Campuswide Effort Underway to Build a Stronger Campus Culture of Belonging

University Relations

The University of Arkansas is developing the foundation for campuswide dialogues, programming and pathways to strengthen the campus' sense of community and culture of belonging.

"We want everyone at the University of Arkansas to feel that they belong here, and we are laying the groundwork this summer for changes in our processes and programming to help achieve this vision," said Charles Robinson, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. "The concept of belonging goes far past any specific office on our campus. It's creating and promoting a culture where every member of our campus community looks out for one another and actively works to enhance the sense of community at our university." 

A committee comprises members from Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Student Success, and University Relations, in addition to student representation. It is leading the effort, charged with defining belonging and identifying the areas of the student experience that are critical to creating a sense of belonging.

The committee will engage campus in conversations throughout the fall to gather perspectives on belonging and community that will be used to inform an action plan for strengthening the feeling of belonging on campus.

The committee is applying appreciative inquiry to its exploration of belonging, an organizational self-assessment technique centered around the process of definition, discovery, dream, design and destiny/delivery that helps create a shared vision for the future that engages others in strategic innovation.

"Appreciative inquiry is a coordinated approach that provides a methodology that is theoretically sound, field-tested and flexible enough to be reflective, introspective and collaborative in creating organizational change," said Lori Lander, assistant vice chancellor for campus life and co-chair of the committee. "With this life-centric emphasis, the hope is that through intentional and open conversations, we can harness positive emotions to increase the coherence and energy that creates a sense of belonging for all of us."

"This is a time for audaciousness that can create lasting transformational change while putting our students at the center of what we're doing," said Anthony DiNicola, inclusion liaison and co-chair of the committee. "This is an ongoing exploration and conversation that will continue far past this summer, and we can't wait to engage more of our campus community in this effort."

While the committee will engage in campus conversations in the fall semester, committee members will also be hosting dialogue circles over the summer for those interested in providing feedback. To participate, or to find out more information about the belonging efforts on campus, contact Lander at llander@uark.edu or DiNicola at anthonyd@uark.edu.

Members of the committee include:

• Anthony DiNicola, inclusion liaison (committee co-chair)
• Lori Lander, associate dean of students (committee co-chair)
• Erin Butler, chief of staff for the Division of Student Affairs (steering committee member)
• EmmaLe Davis, assessment director for the Division of Student Affairs (steering committee member)
• Scott Flanagin, executive director of communications for the Division of Student Affairs (steering committee member)
• John Post, director of academic communications (steering committee member)
• Fernanda Alcantara, university programs president
• Aubrey Cala, assistant director of Greek Life
• Francesca DAgrosa, assistant director for Off Campus Connections
• AnReckez Daniels, academic counselor for the Multicultural Center
• Cecilee Ann Essary, student leadership coordinator for University Housing
• Adrienne Gaines, associate director of student services for the College of Engineering
• Emery Gower, wellness specialist and director of substance education and alcohol resources for the Pat Walker Health Center
• Rafael Gutierrez, assistant director for transfer students and equity and inclusive initiatives for the Student Success Center
• Rae-Marie Hoops, access coordinator for the Center for Educational Access
• Mike Hoover, associate director of assessment for University Recreation
• Amy Schlesing, executive director of strategic communications for University Relations
• Mary Skinner, director of student activities
• Kathy Sloan, vice provost for faculty affairs
• Quincy Spencer, director of new student and family programs
• Angela Williams, director of career services