Despite existing empirical work that explores the multiple ways in which students develop a sense of belonging in higher education, there is a dearth of comparative research about the extent to which the concepts of community and belonging are central to what it means to be a student and how students in different national contexts (beyond…

University campuses are important places of cultural, intellectual, and economic capital, making significant contributions to their surrounding communities. As institutions seek to navigate changing expectations for university teaching, learning, research and impact, an exploration of the interface of individual experience and the campus…

This dissertation examines the role of cultural centers and experiences of microaggressions in shaping the ethnic identity of Asian American undergraduates in U.S. higher education institutions. Utilizing Phinney's model of ethnic identity development, a study with 175 participants revealed a positive correlation between reported microaggressions…

Sense of belonging has been associated with increases in perceived task importance, along with motivation and academic achievement. These factors indicate that sense of belonging may be an important and relevant concept to consider when preparing clinicians to practice cultural humility, which entails a commitment to lifelong learning. This study…

This study is concerned with the fact that commuter students persist at a lower rate than their residential peers. As colleges and universities seek to increase educational attainment rates, understanding why commuter students struggle with retention is important. Research shows sense of belonging can positively affect intention to persist. As…

This qualitative research study explored how undergraduate students at a public four-year land grant university can co-create a sense of belonging through an appreciative inquiry (AI) process. The study employed a strengths-based and generative approach to investigate the experiences of students within the same student organization, focusing on…

This paper explores how storying can be used to uncover experiences of student belonging throughout their time in Higher Education. It adopts a framing of belonging that is fluid and which recognises shifting notions of belonging over time. A focus on storying is particularly useful for understanding belonging as it enables university staff to…

The current study is among undergraduate students at a mid-sized regional doctoral-granting four-year public university in the Southwestern United States. The purpose of the study was to compare the self-efficacy and sense of belonging of students who experienced a transition program before beginning their college careers to those who did not.…

Recent attention to reports of racial bias and the vestiges of slavery and segregation on Ivy Leagues campuses raises concerns about physical and psychological safety of Students of Color attending these elite colleges and universities. This qualitative study centers the voices of 14 Black students attending five different Ivy League Institutions…

This qualitative case study was designed to collect and analyze the perceptions of youth who experienced foster care regarding their campus involvement experiences at Missouri higher education institutions. This study is designed to understand this population's experiences and evaluate their challenges and successes as they navigate the…

During COVID-19, international students were faced with the decision of remaining in their country of study or returning to their home countries, with little knowledge of when they would next be able to return or leave. Both choices left the students vulnerable to feelings of loneliness and social isolation. This paper examines how international…

This study sought to understand the relationship between experiences of racism within academic settings and sense of belonging to the field of Counseling/Health Service Psychology (C/HSP) for BIPOC graduate students. Further, this study sought to understand the potential mediating role of engagement coping in this relationship, as well as the…

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of first-generation college student-athletes (FGCSA) at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III institutions and how their participation in intercollegiate athletics influenced their sense of belonging. A total of 10 FGCSA participants from three member…

African American males are confronted with formidable barriers in their pursuit of quality education, resulting in stark disparities in academic performance, economic opportunities, and social outcomes. Despite numerous educational initiatives striving for parity, African American males persistently bear the brunt of the highest rates of…

As the number of Black college students who have enrolled in federally designated Hispanic serving institutions (HSIs) has risen, it has become necessary to examine how their sense of belonging has been fostered, particularly given the educational disparities and equity gaps in retention, persistence, and graduation rates. Furthermore, the focus…