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Illustration by Sohalia Reddy<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
One important aspect of college that many people don\u2019t think about is building community.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
The organization saw improved graduation and retention rates and an increased sense of responsibility and career-related skills among students involved in their communities. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Persevering through these can include taking part in events and clubs offered throughout campus to help foster connection.<\/p>\n
Students can find their community with organizations at UTA through the Intercultural Student Engagement Center and platforms like MavEngage. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Universities should prioritize building communities.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
@noah_logan_little<\/p>\n