Research Brief Sense of Belonging

Sense of belonging can be strengthened by building relationships on a campus through a variety of ways such as friendships, mentorships, and campus activities. This allows students to feel a connection with faculty and peers. A strong sense of belonging has been shown to increase retention, and ultimately, graduation, as well as improving the mental health and overall wellbeing of students. An efficient way to gauge a student’s sense of belonging is by surveying them. This brief shares insights from the annual Diverse Learning Environment survey.