Adviser Education Program (AEP)

Belonging & Psychological Safety

As advisers work toward inclusive student relationships, it is critical to consider what might impact a student’s sense of belonging. Psychological safety is an imperative factor in the student experience, and a lack of psychological safety will likely impact a student’s overall belonging both in and out of the classroom. The information and exercises below will help you reflect on how you create a sense of belonging and psychological safety for students.

Key Definitions

Belonging

Belonging is the feeling of security and support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity for a member of a certain group.

Psychological Safety

Being able to show and employ oneself without fear of negative consequences of self-image, status or career. (Kahn, 1990)

Reflecting on Belonging

Below you will find exercises that will help you/your office reflect on the type of environment that you are creating for students.

Exercise 1

Read this quote: “There’s a big difference between ‘all are welcome here’ and ‘this was created with you in mind’” - Dr. Crystal Jones

Consider experiences you’ve had or places that you’ve been to that have had an “all are welcome here” philosophy, but where you didn’t feel welcome or like you belonged. What did you have to shed about yourself in order to fit in?
Now, consider experiences or places where you have felt uniquely seen, heard and understood. What made you feel that way?
What might you shift about your approach with students that anchors toward a place that they were kept in mind? What assumptions might you change? How does this overlap with your understanding of identity?

Exercise 2

Examine this graphic that explains the difference between inclusion and assimilation. Simply put, people can feel inclusion and high belongingness when their uniqueness is valued. People can experience assimilation and high belongingness when they have to hide their uniqueness to fit in.

Question: How does your work or the UW more broadly promote inclusion over assimilation, or vice versa?

Exercise 3

How do you facilitate a sense of belonging in your students? The Artistry of Belonging (below) outlines four key pillars of Belonging. Which of the 4 A’s are present in your interactions with students? Which ones need to be further cultivated and developed?

Acknowledgement	Affirmation	Acceptance	Advocacy
Being SEEN.	Being HEARD.	Being NURTURED.	Being ENCOURAGED.
The observation of difference. We acknowledge the presence of difference and want it to be represented.	The validation of difference. We affirm the presence of difference and want it to influence the culture.	The integration of difference. We accept the presence of difference and see it as a benefit—not an obstacle.	The celebration of difference. We appreciate the presence of difference and want access to be extended to all members.