Why Even the Most Anti-Woke, Late-Stage Capitalists Should Care About Sense of Belonging

Abstract

In this commentary, I trace the evolution of “sense of belonging” from a foundational psychological construct to a widely studied element of student experience in higher education, particularly for marginalized groups. I also differentiate between the idea of belonging as a psychological construct and as a sociopolitical one, acknowledging its complexities. I then critique the recent politicization of the term, illustrating how its association with DEI initiatives has led to censorship pressures that undermine research and institutional decision-making, with some examples from my own personal and professional experiences. Next, I present evidence to suggest that fostering belonging is financially advantageous for colleges and universities through its positive effects on recruitment, retention, graduation, and alumni engagement. Finally, I include a call to action for institutional leaders to respond to government pressure with principled advocacy and continued support for belonging.