From Connection to Commitment: How Belonging and Engagement Shape Student Persistence

• In Event: Bridges and Barriers: Factors Shaping Students' Resilience and Persistence

Abstract

This sequential explanatory mixed methods study examined sense of belonging, engagement, and persistence among undergraduates. In the quantitative phase, 245 students completed questionnaires on belonging, engagement, and persistence. Structural equation modeling indicated a significant indirect effect of belonging on persistence through engagement. In the qualitative phase, we purposefully sampled students who had higher and lower belonging scores and conducted semi-structured interviews. We identified five themes from the interviews, which highlighted how early connection and institutional responsiveness shaped student perceptions. Engagement played a pivotal role in either supporting or impeding persistence. Together, the quantitative and qualitative findings indicate that fostering belonging and meaningful engagement is important to student persistence, offering actionable insights for institutional practices.

Authors

• Farzaneh Farhadi, Pennsylvania State University

• Matthew T. McCrudden, Pennsylvania State University