Date of Award
Spring 2023
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Education Policy, Planning, and Administration
Committee Chairperson
Orkideh Mohajeri, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Jacqueline Hodes, Ed.D.
Committee Member
Matthew Kruger-Ross, Ph.D.
Abstract
The physical environment of the college union building has the potential to influence a student’s sense of belonging. Using a conceptual framework that included campus ecology framework (Strange & Banning, 2001) and sense of belonging theory (Strayhorn, 2019), this study explored undergraduate student experiences of belongingness in the college union. Particularly, this study focused on a college union located on the campus of a public, regional university in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Further, this study aimed to explore the variety of ways that the union’s physical space does (or does not) influence sense of belonging for a diverse sampling of undergraduate students. Eight undergraduate college students were invited to participate in two interviews, including a photo-elicitation activity. The first interview established the participants’ relationship with the college union building and their understanding of sense of belonging. The second interview began with a photo-elicitation activity that asked participants to capture images of areas in the college union where they did and did not feel belonging. Data analysis revealed that spatial elements such as lighting, murals, photography, and signage enhanced belonging. The findings also indicated that comfortable and mobile furnishings advanced sense of belonging. Additionally, spaces that were well-kept sent positive non-verbal messages to students. Finally, the data indicated that other non-spatial elements, including food, busyness, and involvement, also contributed to students’ sense of belonging. Therefore, spaces that incorporated the elements described above had a greater chance of fostering a sense of belonging for students.
Recommended Citation
Reilly, Adriane, "Familiar Faces and Comfortable Spaces: The Role of the College Union in Fostering Sense of Belonging on a College Campus" (2023). West Chester University Doctoral Projects. 194.
https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/all_doctoral/194