ERIC Number: EJ1280188
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Feb
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1521-0251
EISSN: N/A
What Can Departments Do to Increase Students' Retention? A Case Study of Students' Sense of Belonging and Involvement in a Biology Department
Knekta, Eva; McCartney, Melissa
Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, v22 n4 p721-742 Feb 2021
The aim of this case study was to explore the sense of belonging to and involvement in a biology department for students participating in a biology program designed to create a strong sense of belonging with high levels of involvement and higher student retention rates. The study is based on 10 semistructured interviews with biology majors. Analysis showed that the students have created a strong sense of community among peers and good relationships with specific faculty and staff. However, the positive social environment did not fully translate into sense of belonging to and involvement in the biology department. Analysis also implied a strong focus on careers related to medical school among students and that students not sharing this strong focus might feel disconnected from the group. Taken together, the interviews identify several different aspects for departments to consider as a way to enhance students' sense of belonging and involvement.
Descriptors: Departments, School Holding Power, Sense of Community, Biology, Student Participation, College Students, Social Environment, Competence, Teacher Student Relationship, Peer Relationship
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Florida
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A