A connection-first approach to college orientation
HELPING STUDENTS SUCCEED THROUGH
AUTHENTIC CONNECTIONS
After 14 years and over a million stories told, Dear World’s revolutionary storytelling techniques have helped orientation leaders reduce attrition and create a powerful sense of belonging from day one.
INTRODUCING OUR NEW METHOD: PRTRAIT STUDIO
Starting college can be overwhelming, and first-year students often struggle to feel connected in an unfamiliar environment.
That’s why, for over 14 years, we’ve developed and honed a storytelling-based method that helps students feel seen, form genuine relationships, and foster a lasting sense of belonging from day one.
Now, with our new PRTRAIT Studio approach, we empower orientation leaders to reduce attrition and ensure every student begins their college journey with the connection and confidence they need to succeed.
THE FIRST WEEK OF COLLEGE CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING
The first week of college shapes the rest of the journey. Students arrive feeling uncertain, disconnected, and overwhelmed. Without strong social connections, 30% of them will leave before their second year.
A NEW AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE DESIGNED TO CONNECT
PRTRAIT STUDIO
YOUR STORY, CAPTURED IN A MOMENT
The Origin Story
Inspired by 15+ years and over 50,000 portraits, our approach focuses on what truly matters: the person in front of the lens. Every session is designed to capture the emotions, stories, and connections that define who we are.
The Experience
Unlike our Brain Tattoo Keynote, Portrait Studio is a standalone experience— an one-on-one session that immerses participants in a moment of reflection and self-expression, with no stage, speeches, or structured talks.
How it works
- Participants step into an environment designed for comfort and connection.
- Thoughtful prompts encourage self-discovery, storytelling, and vulnerability.
- Instead of staged poses, we capture raw, unscripted expressions of identity and emotion.
- After the session, attendees receive their portraits in an easy-to-access format, preserving their story forever.
PRTRAIT Studio is designed as a side event or booth for participants to participate freely.
A version with Keynote can also be booked.
"Dear World Portraits are part journalism and part story. When you look at a person’s eyes and read their words, a beautiful feeling about what matters overcomes you.”
Deepak Chopra
Indian - American author
“Dear World will leave convinced that beautiful things start simple”
Katharine Wolf
Keynote Director Harvard Social Enterprise Conference
“Dear World has nothing to do with basketball, but it has everything to doo with basketball because we’re creating a more trusting environment”
Mike Krzyzewski
Duke’s Basketball team head coach
LOWER YOUR ATTRITION RATE AND CREATE MEANINGFUL
CONNECTIONS
Evidence has shown that a student's sense of belonging improves academic outcomes and increases continuing enrollment.
Gopalan, M., & Brady, S. T. (2020)
Social connectedness has a direct effect on college student retention, positively influencing achievement motivation and academic success.
Allen, Robbins, Casillas, and Oh (2008)
Approximately 30% of U.S. college students drop out during their first year.
Silver Wolf, David A. Patterson et Al (2017)
THIS IS WHY COLLEGES CHOOSE US FIRST
This event was impactful because for the first time in my two years at MSU, not only did I feel part of a community of strangers, but learned that every individual has a story- and not one is worse or better than the other.
Emelie Helsen
Assistant Community Director
Michigan State University
“Students reported feeling as if the space created for them in this event was a particularly inclusive and equitable environment. Their sense of community and connection was expanded to include people who had not been a part of their more typical days on campus
It allowed students with disabilities to choose to make known something about themselves that might not otherwise have been shared with campus community”
Valerie L. Schoolcraft
Director, Disability Services
James Madison University
I think my favorite part of the whole process was learning things about my classmates. It's so easy to go through life and have surface level friendships. I believe that Dear World gave the student body the opportunity to open up, become vulnerable with one another and share part of their story.
Through sharing parts of their story, students started to understand that they have more in common with others than they thought. It also allowed the student body to grow closer by sharing our struggles and triumphs with one another.
Haley Mallow
TCU Student
Dear World gave our incoming students a chance to not only share their stories but more importantly the opportunity to really hear and connect with their peers on their first day on campus. There is no question, Dear World help shape our campus community.
Catlin Michael Wojtkowski
Department of Student Life
Fashion Institute of Technology
While it has been months since our storytelling event, people are still talking and posting about Dear World. I know it has prepared me for my future by teaching me to listen to understand rather than to respond when people are telling their stories
Emma Heins
Student
UW Madison
Our students were so excited to participate in this, which was somewhat of a surprise. The most powerful aspect was the male students who shared their stories with me about the male stereotypes that they hold. It has prepared me to give our students more spaces like Dear World did, to get to know one another deeper than their name, major and residence hall.
Thank you Dear World for making our students cry for the good times and the bad times they've had and for opening our students up to diverse life experiences.
Alyssa Laurenza
Sr. Associate Director, Residence Life
Endicott College Residence
OUR CEO: ROBERT X. FOGARTY
“I started Dear World to amplify voices, stories, and purpose. Over the years, we’ve witnessed the beauty of laughter, surprise, and curious expressions. We’ve also seen tears followed by silence—moments too powerful for words. But what we’ve noticed most is the gratitude from those on the other side—the ones who finally felt seen, who finally felt like they belonged”
SECURE DEAR WORLD FOR YOUR CAMPUS TODAY!
only 15 spots avaible!!
BOOK A CALL - LIMITED OPENINGS AVAILABLE!
We’re just getting to know each other! This is step one in bringing something amazing to your campus!
Are you more of a call or email person? We get you!
Text +18016130293 or email us at hello@dearworld.com or joy@dearworld.com