As Belong wraps up its inaugural year, there are no signs of slowing down. The community has proudly surpassed 70 members in its first year and continues to grow. The commitment to this work was on display at the Institute for Chief Academic Officers and Presidents Institute, where leaders gathered to share successes and consider the benefits of joining the CIC network.
One such success is the number of participants in the microcredential course, “Fostering a Culture of Belonging” in the first year, with a 98% increase in course-taker confidence using evidence-based inclusive practices.
Course-taker feedback is rich with insight about the experience that Belong is affording those on campus who are making a difference in the lives of students.
“Inviting students to explicitly share their perspectives had a tremendously positive impact. Within the smaller group discussions with their peers and the collective class discussion, there was greater engagement and more comfort in sharing personal opinions, perspectives, and experiences.”
As Belong moves into its second year, CIC is offering a bonus Community of Practice series entitled “Bringing Belonging Work and Planning Together.” The series will provide guidance on the integration of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives into campus-wide planning efforts. The Cornerstone webinar series is open to all faculty and staff and will begin with the president emeritus of Elon University (NC), Leo Lambert, sharing insights from his popular book Relationship-Rich Education: How Human Connections Drive Success in College.
CIC looks forward to the continued growth of the Belong community and the positive impact it has on campuses. Learn more about Belong if you are interested in being a part of our community!
CIC Belong Network Member Institutions
(as of January 5, 2024)
Albright College (PA)
Alma College (MI)
Alvernia University (PA)
Andrews University (MI)
Augsburg University (MN)
Aurora University (IL)
Averett University (VA)
Bethany College (KS)
Bethel College (KS)
Blackburn College (IL)
Buena Vista University (IA)
California Lutheran University (CA)
Campbell University (NC)
Cedar Crest College (PA)
Central College (IA)
Chaminade University of Honolulu (HI)
Chatham University (PA)
College of Saint Benedict (MN)
College of Saint Mary (NE)
Concordia College (MN)
Converse University (SC)
Dominican University (IL)
Drew University (NJ)
D’Youville University (NY)
Franklin Pierce University (NH)
Georgian Court University (NJ)
Goshen College (IN)
Gustavus Adolphus College (MN)
Hollins University (VA)
Hood College (MD)
Illinois College (IL)
Juniata College (PA)
Kenyon College (OH)
Lewis & Clark College (OR)
Lourdes University (OH)
Luther College (IA)
Malone University (OH)
Maryville College (TN)
Millikin University (IL)
Molloy University (NY)
Mount Saint Mary’s University (CA)
Mount St. Mary’s University (MD)
Muhlenberg College (PA)
Muskingum University (OH)
North Central College (IL)
Notre Dame de Namur University (CA)
Otterbein University (OH)
Point Loma Nazarene University (CA)
Roanoke College (VA)
Rochester University (MI)
Saint Anselm College (NH)
Saint John’s University (MN)
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (IN)
Saint Mary’s College (IN)
Seattle Pacific University (WA)
St. Catherine University (MN)
St. John Fisher University (NY)
St. John’s College (MD)
St. John’s College (NM)
Thiel College (PA)
University of Mount Saint Vincent (NY)
University of the Incarnate Word (TX)
Ursinus College (PA)
Ursuline College (OH)
Wagner College (NY)
Washington & Jefferson College (PA)
Washington College (MD)
Whitworth University (WA)
Widener University (PA)
Wilkes University (PA)
William Woods University (MO)
Wilson College (PA)