From Feelings of Belonging to Academic Success at GovState
Type of Presentation
Poster Session
Location
University Library
Start Date
4-10-2026 11:30 AM
End Date
4-10-2026 12:45 PM
Abstract
GovStates’s strategic plan emphasizes its dedication to fostering a sense of belonging and community among its students, which is essential for both academic success and personal development (Governors State University, n.d.). This study aims to explore the relationship between student success and a sense of belonging at GovState. A sense of belonging, or the feeling of being genuinely accepted, valued, and connected within a social environment, is a fundamental human need that influences a range of psychological and social outcomes, including emotional well-being and academic success (Allen et al., 2020). Research shows that students who experience a stronger sense of belonging tend to have higher GPAs and improved academic outcomes (Kivlighan et al., 2018). Students who feel more connected to their school, peers, and academic environment are also more likely to succeed in various aspects of their college experience, including participation in classroom discussions, engaging in campus activities and clubs, and also collaboration with fellow students and faculty (Jorgenson et al., 2018). Therefore, understanding these variables in-depth are crucial for improving student retention and academic growth, as students who feel more connected to their academic and social environments tend to perform better and remain enrolled longer, further improving retention. Therefore, we will assess students' perceptions of belonging and its influence on academic engagement and GPA. We expect that students with a stronger sense of belonging will show greater academic success, further supporting the importance of fostering an inclusive, supportive campus environment to enhance student outcomes.
Faculty / Staff Sponsor
Dr. Figen Karadogan
From Feelings of Belonging to Academic Success at GovState
University Library
GovStates’s strategic plan emphasizes its dedication to fostering a sense of belonging and community among its students, which is essential for both academic success and personal development (Governors State University, n.d.). This study aims to explore the relationship between student success and a sense of belonging at GovState. A sense of belonging, or the feeling of being genuinely accepted, valued, and connected within a social environment, is a fundamental human need that influences a range of psychological and social outcomes, including emotional well-being and academic success (Allen et al., 2020). Research shows that students who experience a stronger sense of belonging tend to have higher GPAs and improved academic outcomes (Kivlighan et al., 2018). Students who feel more connected to their school, peers, and academic environment are also more likely to succeed in various aspects of their college experience, including participation in classroom discussions, engaging in campus activities and clubs, and also collaboration with fellow students and faculty (Jorgenson et al., 2018). Therefore, understanding these variables in-depth are crucial for improving student retention and academic growth, as students who feel more connected to their academic and social environments tend to perform better and remain enrolled longer, further improving retention. Therefore, we will assess students' perceptions of belonging and its influence on academic engagement and GPA. We expect that students with a stronger sense of belonging will show greater academic success, further supporting the importance of fostering an inclusive, supportive campus environment to enhance student outcomes.