Belonging Matters: The Power of Connection
Goodwin Great Talks
November 11, 2025
In student development theory, a sense of belonging is the feeling of being included, valued and connected to a college community, which positively impacts academic success, retention and overall well-being. A learning community, such as a university, is understood as a space where social capital and learning can be maximized through productive relationships between the social network and the learning environment (Gulah & Smith, 2023). Research indicates that a student’s sense of belonging improves academic outcomes, increases continuing enrollment and serves as a protective factor for mental health (Strayhorn, 2019; Thomas, 2012). Rooted in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, belonging reflects students’ perceptions of being accepted and integrated within both their academic and social environments.
This presentation examines the significance of fostering belonging in higher education, highlights strategies institutions can implement to build inclusive communities and explores the impact of belonging on student engagement.
To foster self-reflection and connection, participants engaged in the Circle of Multicultural Self activity, an interactive exercise designed to deepen awareness of identity and illuminate how a sense of belonging shapes the student experience.
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Meet the Panelist
Karen DeVose
Assistant Dean of Academic Advising and Student Success, Drexel University
Dr. Karen DeVose is the Assistant Dean of Academic Advising and Student Success at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her research identifies the factors and barriers that influence the retention and persistence of underrepresented minority (URM) students at predominantly white institutions (PWIs). She also specializes in training academic advisors and faculty on creating inclusive and supportive environments for URM students.
Dr. DeVose serves on several key committees at Drexel, including the Diversity Advisory Council for Graduate Students, the College of Computing and Informatics Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, and the university’s DEI Steering Committee. She has presented her work at regional and national NACADA conferences, the Symposium for Transforming the Postsecondary Experience, the Gardner Institute, and the 3rd Annual Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education: Creating Learning Environments that Engage Diverse Voices at Gwynedd Mercy University.
Dr. DeVose holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, an M.Ed. in Education Administration and Supervision from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, a Postgraduate Certificate in Student Development and Affairs from Drexel University, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Gwynedd Mercy University.