ABSTRACT Sense of belonging is a basic human need that takes on heightened importance in college contexts. Thus, basic needs supports in college play a crucial role in ensuring students have access to food, housing, clothing, and transportation that enable their academic success. They also buffer against stress, social isolation, and disengagement that inhibit feelings of mattering. Using a multidimensional framework and belonging theory, authors posit basic needs supports as promising practices for fostering belonging, with new directions for research and policy.
ABSTRACT This book chapter discusses the process of working with the campus design and construction department and graduate student stakeholders to create the graduate student space at Colorado State University. It addresses perceptions of an increased sense of belonging on campus and a model for engaging graduate students in the physical environment.
ABSTRACT Given the importance of belonging as a goal in higher education, this article explores the experiences of 16 Black men engaged in institutionalized Black Men's Initiatives (BMIs) at three historically white institutions (HWIs). Drawing upon Johnson's (2022) socio‐ecological model of belonging and employing an interpretive phenomenological methodology, we examine how institutionally‐supported BMIs fostered a sense of belonging among Black undergraduate men and how the men made meaning of the belonging they felt in the programs. Based on our analysis of the data, we present three findings: (1) building a sense of community; (2) establishing accountability and illuminating purpose; and (3) evading and overcoming culture shock. Situated within an increasingly hostile political climate marked by anti‐DEI legislation across multiple states, this study underscores the continued importance of institutionalized BMIs and Cultural Centers by providing empirical evidence of their role in engendering belonging and supporting Black men's thriving in higher education. Summary Black Men's Initiatives (BMIs) play a vital role in cultivating a sense of belonging for Black collegiate men through their programmatic efforts, mentoring components, and providing the tools to help students maneuver college. Strategies that focus on the unique needs of collegiate Black men with the goal of increasing their engagement, persistence, success, and graduation rates remain a need in higher education. Institutional support for identity‐based centers and initiatives helps bolster student retention, thriving, and graduation rates among Black men in college.
ABSTRACT Boards of trustees are vital in safeguarding institutional autonomy and ensuring educational quality for an informed American citizenry. Their ability to do so is increasingly impacted by three major changes: the 2010 Supreme Court decision on Citizens United defining corporations as having citizens’ rights to “free speech”, the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capitol, and the November 6, 2024 federal election. These entwine to place American democracy and higher education at an inflection point. Higher education's future will be shaped by the interplay of new power structure representatives with citizen trusteeship, the actions of governing boards and higher education chief executives. This chapter, using social influence/power bases theory analyzes citizen‐trusteeship's mission, roles, and future.
ABSTRACT Questions and issues surrounding US higher education governance have long been examined, but the extensive range of applicable questions and broad disciplinary foundations complicate the research that constitute this area. Given heightened critiques of how higher education operates in the country, this volume presents a variety of studies examining this critical area while also offering opportunities for future research and insights for practitioners and policymakers. This introduction provides an overview of the importance of this volume as well as highlights the contributing articles.
