Series explores belonging from the perspectives of students, staff, faculty, and community

University of Phoenix proudly announces the release of a three-part series of white papers dedicated to exploring the concept of belonging within the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Authored by Alisa Fleming, Ph.D., and Jelisa Dallas, MSEd, these thought-provoking papers provide valuable insights for educators, administrators, and community leaders.

“Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are all critical components in creating welcoming and inclusive environments in classrooms, workplaces, and communities,” shares Dr. Fleming. “Our examination focuses on how belonging is fostered, becomes integrated across environments and the impact it has on DEI efforts. We are pleased to share these findings and highlight the ways in which University of Phoenix fosters a sense of belonging for our students, faculty and staff.”

Highlights from the white papers include:

An Exploration of Belonging at University of Phoenix: This inaugural white paper examines how belonging plays a pivotal role in fostering DEI. It highlights the importance of creating inclusive environments where individuals feel connected, valued, and free to express their authentic selves.

Cultivating Belonging in Higher Education: A Focus on Staff and Faculty: The second installment focuses on addressing belonging from the perspective of staff and faculty. It explores practical strategies for promoting a sense of belonging among those who shape the educational experience.

Building Belonging Through Community: The final white paper explores the strategies employed by the University of Phoenix in collaborating with communities to cultivate a larger sense of belonging. It emphasizes the impact on student success and overall well-being.

According to the authors, belonging is achieved when individuals experience deep connection, feel their ideas and contributions matter, and can authentically be themselves. An environment of belonging offers psychological safety, encouraging individuals to take risks, ask questions, and learn from mistakes without fear of interpersonal repercussions. The authors also found that a sense of belonging is crucial for students' academic and professional success, as it enhances motivation, engagement, and a sense of purpose.

Dallas says University of Phoenix is dedicated to cultivating environments where students feel a keen sense of belonging. “One successful initiative we have put into place at University of Phoenix is the Bravely Belong Student Café,” Dallas shares. “We really wanted to establish a safe space for students to gather, share experiences, and receive support on their academic and professional journeys. What we found was the program encourages self-advocacy, a sense of belonging and provides opportunities for students and alumni to engage with subject matter experts on topics like mindfulness and gratitude.”

The Bravely Belong Student Café is part of a series of offerings from the Office of Educational Equity (OEE) at University of Phoenix, aiming to foster cultural awareness, thought leadership and community alliances to promote and sustain educational equity and diversity initiatives. The OEE supports students and faculty year-round with programs like the Educational Equity Webinar Series, Inclusive Leadership Summit and an internal offering for staff and faculty, The Inclusive Café.

Dr. Alisa Fleming, Ph.D., is an academic leader with experience in higher education administration, business, consulting, and teaching. Dr. Fleming serves as Director of Assessment for Assessment & Institutional Research at University of Phoenix. She has served on boards for the Kyrene Foundation and the Association for Talent Development, Valley of the Sun Chapter. Dr. Fleming is the 2022 recipient of the Phoenix500 faculty award and is a 2019 recipient of the Achieving My Purpose Celebration of Women Award. She received a Ph.D. in Business with a specialization in Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University. She holds a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace certificate from the University of South Florida. Her research interests include leadership, ethics, employee behaviors that contribute to healthy workplace culture. Dr. Fleming’s passion for developing and inspiring others to action has led to service roles in her organization and outreach within nonprofits and youth-based organizations in her local community.

Jelisa Dallas, MSEd., is the Program Manager for Recognized Student Organizations for the Office of Educational Equity at the University of Phoenix. With over twelve years of experience working in education, Jelisa has designed and implemented innovative resources and programming for student development and engagement in private, non-profit, and public institutions. Jelisa is DEI Workplace Certified through the USF Muma College of Business. She currently sits on of the board of the University of Phoenix African American Council for Excellence (employee resource group) and Warren/Youngstown Urban League Young Professionals.

The full white papers are available at University of Phoenix Thought Leadership hub.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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