Through The Relationship Lab, an innovative new residential experience offered through the Department of Human Development and Family Science in A&S, students from across the College can learn the science behind healthy relationships and develop real-world skills that help them thrive in college, careers and life.

The Relationship Lab is A&S's first residency course offering for undergraduate students, demonstrating a strategic commitment to expanding accessible, high-impact experiential learning opportunities. Drawing on faculty insights from human development and family science and marriage and family therapy, the residency helps students understand how relationships shape personal and social outcomes while developing skills they can apply throughout their lives.

A&S Dean Behzad Mortazavi says the program reflects the College’s commitment to advancing learning that fosters human flourishing and strengthens communities.

“The Relationship Lab exemplifies the kind of innovative, experiential learning we are committed to expanding across the College,” says Mortazavi. “By leveraging our expertise in human development, family science and relationship research, we're able to address a real need among today's students and provide a meaningful, hands-on learning experience that equips them with skills they can use throughout their lives.”

Building Better Relationships

Led by Tristan Martin, assistant teaching professor of marriage and family therapy, The Relationship Lab is a one-credit, two-day immersive residency that combines instruction, small-group activities, collaborative projects and real-world case examples. Students explore the foundations of healthy relationships while examining communication, boundaries, conflict repair, family systems and attachment.

Unlike a traditional lecture-based course, the residency emphasizes active participation and applied learning. It’s also intended for a broad range of students. While those interested in psychology, human development and family science, counseling or other helping professions may find a natural connection to the content, the lessons are designed to be relevant across disciplines. Effective communication, collaboration and relationship-building are skills that matter regardless of career path.

“The residency will provide a foundation to better understand relationships and develop practical skills students can use in their everyday lives,” says Martin. “We will focus on communication, attachment, conflict resolution and emotional regulation. These are skills students can apply to their personal and professional relationships.”

During the two-day residency, students will participate in hands-on skill practice, explore real-world relationship case examples, collaborate on group projects and share their learning through presentations.

A Learning Model for the Future

The Relationship Lab is part of a broader ecosystem of experiential learning opportunities in A&S that will allow students to demonstrate specialized competencies to future employers. By coupling academic knowledge with practical skill development, residencies like this help students distinguish themselves while preparing for the collaborative nature of today's workforce.

The program also reflects a broader commitment to addressing social isolation and strengthening students' sense of connection and belonging.

“For students who may be looking for a greater sense of connection and belonging on campus, a residency built around discussion, interaction, activities and small-group engagement can be particularly valuable,” notes Martin. “The immersive format creates opportunities for students to connect with one another while developing skills that strengthen relationships both during college and throughout their lives.”

By combining research, practice and reflection, The Relationship Lab demonstrates how the College is translating academic knowledge into meaningful student experiences.