The Complex Factors That Drive Students’ Sense of Belonging
An expert in student belonging and engagement in the digital environment explains the nuances of belonging, mattering and inclusion as well as how to foster well-being in higher education.
During his 30-year tenure, Freeman Hrabowski, the outgoing president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, has transformed UMBC from a small branch of the University System of Maryland into one of the leading producers of black STEM graduates in the US.
In this interview, Freeman talks about how to have the difficult conversations that identify where students needs are not being met. He also discusses how UMBC uses granular data to identify students who might be falling behind, and how inclusivity work is the tide that raises all boats so everyone benefits.