The title “Champion” is rarely bestowed on anyone who hasn’t put forth great effort, dedication and a commitment to be the best.
On the Kent State Regional Campuses, faculty members are earning that title through the Belonging Champions program that is creating communities of instructors working together to improve student belonging and success in their classes.
According to Denise Bartell, Ph.D., senior associate vice president for Regional Faculty and Student Success, Champions use validated tools to gather actionable data from students and implement evidence-based practices proven to improve student grades and retention. Built upon a successful model from the National Student Experience Project, approximately 130 Regional instructors, from every campus, have participated in these communities of transformation over the last year and a half, with plans to support up to 100 more in the coming year.
“Creating classroom spaces where students feel they belong requires supportive spaces where faculty can work together to make this happen,” she said.
Bartell estimates the program has directly impacted over 2,000 students in the last year. Data show that students in courses taught by Belonging Champions earn higher grades in the courses and are more likely to persist into the next term, effects that are significantly stronger for historically underserved students.
She further noted that 100% of Champions report that they will continue to use the practices they learned in future semesters and 80% reported the experience increased their knowledge about strategies to improve the student experience in their courses.
Additionally, 98% reported the time spent with their colleagues was a valuable part of the experience. In fact, dozens of faculty members participated for multiple semesters, indicating that the program provides something truly valuable in the Champions communities.
One instructor shared: "…This experience gave me a fresh, 'out of the box' perspective on decades of classroom instruction."
Another faculty member stated: "One student said this week after class…'I know you care about us and want us to be successful. I've been out of school for 10 years and you never made me feel uncomfortable because I couldn't remember or needed something explained multiple times.' That's how I know this approach works."
Recruiting for the Spring 2025 cohort of Regional Campus Belonging Champions will begin in the coming weeks. The program is open to anyone teaching a course on a Regional Campus in the Spring 2025 term. Additionally – and based on the resounding success of the program with Regional Campus faculty – a pilot of the program is being offered this spring on the Kent Campus.
To learn more, including how to apply, visit: /ctl/belonging-champions.