Nourish + Flourish

Nourish+Flourish logo

A space to be, explore and evolve in community

Nourish + Flourish (N+F) is a student leadership program that builds community-based leadership through discussion, reflection, and shared learning. When you attend N+F, you join a diverse community of thoughtful and socially engaged students. 

Our program philosophy is that everyone has leadership capacity within them, but that leadership can be demonstrated in different ways depending on a person’s identities, upbringing, culture, etc. A key objective of the program is to affirm students’ unique skills as leaders or expand their beliefs about what leadership could be. Attitudes and beliefs are often learned through traditional models that try to create a homogenous group, promote individualism, and favours folks who hold privileged identities. The program seeks to be intersectional and relational, shaped by where we come from and how we show up in community.

Through a series of dinner discussions, Nourish + Flourish creates space for participants to reflect and develop the following competencies:

Personal awareness and responsibility

  • Reflect on their identities, values, experiences, and motivations to deepen their self-awareness and personal responsibility;
  • Recognize their knowledge as a source of leadership and their capacity to practice leadership in a way that is authentic to themselves.

Social awareness and critical thinking

  • Demonstrate empathy, active listening, and respectful communication when engaging with diverse perspectives and experiences; 
  • Critically analyze complex topics related to student life and consider multiple perspectives through dialogue and community-based learning; 
  • Apply learning from Nourish + Flourish to broader personal, academic, and community contexts to foster a sense of belonging and build their confidence in contributing to a culture of care. 

Dinner programs

Events are free and open to all students. You don't have to bring anything but yourself and a willingness to be open and connect with others. All lived experiences are welcome.

These events are conversation-based, requiring a level of connection and vulnerability that we hope to cultivate from the beginning of each evening. To ensure that you and your table have the best experience, we ask you to let us know if you cannot attend the event in its entirety. We will prioritize attendance for people who can participate fully.

The event ends at 7:30 p.m., but there is an option to stay until 8 p.m. for tea and further discussion.

Upcoming Nourish+Flourish dinners

Each dinner program has a unique theme centred around the self in relationship to the world around us to foster connection, ideas, and empowerment. All dinner programs are located in the Halpern Centre for Graduate Students.

Relationship to GATHERING

October 19, 2026, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

  • Topics discussed: creating space, having purpose, building connection
  • Registration opens September 8 at 8 a.m.

Relationship to DECISION-MAKING

November 2, 2026, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

  • Topics discussed: uncertainty, optimization, intuition, cognitive biases
  • Registration opens October 12 at 8 a.m.

Relationship to LANGUAGE

November 16, 2026, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

  • Topics discussed: personal roots, group ties, shared values, worldview
  • Registration opens October 26 at 8 a.m.

End of Term Celebration

November 30, 2026, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

  • No registration needed

Previous events

  • Relationship to SELF
    • Topics discussed: Influences, self-expression, belonging, feeling seen, self-compassion, collective compassion
    • Catered by Roast Sandwich Shop
  • Relationship to LAND, WATER, AND AIR
    • Topics discussed: The natural world, co-existence, appreciation, ancestral rituals and practices, environmental impacts, settler colonialism
    • Catered by Songhees Events and Catering
  • Relationship to TECHNOLOGY
    • Topics discussed: Impact on self, community, culture, and environment, artificial intelligence
    • Catered by La Pasta La Pizza
  • Relationship to SELF (Redux)
  • Relationship to COMMUNITY
  • Relationship to PRODUCTIVITY AND REST
    • Topics discussed: Shame, capitalism, student life, recovery, stress, expectations
    • Catered by Estia Gourmet
  • Relationship to LIFE TRANSITIONS
    • Topics discussed: Adulthood, responsibilities, identity exploration, instability, possibility, expectations
    • Catered by: Little Piggy Catering
  •  Relationship to ACADEMIA
    • Topics discussed: Pursuit of research and education, exploration, inclusion, institutions, ethics, learning outside the classroom
    • Catered by: Chunky Kitchen Catering
  • Relationship to CREATIVITY AND ART
  • Relationship to OTHERS
    • Topics discussed: Healthy relationships, break-ups, hook-up culture, familial and romantic relationships, friendships, supervisors/professor relationships
    • Catered by: Songhees Events and Catering
  • Relationship to FOOD and CULTURE
    • Topics discussed: Family recipes, traditional food, social experiences, food security
    • Catered by: Degrees Catering
  •  Relationship to EMBODIMENT
    • Topics discussed: Senses, sensory experiences, mind-body connection, awareness
    • Catered by: Degrees Catering
  • Relationship to LEADERSHIP
    • Topics discussed: role models, personal values, relationship building, leadership approaches
    • Catered by: Grad House
    • Dessert by: Wah Lai Yuen Bakery + Restaurant 
  • Relationship to OCCUPATION
    • Topics discussed: career uncertainty, success, values and goals, influences, societal expectations
    • Catered by: Grad House
    • Dessert by: Saltchuck Pie Company
  • Relationship to SELF-COMPASSION
    • Topics discussed:self-acceptance, validation, common humanity, mindfulness, self-kindness.
    • Catered by: Grad House
    • Dessert by: Van Island Catering
  • Relationship to GRATITUDE
  • Relationship to BEING ALONE
  • Relationship to MUSIC
    • Topics discussed: Melodies and lyrics, soundtracks, hobbies and musical skills, mood and feelings, historical storytelling
    • Catered by: Grad House
    • Dessert by: Yonni's Doughnuts
  • Relationship to NOURISHMENT
    • Topics discussed: social experiences, food and wellbeing, comfort, family influence, cooking skills 
    • Catered by: Red Barn Market
  • Relationship to MOTIVATION 
    • Topics discussed: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, drive, inspiration, reason, determination 
    • Catered by: Grad House
    • Dessert by: Van Island Catering
  • Relationship to PERSONAL VALUES
  • Relationship to STYLE 
    • Topics discussed: fashion, aesthetics, design, social signaling, identity, values expression
    • Catered by: Grad House
    • Dessert by: 49 Below Ice Cream
  • Relationship to CONFLICT
    • Topics discussed: boundaries, communication, mediation, tolerance, negotiation
    • Catered by: Grad House
    • Dessert by Wah Lai Yuen Bakery + Restaurant
  • Relationship to INTENTIONALITY
    • Topics discussed: Goal setting, reflection, self-compassion, intent versus impact
    • Catered by: Grad House
  • Relationship to HEALING
    • Topics discussed: Community support, harm reduction, recovery, self-trust
    • Catered by: Grad House
  • Relationship to CONNECTION
    • Topics discussed: Community, in-person and online connections
    • Catered by: Grad House
  • Relationship to Artificial Intelligence 
    • Topics discussed: uses, ethics, academic integrity, safety, environmental impacts
    • Catered by: Grad House

Topic Suggestions

We would love to hear your input on topics and questions you are interested in discussing during this semester's Nourish + Flourish dinners. Feel free to suggest broad or specific ideas related to any or all dinner themes.

Suggest a topic

Coffee Catch-Ups

Coffee Catch-ups are weekly gathering for drinks, snacks, and great conversation with Student Leadership Facilitators and the N + F team. It's a relaxed, come-and-go space so join us whenever you're free!

Upcoming Coffee Catch-Up dates

Join us in the Student Life Hub (in the Jamie Cassels Centre) every Wednesday from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m.

  • September 9
  • September 16
  • September 23
  • October 7
  • October 14
  • October 21
  • October 28
  • November 4
  • November 18
  • November 25
  • December 2

There are no events on September 30 and November 11 as the university is closed for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Remembrance Day.

Contact

Sign up to get emailed about Nourish + Flourish event updates, including registration opening and coffee catch ups. 

Sign up for Nourish+Flourish updates

For registration questions, please email the team at . For any other questions or further information, please email our Student Leadership Coordinator at .