Illustration by Sohalia Reddy
For some, college is a transition into adulthood. Living without parental supervision for the first time, having more responsibilities and learning the importance of self-discipline are just a few of the changes students can expect.
One important aspect of college that many people don’t think about is building community.
According to the American Association of Colleges and Universities, an organization dedicated to advancing the democratic purposes of higher education, students who are part of a community are more likely to succeed in their studies.
The organization saw improved graduation and retention rates and an increased sense of responsibility and career-related skills among students involved in their communities.
Even with these added benefits, barriers like societal expectations and struggling to find a sense of belonging still arise, causing some to barely participate in this aspect of college.
According to an article in the Educational Psychology Review, an international journal, a student’s role, to navigate college, comes with inevitable challenges from joining a community.
Persevering through these can include taking part in events and clubs offered throughout campus to help foster connection.
Students can find their community with organizations at UTA through the Intercultural Student Engagement Center and platforms like MavEngage.
Attempts to join a community can fall flat, especially for those in marginalized groups that have been known to struggle with a sense of belonging due to the exclusionary histories of colleges, according to the article.
At UTA, this could be a large issue, as a majority of its students fall into one of these groups. In the fall 2025 semester, UTA demographic data showed that its students were 34.7% Hispanic, 20.8% white, 15.1% African American, 12.4% Asian, 0.18% American Indian and 0.05% Pacific Islander. International students made up 10.9% of its population.
A student’s sense of belonging can benefit from time spent with like-minded people, such as those with similar experiences and cultural backgrounds, according to an article in the Journal of College Student Development.
Universities should prioritize building communities.
At UTA, events like Global Grounds, MavMarket and International Week can help foster them while engaging attendees in cultures and groups they may not have access to otherwise.
Students at UTA should strive to create community while on campus. Whether it be through a book club, a campus job or a campus organization, surrounding themselves with like-minded people can benefit students as they build careers and further their education.
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