Predicting Success: Sense of Belonging Among Graduate Students

• In Event: 54.041 - Understanding Access and Student Success in Graduate Education

Abstract

There is a vast amount of literature linking sense of belonging to student achievement, retention, and overall well-being. However, a dearth of this research examines graduate students. In this study, graduate students at a large regional university in the Southeastern United States are administered a “Sense of Belonging” sub-scale (Bollen & Hoyle, 1990). After identifying baseline levels of belonging, we report factors that predict graduate student sense of belonging. Results suggest that graduate students tend to have higher levels of belonging if they: 1) have strong relationships with faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students, 2) regularly engage in academic program social activities, and 3) participate in professional development within their academic program.

Authors

• AJ Good, Auburn University

• Michael Stoloff, James Madison University

• Melissa Aleman, James Madison University

• Megan Rodgers Good, Auburn University