How culturally engaging campus environments influence sense of belonging in college: An examination of differences between White students and students of color.

Abstract

Low persistence and degree completion rates continue to plague higher education, and students of color persist at even lower rates than their White peers. Research has linked greater sense of belonging in college to increased intentions to persist to graduation. However, research on how culturally relevant and responsive campus environments facilitate or hinder belonging and subsequent graduation among racially diverse college student populations is sparse. Using linear regression techniques, the authors use survey data from 870 students at an urban public research university to examine the relationship between culturally engaging campus environments and sense of belonging among White students and students of color. Results show that culturally engaging environments explain a significant portion of the variance in the belonging outcome for both White students and students of color. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Institutional Racism and Campus Racial Climate: Struggles for Sense of Belonging and Academic Success Among Black Students in the K-12 Public Schools

“…The study argued that students of color tended to persevere more towards succeeding in school when they created a sense of belonging in White dominated school spaces. Museus et al (2017) clearly validated the importance of students of color's appreciation of their academic environment and its connection to the nature of their campus racial climate. Museus et al (2017) argued there is a positive link between psychological consciousness and Black students' sense of connection to their school community.…”

“…Museus et al (2017) clearly validated the importance of students of color's appreciation of their academic environment and its connection to the nature of their campus racial climate. Museus et al (2017) argued there is a positive link between psychological consciousness and Black students' sense of connection to their school community. Maintaining a sense of connection is crucial for the students' development of a strong desire to be part of their school community.…”

“…The above studies all indicate that a negative campus racial climate have different negative implications for the students' perception and engagement in the school environment. Meanwhile, Museus et al (2017) demonstrated that a positive perception about campus racial climate is pivotal in forming appreciation among the students for their academic campus, which helps them to develop a sense of attachment and belonging to the school environment (Museus et al, 2017). Museus et al (2017) showed there is a need for students to develop a sense of belonging in their school campuses.…”

“…Meanwhile, Museus et al (2017) demonstrated that a positive perception about campus racial climate is pivotal in forming appreciation among the students for their academic campus, which helps them to develop a sense of attachment and belonging to the school environment (Museus et al, 2017). Museus et al (2017) showed there is a need for students to develop a sense of belonging in their school campuses. The study argued that students of color tended to persevere more towards succeeding in school when they created a sense of belonging in White dominated school spaces.…”

The Relationship of First-Year Residence Hall Roommate Assignment Policy with Interactional Diversity and Perceptions of the Campus Environment

“…Additionally, there is a need to understand the factors that influence a students' sense of belonging. There is evidence that a student's perception of the campus climate is related to the ways they experience sense of belonging (Museus, Yi, & Saelua, 2017). For example, Hurtado and Carter (1997) found that when Latino students perceived a more hostile campus climate their sense of belonging decreased.…”