Sense of community on collegiate campus and graduation expectations: an exploratory study

Researchers have identified several factors that influence the academic success of college students, including, for example, personality traits, high-school academic achievement, and social class before entering college. In this case study, we contribute to this growing body of literature by analyzing the influence of sense of community (SOC) on student success, measured by student expectations that they will successfully graduate from their university. After surveying a sample of students at a private college in Provo, UT, USA, we found a positive correlation between SOC and graduation expectations, although our results varied between class standings. While senior students had the lowest levels of SOC compared to freshmen, they also had the highest indication that they expect to graduate. Freshmen and junior students, on the other hand, had the highest SOC compared to senior students but the lowest indication that they expect to graduate. Due to the association between SOC and graduation expectations, we argue that universities can help first- and second-year students feel more confident that they will graduate through initiatives that strengthen their sense of community.