategy, develop programs and initiatives, and assess impact
  • Increase awareness and understanding of the concept of mattering among the Harvard College community
  • Plan and implement programming that will contribute to students’ sense of mattering
  • Support and serve as a sounding board for student leaders looking to integrate mattering into their leadership