Connecting Online Graduate Students to the University Community

Authors

  • Holly S. Hebert Middle Tennessee State University
  • Christopher K. Dye Middle Tennessee State University
  • Danielle E. Lauber Middle Tennessee State University
  • Don P. Roy Middle Tennessee State University
  • Vickie Harden Middle Tennessee State University
  • Bethany A. Wrye Middle Tennessee State University
  • Amy Harris Middle Tennessee State University
  • Sarah P. Hendrix Middle Tennessee State University
  • Lisa Sheehan-Smith Middle Tennessee State University
  • Hongbo Zhang Middle Tennessee State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v23i2.5815

Keywords:

higher education, sense of community, online learning, graduate students, sense of belonging

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand how to facilitate a sense of belonging among online graduate students. Sense of community theory was the basis for examining students’ desires to be a part of a community and feel connected to the institution. Findings from a survey using the Sense of Community Index 2 (SCI-2) of online graduate students provided insight into the sense of community, the importance of belonging to a community, and activities that could strengthen their connection with the institution. Overall students showed a slightly stronger sense of belonging to their program than to the institution. Students were also asked how they prefer to connect to others in the community with mentoring and inperson social events being the most requested.

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Published

2023-02-07

How to Cite

Hebert, H. S., Dye, C. K., Lauber, D. E., Roy, D. P., Harden, V., Wrye, B. A., Harris, A., Hendrix, S. P., Sheehan-Smith, L., & Zhang, H. (2023). Connecting Online Graduate Students to the University Community. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 23(2). https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v23i2.5815

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Articles