Measuring Belonging: A New Benchmark for Higher Ed Retention

How does a student’s sense of belonging impact retention? And what can institutions do to foster it?In the latest episode of the Innovating Enrollment Success Podcast, we dive into these questions with Katrina Noelle, president of KNow Research, who led a groundbreaking study with San Francisco State University. The research explores how Latinx students’ sense of belonging, engagement, and self-confidence influence retention efforts—offering valuable insights for institutions looking to improve student success.What You’ll Learn:Why KNow Research partnered with SFSU on this projectHow the study captured the authentic experiences of Latinx studentsThe methodologies used to explore belonging and engagementKey insights on self-confidence, student success, and retentionWhat institutions can learn and apply from this researchConnect with Katrina on LinkedIn and ask for her ‘10 Ways to Build Belonging’ one-sheeter.At Paskill, we know that first-gen students often face unique barriers to belonging—starting with the digital experience. Our First-Gen Student Web Audit helps institutions assess whether their website truly serves and supports first-gen students, ensuring they can find the information and resources they need.Want to strengthen belonging at your institution? Let’s talk. Paskill is here to help higher ed institutions create meaningful connections and better outcomes.Learn more about the First-Gen Student Web Audit.