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For college students, feeling a sense of trust and belonging on campus are critical components of the student journey. When students feel secure and connected to their university, they are happier and more engaged on campus––both inside and outside of the classroom. 

In Mongoose’s second review cycle with G2, the company's engagement platform Cadence has achieved a position of Leader for SMS Marketing in the G2 Winter 2023 Grid® Reports. 

During Mongoose’s first review cycle, Cadence, the companies engagement platform, earned it’s spot as a high performer in the G2 Fall 2022 Grid^® Reports. 

A majority of higher education institutions tout a certain key message when recruiting prospective students: You belong here.

However, once a student determines where to enroll and begins their first year, the message quickly changes. Freshman get bombarded with prompts to "get out there" by joining clubs, sports teams, study groups, etc., or “find where you fit in.” In reality, they're unsure what interests them and if any of the options will actually work out.

So, how can university staff and faculty foster authentic relationships with their students? How can they increase the sense of belonging on campus, socially, and academically?

Dr. Lisa Nunn, who teaches at the University of San Diego, is a cultural sociologist and an organizations scholar studying students’ experiences, students' identities, and their overall success and wellbeing. Her most recent book, College Belonging, follows first-year college students for two years to see how they navigate their new campus homes and what kinds of obstacles they face in developing a sense of belonging.

She joined For Your Institution Live to share her insight how higher ed professionals can create authentic belonging across their institutions. Watch or listen to the full recording below.

It’s no secret that effective communication is key for institutions to engage prospective and current college students, but community colleges face unique obstacles. With a diverse population, including first-generation college students and non-traditional students who may be balancing family, work, and school, reaching every student where they are is a challenge.