Creating a sense of belonging isn’t just a classroom effort—it requires systemic changes at the institutional level. As a faculty member, you may feel limited in how much you can influence the broader institution, especially when leadership is slow to respond. However, there are ways to advocate effectively for your students and push for meaningful change. Here are strategies you can use to make an impact at the institutional level.
- Use Data to Drive Change
Collect Belonging Data
Run surveys in your classroom or program that track how students feel about their sense of belonging. Use this data to demonstrate the connection between inclusion and student success.- Example: Conduct an anonymous survey asking students to rate how supported they feel by the institution. Include questions about their sense of belonging, access to resources, and interactions with faculty and peers. Present this data in meetings with administrators to show areas for improvement.
Track Retention and Success Rates
If possible, disaggregate student data (e.g., by race, gender, socioeconomic status) to show how belonging—or the lack of it—affects retention and academic success.- Example: Highlight retention data showing that students from underrepresented groups are more likely to leave programs where they don’t feel supported. Show how small changes to campus culture or policies have improved retention in similar institutions.
Connect Belonging to Institutional Goals
Frame belonging in terms of retention, academic performance, and mental health. These are critical areas of concern for administrators, and connecting belonging to these outcomes can increase the urgency for change.- Example: Present data showing that students who report a higher sense of belonging are more likely to stay enrolled, graduate on time, and perform better academically.
- Highlight Success Stories
Showcase Specific Examples
Collect stories from students who have been positively or negatively impacted by the institution’s culture or policies. Present these stories, with permission, to leadership as concrete examples of how belonging—or its absence—affects students.- Example: Share the story of a student who struggled to find mentorship or academic support and how this led to feelings of isolation. Then, present an example of a student who thrived due to inclusive programming or faculty support, showing the direct benefits of creating a more inclusive environment.
Use Testimonials
Encourage students to share their experiences through written testimonials, videos, or presentations. These firsthand accounts can bring the issue of belonging to life in a way that data alone cannot.- Example: Create a short video where students share their thoughts on belonging, what works, and where they see room for improvement. Present this during faculty or administrative meetings to amplify their voices.
Amplify Marginalized Voices
Make sure to center the experiences of students from underrepresented groups who often face the greatest barriers to belonging.- Example: Collect stories from women in STEM, first-generation students, or LGBTQ+ students, and highlight how institutional changes could address the specific barriers they face.
- Build Faculty Alliances
Form a Faculty Coalition
Identify colleagues across departments who are also passionate about belonging and inclusion. Work together to develop shared strategies for advocating for systemic change.- Example: Form a working group of faculty members who meet regularly to discuss belonging-related challenges. Together, you can create proposals for institutional changes, such as revising diversity training or implementing inclusive hiring practices.
Present a Unified Voice
When faculty come together to advocate for change, it’s harder for administrators to ignore. A coalition of faculty voices—especially those from diverse departments—carries more weight than one person advocating alone.- Example: Draft a joint statement from your coalition calling for specific changes, such as more equitable promotion policies or increased funding for diversity programs. Present it at a faculty meeting or send it to administrators as a united front.
Host Faculty-Led Workshops
Offer workshops on inclusive teaching or institutional barriers to belonging, led by the faculty coalition. This demonstrates a commitment to change and can also engage other faculty in the conversation.- Example: Host a panel discussion where faculty members share how they’ve fostered belonging in their classrooms, inviting administrators to attend and learn from the successes of their peers.
- Frame Belonging as a Success Driver
Connect Belonging to Retention and Graduation Rates
Show how a stronger sense of belonging leads to higher retention and graduation rates, which directly impacts the institution’s success metrics.- Example: Research how other institutions have improved student retention by fostering a stronger sense of belonging and present these examples to your administration. Propose a campus-wide initiative to audit current practices around student inclusion and engagement.
Align with Strategic Goals
Tie your proposals to the institution’s existing strategic goals or mission. If the administration values diversity or student success, highlight how fostering belonging directly supports these objectives.- Example: If your institution has a goal of increasing diversity, show how belonging is a critical part of retaining diverse students and ensuring their success. Offer to help design strategies that align with this goal, such as inclusive mentorship programs or student resource centers.
Present an Actionable Plan
It’s easier for administrators to support change when they see a clear, actionable plan. Break down your recommendations into specific, measurable steps.- Example: Present a phased plan that starts with an institutional audit, followed by the creation of a task force to develop and implement specific policies aimed at increasing belonging across departments.
- Involve Students in Advocacy
Students can be your strongest allies in advocating for institutional change. When student voices are at the forefront, leadership is more likely to listen.
Create Student-Faculty Partnerships
Work with students to develop proposals for institutional change. Collaborate on presentations, proposals, or forums where students can share their experiences with the administration.
- Example: Partner with a student organization to co-host a forum on belonging, where students share their stories directly with faculty and administrators. Use this forum as a springboard to propose specific changes, such as more inclusive housing policies or improved support for first-generation students.
Amplify Student Leadership
Encourage students to lead initiatives around belonging and inclusion, with faculty support. When students are empowered to lead, it shows administrators that the issue is important to the campus community as a whole.
- Example: Work with student leaders to develop a campus-wide survey on belonging and present the results to administration, demonstrating student demand for change. Offer to help facilitate follow-up discussions on how to address the findings.
Use Student Government
Advocate for changes through student government, which often has a direct line to administrators and can elevate student concerns.
- Example: Support student government in drafting resolutions that call for increased attention to belonging and inclusion, and back these resolutions with your data and faculty coalition.
Final Thoughts: Advocating for Systemic Change
Advocating for students at the institutional level takes persistence, but by using data, stories, and collective action, you can drive meaningful change. Belonging is essential to student success, and with the right strategies, you can help ensure your institution creates an environment where everyone can thrive.
Expanded Actionable Takeaways:
- Use Data: Gather and present data that links belonging to student success and retention.
- Share Success Stories: Amplify student voices through stories and testimonials.
- Build Coalitions: Collaborate with other faculty to present a united front for systemic change.
- Frame Belonging as a Driver of Success: Link belonging directly to institutional goals such as retention and diversity.
- Partner with Students: Empower students to advocate for their own belonging and work alongside them to push for change.