How Kind30 Is Building a Culture of Kindness at Dartmouth

When John Jerro ’26 helped organize a tabling event at Collis Center about this term’s kindness initiative launched by Health and Wellness, students showed up for the free pizza. They left having signed up for 30 acts of intentional kindness.

“Sometimes all it takes is a simple point of connection to open the door for something much bigger,” says Jerro, a student ambassador who has been spreading the word as a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity.

The Dartmouth community is invited to participate in Kind30, a national movement with a straightforward premise: practice small, intentional acts of kindness over the course of 30 days and reflect on their impact.

The organization was founded in 2024 by Beth Abernathy, a parent of a member of the Class of 2022. Abernathy read an essay about the epidemic of loneliness by former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who addressed this concern at a Dartmouth symposium co-hosted with the United Nations Development Programme in October.

Dartmouth is one of the first colleges in the country to bring Kind30 to campus. Mark Reed, interim medical director for health and wellness, introduced the campaign by meeting with students, faculty, and staff across campus who contributed ideas for launching the pilot program.

“Kindness is a simple but powerful part of well-being,” says Reed. “When it’s visible and shared, it helps create a community where people feel supported and connected.”

A campuswide effort

What distinguishes Dartmouth’s campaign is the breadth of participation and the central role of student leadership in weaving kindness into campus life. Equipped with Kind30 toolkits and materials, students are creating ways to integrate varied perspectives.

Hanna Bilgin ’28, a Dartmouth Student Government senator, was an early champion of the initiative. She helped organize a Kind30 celebration on Baker Lawn on April 24 where 350 students and community members gathered to sign on while enjoying free ice cream and music by a cappella groups.

“Watching Kind30 at Dartmouth grow from an idea into something with energy and momentum has been the most rewarding part,” she says. “Seeing students so excited has made the work feel so worth it.”

Student athletes were also eager to embrace the movement. Dartmouth Athletics was the first group to get started. Maura Fiorenza ’26, president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, created a schedule assigning one team per day throughout April to complete a collective act of kindness and document it with a photo, sharing weekly recaps on Instagram.

“Instead of participating within individual teams, Dartmouth Athletics is taking on the initiative collectively,” Fiorenza says, “reflecting the sense of togetherness and connection across campus.”

A Kind30 table at the Diabetes Dash 5K offered another entry point for participation, reinforcing that well-being extends beyond the physical to include connection and care for ourselves and others.

At the Native American Program, student intern Lily Aspen ’27 says that moments of genuine cross-cultural curiosity are some of the most meaningful expressions of kindness on campus.

“It is always wonderful and fulfilling to see non-Indigenous students at open-to-campus events,” Aspen says, such as this year’s Powwow on May 9, where attendees will have the opportunity to sign up for Kind30.

What makes kindness possible

Behind these shared efforts is a recognition about the factors that allow for positive connections. Students say taking the time to notice one another is a prerequisite for kindness.

“Dartmouth can be a pretty high-pressure environment, so even small moments where people can slow down and just be present with each other make a big difference,” says Sreeya Pittala ’26, an executive board member of the Dartmouth Student Mental Health Union. The MHU, one of several wellness-focused student organizations involved in the program, has helped promote Kind30 through peer outreach and its existing support networks.

Praburaman Mohan, MED ’26, the president of the Master of Public Health Student Government, views the campaign through a public health lens.

“Social connection, belonging, and small acts of kindness all contribute to improved mental health and overall well-being,” he says. “Seeing students so willing to participate reinforces how powerful community-driven initiatives can be in shaping a healthier campus environment.”

As Dartmouth continues to affirm its commitment to supporting student well-being, students say connection and kindness start with making space. For students who have helped build the Kind30 participation, the hope is that the habits of care formed over 30 days will have lasting effects in the community.

“When people around you are practicing kindness, it becomes contagious,” says Tina Fernandez, MED ’28, a Geisel medical MD student and wellness representative. “That’s part of what makes a campaign like Kind30 so valuable. It gives everyone a shared language and a gentle reminder.”

Kind30 at Dartmouth runs through spring term. Through June 1, students, faculty, and staff may sign up online or at select community events, including Unwind Your Mind on May 8, which offers space to relax, connect, and focus on well-being.