Coaching Supports Student Belonging, Key to Student Agency and Success

Beginning with Abraham Maslow's work on the hierarchy of needs and continuing through the present day, research has repeatedly shown that a sense of belonging can play a significant role in a student's success. In this article that provides the lay of the land for research on belonging, the MIT Teaching and Learning Lab notes that "a student who feels a sense of belonging feels cared about, accepted, respected, and valued by others on campus." This feeling in turn empowers students to act on their own behalf with more conviction as well as connect with others on campus who can support their success. 

Coaching is a multi-faceted belonging builder. First of all, it gives the student a trust-based relationship with a knowledgeable individual who can connect them with other helpful people and resources at the institution. Secondly, as a coach asks questions that help a student clarify their own identity, the authentic areas of belonging may come into sharper focus. Only with an honest sense of self can a student begin to understand where and with whom that self feels comfortable, respected, and cared for. And thirdly, the confidence students may gain from an ongoing coaching relationship can motivate them to take the risk to approach new groups and communities, increasing the opportunities for belonging.  

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