Students find L.U.V. in program

By Sarah Pittman
The Collegian

It has been said that if you can make a difference in at least one person’s life, then it is all worth it. For Fresno State Professor Sean Seepersad, founder of the L.U.V. program, one of the people he is making a difference with is Leslie Thompson.

Thompson, a 23-year-old Fresno State junior nutrition major, joined the program, which helps participants overcome loneliness, last fall. She said she joined because she wanted to meet new people and learn more about herself.

Thompson said the program was an extremely positive experience for her, as it improved her life and helped her grow as a person.

“I’m so much happier now with my friends and family. I’m more assertive. I wasn’t getting along with my family but now we get along so great. Now with my friends I’m not a pushover and they respect me more,” Thompson said.

The L.U.V. program, which stands for Lonely? Unburdening your Vulnerability, was introduced for the first time at Fresno State during fall 2006. Seepersad, a professor in the department of child, family and consumer sciences, initially developed the program as part of his dissertation and ran the program for two semesters at the University of Illinois in 2003.

“I had been studying loneliness a long time,” Seepersad said. “I became interested in loneliness in part because of my own experiences as an adolescent and I’m fascinated by the topic.”

The program is intended for Fresno State students, 18 years or older, who have experienced feelings of loneliness and sadness or who are have trouble making friendships with others. During the course, Seepersad leads the students through different social skills activities and training and cover various topics concerning loneliness.

“They [the students in the program] have said that it was nice to be in a group where they weren’t the only ones experiencing loneliness so it normalized their feelings,” Seepersad said.

Thompson agreed that the people who made up the program were welcoming and encouraged one another.

“It’s a warm environment,” Thompson said. “It’s really friendly. Everyone is really helpful. A lot of people share the same experiences that you do.”

The L.U.V. program will be held Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. from Feb. 21 to April 11. The last day to enroll in the program is Friday.

Seepersad encourages students to enroll in the program even if the time or day doesn’t fit their schedule because he may switch the meeting time. Last semester eight students enrolled in the program but four students dropped out before the end of the course. Seepersad said four or five people have enrolled for the current semester.

“Just the fact that I was able to get students enrolled and run the entire program was a big success for me personally,” Seepersad said.

Seepersad said over the summer he plans to revise and refine the program based on the results from fall semester and the current semester’s program. He said he also wants to look for funding for the program so he can offer incentives for joining.

Agustin Vieyra, a 23-year-old senior sociology major who participated in the program last semester said the program really does work.

“I’ve used the techniques they taught me and I’m able to hold a conversation longer with people,” Vieyra said. “I’m not as nervous getting to talk to people either.”

To sign up for the L.U.V. program students can call Seepersad at 559-278-8775 or visit http://csufresno.webofloneliness.com/

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