by Terrell L. Strayhorn and J’Quen O. Johnson
THE INTRODUCTION
Higher education is a complex enterprise and a major industry, especially in the United States (U.S.), accounting for over $600 billion in revenue and economic development. In fact, many colleges and universities are equivalent to Fortune 500 companies in terms of their sheer size, budget, employees, and fiscal footprint. There are nearly 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S., collectively enrolling over 20 million students; approximately half of these institutions are two-year community colleges. Community colleges play a critical role in achieving the nation’s educational attainment goals by providing comparatively affordable access to high-quality learning opportunities such as digital badges, certificates, and associates degrees, according Lumina’s report.
Community college students may differ from their peers at 4-year universities in several ways. For instance, prior research has shown that community college students are more likely to be older, attend part-time, and identify as men or first-generation (i.e., first in their family to attend college). Oftentimes they report more family-related duties outside of school, work longer hours while enrolled, and, consequently, are more prone to drop out before completing their goal. All that aside, the evidence is remarkably clear that community college students want to succeed upon entry.
One factor that is consistently related to student success is sense of belonging. Sense of belonging is defined as a feeling that one matters, is cared about, accepted, respected, and valued by other members of the learning community. Much more than a buzzword, sense of belonging is a basic need, a human right. It takes on heightened importance at times and in settings where people are vulnerable to feeling excluded, lonely, or judged by others, such as being a new, transfer, or continuing college student.
Indeed, sense of belonging is a key to educational success. It’s consistently linked to better grades, deep learning, stronger social connections, overall well-being, and greater satisfaction with college. This is true even at community colleges, but it’s important to remember that belonging does not happen automatically. It must be conditioned, facilitated, nurtured, or encouraged, largely through campus policies, practices, programs, and more. With this in mind, let’s talk about a client-campus that’s leading the way in the northeast.
THE INSTITUTION
Established in 1961, Monroe Community College (MCC) in Rochester, New York, is a dynamic public institution serving approximately 10,000 students annually. MCC offers more than 100 academic programs, including associate degrees and certificates. Popular majors include Business Administration, Cybersecurity, Engineering Science, Liberal Arts, Nursing, and Psychology. MCC prides itself on offering students personal attention, given its 20:1 faculty-to-student ratio. Beyond academics, MCC offers over 50 different clubs and organizations–anything from American Sign Language to Anime, Pool and Billiards to Pride Alliance–for students to find their community and establish meaningful relationships. With affordable tuition, the cost of attendance for in-state students is around $5,500 per year, making MCC an accessible option for many seeking high-quality education at a reasonable price.
Under the transformative, student-centric leadership of President Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna, MCC is committed to providing students with a supportive and innovative learning environment, preparing them for transfer to four-year institutions or direct entry into the workforce. In just 3 years, MCC has witnessed record-breaking year-to-year enrollment increases, ranked #1 for Foundation dollars raised (among community colleges), and consolidated resources across college divisions in ways that led to significant cost savings. Moreover, student retention and graduation rates are higher than previous years. To be sure, the college’s “laser focus” on student success and workforce development continues to make MCC a cornerstone of higher education in the Rochester region, the state of New York, and beyond.
THE EVENT
Emphasizing student success and “the need for colleges to create safe and welcoming spaces” for all, MCC hosted its annual Diversity Conference on Friday, October 11, 2024. This year’s theme was “The Role of Belonging in Higher Education.” The conference consisted of a keynote address, student panel, reflective practice, Safe Zone training, and networking. Bringing together over 140 faculty, staff, and students in the R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center to celebrate MCC’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the conference attracted a vibrant audience passionate about fostering an inclusive campus culture. Beyond MCC students and faculty, participants also included local leaders, advocates, and professionals dedicated to championing diverse perspectives and creating more equitable learning environments. “Student success is our northstar…sense of belonging is the key to achieving that goal,” President Burt-Nanna shared at the kick-off of this year’s Diversity Summit. MCC Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Calvin Gantt, also explained that “fostering student sense of belonging starts prior to enrollment.”

THE PRESENTATIONS
As part of this year’s event, our team was invited to participate in two ways. First, I (Strayhorn) had the privilege of delivering a 60-minute keynote address embracing the conference’s theme. This evidence-based lecture focused on the power and promise of belonging as a foundation for student learning, well-being, and success in diverse environments like MCC. Using a smooth blend of data, charts, images, and anecdotes, belonging was framed as more than a feeling, but also a critical factor linked to engagement, motivation, retention, and persistence among community college students navigating the currents of higher education.
Following the keynote, we (Strayhorn & Johnson) led a 45-minute reflective practice segment designed to deepen participants’ understanding of belonging’s core components—such as safety, security, and community—and how these contribute to an inclusive campus culture. Together, we revisited insights from an earlier student panel, tying their lived experiences to key principles of belonging (e.g., mattering), and its impact on their odds for success. We engaged the audience in a lively question-and-answer (Q&A) session, where participants shared thoughts, raised questions, and explored strategies to foster students’ sense of belonging on- and off-campus. Promising practices included, for example, creating more meaningful student touchpoints, helping students make academic decisions, and prioritizing students’ best interests, not just the institution’s. It was an energizing session that affirmed belonging as a cornerstone of MCC’s strategic visioning for the future.
“Student success is our northstar…sense of belonging is the key to achieving that goal,” President Burt-Nanna shared at the kick-off of this year’s Diversity Summit.
THE CONCLUSION
In conclusion, fostering students’ sense of belonging is more than just a feeling, a buzzword, or supportive gesture—it’s essential for community college student success. Our presentations at Monroe Community College’s Diversity Conference underscore how belonging impacts not only students’ academic performance but also their overall engagement, retention, and well-being. When students feel genuinely connected to and valued by others (including their institution), they’re more likely to persevere, take advantage of learning opportunities, and contribute positively to their campus communities. By prioritizing belonging, community colleges like MCC can create inclusive environments where every student feels empowered to lead, learn, and live, freely and openly just the way they are. Anything less would be unfair, unjust, and, well, unbelonging.
THE KEY POINTS/SUMMARY
- Sense of belonging is a basic need and human right, sufficient to drive academically oriented behaviors, such as attending class, engaging faculty, studying (especially with peers), and choosing a major or career.
- Belonging is not automatic; it must be facilitated through campus practices, policies, and programs such as proactive advising, faculty-student mentoring, student-parent programs, recovery initiatives, and more.
- Students deserve to feel a sense of belonging on campus. Campus clubs and organizations play a critical role in shaping meaningful relationships. Meaningful relationships with peers have been consistently linked to boosting engagement, persistence, and overall college satisfaction. Satisfied community college students are more likely to graduate and give back as proud alumni.
- Community colleges serve large numbers of low-/no income, Pell-eligible students who are more likely to face basic needs insecurities. Facing such insecurities threatens the safety and security of students, but also undermines their academic performance. Doing well academically requires more than extensive studying and note-taking; students must also have access to nutritious foods, adequate sleep, and stable housing. For this reason, community colleges like MCC provide campus food pantries, clothing closets, and housing assistance to meet students’ basic needs and foster a sense of belonging.
This article was co-authored with J’Quen Johnson, Ph.D. candidate at the University of the Cumberlands and Director of Research at Do Good Work Consulting.