Belonging and Well-being as Key Measures of Student Success

Abstract

First-generation college students enter higher education with the drive to succeed, but colleges too often only measure student success by graduation rates. The University of Southern California’s historic Topping Scholars Program focuses on holistic student growth. Student success is measured by academic achievement, but also by a sense of belonging, academic and social engagement, and overall well-being. This chapter highlights best practices for empowering students outside the classroom to connect with campus partners, mentors, resources, and their first-generation college student peers. This nationally recognized program offers three integrated levers of support to foster integration and belonging that lead to high retention of first-generation college students: financial assistance, academic and social programs, and community-building activities that cultivate a culture of care. Strategic campus partnerships embed students in interconnected networks and communities that positively influence their sense of belonging. The program’s focus on formal and informal peer mentoring promotes community-minded social capital.