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Sense of Belonging Learning Series

In these resources, we delve into various aspects of this fundamental human need, seeking to understand its impact on individuals within the context of higher education.

Pursuit of Belonging: Inalienable Rights

When you consider that in Columbus, nearly 140,000 residents are college students, there is a hope that they are successful in school, graduate, and get a job. This video illustrates that by taking a multi-dimensional look at that "success" part, research reveals a fundamental need of the student. And, it isn't tied so much to good grades or money.

A diverse crowd represented by colorful, minimalistic human figures.

Belonging at a University

Students' sense of belonging is known to be strongly associated with academic achievement and successful university life. Surroundings equate to participants' living space and geographical and cultural location, while personal spaces refer to life satisfaction, life attitudes, identity, and personal interests. Both positive and negative data demonstrate the complex and multi-dimensional character of belonging in higher education. The study concludes that policies for student engagement in higher education should reflect all four domains to support the full range of students' experiences.

Read Four domains of students' sense of belonging to university by Ahn, M.Y. and Davis, H.H.

A large group of people forming a circle with an empty space in the center.

Inclusive Belonging in Higher Education

In the podcast, Conceptualizing "Sense of Belonging" Among Students From Historically Minoritized Racial Groups Within Higher Education, Colvin Georges Jr, a research associate at the Office of Community College Research and Leadership at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, talks with Dr. Nidia Ruedas-Gracia about what it means to have a sense of belonging and discusses her research in this area. They also discuss how a sense of belonging affects college students from historically minoritized racial groups.

A diverse group of young people smiling together.

First-Gen Engagement

New survey data challenge perceptions about first-generation college students, showing strong academic engagement and commitment to college. However, the group lagged behind their peers in social comfort and resiliency.

Read First-Generation College Students More Engaged Than Peers Insider Higher Ed by Ashley A Smith.

Encouraging a Sense of Belonging

Watch Stanford psychologist Gregory Walton explain how a relatively small psychological intervention can help improve student achievement and workplace environments.

A large group of different faces from diverse backgrounds.

Identity Impact

New research highlights the differences in students' sense of belonging by race, institution type, and first-generation status.

Read Students' Sense of Belonging Varies by Identity, Institution by Elin Johnson.