Examining Sense of Belonging at a Research 1 Institution Through an Undergraduate Research Program

• In Event: Investigating Sense of Belonging Across Student Groups and Experiences

Abstract

This study examines an undergraduate research program fellows' sense of belonging to understand how research programs such as the Bunche Fellows Program, can foster community among Black students and how these experiences impact sense of belonging among Black students at HWCU. BFP is an academic pipeline program located in Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA which introduces underrepresented students to pursue graduate school and beyond through collaborative research projects. To better understand what contributes to their sense of belonging, the authors utilized Tara Yosso's Community Cultural Wealth Model framework. Based on the mixed-methods study results, sense of belonging is deconstructed into sections of students and campus community, faculty and staff, and identity.

Authors

• Passion Faith Lord, University of California - Los Angeles

• Zeyna Faucette, University of California - Los Angeles

• Audrey Devost, University of California - Los Angeles

• Walter R. Allen, University of California - Los Angeles