Increasing retention, creating a sense of belonging for all students, and finding ways to demonstrate a commitment to diversity are top priorities for CIC members. With the launch of “BELONG: The CIC & ACUE Inclusive Learning Community”, CIC and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) are combining proven practices and professional certifications together in a nationwide learning community for long-term impact on these core goals. This new network—exclusive to CIC and with a goal to benefit over 400,000 students—responds to CIC members’ desire to strengthen campus culture with inclusive practices and includes the opportunity to credential both faculty and staff through ACUE’s new offering “Fostering a Culture of Belonging” along with access to digital resources, webinars, and more. BELONG will begin in early Spring 2023, with registration opening this week. National studies show that students taught by ACUE-certified faculty learn more, complete more courses, and are retained in greater numbers, with greater equity by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. All Institute participants are invited to this information session to learn more about the pedagogy and potential impact of the program, the benefits of community membership, and the timeline for CIC members to join.
Bacari K. Brown, Partnership Development Director, ACUE
Laurie Pendleton, Executive Director, Curriculum and Assessment, ACUE
Matt Trainum, Vice President of Networks and Strategic Partnerships, CIC