Found my Place: The Importance of Faculty Relationships for Seniors’ Sense of Belonging (Miller et al., 2019)

The study examines the relationship between senior students’ faculty-related engagement and their sense of institutional acceptance, a key aspect of belonging. The findings indicate that increased student–faculty interaction, use of effective teaching practices, and participation in research with faculty positively impact seniors’ feelings of institutional acceptance. Additionally, student demographics, college experiences, and institutional characteristics also influence this aspect of belongingness. The study suggests that institutions can use this information to enhance programming and resources aimed at improving student engagement with faculty, which can foster a greater sense of belonging among senior students.

Miller, A. L., Williams, L. M., & Silberstein, S. M. (2019). Found my place: The importance of faculty relationships for seniors’ sense of belonging. Higher Education Research & Development, 38(3), 594–608. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2018.1551333