The Ren茅e Crown Wellness Institute鈥檚 Undergraduate Research Fellows (URFs) embarked on an ambitious research project to explore factors that foster a sense of belonging among students in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (P&N) at the University of Colorado Boulder.听听
This research aimed to identify predictors and contributors to belonging on campus, focusing specifically on peer support, mentorship, self-efficacy, loneliness, cultural celebration, and minority status.听
Although the number of participants from the P&N department was small, results from the study revealed that these students experience a lower sense of belonging compared to their peers in other departments. The analysis highlighted that peer support, loneliness, and self-efficacy are significantly related to a sense of belonging on campus, both within specific departments and in general. Notably, general self-efficacy emerged as the only statistically significant predictor of belonging to the department.听
鈥�Activities to enhance students鈥� belief in their ability to handle new challenges in their daily lives may also help increase their sense of belonging to their department, possibly because greater self-efficacy removes barriers to participation in extracurricular activities like clubs and research, which may be especially important for first-year students adjusting to college,鈥� says Ian McGillicuddy, a senior at CU Boulder.听
On a campus of over 30,000 students, it can be easy to fade into the background, especially in one of the largest majors on campus.听
Addressing Minority Students' Unique Challenges
In collaboration with the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience鈥檚 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, the fellows designed and administered a survey targeting 138 P&N students. The year-long research design process culminated in a study focusing on how various factors contribute to their sense of belonging.听
This team of researchers鈥擪ylie Sambirsky, Ian McGillicuddy, Sienna Russell, Kit Ganzle, Mandira Gowda, and Yohana Markos鈥� emphasized the importance of inclusive research design. To ensure that their study was both relevant and comprehensive, the fellows actively integrated the voices and perspectives of the student population into the research process.听
They听paid particular attention to the unique challenges faced by minority students, recognizing that identity and representation (or lack thereof) can significantly impact a student鈥檚 sense of belonging.听
鈥淥ftentimes, research does not account for the existing stressors associated with different social identities and their significant impact on mental health and academics. All of these variables play a role in feeling a sense of belonging on a college campus, which is something we really wanted to highlight and further promote in the realm of research,鈥� states Kit Ganzle, a senior at CU Boulder.听
By focusing on these nuanced experiences, the research aims to address a crucial gap in the existing literature and provide a more inclusive perspective that highlights the voices and experiences of those often overlooked.听
Concluding their study, the group brainstormed ways to further improve the sense of belonging on campus. They identified the need for more research focusing on qualitative data to capture the complexity of student experiences. The lack of qualitative data was a limitation of the current study, which is crucial for understanding the diverse and layered experiences of belonging among students. The URFs believe that students hold the key to improving this crucial aspect of the university experience.听
Dedication to an Inclusive Campus Culture听
鈥淎s much as one may believe that you go to college to learn, your experience is ultimately shaped by the community and the connection, or lack thereof, that you feel to the people and the campus. When students feel that belonging, you see a metamorphosis of their character as they grow into the person they are meant to be,鈥� states Kylie Sambirsky, a senior at CU Boulder.听
The URFs are driven by more than academic curiosity; they are committed to creating a more inclusive and supportive academic environment. They understand that belonging is not a one-size-fits-all concept but a complex and layered experience. By capturing this complexity, they hope to inform and inspire initiatives that make every student feel valued and supported.听听
The Crown Institute鈥檚 mission is to create a world where every young person thrives, independent of their social identity. Central to this mission is the co-design process, which ensures that programs directly involve the people they are intended to benefit. The URFs' inaugural cohort exemplifies this approach, offering a safe and collaborative space for the next generation of student researchers.听