Joel Ferrick
Pronouns:
Research Mentor(s): Angela Ebreo
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Diversity Research & Policy Program / Education
Program: Mellon
Session: Session 7 (4:40pm – 5:30pm)
Authors: Joel Ferrick, Angela Ebreo, PhD
Abstract
In the U.S., underrepresented students (URS) have disproportionately experienced alienating college atmospheres (Johnson et al., 2020). This problem has become increasingly prevalent within STEM majors specifically. The root of this issue stems from collective neglect on behalf of college campuses and administration teams to accommodate for the cultural, societal, physical, and mental differences and challenges URS possess in contrast to the majority neurotypical and white student body (Johnson et al., 2020). This neglect has culminated in intense feelings of alienation on campus, ultimately resulting in challenges regarding underrepresented student retention. Therefore it is important to understand factors that encourage URS sense of belonging on campus. Most research (e.g., Johnson et al., 2020; Carter et al., 2017) conducted on sense of belonging primarily emphasizes how a campus’s social aspects (e.g., communal) impact sense of belonging, leaving notably the influence of physical space comparatively understudied. My study contributes preliminary findings that connect elements of physical space to students’ sense of belonging, I describe findings from three underrepresented college student survey respondents. All students are participating in MI-LSAMP, an NSF funded alliance of six Michigan higher education institutions students working to broaden marginalized students’ participation in STEM disciplines. Students responded to various survey questions related to place attachment while considering the place on campus where they feel the greatest sense of belonging. While each student exhibited a strong personal, emotional, and practical connection to their chosen location, participants also cited poor communal connections, underemphasizing the social practicality of the desired space.
